Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 51. Let’s See If You’re Still Alive After the Chūnin Exams

Chapter 51 - 51. Let’s See If You’re Still Alive After the Chūnin Exams

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Nearly a month passed before Neji finally emerged from the Lab.

The first thing he heard?

"Good news! I already signed you up for the Chūnin Exams!"

It was Guy, smiling widely, eyes burning with passion, arms crossed proudly like a dad who just enrolled his kid in the Olympics.

Neji didn't even respond. He had other things on his mind.

---

Inside the Hokage Tower – Private Room

Team 3 stood assembled. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, stood by the window, pipe in hand, smoke curling lazily upward as he peered outside.

If Neji's breakthrough worked, it could revolutionize Konoha's medical foundation, resulting in fewer deaths, faster recovery, and a new standard of survival.

"Begin," the Hokage said at last.

Lee stripped off his shirt, revealing the unfinished outline of a twin-eyed dragon coiled across his chest.

Neji stepped forward, calm and precise. His chakra flared gently as his fingers traced Lee's tenketsu, identifying key chakra channels. Then came the ink complex, sealing-infused, tied directly to life force.

Tenten turned red almost instantly.

'If he ever touches me like that, nope. Nope! Focus, woman!'

Outside the glass, Guy fidgeted like a first-time father waiting outside the delivery room.

Neji continued, layering the seal into place with surgical precision. The final stroke ignited the eyes of the dragon Seal, flickering, alive.

Inside, the air felt heavier. Powerful.

"It's done," Neji said, stepping back.

Lee nodded and immediately opened the First Gate of the [Eight Gates].

A wave of raw chakra surged outward.

And the Seal responded.

Glowing with resonance, the tattoo pulsed, feeding off the released energy, and Lee's body began to heal.

Scars faded. Muscle micro-tears stitched themselves silently. Even deeper tissue began to regenerate.

Hiruzen leaned forward.

"...Incredible."

Lee exhaled, eyes bright. "I feel... incredible. Like I'm in a hot spring. There's no pain. Just warmth."

"Any drain on chakra?" Hiruzen asked.

"Barely noticeable. It's only redirecting the leakage from [Eight Gates] anyway."

Neji elaborated, "In passive mode, it adjusts the body's state. In active mode, it can accelerate healing by directly pulling surplus chakra. It's non-invasive."

Hiruzen's brow lifted.

'A modified derivative of the Yin Seal... without the cost. This child...'

Lee deactivated the Gates. The regeneration slowed.

"See?" Neji said. "It scales with exertion."

Lee flared the sigil again, and the healing accelerated.

"Outstanding!" the Hokage praised, stepping forward and patting Lee on the shoulder. "We'll register this as the [Regeneration Seal]. A fitting name. Unlike... say... Spiral Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three."

A wistful smile touched his lips. 'Minato... you were a genius, but good grief, your naming sense...'

Then, his tone sobered. "Before we move forward with implementation, we'll monitor results during the Chūnin Exams. If there are no side effects, we'll move to formal approval."

"Understood," Neji replied. "I'd prefer to observe for at least a few weeks."

"Good call," Hiruzen nodded.

Guy finally burst into the room, giving his students a thumbs-up so intense it might've torn his sleeve.

"You've all embodied the flames of YOUTH! This is what Team 3 stands for!"

Neji, Lee, and Tenten stood side by side, heads held high.

"We'll give it everything we've got!"

Hiruzen smiled. "Well said. You're officially recorded as having completed an S-rank mission. Rewards will be issued after the Chūnin Exams once Lee passes medical clearance."

Tenten and Lee lit up. Even Neji allowed himself a faint smirk.

An S-rank mission... as Genin.

That wasn't just rare. That was historic.

---

Outside – Later That Day

The team walked toward the training grounds, chatter light, spirits high.

Lee couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Neji! This time I'm going to defeat you!"

Neji raised an eyebrow. "You are two reincarnation behind"

They laughed, but only Lee meant it.

Neji?

His smile was hollow.

Because in his mind, the gears were already turning.

That's one S-rank complete.

The Chūnin Exams will be the next trigger point.

And Hiruzen? Save him? Why? For what?

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