Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 41. Hiashi’s Ambitions!

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Spending the day with Hinata and Hanabi had left Neji surprisingly relaxed. He'd been burdened by so many thoughts lately that it felt strange to just unwind.

As they returned to the Hyuga estate, Neji gave Hanabi's cheek a playful pinch and leaned in with a quiet whisper.

"If you keep messing with your sister like that... I'll turn your little backside into a flower."

Hanabi froze. Her face paled slightly, and she instinctively covered her butt with both hands, eyes wide as she stared at him in mock fear.

She pouted.

What the heck!?

She'd overheard their father once. He'd been talking to Hinata about the future that Hinata would eventually marry Neji.

He said they were the only two in the clan with the purest bloodline. Everyone else would just dilute it, corrupt it.

With their talents combined, their children could potentially awaken ancestral powers. The Hyuga Clan could rise to new heights.

That was why Hanabi had been trying to get them closer by setting up these "coincidences."

And now she was getting scolded for it?

Life is unfair. (~)

Of course, Neji didn't know any of that. As far as he was concerned, she was just his mischievous little sister.

As for the whole "Naruto saves Hinata and they fall in love" thing... Neji had already cut that thread long ago.

He remembered the rants from his first life when people said Naruto never acted like a good husband. Even during the Fourth Great War, his heart was still chasing Sakura.

Neji had seen Hinata as too kind for her own good. Always putting others before herself even if it hurts her or her family.

So no. He'd made his decision.

(I've only seen the first episode of Boruto. Don't flame me just a personal take.)

After teasing Hanabi, Neji turned to Hinata.

"Don't push yourself too hard. Just do your best. I'm here. You don't have to carry this burden alone."

His words hit home, making her heart flutter. She nodded, eyes lowered.

Neji didn't say anything else. It was enough that she heard it.

"I won't stay for dinner tonight. I've got work back at the lab you know how it is."

He patted Hinata's head, ruffled Hanabi's cheeks, and left with a wave.

Two small silhouettes stood at the entrance, watching him disappear into the distance.

"Sis... do you think Neji knows?"

Hinata shook her head gently.

Hanabi puffed her cheeks.

'Ugh, this sister of mine... I'm trying so hard for you!'

"Come on, Hanabi. We should get back. Father won't be happy if we skip training."

"Fine..."

The two returned to the Hyuga compound.

---

Meanwhile, inside the clan dojo, Hiashi opened his eyes.

Through his Byakugan, he had seen everything from the shadows.

"Hinata... Neji... For the sake of the clan's future, everything depends on the two of you."

His whisper faded into the air as he slowly closed his eyes again.

The Hyuga Clan had long been bound by the [Caged Bird Seal]. It was both their salvation and their curse.

It protected the Byakugan from being stolen, yes but it also trapped the clan in a cycle of stagnation. It killed ambition. It bred complacency.

Over the years, Hiashi had come to accept that he alone could not change this fate. At best, he could shield three members of the branch family from the seal thanks to the peace brought by Hizashi's sacrifice.

But in times of war? Not even that much would have been possible.

Too many sought the power of the Byakugan. Every unmarked Hyuga lived with a target on their back.

Hiashi had seen countless branch family members die to protect the main family secrets. Even his own father failed to retrieve stolen Byakugan eyes from enemy hands.

Pathetic. Useless.

That helplessness had burned into him.

So now, he believed the answer was simple: strength.

If even one member of the clan rose to the top, a truly undeniable powerhouse, then the clan wouldn't need to hide behind seals or rules.

They could defend themselves through fear.

If anyone dared lay a hand on the Byakugan they would be annihilated.

If anyone tried to steal it they would be hunted to the ends of the earth.

Hiashi's eyes briefly flickered with killing intent before calming again.

"We're still not there yet... The [Caged Bird Seal] must change. Neji is studying [Sealing Techniques] I hope he succeeds."

His voice was low, barely more than a breath. But his hopes were real.

He'd pinned everything on the next generation and maybe even the one after that.

All for the future of the Hyuga.

He couldn't make a move now. Not with the Third Hokage and Danzo still watching. He didn't dare risk it.

Otherwise, they'd end up like the Uchiha.

The only reason the Hyuga had survived unscathed was because no Kage-level threat had ever risen among them.

But now... Now, he had Neji. And maybe just maybe Hinata too.

The position of Hokage... It might finally be within reach.

As clan head, he had to think ahead. He had to plan far, wide, and deep. Only then could the clan survive and thrive.

And Neji's eyes his Byakugan he had hidden their potential for now. When the time came...

When Neji's power was ready...

Everything would change.

But not yet. The time hadn't come. He would wait.

---

Back in his personal lab, Neji had no idea his "uncle" had already mapped out his future.

Hiashi, so rigid in the original story, had been moved by Neji's growth and potential. Now, he was making new plans.

Meanwhile, Neji sat in his lab, wondering what "Aunt Snake" was up to.

Why hasn't she contacted me?

Did something happen? Was the package intercepted?

He couldn't figure it out. Maybe Orochimaru was just being cautious. Or maybe she was neck-deep in experiments again.

Either way... It was ironic.

While everyone was plotting behind his back he was still trying to figure out who was plotting behind his back.

Cause and effect...

Neji stopped overthinking it. It wasn't a big deal.

Worst case scenario? Someone else got their hands on the [Estrogen Hormone] and that just meant one more gender-bent shinobi running around.

As for the [Mono-Eye], if it ever activated, Neji would sense it. It had no other purpose besides connecting back to him.

Whoever triggered it he'd know.

Time to go farm some EXP from Izumi. Maybe test out some new Skills or Techniques.

Unfortunately, he'd already learned that sparring with [Shadow Clones] didn't yield much experience. It was too isolated and only counted as solo training.

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