Neji, Everyone’s Stares at You Seem Strange

"This…" Sakura showed hesitation.

"Don't hesitate, Sakura! Didn't we agree? We'll get stronger together and protect Konoha! Come on!" Naruto shouted.

"Haaa… fine, but I can't train too long. Otherwise, my muscles will get as big as yours, and that'd look awful." Sakura muttered.

In the end, the three of them ran off into the distance together.

Watching their retreating figures, Tsunade and Shikaku awkwardly twitched their faces.

Why does Naruto seem weirder the more we look at him?

"Lastly, I don't know Obito's strength either. He's been too listless for too long and hasn't fought in ages." Imperial Neji said before turning to leave.

The place quickly emptied, leaving only Tsunade and Shikaku.

Tsunade asked Shikaku, "What do you think of what Neji just said?"

"I can only pray it's a lie. If it's true, I think we should just raise our hands and surrender now."

Shikaku shrugged helplessly.

"Yeah… we can only hope it's a lie, but… the more we interact with them, the more it feels true. Shikaku, how much do you believe now?"

"Eighty percent." Shikaku said after a moment's thought.

"Is that so…" Tsunade muttered, sighing before turning to leave.

"Cough, cough, cough…"

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The outskirts of Konoha.

The edge of a barren wasteland created by a single punch from Imperial Lee.

A coughing sound echoed.

Aburame Torune, a member of Root's Anbu, staggered to his feet.

Seeing the barren land stretching several kilometers around him and the forest a hundred meters away, he was stunned.

"Where am I? Wasn't I just ordered by Danzo-sama to monitor the Fifth Hokage with Yamanaka Inoichi? Ssh… my head hurts so much…"

He clutched his head, trying to recall what happened.

"I remember… before, that guy named Tang was fighting fiercely with the Fifth Hokage, and then he erupted with a terrifying aura… Then… he appeared in front of the Fifth Hokage and threw a punch!"

"One punch? Right! Just one punch—could this barren land have been caused by that guy named Tang's single punch? What kind of creature is he?"

"No human could possibly have such power! A monster! A monster! A monster has come to Konoha! I must report this to Danzo-sama immediately!"

"Wait… wasn't I with Yamanaka Fu earlier?"

"Where is he? Right… he was with me then. I only got hit by a bit of the punch's shockwave, but he… unfortunately, took it head-on… this…"

Torune trailed off, glancing again at the forest over a hundred meters away and the barren land stretching kilometers, then sighed.

"Your sacrifice won't be in vain, Fu. Danzo-sama and I will remember you!"

With that, Torune's figure flickered and vanished.

Soon after, upon hearing Torune's report, Danzo's aged face was filled with doubt.

"Torune, are you sure you're not joking with this old man?"

"If Danzo-sama doesn't believe me, you can go see for yourself." Torune said, bowing his head.

"Hmph! This old man will see it! Lead the way!"

Danzo barked, following Torune out of Root.

They quickly arrived at Konoha's outskirts.

"It's true… what kind of monstrous power is this… That damned Tsunade! Letting someone this dangerous stay in Konoha!"

"What is she planning? To destroy Konoha?!"

By the end, Danzo's face was livid.

Furious, he led Torune straight to the Hokage's office.

Moments later, the sound of their argument echoed from the Hokage's office.

And Tsunade's final shout:

"Danzo! I am the Hokage!"

"Tsunade, you're as foolish as your teacher Hiruzen! Sooner or later, you'll regret this! Konoha will fall by your hand!"

Danzo roared, slamming the door as he stormed out.

Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade slumped exhaustedly in her chair, staring at the ceiling.

"Tsunade-sama, are you alright?" Shizune asked with concern.

"Konoha… might truly end in my hands. Akatsuki, the Empire…" Tsunade muttered.

"It's unavoidable, Tsunade-sama. No one facing your current problems would have a good solution." Shizune comforted.

"Haaa… even I, a Kage of a village, am this powerless. What can I do for this village? When facing Akatsuki, facing the Empire, can we only let them toy with us?"

"No… it absolutely can't be like this!"

Tsunade muttered several times, then suddenly stood upright.

"Shizune, keep adding more people. Inform all personnel on missions outside to return immediately! Martial arts training is an absolute must!"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Several days passed.

Because Imperial Lee's single punch caused too much commotion, it couldn't be hidden.

Konoha eventually explained that Kumogakure had attacked with a Bijuu, but it was fortunately stopped by the Fifth Hokage.

The villagers accepted the news, cursing Kumogakure's malice while praising the Fifth Hokage's greatness.

Meanwhile, ten Konoha ninja gradually returned to the village.

Stepping through Konoha's gates, Team Ino-Shika-Cho let out long sighs.

"Haaa… finally back. This trip was exhausting, all because of that jerk Naruto! It's been ages since I had a proper hot bath." Ino grumbled, looking at the familiar streets.

"Yakiniku! Yakiniku! Yakiniku! I want yakiniku!" Choji drooled, muttering.

"Everyone, let's be patient. Let's visit Naruto, Sakura, and the others first. Those guys—why haven't we heard from them in two months? It's really weird." Shikamaru suggested.

Suddenly, a familiar shout came from behind:

"Yo! Shikamaru, Ino, Choji!"

"Oh, it's Lee, Tenten, Neji, and Guy-sensei!"

Team Ino-Shika-Cho turned in unison, and upon seeing who it was, Ino greeted them.

"What a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you all right after returning to the village. Maybe this is the guidance of youth!" Lee shouted excitedly.

"Haaa…"

Tenten and Ino clutched their heads.

Lee just finished a mission—why is he still so energetic?

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, saying oddly, "Neji… everyone's expressions when they look at you seem kind of strange."

"Hmm?"

Neji, whose name was called, noticed it too, seeing several pedestrians on the roadside staring at him oddly.

"It does… seem a bit strange. Why only me?" He frowned.

"Maybe after this mission, Neji's become more full of youthful spirit, and everyone loves it!"

Guy gave Neji a thumbs-up.

"No, that's not the reason…" Neji shook his head, his eyes full of confusion.