The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Hyuga compound as a group of younger clan members, still smarting from their earlier encounter with the seemingly odd Neji, continued their training. However, a sense of unease settled over them as they noticed something amiss in the secluded training area where they had last seen the Hyuga prodigy. A strange stillness hung in the air, an unnatural quiet that prompted a hesitant curiosity.
One of the more observant children, whose Byakugan had developed to a rudimentary level, noticed a faint, unusual scent lingering in the air, a metallic tang that spoke of injury. A knot of worry tightened in their stomachs. They cautiously approached the area, their youthful bravado replaced by a growing sense of apprehension.
As they rounded a cluster of training dummies, their eyes widened in shock. Neji Hyuga lay sprawled on the ground, his usually composed features slack, his gaze vacant and unfocused. The sight that truly sent a wave of alarm through them was the blood. A significant amount of blood, staining the ground and trickling from Neji's ears, eyes, and nose.
Panic erupted among the young Hyuga. They immediately assumed the worst – a sudden, brutal attack by an unknown enemy had befallen one of their most promising members. They rushed back towards the main compound, their cries of alarm echoing through the normally serene atmosphere of the Hyuga clan.
The news of Neji's condition spread like wildfire through the clan. Soon, a group of concerned Hyuga elders and patrol members arrived at the scene, their expressions a mixture of shock and outrage. They examined the unconscious Neji, their Byakugan scanning for any signs of an external attack or the presence of foreign chakra. They found no obvious wounds, no signs of a struggle, just the disturbing evidence of internal trauma.
Te alarm was immediate. Fellow Hyuga clan members rushed to his side, their faces etched with concern. The medical-nin arrived swiftly, their initial examinations revealing no external injuries, yet a profound internal disturbance. It was as if something had.... overwritten his every being.
The incident quickly reached the ears of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. The news of a prominent Konoha shinobi, especially a prodigy like Neji Hyuga, being found in such a state was deeply concerning. However, the incident had occurred within the confines of the Hyuga clan territory, a traditionally private and somewhat isolated area. While the Hokage was responsible for the safety of the entire village, directly intervening in the internal affairs of a powerful clan like the Hyuga without a clear reason was a delicate political matter.
Therefore, instead of dispatching Anbu to investigate, Sarutobi sent a formal request to Hiashi Hyuga, the clan head, expressing his concern and urging a thorough investigation into the matter. The Hokage emphasized the importance of ensuring the well-being of all Konoha shinobi, particularly those with such promising potential.
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The Algorithm of Emotion: Neji x Sasuke
FanfictionA newly activated AI, 0341, unexpectedly finds itself inhabiting the body of the stoic Hyuga prodigy, Neji. Its arrival was the result of a critical error during an attempt to understand its host, leading to a tragic and unforeseen consequence. Now...
