The Hyūga compound was also a place Kazuyama Gekkō often visited. After all, Hinata Hyūga was the bride he had chosen for his son. To secure this arranged marriage, he had pestered Hiashi endlessly, even taking a few Gentle Fist strikes for his troubles.
"Hey, Neji, practicing, huh~"
"Stop training. Come with me. Let me see how you've grown lately."
Four-year-old Hyūga Neji was in the middle of practicing Gentle Fist when the sudden voice made his handsome little face twist in resignation.
"Kazuyama sensei, you're here."
"Father is resting right now. I'll go call him for you."
As Neji was about to run off, Kazuyama Gekkō quickly grabbed him by the back of the neck and lifted him up. His elemental abilities may have grown slowly over the years, but his strength and taijutsu had improved plenty. Handling a little brat like Neji was no problem.
"Neji, is this how you treat your sensei?"
"Seems we'll need another round of giant boa training."
At the mention of the forest python, Neji shivered.
His mind flashed back to that training session not long ago. It wasn't just him—Michihito Gekkō had been there too. Their opponent had been a single forest python, a massive beast stretching dozens of meters.
The two boys had been left completely dumbstruck. Kazuyama Gekkō's answer had been simple: "A jade stone must be carved to become a treasure." Of course, afterward he'd been chased down and beaten by Pakura and Hizashi.
"Kazuyama sensei, please… I'm sorry, alright?"
"Hmph. That's better."
Looking at Neji, already with the demeanor of a miniature adult, Kazuyama Gekkō smiled faintly. A flawless forehead, those white eyes—perfect. Completely perfect.
Why perfect? Because they lacked that disgusting green mark. The curse of the Hyūga branch family, the Caged Bird—the mark that had scarred Neji for life in the original story.
"Those old fogies haven't caused any trouble again, have they?"
"No. Ever since you talked to them last time, they've been quiet. Even Father was pleased for a long while."
"Sensei, is that mark really such a hassle?"
Kazuyama Gekkō curled his lip and muttered, "Don't think about it. That thing has nothing to do with you. A bunch of stubborn old fools."
Back then, for Neji's future, Kazuyama had come personally to the Hyūga compound to take him as a disciple.
Kazuyama Gekkō was famous throughout Konoha, his prestige once even overshadowing the Sannin. He was a powerhouse on par with the Hokage. His taking Neji as a student was a huge boon for the Hyūga Clan. With that master-disciple bond, Kazuyama became an external ally to the clan.
But his condition was clear: Neji could never be branded with the Branch Family's Caged Bird Curse.
Naturally, the Hyūga elders had objected, even accusing Kazuyama of overstepping his bounds. Later, however, Kazuyama had a "very amicable" discussion with them. The details remained unknown, but afterward the elders had fallen completely silent. They stopped interfering, stopped meddling in clan affairs.
Hiashi and Hizashi had always wondered about it. They knew those old men too well. But whenever asked, Kazuyama only smiled and refused to say a word.
"Neji, you've been under my training for a while now."
"Remember—always keep the kunai I gave you with you."
Neji nodded. He'd heard of his teacher's title so often it was practically drilled into him. Konoha's Ghost—his Flying Thunder God Technique was strange and terrifying. Carrying that kunai was like carrying insurance.
"Alright. Tell your father to strengthen security within the clan. Be cautious of Kumo's people too."
"As a ninja, staying vigilant at all times is essential."
Kazuyama didn't linger. Neji nodded at his words, but before he could even react, Kazuyama had already whisked him away.
"Alright, we can't come here for nothing. Let's start training."
The Death Forest was as eerie as ever, but this time there were no giant snakes—only Kazuyama himself.
"Show me how much you've grown."
Seeing no massive python, Neji lit up with relief and immediately launched an attack.
The Hyūga Clan had their own methods of cultivating the younger generation. The Main Branch children didn't need to undergo missions as genin. They could be educated at home and go straight to the Chūnin Exams.
Since Kazuyama's involvement, even the Branch family children had begun receiving the same treatment.
Still, Kazuyama's plan for Neji hadn't changed. He intended to send him to the Ninja Academy. And this was no ordinary academy. With Hatake Sakumo as its head and a lineup of top-class sensei, its quality was sky-high.
At his age, Neji was already a prodigy among prodigies. His Byakugan activated, he struck with Gentle Fist.
"Whoa, that's a good Gentle Fist."
"But Neji, do you understand?"
"These fists, these palms—they aren't meant to look pretty. They're meant to hit the enemy."
"If your speed isn't enough, then no matter how much power you've got, it's useless."
Kazuyama flickered behind him. Even with Byakugan, Neji sensed his sensei's movement, but his body couldn't keep up.
"Ow!"
A light kick sent him face-first into the dirt.
He was only four. Even prodigies had to take their beating from reality.
"Neji, your speed is too slow."
"Looks like it's time for the python training again. Summoning Technique!"
Neji tried to shout "No!" but it was already too late. The smoke of the summoning filled the air.
This time, though, it wasn't a colossal forest python. Instead, a black snake only ten meters long slithered out.
"Hey, Kazuyama, what do you want?"
"Hm? A forest? Nice environment."
It was the Black Mamba—the fastest snake in Ryūchi Cave.
"Hmph, Little Blackie. Still as talkative as ever, I see."
"Enough chatter. I've got a task for you. See that kid over there?"
The Black Mamba's gaze landed on Neji, who froze in place at the sight of the massive serpent.
"Oh? A Hyūga brat. Your new apprentice? Not bad, Kazuyama. You really only pick the geniuses, huh?"
"What? Want me to help train him?"
Kazuyama nodded, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"You're the fastest. He runs, you chase. Bite him, coil around him—whatever you like. Swallow him whole if you want."
"Only one rule: keep him running."
Neji Hyūga: …This is it… the end…