Tenten Blushed

After receiving Neji's clear answer, the Third Hokage silently took several puffs from his pipe.

He was considering certain matters. Neji and Might Guy stood to one side, waiting quietly.

"Approximately how long will it take before you can fully understand it? And then put it into use?"

The Third Hokage looked up at Neji. He needed an approximate timeframe so he could prepare certain things.

"About a year and a half. That's the minimum."

Neji replied in a low voice.

A year later, Naruto and the others would graduate. About three months after that, the Chunin Exams would begin.

Even with him, this butterfly, flapping its wings and changing the course of events, he could not yet affect the overall situation.

The Konoha Crush Plan would arrive.

A year and a half. Could you wait until then?

Third Hokage!

"A year and a half?"

The Third Hokage frowned deeply. Neji could not tell whether he thought that was too fast or too slow, but it did not matter.

"I understand. I will grant you access to consult part of Konoha's Sealing Jutsu archives. You may freely study some of the Sealing Jutsu."

The unspoken meaning was that he should not even think about the powerful Sealing Jutsu.

"I need you to conduct this research in secret. Other than those who already know, no one may be told."

"Yes!"

"Might Guy, notify your other two students on my behalf."

"Yes!" Might Guy nodded.

The Third Hokage did not intend to let anyone else learn of this matter, not even Danzo.

He looked at Neji again. "Besides that, is there anything else you need? As for funding, I'll have Guy hand it over to you. If you need anything in the future, you may also have Guy report it to me."

Neji thought for a moment before speaking again.

"I need some of the Medical Ninjutsu materials Lady Tsunade left behind. My understanding of the human body is still insufficient."

"That will not be a problem, but Tsunade did not leave behind much material. Much of it was compiled by other Medical Ninja."

The Third Hokage explained it. Just like with the Sealing Jutsu, he probably would not be allowed to see certain important materials.

Neji understood and continued.

"I understand. Other than that, I do not have many requirements. When the time comes, I will have Rock Lee participate in the experiments."

"Mm."

The Third Hokage nodded slightly, approving the matter. That had been his intention as well.

Rock Lee would serve as the test subject. After all, there were only three people who practiced the Eight Gates.

"For this matter, I will assign Team 3 an S-rank secret mission lasting one and a half years. I believe you will certainly complete it."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Might Guy and Neji answered in unison. The Third Hokage nodded, then directly dismissed them.

"You may go."

"Yes, Lord Hokage. We'll take our leave."

Might Guy gave a bow, then left the Hokage Building with Neji and headed toward Konoha Hospital.

The Third Hokage sat in his office, lightly tapping his fingers against the desk as he pondered.

"It seems I need to bring Tsunade back sooner. I'm getting old too. If they have not succeeded after a year and a half, I'll have Tsunade return and research it with them. This matter will change far too much."

With a deep gaze, the Third Hokage silently opened his drawer and took out the crystal ball inside.

He rubbed his hands together.

Time to get down to business!

The image in the crystal ball flickered.

Mm, so white!

On the way back to the hospital, Might Guy seemed rather happy.

"Neji, you've made a major discovery this time. It has set the flames of youth burning to their limit. Rock Lee is in your hands."

"Teacher Might Guy, of course. However, I have another request. Please teach me the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Given Neji's status, it would have been easy for him to obtain the Shadow Clone Jutsu, but he chose to get it from his instructor, Might Guy.

"The Shadow Clone Jutsu?"

Might Guy raised an eyebrow. He was not particularly skilled in ninjutsu, but he could still find the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

"Sure. Although I'm not good at ninjutsu, if you want to learn it, that won't be a problem."

"Not for now, though. Wait two days. We'll meet at the hospital, by Rock Lee's bed."

He had been planning to "spar" with Kakashi anyway. He could ask Kakashi for a copy afterward.

"Mm."

Their conversation ended, and they headed toward the hospital.

Konoha Hospital, Rock Lee's ward.

Might Guy and Neji entered the ward carrying some fruit.

"Teacher Might Guy, you're back. Has everything been settled?"

Tenten took the things from Neji and placed them by Rock Lee's bed, then spoke to Might Guy.

Might Guy set down his things and looked at Rock Lee on the hospital bed. "Mm. It's more or less settled. How is Rock Lee now?"

Rock Lee, wrapped up like a mummy, was deeply unconscious. After releasing the Space Gate—

His busybody brain immediately issued a warning and forcibly shut down, making Rock Lee sleep soundly.

"He's fine. He's been sleeping and hasn't woken up. The doctor said his body's self-protection mechanism was triggered, so he'll sleep for a long time."

Might Guy nodded. That was normal. Once the gate closed and the brain's restrictions returned, the body's protective mechanism would be triggered.

Unless one had strong willpower and had not suffered severe physical exhaustion, this was basically inevitable.

"Then let him rest properly. The mission is temporarily suspended until further notice. But there is something I need to tell you."

Tenten understood at once, covering her mouth as she became a little excited.

This was an S-rank mission! Even though it seemed like she had little to do with it, the record would still be officially filed.

A genin completing an S-rank mission—what a dazzling achievement! Wonderful!

She immediately hugged Neji and said happily, "That's amazing, Neji! I'm benefiting from your success this time!"

"Mm. I'm happy too."

Neji had no objection to letting Tenten hug him. It was normal for her to be happy for a while.

He was happy too. He had not expected this matter to turn into an S-rank mission, but now he could complete it.

He could not let this experience slip away. It seemed necessary to finish it before the Chunin Exams.

Looks like I'll need to time it carefully, Neji silently calculated.

By the time these matters were dealt with, it was nearly noon, and the smell of food had begun to drift through the air.

Sitting beside the bed, Might Guy said to the two of them, "Let's call it a day. But youth must not waste time. You must train properly after you return."

"I'll take care of Rock Lee. Just come visit whenever you have time."

Neji and Tenten nodded. Although their first mission had gone smoothly overall, it had also been full of twists and turns.

Still, it had indeed been an unforgettable experience.

"Then we'll leave Rock Lee to you, Teacher Might Guy. Tenten and I will head back first!"

"Please take care of him, Teacher Might Guy!"

Tenten echoed Neji, carrying a bit of the air of a husband and wife singing in harmony.

The two of them left the hospital.

Tenten felt slightly excited. Wow! They actually had time alone together. This was great.

"Neji, do you have anything to do this afternoon?"

"I do. A lot, in fact."

Tenten's expression fell. She should have known better than to ask.

Neji reached out and touched Tenten's face, comforting her. "This can help Rock Lee and Teacher Might Guy, so I'm sorry."

"Mm, I know. Hurry and go!"

Tenten watched Neji leave, covering her flushed face. He hadn't touched me like that in so long.