Chapter 37: Rebirth and Oath
Time had inevitably come for their parting. Neji's emotions finally erupted—despite desperately biting his lips, tears still flowed uncontrollably.
"Father..." his voice choked with sobs, "Can you... please not leave me..."
Hizashi gently wiped away his son's tears. "I'm not leaving you, it's just... we need a temporary separation. Even if we're not in the same place, I'll always be watching you, caring about you."
Watching this heart-wrenching scene, Naruto leaning against the wall suddenly sighed.
"If you really don't want to separate," he interjected casually, "then just stay."
Both Hizashi and Neji froze instantly, like someone had hit a pause button.
"After Neji stays, I'll go tell the Hyuuga head. Given my current reputation in the shinobi world, he won't have any objections."
This was the most direct solution. Naruto hated pointless tragic drama most of all. With "Menma's" current intimidating power, even if he directly told the Third Hokage he wanted to take a Hyuuga child, the man probably wouldn't dare say a single "no."
However, after a brief silence, Hizashi gave an unexpected answer. "Menma-sama, please take Neji back to Konoha."
Neji's head snapped up, eyes wide with disbelief. A feeling of abandonment surged like a tide—was his father actively choosing to abandon him?
Fortunately, there was no cliché "this is for your own good but I won't explain" scenario. Hizashi didn't let this misunderstanding continue. He met his son's eyes directly and spoke.
"Neji, it's not that I want to abandon you... Menma-sama gave me a second life, and I've sworn to serve him loyally. But you're still too young—it's not suitable for you to live a life of constant hiding with me."
"Only in Konoha can you form new bonds. Your life shouldn't be locked to my side. In the future, you'll make friends, meet teachers, and even... meet someone you care about. These precious bonds can only be gained through your own experiences."
Neji's tears continued flowing, but he understood the deeper meaning in his father's words. This wasn't abandonment—it was to give him a broader future.
Hizashi embraced his son tightly one last time, whispering in his ear. "Remember, no matter how far apart we are, you'll always be my proudest son."
---
As dawn broke over the Hyuuga branch family estate,
Flying Thunder God's subtle light flashed as Neji's figure quietly appeared in his own room without disturbing anyone. After confirming his safe return, Naruto casually waved his hand.
"Alright, work hard from now on, Neji~"
He turned to leave, but—"...Please wait! Menma-sama!"
Neji suddenly called out to him.
Naruto paused mid-step and turned back to see little Neji clenching his fists tightly. His Byakugan still bore traces of undried tears, yet his gaze was unusually determined.
"Really... really... thank you so much..." Neji's voice was somewhat choked, yet he spoke each word clearly. "I... don't know what to say..."
Naruto waved dismissively. "It's fine—just helping out in passing, and saving your father benefits me too."
Neji took a deep breath, his small chest rising and falling dramatically. "I... I'm too weak now... I can't repay you..." his voice grew clearer, "But if someday! You need strength! I will definitely—"
Before he could finish, Naruto suddenly reached out and lightly flicked Neji's forehead.
"Really now... you didn't listen to a single word of your father's most important advice."
Neji covered his forehead, somewhat confused.
Naruto said irritably, "I haven't fallen so low as to need a child's help."
"No! This isn't help! This is loy—"
"Skip the loyalty too."
"Eh?"
Neji's eyes widened slightly, looking at Menma with confusion. Why? Why refuse his gratitude? Was it really because he was too weak? His small hands unconsciously gripped his clothes tighter.
'Do all shinobi world children mature this early?'
Behind his mask, Naruto sighed helplessly. Though his actual age was only three—a year younger than Neji—his mental age had long exceeded twenty. Recalling his own silly four-year-old self and seeing this prematurely mature child before him, he felt somewhat moved.
"Because of one near-death experience, your father's wishes changed. Initially, he might have hoped you'd become the Hyuuga family's genius, the clan's heir. But now—he just wants you to grow up safe and sound."
He leaned down slightly. "Don't waste his good intentions."
Neji's pupils trembled slightly. After a moment of silence, he asked quietly: "Father... really almost... Branch families can't choose what they live for, only what they die for?"
Looking up, those pure white eyes met the mask directly. "Menma-sama, do you think... branch family destiny can only be changed through such methods?"
Naruto straightened, his black robes swaying gently in the morning breeze. "No." His answer was crisp and decisive. "Using death to change fate is too tragic."
Neji held his breath, listening quietly.
"I believe all misfortune in this world stems from the powerlessness of those involved."
Morning wind swept through the courtyard, leaves rustling.
"Ultimately, this is a world where might makes right. Konoha fears Kumogakure starting a war, the Hyuuga cannot disobey Konoha's orders, and as a branch family member, Hizashi couldn't resist the main family's decisions."
Neji's fists clenched unconsciously.
"However, I changed your father's fate." He placed his hand gently on Neji's head.
"The logic is simple—Kumogakure, which Konoha fears, fears me. And Konoha also fears me. Because I'm stronger than all of them—nothing more."
"Stronger than anyone..."
Neji murmured, "Can I... also change my destiny?"
"Who knows?" Naruto shrugged casually, yet continued speaking. "Whether you can break the constraints between main and branch families through your own power—that depends on you."
"However... in the current Hyuuga clan, you're undeniably the genius who inherited the finest talents. No one can deny that."
Neji startled slightly, waves flickering in his eyes. "Father... said similar things..."
Watching Neji fall into contemplation, Naruto turned to leave again. Just then—a small hand suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
Naruto turned back to see Neji's face filled with unwillingness, white eyes burning with stubborn flames.
'As expected...' Naruto sighed inwardly. "Gratitude without repayment is still hard for you to accept?"
Neji nodded heavily, his voice determined beyond his four years. "Yes! I know... the current me is too weak... I can't repay you at all..."
His small hand gripped tighter.
"But that doesn't mean the future! I will definitely become a powerful shinobi! Menma-sama! Please give me a chance!" Neji almost shouted. "This isn't because of Father! This is my own chosen path!"
"...You really are troublesome."
Naruto said softly, slowly turning around. Neji felt the sleeve slip gently from his grasp, his heart suddenly empty.
Just then—an object suddenly flew toward him. Neji instinctively caught it, looking down with suddenly contracting pupils. "This is...!"
In his hands was Menma's signature fox mask.
Neji's head shot up to see Menma already had his back turned. That face the entire shinobi world wanted to glimpse was now defensively exposed before him.
But Neji didn't look.
"If in the future—you have confidence to stand before me."
"Come find me with this."
"At that time..."
Sunrise bloomed behind him, coating him in brilliant radiance that pierced straight into Neji's heart.
"Let me personally witness the caliber of the so-called Hyuuga genius."
Neji stared blankly at the figure before him.
Morning light fell, coating the entire world in white. The harsh brightness made Neji squint involuntarily. When he rubbed his eyes and opened them again—nothing remained.
"...Menma-sama!"
Neji called out frantically, his voice echoing in the empty room. The night's experiences had been too dreamlike, making him almost think it was all a dream.
The next moment, the cool touch in his hands told him everything was real. That fox mask which had the entire shinobi world trembling in fear now lay quietly in his palm.
Neji looked down at the mask, then up toward the rising sun on the horizon.
The seed of dreams took root and sprouted in that moment. In the morning light, this child's eyes ignited with unprecedented brilliance.
From today forward, Hyuuga Neji—had begun an entirely new life.
***
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