Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece

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The battle below was winding down when Neji rose from his seat and stepped up beside Sasori.

Every puppet Sasori had unleashed lay broken or disabled, their weapons shattered. Though damaged, none were beyond repair. The five armored puppets Neji had deployed bore some scuffs of their own, but still stood tall.

"Return."

The five armored puppets knelt in unison, paying their respects before vanishing back into the storm clouds above.

Neji unsealed a scroll, drawing in all the surviving wreckage along with the elite [Ten Man Squad] and handed it to Sasori.

"I won't be needing these. Improve them as you see fit."

He had gathered all the combat data he needed and had shown Sasori exactly what his "fists" and his worth could do.

Then Neji pulled out another scroll and offered it without explanation.

Sasori's eyes widened when he saw what it contained his parent puppets.

"You've seen my [Self-Rebirth] technique," Neji said calmly. "If you contribute enough to the organization, bringing them back won't be a problem."

Sasori froze, staring at him.

"And if you ever wish to have a normal body again," Neji added, "I can custom-make it. Any age. Any gender. Your choice. I can also teach you my puppet-making techniques though that will come at a price."

Sasori slowly took the scroll. He didn't doubt Neji's words; Chiyo had already proven such things were possible. But what puzzled him was why. This was nothing like the Akatsuki he'd once known.

"Why tell me all this?"

"Because I want you to work for me. Your skills and talent are unmatched in the shinobi world."

Inwardly, Neji smirked. Give a man hope, and he'll work all the harder as a tool.

After living a second life, Neji's views had sharpened. He had become more ruthless, more decisive yet also clearer about what truly mattered.

To him now, revenge wasn't simply about killing. Death was often too merciful. True retribution was making someone suffer as they had made others suffer, until they understood that pain… before finally ending them.

Some scars never fade, and those who haven't lived through them can never truly understand.

Sasori's fingers brushed over the scroll. After a long pause, he said quietly:

"You're… strange."

"Maybe," Neji replied without hesitation. "But welcome to the [D-Organization]. Our motto is simple—Live well."

Sasori repeated the words under his breath. Compared to the Akatsuki's lofty goal of "world peace," the [D-Organization]'s aim sounded almost plain. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized living well was the hardest thing to achieve.

Neji produced a pendant engraved with [Sasori] and tossed it to him, explaining its functions. Moments later, Sasori was wearing a sharp black suit. He tested the features of his new mask and fedora before dismissing them, keeping only the suit.

"Come on," Neji said. "Time to meet the others and see who I really am."

He led Sasori into the elevator, ascending to the upper levels. Neji had no fear of revealing his identity.

Sasori's consciousness was under constant surveillance; with a thought, Neji could shut it down. Without the permission of his puppet consciousness, Sasori's core could never escape his control.

---

After meeting the rest of the organization, they arrived at a secondary puppet research lab. Neji removed his mask, revealing his face.

Sasori's eyes widened in shock.

"You… You're Hyūga Neji. A Konoha jōnin."

No one would have guessed not in their wildest dreams that the leader of the [D-Organization] was a member of the Hyūga clan.

And those eyes… not the pale Byakugan he remembered, but brilliant azure orbs. Could they be an evolved form of the Byakugan?

If so, they might rival perhaps even surpass the legendary Rinnegan and Mangekyō Sharingan. The abilities Neji had displayed granting puppets consciousness, shielding his presence were beyond the reach of ordinary ninjutsu.

"Surprised? Good," Neji said. "This is my secondary puppet lab. Use it freely. For materials, speak into your mask or call Ai-chan she'll handle it."

"[BOSS, do you need something?]"

The sudden, cheerful voice made Sasori pause. Neji barely reacted.

"Grant new member [Sasori] Level Three clearance. This lab is his to use. Provide any non-rare materials without asking me."

"[Understood, BOSS! Welcome, Sasori!]"

Sasori didn't know what to say anymore. The base no, this fortress was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Its architecture, its technology, its systems… it felt as though it didn't belong to the world he knew.

"If you have questions, ask Ai-chan or check the new member handbook through your mask," Neji told him. "I'll leave you to settle in. Contact me through the mask if needed it has a comms link."

Neji turned to go, but Sasori's voice stopped him.

"Wait. There's something you should know."

"Oh?"

"Since you're from Konoha, this might interest you. Ten days from now, at noon, at the Tenchi Bridge in Kusagakure… I have an agent stationed under Orochimaru. We arranged to meet there."

Neji raised an eyebrow. He'd thought his own interference might have erased this event from the board but apparently not.

"I see. I'll keep that in mind."

As Neji walked away, Sasori clutched the scroll in his hands, replaying his words in his mind. For the first time in a long while, he felt… uncertain.

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Meanwhile, Neji touched his chin thoughtfully.

"Looks like I should pay a visit. Been a while, Senpai. I've missed you."

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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter

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