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Chapter 62 - 62. The Stage Is Set
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Sakura gently laid a cold towel across Sasuke's forehead.
Her hands trembled, but the worst of Sasuke's spasms had faded. Breathing had steadied, but the fever, still dangerously high, refused to break.
Sakura bit her lip, eyes lingering on Sasuke's face.
Even as a girl... she's still...
"No—pull yourself together, Sakura!" she whispered, slapping her own cheeks.
'So what if Sasuke's body changed? Orochimaru said it could be reversed. That means there's still hope!'
'I won't abandon him... I'll protect him-no matter what!'
Her determination hardened. She resumed tending to both unconscious teammates, glancing at Sasuke, who now looked older, even more striking than her.
---
Just outside their hidden shelter, three shadows crouched in the underbrush.
The Sound Trio had arrived.
"There they are," Zaku muttered, peeking through the leaves.
"Orders were clear," Dosu said, voice muffled behind his bandaged face. "We move at dawn. Target: Uchiha Sasuke."
"What about the other two?" Sakon asked with a smirk. "Can we kill them if they get in the way?"
Dosu didn't blink. "Does it matter?"
Sakon grinned wickedly.
---
As sunlight crept through the trees, the Sound Trio made their move.
Sakura, already on edge, noticed something off. A squirrel... moving too unnaturally.
Then she saw it: an Explosive Tag strapped to its back.
Her eyes sharpened. Chakra surged.
THWIP!
Her kunai flew, just missing the squirrel's head. It squealed and darted away, detonating a moment later in the distance.
Dosu flinched. "She almost killed the squirrel before the tag went off..."
"She's sharper than expected."
---
Further away, Neji caught the terrified squirrel mid-dash by its scruff. The small creature squeaked in alarm, only for Neji to gently set it down on a branch.
"Go find somewhere safe."
"Chuu!" the squirrel squeaked gratefully before vanishing into the foliage.
Neji narrowed his eyes in the direction of the Sound Trio.
Cheap tricks. Disgusting.
He scanned the forest. One of his [Shadow Clones] had already picked up something interesting...
---
Elsewhere, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio crouched in fear, hidden behind foliage right in the path of Neji's clone.
"Come out," the clone called, activating a system-enhanced scan.
The three flinched as one.
Years of trauma flashed through their minds.
Training with Neji... the Hell Years.
It had all started with shy little Hinata inviting them to the training grounds. They hadn't known what awaited them.
They'd never forget it.
No amount of training helped. Neji was a demon. A tyrant. A nightmare given chakra.
Ino whimpered via secret mind transmission:
I moved so fast, how did he still find us!?
Shikamaru sighed: Tactic 'Hide and Hope He Leaves'... failed.
Ino gave him a glare. Time for Plan B.
The trio emerged with stiff smiles and panicked energy.
"Hey! If it isn't last year's number-one rookie Neji Hyuga!"
"Would you uh sign my forehead protector?"
Neji's clone stared at them, completely deadpan.
"...What do you want?"
The trio froze. Internal screaming.
Shikamaru and Choji silently threw all responsibility onto Ino, who took a breath, undid her ponytail, and gave her best bashful expression.
"I... I've admired you for so long."
"...Get lost."
Neji turned, unimpressed, and walked away.
Ino's entire body stiffened. Face flushed with frustration.
'Damn it! That was my best move! Even Tenten said it should've worked!'
Shikamaru deadpanned: Who actually thought that'd work on Neji?
Suddenly, Neji turned around.
"By the way, if you three keep wandering around and catch my attention again..."
He cracked his knuckles.
"...I haven't had anyone to 'spar' with in a while."
SWISH!
The trio bolted.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
They remembered the day Neji graduated, how free they had felt. It was a national holiday in their hearts.
No way in hell we're sparring again.
Never!
As they ran, Neji's clone grinned. Perfect. They'll lead the Sound Trio right to Sakura.
The moment they were out of range, the clone dispersed into smoke.
---
Neji snapped back to full awareness.
It's time.
He moved.
[Moonstep].
He landed silently just as one of the Sound nin leapt toward Sakura.
[Low Sweep Kick]!
CRACK!
One enemy was blasted across the clearing. The other two stumbled back, caught in the aftershock.
Sakura gasped.
"Neji?!"
He stood calmly between her and the enemy.
"Took you long enough," she whispered.
Neji didn't look back.
"I came because of a squirrel... You remember, don't you?"
Sakura blinked. "The one I almost...?"
The Sound Trio flinched.
Dosu narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"Neji Hyuga."
They stiffened. Even these hired assassins knew that name.
Neji's gaze shifted to the unconscious pair at Sakura's feet.
"That's... Naruto and... Sasuke?"
"...Yes."
Sakura's voice cracked. "We were attacked. The intruder called himself Orochimaru. H-He turned Sasuke into... into a girl!"
Tears welled in her eyes.
Neji nodded, his voice calm. "Then this isn't an exam anymore. It's a battlefield. I'll protect you all."
Behind him, the Sound Trio exchanged a look. Neji's stance confirmed it he wasn't moving.
He was their wall.
"Great. Another thorn in our way," Dosu muttered. "Then we'll take you all out at once."
He lunged.
Neji's smirk was cold.
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