Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 23: Today I'm Treating, You're Paying!

"Of course, it's to maintain our great friendship and to check up on you!" Katsuragi said with a grin, looking at Neji's increasingly pale face as he jumped down from the tree and continued, "Speaking of which, this place is quite hidden! How did you find it?"

"You can't even hide from me here!" Neji muttered internally before replying stiffly, "It's none of your business. Please leave if you have no other business here and don't disturb my training!"

"Neji, you hurt my feelings talking like that!" Katsuragi circled around Neji and looked at the tree that seemed almost battered to death from the harsh winter, then said, "What's the fun in training alone? Let's spar instead!"

"Katsuragi!"

Neji's face turned even uglier as he spat out the words, "I haven't bothered you recently, have I? The wounds you gave me a few days ago have just healed. What exactly do you want?"

"Cough, cough!" Seeing Neji's livid expression, Katsuragi felt a bit awkward. It seemed they had 'friendly exchanged' a few days ago. It appeared that with age, his memory was failing him—though he was only four years old, he mused nonsensically.

"Don't be like that!" Katsuragi sheepishly said, "Spar with me; it's beneficial for you too. Look how much you've improved. Surely, my help has contributed to your progress!"

Neji stared at Katsuragi, knowing he was right but also very aware that Katsuragi's intentions were not to help but to beat him. After all, who helps someone by aiming punches at their face?

"Alright, alright!" Seeing Neji looking coldly at him without responding, Katsuragi shrugged helplessly and said, "Okay, no fighting today then. Just continue your training. Can we at least go have lunch together afterwards?"

"I really don't want to…"

As Neji began to refuse, Katsuragi quickly interjected with a threat, "If you don't go, I'll beat you up right now!"

"Uh…"

Neji swallowed his words, knowing all too well that Katsuragi meant every word and, more importantly, he couldn't beat Katsuragi in a fight. To avoid getting bruised and battered, Neji reluctantly grunted, "I still have a lot of training to do. Can you wait?"

"Why not finish early?" Katsuragi replied nonchalantly, leaving Neji speechless.

Glancing at Katsuragi, who was wandering around, Neji continued his training while internally deciding that once he surpassed Katsuragi, he would take his revenge. Although, he knew that day might never come.

Watching Neji train, Katsuragi, feeling a bit bored, started doing some adaptive training because the Three-Tailed Fox had reached four stars, significantly increasing his speed.

He also needed to learn how to suppress his speed to avoid revealing his true capabilities, aiming to meet the standards of a 'genius' rather than expose his enhanced abilities.

Neji, training nearby, sneaked glances at Katsuragi and was shocked, "This guy, his power has increased again!"

"Darn it!" Neji clenched his fist; his relentless training was to surpass, or at least catch up to, Katsuragi, but now he realized the gap was widening, which was disheartening.

"Byakugan... It's all about the Byakugan..."

Neji thought to himself. In his understanding, Katsuragi didn't possess any Kekkei Genkai, so once he activated his Byakugan, he believed his strength would undoubtedly surpass Katsuragi's. With renewed focus, he intensified his efforts.

Though Katsuragi suggested finishing early, he was so absorbed in his training that he didn't notice the time, until a physically exhausted Neji collapsed on the ground, snapping him back to reality; it was almost afternoon.

"It's this late already?"

After checking the time, Katsuragi quickly went over to help Neji up and asked, "Are you alright?"

Neji didn't speak, just shook his head slightly. Looking at Katsuragi with some concern, a strange warmth momentarily filled his cold heart before he dismissed it. Katsuragi and Hinata were friends, but he and Hinata could never be friends, so a friendship with Katsuragi was impossible too.

"What's wrong?" Seeing Neji staring blankly at him, Katsuragi felt odd, wondering if Neji might have accidentally hit his head during training.

"It's nothing!" Neji responded after a pause, then brushed off his clothes, seemingly ready to resume training.

"Rumble~"

However, before he could continue, a sound came from his stomach. Observing Katsuragi's teasing look, Neji's face reddened for once.

"Alright! Stop training! Let's go eat! Today, I'm treating, and you're paying!"

Seeing Neji's condition, Katsuragi walked over boisterously, not minding the dirt, and slung an arm around Neji like they were close pals, although his last remark clearly bemused Neji.

"I don't have any money!"

"You do!"

"I don't… Damn it, give me back my wallet!"

"You don't have it anymore! Haha!"

After enjoying a hearty dinner, walking down the streets of Konoha with Neji by his side, Katsuragi cheerfully remarked, "What's wrong? The food was good, wasn't it?"

Neji silently glanced at his wallet, which had been full just a few minutes ago and was now as deflated as a punctured balloon, shooting Katsuragi a fierce look again.

"Cough, cough!" Noticing Neji's expression, Katsuragi felt a bit embarrassed and offered, "Then let's say that meal was on you!"

"It was supposed to be on me in the first place!"

"No, no!" Katsuragi waved a correcting finger, "I treated; you just paid the bill! There's a difference!"

Seeing Katsuragi's sophistry, Neji had no desire to argue further and turned away, unwilling to engage further.

"Alright, alright!" Seeing Neji's demeanor, Katsuragi straightened up and said, "Neji, if you can stop targeting Hinata in the future, I'll help you train. Seriously train, not just beat you up."

Over time, although Neji's attitude towards him had softened considerably, his behavior towards Hinata hadn't changed much; he was always cold and harbored a deep-seated resentment, which Katsuragi found frustrating.

So, he decided to lower his expectations. He no longer insisted that Neji become friends with Hinata; he just hoped Neji would treat her like a stranger or at least an ordinary person. After all, he didn't really want Neji to get too close to Hinata.

"Miss Hinata..."

Neji paused, his eyes showing a flicker of confusion, looking at the earnest Katsuragi without knowing how to respond.

"Neji, Hinata hasn't done anything to you. Her background isn't something she chose; she's just a kind-hearted little girl. You shouldn't hate her."

After listening to Katsuragi, Neji was silent for a long time before finally exhaling and replying, "I know, but I don't need your help with training. Just keep your distance and don't disturb me anymore!"

Hearing Neji agree, Katsuragi smiled happily. However, upon hearing Neji's request for him to keep his distance, he felt somewhat displeased and quickly said, "How can that be okay? Without my help, your training will surely slow down!"

"So, you'd better accept my guidance willingly!"

End of Chapter 23