137. Correct Answer!
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Neji stood at the center of the operations room. The meeting had ended.
He'd covered everything: recruitment of freelance shinobi through the merchant guild, restructuring roles, and positioning the D-Organization as a phantom faction embedded within every major economic and intelligence system.
The last to leave was Izumi. She glanced back briefly before closing the door, her eyes calm, professional.
Everyone else had returned to their roles.
Zabuza and Haku began executing the restructuring orders expanding the guild front, recruiting talent, and running military logistics.
Izumi would be deep in her bio-development work.
Karin…
"Stay behind."
Neji's voice stopped her in her place.
Karin blinked, surprised, but nodded. Everyone else cleared out.
With a click, Neji locked the room privacy protocol engaged.
He reached up and removed his mask.
Karin's eyes lit up.
"That aura really was you!"
Gone was the domineering masked commander. This was Neji calm, self-assured, eyes like still water.
"You had doubts?"
"I couldn't believe it! You looked… different. Stronger. Sharper. Like someone from a different world."
"That's not entirely wrong."
Karin grinned sheepishly. "It's just… you're you. But that version felt like a god."
"Still me," he said, smiling. "Just the version the world needs to believe in."
He crossed his arms and studied her.
"You've adapted well. How are Zabuza and Haku treating you?"
"They're kind. Mostly." She twiddled her fingers. "Though their teaching style isn't exactly for me."
Neji's brow lifted. "Struggling?"
"Just a bit." She blushed. "They're all… intense."
Neji chuckled.
Of course.
Everyone around him excelled in body-based techniques of taijutsu. And Karin, while gifted in chakra perception and healing, wasn't built for raw power.
But it suited him fine.
He specialized in chakra control, body enhancement, sealing, and sensory tactics, and he needed someone aligned with that path.
"You're a perfect fit for me," he said casually.
Karin's face lit up like a lantern.
Perfect fit?
Was that a confession?
Was she dreaming?
Neji sighed inwardly.
This girl had a one-track mind.
Still… she was loyal. Smart. And her sensory skills were exceptional. With proper training, she could evolve into his command center, capable of detecting enemies, healing allies, and locking down chakra signals.
"I'll be taking over your training soon," he added. "Taijutsu. Medical ninjutsu. Sealing arts. And perception skills."
Karin beamed.
In her mind, that meant long hours alone with him. Maybe he'd hold her hand. Maybe he'd—
"Focus," Neji said.
"Oh! Right! I'm good! Ready!"
He smiled gently behind his expressionless face. She was eccentric, but sincere.
"Start with chakra control and physical conditioning," he instructed. "We'll build from there."
"Yes, sir!"
Neji turned to leave.
Karin stood tall, fists clenched.
She had a home now.
No more pain. No more abuse. No more hiding or scraping by.
For him, I'll give it everything.
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Back in the lab—
Kimimaro had awakened again, sitting silently, processing everything.
Neji walked in, removed his mask without fanfare.
"Feeling alright?" he asked.
Kimimaro shook her head.
Not in pain just contemplative.
"This place isn't Konoha."
"No," Neji replied. "It isn't."
"I heard your name often… from Kabuto. He said you were dangerous. Ambitious. Like Lord Orochimaru."
Neji chuckled. "High praise."
"He said you'd never be satisfied staying under someone's thumb."
"True."
Kimimaro watched him from the cot.
"If you ever turn against Lord Orochimaru… I won't help you."
"Expected."
"But if you're allies…"
Neji smiled, walking past her to a cabinet. He pulled out two syringes filled with colored liquid.
"Tell me—recognize these?"
Kimimaro's eyes widened.
Green. Pink.
[Healing Hormone] and [Feminization Hormone].
The very ones that changed her fate.
Neji raised an eyebrow. "These were in your bloodstream when I found you."
"You… created these?"
He nodded slowly.
"I'm [Nian], founder of the D-Organization."
Her lips parted.
Shock gave way to realization.
Then admiration.
Then understanding.
"So it was you all along."
"Correct answer."
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