The sky darkened, but Konoha was still lively.
As the most prosperous Village in the Fire Country, it not only had numerous shops but also Ninja protecting it, so the Villagers didn't worry about danger, and the night market wouldn't be deserted.
Neji was on his way back to the Hyuga Clan, ignoring the lively street market.
In his mind, he recalled Natsuki's words and began to think about where to start investigating, and he also couldn't let the main family find out.
"The fastest way to get information about the Hyuga Clan is to look at the Hyuga Clan's library, but the main family would never let a branch family member like me browse freely, not even if I used connections to beg the clan head. So, I can only think of other ways, such as looking for information from the outside. This way, the main family won't easily find out, and I won't be hindered. But, is there any relevant information outside?"
"Maybe there is. After all, the Hyuga Clan wasn't in Konoha at first, so there must be some information scattered outside, it's just hard to uncover because of how long ago it was. Also, other old families might have recorded some things related to the Hyuga Clan, which I need to look for. And because I have the Cage Bird Curse Mark, I'm not afraid to go outside, and I won't be monitored by the main family when I'm outside. This is my chance. What I need to do now is to improve my strength while also raising my status. I need to become a Jonin as soon as possible so I can easily leave the Village."
"Furthermore, I need to study and think more. Natsuki is right, a smart brain is urgently needed for me. Only then can I think of methods, grasp important clues when I encounter them, and maneuver skillfully with that group of useless people in the main family."
Neji was lost in thought and almost accidentally bumped into a child running around.
He saw the grilled squid in the child's hand and subconsciously thought of Xiao Li's lack of money, then he thought of what Tenten had once said.
Tenten once said that she had forgotten the greatest use of money, and it was Natsuki who told her. Only then did she remember that her biggest advantage was actually having money. Having money was really convenient. If she wanted to know any information, she could spend money to post a bounty, and naturally someone would bring the information...
"That's right, maybe I also need more money. Things that are inconvenient for me to investigate can be secretly entrusted to others to investigate!"
Neji's eyes lit up, and then he began to think about his entire fortune.
Although he was the child of the former branch family head and the nephew of the Hyuga clan head, he didn't actually have much savings, and because he ate and lived within the clan, the allowance given by the clan was not much.
Now, he was a Ninja and could earn money by doing missions himself. The clan no longer provided subsidies.
So, how should he get money?
He didn't think of a solution until he got home and lay down. Remembering that Natsuki was once penniless but was later able to invent the ninja killing card game, which completely solved his financial problems after selling well, he greatly admired Natsuki. Compared to him, he might really not be smart enough. If he faced the same difficulties as Natsuki, he wouldn't be able to think of a good solution at all.
(Natsuki: No, no, no, the cards are secondary, the rich woman is the key!)
"No rush, I'll think slowly, I'll find a way eventually."
Neji was really trying hard to think, and the result was insomnia.
Early the next morning, he left the clan with dark circles under his eyes, clearly not in good spirits. At the main gate, he also ran into his good uncle, Hiashi Hyuga.
"Lord Clan Head!" Neji immediately bowed.
"...Neji, are you going to train?" Hiashi Hyuga's tone was hesitant and complex.
"Yes. The daily training arranged by Teacher Kai cannot be skipped."
"I see. Kai is a very good teacher. You should learn well from him."
"Yes."
"...Neji, you don't look like you're in good spirits."
"Just had insomnia last night."
"..."
The uncle and nephew were speechless for a moment, feeling a bit awkward. Even Hinata, who was hiding behind them and secretly watching, felt awkward for the two, but Hinata was timid and didn't dare to come out.
Hiashi Hyuga finally sighed inwardly and could only say, "Training is good, but don't overdo it. If you have any difficulties, you can tell your uncle." Neji lowered his head and didn't answer. Hiashi Hyuga walked past him, but Hiashi Hyuga didn't notice the glimmer of light that flashed in his eyes, and even his emotions became slightly different.
Of course, Neji held hatred towards Hiashi Hyuga.
But now, Neji had a higher goal. Some hatred could be temporarily buried in his heart, but this layer of identity could be utilized.
He suddenly spoke, "Uncle, I need your help with something!"
Hiashi Hyuga stopped in his tracks, his eyes filled with surprise, "Ne... Neji, you called me... *cough cough*! Just tell me what it is, and your uncle will help you figure it out."
Neji looked up and directly faced Hiashi Hyuga, saying, "Teacher Kai has arranged for a relatively high training intensity, so I need to consume more nutritional food. However, the clan's diet is light, and I don't want to break the clan's habits, so I want to spend my own money to eat outside. But, I don't have that much savings..."
Hiashi Hyuga immediately said, "That's simple. Your uncle will privately give you one million ryo every month from now on. If it's not enough, you can ask your uncle for more. You can eat however you want!"
"Thank you, Uncle. Then I'll go gather now."
"Okay, go ahead. Your uncle will bring the money to you tonight!"
Neji nodded and quickly ran off. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself and laugh.
He knew his good uncle valued feelings. Whether he was putting on a show for appearance's sake or if it was genuinely so, he was going to take advantage of it, and he didn't feel the slightest bit guilty about using him.
His father was forced to death by the Hyuga Clan. This was something the Hyuga Clan owed him, and this bit of money was just interest!
In the past, he had a rebellious attitude, so even if he lacked something, he disdained to ask. His heart still resisted and rejected now, but according to what Natsuki said about having a smart brain, resisting like a hothead was not a good method. Instead, he needed to know how to maneuver, and even act.
He just needed to call out "Uncle" as if he was yielding, and Hiashi Hyuga would happily give him money.
Why would he refuse such a simple way to make money?
It also saved him the trouble of racking his brain to think of other ways to make money, which would delay his training and his time searching for information, simply not worth the gain.
One million ryo a month, his good uncle was quite generous. If he saved up for a year, he would have over ten million ryo.
Over ten million ryo was not a small sum, enough to tempt many people. At that time, he could secretly go to the Exchange Shop to post bounties, investigate the places where the Hyuga Clan lived and lingered before Konoha was founded, and investigate various things related to the history of the Hyuga Clan. He thought there should be some useful information.
And after a year, he would at least be a Chunin, so he figured it wouldn't be difficult to investigate incidentally while doing missions outside.
Hiashi Hyuga watched Neji leave, his eyes filled with relief and a smile.
He didn't understand why Neji suddenly changed, but such a change was a good thing, so he didn't delve deeper.