Neji opened the second Tier Three Jar.
It yielded another ball of pure power.
The third.
The fourth.
All were balls of light, signifying various enhancements. But the fourth ball of light was distinctly different: it was slightly transparent, resembling a faint, swirling mist.
Neji, assuming it was just another enhancement or experience cluster, moved to absorb it. Shen Mo quickly stopped him.
"Hold on," Shen Mo instructed, looking at the luminous mist with a slight, knowing smile.
"This is not a mere enhancement cluster. This is your destiny-type item."
"That's it?" Tsunade exclaimed in surprise.
She had never witnessed a destiny item manifest as a simple ball of light. Even her own Holy Light power was bound to a specific item—a badge.
"Destiny-type items are the Jars' ultimate blessing. They are intended to grant the opener a life-altering power," Shen Mo explained, directing his gaze toward Neji. "However, not everyone is destined to open one, and not everyone can survive the inherent trial. The power before you... is not simple."
Though the cluster originated from Shen Mo's system, the acquisition of true, world-altering power was never without consequence.
"Sir," Neji asked, showing no sign of intimidation, only a focused blend of curiosity and nervousness. "What exactly is this power?"
He sensed nothing overtly special emanating from the misty sphere.
"Its name," Shen Mo said, his smile broadening, "is Nen."
The name landed flat in the silent assembly. The power system Shen Mo had prepared for Neji was the highly versatile and terrifyingly powerful energy from the world of Hunter x Hunter.
"Nen?"
Neji softly repeated the name, his eyes still clouded with confusion. The word offered no descriptive clue.
"Nen, in its essence, is a refined form of life energy, conceptually similar to Chakra, but its application is entirely different," Shen Mo elaborated, clasping his hands behind his back. "The ability to freely control and manipulate Nen is known as Nen Ability. In the world of its origin, those who master this power are referred to as Hunters."
"Hunters?" Neji asked, instinctively.
"It signifies one who possesses something worthy of the hunt," Shen Mo's tone was contemplative. "It is a world rich in color. There are Gourmet Hunters who pursue rare ingredients, Treasure Hunters who seek artifacts, and Phantom Beast Hunters who capture mythical creatures. They use this power to pursue their desires, and that pursuit, in turn, fuels the power itself."
This was the core reason for Shen Mo's choice. The strength of Nen Ability is directly proportional to the user's willpower.
Crucially, this willpower is philosophically neutral. Unlike the righteous inclination of Holy Light, Nen draws power regardless of the user's moral standing. A determined pervert or an unshakeable lunatic, so long as their will is firm, can wield immense Nen power.
The most potent manifestation of this lies in Vows and Restrictions. A self-imposed vow can multiply Nen power exponentially, but violating that vow results in the complete and potentially fatal loss of the ability.
Neji grasped the concept intellectually but remained puzzled by the practical application.
"You will manage the intricacies once you complete the Job Change and achieve true mastery," Shen Mo assured him. His smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"Let me be blunt: the process of changing to the Nen profession is highly dangerous. This Nen cluster will completely force open all the pores in your body, converting your life energy into Nen and releasing it uncontrollably. If you fail to gain control... the outcome is equivalent to continuous, instantaneous Chakra drain until death."
A chilling cold swept through the assembled Hyūga.
Continuous Chakra drain? They understood the painful disorientation of running low on Chakra; to imagine it being drained until the body simply ceased to function was terrifying.
"Failure in the Job Change... results in death?" Tsunade sounded genuinely shocked.
"For some powers, yes," Shen Mo confirmed, directing his gaze not at her, but at Neji. His statement, however, was intended for all of them:
"The Merchant Guild is not a charitable organization. We provide opportunities, but those opportunities demand a price—and sometimes, the willingness to risk everything. However, there is no need for excessive worry. One generally does not pull such an item unless they possess the necessary, inherent resolve."
Shen Mo was a pragmatic businessman. He wouldn't risk needlessly alienating clients. But certain powers naturally carried an element of risk, a concept that added to their allure and required the user to demonstrate their absolute commitment.
The sudden, life-or-death choice perfectly showcased the utility of the Telepathy power.
"To die by one's own choice leaves no room for regret."
Neji, just as Shen Mo had foreseen through his system, showed absolutely no change in expression. Even the grave danger failed to shake his composure. The joy of gaining freedom was sufficient to overwhelm any immediate sense of crisis.
Give me liberty, or give me death.
Shen Mo knew the outcome was predetermined; otherwise, he wouldn't have offered the power. While Nen could be acquired gradually through cultivation, the force of a sudden, absolute resolution held massive benefits for a system reliant on willpower.
"Since you are prepared, proceed," Shen Mo said, offering a final smile.
Hiashi Hyūga remained silent, and the elders dared not speak. Hinata started to speak, but caught sight of Neji's determined expression and stopped herself. The new Hinata already possessed the clarity to respect his choice.
In the ensuing silence, Neji reached out and touched the misty cluster without an ounce of hesitation.
Boom—!
A sudden, forceful eruption of air waves exploded from his body. His clothes billowed violently, his hair whipped around his head, and an invisible, surging aura radiated from him. All of this occurred in the blink of an eye.
"Your Ten—your pores have opened. The life energy within your body is being converted continuously into Nen," Shen Mo narrated.
Hiashi Hyūga instantly activated his Byakugan. Hinata and the elders followed suit.
"This is..."
Hiashi gasped sharply. He could clearly perceive Neji's Chakra, the spiritual and physical energy, flowing rapidly toward his extremities, dissolving into his body, and then transforming into a different, invisible power that dispersed and forcefully surged out from every single pore in his skin.
"It feels like boiling steam," Neji muttered, staring at his hands. "Is this Nen? The speed of its release is astonishing!"
The rate of outward release was far, far quicker than the controlled use of Chakra.
"Relax your mind. Control it precisely as you would control your Chakra. Visualize it coating your entire body, flowing through your blood vessels," Shen Mo's voice was directed directly to Neji. Following the instruction, Neji closed his eyes and exerted his absolute mental focus.