Misunderstanding! I'm Really Not That Kind of Person

Early in the morning, Neji met up with Tenten.

"Training Ground 21... here?"

Tenten held a map of Konoha, scratching her head in confusion.

Neji nodded and said, "Yes, it's just ahead."

The two of them walked over together.

The thick morning mist had begun to dissipate, and dew slid off the blades of grass along the path.

The cobblestone road was covered in water stains from the previous night's light rain, but the air carried a damp, refreshing scent that felt incredibly comfortable.

"But why is this training ground so quiet?"

Tenten walked inside. Much like the intelligence division in the center of the Forest of Death, this training ground seemed to have been abandoned for a long time, though it was small yet fully equipped.

Not far away, the sound of gurgling water and the faint roar of a waterfall could be heard; it seemed they were not far from the Konoha River.

"Hmm, you hear the water? This training ground has existed for twenty years. After the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha's strength grew, ties with the Land of Fire tightened, and a peace treaty was signed with Sunagakure. Since then, there have been few wars—what everyone calls the era of peace."

As Neji spoke, he jumped onto a wooden post. "In an era of peace, ninja training naturally decreases. All training grounds numbered 21 and above have been abandoned. The last time this place was used was probably at least three years ago for a large-scale exercise."

"Oh—"

Tenten nodded leisurely.

"The air is so pleasant."

"Neji, you spend all your time within your clan, how do you know so much?" Tenten asked, feeling curious. She had recently begun to feel as though Neji was capable of anything.

Neji chuckled. "Because I have nothing else to do on normal days, I'm always training, and I often come to these training grounds. Occasionally, I run into Jonin or Anbu who come here too, and I learn things just by listening to them chat."

"Jonin..."

Tenten felt a growing sense of awe.

While she felt that being promoted to Chunin was a problem of epic proportions, Neji's gaze had clearly moved far beyond the level of a Genin.

As for the Third Shinobi World War that Neji mentioned, Tenten hadn't even been born yet, so she knew absolutely nothing about it.

"But Neji, why did you call me here so early? This isn't the time we usually agreed on!"

"Is it? This is the time I usually start waiting for you."

"This..." Tenten swallowed hard, watching as Neji had already found a wooden post in the training ground and begun to practice with focus.

"I'm here!"

Asuma's voice echoed across the training ground.

"I heard Neji practicing as soon as I walked in; you really are diligent!"

Behind Asuma were the three members of Ino-Shika-Cho.

Ino: "Teacher! Your voice is too loud!"

Choji: "We had a deal, remember? After helping them train, you're taking me out for barbecue."

Shikamaru: "What a drag."

Tenten looked over hesitantly and muttered, "So that's it. The new teacher Guy-sensei found is Asuma-sensei?"

"Yo, hello there, Neji. I've heard a lot about you."

Asuma walked over. Neji paused, and the two locked eyes.

Neji stopped his training and bowed politely.

With Asuma's arrival, the training finally had a leader. He gathered everyone together, and they sat down directly on the grass.

"Alright, it's just as I said earlier. We have two weeks, and your schedules for these two weeks will be decided by me. This isn't just for those participating in the Chunin Exams; Tenten and Choji, you two should take this opportunity to hone yourselves as well. There will be another Chunin Exam, so don't get left behind!"

"Yes..." Tenten and Choji replied listlessly, exchanging a glance and sighing.

"Now, to start, I want to watch you fight in person so I can better tailor your training. We'll spar one-on-one. The person here I know the least about is..."

Asuma scanned the group and his eyes landed on the silent Neji.

"Let's go with you, Hyuga Neji."

"Me?"

Neji was taken aback and pointed at himself, then stood up honestly.

"Ino, you be Neji's opponent. Let me see how much you've improved!"

"Huh?"

Ino stood up. In her purple skirt and with her delicate skin, Neji frowned slightly.

He had to fight such a delicate girl? He really couldn't imagine himself going all out.

"Why am I the first one!"

Ino pouted, her expression pitiful and endearing.

Asuma chuckled, "Alright, let's begin. Everyone, spread out and make some room. I will personally observe your movements and attack styles. Keep in mind, this is a sparring match, so stop once you've made your point."

"Yes!" everyone replied in unison.

The others stepped back, clearing the area.

Choji munched on his potato chips and said, "Ino should be able to beat Neji quite easily, since she's already learned that technique from our teacher."

Shikamaru frowned, glared at Neji, and said, "You idiot, you were knocked out by Sasuke last time and didn't see the later matches. Neji actually defeated Gaara! It's not that simple!"

"Is that so?" Choji replied nonchalantly, continuing to chew vigorously.

"Ha!"

Ino charged forward the moment they started, giving Neji a start.

Should I activate the Byakugan? Maybe not...

Neji felt conflicted, beginning to trade taijutsu blows with Ino.

Back and forth they went, with Neji handling it with ease.

However, it was clear that Ino was not skilled in taijutsu; after several failed attacks, all of which Neji dodged, she made no progress.

"Neji, remember to attack!"

Seeing Neji only defending, Asuma spoke up.

Neji immediately gathered his strength, found an opening while dodging, and struck out with his palm!

"Ah!" Ino shrieked as she felt the wind from his palm.

"Thwack..."

With one strike, Neji landed his palm gently, as if he had merely placed his hand upon her.

Phew, thank goodness I held back my chakra. Neji exhaled in relief.

But the next moment, he noticed the soft sensation beneath his hand.

Ino's face flushed red as she felt her heart pounding violently beneath Neji's soft palm!

"Pervert!"

Ino gritted her teeth and stepped back.

"I—I didn't mean it like that!" Neji was also speechless, though the sensation just now had indeed been quite nice.

"Damn it! Pervert, pervert, pervert!" Ino's face was bright red, but seemingly unwilling to show her weak side, she immediately launched a fierce attack at Neji again.

Neji activated his Byakugan and dodged swiftly.

The two continued their intense close-quarters struggle.

"Is Ino's fast attack really not working at all?" Choji wondered aloud.

Asuma laughed heartily and said, "Of course. The Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan has incredible insight. It can capture every single movement, making it impossible to even launch a sneak attack. Because the Byakugan has X-ray vision, it can clearly see the size and shape of hidden weapons, even those concealed beneath clothing..."

As Asuma said this, Tenten froze, curling herself up even tighter.

Over where the two were sparring, Ino stopped her attack, and Neji's defense ceased as well.

"X-ray... vision..."

Tenten swallowed hard, blinking her eyes as she tried her best to hide her blushing face.

Ino's mouth hung wide open as she recalled Neji decisively activating his Byakugan just moments ago.

And right now, Neji was still staring at her with the veins around his eyes bulging!

Ino retreated rapidly, covering her chest.

"Don't look!"

Neji broke into a cold sweat and gave a sheepish smile, "It's a misunderstanding, I—I really am not that kind of person."

As he walked over with a goofy smile to explain, Ino retreated even further in fear.

"Oh my, oh my, it seems I explained that a bit poorly, haha, haha!" Asuma laughed awkwardly as he watched the scene unfold.