Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too arrogant

"Father...is it really...it really you?"

Neji's Byakugan misted over. His precocious nature made him hesitant to believe the surprise before him, fearing it was just a dream and that he would only face greater disappointment upon waking.

If it's an illusion... if it's a trap...

He shakily raised his finger, trying hard to recall the knowledge he had been taught at home.

That...that mark...what was it again...?

Barely managing to form an "Un" hand seal, Neji took a deep breath and his voice, trembling with tears, hissed, "...Release!"

The spell was activated, but the scene before him remained unchanged. His father was still kneeling there, his usually stern eyes now filled with tenderness, and even a hint of heartache.

It's not an illusion... It's not an illusion...

At this moment, Neji's tears, which he had been holding back, finally burst forth. The tears that had been falling silently turned into a torrential downpour, and the four-year-old could no longer maintain his precocious facade.

"……Father!"

A tearful cry escaped his lips, and his small body lunged forward. Hizashi opened his arms and caught his son safely. Neji buried his face in his father's chest, his grievances and the joy of regaining his son turning into a wail that echoed for a long time in the quiet room.

Fortunately, the high-end hotel that Naruto chose had excellent soundproofing.

Naruto leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, a slight smile playing on his lips beneath his mask. The scene before him—a father-son reunion that could never happen in the original timeline—was unfolding before his very eyes.

Instead of teaching his son to "be strong" as usual, Hizashi gently stroked Neji's trembling back, letting him vent his emotions in his arms.

The tragedy of the original work was changed, and Naruto felt very happy watching the father and son embracing.

Neji's crying gradually subsided, leaving only occasional sobs. Hizashi gently stroked his son's wet cheek, wiping away the glistening tears with his thumb. Only the sound of Neji sniffling and the faint chirping of insects outside the window remained in the room.

"Father...you're really still alive..." Neji knelt before Hizashi, his small hands clutching his father's sleeve tightly. "I...I thought you were already..."

His voice grew softer and softer, the last few words almost squeezed out between his teeth. Richa could feel the strength in his son's fingers.

"Neji, I'm sorry." He gently held his son's small hand. "I should have died already, but someone gave me a second chance."

Hiashi slowly recounted what happened that day. He was supposed to be escorted to Kumogakure when the man wearing the fox mask suddenly appeared, attacked the Kumogakure caravan, and saved him.

After speaking, Hizashi turned to the corner of the room and bowed deeply to the figure that was always leaning against the wall. Neji then remembered that there was a third person in the room. He followed his father's gaze and saw that the mysterious masked man was still in the posture of crossing his arms.

"You guys keep talking, don't worry about me." A nonchalant voice came from behind the mask, accompanied by a casual wave of the hand.

The sir nodded respectfully and turned his gaze back to his son.

"...Father," Neji's voice lowered, "was this incident really as others said... because as a member of the branch family, he died in place of the main family?"

Although he was overjoyed that his father had come back to life, the plan by the main family to use him as a scapegoat in the Cloud Village's attempt to seize the Byakugan still planted a seed of resentment in Neji's heart.

After a moment of silence, Hijiri nodded slowly.

"Yes, that's indeed what the main family planned. To prevent the Byakugan from being leaked, I, as a member of the branch family... because I look almost exactly like my brother, was chosen as a substitute and given to Kumogakure."

"I see..."

Neji's voice suddenly turned icy. He realized that seeing his father again was purely by chance—if that mysterious masked man hadn't appeared, his father would already be…

"Father!" Neji suddenly looked up, "Is it really just because of the division of the family... that we should be used like this?!"

Hizashi sighed deeply and gently placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "Neji, if possible... I don't want you to hate them."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Neji's head. He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, completely unable to comprehend his father's thoughts.

Not hate? Why? Even if you're pushed to your death for no reason, you can't resent the main family?

Looking at his son's confused and angry expression, Hizashi's eyes revealed deep guilt.

"I... almost died. But in that moment, I realized one thing: hatred is easy, but it only leads us into the cage of another caged bird."

Neji shook his head blankly, unable to understand the deeper meaning in his father's words. But what Hizashi said next struck him like a thunderbolt.

"Neji... I'm so sorry." Hizashi's voice was filled with unprecedented guilt. "Actually, on that day... I chose death myself."

"...Huh?"

Neji's expression froze. He couldn't understand the meaning behind his father's words. Why choose death when he didn't have to?

Hizashi continued, "That day, the main family did indeed propose this plan: that I, as a member of the branch family, should die in place of my elder brother."

"However, in the end, it was my elder brother... Hiashi Hyuga himself who rejected the proposal. As the clan head, as long as he disagreed, this plan to sacrifice himself could not be carried out."

Neji's mind went blank. Why...?

"My brother's plan was to destroy his Byakugan and then hand himself over to Kumogakure." Hizashi's tone turned somber. "I've hated the main family my whole life, and I still do. But at that moment... I volunteered to die in his place."

Neji's pupils contracted violently.

"But I did it not to protect the main family," Hizashi's gaze softened, "but to protect my brother... to die protecting my family. That was the first time I truly had the right to choose."

He gently pressed his hand on Neji's shoulder, his voice firm yet tender. "Neji, my son, I don't want you to be bound by hatred. Now I finally understand—as long as you grow up safely, that's more important than anything else."

"so……"

"Don't believe that your life is solely for the sake of the main family. Continue until you find what you truly want to protect."

Richa paused for a moment, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes.

"But if we really encounter danger... I hope you can survive to the end. This is... a father's selfish wish."

------

In the time that followed, Hizashi and Neji's conversation became calm and warm. There was no conflict in the ninja world, no family feuds, only the most ordinary father-son chatter.

For example, remember to eat on time, don't be a picky eater, and take breaks even when training is busy. Remember to wear extra layers in winter.

If you encounter any problems you can't solve, go to your uncle. He may be strict, but he will definitely help you.

Don't take your anger out on others this time. And don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Once you get into ninja school, you must listen to your teachers. But if anyone bullies you, you don't have to put up with it.

Neji kept his head down, but he remembered every word his father said.

These words of advice were ordinary, trivial, and even a bit nagging. But every single one was imbued with a father's most sincere concern. Neji listened quietly, treasuring these ordinary moments of warmth little by little in his heart.

Before I knew it, the sky outside the window was gradually turning white. The chirping of early birds came from the distant woods, their clear calls breaking the silence of the night.

It was almost dawn.