Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi stood perfectly still and obediently at the head of the formation.
This was Shen Mo's first encounter with the future heroine, Hinata Hyūga. His initial impression was of undeniable cuteness, offset by her dull, oversized clothing. Her posture was rigidly tense, and her gaze constantly flickered away from direct contact.
She radiated timidity, fragility, and a profound lack of self-belief—qualities that significantly undermined her appeal. The Hinata of this time was still an unrefined, highly anxious Genin, far from the gentle, devoted woman she would become.
Beside her, Hanabi, though only seven, was immediately striking. Dressed in a vibrant orange kimono, she was delicate and alert, with bright, lively eyes.
"Is this little one also considered an 'elite' of the Hyūga Clan?" Shen Mo smiled, focusing on the sole child in the assembly.
"Ah..."
The elders shifted awkwardly. While everyone summoned was officially an 'elite,' Hanabi's inclusion was due to the high expectations placed on her as the younger Main Family daughter.
"This is my second daughter," Hiashi Hyūga said, bowing slightly. "Though young, her talent as a ninja is already exceptional. Hanabi, please show your respect to Lord Shen Mo."
Hiashi was visibly nervous, resembling any ordinary father presenting his child to an important authority figure, desperate for a good impression.
Hanabi gracefully approached and performed a perfect bow. Her misty, pale eyes, however, were fixed not on the merchant, but on Himari perched on his shoulder.
Such an adorable cat!
Himari, the pinnacle of genetically engineered cuteness, was an irresistible lure. Hanabi, like most little girls, was instantly captivated.
I desperately want to pet her...
The normally lazy Himari seemed to notice Hanabi's longing gaze. She opened her large, luminous eyes and carefully scrutinized the young human.
Then, with an elegant leap, Himari landed directly on Hanabi's head.
Hanabi's face instantly glowed with pure joy. She cautiously raised her hands, intending to gently lift the cat.
"Meow—"
A soft, almost imperceptible sound froze Hanabi's movements mid-reach. She was entirely immobilized by an indescribable aura emanating from Himari. It wasn't raw strength, but a focused, tangible pressure.
Himari then gently patted Hanabi's tiny head with a minuscule paw. For a brief moment, everyone present perceived a look of absolute, regal dignity on the cat's face.
"Lord Shen Mo..." Hiashi was visibly anxious.
The cat, always carried by the merchant, was clearly not a mere pet. Hiashi's anxiety was twofold: fear of offending the merchant, and worry for his daughter.
"She is fine," Shen Mo assured him, smiling. "Himari seems to favor your daughter greatly. As long as Hanabi refrains from touching her aggressively, there is no danger."
Shen Mo hadn't anticipated Himari's display. However, the cat's enhanced bloodline granted her an acute awareness of emotions. Perhaps she had simply sensed Hanabi's innocent adoration and decided to enjoy the attention.
"Hanabi..." Hiashi was still worried, struggling to find the appropriate caution.
The other ninja watched, astonishment bubbling beneath their rigid discipline. To see the merchant's cat grandly "strutting" on the Second Princess's head, while the Clan Head suppressed helpless concern, only deepened their bewilderment about the merchant's true identity and purpose.
Shen Mo decided against further delay.
"Hyūga Neji," he called out the Branch Family member's name directly. "Among all these faces, only he possesses the necessary intrigue."
In the entire assembly, Neji was the only one who matched Shen Mo's required profile: high talent coupled with a powerful, desperate motivation to spend resources—and perhaps Hinata, but her resolve was still years away from crystallization.
At the sound of Neji's name, the elders' faces changed immediately. Hiashi's expression became complex, mixing pride with deep familial regret.
One elder, recovering quickly, managed to give a firm order: "Neji remains... Hinata also remains. The rest of you, return to your duties immediately. Today's event is classified as the highest secret of the Hyūga Clan and is not to be discussed!"
Within moments, the characteristic discipline of the Hyūga took effect, and the formation dissolved, leaving only Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi.
"Lord Shen Mo," the elder who had kept Hinata behind spoke up, forcing himself to ask the uncomfortable question. "Even if they cannot achieve a destiny-type purchase, may Hanabi and Hinata still buy Jars for general strength improvement?"
Their commitment to the Main Family's supremacy remained their primary driver.
"If your true intention is to strengthen them, you may certainly allocate funds for qualified members to open non-limited series Jars on their behalf," Shen Mo conceded. "Though the nature of the Jars is fundamentally tied to the opener's fate, I will not restrict the transfer of items."
The elders' faces brightened. Even without defying fate, we can still use our wealth to become the most powerful!
Tsunade, observing their obvious calculation, frowned deeply. She couldn't voice her disapproval—they were wasting their own resources.
Shen Mo ignored the internal politicking and fixed his gaze entirely on Neji.
"Neji Hyūga. You crave absolute freedom. You desire the annihilation of the hateful curse upon your brow."
The single sentence caused a visible tremor in Neji's posture. To have his core, rebellious thought spoken aloud, in front of the elders who enforced the seal, was terrifying.
The elders, however, maintained placid expressions, feigning ignorance of the treasonous statement.
"Yet, you simultaneously believe that fate is an immutable law," Shen Mo continued, his tone weaving a strange paradox. "The powerful need for change, shackled by a pessimistic fatalism, coupled with the hatred and forced acceptance of your clan... If the established fate of this world had not bound you, your path would have been profoundly different."
Neji's life was truly poised on a knife-edge: salvation from hatred or a deeper descent into darkness.
Neji's muscles tightened. He refused to lift his gaze toward the merchant's seemingly gentle eyes, convinced that his entire inner world had been stripped bare.
Will I be executed? The Caged Bird seal on his forehead seemed to burn slightly, reflecting the panic in his heart. Will the Main Family execute me as a traitor?
"Now," Shen Mo stated, his voice clear and slow, offering a lifeline in the darkness. "An opportunity to shatter that very fate stands before you. Hyūga Neji, do you dare to accept it?"