Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece

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Neji's vision flickered.

Through the corner of his chakra-enhanced eyes, he observed Kankuro battling with Scorpion's legacy puppets collapse, poisoned, onto the desert sands.

A subtle thought-command expanded the visual. Someone was already on their way to help. No need to intervene yet.

He left a thread of attention on the scene just in case but refocused.

Back in the training yard, the two sisters had finally stopped their sparring. Hanabi was giggling; Hinata… not so much.

"Come on, sis," Hanabi teased. "You're gonna end up with Neji-nii anyway. What's there to be shy about?"

"Hanabi!" Hinata gasped.

But her little sister darted away, making a face as she disappeared toward the exit. "You two enjoy yourselves! I'll be elsewhere, definitely not watching through the window!"

And just like that, the world's most explosive third wheel made her dramatic escape.

Hinata stood there, red-faced, hands clenched in her sleeves. She wasn't ready for this not emotionally, not mentally. All those years of quiet watching… and now Hiashi had just thrown it all out in the open.

She stammered, "Neji-nii… I… I—"

Warm fingers cupped her cheek.

The touch was familiar. Gentle. Reassuring. Just like always.

Then came the other arm drawing her into Neji's chest.

Hinata froze… then melted.

That feeling. That safety. That unshakable warmth.

It felt like home.

She closed her eyes and nuzzled into his touch, her nerves slowly dissolving under his embrace.

"I'm still me," Neji murmured. "You don't have to worry about losing anything."

He hesitated for a beat.

"But… why didn't you ever tell me?"

His voice was calm. But his gaze… searching.

He'd always known she cared for him, maybe more than she should've. But she never said anything. Never hinted. Just stayed by his side, quietly supportive.

Even when things were hard, even when he was unbearable, even when his evolution scared her…

She never walked away.

That kind of loyalty was rare. And it touched him deeply.

Hinata murmured, "Because… I didn't want to distract you. You were always working so hard. So strong, so far ahead."

She paused.

"I didn't want to be a burden."

Neji's expression softened.

She really didn't understand.

Even now, she thought she wasn't worthy. That she was too weak. That she didn't belong beside him.

But he saw what others didn't: her stubbornness, her will, her heart.

"You're incredible," he said gently. "Your only flaw is thinking you're not."

Hinata's eyes widened at the praise but before she could respond, Neji added:

"Tell me, Hinata… do you hate this arrangement?"

She shook her head so fast she almost lost balance.

"No! I-I don't hate it!"

She clamped her hands over her mouth, her cheeks blazing.

Neji chuckled softly. "Then let me carry the weight for you."

Her eyes locked onto his face, his strong profile, his calm confidence, and her heart fluttered.

This man… had been carrying her burdens for years. Even when he was the cause of her pain, she never once blamed him.

"Okay," she whispered.

She let herself relax into him. For once, she allowed herself to be loved. To believe she was enough.

No words were needed now.

The silence between them was full of everything they'd never said.

And everything they finally could.

---

But peace never lasted long.

Neji's senses twitched. Subtle chakra fluctuations are fast, controlled, and very ANBU.

He sighed.

"Hinata. Sensei needs me."

She stepped back immediately. "I understand."

He brushed her bangs away and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

Then he turned and strode out the door.

Hinata stood there dazed, steam practically rising off her head.

'This isn't a dream, right? That really happened?'

She buried her face in her hands, flustered and glowing.

---

Outside, a masked ANBU agent landed on the rooftop.

"Lady Tsunade requests your presence."

"Understood."

The ninja vanished. Neji vanished right after.

---

Neji arrived at the Hokage Tower moments later.

Tsunade sat at her desk, looking strangely unsettled.

Her teacup had cracked. Her lottery ticket—won. She wasn't superstitious, but…

"This feels like a bad omen."

Neji entered quietly. "You called for me."

Tsunade looked up at the man before her tall, white-haired, and serene, like a sage.

The cracked cup. The jackpot. She hated coincidences.

"It's not just you I need now," she said. "Bring in the rest of Team Three. Immediately."

"Understood."

An ANBU vanished to carry out the order.

Tsunade turned her gaze back to Neji.

"Gaara the Kazekage has been captured by the Akatsuki."

"I dispatched Team Seven to investigate: Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto. You've probably already noticed what's happening."

Neji nodded.

She held up the winning ticket.

"This win? It doesn't feel lucky. It feels… like fate just turned its head."

Neji understood the symbolism instantly.

"You want us deployed."

"Immediately," Tsunade said. "They'll need backup, and frankly, I trust you more than I trust fate."

Neji gave a rare smile.

"I'll handle it."

Tsunade nodded firmly.

"They're in your hands now."

---

Far away, in a hidden cavern, several men clad in black cloaks with red clouds froze for just a moment.

A chill ran down their spines.

As if something monstrous had just stirred.

Something… that had a name.

And it wasn't Naruto.

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