Everything happened in the blink of an eye before anyone could react, Neji had taken down several Root shinobi.
In that moment, everyone finally witnessed Neji's true strength.
Up until now it had only been rumors; few had seen him in action. Their praise had been superficial they had no real sense of his power.
But now, he had effortlessly defeated Root operatives who weren't ordinary genin Root agents generally ranked above Chūnin in combat ability.
This meant Neji's strength was genuinely at Jonin level.
Jonin of his age? A rarity even in Konoha. Neji was only thirteen and yet nearly matched Kakashi.
"Gentle Step Twin Lions Fist!" Hiashi's heart leaped.
That technique was normally taught only to the clan's main family! How did Neji learn it?
At this point, Neji felt there was no point hiding. Someone would discover him sooner or later, and it was better to show his hand now.
He half-wanted to say: I am not the strongest but even Madara would fall before me.
"Hyūga Neji, are you planning to defect from the village?!" Kurenai shouted, bringing everyone back to the moment.
"Hyūga Neji!" Kurenai roared. "Under everyone's gaze, you dared to strike Root agents. If you don't surrender immediately, we will treat you as a rogue ninja!"
Neji kicked the fallen Root shinobi aside, then glared at Kurenai with icy calm.
"So that means we should allow Root to apprehend people arbitrarily without resistance?"
At those words, the crowd stilled and all eyes fixed on Kurenai.
He trembled and stepped back, ashamed. Today, he had truly lost face one of Konoha's council elders being humiliated by a mere teen.
"You brat don't think I've finished with you!"
Danzo spoke up, his voice cold and shaded.
"Hyūga Neji, your strength surprised me indeed," he continued.
Though his words sounded like praise, his tone was dark implying that even Neji couldn't stand against the wounded Orochimaru.
Watching him, everyone understood Danzo's hidden meaning and glanced anxiously back at Neji.
Naruto, still oblivious to the tension, was the only fool present.
Seeing the crowd shifting their attention between Neji and Danzo, Neji felt a strange mix of amusement and disgust.
"Danzo," he said clearly, "even with doubts cast on me, at least I defended the village. Without me, Konoha would be destroyed."
Nods rippled through the crowd. During Konoha's defense, Neji had indeed stood strong. His contribution was undeniable.
"If Neji hadn't held off Shukaku, the damage would have been catastrophic," Kurenai said.
"Kakashi agrees: Neji used significant chakra to stop Shukaku. It's reasonable he couldn't stop Orochimaru as well," Kakashi added.
"Right. Even if Neji is Jonin-level, Orochimaru is still leagues above," Guy agreed.
"My father's death pained me, but that's no reason to blame Neji," Asuma Sarutobi whose words carried deep influence spoke up. Almost immediately, the crowd lined up behind Neji.
Neji smiled and looked at Danzo with polite scorn.
"And you?" he asked. "When Orochimaru invaded, you and Root disappeared during that critical time."
That remark hit like cold water. Many frowned.
Yes! Root and Danzo, so powerful but when the village was under attack, they vanished. They watched the Third Hokage die without lifting a finger.
Sensing hostile looks, Danzo ground his teeth.
"I wasn't in the village then..." he muttered.
Neji cut him off swiftly.
"How did you even know Orochimaru was wounded?"
"I was told by Root agents."
"If Root was there, why didn't they prevent him from leaving? Why didn't they support everyone in Konoha?"
The crowd transferred their judgmental gaze from Neji to Danzo.
Danzo struggled, "I had other matters"
"Oh? How noble," Neji mocked.
Danzo clenched his fists, "Regardless, the Hokage selection cannot wait."
"I am a student of the Second Hokage, with Kage-level strength"
"Shut your mouth."
Danzo puffed with indignation turns out he was a pedigree snob, banking on lineage and reputation like others before him.
But lineage didn't guarantee suitability. Every Hokage some chosen from non-heritage paths had proven themselves.
Neji stepped forward coolly and spoke his final point.
"Tsundere isn't exactly lineage," he began. "Why not choose Tsunade instead?"
Danzo's face went pale.
Tsunade, a member of the Legendary Sannin and undeniably Kage-level. Her pedigree: successors of both Senju and Uzumaki, with Hokage ancestry and built the village from its roots.
Danzo, you're not fit.
Even Tsunade and Mitokado perked up at Neji's suggestion.
Seeing them sway, Danzo nearly vomited acid. His face was already breaking.
Enough. He left without another word, followed by his Root operatives.
Then Mitokado approached Neji. "Neji, I won't ask how you knew about Tsunade, but I believe you do. Can you bring her back?"
Neji nodded. Mitokado smiled gratefully.
"Thank you. In that case, you'll take charge of bringing Tsunade home."
Without Jiraiya present, only Neji had a chance of convincing Tsunade to return.
Mitokado recalled something Hiruzen once said: "Hyūga Neji has strong will."
Later, back at the clan estate, Hiashi summoned Neji.
Neji expected a scolding. After all, his actions reflected on the Hyūga clan, and his public defiance of Danzo had serious implications. The Uchiha massacre was still fresh a cautionary tale.
"Neji," Hiashi said gravely. "You should have thought it through."
Neji acknowledged this silently. He had acted when no alternatives remained. Danzo had set his sights on the Hokage seat and on controlling the Hyūga.
Also, that pervy Jiraiya kept delaying. Konoha was in crisis, yet mentors were missing in action.
He pressed his teeth anger rising at Jiraiya and Naruto disrupting his plans yet again.
Unexpectedly, Hiashi praised him. "Though rash, today's action exposed Danzo. Under his rule, the Hyūga would have followed the Uchiha's path. But after this show, Danzo can forget being Hokage."
Hiashi had seen through Danzo's duplicity years ago when Hinata was kidnapped before negotiations with the Cloud they suspected Danzo was involved, then uncovered his plan to extract Byakugan to experiment.
Yes, even Danzo coveted the Byakugan.
Hiashi didn't tell Neji everything some secrets ended with Hinata's near-death. He accepted the fallout.
Now that Danzo's reputation was ruined and every action he took further limited Konoha's darkness had retreated.
But Neji had made an enemy. Danzo and Kurenai would scheme against him. Hiashi warned that Neji would face many hurdles ahead.
"I'm not afraid," Neji said softly. "If they stand in my way, I'll wipe them out."
Though Danzo and Kurenai were powerful, Neji could defeat them his Gentle Step Twin Lions Fist could even pulverize bone and coil it into ashes.
Hiashi regarded him silently before asking: "You really intend to seek Tsunade?"
Neji replied with a steady "Yes."
Hiashi paused, then nodded. "Do as you wish. You have my full support."
Neji bowed and left, heading straight for Sannin Street. His pace was swift he'd reach his destination in a day or so.
Hiashi watched him go and sighed, regretting that Neji lacked interest in the Hokage seat. With Hyūga support and public favor, Neji could have been an excellent candidate.
But Neji chose another path.
As Neji left the estate, a figure slipped from the shadows. He paused, lips curling.
"I like your chances, Danzo."
At the village gates, Neji paused hearing loud clashes and wild chakra bursts.
A fight was raging.
Neji scanned the direction with interest. The Akatsuki moved fast, and would do anything to accomplish their goal. By any measure, they've become an elite model organization.
It's a shame too bad they were manipulated by Black Zetsu, twisted from their original cause, Neji thought.
Everyone knows the Three Greatest Illusions of the ninja world:
First, the Will of Fire Naruto endured the Byakugan for years but still loved the village, unwavering and pure.
Then Black Zetsu's Grand Deception its thousand-year plan all to resurrect Momoshiki, deceiving the ninja world for ages. If it had not confessed at the end, it would have succeeded.
Finally, the greatest illusion of all Naruto's endless verbal rambling. Forget Rinnegan or Mangekyo Sharingan when Naruto mouths off, all jutsu pale in comparison.
Neji let out a dry laugh. He'd have to recruit others from Akatsuki when time was right. They had the skills, at least elite Jonin.
But his mission now lay elsewhere. He strode from the village.
Even if Jiraiya still hadn't returned, and Danzo wouldn't let Naruto be taken Naruto, as a wildcard, was too unstable to give up.
"Old man," he murmured, "make the most of your final efforts."
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