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The epic clash ended. The dust settled.
The Legendary Sannin stood apart broken, bruised, and no longer allies.
Orochimaru, eyes narrowed, scoffed.
"You think I need your help to survive, Tsunade? Think again."
Without waiting for a reply, he melded into the earth with [Earth Release: Subterranean Escape], disappearing like a viper retreating into the underbrush.
Kabuto?
Already gone. Young reflexes were good for something, after all.
---
Tsunade dispelled her summon with a breath and turned slowly toward Neji.
Her smile was wide. Too wide.
Dangerously sweet.
Neji looked up and saw a towering shadow looming over him.
"Well, well…" she said, cracking her knuckles. "Aren't you just full of surprises?"
"I merely did what had to be done, Lady Tsunade," Neji replied calmly.
Tsunade's brow twitched.
You think that was a compliment?
Jiraiya tried to defuse the tension. "C'mon now, he did it for you—"
GLARE.
Tsunade's death stare silenced him instantly.
He awkwardly scratched his head, whistled, and bolted toward Naruto. Coward.
Neji remained still. Serene. Like a monk awaiting judgment.
Shizune watched in awe. How is he not shaking in his sandals? I'd have turned to mist by now…
Tsunade stepped forward, eyes serious now. "Why?"
"I gambled," Neji said simply. "I bet that you could overcome your fear."
And just like that, he smiled.
"…And clearly, I won."
Her fist clenched, temple pulsing.
This brat gambled… on me?
"You actually believed in me?" she asked, voice tight.
"Of course," Neji said. "After all, you're kind of a dumbass too."
SMACK!
A swift karate chop landed on his head, and his own signature move turned against him.
Tsunade smirked. "Then take this, wise guy."
She pulled off the necklace from around her neck, the same one that had claimed the lives of two loved ones, and dangled it in front of him.
"Do you have the guts to accept this?"
Shizune gasped aloud.
"Lady Tsunade… are you serious?!"
Neji's eye twitched. 'You ruthless woman… you're pulling out the cursed loot now?!'
That thing was practically a Death Note. And she wanted him to wear it?
He looked over at Naruto goofy, smiling, full of dreams. Then back at himself. Logical. Cautious. Still alive.
Nope.
"Not a chance."
He refused so fast it broke the sound barrier.
I'm not the idiot who wants to be Hokage.
He shot another glance at Naruto's dumb grin.
Yeah, that guy? Prime necklace bait.
Tsunade blinked. "You're refusing?"
"Loud and clear."
Shizune stifled a laugh. Neji actually got the better of her.
Tsunade huffed, then turned with a wicked grin.
"Fine then. Naruto! Get over here!"
Naruto, still messing around with Jiraiya, blinked. "Huh?"
She pointed. "You!"
He ran over, scratching his head. "What?"
WHAM!
Her fist pounded down, raising a huge lump on his skull.
"Call me Fifth Hokage, got it?"
"YES MA'AM!"
"And take this." She yanked the necklace over his head.
"If you lose it, I'll show you what real pain feels like."
Naruto looked dazed. But then Tsunade's tone softened.
"This was a gift from the First Hokage… my grandfather. If you truly want to become Hokage, it's yours now."
Neji watched from the side as she sneaked a pointed glance his way.
As if I regret anything.
He didn't.
Not even a little.
Naruto, meanwhile, lit up like a Christmas tree.
"REALLY?! THANK YOU, GRANNY!"
His joy melted Shizune's resolve.
She'd planned to convince him to return the necklace later. But seeing him so happy, so proud, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She sighed. 'I'll just keep an eye on him… and hope for the best.'
Jiraiya, watching all this unfold, smiled warmly. The necklace was a curse but it also marked Tsunade's final acceptance of the role she'd run from for so long.
He clapped his hands. "Alright! Tsunade, since you've agreed… let's head back to the village!"
Tsunade crossed her arms.
"Fine. Shizune, start packing. We leave tomorrow."
She stormed off. Shizune followed. Naruto trailed behind, grinning and cradling the necklace.
Neji lagged at the rear, pausing briefly.
He turned to glance back at the battlefield specifically, the bloody crater where he'd played dead.
With a sigh, he summoned a small sphere of chakra: [Energy Orb].
He threw it.
It expanded mid-air into a miniature vortex, a temporary black hole that devoured every trace of blood, rock, and chakra residue he'd left behind.
Wiped clean.
With that, he turned and followed.
---
Later – Within the Hyuga Clan Dojo
Neji knelt across from Hiashi, sipping tea in silence.
His uncle's expression softened as he placed his own cup down.
"How are your eyes?"
"Reattached by Lady Tsunade," Neji replied. "But they'll need time to fully recover. For now, I'll avoid any strain."
Hiashi's shoulders eased. Years of tension seemed to melt away.
"Good. That puts me at ease."
Then his tone shifted, warmer now.
"You've been gone a while. Hinata and Hanabi have been worried. You should go see them."
"Yes, sir," Neji said respectfully.
"But don't tell them about the surgery yet. Not until you're fully healed."
Neji nodded. "Understood."
"Go," Hiashi said. "They should be training about now."
"Yes, Uncle. I'll visit them right away."
As Neji left the dojo, he felt a strange flutter in his chest.
He hadn't seen his cousins in weeks.
I wonder how strong they've gotten…
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