Chapter 96: I Don't Accept It!
"If possible… please show me my fate!"
As expected,
while everyone else hesitated, worried about the implications of revealing their fate, Hyuga Neji was the first to speak up.
He stood among his clan in the same loose robes as the others, but he was impossible to ignore.
"Neji!"
Hiashi Hyuga furrowed his brows, but couldn't reprimand him in front of the mysterious game merchant.
"You may."
Fang Yi smiled and pointed lightly at Neji with one finger.
Ripples spread through space and time.
The scene accelerated, and everyone's gaze was drawn to the Hyuga clan's territory.
Though the images flashed by quickly, strangely enough, everyone could clearly understand the main events.
"No wonder he was called Hyuga Tenin. He defeated several rival clans and led the Hyuga to power with sheer strength!"
Upon hearing praise,
Hiashi Hyuga couldn't help but show pride. Who wouldn't admire their ancestors—especially when praised by others?
After becoming clan head, Tenin aged rapidly. In his final years, he developed the Caged Bird Seal to prevent the Byakugan from being stolen.
"From this day forward, thirteen Hyuga elders shall serve as the true inheritors of the Main Family, tasked with protecting and expanding the clan. All others shall be marked with the Caged Bird Seal, becoming the Branch Family. They shall protect the Main Family with their lives…"
The aged voice carried deep hope for the clan's future.
Hiashi couldn't help but sigh. "Ancestor Tenin was wise and powerful. The Caged Bird may limit the Branch Family's freedom, but it's what preserved the Hyuga until now. We're still the strongest clan in the strongest village."
"Neji, you're the most talented Hyuga in decades. You must carry our ancestor's will. Protect and grow the clan!"
"Yes."
Neji lowered his head to hide his expression of revulsion.
Inside his sleeves, his fists clenched so tightly his fingernails pierced his palms.
The scene shifted. Konohagakure appeared.
A young Neji stood in the Ninja Academy, graduating as valedictorian with talent that made every clan head envious.
They all shared the same thought—
If only our clan had a genius like that, he could protect us for decades.
At that moment,
glowing motes resembling fireflies floated before Neji.
Some were the size of his head, others smaller than a grain of rice.
Seeing everyone's confused expressions, Fang Yi explained, "From the moment you're born, every choice—whether casual or significant—pushes fate down a different stream. Each light you see represents a different version of Hyuga Neji's fate."
"You may choose one—for free."
"After that, you'll need to pay. And the cost won't be low—that's the price of knowing fate."
Fang Yi said it lightly.
But everyone else was visibly shaken. In his casual tone, the game merchant had just unveiled something unthinkable.
To choose one's fate—wasn't that essentially seeing the future?
Even after witnessing Fang Yi's overwhelming power, this still seemed beyond human capability.
"Fate…"
A trace of longing appeared in Neji's eyes.
He reached out and touched the largest firefly in front of him.
The larger the mote, the more likely the path.
Let me see… what fate has in store for me.
Once touched,
the firefly-like mote danced around Neji, fluttering around him for two full minutes.
When Neji came to, he began laughing—
ignoring the stares of everyone around him.
"Hahaha… So that's how it is? My fate truly is…"
Worthless, like a weed!
Hiashi Hyuga looked at him with concern. "Neji, is something wrong with the clan?"
Neji suddenly raised his head, and in that instant, the hatred in his eyes was so intense it startled Hiashi—even with elite jonin strength.
Cold sweat ran down Hiashi's spine.
But the hatred faded quickly, replaced by Neji's usual respectful calm. He bowed and said, "Clan Head, I only saw key fragments tied to fate. A war breaks out, and someone from the Hyuga dies…"
"I see."
Hiashi's suspicion vanished. He patted Neji on the shoulder encouragingly. "Another Shinobi War… In war, there are always casualties. As long as the Hyuga flame survives, our Byakugan will always rise again."
Of course.
Because the only ones who die… are us in the Branch Family.
Neji sneered inwardly, bitterness swelling in his chest.
So the son of the previous scapegoat would become the next scapegoat?
His hand trembled slightly as a new screen appeared before him.
[Cost: 10,000 Reward Points]
Neji took a deep breath and turned to the man beside him—
who looked so much like his father, yet felt like a stranger.
"Clan Head, I want to keep peeking into fate. I want to find the best path for the Hyuga clan to prepare for war."
"Good!"
Hiashi was deeply gratified.
This was what it meant to be Hyuga—united in purpose, ensuring their legacy lived on.
Hearing the price, he hesitated—then gritted his teeth and paid.
After all, this concerned the clan's fate.
The other clan leaders could only look at Neji with envy—some regretting they hadn't spoken up first.
Another Shinobi War?
The peace in the ninja world never lasted. No one was surprised.
If they could gain insight ahead of time, their clans might even profit from it.
Suddenly, Hiruzen spoke. "Hiashi, it's been a while since we've had tea. Once this matter is settled, come by the Sarutobi estate."
Cunning.
The other clan heads immediately understood and cursed inwardly.
They quickly extended their own invitations to Hiashi.
Hiashi gave Hiruzen the proper courtesy, but brushed off the others.
After all, a secret only has value if you're the only one who knows it.
If everyone finds out, what advantage does the Hyuga have?
Time passed quickly.
After four more peeks into fate, even the wealthy Hyuga were starting to feel the burden.
Hiashi wiped the sweat from his temple and asked hesitantly, "Is that enough?"
Neji nodded.
The fates he saw while draining the clan's funds all led to destruction.
In countless versions of the ninja world, he saw himself—
Killed by the Sound Four.
Turned into a human puppet through Impalement Technique.
Slain by the Akatsuki.
Was that really his destiny?
No. I refuse to accept it!
"I'm a player. The Reincarnation Game is my blade to cut fate!"
Neji raised his head, his gaze full of hope as it landed on Fang Yi.
So what if I was born to die for the Main Family?
He remembered the first time he saw the game merchant—
clad in noble robes, hovering in the sky—
and the first words he spoke.
Dear players,
Congratulations on successfully logging in.
This means… you now have the right to change your fate.
Then let me take up this blade,
and slay every corrupted monster—
and tear apart the chains of destiny!
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