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Neji led Naruto and Jiraiya out of the Hokage's office, guiding them toward the sector where Killer B and the Cloud shinobi delegation were housed.
Originally, Tsunade hadn't planned to give Neji this mission she still remembered the pain and distrust that Cloud's past actions had caused the Hyūga clan.
But Neji had stepped forward himself, requesting the assignment with calm conviction.
He'd claimed he wanted to "understand the weight of the past."
Tsunade had seen the look in his eyes and finally agreed.
Now, as he walked, Neji's heart was quiet.
The hatred that had once burned within him had long since faded.
The men responsible for the Hyūga incident were already dead by his own hand and the Fourth Raikage, he knew, would meet his end in the coming war.
That was enough for him.
---
Soon, Neji arrived at the Cloud delegation's quarters and turned to Naruto and Jiraiya.
"You can handle it from here," he said evenly. "I have other matters to attend to."
Naruto nodded. "Got it!"
Jiraiya waved casually as Neji departed.
Watching the young man's calm retreating back, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a pang of respect. Letting go of a wound that deep… that takes strength.
He sighed softly and followed Naruto inside.
And froze.
So did Naruto.
Before them stood a large, dark-skinned man, bobbing his head and shaking his hips to an off-beat rhythm—
"Yo I got a blade I got a tentacle uh fusion~ en Killer B!"
Naruto and Jiraiya stood there, petrified.
The Cloud shinobi who had escorted them looked mortified, silently wishing he could sink into the earth with a Doton jutsu.
Apparently, Killer B had discovered a new music style in Konoha, something called "PPAP," and was now passionately adapting it into his rap.
The poor escort coughed awkwardly. "Lord B, we… have guests."
B finally noticed the newcomers.
The escort bowed quickly. "These are Lord Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki. They came to meet you. Please… discuss whatever you need directly."
And with that, he vanished in a blur, fleeing in embarrassment.
Forgive us, Lord Raikage, he thought miserably. We've officially disgraced Cloud.
---
Jiraiya, the older and more battle-worn of the two, recovered first.
He patted Naruto on the shoulder and said solemnly, "Remember this, kid there are all kinds of people in the world. You'll get used to it."
Naruto slowly nodded, still haunted by the sight of B's dance moves.
Meanwhile, B looked genuinely excited.
"Yo! Wait—don't tell me you two are my fans?! You want an autograph, right?"
Naruto blinked.
Jiraiya almost tripped over himself. This guy is even weirder than the rumors said. How did Minato ever deal with him?
Clearing his throat, Jiraiya said carefully, "Sorry to disappoint, but we're not fans. I'm Jiraiya, and this is my student Naruto Uzumaki, jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails."
B's grin faltered for a moment, then returned with full energy.
"No prob, bro Ain't no hate in my flow But tell me, what's up, yo?"
Naruto scratched his head. "Well… I heard you're a perfect jinchūriki. I want to learn how to control my Tailed Beast too!"
B's eyes lit up.
He snapped his fingers, breaking into another rhyme: "Yo~ I feel ya, kid, got the same spirit! You wanna train? You got my lyrics!"
His words were strange, but his meaning was clear he was willing to teach Naruto.
Jiraiya let out a slow breath of relief. Good. If anyone can guide him to master the Nine-Tails' power, it's this fool of a genius.
He turned to leave. "Naruto, I'll let you handle it from here."
---
Outside, Neji stood on a nearby rooftop, observing quietly through his Byakugan.
"So… this is how it begins," he murmured.
"Training to master a Tailed Beast, huh?"
He couldn't help but smirk faintly. If only they knew… it all comes down to food.
He'd seen the truth long ago the Nine-Tails wasn't conquered through violence or force, but through dumplings and patience.
A little bribery went a long way with that stubborn fox.
---
Elsewhere — The Wave Country
Far away, Sasuko Uchiha was locked in fierce battle with Kimimaro.
Despite awakening her Mangekyō Sharingan, she still wasn't satisfied with her strength.
After facing her brother, she finally understood just how much mercy he had shown her.
He could've ended me a thousand times… but he didn't.
That thought burned in her chest like fire.
She wouldn't stop until she was strong enough to destroy Danzō and the masked Uchiha who had appeared that night.
Kimimaro's bone spear grazed her cheek, drawing a line of blood.
"Losing focus in battle," he said coldly, "is fatal."
Sasuko's eyes flared, the tomoe spinning into a new, intricate pattern.
Bones rose around her in a skeletal frame the Susanoo.
Her voice was low, sharp as a blade.
"Then come at me, Kimimaro."
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