Chapter 179: Resolved?

The voice was right next to his ear.

Kakashi whipped his head around, catching a glimpse of golden light and Naruto's smiling face in his field of vision.

He could see Naruto, but... his Sharingan still couldn't detect any chakra from him.

"When did you get here?" Kakashi asked in a low, cautious tone.

Naruto smiled and replied, "I've been here the whole time. You all passed right by me without noticing."

Ninjas are highly sensitive to chakra, but when it comes to other forms of energy, they aren't nearly as perceptive.

Here the whole time? Impossible.

But Kakashi didn't dwell on it; there were more pressing matters at hand. "Naruto, did you set up this barrier?"

"Yes," Naruto nodded. "I knew you would intervene, so I prepared in advance."

Kakashi remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Why are you doing this? If something happens to the Hyūga clan, it could affect Konoha..."

Naruto tilted his head slightly and asked, "Is Konoha important?"

Kakashi froze. "Isn't it? This is where our teacher—"

Naruto shook his head, cutting him off, "Please don't say that. I care only because they once lived here. One of the houses here was their home."

Kakashi looked down, opening his mouth but finding no words.

The other Anbu members stood silent, too afraid to speak.

"What is the meaning of a ninja? I haven't figured that out yet," Naruto continued, "but the current way things are, it's definitely not the answer."

Kakashi looked up, a complex expression in his eyes, and he murmured, "The meaning of a ninja?"

"A ninja is a tool," Naruto said, posing a question. "But should a normal person be just a 'tool'?"

Kakashi was stunned.

"You never seemed happy before," Naruto said with a gentle smile. "And now... you seem even less happy."

Naruto raised his hand and pointed toward Kakashi's forehead.

Kakashi couldn't avoid it. In his mind, the "seal" that he had nearly forgotten, buried for almost twenty years, suddenly unlocked. A flood of memories surfaced, flashing through his mind like a spinning lantern.

After accepting this surge of memories, Kakashi was left almost terrified. He realized that in those memories, his teacher—who would become Hokage in just over a year—had not only refrained from interfering with Naruto's plans concerning Neji but had even supported them. This was completely opposite to the current stance of Konoha.

Why? This shouldn't be.

Naruto gave him a puzzled look. What was causing this strange wave of emotions?

Inside the Hyūga estate, Karin and Nine-Tails sat on the roof, where the view was best and the sightlines were wide open.

Some of the Hyūga clan noticed them. But the combination of Nine-Tails and the red hair made them immediately aware of who these two were. Moreover, they couldn't tell whose side they were on. Main branch? Or branch family?

Since the two hadn't made any overt moves, no one dared to act rashly.

"True to their reputation, the Hyūga clan's taijutsu skills are really strong," Karin remarked.

Nine-Tails scoffed dismissively, "It's just mediocre. Even in my current form, without using my Zanpakutō, I could beat all of them except for Neji."

Karin glanced at him skeptically.

Nine-Tails snorted twice. It wasn't just boasting. In the Soul Society, there were plenty of experts in hand-to-hand combat. Nine-Tails had crossed paths with them all, and after training with someone like Kenpachi Zaraki, he had gained some techniques and strategies for physical combat.

"But Neji's situation doesn't look good," Karin continued watching the battle. "He's being pushed back."

"Can you really understand human combat techniques?"

Nine-Tails's expression became ambiguous, and after scratching the roof, he flash-stepped to the edge of the battlefield. "Hey, White-Eyed Kid, if you can't handle this, should I lend you a hand?"

Though struggling to fend off his attackers, Neji still managed to shake his head, "No, Nine-Tails-sama, I can handle it myself."

"That half-hearted attitude counts as handling it?" Nine-Tails mocked, showing no mercy. "If you've already decided to stand against them, why are you holding back? That weak, powerless attack... Are you even trying?"

Neji gritted his teeth.

Hiashi Hyūga remained composed, but the elders who were feigning attacks and providing support were growing increasingly alarmed and panicked.

A nine-tailed fox... It's Nine-Tails! Was that other man nearby too?

"Although Naruto doesn't care about your life," Nine-Tails said as he stomped his tail, "if you die... it will be a long time before you can serve him again."

Neji took a deep breath and then, with sudden resolve, grabbed an elder's wrist mid-strike. He steeled himself, "I understand, Nine-Tails-sama."

He already possessed the strength of a Jōnin. With the Caged Bird seal removed, the previously restricted power of his Byakugan was now fully unleashed. Though the improvement was modest, it was still a boost.

In addition... During those four years in Rōran, Neji had grown tremendously. He had reached the pinnacle that a taijutsu ninja could achieve under normal circumstances.

With a swift pull and a strike, Neji severed the chakra pathways of the elder, who collapsed, paralyzed.

The remaining elders were terrified, desperate to avoid becoming the next "sacrifice." Their desire to flee only provided Neji with more opportunities.

Hiashi attempted to block him, but Neji's sudden surge in power made him difficult to handle.

Nine-Tails, satisfied, flash-stepped back.

"See, I told you I was right." He waved his tails, full of pride.

Karin nodded absentmindedly, "Mm, that was amazing!"

Nine-Tails bared his teeth. This red-haired fool was no fun at all; he actually missed Rangiku now.

Neji fought with all his might, no longer holding back. The elders met a grim fate. Having their chakra pathways severed was the best outcome they could hope for. Many had their limbs cut off, their torsos pierced.

Hiashi and Neji clashed in a battle of Gentle Fist techniques. At first, Hiashi could keep up with Neji's speed and strength, but as the fight dragged on, he started to lag behind. His movements slowed as his chakra points were struck, causing his chakra to freeze and his speed to drop even further.

One strike landed, the force of it rushing at Hiashi's face.

Neji stopped just short of striking Hiashi's face.

"You've taken the Byakugan and the Gentle Fist to such a level?" Hiashi said softly, the pain in his body making even speaking difficult. "You've grown strong, Neji."

Neji didn't withdraw his hand. "Will you listen to me now?"

Hiashi remained silent.

"Dream on," one of the fallen elders spat, his face twisted in anger. "You'll never have your way! A branch family is just a branch family. The power of the Caged Bird..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Neji flash-stepped forward, gritting his teeth as chakra surged through him, bringing his hand down in a slicing motion.

Blood sprayed out, drenching half of his face in hot crimson liquid. A single blow ended the elder's life.

Neji took a deep breath, the scent of blood filling his nostrils. It wasn't the first time he had killed someone. But... it was the first time he had killed for himself. It was a completely different feeling.

He wiped his hand on the elder's robes, then slowly turned his head to face the other elders.

"Neji, we should talk," one of them said, his tone now gentle, stripped of the arrogance from before.

The immediacy of death was more convincing than any words.

Neji tilted his head, then flash-stepped again, delivering a lethal blow to the second elder.

"Neji, what are you trying to do? Didn't I just say we could still talk things over?" the third elder stammered, now more frightened and anxious than calm.

Neji looked up, his voice flat. "Nine-Tails-sama was right. We are already on opposite sides. Talk? At this point, is there even a need?"

He flash-stepped once more. The third elder who had spoken fell to the ground, his heart pierced.

The silence that followed was palpable. Only Nine-Tails's loud voice echoed through the courtyard. Which only added to the sense of fear.

"So, will you listen to me now?" Neji asked, his face expressionless as he scanned the group before settling his gaze on Hiashi.

Hiashi was utterly defeated, unable to believe that the Hyūga clan had reached such a point. Some of the elders exchanged glances, still holding onto a sliver of hope, but Neji's sudden and brutal execution of three of their comrades kept them from speaking up.

"Are you waiting for Konoha's reinforcements?" A female voice suddenly interrupted.

The remaining hopeful elders looked over. It was Karin, who had flash-stepped to a closer spot on the rooftop, swinging her legs. "Naruto said this is a Hyūga clan matter. He wants you to handle it yourselves. He won't interfere. Of course, he also won't let anyone else interfere."

The elders' eyes widened in shock.

No wonder... They had wondered why, after such a prolonged battle, Konoha had shown no response. It turned out that the reinforcements had been held back by that man.

Hiashi Hyūga, the once proud leader of the clan, was in shock. The weight of his role as the clan head—or perhaps now the former clan head—finally bore down on him. In this moment of defeat, he lowered his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Please, give your orders."

Neji turned, bowing respectfully to Nine-Tails. "Nine-Tails-sama, could I ask you to keep watch over them for a while?"

"What? Now you want to boss me around?" Nine-Tails sneered, flash-stepping to land on Neji's head, using it as a perch. "Kid, I'm your senpai."

"Please, I need to speak with Naruto-sama," Neji requested sincerely.

Nine-Tails swished his tails and jumped down. "Since you're asking so nicely, I'll humor you this once, as a senior guiding a junior, White-Eyed Kid!"

Karin beamed from the rooftop. "Naruto's outside. You'll see him as soon as you walk out."

Neji nodded in acknowledgment. With a final glance at the elders and Hiashi, he turned and walked out of the estate, his steps steady and deliberate.

Outside the Hyūga estate, Kakashi stood next to Naruto in silence, unsure of what to say. Small talk and pleasantries felt inadequate in the face of what was unfolding. The air was thick with tension, and Kakashi could sense the shift in the atmosphere—something profound was happening.

Just then, the large estate gates creaked open. Neji emerged, his white robes stained with blood. He flash-stepped to Naruto's side and bowed respectfully. "Naruto-sama, I've dealt with my business. If you're available, would you accompany me back inside?"

Naruto nodded.

Kakashi started to follow behind them, but Neji turned and fixed him with a cold stare, speaking in a stern tone, "Fifth Hokage, please stay here. I've only invited Naruto-sama."

Kakashi hesitated, his foot half-raised, unsure of what to do next.

~~~

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