Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 52. I’m Gonna Need More Than That

◉◉◉◉◉

KO.

Lee hit the ground like a lightning-struck boulder, smoke rising from his clothes as Neji stood over him, calm and collected.

Hair drifting in the wind, hand clenched into a fading fist, Neji turned away from the crater he'd just created.

All he needed was a giant glowing kanji on his back.

Classic arcade vibes.

With a quiet smirk, Neji reached out and helped Lee to his feet.

"You're always welcome to spar again," he said casually. "But just once a day. Same as before."

Because, of course, EXP farming had rules.

Lee winced as he stood. His limbs twitched involuntarily, still buzzing from the impact.

"Neji... your taijutsu's gotten way stronger. That lightning chakra... It's nasty."

"Maybe don't try to open more than three gates next time. I had to shut you down before you started flying."

Lee grinned sheepishly. Yeah... he had been getting a little reckless.

"Lee!" Tenten scolded, arms crossed. "Have you forgotten what Guy-sensei said? Three Gates is the upper limit for safe training. Beyond that, it's the danger zone!"

She stepped closer, brow furrowed.

"The Chūnin Exams are right around the corner. If Neji hadn't stopped you, we'd be explaining your injuries to the Hokage right now."

Lee scratched the back of his head, cheeks tinged with guilt.

He hadn't meant to go overboard, but ever since he received the [Regeneration Seal], he couldn't help but feel... tougher. Like his body could take it.

Still, he kept that thought to himself.

"...Sorry."

"No harm done," Neji said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Just save it for the exams. If we cross paths, you can go all out."

That simple statement reignited Lee's soul. He clenched both fists, eyes blazing.

"YES, SIR!"

Neji immediately regretted it.

"...I shouldn't have taught you that catchphrase."

Tenten tilted her head. "You okay, Neji?"

"I'm fine." He waved her off.

Then, facing her directly, he opened his mouth to say something.

Tenten panicked.

"W-whatever it is, let's talk after the exams, okay?!"

She turned red, spun on her heel, and fled the training ground like a ninja with a death warrant.

"...Huh," Neji muttered. "What just happened? I wasn't even—"

"Don't ask me," Lee said, throwing his arms up. "I'm single."

"...Right."

Neji paused. Then smirked.

Guess even Tenten gets flustered. Who knew?

"Let's wrap it up for today."

"I'll keep training!" Lee shouted, still charred, hair standing on end like a burnt-out microphone. "Next time, I'll defeat you!"

"Sure," Neji said, waving over his shoulder as he walked off.

---

Back in the Lab

Neji returned to the facility, intending to review some data with Izumi, but paused as a ripple of awareness passed through him.

That presence... [Mono-Eye]?

A system ping echoed in his mind.

Neji narrowed his eyes and stepped into a sealed chamber. From his inventory, he pulled out a scroll and slammed it to the ground.

Poof!

The [Mono-Eye] device materialized, its central lens twitching.

Neji performed a quick hand sign, activating [Transformation Jutsu], and the device pulsed to life.

---

Meanwhile – Hidden Sound Village, Land of Rice Fields

Deep within the Sound's underground labs, Orochimaru examined his own [Mono-Eye].

Kabuto stood silently beside him.

"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto said. "It's been a long time with no response. Perhaps... he's forgotten?"

Orochimaru chuckled in a dry, raspy sound.

"Forgotten?" he whispered, eyes gleaming. "No... he's waiting."

No one invests that kind of effort in a transaction without expecting something back.

Still, the silence had intrigued him. Was the other party simply uninterested or waiting for him to reach out?

Then—

Bzzt.

The [Mono-Eye] in Orochimaru's hand blinked open.

A projection shimmered to life: a masked figure dressed in black, wearing a sleek, hornless, white mask marked with a single character—[Nian].

"You must be... Orochimaru."

The voice was calm. Distant. Observant.

Orochimaru's tongue slithered from his lips as he stepped forward, intrigued.

"Yes. And you...?"

The projection leaned back slightly, as if amused.

"I thought you'd forgotten me. You certainly took your time."

Orochimaru's slit-pupiled eyes narrowed. "Forgive me. I don't trade with strangers bearing untraceable technology lightly."

"That's not like you, Orochimaru. You, of all people, shouldn't be afraid of a little mystery."

The sarcasm was casual, but the tension behind it was anything but.

Orochimaru caught the message.

He's not here to threaten. But he's not weak either.

"Then let's be clear," Orochimaru said. "We're partners. A transaction, not an alliance."

"Fine by me."

The projection gestured casually.

"So let's talk price. Are you after research? Or those lovely hormone samples?"

Two options were on the table: experimental data from the Sound Village's sonic division... or the two hormone vials [Estrogen Hormone] and [Testosterone Hormone].

Orochimaru smirked. "Both. One vial of each."

The masked figure tilted his head slightly.

"In that case... I want two things."

"Which are?"

"The First Hokage's DNA... and the forbidden jutsu [Soul Projection Technique]."

That made Orochimaru pause.

So he did know about [Soul Projection].

"...Bold."

"It's a strong technique," Nian said. "A fair ask."

Orochimaru tapped his fingers together, calculating. "You're asking a lot. And your offer? Hormones and scraps of research?"

Nian tilted his head again.

"Oh? So what you're saying is—"

"I'm gonna need more than that."

◉◉◉◉◉

~Uploading Schedule= 2 Chapters/day

~Support with 100 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter

◉◉◉◉◉

For early access to advanced Chapters on P-atreon:

P-atreon/iamxeno

(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!