Neji gripped the cold gun tightly, the smell of scorched residue left by the laser beam still lingering in the air. He blurted out, "Who's the next target?"
Naruto glanced at him. "No need to be so impatient," he said flatly. "Your next target is yourself."
Without waiting for Neji to ask further, Naruto changed the subject. "Starting today, you'll be a member of Root. Any objections?"
"No." Neji answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Good."
Naruto said nothing more and turned to leave. Neji immediately followed. They passed through silent streets and eventually arrived at an unremarkable warehouse. With a one-handed seal from Naruto, the ground split open soundlessly, revealing a metal staircase that descended into unfathomable depths.
The underground air was cold and dry. This was an enormous subterranean space, its ceiling so high it vanished from sight, its frigid steel walls stretching to the edge of vision. Countless pipes and wires sprawled across the walls like the blood vessels of some giant beast. The entire space was so quiet that only their footsteps remained.
"This is Training Ground Three of Root." Naruto led Neji to a control console in the center of the facility. "It'll also be your home for the next month."
He activated the console, and a light screen projected before Neji, densely filled with a training schedule.
Neji's pupils contracted sharply after just one glance.
[05:00-06:00: Extreme weighted physical training.] [06:00-09:00: Moving target shooting.] [09:00-12:00: Simulated extreme-environment training: maintain absolutely stable shooting amid thunderstorms, sandstorms, intense light, and noise interference.] [13:00-22:00: ...] [22:00-23:00: Weapon disassembly, maintenance, and calibration.] [23:00-05:00: Rest.]
Other than six hours of rest, every moment was filled with inhuman training, day after day, until the month was over.
"This..." Neji felt a suffocating pressure settle over him. His willpower had