"What?!"
Tsunade suddenly noticed the intensity in Neji's eyes. She tapped the necklace she'd been wearing around her neck.
A wager? Tsunade's spirit snapped alive.
"You brat, since you're so confident, let's make a bet," she said. "If you can take this necklace from me, I will succeed as the Fifth Hokage."
"Agreed." Neji stood and walked out.
"Go, get some fresh air to sober up," Tsunade rubbed her eyes and spoke lazily.
Shizune, who had remained silent while cradling Ton-ton the pig, sighed quietly. A genin challenging a Kage–class legend? This wasn't a joke. Shizune hoped Tsunade could still become Hokage but why send this kid in her stead?
Outside on the street, Neji and Tsunade stood off. Neji was serious; Tsunade was yawning.
Neji smirked. "Lady Tsunade, underestimating me could be your downfall."
Tsunade huffed. "Hah! Putting full effort on a genin is a disgrace for someone of my Sannin-level."
Neji shook his head. Ninja hierarchies weren't absolute. His very existence defied them.
He stepped forward. Nearing her, he locked eyes, then
"Pressure!"
He activated his Byakugan. A sudden, indescribable aura surged from him, causing Tsunade's pupils to shrink. Shizune nearly toppled, stumbling backwards.
"Unbelievable a genin can project that much pressure?!" Shizune gasped.
If a genin could do that, how did Konoha let Orochimaru decimate them?
"The winner of this bet will be me!" Neji declared.
In Tsunade's eyes, Neji's face was clear and so was the flash of his arm. The necklace slid into his hand.
It happened in an instant. Tsunade, caught off guard, lost her necklace.
Then Neji heard the system message:
Reward gained: Summoning Jutsu (Slug).
Description: Using your own blood to form a contract with the slug from Mount Myōboku; you can summon the slug at will or summon the slug to pull you back.
Reward gained: Shinobi Arts Creation Regeneration.
Description: Use massive chakra to accelerate cell division and regenerate organs and tissue. This is true regeneration not healing. However, it shortens lifespan due to cellular limit exhaustion.
Neji blinked. The first reward made sense but the second? When…? He subconsciously touched Tsunade's skin while grabbing the necklace? This was ironic and costly.
Tsunade, true to her legend, shook off his pressure the moment he took the necklace.
"You've got terrible luck, as always," Neji teased.
"Tch, brat" she began, then sighed. "Let's go, Shizune," and she stalked away grudging but amused: "That was too sneaky; I never had a chance."
Shizune stared after them. "Lady Tsunade don't you want your necklace back? It's from the First Hokage…"
"Do I look like someone who can't repay a bet?" Tsunade cut in sharply.
Neji's eyes lit up. "So you accept the Hokage seat?"
Tsunade turned, smiled kindly, and nodded. "Though I won't repay it directly, I'll trade something of equal value. This necklace… it means more to me than my own life."
Neji fell silent, watching her walk away. Despite her reluctance, she was pleased she laughed before leaving: "I finally lost a bet."
"Jeez," Neji muttered as he pocketed the necklace, its weight unfamiliar yet meaningful. "This is harder than I thought."
That same night, Shizune knocked at Neji's door. He opened it, and she rushed inside.
"Neji, I need to talk to you," she said.
"Has Tsunade changed her mind?"
Neji wasn't surprised she found him. After all, anyone with will could trace his habit.
"I my own idea, but, please return the necklace," Shizune said. "It's very important to Lady Tsunade."
She paused, fearful. "Also… it's said to be cursed. Anyone but Tsunade who wears it brings bad luck."
Neji narrowed his eyes and frowned at the mention.
It was no superstition. The necklace had originally belonged to the First Hokage. When Tsunade gave it to both her brother Nawaki and her lover Dan, both died shortly after receiving it. Ever since, Tsunade believed it brought ruin.
Neji stayed silent a moment. "Return it? No."
She nearly cried, "Neji, don't you understand? You'll bring misfortune"
"Tsunade once said only fools become Hokage," Neji interrupted. "I don't deny that. But consider: those willing to sacrifice for others aren't they fools?"
He paused, voice steady: "What she called a fool… is someone who bears others' pain, walks further, even if it means stepping over enemies but never over their comrades' bodies."