Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

"Answer?"

Just as Neji was looking at Naruto in confusion, the door of the medical room opened and a middle-aged man with long hair stepped inside.

When he saw the newcomer, Neji's expression immediately darkened.

The person who came was none other than Hyuga Hiashi.

"Sorry, could I please have a moment alone with Neji?"

Hiashi asked calmly.

Naruto nodded slightly and turned to Sasuke, "Come on, let's give them some space."

"Are you sure about this?" Sasuke asked, a bit concerned. Through Naruto, he knew a little about Neji's past struggles.

"Don't worry."

Naruto gently led Sasuke out of the medical room, leaving only Hiashi and Neji inside.

"What do you want?" Neji asked coldly.

Hiashi's face turned serious, "I'm here to tell you the truth about what happened that day."

"That day..."

Neji's voice softened, then he recalled the memories of his father's death.

Hiashi began, "That day... I was ready to die."

Neji's affectionate expression instantly twisted, and he roared with fury, "What are you talking about! My father was killed just to replace you!"

Hiashi didn't say anything in rebuttal. Instead, he pulled out a scroll from his robe and handed it to Neji.

"This contains the whole truth of that day!"

"The truth? Just more excuses fabricated by the main family!"

Neji unwilling to read what he assumed would be hollow justifications. He believed that reading it would only fuel his resentment.

"Once you read it, you'll understand everything," Hiashi said, placing the scroll beside Neji.

When he caught a glimpse of the handwriting on the scroll, the anger in Neji's eyes instantly turned into shock, because those were his father's own words!

Trembling, he hastily opened the scroll and began reading its contents carefully.

"Neji, my time is limited. There are things I need you to know. The envoy of Kumogakure who tried to abduct Hinata-sama was killed by Hiashi-sama. However, Kumogakure did not acknowledge this attempted abduction. They used the death of their Shinobi as an excuse to make unreasonable demands. Initially, they demanded Hiashi-sama's life, but if you're reading this scroll now, then you already understand... This was my own decision, not something forced by the main family."

Seeing this, Neji shook his head in denial, refusing to believe it, "No... it can't be. It must have been the main family's coercion. Otherwise, why would my father willingly sacrifice himself!"

He quickly read further.

"I have always harbored resentment toward the main family, and I still do. But precisely because of this, I didn't protect Hiashi-sama as a member of the main family; I did so as my brother, with my life. To me, this was a personal choice… a small taste of freedom!"

"I didn't die to protect the main family, I chose to die for my brother, my family, and the village. Even if only once, I wanted to defy the fate of the Hyuga Clan and make my own choice. I wanted to carve my own path, just once, even if it led to my death. I have won against fate, Neji! Fate is something we forge with our own hands."

"Father!"

After reading the entire content, tears began streaming uncontrollably down Neji's face.

At that moment, Hiashi suddenly knelt down deeply, bowing his head to the ground, saying with sincerity, "This is the truth! I'm sorry!"

Neji's eyes widened in shock, staring at Hiashi for a long time before he took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Please, raise your head..."

"But…"

Before Hiashi could say more, Neji cut him off, "Father made his choice by his own will, and I respect that. Therefore, allow me to make my own choice… I want to leave the Hyuga Clan!"

Most of Neji's resentment toward the main family had stemmed from his father's fate. Now, his father's final letter had finally brought him closure.

The lingering bitterness that remained was rooted in the main family's unfair treatment of the branch family's members, but now, without the Caged Bird controlling him, Neji felt that bitterness dissolve.

After all, the Hyuga Clan had raised him for years, and whatever grievances he'd suffered could now balance out with what he'd gained. He could finally let go.

"I can't give you an answer right away, but I respect your choice," Hiashi replied with a sigh, "After careful thought, I'll give you my response."

With that, Hiashi rose and, with a deep sigh, left the medical room.

"Thank you, Naruto!"

Holding the scroll, Neji recalled Naruto's many moments of lighthearted teasing, and it struck him suddenly, 'Naruto had seen the truth from the very beginning, guiding me with gentle encouragement.'

Looking out the window at the birds soaring freely in the sky, Neji felt his heart finally at peace.

'At last, I could live for myself, as free as those birds!'

"Father, I now believe that fate can be changed. If you are watching over me, just know that your son will not let you down..."

…

Meanwhile, in the adjacent waiting room.

Naruto and Sasuke, who had just left the medical area, found themselves brought to a waiting room by Anko.

"Now then, Sasuke." Anko began sternly, "When and where did someone place that Cursed Seal on you?"

Sasuke replied calmly, "I'm not your prisoner. I have no obligation to answer your questions."

"This is extremely serious. You might have caught that monster's eye. He's a cold-blooded creature who devours others mercilessly. For your safety, you need to tell me everything."

Anko's face grew tense as she rubbed her neck, clearly haunted by disturbing memories.

"Oh my, so I am a cold-blooded creature. Even after not seeing you for so long, it seems your hatred for me hasn't diminished in the slightest."

A voice interrupted from the doorway before Naruto or Sasuke could reply. Stepping into the room was none other than Orochimaru, who is disguised as a Kusagakure's Shinobi.

Seeing that Sasuke had achieved the complete Cursed Seal state, Orochimaru couldn't resist observing him up close, which led him here.

However, before he could enter, he had overheard Anko's words about him.

"You are... Orochimaru!"

Anko whispered in disgust. The familiar sinister aura left no doubt in her mind.

Removing his mask, Orochimaru's lips curved in a small smirk, "It's been a while, Anko."

"It's really you! How dare you come to Konoha and infiltrate the Chunin Exams! What is your true motive?!"

Anko assumed a combat stance, her expression extremely tense and wary.

"Take a look at this, and you'll understand."

Orochimaru did not make a move, but instead retrieved a scroll from his robes and tossed it to Anko.

"This... This is Hokage-sama's handwriting!"

Anko frowned. She recognized the words on the surface of the scroll were written by Sandaime. However, she kept her guard up and cautiously unrolled the scroll.

"Orochimaru is currently executing an SSS-Rank mission. Orochimaru's Missing-nin status is hereby rescinded. All personnel are to follow Orochimaru's orders, with this decree having the full authority of myself. Anyone who reads this scroll is forbidden to disclose this information without permission!"

Seeing the Hokage's seal at the bottom of the scroll, Anko was stunned.

Though handwriting could be forged, the Hokage's official seal was impossible to fake. Every Konoha's Shinobi learned to recognize that seal as part of their training. There was no denying it… this scroll was authentic.

But Anko couldn't believe that Sandaime would actually revoke the traitor mark on Orochimaru.

'How did this monster convince Hokage-sama?'

'And what the hell is an SSS-Rank mission?'

'The highest classification known was Super S-rank, which covered high-level international missions involving top-secret intel.'

'But SSS-rank? This had to be some kind of insane fabrication...'