Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 71. After This... Tattoo Me [Bonus]

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As Neji stepped back into the arena, the loud voice of Hayate Gekkō cut through the air.

"Next match Kankuro versus Misumi Tsurugi!"

Neji's eyes flicked toward the screen. A brief silence stretched over the spectators.

Below, the fight began with an unsettling stillness. Misumi had wrapped himself tightly around Kankuro like a serpent, locking him in a chokehold. Many in the crowd held their breath. Was Kankuro about to be eliminated just like that?

"Neji! You're back. How did it go?" Tenten approached, concern flickering in her eyes.

"Handled," Neji replied simply, offering her a reassuring nod.

Tenten exhaled with relief, then launched into a recap of the earlier matches, including how Shino had defeated Sakon, one of the Sound ninja.

"His arms were wrecked," she said. "Shino didn't hold back."

Neji nodded, quietly approving. Sakon had been marked for ritual sacrifice anyway, this saved them the trouble of finding another pawn for Orochimaru's plans.

Then the match below shifted gears.

Kankuro's puppet sprang to life.

It wasn't him in Misumi's grip; it was a hollow shell. With precision and eerie grace, the puppet master turned the tables and swiftly secured his victory.

"Winner: Kankuro!"

The board flashed again.

> Sakura Haruno versus Ino Yamanaka.

Neji didn't even pretend to be interested. "I'll pass on this one," he muttered and took a seat. He preferred watching female duels except when the women acted more like stubborn brawlers than shinobi. This match was all pride, no technique.

It dragged on for nearly fifteen minutes before both girls collapsed in exhaustion. Double disqualification.

"Tenten versus Temari!"

The next match flashed across the screen.

Tenten stood, poised and ready. "I know," she said softly, sensing Neji's concern even before he spoke. She walked toward the arena floor with quiet resolve.

Watching her go, Neji sighed.

Temari is a natural counter to her style.

Tenten knew it too. But she wasn't fighting to win, she was fighting to prove her growth. To show Neji the results of all their training.

Blades, wires, scrolls, and Tenten unleashed her full arsenal. But against Temari's wind-based jutsu, her attacks scattered like autumn leaves.

Temari's final strike blasted Tenten from the air.

Before she could hit the ground, Neji was there.

In a blink, he caught her midair, one arm around her waist, the other already glowing with [Healing Palm]. Wind still stirred from Temari's attack, but Neji stood like stone, calm and expressionless.

Temari stepped forward only to be met with Neji's blank gaze.

No killing intent. No anger. Just presence.

It was enough.

Her legs froze. Her breath caught.

"Winner: Temari!" Hayate declared, his voice breaking the tension.

Only then did Temari stumble backward, her forehead slick with cold sweat.

"Don't waste chakra on me..." Tenten murmured, conscious now, cradled in Neji's arms.

"You've done enough."

Neji smiled faintly. "You gave everything."

Tenten smiled back, her pride unbroken despite the pain.

"When this is over," she whispered, "give me that tattoo you promised."

Neji nodded. "I'll make it my masterpiece."

As the medics took her away, Temari retreated to the Suna squad. Her face was pale. Kankuro frowned.

"You okay?"

"He's terrifying," Temari whispered. "If we draw him... withdraw." freёweɓnovel.com

Kankuro blinked. His sister... afraid?

Meanwhile, Gaara was watching Neji with quiet intensity.

"That one..." he muttered. "He's strong."

Kankuro raised an eyebrow. "He's blind."

Gaara turned a chilling gaze on him.

"...You think that matters?"

Kankuro shut up.

---

As Neji returned to the waiting area, Rock Lee passed him silently and stepped into the ring.

"Lee," Neji said quietly, "if you draw the one with the gourd... don't be reckless."

Lee gave no reply.

Neji sighed.

You idiots... always diving headfirst into danger.

But he loved them for it.

---

The matches rolled on.

> Shikamaru Nara vs Kin Tsuchi.

The genius sloth. Neji watched as Shikamaru manipulated his shadow jutsu with lazy brilliance, defeating Kin with elegant simplicity.

"Winner: Shikamaru!"

> Naruto Uzumaki vs Kiba Inuzuka.

A rowdy fight. Loud, messy, spirited.

Neji barely glanced over.

Because now... it was his turn.

> Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga.

The crowd quieted.

Hinata stepped forward nervously, hands clasped, eyes wide.

"Nii-san..."

"Hinata," Neji called out calmly. "Show me everything you've learned this past year."

"I will!"

Hayate stepped back.

"Begin!"

The two activated the [Byakugan] simultaneously, veins bulging around their eyes as chakra surged to the surface.

Then the movement.

A blur of strikes. Twin whirlwinds of precision and speed. The Hyuga clan's [Gentle Fist] style is on full display.

Naruto watched, wide-eyed.

"Wait—Hinata's this strong?!"

Neji flowed between her attacks like water. Every strike was met, deflected, and countered. And then—

A mistake.

A half-second opening.

Hinata stepped in and struck Neji square in the chest, knocking him backward.

"Did I get him?!"

But Neji's smile said otherwise. "Not quite. The force wasn't enough."

Hinata panted. "I see..."

"You've grown," Neji said. "You're no longer bound by the clan's templates. You've made this style your own."

"Thank you... Neji-niisan."

Neji nodded once.

"Do you want to be the woman who screams from the sidelines... or the one who makes her enemies scream in agony?"

"Now show me more."

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