Neji opened the second can.
Another orb. A Strength Orb.
The third.
The fourth.
All orbs.
But the fourth was different—slightly translucent, like mist.
Neji assumed it was another enhancement or experience orb.
As he reached for it, Shen Mo stopped him.
"Hold on."
Shen Mo looked at the orb, smiling and shaking his head.
"This isn't just any orb. It's your destiny-altering item."
"This?" Tsunade exclaimed nearby.
It was her first time seeing a destiny item as an orb.
Even her Holy Light, an energy type, was tied to a badge.
"Destiny items are the cans' gift, granting lifelong power," Shen Mo said to Neji. "But not everyone gets one, and not everyone passes its test. This power… it's not simple."
Though Shen Mo provided the orb…
As he said…
Acquiring new power wasn't easy.
"Sir," Neji said, undeterred, only tense and curious. "What is this power?"
He felt nothing special from the orb.
"Its name," Shen Mo said, smiling again, "is Nen."
Yes.
Shen Mo had chosen for Neji…
A renowned and potent power system.
—Nen ability!
From the world of Hunter x Hunter.
"Nen?" Neji murmured, eyes puzzled.
The name revealed little.
"Nen's essence is life energy, like chakra, but expressed differently," Shen Mo said, hands behind his back. "Those who freely wield Nen are called Nen users. In its world, they're known as Hunters."
"Hunters?" Neji asked instinctively.
"It means pursuing what you hunt," Shen Mo said, as if reminiscing. "It's a vibrant world—Gourmet Hunters chasing rare ingredients, Treasure Hunters seeking riches, Beast Hunters capturing mythical creatures. They use this power to chase their desires, and that pursuit strengthens the power."
This was why Shen Mo chose Nen for Neji.
Nen's strength depended heavily on will.
Unlike Holy Light, it had no specific inclination.
Any type—even deviants or lunatics—could wield immense power with strong enough will.
The prime example…
Was Vows and Limitations.
Swearing an oath multiplies Nen's power, but breaking it strips it away.
Neji seemed to grasp something but remained confused.
"You'll face it once you master Nen through the job change," Shen Mo said, his smile fading. "I'll be blunt: Nen's job change is dangerous. This orb will open all your aura nodes, converting life energy to Nen and releasing it. If you can't control it… it's like draining chakra until death."
A chill ran through everyone.
Draining chakra endlessly?
When chakra dropped too low, one would faint.
It was agonizing.
They couldn't imagine draining chakra to death—what a horrific ordeal.
"Job change failure… can kill?" Tsunade asked, shocked.
"Some powers can," Shen Mo said.
He kept his eyes on Neji but spoke to all: "The Chamber isn't a charity. We offer opportunities, but you pay a price, even resolve, to seize them. Don't worry too much—if you lack that resolve, you won't get such items."
Shen Mo, a businessman, wouldn't scare off clients.
But some powers were inherently dangerous.
Like Orochimaru's Lich job change.
Or followers of the Old Ones.
Their danger was part of their allure. Without resolve, their potential couldn't be maximized.
This showed…
The importance of Shen Mo's mind-reading ability.
"Dying for my choice leaves no regrets," Neji said, his expression steady despite the danger, surprising even himself with his calm.
The joy of freedom dulled the crisis.
Better death than bondage.
Shen Mo had known this outcome, or he wouldn't have offered this power.
In fact, Nen could be gained through long training.
But resolve amplified Nen's benefits.
"Since you're ready, go for it," Shen Mo said, smiling.
Hiashi stayed silent. The elders said nothing.
Hinata seemed about to speak but stopped, seeing Neji's resolve.
The new Hinata…
Could see his determination.
In the silence, Neji reached out without hesitation, touching the orb.
Boom—!
A surge of air burst from him, clothes fluttering, hair dancing. Invisible energy poured from his body in an instant.
"Your aura nodes are open. Your life energy is turning into Nen," Shen Mo said.
Hiashi activated his Byakugan.
Hinata and the elders followed.
"This…" Hiashi gasped.
He saw…
Neji's chakra flowing to his limbs, melding into his body, transforming into an unseen force, then surging out through his skin and pores.
"Like boiling steam," Neji said, staring at his hands. "This is Nen? It's so fast!"
Much faster than chakra release!
"Relax, control it like chakra. Imagine it coating your body, flowing through your veins," Shen Mo's voice guided.
Neji closed his eyes, trying to control it.