Rebirth In Naruto world English version

A week passed since the council's meeting. Negotiations between Konoha and Kumo were still ongoing, but the Hyūga clan had already begun preparing for the possibility of receiving compensation. Neji, though often kept out of direct discussions, overheard enough from his father and the elders to understand the stakes.

One afternoon, Hizashi called Neji to his quarters. The expression on his father's face was unusually serious.

"Neji, it seems the Hokage has recognized your contribution during the incident," Hizashi began. "As part of the compensation received from Kumo, you've been granted access to some of the jutsu techniques we've obtained."

Neji's eyes widened slightly. "What kind of techniques?"

Hizashi handed him a scroll, the edges sealed with the Hokage's insignia. "These are only fragments of the full Raiton no Yoroi technique, but they contain valuable insights on how to enhance your speed and defensive capabilities using lightning chakra. Study it carefully, but don't reveal it to anyone outside the clan."

Neji accepted the scroll, his mind already racing with possibilities. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Father. I will use this knowledge wisely."

Hizashi nodded but remained stern. "Remember, this is not a gift. It's an opportunity. Use it to strengthen yourself and ensure the clan's future remains secure."

---

Later that evening, Neji retreated to his quarters. Sitting cross-legged on the tatami floor, he carefully unsealed the scroll. The text was written in dense script, describing the foundational principles of the Raiton no Yoroi technique.

The notes emphasized the importance of precise chakra control, something Neji excelled at. However, the scroll also highlighted the dangers of misusing lightning chakra, as it could cause internal damage if not properly regulated.

Neji began practicing immediately. Though he lacked the natural affinity for lightning chakra, his Byakugan allowed him to observe the flow of energy within his own body, identifying areas where adjustments were needed. Slowly, he managed to create a faint layer of lightning chakra around his arms.

The first attempt was crude—unrefined and unstable—but it was a start. As he focused, he recalled the fight with the Kumo ninja and the overwhelming speed and power of the Lightning Armor.

---

The following morning, during his training with Hinata, Neji decided to test a basic application of the technique. As they sparred, he subtly infused lightning chakra into his movements, increasing his reaction time and striking speed.

Hiashi, observing from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow. "Neji, your movements seem sharper today. Have you been experimenting with new techniques?"

Neji froze for a moment, then bowed slightly. "Yes, Hiashi-sama. I've been refining my chakra control."

Hiashi said nothing further, but the faintest hint of approval crossed his face.

Hinata, however, noticed the faint sparks around Neji's hands and looked at him curiously. "Neji-nii-san… was that lightning chakra?"

Neji hesitated but nodded. "It's part of the techniques we acquired from Kumo. I'm still working on mastering it."

Her eyes widened with admiration. "That's amazing… I wish I could learn something like that."

Neji glanced at her, then sighed. "Focus on your Gentle Fist, Hinata. Mastering the basics is more important than chasing advanced techniques."

Though disappointed, Hinata nodded. "I understand."

As the training session ended, Neji's resolve only grew stronger. The fragments of Kumo's techniques were merely the beginning. If this was what Konoha could gain through diplomacy, Neji wondered what else might lie ahead for him—and the Hyūga clan.

A few days after Neji began refining his Raiton no Yoroi technique, an unexpected visit arrived at the Hyūga estate. A messenger, cloaked in the traditional garb of the Toad Sage's followers, came to deliver an urgent request from Mount Myoboku.

The messenger, a seasoned shinobi with the markings of a summoner, presented a scroll sealed with the image of a toad. "Neji Hyūga, we have been instructed to extend an invitation for you to study Sage Mode," the messenger said with a respectful bow. "But before you proceed, you must first seek permission from your clan."

Neji's eyes widened as he took the scroll, recognizing the significance of the offer. Sage Mode was a powerful and rare ability, one that few ever mastered. The idea of learning it was an enticing prospect, but Neji was well aware of the risks. Sage Mode required an immense amount of time spent in the mountains, away from the village—and it was rumored that those who attempted to learn it often disappeared for long periods. Some even said that the journey to mastery could take a lifetime.

That evening, Neji found himself in the family meeting room, the scroll resting heavily in his hands. Hizashi, Hiashi, and several of the clan elders sat around the table, waiting for Neji to explain.

"Father, Hiashi-sama, the Toad Sage's followers have offered me the chance to learn Sage Mode," Neji began. His voice was steady, though his thoughts churned with uncertainty. "However, I know that mastering Sage Mode is a dangerous path. It requires me to spend significant time away from the village. Some say the process could take years, or even longer."

Hiashi regarded him with a stern but thoughtful expression. "Sage Mode is an exceptional ability," he said slowly. "But you are right to be cautious. The training is intense, and the risk of disappearing from the village is not something we take lightly."

Hizashi, his father, looked troubled but spoke with quiet concern. "Neji, this opportunity could grant you immense strength, far beyond anything the Hyūga clan has known. But, we are a family, and we cannot simply let you go without understanding the consequences."

The elder at the table, a member of the Hyūga council, leaned forward. "If you learn Sage Mode, Neji, you will gain power beyond your current understanding. However, if you leave for such an extended period, we may not know when—or if—you will return."

Neji glanced at the scroll again, then met his father's gaze. "I know the risks, Father. But if I can master this power, I'll be able to protect Konoha and the clan in ways I never could before. The Toad Sage said it would take time, but this might be my only chance."

Hiashi sighed deeply, his eyes filled with both concern and a rare hint of approval. "The path you choose is your own, Neji. However, we must be prepared to support you, whether or not you return as the same person you are now."

Neji hesitated, his hands gripping the scroll tightly. He had always been determined to push beyond the limits others had set for him, but this was different. Sage Mode was not just a new technique; it was a transformation of the self, one that could pull him away from the life he knew.

After a long pause, Neji spoke again, his voice steady. "I want to learn it. But before I go, I need your blessing. I cannot go without the clan's support."

The elders exchanged quiet murmurs before Hizashi nodded slowly. "Very well, Neji. We trust your judgment. But you must be certain of your choice. If you leave, there may be no coming back for quite some time. We will respect your decision, but know that this will not be a simple journey."

Neji bowed deeply, the weight of his decision settling on his shoulders. "I understand. Thank you."

Later that night, as Neji lay in bed, his mind raced with the implications of what lay ahead. Sage Mode was an undeniable power, but the cost was steep. He had already felt the sacrifice of duty when he entered his training with Kumo's techniques. Now, with the possibility of losing himself for years to the toads of Mount Myoboku, Neji felt a growing tension between his ambitions and his responsibilities.

"I will return," Neji whispered to himself in the darkness, feeling both the excitement of the unknown and the sorrow of what he might leave behind.

The next morning, Neji would leave for Mount Myoboku, with the clan's permission, to begin his training in Sage Mode. But the true test would not just be his strength or mastery of the technique—it would be whether he could ever return the same.

Neji's journey to Mount Myoboku was long and arduous, the mountains towering above him as he ascended through dense forests and steep cliffs. His mind remained focused, determined to unlock the secrets of Sage Mode, but a part of him couldn't shake the unease of leaving Konoha behind. The uncertainty of what awaited him made the journey feel heavier with every step.

Upon reaching the base of the mountain, Neji was greeted by a small group of toads, their eyes gleaming with wisdom. They led him deeper into the mountain, past winding stone paths and ancient shrines, until they reached a secluded clearing surrounded by enormous, ancient toad statues. At the center of the clearing sat one of the elder toads—an old, large creature with markings that denoted his high rank in the toad hierarchy.

"You've come to learn the ways of the Sage, have you?" the elder toad croaked in a deep, gravelly voice, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Neji. "But before we proceed, we must see if you are worthy."

Neji bowed respectfully, his expression unwavering. "I am ready."

The elder toad squinted, his lips curling slightly. "We will see. The path of the Sage is not one that is easily followed. Not everyone who seeks it is capable. Even among those who succeed, very few can truly master it."

With a slow, deliberate motion, the elder toad raised a gnarled, clawed hand and gestured for Neji to approach. "Come closer, child of the Hyūga clan. We will see if you are fit to train in our ways. Close your eyes, and focus."

Neji did as instructed, clearing his mind and letting the stillness of the mountain envelop him. The air seemed to grow heavy as the toad elder began chanting in a language that Neji couldn't understand. Strange images began to form behind his eyelids—visions of distant lands, shadowy figures, and swirling energies. His pulse quickened as he tried to make sense of the cryptic visions, but they only seemed to become more fragmented, like pieces of a puzzle that didn't quite fit together.

Suddenly, the chanting ceased. Neji opened his eyes to find the elder toad staring at him with a piercing gaze, as if seeing right through him.

"You are strong, child, but not suited for the Sage Mode of our kind," the toad said cryptically, his voice tinged with a strange sadness. "The visions you saw were not just dreams—they were glimpses of your soul. You are filled with energy, a power that comes from your chakra, but the toad way is not in harmony with you."

Neji stood in silence, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean? I came here seeking to learn. Is there no way for me to master Sage Mode here?"

The elder toad shook his head slowly. "You are a child of the Byakugan, a clan whose path is steeped in precision and control. The toad Sage Mode is a form of balance between mind, body, and nature, but it does not mesh with your nature, Neji Hyūga. You seek power, but you are bound by your very lineage. The way of the toads requires something more—an open connection to the world around you, not just the force within you."

Neji's heart sank. He had come all this way, believing this would be the key to breaking his limits. Now, the realization that he wasn't suited for this form of Sage Mode was like a cold wave crashing over him. He had known that mastering Sage Mode would be difficult, but this… this felt like a rejection of his very essence.

"But... what should I do now?" Neji asked, his voice barely a whisper.

The elder toad looked at him with an unreadable expression. "There are other paths, Neji Hyūga. Other ways to gain power, other methods to connect with nature. But you will have to search for them yourself. The toad way is not for you, but that does not mean you are without potential. It will take time, and you must look within yourself for what you truly seek."

Neji stood there, processing the elder's words. The weight of his failure felt heavier than any physical burden he had ever known. But there was still a part of him—small, quiet—that refused to give in. He would find another way, another path to power.

Without another word, the elder toad turned away, signaling the end of the trial. Neji, though defeated in one sense, knew that this was not the end of his journey. He had learned something important—perhaps more than he realized—about himself and his place in the world of shinobi.

As Neji began his descent back down the mountain, he couldn't help but feel the heavy presence of the toad elder's words still lingering in his mind. "The toad way is not for you… but that does not mean you are without potential."

Neji's resolve hardened. If Sage Mode of the toads wasn't the answer, then he would find his own path—one that aligned with his true nature, his true strength. There was always another way forward, even if it wasn't the one he had originally sought.