At Team Guy's training grounds in Konoha, Might Guy was putting Rock Lee through a youthful training session, while Tenten polished her ninja tools.
Only Neji sat cross-legged on a large boulder nearby, meditating with his eyes closed.
But a closer look would reveal two faint currents of air swirling around Neji's body with every breath he took.
One was gentle as water, the other fierce as fire.
Yet these two opposing energies coexisted in perfect harmony around him.
"Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine! Ten thousand!"
After completing his ten-thousandth frog jump, Rock Lee threw off the weights on his back!
"All right! Today's Double Mission is complete! I feel full of strength! This is youth!"
"Yes! Well done, Lee! I can feel your youth! Next time, we can take on the Double Training Mission!"
"Might Guy-sensei!"
"Lee!"
The two, one big and one small, looked as if they had been cast from the same mold. They threw their arms around each other in excitement, shouting about youth.
"Might Guy-sensei, Lee, can't you two keep it down a little? Don't disturb Neji."
Tenten complained as she put away her ninja tools.
Then she looked toward Neji and couldn't help asking curiously.
"Might Guy-sensei, what ninjutsu is Neji practicing, exactly? Did you teach him? You can't hold out on me, Might Guy-sensei. You give Lee special training and teach Neji special ninjutsu. You have to teach me something too."
Might Guy grinned, showing a mouthful of gleaming white teeth, and gave Tenten a thumbs-up.
"Oh, Tenten! Have you finally come around? Do you want to experience the passion of youth with us?"
At those words, Tenten imagined herself wearing a green leotard with a Mushroom Head haircut, and a shudder ran through her.
"On second thought, never mind. I don't like