The terrifying speed of the attack was a devastating blow for any ninja. The logistics ninja began to sweat nervously and finally understood why Asuma had been silent.
"Continue. I want to report this to Lord Hokage."
Asuma reached into his pocket, wishing for a cigarette, but suddenly remembered he was in a game. Though the shop also sold cigarettes, he hesitated to buy them.
"A game world beyond the ninja world?"
In the underground secret base of the Sound Village, Orochimaru was surrounded by glass vials containing special samples, including Hashirama's blood and cells. Orochimaru licked his lips, his golden snake-like pupils reflecting uncertainty. He began to question whether Kabuto Yakushi, who had brought this news, had betrayed him. Absurd, he thought. But the more he pondered, the more his curiosity intensified. This could be an opportunity for deeper research.
"Lord Orochimaru."
A ninja with a cold chakra aura entered the laboratory. Without turning around, Orochimaru took a piece of paper from his pocket and said, "Kidomaru, you and Jirobo bring this person to me."
Kidomaru examined the paper, which contained a message from a noble of the Fire Nation.
"Immortality is truly fascinating," Orochimaru murmured.
He realized a great change was coming to the ninja world and that his plan to destroy Konoha needed to be accelerated.
Two days later.
Even the logistics ninjas with the least combat sense had become professionals.
"Neji and I are boxers, Kabuto Yakushi is a tracker and also an apprentice mage. There are so many professions in the reincarnation game," Asuma commented, increasingly alarmed.
The diversity of professions in the game suggested a completely different energy system from the ninja world, indicating the existence of a parallel universe.
Asuma sighed and said, "That's enough for today. Everyone, get some rest."
Naruto Uzumaki wanted to continue, but Asuma stopped him. If players didn't log out of the game for too long, their real bodies would suffer from malnutrition.
Hyuga Neji logged out of the game and, upon arriving home, found a letter on the table. After reading it, he headed to the clan center, to a luxurious courtyard.
"Is that you, Neji? Come in," a gentle voice invited him.
Neji entered the room with a respectful expression and found Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga clan, kneeling on a soft futon.
"Patriarch," Neji greeted.
Hiashi, with a familiar demeanor and a calm expression, looked at Neji. "You've been looking tired lately." Although the Hokage's S-Class mission was secret, rumors had circulated in the village, leaving Hiashi uneasy.
Neji shook his head. "It is a ninja's duty to share the village's concerns."
Hiashi frowned but soon composed himself. "The village is fundamental, but you, as a prodigy of the Hyuga family, must also care for the family."
"Yes," Neji replied firmly.
Hiashi continued, "The village is like a great tree; the Hyuga house is the trunk, and you are the branches and leaves. Only with a strong trunk can the branches and leaves flourish."
"Of course," Neji responded briefly. Noticing Neji's silence, Hiashi sighed and commented, "Remember, the family will always be by your side."
"Yes," Neji left the room in silence.
The reincarnation game's mission was a secret task assigned by the Hokage. Even the head of the Hyuga clan did not have the right to force him to reveal the secret. Once the reincarnation game became known to the Hyuga family, it would be restricted and monitored again. Neji was determined not to let that happen.
With growing anger, Neji clenched his fists, blood seeping between his fingers. Returning home, he opened a scroll and read it carefully.
With his eyes closed and hands joined, he channeled his chakra, feeling an intense pain as if his eyelids were being burned. Within seconds, Neji collapsed to the floor, unable to maintain his stance, and pressed his eyes tightly.
When he opened his eyes, he noticed that his ocular pattern had changed, with scarlet blood spots.
The caged bird was a shackle engraved on the soul, a curse from which even reincarnated beings could not escape. The method to break this curse was extremely dangerous, and Neji was willing to face the risk.
Even though the pain was intense and the outcome uncertain, Neji was determined to break the chains of fate and change his life. The reincarnation game was his chance to be free.
No matter what happened!
*(End of chapter)*