Already a Total Wreck!

Might Guy left the Hokage Building. Like a man of the wind, he once again raced toward the training grounds.

At that moment, on the training grounds.

Rock Lee stood facing Neji. He looked somewhat battered, with quite a few wounds on his face.

Neji, on the other hand, breathed steadily and stood as firm as a pine. The only trace of battle had already been smoothed away by his lowered hand.

"Lee! You're almost at your limit."

Rock Lee's breathing had already become unsteady as he gulped down mouthfuls of air.

Yet the thick-browed youth seemed more spirited than ever, his eyes bright as he stared at Neji.

"That's right! But I think I'm starting to get a handle on my strength."

"Neji, let me show you my youth!"

After taking a beating throughout the fight, he had desperately tried to control himself.

Now, he had finally found a small trick to it and felt that he had a chance to defeat Neji at least once.

Rock Lee shifted his stance, assuming an opening posture unlike his usual one.

The change in his aura made Neji smile faintly, while Tenten in the distance began watching intently.

The two clashed again, but this time, unlike before, Neji no longer had complete control. Instead, Rock Lee's hit rate gradually began to rise.

The fight was no longer a simple one-sided teasing match. It was starting to get serious.

"Huh? Rock Lee successfully opened the First Gate too!"

Hearing Teacher Might Guy's surprised voice, Tenten could not help turning around. Sure enough, there was that huge watermelon-shaped head—it was Teacher Might Guy. A hint of excitement appeared on her face.

"Teacher Might Guy, you're finally back! Rock Lee seems unable to close the gate. What should we do?"

Might Guy looked at the two fighting in the field, especially at how Rock Lee was rapidly improving and gradually gaining control over his strength.

Hearing Tenten's words, he froze for a moment.

"He can't close it? That can happen?"

His expression immediately turned grave as doubt rose in his heart. That's impossible!

It should be impossible for him not to be able to close it!

"Yes! So Neji said he would help him burn off some energy, and Rock Lee immediately challenged Neji."

Might Guy's expression became slightly strange. He roughly guessed what had happened and relaxed instead.

"Then it's fine. But Rock Lee will probably suffer a bit. Still, that's how the hot-bloodedness of youth should be!"

Might Guy felt proud of his disciple's perseverance and determination to challenge himself.

As expected of his student—he would never miss an opportunity to grow stronger!

Later, he would have to find Kakashi for a fight too!

His hands were itching.

Meanwhile, the battle in the field had reached its end.

Facing Rock Lee's approaching figure, Neji took a deep breath. Beneath his eye covering, his Byakugan could clearly see that Rock Lee's body had nearly reached its true limit.

"It's time to end this, Lee!"

"Our sparring ends here. If this continues, you'll damage your body at its foundation."

First Gate... Open!

As Chakra gathered within him, a faint roar of dragons and tigers seemed to rise from Neji's body, and his Chakra began to surge.

Rock Lee's gaze sharpened. Looking at Neji before him, he felt as though Neji had suddenly become a different person.

A flash of understanding dawned in his heart.

As expected!

Neji had long since been able to open the First Gate of the Eight Gates!

The thought flashed through his mind, but Neji's figure had already vanished from his sight.

Flash Step... Shave!

A faint explosive crack rang out!

Neji appeared in his vision again, already right in front of him. Rock Lee's pupils shrank—he was so fast that Rock Lee could not react at all.

Gale Combo

Expressionless, Neji stepped directly into his guard.

First strike: a body check that left Rock Lee's body rigid, his internal organs churning, his entire body numb, and his breath caught in his chest.

Second strike: starting from the shoulder, then moving to the elbow, and finally the hand—a three-hit combo that fell like it had cut off his breath.

Rock Lee let out a muffled groan. His vision went dark, and he could no longer maintain the First Gate. He fell straight backward.

Experience acquired. The amount was so generous that even Neji was surprised; it had been a long time since he had gained so much experience all at once.

Worth it!

The surging Chakra around him settled. A green glow rose in his hand as he pressed it against Rock Lee's body.

This idiot opened the First Gate for the first time and immediately went wild. Wasn't he afraid of leaving lasting injuries?

Muttering inwardly, Neji used Medical Ninjutsu and began healing Rock Lee's battered body.

To put it in terms of that famous Kamen Rider scene, his body was already a total wreck!

After exerting one hundred percent of his strength without the brain's safety limits, many muscles throughout Rock Lee's body had torn, and even some of his Bones had begun to crack.

Fortunately, he had passed out. Otherwise, the pain alone might have killed him.

At that moment, Might Guy instantly arrived beside them, with Tenten close behind.

"How is he, Neji? Is Rock Lee all right?"

Might Guy was deeply concerned.

"He's fine. Just some torn muscles and cracked Bones. Nothing too serious."

Tenten's mouth twitched. That was supposed to be nothing serious?

With injuries like that, he would need to stay in bed for at least a month!

"Then I'm relieved!"

Might Guy let out a breath, while Tenten's expression grew even stranger. Was that really... good?

"For his first time opening the First Gate, injuries like these are already considered light."

"Using his strength like that, even broken Bones would not be surprising. The fact that he only has cracks is already beyond my expectations."

As he spoke, Might Guy could not help glancing at Neji. It seemed the gap between Rock Lee and him was impossible to bridge.

"Neji did well this time, but this isn't the time for praise. Let's take Rock Lee to Konoha Hospital first and let him recover properly. I'll cover the medical expenses."

Neji and Tenten had no objections. The three quickly took Rock Lee to Konoha Hospital.

Before long, the limited-edition, mummy-wrapped injured Rock Lee made his appearance, while the three stood beside his hospital bed.

Only then did Might Guy say, "Tenten, I'll have to trouble you to look after things here. I have something to do, so I'm taking Neji out."

Tenten glanced at the two of them. Thinking of Teacher Might Guy's earlier hurried trip to make a report, she roughly understood.

"Leave this place to me!"

"When it comes to taking care of people, I have a little experience. After all, Neji was personally raised by me—"

Cough, cough!

Neji coughed lightly, interrupting Tenten. Did he not have any pride?

Tenten giggled, then pushed the two toward the door as she urged them away.

"Go on, go on! Don't keep Lord Hokage waiting."

"I'll leave it to you, Tenten!"

Might Guy gave her a reminder.

"Mission guaranteed!"

Tenten indicated that it was no problem. It was much easier than taking care of Neji, after all. Rock Lee was unconscious now, so she only needed to call a nurse.

Might Guy nodded slightly. The Third Hokage was still waiting for him.

"Let's go, Neji. Come with me to see Lord Hokage. He's very concerned about this matter."

"Mm."

Neji answered softly, but inwardly he was organizing his thoughts, considering how to explain the tattoo's effects and feasibility.

There were also the effects that Sealing Jutsu could achieve. He needed to obtain as many different Sealing Jutsu as possible from the Third Hokage.

And then there was... the Shadow Clone Jutsu. It was time to get his hands on that cheat-like Jutsu too, otherwise he would not have enough manpower.

Previously, he had not considered obtaining the Shadow Clone Jutsu because he lacked even enough Chakra to cultivate his Byakugan.

Now that he had enough Chakra, it was time to get it.