Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 50. No Wonder Shadow Clone Jutsu Is Practically Forbidden

Chapter 50 - 50. No Wonder Shadow Clone Jutsu Is Practically Forbidden

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The two of them collapsed like puppets with cut strings.

Neji? He felt great.

But the training room?

Flooded.

As he surveyed the soggy mess, his eye twitched. Then the lightbulb.

"Izumi, seal this room off. It's our new Water Training Chamber."

Her eyes lit up. "Understood!"

Neji didn't waste time. He had a new door carved into the wall above the waterline. No point draining it, why waste the chaos?

While Izumi got to work restoring the arena, Neji hauled Zabuza and Haku to the infirmary. He patched them up one by one, then wrapped them both in clean bandages.

Both groaned in discomfort, bruised, sore, and grumpy,, but didn't complain.

"You're as good as new. We leave tomorrow. Once you're fully healed, your mission begins in six months."

"...Got it," Zabuza muttered.

The last battle had humbled her. Body and pride both.

---

A few nights later, deep in the Hidden Leaf.

Konoha slept under the cover of moonlight. Only a few scattered lights flickered through the village.

Masked and cloaked in Root-issued gear, Neji and Izumi crept through a hidden tunnel.

They bypassed two patrols. One Root, one regular Anbu slipping through like ghosts. Minutes later, they reached their safehouse.

Inside, Neji released his [Shadow Clone].

Two weeks' worth of memories crashed into his skull like a mental avalanche.

His knees buckled.

Izumi rushed to catch him. "Neji?! Hey, talk to me!"

His vision blurred. Her voice faded.

And then darkness.

---

When Neji opened his eyes, he found himself lying on Izumi's lap.

His temples throbbed, his mind still foggy. He winced.

Soft fingers gently pressed against his head, massaging his temples in slow, rhythmic circles.

The pain dulled.

He exhaled.

"...I'm fine now, Izumi."

He started to sit up, only for her to press him back down.

"Don't move," she scolded, voice trembling slightly. "You scared me."

Neji opened his eyes again. He couldn't see her face from this angle, but he could hear the strain in her voice.

"I used the [Shadow Clone Jutsu] for two weeks straight. When it finally dispelled, the backlog of memory and mental fatigue hit me all at once. It's not something you just walk off."

Izumi relaxed. "So you're okay? You just need rest?"

"Yes."

She exhaled in relief. Truthfully, she'd been terrified. She hadn't left his side for hours.

"How long was I out?" he asked.

"About three hours."

That made Neji sit up again, ignoring her protests.

He glanced at her face, eyes slightly red.

"...You stayed like that the entire time?"

Izumi lowered her head, mumbling, "Mm."

Neji sighed. "You know medical ninjutsu. You knew I wasn't in danger. You should've moved. Letting your legs go numb like that—"

"I know," she interrupted. "But seeing you rest easier when I was helping... it made me feel better."

She smiled softly, her voice gentle.

"Besides, you seem to forget you gave me that [Healing Seal] tattoo. I could monitor your chakra the whole time. You were stable."

Neji shook his head, inwardly helpless.

"...Fine. But go rest now. You've done enough."

Izumi didn't budge.

"I'm staying. Your headache isn't gone yet, right? Let me help."

Neji raised a brow. "Help how?"

"Trust me."

She pulled him gently back into her lap and resumed the massage. The warmth of her touch. The slow easing of pressure.

Neji's body relaxed again.

"...Alright. You win."

His consciousness drifted. Not from pain, but comfort.

Mental exhaustion from the [Shadow Clone Jutsu] wasn't something the body could recover from quickly. It had to be processed... slowly.

---

The next morning.

Neji awoke feeling refreshed.

The pounding in his skull was gone. His energy felt full again.

He stretched, yawning lazily.

"You're up?"

Izumi stepped into the room with a tray of breakfast, freshly prepared, neatly plated.

"Eat something. I made it myself."

Neji's stomach growled. Loudly.

"...Thanks."

He sat up and reached for the tray, then froze.

His arm was covered by the sleeve of a loose cotton shirt.

His eyes narrowed. He looked down.

He was wearing pajamas.

And under those pajamas?

He was very... free.

He looked up at Izumi, whose cheeks were slightly flushed.

"I... I'm not pure anymore," he muttered, blank-faced.

He picked up the toast and began eating, wordlessly.

After a long silence—

"...So last night, did you—?"

"Yes. I helped you change. And I bathed you," Izumi said plainly. "It's nothing new. I've done it before."

Neji choked on his toast.

'You didn't have to say it. I already knew, just don't say it out loud!'

He quietly buried his face in his hands.

First life died a virgin like a Young master. (Courting Death 🔫)

Second life didn't even make it to adulthood before being bathed unconscious.

And now this world...

It felt strange.... Like he has achieved something meaningful.

It looks like his fate is written by a good author this time.

"Right..."

He finished the meal in silence. Internally, he screamed.

Izumi took the tray with a smile.

"What time is it?" Neji asked, rising.

"Almost ten."

He nodded. "I'm heading out. Need to check some medical files. Research... and cover story."

Izumi nodded, already tidying up behind him.

Neji grabbed his gear and headed for the door.

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Author's Note:

Big thanks for the continued support. The Chūnin Exams arc is right around the corner. Buckle up. It's just getting started.

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