In early spring of Konoha's seventeenth year, Neji was already seven years old.
His position at the Akita Workshop was secure, and he had earned the trust of the Akita father and son. The workshop's apprentices both respected and feared him—respecting his skill, fearing his strict quality standards.
That evening, after finishing a day's work, Neji walked alone through Konoha's streets. The setting sun stretched his shadow long behind him. Cherry blossoms had begun to bloom along the road, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.
"Peace... What a pity it won't last much longer." Neji shook his head with a sigh, then wandered around before returning to his room to cultivate.
Sitting cross-legged on his mattress, Neji entered a state of inner observation. The True Qi in his Dantian had formed a small vortex, slowly yet steadily turning. With every rotation, it absorbed a trace of natural energy from heaven and earth.
As his understanding of the Dao deepened, Neji, who was cultivating Qi anew in this time and space, could directly draw in natural energy to refine, rather than converting chakra first or needing to master Sage Mode before he could absorb natural energy.
The Dantian was not merely a storage vessel. It was more like a furnace; refinement was its primary function. Even violent natural energy would become docile within it.
Only now could Neji truly be said to have entered the path of Qi cultivation.
"The road to Foundation Establishment is long and arduous..." Neji murmured inwardly. "But every step is the Dao."
Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water, quietly spilling over the handsome youth. His story had only just begun.
The Akita Explosive Tag Workshop was filled with the pungent stench of pine resin and saltpeter. Neji knelt before a low table