Neji grimaced, caught off guard even if he wasn't on duty. To be fair, he wouldn't have straightened for anyone other than Obito or Hinata- or his direct supervisor. But those first two were out of the country as far as he'd known.

Neji relaxed, set the book on the table and gave the Hokage his full attention.

"I've been studying the deeper intricacies of ninjutsu," he explained mildly. "As well as searching for new techniques to learn that will suit me."

He knew better than to inquire after Obito's own research, though he was curious. "I assume Hinata-sama's mission went well?"