The Mission They Wanted Had Arrived

Half a year later.

Team 3 had already become a mature genin squad. Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee had all grown considerably.

Through routine missions and harvesting experience packs from the Konoha 11, Neji had barely reached level thirty-seven.

He needed more and more experience, and leveling up was becoming increasingly difficult. He had gained two new skills.

They were the level thirty-five skills: Lion's Roar and Thunderclap Spiral Strike.

Thunderclap Spiral Strike had actually been a high-level skill, but it had now become a level thirty-five skill.

Its effect was similar to the Lightning Cutter. It formed a blade of lightning in his hand, which could be driven into an enemy's body to trigger an explosion.

Now, Neji had the Spirit Ball Bomb imitating the Rasengan in front and Thunderclap Spiral Strike imitating the Lightning Cutter behind. It was simply perfect.

My childhood was complete!

However, both were clearly a few notches more powerful than the ordinary originals.

They gathered at the ever-unchanging Training Ground 7.

All of Team 3 had arrived, but Might Guy was unexpectedly not the first one there. As they waited for him, the three began discussing it.

Tenten was especially curious. "Teacher Might Guy actually wasn't the first to arrive today. Something feels off. Rock Lee, didn't you train with Teacher Might Guy today?"

Rock Lee shook his head. "No!"

"Then that's strange. I really can't think of why Teacher Might Guy wasn't the first one here."

Tenten turned her gaze toward Neji. The latter slightly extended his Observation Haki, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Tenten, you should get your wish this time."

"Get my wish? That's wonderful."

Rock Lee said, "Congratulations!"

In her excitement, Tenten toyed with the kunai in her hand, spinning it around her fingers until it looked like a fingertip spinning top.

Rock Lee was also checking his equipment and tightening the bandages around his body.

Very soon, after only a short while.

Might Guy arrived with a plump, wealthy-looking middle-aged man. They were talking as they approached, their voices growing clearer.

"Mr. Nakata, that is the team I lead. There definitely won't be any problem with this escort mission. They are all extremely outstanding."

"Mm, I trust Konoha's reputation."

Their conversation reached the ears of the three, and Tenten became somewhat excited. They had finally gotten a proper mission.

Rock Lee also steadied his breathing, snorting two streams of air through his nostrils like a raging bull.

He was brimming with fighting spirit!

Neji, however, frowned slightly. His senses settled on the merchant, and he felt that the man did not seem particularly easy to deal with.

Still, they had no authority to choose their client, so they stood with Tenten and Rock Lee before Might Guy.

"Mr. Nakata, this is the team I lead: Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee. They are all exceptional genin..."

"Wait!" Nakata interrupted Might Guy's introduction.

His gaze fell on Neji, and the look in his eyes displeased Tenten and the others because it carried a hint of disdain.

"Why is there a blind ninja? Though I trust Konoha, you needn't be so perfunctory with me!"

"The goods I'm transporting this time are very important, and there are quite a few bandits along the border of the Land of Fields. That is why I came to Konoha to post this mission."

"This is difficult for me to accept. If there truly are no other ninjas available, I can wait."

Nakata looked at Might Guy and expressed his dissatisfaction. He was clearly very concerned about this cargo, which was probably worth a great deal.

"You..." Tenten was indignant and wanted to step forward, but Neji stopped her.

Though the man's words were unpleasant, his concerns were understandable. No one wanted to pay to hire a defective product.

His thinking was perfectly normal. Unfortunately, he simply did not know how to speak properly!

"You are Mr. Nakata, correct?"

Neji stepped forward and spoke slowly.

"Mm!"

Nakata responded somewhat impatiently.

Whoosh!

Chakra surged within Neji's body. With a kick, a sharp wind blade shot forth and split a target in the distance cleanly in two.

Nakata was instantly dumbfounded, his mouth slightly agape and sweat faintly forming on his forehead. He had clearly been frightened.

Neji smiled. "What do you think, Mr. Nakata?"

Nakata's eyes lit up slightly. With a grand wave of his hand, he declared boldly, "You'll do. No need to change anyone. Start the mission immediately!"

Tenten and the others immediately smiled. This guy knew what was good for him!

Might Guy did not interrupt. He had seen plenty of such things before, and had even faced far worse attitudes.

Thus, he left it to Neji and the others to decide how to handle it. This was also a form of training.

Clearly, though, Neji had handled it well. Behind Nakata, Might Guy flashed his pearly white teeth, raised a thumb, and gave him a merciless thumbs-up.

Once the client agreed, the rest was simple. They had one hour to prepare before gathering at Konoha's gates.

It was their first mission outside the country. Though it was only to the Land of Fields near Konoha's border, and the danger was not great, there might be bandits.

But that could not dampen Tenten and Rock Lee's excitement. At last, they would not have to do those tasks that ordinary people could obviously handle.

After informing their parents at home, they prepared their things and headed for Konoha's gates.

On Neji's side, after listening to Hiashi's teachings and saying farewell to Hinata and Hanabi, he also made his way to Konoha's gates.

Yet he was thinking about the Land of Fields, Otogakure, and whether he could meet Orochimaru at present.

He wanted Hashirama's Cells, and Orochimaru was currently his only viable source.

White Zetsu might be better, but that thing was simply impossible to find. Making a move might also draw attention, so it was not an option.

As for Danzo, he could not get involved with Pot Kage. Especially since he did not have the Caged Bird Seal, why provoke him?

It would be good enough if Danzo did not set his sights on him. Trying to trade with him? He would probably be conned without even realizing how it happened.

Against those old schemers, Neji did not think he could outmaneuver them, even in his third life.

"Neji, we're only waiting on you!"

Not far from Konoha's gates, Might Guy's booming voice could be heard from a great distance.

Neji was somewhat speechless. Feeling the gazes around him landing on his body, he pretended not to notice and merely quickened his pace.

He soon arrived at the gates. After Teacher Might Guy completed the registration, he sensed the two legendary gate guardians, Izumo and Kotetsu.

The two also glanced at him. They were apparently quite curious about this famous person.

After all, he was the ruthless man who had dug out his own eyes!

Great clans were truly terrifying.

There were even people this ruthless among them. Wasn't he afraid of pain?

Naturally, Neji had no idea what the two were thinking. After joining Tenten and Rock Lee, he waited to depart.

Whether Mr. Nakata was in a hurry or not, they set off very quickly. Earlier, he had seemed adamant that he would not depart without good ninja escorts, which was rather strange.

It seemed he knew he had been targeted, yet Teacher Might Guy had not told them.

A test?

It did not matter. It was only a C-rank mission, so no ninja would likely appear. The bandits were probably real, though.

Considering the purpose of this mission, it seemed they were preparing to let them see blood.

He wondered whether Tenten and Rock Lee had realized it. After being with him for so long, they should have vaguely sensed it too, right?

He would not say anything this time either. A ninja incapable of independent thought would only die once separated from the group. They could think it through themselves!

As for Orochimaru, he could only see what the situation was like once they reached the Land of Fields. He should also start considering setting up a base outside.