Here's Chapter 5 everyone!

hilternico: This chapter covers what happened during the Konoha Crush Invasion!

Dojo4Fic: Noted and thanks for reading!

The sun was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds as the people of Konoha gathered, dressed in dark clothing. Neji stood among her fellow ninja, her posture rigid, eyes fixed on the grand memorial platform where the Third Hokage's body rested. The air was heavy with sorrow, the weight of loss pressing down upon the village.

Neji scanned the crowd with her Byakugan, taking in the solemn faces around her. Some were stoic, others openly weeping, their grief raw and exposed. This was a side of life she was not accustomed to sharing sadness and loss with so many others, feeling part of a whole. She found her gaze drifting to a familiar shock of blond hair, where Naruto stood beside his former teacher, Iruka, tears streaming freely down his face. Iruka rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his own eyes wet, offering the young boy a sense of comfort.

Watching Naruto like this, vulnerable and openly hurting, stirred something unfamiliar in Neji. She felt pity, a strange sense of sympathy for the boy who had, not so long ago, shattered her worldview with his indomitable spirit. He was more than just a loudmouthed, reckless kid; he was someone who cared, deeply and openly. And that was more than she could say for herself, even after all this time.

But maybe that could change. Maybe she could change. Her fingers flexed unconsciously at her side, as if reaching out for something she couldn't quite grasp.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Neji wondered briefly what her role might have been had she stayed behind during the invasion. Would she have been able to protect the Hokage, her friends, her clan? Would her presence have altered the fate of Konoha? But such thoughts were fleeting; in the end, she knew the village's destiny had unfolded precisely as it was meant to. Her fight with Naruto, her painful introspection, it all led her to this moment, here among her people, sharing their loss.

With a final bow to the Hokage's altar, she turned and left, her thoughts already on the responsibilities yet to come.

…

Days earlier, Neji had been resting in the infirmary, her body still sore from the bruising match against Naruto. The letter from her father sat on the table beside her, a weighty reminder of everything she had learned since that battle. She read the words over and over, absorbing every line, every sentiment. Her father's words were a balm to wounds that had been festering in her heart for far too long. With a soft smile and eyes damp, she glanced out the window, watching a pair of birds soar freely across the sky. For the first time in years, she felt… light.

A knock on the door broke her reverie. She turned to see Tenten, her teammate, standing in the doorway with her usual bright smile.

"Hey, Neji! Still bummed about the match?" Tenten asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Neji shook her head, smiling softly. "No… It wasn't really about that."

Tenten raised an eyebrow, curious but respectful. "Well, in that case, how about checking out the next rounds with me? We could both use the break."

Neji was about to accept the offer when a distant rumble shook the walls. Her instincts flared, and she immediately activated her Byakugan, scanning the arena and beyond. She caught sight of three giant snake summons wreaking havoc across the village, ninja locked in combat with sound and sand shinobi, and civilians slumped unconscious in their seats.

"Tenten, something's wrong," Neji said, her voice low and focused.

They rushed to the stairs, only to encounter the Elder Hyuga lying sprawled on the ground. He stirred, clutching at Neji's sleeve with trembling hands. "Hinata… she's… they took her," he whispered.

Neji's heart lurched, but she didn't allow herself the luxury of panic. Her training kicked in, the disciplined control she'd developed over years, and she steeled herself to focus. She couldn't waste time letting worry cloud her mind; the only thing that mattered was getting Hinata back. She turned to Kiba, whose gaze was intense, his body tense with readiness.

Kiba clenched his fists, and his voice was barely controlled. "I heard from the others. Otogakure sent a disguised ninja, acting as ANBU. They managed to knock me out, and before I came to, the Kumo ninja got their hands on Hinata." His eyes gleamed with anger. "They dragged her into the forest while everyone was distracted. We have to move now."

Neji nodded, feeling the determination surge within her. With Tenten and Kiba, they quickly set off into the dense forest, weaving through the trees with speed and precision. They moved in silence, their focus absolute. Tenten, sensing the urgency, readied her weapons as they tracked the kidnappers deeper into the thickening woods.

A few minutes in, they encountered a series of dog-like creatures crafted from earth and chakra, guarding the path. Tenten stepped forward, already pulling out scrolls filled with weapons. "I'll handle these," she said with a sharp nod, eyes narrowing. "You two go ahead."

Kiba and Neji continued deeper into the forest, following the faint trace of Hinata's chakra signature, which Neji tracked with her Byakugan. They reached a small creek where they spotted two Kumo ninja resting on the ground. Between them lay an unconscious Hinata, bound and slumped against a tree. Neji's gaze sharpened as one of the Kumo ninja reached down to lift her.

But Hinata's eyes fluttered open. Gathering what little strength she had, she thrust an open palm into the Kumo ninja's chest, causing him to stumble back. The element of surprise allowed her to struggle free, and in that moment, Kiba dashed in with a fierce "Fang Over Fang" attack, positioning himself between Hinata and the attackers.

As Kiba's spiraling form landed between the two Kumo ninjas, Neji caught the flicker of a signal in his hand. Suddenly, purple smoke bombs burst around them, shrouding the forest in a thick haze. Kiba moved quickly, grabbing Hinata and leading her away from the fray, weaving through the trees as one of the Kumo ninja followed.

But the ninja's hand reached through the smoke, grabbing Kiba by the arm only to feel the unmistakable pressure of a Hyuga's grip. Kiba shimmered and faded, revealing Neji standing before him with her arm cocked back in a perfect stance. "You're in my way," she murmured, delivering a powerful, precise palm thrust directly to his chest, sending him reeling.

The Kumo ninja staggered back, but his partner quickly countered, using an Earth Nature chakra technique that sent tendrils of stone coiling around Neji's arm and foot, binding her in place. He smirked, preparing for what he thought would be a finishing blow.

Before he could strike, however, a sudden cyclone of chakra whipped through the clearing, sending the Kumo ninja flying. Emerging from the whirlwind of chakra, Hiashi Hyuga stood with deadly calm, his pale eyes narrowed on the kidnappers. Without a word, he launched a torrent of chakra-infused air techniques, dispatching the remaining Kumo ninja with ruthless efficiency.

The forest grew silent once more, and Neji turned to Hiashi, her surprise momentarily breaking her calm. "Hiashi-sama… why did you leave the village during the invasion?"

Hiashi's gaze softened, a rare tenderness in his expression. "I couldn't risk my daughter's life, nor yours," he said quietly. "You may be Hizashi's daughter, Neji, but I see you as part of my family, a memento of my brother, and a reminder of the bond we share."

Neji's heart beat faster at his words, a mixture of pride and relief washing over her. She had never heard him speak this way, and for a moment, she felt the long-held resentment ease.

Later, as the ordeal settled and the group made their way back to the village, Hinata, her face flushed with shame, approached Neji, eyes cast down. "Neji-nee, I… I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused."

Neji glanced down at her cousin, her expression softening. "Hinata," she said gently, "I did this because I wanted to. Naruto… he changed me, and because of that, I wanted to help you." She felt the warmth rise to her face as she spoke, but the words came easily, honestly. "We're family, and nothing will change that."

Hinata's face brightened, and for the first time, Neji felt a real connection between them—a sense of understanding that went beyond the bonds of blood. They had fought for each other today, and in that, they had found a new strength.

…

Sipping tea in the quiet of her home, Neji reflected on that day, how it had altered her view of her role within the clan. The sense of duty that had always been there now held a deeper, more personal resonance.

A gentle knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts. She opened it to find Hiroshi Hyuga standing there, his expression neutral but his eyes intense.

"May I come in, Neji?" he asked, voice low and polite.

She nodded, stepping aside to allow him entry. He took a seat across from her, folding his hands neatly in his lap. After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"I came to hear your answer, Neji. You know what we're planning… the coup to free the Branch family. You understand why this is necessary."

Neji held his gaze, feeling the weight of her decision settle over her. "I understand the pain and resentment that the Branch family has carried," she began, her voice calm but firm. "But I don't believe this is the way. There has to be a solution that doesn't involve more violence, more bloodshed."

Hiroshi's expression hardened, his hands clenching as he leaned forward. "And you think peace will just come to us? That the Main House will willingly give up their control?"

Neji shook her head. "No, I don't. But I believe that change is possible without tearing ourselves apart. I can't be a part of this coup."

Hiroshi's face twisted with frustration. "You're throwing away a chance to make a real difference, Neji. Don't you see? You're strong, respected, the others would follow you."

Her Byakugan flared, emphasizing the gravity of her next words. "And if you move forward with this plan, Hiroshi… if you bring violence upon our clan… I will stand against you."

They held each other's gaze, the air thick with tension, until Hiroshi inclined his head in a stiff bow. He rose without another word and left, his footsteps echoing as they faded down the corridor.

As the door slid shut, Neji exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of her choice settle into her bones. She was prepared for whatever would come, whether it was reform or rebellion. But she knew now that her path was set. She would work toward a better future for her clan without bloodshed.

…

Months passed. Neji had devoted herself to training, honing her skills and her mind, preparing for the challenges she knew lay ahead. Her resolve had only grown stronger, her commitment to change unshakable.

Today, as she walked toward the Hokage's office, her thoughts drifted to Naruto. News had spread of how he'd brought back Tsunade Senju to lead the village. His strength and determination had earned him respect, and yet he remained humble. She recalled the strange feeling she'd experienced when she'd seen him grieving at the Hokage's funeral. It was a soft warmth, a sense of kinship… something more she couldn't yet understand.

Lost in thought, she reached the Hokage's office, where several other ninjas were waiting: Naruto, Choji, Kiba, and Shikamaru. Each of them nodded at her in greeting, and she responded with a polite nod of her own, her eyes briefly lingering on Naruto. The feeling rose again, a warmth she struggled to ignore.

Tsunade sat, her commanding presence filling the room. She surveyed each of them, her eyes sharp but with a trace of concern.

"This is an A-rank mission," Tsunade began, her voice steady. "Your objective is the retrieval of Sasuke Uchiha. He has left the village, and it's imperative that we bring him back."

There's Chapter 5 everyone, we are about to enter the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, so fasten your seatbelts!

Leave a review and a question if you like and God Bless!