Chapter 61: Bitterness

Anbu Building, Interrogation Room

An Anbu stared at Shinji and asked slowly, "Is this all that happened?"

"Yes," Shinji nodded honestly. He recounted everything except what he shouldn't say.

"Based on your description, the mysterious man should be much stronger than you. Why did you escape so easily?" the Anbu asked.

Shinji shook his head. "I don't know."

That was the truth. If the mysterious man had continued to pursue them, none of them would have escaped.

The Anbu didn't dwell on this question. "Is that ninja cat your summoned beast?" he asked.

"Well, I made a contract with it when I visited the Land of Cats not long ago. Teacher Iruka can verify it for me," Shinji explained.

The Anbu glanced at Shinji and said, "We will verify it."

Then, the Anbu pondered for a moment and continued, "Have you noticed any unusual behavior from Uchiha Sasuke?"

"What kind of abnormality?" Shinji asked.

The Anbu carefully phrased his next question, "For instance, during your journey to the Root base, was his panic a ruse? Or did he use you to evade pursuit by the Root ninja?"

Frowning, Shinji realized the Anbu was suspicious of Sasuke.

This wasn't good. No matter how many doubts there were about Sasuke, Shinji knew he could clear them up. Following the Anbu's suspicions and falsely implicating Sasuke would lead to consequences.

"I was in charge of the rear guard as planned," Shinji replied. "He didn't use me."

The Anbu pressed further, "Are you certain he didn't manipulate you?"

"No!" Shinji shook his head firmly. "Why do you ask?"

As Shinji was involved too, the Anbu disclosed, "You were at a confidential village facility. During your escape, there was a theft, and Sasuke was found nearby."

"What was stolen?" Shinji inquired.

The Anbu hesitated, unable to reveal the theft of the Sharingan to Shinji, an Uchiha.

Feeling the tension, Shinji offered, "Could the mysterious man from the Forest of Death be involved?"

"Hmm?" The Anbu was taken aback.

Shinji fabricated, "After attacking us, he vanished. Maybe he followed us to the facility."

"That's a possibility," the Anbu conceded after a pause. "You may leave."

Shinji nodded and before leaving, asked, "Where is Sasuke?"

"He's safe in the Hokage Building," the Anbu assured.

After reviewing Shinji's statement, the Anbu left the interrogation room.

Another Anbu guarding the door inquired, "How did it go?"

The interrogating Anbu smiled. "The kid knows nothing. He was kept in the dark."

"I heard he performed impressively?"

Shaking his head, the Anbu remarked, "It's a shame he hasn't activated his Sharingan. In terms of potential, he can't match Uchiha Sasuke."

Meanwhile, on Shinji's side...

As he descended the stairs, Shinji encountered Neji, who had just finished his own questioning.

They exchanged nods and left the building together, both deep in thought.

Shinji pondered, reviewing his actions to ensure no slip-ups had occurred.

Neji remained silent, the day's events weighing heavily on him.

He hadn't anticipated his Gentle Fist techniques, in which he took pride, would prove so inadequate against the mysterious man. He felt like a failure compared to Shinji's more effective response.

Thus, the two exited the Anbu building in silence.

"They're coming out!" A loud shout alerted students waiting outside, who greeted Shinji and Neji eagerly.

Haku, Karin, Tenten, Lee, and other classmates from Sasuke's class, including Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, and Hinata, were among them.

Confused, Shinji asked, "What are you all doing here?"

Tenten spoke up, "If not for you three, we might have been in trouble."

Shikamaru added, "You saved our lives today!"

Naruto scanned the Anbu building. "Where's Sasuke?"

"Still at the Hokage Building," Shinji replied reassuringly. "We're all okay."

Out of nowhere, Shion suggested, "Let's celebrate with a barbecue!"

Shinji and Neji couldn't refuse their classmates' kind offer and were promptly whisked off to a nearby barbecue restaurant.

As everyone ate and chatted, they discussed the mysterious man's appearance in the Forest of Death earlier that day.

The memory of the mysterious man's terror lingered vividly among them.

Many present hailed from bloodline or noble families and had encountered numerous powerful ninjas, yet none compared to the mysterious man.

He was the kind of formidable opponent whose mere presence instilled fear.

It was this fear that elevated Shinji, Neji, and Sasuke to hero status among their peers for daring to stand up to the mysterious man.

Shion boldly proclaimed, "I'm telling you, Shinji is incredibly strong—stronger than any of you!"

Shinji's expression darkened. "Please, no need for exaggeration."

Regretfully, Shion lamented, "I had no idea ninja school could be so thrilling. I want to enroll too!"

Meanwhile, with Hinata and Neji..

Approaching Neji, Hinata expressed her gratitude. "Thank you for saving me today, Neji brother."

Neji's demeanor remained cool. "There's no need for thanks from you,miss Hinata. I wasn't trying to save you."

"Neji brother..." Hinata looked crestfallen.

Their classmates whispered among themselves, puzzled. "What's going on? Aren't Neji and Hinata from the same family?"

"Shh, don't speculate. Hinata's from the main Hyuga family, and Neji's from the branch."

"Isn't there any difference? Hinata still calls Neji her brother."

"Neji keeps family matters private."

Listening to the gossip, Neji reached up to touch his forehead, then withdrew his hand and clenched it into a fist.

Main family, branch family.

To others, it might be just a distinction.

But those within understood the bitterness of being from the branch family.

Neji, despite his youth, had tasted its bitterness all too well.

"I have other matters to attend to. I'm leaving," he announced abruptly, rising to depart.

Watching Neji go, Shinji silently reflected, "The caged bird and the Tenseigan…"

End of Chapter