Chapter 518 Contact

Dark clouds covered the sky, thunder light shone in the clouds, and there was a faint roaring sound.

The raindrops seem to fall faster.

It was only noon, but the sky seemed to let the night fall in advance.

The dull atmosphere squeezed in the room makes it hard to breathe.

Most of the figures on the day shift were shrouded in the shadow of the room wall, and the pair of white pupils looking at Neji were very bright.

Although he had expected Neci's problem, this day would come sooner or later.

But he didn't expect this day to come so quickly, which caught him off guard, and he didn't even prepare the words of defense in advance.

No, in front of a son with a bright mind and clear thinking, any sophistry explanation is meaningless.

What's more, Ning Ci personally verified this matter.

Because once some things are noticed, it is difficult to prevent people from doubting and suspicion.

Facing the silent father, Ning Ci clenched his fists tighter and tighter. Although his chest was already filled with boundless anger, his tone was surprisingly calm.

"When did this kind of thing..."

when?

It is really an ambiguous question.

Riji sighed in his heart.

There is no need to hide this kind of thing.

"The regulations have been in place since ancient times, but after the split seventeen years ago, the clan's restrictions on divisions have only become more severe."

Riji replied lightly.

"Seventeen years ago..."

Ning Ci came to a sudden, and didn't feel too much surprise.

Seventeen years ago, that was the time when Hinata Ayane defected to Konoha.

If that year is used as the dividing line, many things do make sense.

"That's right. Coincidentally, when the third Ninja World War broke out that year, Konoha was forced to be involved in the battlefield. The Hyuga clan, who were supposed to go all out to fight on the front line, had to hide in the village in the early stage of the war because of Hyuga Ayane's betrayal, unable to send people to the front line to support."

"Is it because the other party has the ability to crack the caged bird?"

Ningji asked.

Recalling the scenes of that year, the daily difference seems to be vivid and fresh in my memory.

"Yes, this technology was acquired by a person who is hostile to the Hyuga Clan, and the consequences are more terrible than imagined. But the village is tight on the frontline battlefield, and the Hyuga Clan's retreat strategy has attracted many people's dissatisfaction. As a last resort, in order to send people to the battlefield as soon as possible to support and appease the high-level, the clan at that time could only use extreme means to control the branch."

That is to monitor the families of all the ninjas who go out to perform tasks, and monitor them 24 hours a day.

Once the branch ninjas who go out defect or make unfavorable actions against the main family, their family members will be executed.

Using the family as a deterrent, even though the divided family is dissatisfied, they can only obey all the orders of the clan.

Such a result can be deduced by Neji with a little brainstorming.

"At that time, Anbe, who was directly under Hokage, assisted the main family's actions. Every move of the branch family was monitored to prevent defectors from instigating rebellion. And the effect was obvious. During the third Ninja World War, none of the branch families belonging to Konoha defected.

But this kind of 'trust' is to threaten the family's safety, to separate the family, and to force the establishment of a 'trust' relationship with the clan.

Such trust can be said to be fragile.

Once such a relationship is broken, there will be no room for buffer between the branch family and the main family, and fierce conflicts will inevitably erupt.

But the good thing is that as long as there are no accidents, the main family and the branch family are still as close as one family on the surface, trust each other, and maintain the original contract.

And as a day sender who has been given a high degree of trust by the clan, it is also unavoidable.

He and Neji could not leave the village at the same time, one must go out, the other must stay in the family, and accept the 24-hour surveillance of the family like a prisoner.

"As expected..."

Ning Ci closed his eyes sadly, breathing heavily.

Although he had expected it, but he came to such a conclusion from his father's day difference, and it was inevitable that he would feel humiliation and anger in his heart, so that there was a dark feeling in his heart that wanted to destroy everything.

Guys from the main family, what do you think the separation is?

Is such a clan really worthy of his continued allegiance?

After Ning Ci got angry, unprecedented confusion appeared in his opened eyes.

He no longer knows why he fought in the past.

I don't know who to fight for next.

It doesn't matter what life feels like.

Whether it is the family or the village, he has no reason to fight for it.

What's the point of continuing to practice and become stronger?

Anyway, this is the only way in this life.

Ning Ci's will quickly sank, his eyes lost their light, his head was lowered, and his mind was full of negative and indifferent thoughts.

Although he could force himself to continue fighting, whether it was fighting for the family or for the village, he felt extremely repulsed just by imagining it.

Thinking of the indifferent attitude of the elders of the branch family, Ning Ci suddenly understood why they faced life so turbulently and calmly.

The only ones who are deceived are the younger generation who are separated.

But young people will always grow up until they discover this cruel fact, and then become like those elders who live in the family with an attitude that everything doesn't matter.

Even the thought of hatred is probably too lazy to show it, because it is meaningless.

Ning Ci smiled wryly.

Before he knew the answer, all he thought about was how to fight for the family and the village.

But for me now, such thoughts have completely disappeared from my mind.

"Sorry, I seem to be a little tired, go back and rest first, father."

Looking at Ningci who walked out of the room in a daze, Nisai wanted to keep him, but he just opened his mouth, not knowing what words to comfort him, and finally could only silently watch his back, disappearing from sight.

Hope he can come out of the shadows and get back on his feet.

"Zong family, alas..."

In the room, there was the sigh of Risai.

It would be meaningless for such days to continue.

Tossing and turning on the bed, what Ning Ci recalled in his mind was still the words he said at noon, which made him unable to let go of it for a long time.

I am only thirteen years old this year. When I think of the next few decades, it may be so meaningless, living like a walking corpse, Ningci can't help but feel sad and depressed.

But self-killing is too extreme, at least Neci doesn't have any thoughts of committing suicide, even though he no longer has great expectations for the future.

And the root of everything is not caused by that womanHinata Ayane, the root of all unreasonableness lies in the caged bird. Hyuga Ayane, at best, was the last straw that overwhelmed the trust relationship between the main family and the sub-family. The hidden problems within the Hyuga clan had already appeared, and it was not brought about by Hyuga Ayane.

So, Neji doesn't have the slightest hatred for the Hyuga clan in the kingdom of ghosts.

Some are just envious, and some have unexplainable longings.

In this family, as well as in this village, I can no longer find a reason to fight for it, and my dreams in life have become worthless and wiped out.

As long as this mark on his forehead is not removed, no matter how optimistic he is in facing life, Neji will still feel resentful and repulsive.

Humans are such creatures.

Even if you are looking at the same thing, watching the same scenery, and talking about the same thing, the resulting feelings are completely different.

The joy of those people, I can't experience it myself, and I can't empathize with it.

It's as if they don't understand what the inner world of a person who has lost their freedom is like.

So, rather than depression and helplessness, Ning Ci is more at a loss for the future.

It seems to have come to a fork where many roads intersect. It seems that any road can be taken, but it seems that whichever road is followed is unsatisfactory. There is no value in going on, and life is empty.

If freedom is restricted, personality is humiliated, and even the closest family members are subjected to extreme injustice, then such thoughts are inevitable.

Reality is utterly empty.

The only freedom I have now is probably to dream.

Ningci couldn't help laughing at himself.

He can also try not to think about it, and be a fool who doesn't know anything, but now as long as he closes his eyes, he can only feel the emptiness in his heart. No matter what, Neji doesn't like self-deception.

Looking out the window, the thunderstorm has stopped.

It was already night, and before he knew it, he had been thinking in bed for most of the day.

Since eating two rice **** in the morning, he hasn't eaten anything all day, Neji feels a little hungry and wants to find something to fill his stomach.

No matter what, life still has to go on, at least there may be hope if you live.

Although this hope is very slim.

Just as he got up and was about to get out of bed, his body suddenly froze, and a gust of cold air rushed from the soles of his feet to the Tianling Gai, like an ice cave.

A figure appeared in the dark corner of the room at some point, with a pair of bright eyes staring straight at him in the dark.

"who!?"

Ning Ci jumped to the side, put on a soft fist posture, and looked vigilantly at the shadowed figure in the corner of the wall.

With his strength, he was completely unaware that there was an extra person in the room. Although it was true that he was immersed in thinking, it also showed the strength of this intruder.

Junin.

And he is also a strong Jonin.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to sneak into his room silently.

"Relax, it's me."

A figure slowly came out from the corner. It was a man with a kind smile on his face, and he didn't mind Neji's vigilance at all.

Has the same white eyes as Neji, but is much older than Neji, about 26 or 27 years old, with black hair draped shoulders, and handsome appearance, which is a unique symbol of the Hyuga clan.

"Are you...Senior Yukina?"

Seeing this man's appearance, Neji was taken aback and recognized the man's identity.

Hyuga Yukima.

Hyuga Clan's leading elite Jnin.

Although he is not the elder of the branch family, his status is not inferior to the elders at all.

Moreover, he has won the trust of the clan, and he has done a lot of things for the clan to oppress the clan, and he has a very bad reputation among the clan.

Not only that, but also very discord with his father, the two often have disputes in political views.

It can be said that he is a lackey who is loyal to the clan.

Having said that, Neji knew about him only through written information, but in reality, the number of times he met with the other party can be counted on the fingers.

He couldn't figure out why such a character came to him.

But thinking that the other party is a loyal lackey of the Zong family, could it be that his dissatisfaction with the Zong family has been discovered?

Thinking of this, Ning Ci remained calm on the surface, but his heart began to become tense.

It doesn't matter if you have an accident, but it will be troublesome if your father is involved.

"Are you surprised? I have always wanted to meet you, a well-known genius of the Hyuga clan, alone."

Hyuki smiled slightly.

"You flatter me."

Ning Ci put down his soft fist posture, no matter what, the opponent is also an elite Jnin in the clan, so he should have an attitude of respect.

"I don't know if Senior Yukima wants to ask me for something?"

After a moment of silence, Neji said, asking the other party's specific intentions.

Hyuga Yukama always had a smile on her face, that fake smile that was visible to the naked eye, gave people a very cold feeling, and could not feel the slightest warmth.

"Although I was entrusted to come to you, it is not a lie to be interested in you, a genius."

"Entrusted by someone?"

Ning Ci was slightly taken aback.

"Yeah, because you're like me."

Hyuga Yukama's smile was full of mystery, making Neji unpredictable.

"What's the meaning?"

Ningji didn't want to play charades with him.

"Over the years, there are only a few branch members who have been honored to be personally invited by Ayane-sama, and you are one of them."

Hearing Hinata Yukina's words, Neji's pupils widened in shock, because the news was so shocking that Neji began to tremble when he spoke.

"Who are you!?"

Traitor! This word suddenly appeared in Neji's mind.

He didn't expect that this elite Jonin who often used the power of the clan to bully the clan, and even willingly became the lackey of the clan, would be a spy planted in the clan by the enemy country!

Ning Ci's hands and feet became cold.

Even this kind of person is a spy, the current Hyuga clan...how far has it been infiltrated?

Hyuga Yukama seemed very satisfied with the shock on Neji's face, and said with a smile:

"Next, I think we should have a good common topic..."

The Hokage Building shrouded in darkness is brightly lit inside.

"Then, the only person who will be promoted to Chunin in this exam is definitely Sasuke Uchiha."

In Hokage's office, Hizan looked at Kakashi who was standing in front of the desk and said.

Kakashi accepted the appointment letter handed over by Shikaku, Sasuke's promotion to Chunin has been confirmed.

"Congratulations, Kakashi."

Lu Jiu congratulated.

"Ah, thanks."

Kakashi scratched his head, not being too pretentious, and calmly accepted such congratulations.

In fact, the result was almost the same as he expected.

In the finals, only Sasuke and Naruto had the experience of defeating their opponents, and the rest of the contestants were eliminated in the first round.

But compared to Sasuke's comprehensive conditions, Naruto's basic conditions are too low, obviously not suitable for promotion to Chunin.

At least Kakashi can't imagine which ditch Naruto will lead the team to after he becomes the team leader.

Just thinking about it gives me a headache.

"My kid is not good at all. He was eliminated in the qualifiers. It seems that he must restrict his leisure time in the future."

Lu Jiu said in distress.

Although the son seems to be an unmotivated person, he also has great expectations.

But I didn't even make it to the finals, no matter what, it's hard to be promoted to Chunin.

If you miss this opportunity, you can only wait for the next Chunin exam.

"It's just a little later, there is no need to worry at all."

Kakashi said.

"Then I will accept your good words."

Lu Jiu nodded, he still has this bit of confidence.

"The focus of the next thing is to start the arrangement in the Anbu."

Ri Zhan said at this time.

Both Kakashi and Shikaku looked serious.

"Has Tsunade-sama agreed?"

"It's already passed by Zirai, no matter what, the blood of the first generation of adults is flowing in her body, and she is the Fifth Hokage that Konoha hopes to belong to. There is no time for her to be self-willed."

Hi Zhan said so firmly, as if he had made up his mind.

"Fifth Hokage? It's finally time."

Lu Jiu exhaled lightly, and it seemed that the burden on his body became heavier.

"The daimyo has already agreed, and the only thing left is the question of Tsunade's return. As for Danzo...how is the trend these days?"

Hizan looked at Kakashi.

Monitoring the roots is also one of Anbu's jobs.

Especially in this special case, the job of monitoring the root cannot be sloppy.

"Everything is normal for now, but I don't think it's that simple."

Kakashi replied.

"Yeah, that's one of my concerns too."

Ri Zhan was very worried.

If Danzo came out to disrupt the situation at this time, it would make him feel at ease, but he was so silent and didn't know what was being arranged in secret, which made Hiruzen feel restless.

Such a Danzo must be secretly plotting some major conspiracy.

Only by bringing Tsunade back to Konoha as soon as possible and letting everything settle, can Danzo dispel the thoughts that should not have arisen in Danzo's mind.

Even Hokage, he doesn't know the extent to which the root has grown, how many people are in it, and how many radicals have been secretly contacted.

Once these people riot, it is a very terrible thing.

"Do you need to dispatch some people from my side?"

Lu Jiu suggested.

Aiming at the root, he didn't have any good solutions.

Danzo is basically impeccable in doing things, and it is difficult to find any reason.

The root is even more deeply hidden and powerful. Even among the Nara clan, there are voices of some defecting to Danzo. Although these voices are small, it also shows that the current situation is grim.

Unifying Danzo of so many fighting factions, the power has already threatened Hokage.

"Not for the time being, not to that extent."

Ri Zhan also considered using the power of the Zhuludie tribe, but after thinking about it, he gave up.

Doing this will only scare the snake, and make Danzo hide deeper.

"Kakashi, you will temporarily return to Anbu until the Fifth Hokage is confirmed to take office."

Ri Zhan quickly made arrangements.

Considering the mobility, it is better to let Anbu monitor the movement of the roots.

"The seventh class..."

"I will find another Jonin to replace temporarily."

"Yes, I'm fine."

Watching Kakashi retreat, Hizan leaned back against the seat and exhaled slowly, his wrinkled face was full of tiredness.

This body is getting worse and worse.

In the dark dense forest, a frog shuttled through the forest, jumped in front of Jiraiya as fast as lightning, and croaked twice.

Jiraiya squatted down, and took out a scroll from the frog's open mouth.

Looking at the text on the scroll with the help of moonlight, Jiraiya frowned after reading it.

"Still not found?"

This is the information from Anbu.

This time he came out to look for Tsunade, and brought two teams, a total of eight Anbu members, each of whom is a ninja with strong search capabilities.

But it's been a long time since I left Konoha, unfortunately, Tsunade's whereabouts have not been found yet.

Whether it's me or Anbu, it can be said that I got nothing.

The only information I got was that a week ago, Tsunade seemed to have appeared in a certain casino in Lin Zhiguo, and then he disappeared mysteriously, disappeared mysteriously.

Did you go to Wetbone Forest to hide from me? Zilai also frowned.

Although he can find the location of the Wetbone Forest through Miaomushan's relationship, it is the territory of the Slug Immortal. If Tsunade is determined not to see it, he probably won't even be able to enter the door of the Wetbone Forest in the end.

Moreover, he didn't think Tsunade would suddenly go to the Wetbone Forest at this time, there was absolutely no need for it.

"It's really troublesome work, so I don't even have time to collect materials..."

Zilai also complained endlessly.

This time point is obviously an important time for me to collect materials in the hot spring.

As a result, there was a gloomy cold wind blowing in this kind of place, making Jiraiya at a loss for a while.

Originally, I wanted to end this kind of work quickly, but right now Tsunade's trace is really hard to track, and Jiraiya doesn't know when the search will continue like this, and when there will be a result.

"However, then again, this incident is a bit strange. This is the first time Tsunade's trace has disappeared so completely."

Jiraiya's expression became serious, and he suddenly remembered something, touched his chin, and began to ponder.

In the past, although Tsunade would deliberately avoid Konoha's sight, he would not leave no trace behind.

But this time is different, as if the world has evaporated, there are no clues to look for.

"I hope nothing will happen to her..."

Jilai also looked up at the sad white moon above his head, suppressing the deep anxiety in his heart.

(end of this chapter)