Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 19: The 'Unhappy' Neji!

Watching Katsuragi stand still without making a move, Neji grew impatient and charged forward with a shout, his fist raised in what seemed to be a ninja-like stance.

"Um!?"

Neji's movement jolted Katsuragi from his thoughts. Deciding not to overthink it, he prepared to gauge Neji's actual level of ability before planning his next moves.

Besides the Byakugan, the Hyūga clan is renowned for their exclusive Gentle Fist technique. Perhaps because Hiashi was still alive, he had already begun laying the foundations for Neji, so his movements now carried a hint of the Gentle Fist style.

This brought a mix of relief and concern to Hiashi's eyes, watching from the sidelines. Neji was, after all, his own nephew, and Hiashi felt comforted by his skills but worried about Neji's resentment towards him and the main family.

"Ah!" Hiashi sighed and continued watching the fight, genuinely surprised by Katsuragi's reactions and speed.

After dodging another punch aimed at him, Katsuragi got a good sense of Neji's capabilities. Simply put, comparing their abilities was like comparing the light of a firefly to the brilliance of the moon—there was no competition.

After all, Neji was just a five-year-old child. Even with Hiashi's meticulous training, he couldn't match Katsuragi, who had cheats enabled. For Katsuragi, defeating Neji would be a piece of cake.

Glancing at Hinata, who was watching him worriedly, Katsuragi ultimately decided to give Neji another chance. The original story had been tragic enough for Neji; he would spare him this time.

If Neji dared to provoke or mock him again, Katsuragi resolved to revisit that 'dark and stormy night' plan, showing Neji what real terror was.

Having made up his mind, Katsuragi no longer hesitated. Facing Neji's relentless pursuit and punches, he chose not to dodge this time but instead stopped and blocked Neji's fist with his small hand.

Neji was taken aback by Katsuragi's sudden defense, but he quickly adjusted and raised his right leg, aiming a kick at Katsuragi's waist.

However, before his leg could connect, Katsuragi changed from blocking to grabbing Neji's fist and, with a forceful swing, threw him over.

Neji felt his body lighten, then the world spun, and he crashed to the ground with a thud, unable to stand for a while from the pain.

Hinata, who had been watching anxiously, didn't fully grasp what had happened. Seeing Neji suddenly flying off, she cried out worriedly, "Brother Neji!"

"Don't worry! It's nothing serious!"

Seeing Hinata's worried look, Katsuragi reassured her as he approached: "He just fell over, I didn't use much force."

"Okay!" Relieved by Katsuragi's words, Hinata then turned her attention to him, asking softly, "Katsuragi, are you alright?"

"Of course!" Katsuragi boasted, tilting his head confidently. Facing a kid who hadn't even started at the Ninja Academy, if he couldn't win, then all his cheats were for nothing.

Perhaps unable to bear seeing Katsuragi flirting with his daughter, Hiashi approached them. After ensuring that Neji was indeed alright, he announced to Katsuragi, "You win, Katsuragi!"

Looking at Neji, who had stood up but remained silent with a stoic face, Hiashi said, "Neji, don't be disheartened. The Hyūga clan values the Byakugan and Gentle Fist. Once you activate your Byakugan, try fighting Katsuragi again."

Katsuragi glanced at Hiashi. Not to boast, but even if Neji activated his Byakugan, he wouldn't be a match for him now that his body had recovered, allowing him to continue earning rewards from bounties. Once he got the Three-Tails to four stars and Yuki-onna to five stars...

However, Katsuragi wasn't foolish enough to voice such thoughts now, not on the Hyūga premises, as it would undoubtedly spoil his plans to foster a closer relationship with Hinata.

Neji's reaction was intriguing. Upon hearing Hiashi's words, he merely gave a cold glance and remained silent, but the observant Katsuragi noticed Neji's gaze lingering on Hiashi's forehead—that is, the Caged Bird seal.

Hiashi also noticed this and frowned deeply. Perhaps due to Katsuragi's presence, he said nothing more, instead instructing coldly, "That's enough, go back now!"

Neji nodded, gave Katsuragi another look, and silently left the room.

"Both of you, clean up and get ready for dinner!" After Neji left, Hiashi didn't stay any longer. He spoke briefly to Katsuragi and Hinata before leaving the room.

"Katsuragi, do you think Brother Neji dislikes me?"

After Hiashi left, Hinata turned to Katsuragi with a forlorn whisper: "I feel like Brother Neji really doesn't want to be here to train!"

Hearing Hinata's words, Katsuragi sighed internally. Neji's dislike wasn't directed at Hinata personally but at her status within the main family. However, these weren't his concerns to voice. Instead, he saw an opportunity to score some points.

"How could anyone dislike you, Hinata? You're so adorable!"

Katsuragi ruffled Hinata's hair reassuringly, adding, "Maybe Neji just encountered something that made him unhappy. Don't worry about it too much. Let's get ready for dinner."

"Really? He doesn't dislike me?"

Hinata looked up at Katsuragi with her big, endearing eyes.

"Really!" Katsuragi assured her emphatically.

"Okay!" Hinata finally smiled sweetly, then looking forward to Katsuragi, she suggested, "Then Katsuragi, let's help Brother Neji! Let's solve whatever's making him unhappy, so he won't be unhappy anymore!"

"Eh!?"

Katsuragi was taken aback. Solving Neji's unhappiness was a tall order, considering the root causes were likely Hiashi's death and the Caged Bird seal—neither of which he could help with. But facing Hinata's hopeful eyes, Katsuragi reluctantly agreed, "Alright! But let's talk about it later—I'm starving!"

"Okay!" Pleased by his agreement, Hinata smiled happily, then energetically nodded and said, "Then let's go have dinner first!"

After dinner, as snow began to fall softly from the sky and Katsuragi prepared to bid farewell to Hiashi and head home, Hinata suddenly stood up and said, "Father, Katsuragi and I would like to visit Brother Neji, is that okay?"

Katsuragi was startled and glanced at Hinata, silently wondering if she intended to help Neji with his 'unhappiness' right now.

"Neji!?"

Hiashi was equally surprised and after a perplexed glance at Katsuragi, he asked Hinata, "Why do you want to see him?"

"We... we want to check if Brother Neji is hurt!"

Hinata didn't reveal Katsuragi's earlier comments, merely expressing a desire to check on Neji.

Hiashi frowned, looking between the embarrassed Katsuragi and Hinata, then finally said, "Just remember to come back early!"

"Okay! Understood, Father!"

Hinata cheerfully acknowledged, then grabbed Katsuragi's hand and they both ran out together.

Feeling the warmth of Hinata's hand in his, Katsuragi would normally be elated, but now he was merely plagued with a headache, dreading the thought of facing Neji's unfriendly demeanor once more.

End of chapter 19