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It wasn't long before the trio arrived at a lively outpost town though lively might've been too generous a word.
As always, Jiraiya's instincts as a seasoned perv kicked in. The moment he caught wind of perfume and cheap liquor wafting through the streets, he lit up like a firework.
Neji frowned slightly and waved the air in front of him, the overwhelming scent of alcohol and makeup hitting hard but it did nothing. His nose wrinkled in silent protest.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was already scanning the surroundings like a shark in warm waters. Numbers floated through his head calculations, probabilities, chances.
The man was in his element.
He beckoned Naruto toward a modest-looking inn tucked between two more scandalous establishments.
"Alright, Naruto. We're staying here tonight!"
Naruto paused. "…This town's kinda weird."
Neji didn't say anything but internally muttered: It's not weird. You've just never followed this degenerate into one of his 'research trips' before.
Just then, a gust of perfume-laced air passed under Jiraiya's nose.
His expression snapped into perfect seriousness.
A stunning woman walked by, fingers casually brushing her hair from her face.
Naruto and Jiraiya both stood frozen.
Eyes wide.
Mouths slightly open.
"Heh heh heh…"
Jiraiya's goofy smile stretched wide.
Opportunity!
"Naruto!"
"What?!"
He grabbed the boy by the collar and shoved a room key into his hand.
"Here. This is your room. Go upstairs. Meditate. Build chakra. You know train!"
"…Wait. You're not seriously going to—?"
Before Naruto could finish, Jiraiya shoved him toward Neji.
"Neji, keep an eye on him. If he slacks off, feel free to punish him."
Neji nodded calmly.
Naruto freaked. "WAIT, YOU'RE JUST GONNA—MMF!"
Neji clamped a hand over his mouth.
"That world over there? You don't need to understand it yet."
And with that, Jiraiya vanished.
Naruto slumped in defeat.
"…Oh. Okay."
Mumbling to himself, he sulked upstairs, grumbling, "It's always like this. He never sticks around. Always bails. Does he even care about training me?"
"Neeeji—wait, where'd you go?!"
He turned.
No one.
He was alone.
"…Seriously? You guys just ditched me?!"
---
Outside the town. Deep in the forest.
Neji stood calmly in a clearing.
He stopped walking and tilted his head slightly.
"You've been tailing us long enough. Drop the act. What do you want?"
From the shadows emerged Kisame Hoshigaki, Samehada dragging through the dirt.
He grinned, shark teeth flashing.
"Purpose? Oh, nothing special. Just came to eliminate you."
He dropped Samehada.
BOOM.
The ground cratered beneath the blade.
Neji's eyes remained closed, but a faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"So that's your play? Good. I was getting bored."
He'd sensed Kisame and Itachi long ago. Their weak attempt to lure him out wasn't subtle.
But it was convenient.
He needed this.
The fight.
The experience.
The EXP bar from completing the A-rank Kakashi mission hadn't quite filled up.
And if he could fight Kisame without revealing too much chakra it was a win.
Besides, Kisame wouldn't live to tell anyone.
No need to risk using his unique powers. No chakra. Just raw bodywork.
His strength alone would be enough.
Kisame sneered. "You little punk. Think you're clever? Leaving your group like that… You just signed your death warrant."
"That ego of yours… I'll make you pay for it."
He lunged.
CLANG!
Neji caught the blow with a sleek pair of black gloves.
Kisame's eyes widened. "Oh? Not bad…"
"Decent," Neji replied coolly.
The gloves weren't chakra-enhanced. They were a forgotten relic from the pirate world crafted with sea prism stone, utterly useless against chakra-based attacks but perfect for physical showdowns.
Their design? Styled after the classic X-Gloves worn by Tsunayoshi Sawada.
BOOM!
Neji's aura exploded as a pulse of heat shimmered off his skin.
[Third Gate – Gate of Life: Open!]
Greenish energy cloaked him, and red streaks rose across his cheeks.
Kisame stepped back, surprised. "What… is that?"
Neji launched forward—no flash, no prep.
[Shave.]
BOOM!
He disappeared.
A chill swept over Kisame as his instincts screamed danger.
Too late.
CRACK!
The punch landed like a meteor.
Kisame was sent flying through the trees, carving a trench into the forest floor. Debris rained down like shrapnel.
Dust settled.
Blood dripped from Kisame's mouth.
"…That power…"
He looked up, arms trembling. The bandages wrapped around Samehada had disintegrated completely.
He laughed hoarsely. "I really did underestimate you."
"Seems this might actually be a fun fight."
Neji didn't respond.
The [Eight Gates] technique worked off raw physical power. But Neji's body?
His body was something else entirely.
Years of consuming Sea King meat from the One Piece world. Passive boosts like [Iron-Bone Physique].
This was a body built for war.
HUMMMM.
Armament Haki surged around his fists, coating them in a matte black shimmer.
He dropped into a stance.
"You're not done yet, are you?"
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~Support with 100 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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