#verse 2a

“You can't run from yourself

You can't run from yourself

Are you made of body or of soul?

Waiting for your beast to lose control

Are you holding on or letting go?

You tried to hide it, but you know you can't run from yourself”

It haunted him, day in and day out. A little reminder that he no longer had a soul. No longer had the sanity he once held, and with each passing day he seemed to lose his grip on the sanity he did have left.

“Do you dream of heaven, or dream of hell? (You can't run from yourself)

Do you see the darkness where you dwell?

Sometimes I feel for your soul (You can't run from yourself)

You can try to hide it, but you know (You can't run from yourself)”

It wasn’t his voice he was hearing. Too light and airy to be his. He shuddered taking shelter under a tree as the sky’s above him clouded over and the rain started to fall.

Was he going insane, no, he was pretty sure that had already happened, so why, why now was he being plagued with this. Was this part of the jutsu that had brought him back, or was this just his minds way of coping with being pulled from the land of the dead.

He let out a strangled laugh, oh if only those he cared for could see him now. He was sure his Senseis heart would shatter, Lee would break down crying, Ten Ten may offer to seal him in a scroll. He couldn’t let them see him like this. They all needed to remember him as he was when he was living.

Not this monster he had morphed into as time went on. He was sure he was close to a break down, part of his humanity demanding to mourn what he had lost, the other part demanding to turn his emotions into actions. To make someone, anyone he saw worthy bleed.

He gripped against the trunk of the tree, nails digging into the bark as he laughed, god, was he having a mental break down in the middle of the forest during a storm. How poetic. How utterly Neji.

Sighing he pulled out a cook book, flipping the pages looking for something, anything that peaked his interest.

He paused, landing on a cupcake recipe, yes this would do nicely.

Blueberry Cupcakes

Ingredients:

160g all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

115g unsalted butter, room temp

150g granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temp

1 tsp vanilla extract

120ml whole milk

150g fresh or frozen blueberries (if using frozen, do not thaw)

1 tosp flour (to coat berries)

It was simple enough to him, he had everything he needed already laying around. So he set out gathering the ingredients, and baking supplies.

He clicked the oven on, wanting to make sure it was fully preheated for when the time came. Setting it to 170°c

Next came the purée. Into a small heated pot Neji added the blueberries, the skins cracking and bursting open as they heated up. He took a spoon, stirring it carefully. Once it was cooked down to the point he was sure would work he presses it through a sieve, leaving behind skins and seeds, setting aside the smooth, indigo liquid to cool. He would use it for the frosting later.

Next came the cupcake base, flour, baking powder, salt, mixed together with care, set aside before moving onto the wet ingredients.

Butter and sugar go next, beaten until fluffy and soft, the perfect consistency. Then he added in one egg, then the other, folding it into the mixture before adding in vanilla.

Then came adding in the dry mix in three careful parts, milk in between, until the batter is smooth like satin. If he moved too fast, or added in the wrong amount the texture would be off, while it would still taste the same in the end, Neji wanted these perfect.

Meanwhile the blueberries wait in their own bowl, he had dusted lightly in flour so they won’t sink in the batter mixture. If he added them as is, they’d sink to the bottom and the favor of them wouldn’t be evenly spread.

Carefully he folds them. Ensuring they sat evenly in the batter.

The batter was then added to a cupcake tin lined with silicone sleeves, placed in the oven to cook between 18-22 min.

While those cooked he moved onto the next part. The frosting.

Butter was beaten until it was soft, adding in the powdered sugar blending it making a tick mixture. The purée he had made first came next, adding it to the mixture, mixing most of it in causing a nice color contrast of white and indigo. He added a smidge of lemon and salt tasting it before humming, sharp, sweet, perfect. He set aside the left overs planning on using it later.

Making the ganache was something he wasn’t quite familiar with as some of the other steps, but it seemed to turn out okay. He had the white chocolate in one bowl, while he heated the cream up. Once it was heated enough he poured it over the white chocolate, watching it melt and mix together.

Finally everything was made and ready to be put together.

He took the icing and piped it onto each cupcake carefully, the mixture of white and indigo not only causing a lovely color contrast, but because he didn’t fully mix them together offering two distinct flavors that mixed together with each bite.

Once each cupcake was covered, he drizzled some of the purée over them, then he took a spoon drizzling the ganache over each cupcake. A few blueberries he hadn’t cooked in carefully placed upon each top.

There. Done. Finally.

He stood back, admiring his hard work.

“I hope they enjoy these.”

Slowly he stripped down to just his boxers, neatly folding and sitting his clothing aside. If he didn’t know for a fact that there was a chance that he’d be found, he would have fully stripped. It was a risk he wasn’t willing to take.

Full privacy was something he was used to not being able to get. Living with his clan, with their eyes. He wasn’t sure full privacy was even possible while still living with in those walls.

He shook the thought from his head as he carefully tied his hair into a braid. He had intended to fully submerge himself in the coolness the pool of water offered. Keeping his hair contained would just mean the less likely of it being a tangled mess when he was done.

Once he was satisfied, he headed for the pools edge. He didn’t bother to double check he was alone before he slipped in. He waded in up to his waist before dipping under, only to return to the surface to float on his back.

The part of the stream he had picked was peaceful. The waterfall cascading down into the decent sized swimming hole, that lead out into a small stream. The current between the waterfall and stream enough to keep the water fresh, but not so much that it would cause Neji to float down stream unless he wanted to.

He closed his eyes, resting comfortably in the water. The coolness of the fresh spring washing away any worries he had just moments before about life.

~X~——; It was hard. Watching those he cared for the most morn him. He watched from the shadows as Naruto spoke to Nejis grave site.

Guilt twinged in his chest. How many times had he watched this scene play out. This wasn’t Naruto’s first time visiting Nejis grave, and unless Neji did something about it, it wouldn’t be the last time.

Perhaps watching the other was some form of self punishment. He didn’t get any joy watching Naruto grieve for him, only pain, regret, misery. Emotions that reminded him how close to human he was still.

((I am going to do a multi response to this as I can’t pick what verse to do))

2b Neji

~X~——; “Let me down? No, you failed me. Everyone got their happily ever after. The villages are at peace. You gave everyone a brighter future. A better tomorrow. Yet you failed me.” In reality he didn’t blame Naruto for his death. That was his choice and his choice alone.

“My body should have been burned!” This wasn’t Naruto’s fault. This was his clans fault. Yet the anger was still there, as miss placed as it was.

“I am what I am today because of you! Because you failed to ensure my dna was destroyed!” The anger bubbled up more, tears welling in his eyes.

“Now I walk this hell because of you. It’s an endless nightmare!” This was why he never wanted to run into anyone from his past. He was to angry at his situation still. It was like his match against Hinata all over again, yet this time, Naruto was his match up.

“Don’t look for me again. I want nothing to do with your village or my family… I have my own family now.” He was sure those he was referring to would scold him and tell him they weren’t family. Yet he didn’t care. They had treated him with more kindness than most of his blood had.

~~~~~~~~~~

Verse 2a

~X~——; “Let me down?” Neji rose and eye brow. For their first meeting since his death, these were not the words he expected Naruto to speak.

“You didn’t let me down. My state of being is not to be blamed on anyone but my own family.” He took a deep breath, wondering how much he should really share.

“I could have used my rotation to block those branches. I made the choice not to. There were things going on in my clan that you could not see. I doubt you still are unaware to them this day. I do not blame you for that. I made my choice, and now, because my clan failing to do the one thing they should have, I stand before you. Willing to offer you my life? Death? What ever you want to call my state of being.”

He stepped closer setting a hand on Naruto’s shoulder squeezing it softly

“You’ve brought peace to the land. You’ve made uncle see his mistakes and he’s working to change the clan to what it should have been all along. You’ve made Hinata-sams so happy. What you haven’t done is let me down.”

He waved a hand a himself

“This is a mess of my own making. Do not tell sorrow or shame.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Verse 1a

~X~——; “What ever gave you that idea?” They had been alone in Naruto’s office late one night, Neji staying in the shadows, only the glint of his anbu mask gave away that he was there.

“I am alive. We are at peace. I do not understand why you think you have let me down.” The question perplexed him

“If you are referring to my romantic life, or lack of. That is not your fault. I choose not to date anyone. You have managed to get me out of an arranged marriage with in my family. What I do with this freedom is my choice. So do not think you have failed because I do not have what the rest of our team and friends have. I am happy, by your side as I am.” He tilted his head to one side, his owl anbu mask making him look even more bird like with his movements.

“I am free Naruto. Because of you I am free from my clan, free of my seal. Free of my fate that made me want to die in the war to begin with. So, explain to me. Why do you think you failed me? Because you and I are seeing things differently it seems.” He stepped from the shadows, coming over before Naruto’s desk

“Tell me Lord Seventh, what troubles your mind.”

~~~~~~~~~

1b

~X~——; He shook his head, scoffing at the idea.

“You and I have very different ideas on letting me down.” He laughed lightly from his place in his oversized chair by the window in his small home

“I am alive. Damaged yes, but alive. Something I didn’t expect. I did not think for a moment I would survive that attack. I’m still shocked I did.” He glanced at the cane that sat next to his chair

“What has brought on this feeling of guilt?” He carefully placed the bookmark into his book, closing it and setting it to the side.

“You are not at fault. There is no blame to be placed on you. I am alive and free of my cage. What more could I want?” He truly was grateful to Naruto. Everything he had in life after the war was because of the strings Naruto had pulled for him.

From his home away from his clan, his seal removal, his freedom from his clans control. Naruto had gone above and beyond for him. Done more than what Neji could have ever hoped for.

Surface Level (the façade the level he was when he died): Calm, level 15 Monk (the Neji everyone knows).

True Level (his ascended self): A being who has transcended mortality — effectively a CR 20+ creature, something between a monk, spirit guardian, and undead demigod.

Neji Hyūga, the Reborn Ascendant

Race: Half-Elf (Undead Edo Ascendant) True Level: ~20 (Monk 20 / custom divine template) Displayed Level: 15 (acts restrained) Alignment: Lawful Good for 2a (Lawful Evil for verse 2b) Background: Shinobi of the Hyūga ClanShinobi of the Hyūga Clan

“He appears calm and composed. Like the same Hyūga prodigy reborn. But beneath that tranquility lies years of silent training, every moment refining the Gentle Fist into a divine art, and learning new skills”

During his time as an Edo Tensei, Neji learned to:

Manipulate his chakra (ki) at atomic precision.

Separate his spirit from his decaying body.

Transcend death, binding himself to pure chakra energy.

He’s learned to suppress his true power, and prefers to. He only reveals it when the balance of the his peace is threatened world is threatened.

True Stats

Stat Score Mod Notes

Strength 14 +2 Focused precision

dexterity 24 +7 Superhuman speed

Constitution 8 +4 Undead endurance

Intelligence 16 +3 Strategic mind

Wisdom 22 +6 Perfect chakra mastery

Charisma 10 +0 Quietly intense

HP: 200 (Edo regeneration + monk vitality) AC: 23 (Unarmored Defense: 10 + Dex + Wis + Ki aura) Speed: 65 ft (130 ft dash) Ki Points: 20 (treated as divine chakra pool — refills after short rest) Saves: All proficient (Diamond Soul)

Enhanced Monk Features (Ascendant Gentle Fist)

Open Hand Technique (Mastered)

Each hit allows multiple effects:

Disrupt Chakra Flow: Target’s max HP reduced by 1d10.

Seal Ki: Prevents use of spells or features using Ki/Spell Slots until next turn.

Reverse Flow: Reflects half damage of melee attacks back at attacker for 1 round.

Rotation: Divine Aegis

Reaction, costs 2 Ki.

Creates a 15-ft-radius dome of rotating chakra.

Deflects all ranged attacks and halves all area damage for one round.

Enemies within must make Dex save (DC 18) or be pushed 20 ft and knocked prone.

Byakugan: All-Seeing Soul

300 ft Truesight.

Can see souls, illusions, and ki patterns through any barrier not lead-lined.

Can use Truesight or Detect Thoughts (as innate abilities).

Gains advantage on all attack rolls against creatures with chakra/ki systems.

Gentle Step: Eight Trigrams 128 Palms (Once per long rest)

As an Action: Make 8 unarmed strikes, each hit dealing 2d10 + 7 force damage.

Each hit reduces target’s AC by 1 (to minimum 10) and disables one active magical effect.

Final hit can seal the target’s abilities for 1 round (no actions).

Quivering Palm (Divine Once per long rest)

When used, target must succeed on a DC 20 Con save or drop to 0 HP.

If they succeed, they still take 10d10 force damage and have disadvantage on all checks until Neji ends the vibration.

May affect undead and constructs due to his transcendence of life/death ki.

Edo Ascendant Traits

Trait Description

Eternal Reconstitution: Regains 15 HP per turn unless sealed or disintegrated. (If disintegrated fully, battle is lost and he must take several long rest to fully recover)

Undead Fortitude: Con save (DC 10 + damage) to remain at 1 HP when reduced to 0.

Celestial Balance: Radiant and necrotic damage resistance (mastery of both life and death).

Spirit Anchor: If destroyed, reforms in 1d10 days unless sealed by holy or necrotic ritual.

Seal of Tranquility: Can project a 30-ft aura granting allies advantage on saves vs fear/charm, and healing 10 HP/round when meditating.

Dual Existence (Facade vs. Truth)

Neji’s Ki Suppression hides his true strength:

Appears to detect as Level 15 Monk.

His AC, HP, and Ki pool seem normal until he drops his restraint.

Releasing his limiter (a bonus action) floods the area with visible chakra currents and raises all his Monk features to full power.

Lasts for 10 minutes; he cannot maintain the façade again until after a long rest.

Attribute “Facade” “True Form”

Level 15 Monk20+ Ascended Edo

HP 120 200

AC 21 23

Speed 55ft 65ft

Ki 15 20

Vision 120ft 300 ft True sight

Damage 1d10 + 5 2d10 + 7