Chapter 11: Scientific Materialism
Science?
Neji couldn't understand Naruto's sudden question at all.
They were clearly talking about the Caged Bird Seal, so how did science get involved?
[Remember this site's domain w̲̲̅̅k̲̲̅̅a̲̲̅̅n̲̲̅̅.c̲̲̅̅o̲̲̅̅m̲̲̅̅, your choice]
Besides, you're a Ninja.
A Ninja should act like a Ninja.
"It seems you don't believe me."
Naruto smiled slightly, just as he had expected.
It was normal not to believe in science.
If Neji said he believed in science, Naruto might suspect the guy's body had been taken over by Orochimaru.
"What do you think the essence of the Caged Bird Seal is?"
Naruto coughed lightly, preparing to have a scientific exchange with him.
He wanted to let him experience what scientific materialism was, rather than fatalistic idealism.
Everything has its root cause.
The Caged Bird Seal was naturally no exception.
"What is the essence?"
Neji murmured, repeating Naruto's question.
To him, it was very novel and peculiar.
No one had ever asked such a question before.
"It is the confinement and control of our Branch House."
Neji's eyes dimmed, and his tone was low as he said, "It is a tragic fate that cannot be undone."
"..."
This wasn't quite the Neji he remembered.
Could it be because he was young, so he was overly sentimental?
Naruto shook his head and said, "The essence of the Caged Bird Seal is Sealing Jutsu. Do you know about Sealing Jutsu?"
"I've heard of Sealing Jutsu," Neji paused, "but the Caged Bird Seal is different."
"How is it different?"
Naruto shrugged and said, "As long as it's a Ninjutsu, there's a possibility of undoing it, isn't there?"
"You're thinking too naively!"
Neji had thought he might have some solution, but in the end, he was just a six-year-old kid.
He shouldn't have held onto any hope.
"If it could be undone, would it be my turn? For a thousand years in the Hyuga Branch House, countless geniuses have been trapped by the Caged Bird Seal."
Neji was filled with negative emotions from head to toe.
Naruto almost seemed to see black ripples radiating around him.
He was just short of saying, 'My death was so miserable.'
"Since Ninjutsu doesn't work, why not try science?"
Naruto naturally knew that undoing the Caged Bird Seal wouldn't be easy.
He couldn't possibly be the first person to have this idea.
There must have been members of the HyugaBranch House or foreign enemies coveting the Byakugan who tried every way to undo the Caged Bird Seal.
But so far, only one Byakugan had accidentally leaked out.
This proved the effectiveness and firmness of the Caged Bird Seal.
Perhaps only a legendary hero descending from the heavens could solve this problem.
"The Caged Bird Seal acts on the cranial nerves and the eyeballs."
Recalling the original work, Naruto said slowly, "No matter how powerful it is, it is ultimately rooted in the human body or soul. In other words, it actually exists and can be observed."
Neji looked dazed, having that feeling where he recognized all the words but didn't understand them when they were put together.
"Science is systematized and formulated knowledge. Through the study of objective phenomena, we recognize the truths of the world. Since you are helpless against the Caged Bird Seal, why not study your body and soul?"
Naruto looked at those eyes of his.
In conventional thinking, the Byakugan was mainly used for combat and reconnaissance.
But that was such a waste.
Scientific research was the right path.
It was truly a pity not to become a scientist when one came with a built-in microscope.
And he wasn't talking nonsense either.
Although Neji was a rare genius, in a world of cheats, his future achievements would at most stop at ordinary Kage-level.
Reaching the level of the Six Paths Sage was almost an impossibility.
Even if he lived until the finale, he would be nothing more than high-grade cannon fodder.
Not to mention, he didn't live until the finale.
Naruto wasn't sure if he had a talent for research, but in a sense, this thing didn't really require talent.
It was an accumulation of time and knowledge.
Once you possess enough knowledge, you can see the essence of the world clearly.
If he knew the body and soul like the back of his hand, Neji could follow Orochimaru's example and simply change vessels.
Of course, that was a very extreme approach.
Perhaps it wouldn't need to come to that.
Neji's mind couldn't quite wrap around it.
He was trying to understand and digest what Naruto had said.
After a long time, he spoke with hesitation, "Can I do it?"
Science was far too foreign to him.
And the unknown breeds unease.
He had lived in unease since childhood, working hard to become stronger, wanting to break free from his shackles.
But he saw no hope.
"How will you know if you don't try?"
Naruto's eyes were full of encouragement; he actually felt it could be done.
Maybe he could even evolve the Byakugan into the Tenseigan.
Just like the evolution of the Sharingan, it was definitely no accident.
From a scientific perspective, some kind of change must have occurred in the body.
As long as one can understand the patterns within, they can unlock the so-called genetic lock.
"I can help you too."
Naruto added.
On one hand, he felt Neji was indeed miserable; on the other hand, he needed a scientific research talent.
Orochimaru was naturally the first choice.
But there's a difference between anime and reality.
In anime, you can like or admire Orochimaru.
But in reality, to cooperate with him—forget it. Without absolute strength, a disaster is inevitable.
After all, Naruto wasn't Xu Xian, the world-famous hero of the wild.
So his plan was to obtain Orochimaru's research data.
Content regarding cloning and such.
After Orochimaru defected, only Danzo Shimura in the village had the relevant materials.
Not to mention, he loved conducting human experiments himself.
But trying to pry something out of his hands was a very difficult task.
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, if Naruto went to join him, he would naturally be welcomed with open arms.
However, Neji hadn't reached the point where he would sacrifice his body for him.
Besides, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never agree to it.
There's plenty of time; he had to plan this for the long term.
"I don't understand why you want to help me?"
Neji stared at Naruto in front of him.
Suddenly, he felt like laughing.
He actually believed someone younger than himself.
Help me? Help me with what?
"Because you're my Brother-in-law."
Naruto patted his chest and said as if it were a matter of course, "We're all family, if I don't help you, who will!"
"..."
At this moment, Neji felt like he must have drunk some fake wine.
"Don't believe in that little bitch called fate."
Naruto looked like someone who had been through it all and said, "The more you submit, the more excited she gets; the more you resist, the weaker she becomes. Lying flat and enjoying it is certainly comfortable, but a real man has to floor the accelerator. No one gets off the car; at worst, we all go down together."
Neji opened his mouth.
He seemed to understand, yet didn't.
But this guy in front of him... was quite interesting.
He was unlike anyone he had ever met.
Science, huh?
Maybe it was worth a try.
"What do you think?"
Naruto saw his expression; he seemed moved.
Talk-no-Jutsu was a great success.
"What should I do?"
Neji asked back.
He was full of determination.
"I don't know if you have Yang-attribute Chakra, but you can start by learning knowledge related to Medical Ninjutsu."
Naruto gave his suggestion.
To understand the structure of the body, one naturally couldn't see it just by stripping naked; it required dissection and experimentation.
Medical Ninjutsu was undoubtedly the most suitable.
And since Neji was from the Hyuga Clan, obtaining advanced knowledge wouldn't be difficult.