The streets of Hidden Cloud Village were calm, bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon. Neji walked steadily through them, though his mind was far from at ease. His brow was furrowed, his steps measured, weighed down by thoughts that refused to let him rest.
The battle from the previous night lingered vividly in his memory, highlighting weaknesses he had long suspected but never fully confronted. He had pushed himself, relied on every ounce of strength and every technique at his disposal—but it still hadn't been enough.
What limited him now, more than anything, was the capacity of his Chakra. His Tenseigan had grown in power with each awakening, and with it, his overall strength surged. Yet, despite these advances, Neji could feel the invisible ceiling of his potential looming over him, stubborn and immovable.
Even if his Tenseigan fully matured, he feared he would still lag behind prodigious talents like Naruto. Strength, at its root, was often a matter of lineage, and though Neji's Hyuga bloodline was revered, it could not rival the innate abilities of the Otsutsuki clan. The Gentle Fist and Byakugan were formidable tools, but in terms of sheer Chakra reserves, the Hyuga were only average among the greatest.
There was, however, a solution—a path to surpass his natural limitations. Tailed Beasts.
The beasts were living reservoirs of nearly limitless Chakra. Even the smallest, the One-Tailed Shukaku, contained reserves beyond the comprehension of ordinary ninja. If he could find a way to harness even a fraction of that power, Neji could break past the boundaries his lineage imposed.
Yet, it was no simple task. All nine Tailed Beasts were closely monitored by the Five Great Nations, each bound to a Jinchuriki and guarded with immense scrutiny. Any plan to obtain one would demand careful calculation and flawless execution.
"Neji-kun, what are you thinking about?"
The voice, soft yet insistent, startled him. He turned his head slightly and saw Yugito perched awkwardly on his back. Her injured leg rested across his arm, a constant reminder of the struggle they had endured.
"Ah… well…" Neji scratched the back of his head, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "I was just thinking about how your leg is holding up, Captain."
Yugito's eyes narrowed mischievously, though her voice remained light. "It's fine… I guess. Though it'll take a while to heal properly, so I suppose I'll be relying on you for the journey."
Neji suppressed a groan at the implication behind her words. The warm air from her breath tickled his neck, and he felt a rare, unsteady fluster rising within him. This woman is definitely doing it on purpose… he thought, though he maintained a composed expression.
With careful movements, he adjusted her position and held her securely, continuing on toward the Village in silence. The path was long, and Neji's mind continued to wander even as his body focused on steady steps. The memory of the battle, the lingering threat of the Tailed Beasts, and the unspoken tension with Yugito all swirled together, forming a quiet storm within him.
---
Ten days later, they arrived at Hidden Cloud Village without further incident. Yugito was immediately taken to the hospital, where healers carefully tended to her injuries. Meanwhile, Neji made his way directly to the Raikage's office, determined to report the events of their journey and the encounter with Yume Ryuma.
The Fourth Raikage's expression hardened the moment he saw the familiar head of Aoyama Hideomi. Aoyama, who had lived in the village for over two decades, was regarded as a civilian genius. During the Third Great Ninja War, he had earned renown for single-handedly taking down several Chunin from Konoha, earning the Raikage's trust and a high-ranking position.
But now, the truth of Aoyama's treachery was evident. He had been a spy for Konoha all along.
When Neji recounted how he had thrown the half-dead Yume Ryuma into the amber purifying pot, the Fourth Raikage's face flushed with anger. He was poised to crush Yume Ryuma with his own hands when Tsuchida stepped forward, calm and measured.
"Raikage, a living insect is far more valuable than a dead one," he advised.
The Raikage paused, consideration flickering across his features. Finally, with a deep sigh, he nodded. "Very well, Tsuchida. I'll leave this matter in your hands."
Turning to Neji, his expression softened into an unexpected smile. "Neji-kun, come with me to the training ground. I want to see just how much your strength has improved over these past days."
"Yes, Raikage," Neji replied, bowing respectfully. The two left the office side by side, leaving Tsuchida behind, silent and slightly bewildered.
---
A month passed. At the Red Leaf Izakaya, the atmosphere was lively, filled with the clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversation. Yet, on the second floor, a more intimate scene was unfolding.
"Iron Armor Seal, release!" Neji murmured, his hands pressing firmly onto Yakushi Nono's flat stomach. Slowly, with precise control, he withdrew the Chakra that held the seal in place.
Yakushi Nono exhaled, sweat glistening on her forehead, cheeks flushed with the effort. "I feel… pretty good," she said, a rare smile spreading across her face.
The Iron Armor Seal had been difficult to set, and even more difficult to release. Conventional sealing techniques relied on manipulating the sealed individual's Chakra, requiring both precision and patience. Neji's control was exquisite, and his method—pressing his palm directly and allowing Chakra to infiltrate the seal—was time-consuming but effective. It took him nearly half an hour to completely dissolve the layers of the seal.
Once finished, he moved on to the Tongue Curse Seal—a subtler but more sensitive technique. The process demanded extreme focus. Any mistake could injure Nono, and unlike the Iron Armor Seal, Neji had not personally set this seal, making its unravelling an unknown challenge.
Yakushi Nono's mouth was forced open, her tongue extended, and Neji guided it carefully with two fingers. Chakra flowed through his palms, dissolving the intricate web of the curse. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he maintained unwavering concentration, unwilling to risk even the slightest misstep.
Half an hour passed. Yakushi Nono's discomfort was evident; her tongue burned and itched under the strain, yet she did not cry out. Neji remained calm, controlled, and patient. Finally, the subtle energy binding her tongue dissipated entirely.
"Mission accomplished," Neji said quietly, stepping back. He wiped his hands with a tissue, finally allowing himself to breathe.
Yakushi Nono hurried to the restroom to rinse her mouth. When she returned, she examined the base of her tongue in the mirror—there, the curse had vanished. Her body was whole once more, and a sense of relief washed over her.
"Neji-kun… thank you very much," she said sincerely, bowing in gratitude.
Neji's hands went to his hips, a small, serious smile on his face. "Just words, Landlady?" he asked.
Nono hesitated, then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, closed the doors and windows. Her expression softened, and she laughed coquettishly.
"You've worked hard, Ninja," she said, voice lowering to a velvety murmur. "Sit down. Let me help brush away your fatigue."
In that instant, her demeanor shifted from dignified to alluring. The Izakaya's first floor continued its lively din, oblivious to the intimate moment upstairs. Neji could only sigh quietly, recognizing the masterful duality of her role. As an ace spy, Nono's ability to shift seamlessly from gentle caretaker to captivating presence was nothing short of extraordinary.
Above them, the wooden roof creaked. Dust fell slowly, settling like a silent witness to the gratitude, trust, and subtle tension shared in that quiet, sunlit room.
---
Neji allowed himself a moment of reflection. He had achieved much in the past month—not only had he freed Nono from the lingering curse, but he had also begun to understand the limits and potential of his own strength. Every challenge, every painstaking effort, had reinforced the reality that growth demanded both patience and relentless perseverance.
And yet, the journey was far from over. Tailed Beasts, the mysteries of his Tenseigan, and the unyielding ambitions of the ninja world still awaited him.
For now, however, Neji allowed himself to rest. Among the laughter, gratitude, and quiet warmth of Hidden Cloud Village, he felt a fleeting sense of peace—a rare, precious moment of calm before the storms yet to come.
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