Sasuke Recovery Mission

More than a month passed by since the grand funeral happened and Konoha now had a newly established Hokage. And this time, it was a female one, the first one in history for that matter, the renowned kunoichi Tsunade Senju of the Three Sanins, one of the greatest medical ninjutsu practitioners in history. She single-handedly changed the Second Great Ninja War by fusing the medical corps with regular force, also countering all of Sunagakure's poisons with her expertise, though she lost her love in that war. She was also the granddaughter of the legendary first Hokage, who founded the village. After a very long time, she returned back to Konoha in a flashy way, was quickly promoted to her new position, and already performed all the required chores and ceremonies. Today was a few days after her homecoming and after the dust settled for a little bit.

Neji was currently not inside of his physical body. He was in a soul form, levitating near the roof of his wooden, Japanese-styled room inside the Hyuga clan compound. His real body lying on a tatami below. His soul spirit appeared blue in an appearance and almost invisible-like, 'Morning already?'

'I just need a few more months, and I will finally be able to begin real experimentation. Like setting up my own laboratory secretly, getting the materials, and finally human guinea pigs!', Neji's soul body suddenly clenched its fists. The true microscopic Byakugan vision was closer than ever before. He felt his Byakugan's vision improving by the day ever since he practiced this extraordinary jutsu.

His studies on cellular research were also going well. He would soon be proficient enough in that area too, after a few months. He had really large spiritual strength now, perfect for learning.

What was written in those Orochimaru's notes was great information on the basic technological equipment available on the market and how to use it, methods of storing, cloning, distinguishing different types of cells, parts of cells, different proteins inside of cells, cell extraction, cell injection, the difference between tissues, organs, organisms, then various laboratory related knowledge, various things about cells' natural processes and dangers and even a little bit of DNA knowledge by the end, and of course, cells connection with chakra. That was the most important thing of it all, as that was unique only for this world. Orochimaru was obviously very meticulous in his research.

Outside of the said theoretical knowledge, there was also a portion of the notebook going over Orochimaru's previous live experiments with different animals and humans, his methodologies, findings, and conclusions. That was maybe the most helpful for Neji as it could save him quite a lot of time. If those were true then he could just learn from Orochimaru's mistakes of the past. There was even a whole separate part about his experiments with Senju cells done on those sixty kids.

But, Neji's soul quickly went back to his physical body, and he woke immediately resuming his usual look. And just then, a knock was heard, the large door of his room was opened and another Hyuga branch member came in respectfully. Neji was the most revered person in the whole Branch Family.

"Mr. Neji, Anbu just came to our clan and reported that Lady Hokage is requesting your presence!", A young male, of around twenty years of age excitedly reported to Neji in one breath with a smile.

'Tsunade? Well, Hiashi urged extensively for me to get promoted, for some reason. I guess now it's the time, as Sasuke still didn't go missing.', Neji nodded already understanding half of the story.

"I will get ready! You can go now!", Neji answered plainly and got up, the messenger also leaving.

He hated going through the main hallways and entrances, as he could see those hateful faces of the Main Branch members. He usually preferred to exit through his personal backdoor to the forest, and then to the rest of the Konoha depending on where he needed to go. However, now he had to take a look at those snobby bastards again, so he instantly wasn't in a very good mood from the start.

But, this time, that Anbu member, waiting for him at the front gate, had to guide him personally to Tsunade, so he had to pass through this way, 'Just you wait, I will destroy this whole compound sooner or later, and then slaughter you all!', He thought after seeing one random woman, with a clean forehead looking at him strangely as he calmly went past her. His bloodlust was getting more and more extreme. After all, how could he, who could talk on equal terms with Orochimaru, be held by a collar by some weak and useless low-lives who just stayed at home and did nothing all day?

He soon came outside the large compound, secretly took a big breath of fresh way, nodded toward the Anbu member, and started following him. They passed through the center of Konoha quickly and in just a few minutes came outside the place where Tsunade wanted to meet him. It was in one of the many rooms inside the Hokage's Building. Many Anbus were stationed all over the place, protecting her, while he noticed another person approaching in a quite lazy manner while yawning.

"Huh!", Shikamaru suddenly stopped yawning and opened his eyes a little, "Neji, you're here too."

"It seems that you are going to become a chunin too. Congratulations Shikamaru, I suppose you deserve it!", Neji wasn't lying, out of all the rookies this year, Shikamaru was the most intelligent one, as well as interesting to him due to that Yin-Release -Shadow Possession Jutsu. Neji always wanted to steal it before, but then gave up after getting the Spirit Transformation Technique. It was the ultimate soul technique that he could use to break through all to way to the DNA vision, he felt, though it would take many years. There was no need now for any other subpar techniques now in his opinion. He just needed to stay longer and longer inside his soul form and exercise his soul in that way. Just like there were exercises for the body, Neju found that the soul likewise could be exercised in that way.

"You too, Neji. Congratulations on becoming chunin... Let's go in.", Shikamaru replied in a lazy manner and opened the door. However in his mind was another story, 'This guy is a way bigger trouble than Sasuke Uchiha. If Sasuke is an obvious trouble, then this one is a ticking time bomb!'

They promptly entered the room after a knock. Tsunade was sitting in front of a curtain with the Konoha symbol drawn on it, and behind a small table with some kind of scroll on top of it. Shizune and her pig, Genma, Ibiki, and Anko were all behind her alongside a few more unimportant people.

Tsunade was very willing to believe in the attainability of dreams while Nawaki, her younger brother, and Dan, her lover, were alive, and that by supporting and encouraging those dreams she might be able to help achieve them. However, when both died gruesomely shortly after receiving her support, Tsunade lost faith in the idea of dreaming of anything, believing that the mere pursuit of it would be doomed from the outset. She also became especially critical of wanting to be Hokage, as both Dan and Nawaki died trying to attain the title and the past Hokage have all died prematurely.

Tsunade was forced to reconsider her cynicism upon meeting Naruto Uzumaki, who demonstrated two things to her. Just because a goal seems impossible does not mean it actually is, as Naruto was able to master the Rasengan unprecedentedly quickly despite seemingly lacking any natural talent. Just because the dreamer dies does not mean the dream itself does, as Nawaki and Dan's desire to become Hokage lived on in Naruto. Because Naruto was so very much an exception to how she thought the world worked, Tsunade put her faith in dreams once again, a desire so strong that she overcame her fear of blood. She became Hokage herself, partly so that she can live Nawaki and Dan's dream for them, but also so that she can pave the way for Naruto to inevitably hold the title.

She was a fair-skinned, pretty-looking, busty, woman with brown eyes and straight blonde hair that parted above her forehead. Her hair had shoulder-length bangs that framed her face and the rest reached her lower back. She also had a violet diamond-shaped seal clearly visible on her forehead.

Shizune, her attendant, was a fair-skinned woman of average height and slender build with onyx eyes and jet-black hair. Her hair was straight and of shoulder length with bangs covering her ears and framing her face. She wore a long bluish-black kimono with white trimmings, obi, and sandals.

Neji and Shikamaru greeted her and then remained silent waiting for her to speak. Tsunade, however, at this time, just strangely observed Neji with furrowed brows on her pretty face.

'This guy is a Neji Hyuga, huh? Impressive record. Two elite jonins, finishing all of his bouts in a matter of seconds at the Chunin Exams, never changing his face or breaking a sweat while fighting, seeking to finish all of his opponents quickly and in the most effective way... Even doing that to Naruto...', Tsunade held her hands crossed as she examined him while everyone remained silent.

She still couldn't believe that Naruto, who was the master of the impossible, in her perception, lost a battle against someone of his own age group, and in such a nonchalant and humiliating way! However, that was the reality, 'This little guy is probably above all of the jonin of the village already! Really, a lot changed since I left the village. I never expected such a monster to appear in the Hyuga clan...', Tsunade massaged her temples a little, 'Moreover, seeing him up close, he seems like a sharp sword waiting to be drawn out at any moment. He doesn't resemble someone of his age even a bit!'

'And what's that strange similarity between him and Dan I can sense now?', Tsunade frowned even harder. However, she quickly composed herself after Shizune nudged her on the arm a little with a weird face, "Yes, haha, I was just curious about the Hyuga clan's biggest genius in history as I was away from the village for a very long time. Don't worry, I called you here to inform you that you are more than qualified to become a chunin now. And you lack just experience to become a jonin as well! So work hard, and make the village proud of you!", Tsunade suddenly smiled in a mild manner.

Genma, Ibiki, and Anko also strangely looked at Neji for a bit while Tsunade informed Shikamaru that he became a chunin as well, 'This guy... He oddly reminds me of Orochimaru. He is bad news!', Anko's eyes flashed dangerously. Due to all the years, she spent with Orochimaru, she could notice when someone was prone to venturing upon a dark path, 'I must keep an eye on him in the future!',

It was over quickly and Neji instantly went back through the forest to his room. He didn't care about any chunin stuff. He just wanted to continue researching and training and. Ever since the Konoha was invaded, his team wasn't called on any missions. He supposed that they wanted to keep Might Guy stationed inside of Konoha for safety in case some other big village attacked them. It was perfect for him, who didn't want to waste even a second of that time. Though, that would soon probably change after Sasuke's venture outside the village along those Sound Four he met already.

***

And as if he had a prophetic ability, a few days later, early in the morning, he was summoned to Hokage's office, by Tsunade, alongside Shikamaru, again. Shikamaru wore his official chunin attire, while he still wore his previous white kimono attire, as chunin could still wear whatever they wanted.

"Sasuke Uchiha apparently slipped out of the late village last night. And... there is almost no mistake that he is headed for the Otogakure!", Tsunade crossed her fingers and seriously spoke to the two. Fortunately, Sakura actually informed only her two personal assistants of that, and no one else, so there was still a possibility for salvation in claiming that Sasuke was actually abducted instead of running away on his own, which would make him automatically a wanted criminal and a ninja rebel.

Therefore, she immediately warned the young girl to not speak of that to anyone else, and also gave her a promise that she would try and bring Sasuke back. After all, he is Naruto's close friend and the last living member of the Uchiha clan who was also supposed to be used as a living vessel to their current number one enemy outside the village, Orochimaru, and she wouldn't allow that.

However, currently, all of their Anbu forces were tasked to keep an eye on other big villages, jonin were inside the village constantly looking out for possible threats while they reconstructed the village. And most importantly, Danzo and the other two advisors would firmly object to her dispatching a jonin or even chunin team just to return Sasuke back. They didn't value his Uchiha status at all, moreover, Danzo would even probably want him to die, in that way, and obviously didn't care he was Naruto's closest friend like her. Therefore, she had to comprise and send only a team of genin to bring him back. After all, she was just recently elected and her position has not been fully stabilized in the village. Now still wasn't the time to cross swords with those elders.

She already met Danzo and the other two for that matter previously inside her office, and the conversation went along those lines. Danzo and they also objected for Naruto to be sent on this mission, as he was a Nine-Tails container, however, Tsunade was firm, having an extraordinary amount of faith for Naruto, moreover, she already compromised on the genin matter. And her word was the final, inside of this village, at the end of the day, from the moment she officially became the Hokage, so it was resolved. The other two sighed and agreed, while Danzo's eyes looked weird. She knew that he would do anything to confront her in the future, as he lost the position because of her.

"Shimakaru you will lead this mission and choose a team of genins for it. Neji, you will follow his orders. I also recommend that you bring Naruto on this mission!", Tsunade continued speaking, 'I still have a really odd feeling regarding this Neji guy, it's better for Shimakaru to be the leader!'

Neji was silent the whole time, while Shimakaru opened his eyes a little, probably already having realized Orochimaru's involvement, and Tsunade's plight at this time. He thought about Sasuke next and just sighed before agreeing. Neji agreed in a restrained manner as well before surprisingly opening his mouth, with some kind of difficulty, "Lady Hokage, I previously got an internal injury when developing a new Gentle Fist kind of move on my own. I might not be much stronger than an ordinary jonin at this time. So, I apologize in advance if I fail your expectations during the mission!"

Both Tsunade and Shikamaru looked at him in surprise. Tsunade immediately started inspecting him, but couldn't find anything weird. And not like she had a Byakugan to check it extensively. And even if she had, Neji's current mastery of chakra control could really make something like that appear a reality so he wasn't worried. All of a sudden, Tsunade couldn't decide if he was lying or not, or if he lied, why would he lie, is it because he was in a contact with Orochimaru, but why and when? However, in her opinion, ordinary jonin level strength was enough, everything would be fine with Naruto there. Once they got back from their mission, she would decide on that matter with Neji, "It doesn't matter, Neji! Just give it your all! I appreciate your effort to help even in that state!"

'This is for the best, in this way I could preserve the plot. I already contacted those Orochimaru's minions inside the village yesterday. Everything is decided!', Neji thought to himself in relief after he and Shikamaru exited the building, now going to call on Naruto first, who Tsunade recommended. He was constantly on the lookout for the Sound Four and found them covertly once they came into the village to take Sasuke. He told them that he would probably be dispatched to retake Sasuke back and asked them to pass on the information, of his terms, to Orochimaru in some way and he was right, there were really more secret spies inside of Konoha, other than Kabut, and methods of communication, he personally exchanged some written words with Orochimaru and they agreed.

'I told Orochimaru that I would keep my hands, and even do my best to get Sasuke delivered to him on a silver platter, from the inside, but only if he'll provide me with funds and rare pieces of equipment I need for my secret laboratory during these next few years...' Neji thought elatedly, he would keep his hands, and try getting him Sasuke, in either way, because of the plot, but Orochimaru didn't know that. He told him that he risked very much by doing that so he needed some kind of compensation if they would continue cooperating in the future regarding the information on obtaining Rinnegan. Orochimaru was a rational and calculating guy so he agreed.

He felt like many other transmigrators that came into this world, in all those fanfictions he read, overemphasized the importance of money in this world where the stronger fist ruled above everything else. If he needed money, he would just steal it from someone then. Of course, money was still important for people who operated large organizations and had global aspirations and goals like Nagato and the Akatsuki. They lay dormant for many years just to gather enough funds.

They arrived quickly in front of Naruto's worn-out, building, and Shikamaru knocked on the door, after sighing, not knowing how to handle the relationship between Neji and Naruto from here, 'Damn, this is the worst possible first mission as a chunin! Sasuke, Naruto, Neji... Why is everyone so troublesome?', Shikamaru cursed his life internally. Already envisioning the failure of the mission.

"Don't worry, I taught him a lesson previously, and there is no point in doing it anymore. Just tell him to not bother me, and I won't bother him.", Neji spoke after seeing Shimakaru's expression.

"Who is so early in the morning!? Damn, don't knock anymore, I'm coming!", Naruto opened the door, in his pajamas, feeling groggy, but then he stood back and opened his eyes wide in bewilderment while pointing at Neji who was beside Shikamaru and shouting loudly, "Heeeh, why are you here, you bastard!? Want to fight!? Then this time, I'm going to destroy you with my new jut-", However, he couldn't finish before Shikamaru suddenly yelled at him, "Naruto stop it, Sasuke escaped the village for Orochimaru! We must hurry up and get him back now, that's our mission!"

"What, you've gotta be kidding!", Naruto yelled even louder then, while Neji and Shikamaru covered their ears hard, 'That jerk!', Naruto clenched his fists next as he thought about Sasuke's situation.

"Hey, just wait here, I'll change my clothes immediately!", Naruto exclaimed and went back to change already forgetting about Neji. Neji looked at his back and felt that he was ridiculous.

He never understood Naruto's weird, almost unnatural feelings for Sasuke, even in the original, 'But it's good that his defeat against me didn't damage his spirit even a little bit, the plot will be fine...'

Once Naruto got back in his comical shinobi uniform, Shikamaru explained to him that Neji would also be a part of the mission and that it would be easier to bring back Sasuke with him there, to which Naruto agreed, alongside a couple of more people they all knew from before, 'It seems that the lineup is the same as in the original. This guy Shikamaru doesn't want to risk it, even with me here!', On their way to the next genin, Naruto was strangely quiet while thinking about something.

In fact, his ninja way was to never give up, from the start. And that's why he decided to train harder and defeat Neji in the future. He was now mostly worried about something else, having also realized something was weird about Sasuke ever since they fought on the rooftop of the hospital.

But that was probably expected, after having seen how insignificant he was in front of Itachi, who put him inside the Tsukuyomi, and then even stupid Naruto getting stronger than him. Naruto couldn't understand any of it now, but Neji clearly understood him, having watched the original.

Sasuke's sole reason for his existence for many years was always getting revenge against Itachi, but then he found a team, and grew compassionate with them, which also in his opinion held him back.

Choji, Kiba, and Shino were also picked up by them and Shikamaru explained to them their mission and strategy, he came with as, as well, right at the village gates. Then Sakura came as well crying, begging for Sasuke to be brought back, Naruto calmed her and then they all went on their mission.

In Neji's opinion, Choji was even more stupid than Naruto, and Kiba constantly provoked him because of Hinata, along the way, Naruto also couldn't keep his mouth shut occasionally, therefore Neji only communicated with Shikamaru and was constantly on the verge of breaking out and beating them badly. He wasn't in a very good mood since the day started to begin with. And he felt like there was a mindset difference of at least ten levels between them. But, the smartest of them, Shikamaru, constantly calmed him. He was only qualified in that whole generation Neji thought.

Those Sound Four already knew that they should pretend not to know him since then. During the whole mission, he pretended to be weaker than he actually was, but that was only keenly noticed by Shimakaru and no one else, moreover Shimakaru also didn't know if Neji was previously really speaking the truth, or not, to Tsunade, due to his great acting.

Either way, Neji would leave the village soon. And not like they could prove that he didn't use his full strength, they probably didn't even know his full strength, to begin with, and he had the Hyuga clan and Might Guy as a shield. No matter how disgusted he would feel after bringing them up, it was the best way for him to dodge any consequences currently, he was their "most prided" genius.

However, he was merciless against that spider-guy Kidomaru, both for the plot direction and to prove at least that he didn't have connections with Orochimaru if possible. He murdered him straight in cold blood and saved his body as proof of his efforts during the mission. It's just that he "didn't get on time", to battle against Kimimaro and Sasuke later, as Kidomaru was surprisingly "strong" and his cultivation previously got a little astray once he was developing a new technique.

Later, just like in the original, Orochimaru failed to get Sasuke on time, so he had to use his immortality technique on another body, and wait another three years to take Sasuke. Therefore, he would pretend to be his teacher during that time. And, ultimately, fail to possess him later as Sasuke grew too strong. Sunagakure saved Kiba and Shikamaru, based on their treaty, from certain death. In the end, Gaara also dealt with Kimimaro, who died from his illness just before killing Gaara.

Eventually, just like in the original, Naruto was the only one who caught up to Sasuke on the border of the country. Despite pleading for him to turn back, Sasuke refused, and thus the two fought hard.

With each upping the ante by pulling out their respective power from the Nine-Tails and the Curse Mark. Eventually, both go to strike one another in a final clash with their strongest moves. However, when the dust settled, Sasuke became the victor albeit heavily injured. Kakashi and a few ninjas from the Leaf eventually came across the retrieval team with Kakashi arriving only seconds after the Naruto and Sasuke battle has ended. He then took Naruto back to be healed and the mission failed.