Naruto: The Teaching System - 227

Chapter 227: Homecoming

With Hiashi's departure, only Jiraiya and Neji remained in the Hokage Office. The silence hung heavy between them.

"Neji, right?" Jiraiya finally asked.

"Yes, Jiraiya-sama!" Neji lowered his head slightly, his voice tight with barely contained emotion.

"The specific details are in this letter from Sawada—your master." Jiraiya retrieved an unopened letter and extended it toward Neji.

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama!" Neji bowed deeply, clutching the letter as though it might vanish if he loosened his grip.

"Go ahead and read it." Jiraiya paused, searching for the right words but finding none. He simply gestured for Neji to leave.

Neji bowed once more before turning and walking out of the office, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Jiraiya shook his head and returned to his paperwork, though his mind lingered on the boy.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Neji immediately headed to the training ground. That place had become his spiritual home over these months. Though his teacher wasn't there, the letter against his chest felt like a connection across the distance. The paper crinkled against his uniform.

Entering the training ground, Neji nodded to the others, then walked alone to sit beneath his usual tree. The shade felt cooler than normal, or perhaps that was just his nerves.

Naruto was about to rush over and ask why Neji had been called away, but a hand caught his shoulder.

"Eh? Shikamaru, what's wrong?" Naruto turned to see Shikamaru blocking his path, confusion written across his face.

"Don't go over. Something's wrong, and Neji's mood doesn't seem right," Shikamaru said quietly, watching Neji's rigid posture beneath the tree.

"I know; that's why I wanted to check on him." Naruto nodded earnestly. He wouldn't have specifically gone over if he hadn't noticed Neji's unusual state.

"Idiot, Shikamaru means don't go over for now," Sasuke said from the side, arms crossed over his chest.

Everyone present could see that Neji wasn't himself right now. Since Neji hadn't said anything, they couldn't pressure him. Only Naruto was thick-headed enough to think barging over would help.

"Alright." Unexpectedly, Naruto didn't argue with Sasuke this time.

Even Sasuke raised an eyebrow in surprise, but then he saw Naruto turn and head toward Hinata instead. There was another person who wasn't quite right today. No wonder Naruto was so receptive to the suggestion.

Neji sat under the tree and took a deep breath. After his emotions finally settled, he removed the letter from his chest with trembling fingers.

"Neji, when you read this letter..."

As he read, Neji's stoic expression from the Hokage Office crumbled. Tears streamed down his face, silent and steady.

His father could finally come home. As a hero, no less.

Sawada told him in the letter that he would be back soon, and his father's body was intact, so there was no need to worry. Additionally, he shouldn't overthink things—his father would be buried beside the memorial stone. From now on, he didn't need to concern himself with the Hyuga Clan's politics and could visit anytime.

He was also told to train hard, and if he hadn't made progress when Sawada returned, he would receive appropriate punishment.

This was too good. Neji, usually so mature, now truly looked like a child under ten years old. He just continued crying silently, letting the tears fall.

The breeze stirred the leaves overhead, and several shouts came from across the training ground.

"Neji! Come quick, it's time to eat!"

Neji wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "Okay!"

***

"Yo, worthy of Konoha, this gate isn't much worse than Kumogakure's." At Konoha's gate, Killer Bee stood beside Sawada, gesturing with both hands while speaking in a low voice.

"Thanks for the compliment," Sawada replied, rubbing his temples and responding perfunctorily.

Then he looked at the Kumogakure team led by Samui behind him. "After entering the village, someone will arrange for you to go to the reception area."

Samui nodded coldly, reaching out to pull Killer Bee back into the formation. Since they'd arrived at someone else's village, they naturally had to be mindful of appearances.

Fortunately, Killer Bee understood his position well and stayed obediently in formation.

"Tell the reception staff what you need, and one more thing—don't cause trouble," Sawada said bluntly. Although Samui's squad only had a few people, Kumogakure would send more later. Still, a warning was necessary.

"We're not idiots," Samui glanced at Sawada and retorted.

"Let's hope so," Sawada said, completely ignoring Samui's attitude. As long as they stayed put, that was fine.

"So where do I find you?" Killer Bee raised his hand to ask. Since he was only familiar with Sawada and couldn't stand staying in one place, he needed to know. He completely failed to notice Samui's helpless expression beside him.

"I'll come find you after I finish my business." With the alliance with Kumogakure imminent, Sawada still responded. Just bear with it a little longer—once the agreement is signed, everything will be fine.

The heavy gates began to open with a deep rumble, interrupting Killer Bee before he could speak again.

Inside the gates, countless Konoha villagers had gathered. Seeing the convoy outside, they erupted in excited cheers. The sound washed over the group like a wave.

This scene felt familiar somehow. Sawada looked at the spectacle before him and couldn't help falling into thought.

"Why is it that every time I go out with you, it feels like this happens?" Kakashi said beside him. This kind of reception that hadn't occurred in nearly ten years had now happened twice when he went out with Sawada.

"That's not my fault," Sawada's eye twitched.

"I wonder if Jiraiya-sama has any new books? I've already finished reading everything from this trip," Kakashi rubbed his hair, yawning as he spoke.

This trip felt like casual sightseeing—only when facing the other three Kage did his nerves tighten.

"Spend less time with those books and more time training," Sawada said, eyeing Kakashi's slouched posture. Kakashi was becoming more and more like his initially lazy state. His perpetually tired eyes were getting worse, looking listless all day long.

"Don't compare me to you—you're on a completely different level," Kakashi said, glancing at Sawada. He still remembered that devastating scene from that day.

"That's just my power," Sawada replied with a shrug.

Before Kakashi could respond, the convoy began moving forward.

When he entered, Sawada realized he'd been too naive. The last scene was still a small affair—today's was even more exaggerated. Countless villagers held banners, some even standing on distant rooftops cheering and waving.

Moreover, Sawada's gaze swept to the side and caught sight of the Hyuga Clan in uniform white kimonos, their expressions solemn and respectful. At the front stood Hiashi, with Hinata and Neji beside him, along with a small girl.

That must be Hanabi, right?

Seeing Sawada look their way, Hiashi nodded in acknowledgment. Hinata and Neji beside him bowed to Sawada, and even the small girl followed suit with careful precision.

Sawada nodded lightly in response, then followed the convoy toward the central area amidst the thunderous cheers of the Konoha villagers. The sound echoed off the buildings, filling the air with celebration and hope.