Strategic Thinking

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

Neji knows he can't win.

You can change destiny, but you can't change someone unless they change themselves. Neji gets this, more than he'll ever get anything.

So he lets go.

It's not that he's giving up, because it's nowhere near as painful. And it's not defeat, or resignation. Neji doesn't do that. Neji understands there are always two options. Keep going, or retreat until an opportunity presents itself or until you can make one.

"He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared."

But Neji can't do this to anyone who counts. Opportunity is too much like taking advantage. And Neji won't do that. He knows it's not time to fight, but this time, a strategic retreat won't give him a win either.

Letting go is almost…sweet.

Neji never used to let go of anything. He held it all in, never gave up willingly. He does it this time.

Neji can wait.

Even if it never happens, he'll let himself be taken unprepared, unaware.

Surprise me, Naruto.


All quotes taken from Sun Tzu's The Art of War

And yes, sap. Because I'm having the hardest time ever, finding Neji/Naruto fic.