In the Land of Fields, on an open stretch of ground within the Sound Village.
"Whew... Gaara, one more round."
Neji was drenched in sweat as he sparred with Gaara. One was a genius from the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family, toyed with by fate.
The other had been sealed with a Tailed Beast from birth and rejected by others as a jinchuriki. The two had much in common, so they quickly became acquainted in the Sound Village.
"Then come at me again." Gaara rolled his eyes indifferently.
Neji snorted and activated the Eight Trigrams Formation around Gaara, striking out with a chakra shockwave.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm."
This was a Gentle Fist technique capable of attacking from a distance. As a Branch Family member, Neji was forbidden from learning the Main Branch's secret techniques. However, among the various Konoha ninjutsu Feng Yao had seized were some of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist techniques, allowing Neji's progress to soar.
But his opponent was Gaara, after all. Their fight had lasted half an hour. Gaara had suffered barely any injuries, while Neji was covered in sweat.
"Let's rest for today. One day, I'll defeat you with ease." Neji did not concede and instead arranged another match with Gaara for another day.
What an incredible guy. Gaara was also astonished by Neji's rapid improvement.
Just as the two were preparing to leave together, the space before them suddenly began to twist into a vortex.
They had long since witnessed Feng Yao's space-time ninjutsu, so they were not particularly surprised by the sight.
Sure enough, a familiar aura emerged from the spatial vortex. Their spirits, exhausted from their recent fight, felt nourished as though they had encountered sweet dew.
Feng Yao returned to the Sound Village, supporting Tsunade and accompanied by