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Chapter 75 - 75. Shy Tenten
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[Choji Akimichi vs Dosu Kinuta]
Dosu's clawed arm sank deep into Choji's side, his soundwave-infused punch sending a pulse straight through the larger boy's body.
Choji collapsed.
Dosu snorted, expression cold. He wasn't even looking at Choji anymore, his mind was on Orochimaru.
He had something to prove.
He wasn't just another disposable pawn.
"Dosu wins. The final preliminary match is over!"
No one was surprised. The Sound Ninja's so-called "God-tier reflexes" had landed him a clean victory.
With the preliminaries finished, the Third Hokage stepped onto the stage. He gave a speech full of wisdom, but what everyone really heard was: 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"The final round will take place... one month from now."
Final Round Qualifiers:
Neji Hyuga
Gaara
Naruto Uzumaki
Shikamaru Nara
Shino Aburame
Dosu Kinuta
Kankuro
Temari
Sasuke Uchiha
With both Sakura and Ino eliminated, there were nine finalists. Temari drew the lucky bye. Neji, uninterested in rigging the results,, would face Naruto, just as fate intended.
---
Later...
Neji was summoned to the Hokage's office, where he now stood beside Guy. Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed thoughtfully on his pipe, eyes fixed on Neji.
"I've received the medical team's report on Rock Lee," the Third said. "But I want your insight about this [Healing Seal]."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Neji calmly explained why Lee's tattoo shattered, the chakra overload from opening the Fifth Gate, and any potential long-term damage.
When he finished, the Third slowly nodded, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Pushed past its limit, huh... But if it could survive the Fifth Gate's impact before failing, that's a triumph in itself."
Far beyond what Hiruzen had expected.
"You're confident Lee can handle another seal? A better one?"
"I am. Once he recovers, we can make improvements."
"Good. You have one month. Use it well, I look forward to your results."
"I'll do my best."
"As for your mission reward... what do you want?"
Neji hesitated. "I haven't decided. I'd like to consult my team."
The Hokage smiled. Loyal to his comrades. A good sign.
"Understood. Tell Guy when you're ready. I'll see that you're well compensated."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
With that, the two left the office. The Third Hokage turned toward the window, pipe still glowing, smoke curling around him like thoughts he would never speak aloud.
---
Outside...
Guy flashed a gleaming grin.
"Neji! For the next month, how about some special training powered by the flames of youth? My treat!"
"No."
Guy froze; the flames extinguished instantly.
"Neji...?" he whimpered.
"What is it?"
"I... I just thought you might want—"
"If it's not important, then don't bother me."
CRACK!
The emotional thunderclap turned Guy to stone.
Neji sighed. 'This teacher of mine...'
"I'll train myself. I also need time to refine the [Healing Seal]. Got it?"
"Oh! OHHHHH!" Guy completely misunderstood but nodded excitedly anyway.
Neji didn't bother to correct him.
'Better to just go check on Tenten...'
---
Konoha Hospital
In a quiet room, Neji sat beside Tenten's bed, peeling an apple. Though blind, his hands moved with precision.
"Here. Say ah."
Tenten blushed slightly. 'He's feeding me? Not long ago, it was her caring for him.'
She hesitated, then took the bite.
"Neji... I heard Lee was badly hurt. Is he really okay?"
"He'll be fine. He took serious damage, yes. But thanks to the [Healing Seal], with enough rest, he'll recover fully."
"He really overdid it... even shattered the seal's containment."
Neji nodded.
Tenten looked away, embarrassed. Then quietly—
"About that tattoo..."
"Hm?"
Neji raised a brow. He reached over and pinched her cheek lightly.
"Hesitating like that? That's not the Tenten I know. The one I know speaks her mind."
"Alright, alright..." she muttered. "It's about... the seal."
Neji smiled warmly. "Don't worry. When you're healed, I'll give you one of your own. Have something in mind?"
"A red rose. A crimson one."
"Got it."
He paused. "By the way, didn't Guy-sensei mention you had a talent for space-time ninjutsu?"
Tenten nodded. "Yeah. I specialize in summoning. I store my weapons that way."
"Perfect. Then, for our S-rank mission reward, we should ask for scrolls on space-time jutsu."
"Wait—what about Lee?"
"He won't mind. I'll speak with him."
Neji had already planned this.
The mission reward was enough leverage, and with Tenten's affinity, the request wouldn't seem out of place.
The only question now: would the Hokage approve?
And perhaps... with a nudge... they could request something specific.
The Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
Sure, space-time jutsu was rare and dangerous. Handing one out to just anyone was like giving a car to someone without a license.
You'd never even make it out of the driveway.
But Neji?
He wasn't just licensed.
He was a driver's ed instructor.
His gaze drifted inward, to the system panel in his mind.
One window remained dark. A gray lion crest clutched a grain of time, sealed, unmoving.
Will it ever awaken?
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