For the first time in his life, Neji could choose his own fate.
He didn't fully understand what was happening.
But one thing was clear.
The man before him proved the reality of this opportunity by making an elder kneel.
Yet…
Having spoken such words, could he stay with the Hyuga clan? And what about Tenten, Rock Lee, his sensei—would he have to leave them too?
Neji, who'd always believed he could only submit to fate…
Suddenly realized…
Choosing his own destiny was this difficult.
He looked at the smiling man who'd brought all this.
At the elders, clearly subdued, a yearning surged within him.
"Can I follow you?" Neji said to Shen Mo. "A Caged Bird without strength, even if freed, will be recaptured. I don't know why you're giving me this chance, but I want the power to break cages like you!"
In critical moments, one's true potential shines.
Shen Mo was impressed.
From emotional turmoil to calm reflection in mere minutes.
But…
"Many want to follow me," Shen Mo said, shaking his head with a smile, pointing at Hiju. "Right now, you couldn't even beat my pet."
Hiju extended a paw, standing atop Hanabi's head like Simba on Pride Rock, head high.
"Meow—"
A soft, cute meow.
Yet it unleashed a wild, beastly bloodline aura without restraint.
Her adorable form clashed starkly with it.
Neji, hit hardest, paled.
Hiashi, Tsunade, and the others' eyes widened.
They'd sensed it before.
But now it was certain.
This mascot-like cat was terrifying!
"Who… are you…" Neji swallowed hard, the man before him beyond comprehension.
"Just a wandering merchant," Shen Mo said casually. "Choose. Your decision now will shape a completely different fate."
Neji fell silent.
He didn't know why this man insisted on an immediate choice.
But his hope to break the Caged Bird rested on him.
So…
Leave the Hyuga, or…
Neji's gaze, tinged with faint resentment, swept over Hiashi, the elders, even Hinata.
Avenge his father against the clan that forced his death?
"Neji."
Hiashi finally spoke, cautiously glancing at Shen Mo.
Shen Mo did nothing.
He'd even released his control over the elders.
"No matter your choice, I hope… you'll look at this." Hiashi pulled out a scroll. "It's from your father."
Shen Mo watched with interest.
He didn't stop him.
There was no point—Neji would learn eventually.
But now, without Naruto's beating or seeing Hinata's efforts, how much would this scroll matter?
Neji stared at the familiar handwriting.
Trembling, he took it.
It held his father's words.
Back then—
Hizashi wasn't forced to die for Hiashi. He chose it, out of brotherly bond, willingly accepting the elders' decreed fate.
"It was my suggestion," the kneeling elder gritted out. "But Hiashi opposed it. Hizashi's sacrifice was his choice…"
"Shut up!" Neji roared, clutching the trembling scroll.
His father…
In the end, willingly died for the main branch, for the clan.
Abandoning him?
Why? He'd resented the clan too.
Neji's heart churned with confusion, anger, disappointment…
Finally…
He closed his eyes, a tear sliding down.
Then snapped them open.
"I'll leave the Hyuga clan!" Neji declared to Shen Mo, tears on his face, voice resolute. "I'll break the Caged Bird, but I won't leave Konoha. I'll see with my own eyes if this clan, this main branch, is truly worth my father's sacrifice!"
This was his choice.
His reason to grow stronger.
If the main branch proved worthy, he'd protect it, honoring his father's wish. But if they betrayed his father's sacrifice…
He'd never forgive them!
"No return to the cage, no fleeing or revenge, but circling nearby?" Shen Mo was surprised.
Yet it seemed… inevitable.
He mused briefly.
Then reached out, slowly touching Neji's forehead.
The headband fell.
The green, cross-like symbol faded under everyone's gaze.
Gone.
The elders, with complex expressions, watched the seal they couldn't remove vanish effortlessly.
Neji felt it too.
He stared at Shen Mo, his reflection in those dark eyes.
It was really gone.
The curse-like cage.
"This is your reward," Shen Mo said warmly, smiling. "I rarely grant gifts, so don't disappoint me. Your true path and fate are just beginning."
Tsunade, seeing Shen Mo's smile…
Then the elder still kneeling…
Sighed inwardly.
As expected…
In Shen Mo's eyes, they were different.
To earn his gaze, one needed ability—or potential.
Then…
Hiashi stepped forward. "Neji, so you're choosing to branch off?"
"…"
Neji looked at his clan head, his uncle.
His gaze held complexity.
His father died willingly for this man.
"If you're branching off, as clan head, I must set terms," Hiashi said sternly. "First, you and your descendants must not betray Konoha or let the Hyuga bloodline be stolen by other villages. Second, the clan's secret techniques must not leak. If you agree, I'll allow it and return your father's share of the family wealth."
Shen Mo smiled, having read Hiashi's intent. Without it, he wouldn't have let Neji choose—Neji had little money himself.
Hiashi felt guilt and kinship toward Neji.
The elders' faces soured.
Allow a branch-off and split the wealth?
But seeing Tsunade's brightened expression and sneaking a glance at Shen Mo…
They stayed silent.
They'd just learned…
They had no right to object.