Finding a Solution for Naruto

Tenten's ninja tool shop was filled with the distinctive smell of metal and wood. Afternoon sunlight slanted into the shop, reflecting a cold glint on the gleaming Shuriken and Kunai. Behind the counter, Neji was holding a specially made Fuma Shuriken, explaining it in detail to a Chunin customer wearing Forehead Protector.

"These are the latest batch of composite material Shuriken. The edges have undergone special quenching treatment, increasing their penetrating power by 15% compared to the regular models, while also reducing their weight by 10%."

His tone was professional and calm, and his Tenseigan gleamed faintly in the dim light of the shop. The Chunin listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

Just then, the wind chimes at the shop door rang. Naruto and Sasuke walked in one after the other.

Naruto practically leaped into the store, his face still beaming with the excitement of passing the test. Sasuke followed behind, his steps steady, his gaze sweeping around the store before finally settling on Neji.

Neji didn't interrupt his explanation; he simply turned his head slightly, giving the two a "wait a moment" look. Naruto immediately understood, pulling Sasuke to the shelf displaying ninja tools, pretending to browse the merchandise, but his eyes kept glancing towards the counter.

Five minutes later, Neji completed the transaction. The Chunin customer left satisfied with his newly purchased Shuriken, the shop door closed again, and the wind chimes tinkled softly.

"Follow me," Neji said simply, lifting the curtain behind the counter and gesturing for the two to follow.

They walked through a short corridor to the small tea room in the backyard. It was a quiet space with the paper door half open, revealing a carefully arranged dry landscape garden in the courtyard—white sand and gravel raked into concentric ripples, interspersed with a few moss-covered stones.

The interior of the tea room is simple and elegant: a low table, a few cushions, and a few simple pottery pieces on a display shelf in the corner. A faint scent of sandalwood can be smelled in the air.

Neji knelt down before the tea table and began preparing the tea utensils. His movements were fluid and focused, as if performing some kind of ritual: first, warming the teapot and cups with hot water, then taking the tea leaves, pouring in the water, waiting, and discarding the first infusion...

Naruto, observing the process, couldn't help but ask, "Neji, I don't like tea; it's a bit bitter. Do you have any juice?"

Neji look up, his hands continuing their work without pause, "No."

Sasuke sat down opposite Neji, quietly observing each step of the tea-making process. His eyes followed Neji's gestures—those hands that had once torn through space at the Valley of the End, now handling the small tea utensils with such delicate and steady movements. This contrast made Sasuke thoughtful.

Naruto couldn't sit still in the cramped tea room. He got up and walked to the display shelf, picked up a small ceramic teapot, looked at it, and then put it down; he walked to the paper door and stared at the dry landscape garden in the courtyard for a while; finally, he returned to the tea table and squirmed on the cushion next to Sasuke.

Only after Neji placed two cups of brewed tea on the guest's seat did Naruto finally sit down obediently. He picked up the teacup like Sasuke, and as soon as it touched his lips, he exclaimed softly, "It's so hot..."

Sasuke calmly picked up his teacup, first inhaling the aroma, then slowly sipped it in three mouthfuls. His movements were natural and elegant, clearly indicating he was no stranger to this kind of occasion.

Neji poured himself a cup, gently blew away the steam, and took a small sip. The tea was warm and smooth, with just the right amount of bitterness and sweetness.

He put down his teacup and turned to Naruto: "Naruto, how are you going to handle the upcoming Jonin theory exam?"

The question came suddenly. Naruto was startled, his hand trembled, and the scalding tea spilled onto the back of his hand. But he reacted extremely quickly, his Chakra instinctively covering his skin, and he firmly grasped the teacup in his hand without dropping it.

"Well..." Naruto gave a signature, slightly embarrassed smile, scratching the back of his head. "I don't know either. I guess I really don't have a talent for studying. I can't even stay focused on a book for three minutes before I start dozing off."

His expression was sincere yet helpless, and his dark circles were even more noticeable in the soft light of the tea room—proof of long hours of studying for exams with little success.

Neji took another sip of tea and said slowly, "The reason you couldn't concentrate on your books before was partly due to the interference Kurama caused within you. But now that you've reconciled, that factor no longer exists."

He paused, looking into Naruto's eyes. "The reason you can't concentrate on your studies now is because of bad habits you've developed over the years. Once a habit is formed, it's very difficult to break."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly upon hearing this. He had never considered his studies from this perspective before.

"I have a way," Neji continued, his voice calm but clear, "That can help you change this habit. Do you want to try it?"

Naruto was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with hope. "Neji, are you serious? I'm willing to try anything now! Just tell me!"

His voice sounded rather loud in the quiet tea room, carrying the eagerness and enthusiasm unique to young people.

Neji hesitated for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. A brief silence fell over the tea room, broken only by the faint sound of the wind rustling in the courtyard.

"You're always studying alone," Neji finally spoke. "Although you can use the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, your Shadow Clone, like your original self, can't last long before you get distracted. So this method is ineffective for you."

Naruto nodded, his expression serious. Sasuke continued to listen quietly, his black eyes shifting between Neji and Naruto, without uttering a word.

Neji's voice rang out again, unhurriedly. "Therefore, you need a long-term, stable study partner to supervise you in studying theoretical knowledge diligently for more than six hours every day."

"Six hours?!" Naruto practically shouted. "That's way too long! I still need to sleep, train, and carry out missions..."

His voice trailed off, for Neji was watching him silently with those Tenseigan. The gaze was calm, yet carried an invisible pressure.

"On a mission, huh?" Neji's tone was neither too loud nor too soft. "I remember you and Sasuke have already met the required number of missions for your advancement. And with your current strength, whether you train or not shouldn't make much of a difference, right?"

That hit the nail on the head. Naruto opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but couldn't find a suitable reason. His eyes darted around, and suddenly he thought of something, "Konohamaru still needs my guidance in his training! His strength is too weak..."

Neji gave him a look that said, "I don't even want to expose you," and gently shook his head. "I'm just providing you with a method; whether you choose it or not is up to you."

He picked up his teacup and casually added, "Anyway, Sasuke will Jonin after tomorrow. I'll tell him how to gain support in a democratic vote. I think even if Sasuke isn't the next Hokage, he'll definitely be the Hokage after that."

These words were like a precise scalpel, striking at the very spot that Naruto cared about most.

Sure enough, the little provocation worked wonders. Naruto immediately sat up straight, his expression turning unusually serious. "Neji, I have no problem with that! Not just six hours, eight hours is fine too!"

His voice was strong and clear, and his eyes were resolute—an expression he only wore when making important decisions on the battlefield.

Neji's lips curled up slightly, revealing an almost imperceptible smile, "You said it yourself, eight hours. I didn't force you. Eight hours every day, from nine in the morning to twelve, and from two in the afternoon to seven, until you pass the Jonin theory exam."

He paused, then continued, "I've already chosen your study partner, but you'll need to be responsible for taking her home after you finish studying each day. Is that alright?"

"No problem!" Naruto immediately replied, then asked curiously, "Who's my study partner?"

Neji shook his head. "It's a secret. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, in the village library's study room. Don't be late."

It wasn't that he didn't want to tell Naruto directly; it was just that this method was a last-minute idea, and he hadn't informed Hinata yet. Although he knew without a doubt that Hinata would agree—his introverted cousin had been silently watching Naruto, which was practically an open secret in the Hyuga Clan —Neji, as a person with modern thinking, could Neji bring himself to make decisions for others.

Seeing that Naruto wouldn't say, Neji didn't press the matter. He picked up his teacup, noticed the tea was cold, and drank it all in one gulp. Then he looked at Sasuke and said, "Sasuke, I'm a little hungry. Want to go eat at Ichiraku Ramen? It's on me!"

Sasuke refused outright. "Go by yourself, I have something to discuss with Neji."

Naruto glanced at the two of them, then wisely stood up. "I'll be going now! Neji, see you tomorrow!"

He waved, opened the door to the tea room, and his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Only Neji and Sasuke remained in the tea room. A startled deer in the courtyard let out a crisp "thud," and a bamboo tube struck the stone, producing a gurgling sound.

Sasuke picked up his teacup again, his gaze calmly fixed on Neji: "Regarding the Hokage election... I'd like to hear your advice."