Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 283 Neji Becomes an Apprentice

The Cloud Village delegation arrived in Konoha on December 27th. After many twists and turns, it had already entered Konoha's 55th year. The spring breeze thawed the ice, and the weather gradually warmed up.

Neji's apprenticeship was also put on the agenda. After discussion between Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Gen, they decided to hold a formal apprenticeship ceremony.

This was a formal announcement to Konoha that the Uchiha and Hyuga clans would unite and stand together in solidarity.

The apprenticeship ceremony was held at the Uchiha clan's territory, with invitations extended in the name of both clans to the Konoha leadership, other major clans, and important figures in the village.

On the morning of January 10th, Konoha 55, guests arrived one after another. According to the guests' status and position, each of the two major families sent someone to receive them.

Only when high-ranking members of Konoha appear will Gen Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga personally greet them. Clans of the Ino-Shika-Cho caliber are usually greeted by their elders.

Before the ceremony officially began, the adults chatted in the spacious and elegant courtyard, and the children also had a place to interact.

Although it was Hyuga Neji's apprenticeship ceremony, Hyuga Hiashi also brought Hinata along.

Neji Hyuga, Hinata Hyuga, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and other second-generation members of various clans—most of the Konoha Twelve Konoha members gathered here.

The little girls are looked after by Itachi Uchiha, the older brother.

The invitations sent by the two major families suggested that the younger generation of each family meet and get to know each other, so the heads of each family brought their children.

The little girl didn't have that many thoughts yet, and even the relatively precocious Nara Shikamaru started communicating after the initial awkwardness.

Even so, one can still vaguely discern the current power structure of Konoha from the distance between the little radish-heads.

Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto were very close, while Hyuga Neji and Hyuga Hinata were even closer to Sasuke and Naruto because of their families' relationship.

The heirs of the three major families, Ino, Shika, and Cho, need to cultivate their relationship from a young age. As they are playmates who spend every day together, they are naturally closer.

The Sarutobi and Shimura clans, among others, did not have any heirs of suitable age present, otherwise the Ino-Shika-Cho trio would have been even closer to the heirs of these clans.

It's worth mentioning that Yamanaka Ino, the heir of the Yamanaka clan, is quite close and friendly with Sasuke and others.

This is partly because Sasuke is handsome among children, and partly because the Uchiha and Yamanaka clans have a good relationship now.

Kiba Inuzuka of the Inuzuka clan is loud and boisterous, and quite sociable, so he can be accepted anywhere.

As for Shino Aburame, well, let's not even mention her.

Shino Aburame naturally inherited the traditional characteristics of the Aburame clan, with a very low profile, but while being ignored, she is also easily accepted.

Before the ceremony began, Konoha's high-ranking officials arrived on time.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura did not come; only Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane did.

The choice of attendees has already made some astute family heads and elders realize the attitude of Konoha's higher-ups towards the two major families.

If we had to use only two words to describe it, then "fear" would undoubtedly be the most appropriate.

Because of his fear, the Hokage did not come in person; because of his fear, he also had to give him some face to avoid escalating or making the conflict public.

The attitude of Konoha's higher-ups caused different thoughts among the elders of the various clans present.

Some people are worried that Konoha will be plagued by constant turmoil in the future, and they are afraid that their own family will be drawn into it.

On one side are the Konoha leadership, and on the other are two powerful clans. It's a battle of titans. If things aren't handled well, the titans might be fine, but your own side could easily get beaten black and blue.

Some people were excited, thinking they could benefit from both sides and thus expand their family's influence.

Some people remained calm and decided to continue their policy of keeping a low profile, trying their best not to get involved in anything.

Of course, regardless of their true thoughts, everyone appeared cheerful on the surface.

We're all adults; it's basic for us to wear different masks when facing different people and different situations.

Once all the guests had arrived and taken their seats, the apprenticeship ceremony officially began.

The apprenticeship ceremony for ninjas is actually very simple, or even unnecessary; mutual recognition between the master and apprentice is sufficient.

However, since that method couldn't be used to invite so many guests, the two families adopted the method of apprenticeship and learning between nobles.

It is well known that the various rules and regulations of the nobility are generally quite complicated, or to put it more politely, they are very ceremonial.

After a series of complicated procedures, the final step came: the apprentice kowtowed and offered tea.

Neji, dressed in a dignified black kimono, respectfully kowtowed, then took a cup of tea from the tray handed to him, held it with both hands, and bowed as he offered it.

"Teacher, please have some tea."

Uchiha Gen smiled and took the teacup, took a sip, then put the teacup aside, patted Neji's head, and finally handed Neji two scrolls.

"The scroll on the left is the training plan your teacher has set for you. You must complete it diligently from now on."

"Teacher, I will definitely finish it carefully," Neji said with a serious face.

His father explained the great significance of this apprenticeship to him. Although he could not fully understand it yet, he was determined not to let his father down and would do his best!

"Yes, I believe you."

"The scroll on the right is a gift from your teacher."

"This scroll was specially made by the teacher. If you drip a drop of blood on it, you can summon the teacher's special summoning beast."

"Use it in a crisis, it can save your life."

In reality, Uchiha Gen simply turned the process of signing summoning contracts with three high-level Homies into a jutsu seal in a scroll, which can be activated with just a drop of blood, making it much less complicated than before.

"Thank you, teacher," Neji said respectfully.

Many of the onlookers looked on with envy; this was truly a wonderful treatment.

Uchiha Gen's special summoning beasts created with his Mangekyou Sharingan are renowned throughout the ninja world. Each one is more powerful than the last, making them top-notch for protection and survival!

"Okay, let's use it now."

"Yes, teacher."

Neji unfurled the scroll with both hands, then without hesitation bit his right thumb, dripping a drop of blood onto the scroll surface covered with mysterious black patterns.

When blood falls on it, the black lines seem to flow as if they are alive. All the black lines contract around the blood, and with each contraction, a little blood disappears.

Once all the black lines had shrunk and the blood had vanished without a trace, a loud bang was heard, white smoke billowed out, and the scroll disappeared from Neji's hand.

Meanwhile, in a secret box within a corner of the mansion, a new name appears on a spirit scroll.

"Stretch out your right hand."

"Yes, teacher."

Although he didn't know what the teacher was going to do, Neji still obediently stretched out his hand.

Uchiha Gen stretched out his right hand and touched it, and a vibrant green light appeared in his palm, causing the bite wound to heal rapidly.

Seeing this, many people's expressions changed slightly, clearly not expecting that Uchiha Gen would also know medical ninjutsu.

"Thank you, teacher."

Feeling the teacher's care and love, Neji smiled broadly.

Uchiha Gen nodded slightly and said no more.

After the ceremony, it was still early before lunchtime, and neither family planned to host a special dinner, so the guests took their leave one after another.

The Hyuga family members didn't leave; Hyuga Hiashi and his daughter, and Hyuga Hizashi and his son, all wanted to stay and have lunch together.

In addition, Kushina Uzumaki and her son also stayed at Mikoto's enthusiastic invitation.

There were too many people, and it would take too much time for Mikoto to do it all by herself, so some of the cooks from the Uchiha clan were mobilized.

This meal was rather formal, nothing much to describe in detail...

(End of this chapter)