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While Orochimaru and Jiraiya's battle erupted in a clash of summons and elemental jutsu, Neji simply stood still, facing Kabuto Yakushi.
Calm. Composed. Almost bored.
"Kabuto, can't we just… stand here and pretend to fight? I only just recovered."
Kabuto raised an eyebrow.
"You think that's possible?"
He stepped forward, chakra surging into his palms as his signature Jutsu ignited with an eerie blue glow.
"You're wasting your breath."
Neji sighed. "Figures."
He hadn't truly displayed his real strength in front of Konoha's top brass. The reports they'd received were just words, sterile summaries that could never convey the real thing.
His feats during the Sand and Sound invasion? Suppressing the One-Tails Jinchūriki? Most had no clue how far Shukaku had awakened or how much Neji had risked.
The key witnesses were mostly genin like Naruto and Sasuke. And the rest of the village? Focused on the Third Hokage's death, Sand diplomacy, and the looming threat of war. No one had time to dissect what he had accomplished.
Not that he minded. Sometimes, it pays to be underestimated.
Even within the Hyuga clan, it wasn't hard to sway the elders. The moment they saw Neji replicate [Rotation] a technique considered sacred to the main family they realized the truth:
This wasn't a branch house prodigy. This was a game-changer.
Hiashi didn't even argue. He let the facts speak for themselves.
Neji had potential. The kind of potential Hyuga had waited generations for.
The kind of power that could elevate the entire clan.
Even Jiraiya, who'd been wary of Neji, had finally begun to understand him after their mission to retrieve Tsunade. Neji's goals weren't reckless they were calculated.
Though, admittedly, he was a little curious about Tsunade.
Just a little.
But he never acted without thinking three steps ahead.
He believed in two things:
Support makes you fearless. And if the support is strong enough, you win.
If not? Become strong enough to be the support.
Konoha was a massive pond full of fat, tasty fish. And Neji intended to fish everything he could.
Tsunade was a big fish. And he wasn't letting her go.
"I'll make sure Lady Tsunade becomes Hokage," he whispered. "Fools like her don't come around often."
Tsunade, just regaining her bearings, blinked in shock. 'Did he just call me a fool?'
Naruto was also stunned until inspiration struck.
Wait… if acting like a fool gets Neji's support… then that means…
"I'll try harder, Neji!"
---
[Chakra Shield] — Activate!
Clang!
Kabuto struck again, but the glowing orange barrier stopped him cold. He scowled.
Barrier ninjutsu how annoying.
Retreating a step, he glared at the dome. At this rate, only Orochimaru's summon could tear it down.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
The snake Sannin turned mid-battle. One glance at the shield was all he needed.
His eyes narrowed. No one was going to stop him.
He commanded his twin-headed serpent to barrel through but Jiraiya intercepted.
"Your fight's with me, Orochimaru!"
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
The terrain liquefied into thick, sucking mud. The two-headed serpent sank trapped.
Jiraiya smirked. "Let's keep it between the grown-ups, shall we?"
Orochimaru's grin sharpened. "Kabuto handle it."
Then he lunged.
His mouth was dislocated, jaw unhinged, and neck extending like a grotesque viper.
Jiraiya's eyes widened.
What the hell—?!
"Needle Jizo!"
His white hair exploded outward into a shell of hardened spikes. But Orochimaru shifted, kicked off Jiraiya's neck, and bit down.
Hard.
---
Meanwhile, Kabuto watched the summon fail. He frowned.
Looks like he'd have to do it himself.
But just as he prepared another strike, Neji stepped through the barrier calmly removing his shirt.
Kabuto froze.
"…What are you doing?"
Neji's bare chest revealed coiling dragon-and-tiger tattoos, shimmering faintly with chakra. They weren't just decorative they were alive. Pulsing. Reacting.
"Shizune. Naruto. Piglet. Stay inside. And protect Lady Tsunade."
The tattoos ignited.
Chakra surged into Neji's limbs, and the dragon roared curling down his spine and crackling into his legs. The tiger bared its fangs and charged down his arms.
Electric arcs surged. Thunder cracked.
His fists morphed into roaring tiger heads.
His legs, encased in surging lightning, flexed like coils of a dragon.
[Level 30 Skill: Tiger-Dragon Roar Engaged.]
Kabuto's face darkened.
Did he develop this himself?
This was beyond traditional Gentle Fist.
He activated his trump card both hands glowing with [Healing Hands].
This time, no jokes.
Both men stood still silent.
Neji closed his eyes.
Softly, purposefully, he shifted into the Gentle Fist stance.
"Kabuto…"
He inhaled once.
Then opened his eyes.
"I'm coming."
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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