The firearms testing proceeded steadily each day. By the second week, Tobirama had already built a rapid-fire gun based on Uchiha Hikaru's initial design suggestions.
He even named it exactly as Hikaru had described — Gatling.
Every evening after testing concluded and shooting data was collected, Neji and Tenten were tasked with gathering feedback from participants.
Tenten, completely unaware of the real situation, followed the mission scroll's instructions diligently. As for Neji, several people would come and go from his tent each night.
With each repetition of the Pure Eye Seal, Neji's technique grew increasingly refined. From five seals a night, he advanced to ten with ease.
The cost of this progress was that Tenten's face was growing visibly thinner with anxiety. She had wanted to ask Neji if he was unwell, but every time she saw his radiant smile growing brighter by the day, her worries faded away.
Maybe he's just working harder than I am, she reasoned. He treats firearms like his children. There's probably no one in Konoha who loves firearms more than Neji.
That must be it. He's so dedicated, he forgets to eat or sleep.
But then another thought crept in…
Wait… if he treats the firearm like his child… and I helped create it too…
Does that mean the firearm is our child?!
After that, every time Neji and Tenten made eye contact, they'd both look away awkwardly.
Neji thought she was upset because he hadn't been collecting feedback and assumed she knew he was slacking off. Tenten assumed he was thinking about… their "child."
So the misunderstanding deepened. And both of them threw themselves even harder into their "missions."
—
The sun dipped below the horizon. A full month had passed.
The Hyuga branch ninjas beamed with satisfaction as they packed up their gear, dismantled targets, and regrouped at their original camp. Spirits were high all around.
Tobirama stood in front of the formation with a faint smile on his face.
"Everyone of the Hyuga branch, thank you for your hard work during this mission. Without your cooperation, it would've taken far longer to collect the data."
"Now, I officially declare the mission complete. Let's return to the village!"
As his voice fell, Neji and the two hundred Hyuga branch members raised their right arms high, hundreds of voices responding in unison:
"YES!!!!"
The overwhelming sound made Tenten shrink back, disoriented. She leaned toward Neji and whispered,
"Neji… why is everyone so hyped? I feel like I'm the only one out of the loop."
Neji kept his thoughts to himself: Of course you're out of the loop. This is Hyuga business… better to keep you uninvolved.
But aloud, he said something different.
"They're not like us or Lord Tobirama. We love firearms. For them, it was just a mission."
"For a whole month, they were stuck doing boring, repetitive tasks every day. Now that it's over, they're naturally relieved."
Tenten blinked. "…You know what? That actually makes sense."
But still… something felt off.
Weren't a lot of Hyuga branch members really excited during the mission too?
Maybe they were just counting down the days until they could go home.
Maybe it's the joy of returning home…
Under Tobirama's lead, Neji, Tenten, and the two hundred Hyuga branch members began their march back to Konoha. It took them about half an hour to reach the southern gate.
Waiting for them there, in the fading dusk, was Hyuga Hiashi. He stood quietly, watching the horizon.
The moment the group appeared in the distance, he activated his Byakugan.
Then — seeing the group return safely — a rare smile softened his face.
And across the foreheads of every single Hyuga branch ninja, the Caged Bird Seal vanished.
When they reached the gate, Tobirama greeted Hiashi. The two clasped hands — Hiashi's warm and grateful, Tobirama's cold and reserved.
"Lord Tobirama, thank you for your efforts. It seems Neji and the others completed their task successfully," Hiashi said, eyes shining with genuine appreciation.
Tobirama gave a subtle nod and quickly withdrew his hand.
"Yes. We successfully collected all the experimental data. The mission is complete."
"I'll report to Tsunade and finalize the paperwork. She'll send the mission rewards shortly — you can distribute them however you see fit."
Clearly uncomfortable with Hiashi's enthusiastic gratitude, Tobirama gave a brief parting statement before leaping away in a blur of motion.
Hiashi then turned toward Neji and the gathered branch family members.
"Neji, did everything go smoothly?" he asked meaningfully.
Neji understood immediately which mission he meant and gave a firm nod. Behind him, the two hundred branch members nodded as well, their expressions solemn but proud.
For an entire month, Hiashi had lived in constant fear — afraid that the main family elders would grow suspicious and send their own ninja to investigate Tobirama's activities. But that day never came.
After all, in the eyes of the main family, even if two hundred branch members were lost, the Caged Bird Seal would remain intact.
A "precious legacy" of the clan.
Hiashi's gaze shifted to Tenten, who stood next to Neji looking slightly nervous.
"Tenten, right? I remember you. Thank you for looking after Neji during the mission."
"If not for your help, I doubt he could've developed those firearms."
"If you have the time, please come visit us more often. Neji… doesn't have many friends."
As he said this, he gave Neji a teasing look, his tone light.
Tenten's brain went into overdrive. Her face flushed as red as a tomato, steam practically rising from the top of her head.
"Ah—hahaha—yes! If I have the chance, I'll definitely visit often in the future!"
"Oh! Right, Assistant… er…"
Hiashi (￣︶￣): "Just call me uncle. You're Neji's friend — no need to be so formal."
With that, he reached out and rubbed Neji's hair affectionately.
Tenten (〃▽〃): "O-Okay then, Uncle Hiashi!"
"Ah, I should get going! I haven't been home in a month and I really miss my parents! I'll head back first~!"
"Goodbye, Uncle! Bye Neji! Bye everyone!"
With that, she turned and scurried off down the road, practically jogging.
The Hyuga branch members all turned to look at Neji (•‿•), grinning meaningfully.
Boy's got game.
They were all sincerely happy for him.
-------
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