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After hearing the sisters agree, Neji gently ruffled their hair and reminded them:
"You must keep this a secret from the clan head, alright?"
While it wouldn't be the end of the world if it got out, Neji still preferred that Hiashi and more importantly, the rest of the clan didn't find out. It would just complicate things unnecessarily.
"Even if you accidentally let it slip, don't worry. This was something I learned directly from Lady Hokage. I personally requested to give it to you both."
It was a harmless lie a second layer of insurance.
The girls nodded obediently. Hanabi pouted and muttered:
"As if I'd slip! One of the core ninja rules is not to leak intelligence!"
"Mhm, good girl, Hanabi."
Neji pinched her cheek affectionately. Then, looking at Hinata, he continued:
"I'll need a few days to prepare. Once I'm ready, come to my lab and I'll give you the seals."
Hinata shyly looked down and softly replied:
"Mmm."
Hanabi, still tucked in Neji's embrace, snickered quietly.
'Let's see how Big Sis handles this~ So exciting! Hehehe~'
"It's getting late. I should get back and finish the preparations. Three days from now should be perfect."
Neji gently set Hanabi down. Even though she didn't want to let go, she obediently released him.
'Good girls don't disobey, or they'll be disliked. Hanabi definitely doesn't want Neji-nii to dislike her!'
Hinata looked at him and said softly:
"Neji-nii, I'll do my best!"
Neji smiled:
"Hinata's always tried her best. But don't forget what I once told you training must be balanced. Don't overdo it."
"Yes, I understand!"
Neji waved his hand, signaling them not to follow. He closed his eyes again out of habit unless something truly worth seeing arose, he wouldn't open them casually.
---
Back at the laboratory
The base was now quiet he was alone.
After finishing external matters, he settled down in the meditation chamber and resumed his top priority: researching the Caged Bird Seal.
But it wasn't out of compassion for the Hyūga clan.
It was for his future puppetry plan. He intended to use cloned [Byakugan] as the core of his puppets for control, summoning, self-destruction, and other purposes.
His earlier attempt to apply the Caged Bird technique using glasses-like constructs failed due to the Byakugan's 360° vision, the principle just didn't fit.
Still, the idea of amplifying the Caged Bird concept was feasible.
If he retained just the self-destruction function, then it didn't have to use the actual Caged Bird technique. As long as he could make it so that removing the eye destroyed it, that would suffice.
Next came the idea of nurturing and protecting the eye through the seal allowing it to grow stronger.
That would be perfect…
---
Days passed. He let shadow clones handle tasks like training Sakura and gathering experience points.
Yes, all fatigue came back to him in the end… but hey, thanks to his One Piece constitution, his stamina was ridiculous.
Fighting ten days straight? No problem.
He could kill enemies, resurrect, and kill them again.
Though… Sasuke still hadn't contacted him. He wondered how things were going with her.
After all, he'd left her a little present.
---
Meanwhile – Sound Village, Orochimaru's hideout
Sasuko had finally recovered and was getting a bit of privacy after evading constant supervision.
Her injuries had been severe if not for Neji's emergency treatment, they would've worsened. Kabuto had taken over healing afterward, leaving her no alone time.
Now, in the safety of her room, she held up the pendant Neji had given her. Injecting chakra into it—
Poof!
Smoke billowed as the pendant transformed into a slightly soft, yet firm mask.
"A mask…? That's it?"
She frowned and placed it on her face.
Chakra connected. Suddenly, a stream of messages entered her mind:
> [Sasuke, if you're reading this, you're likely already with Orochimaru. I know your desire for strength, so I didn't stop you. This mask allows us to communicate. You can also customize its appearance, This is also the insignia of the D-Organization I've created. It comes with the following functions…]
Sasuko read through everything.
She was shocked but also not surprised. It somehow made sense that Neji would go this far.
There was no way a man like him would quietly settle down and live a normal life in the Leaf.
But it wasn't just the functions that shocked her. What truly shook her was the classified intel inside: Orochimaru's goals, his data, and even training plans tailored for her growth.
It was as if he'd seen straight through her.
Suddenly, the path ahead one she'd once lost sight of became clear. He'd lit the way for her.
She took off the mask, followed the instructions, and infused it with chakra again. It reshaped, revealing eye slots now personalized.
She stared at it, emotions swirling.
Should she contact Neji?
No. She clenched her fists.
"If I've chosen to walk this path, then I'll do it alone. A man will only dull the edge of my blade. If I can't become strong on my own… How can I avenge myself against him?"
She cut off the chakra to the mask, tucked it away, and left her room.
It was time to train.
Meanwhile, Neji had no idea Sasuko would react this way.
Still, the instructions he left were taken to heart, and with a clear direction, Sasuko's growth would only accelerate.
---
Three days later
Sasuko hadn't contacted him… but Hinata and Hanabi did arrive ready for the seal ritual.
Neji, who was already experienced with his "blind tattoo business," welcomed them. With all the prep done, it went smoothly and even comfortably this time.
There was no pain only satisfaction from the effects.
Hinata chose a sunflower design.
Hanabi picked fireworks, naturally based on her name.
Both were surface-level motifs.
In truth, the tattoos were advanced seal arrays, engraved inside the body's chakra points.
Two weeks of back-and-forth testing and research later…
Neji finally made a breakthrough.
"Why hasn't my Neji avatar updated yet?! I even fixed it on the website! So frustrating!"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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