Konoha, Hyuga Clan Grounds.
Swish, swish, swish.
Beneath the silvery moonlight, Neji darted back and forth between the wooden posts, striking the middle of each one with pinpoint accuracy.
A moment later, he stopped. Breathing lightly, he looked around, inspecting the middle of each post.
Only after confirming that he had struck every post squarely in the middle with his Gentle Fist did he let out a small sigh of relief, some of the tension leaving his body.
Ever since Otsutsuki Toneri had defeated him, he had increased the intensity of his training.
Fortunately, he now had the "biological exoskeleton" Shinji had implanted in him, which had considerably boosted his stamina. Otherwise, his body might not have been able to endure such a strenuous training regimen with his original stamina.
After catching his breath, Neji prepared to continue training.
"Your body needs to rest."
A voice came from the shadows.
Neji hurriedly looked over, his expression respectful. "Sir!"
A figure wearing a mask and a hooded Red Cloud outfit slowly emerged from the shadows.
There was no doubt.
The mysterious figure dressed as a member of the Akatsuki Organization was Shinji, who had just returned to Konoha from the moon.
He looked Neji over, then slowly shook his head. "Diligent training can certainly improve your strength, but training alone isn't enough."
Neji's expression darkened. "Sir, you must have heard, haven't you? The Otsutsuki Branch Family infiltrated the village recently and attacked me, and I couldn't even block a single move."
Shinji didn't try to comfort Neji. Instead, he asked, "They can draw on the power of the Giant Tenseigan on the moon. Why shouldn't they be able to defeat you in one move?"
Neji replied, "But my classmate, Shinji Uchiha, defeated them!"
Shinji smiled to himself, then put on a