Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 33. Looking for trouble

Tenten lifted her head slightly, voice low. "I know you're right, but... I feel like we'll have to go through it eventually. So I'd rather get used to it early."

Neji was silent. People in this world really did mature fast. He had underestimated that.

Konoha's peace came at a cost paid by his father, Hizashi. Without that sacrifice, the Land of Lightning might've used any excuse to start another war.

Neji reached out and touched Tenten's cheek a habit he'd picked up back when he still pretended to be blind.

He tugged at her face gently, prompting a muffled protest.

"Wuwu!"

Cute.

"I get it," Neji said with a small smile. "Just don't let your guard down. And when you strike make sure you finish them off."

"Hmmph!"

Tenten puffed her cheeks and pouted, rubbing her face where he'd pinched it.

She meant what she'd said. She wanted to grow. And without battle, some weaknesses would never be revealed.

That's why she hoped for it to discover her flaws early and fix them.

"Ohhh~"

Lee was standing nearby, alert and focused. His big eyes and thick brows made him look almost comically serious.

Guy looked relaxed, chatting with Nakata every now and then. Occasionally, he dropped a joke, though no one but him seemed to think they were funny.

The calm didn't last long.

As the sun dipped low and twilight fell, the canyon ahead glowed orange with the fading light almost beautiful.

But Neji suddenly gave a warning.

Guy's expression shifted. He turned to Nakata and gave the order: "Stop the caravan!"

Everyone halted just before entering the valley.

Nakata frowned. "We have to go through that canyon to camp. If we stay here, the forest will be crawling with wild beasts. It's dangerous."

The trees on both sides were dark and eerily quiet enough to put anyone on edge. Neji could feel it too.

"There are people hidden in the valley. A lot of them. They've suppressed their breathing and movement, but I can still sense them," Neji reported calmly.

"And it feels like they've already set things up in advance."

He turned to Nakata with that final sentence.

The merchant's face changed. Clearly, he knew something. He cursed under his breath.

"They're just bandits. Konoha ninja should be able to handle that, right?"

"...Of course, if anything goes wrong, I'll raise your payment and put it in writing."

Tenten and Lee exchanged a look. So this guy knew he might be ambushed.

"Neji?" Tenten asked softly.

"No ninja," Neji replied. "But a few of them have strong bloodlust probably rogue samurai or seasoned mercenaries. Don't underestimate them."

"Got it!"

Guy watched them with a smile. They were making their own decisions now. Good.

Neji knelt and drew out a rough map in the dirt, quickly marking enemy positions and dividing them into three sectors one for each of them.

He gave concise instructions.

"Everyone clear?"

"Clear!"

Tenten still couldn't shake the feeling that Neji had suddenly exuded some kind of strange aura. It was like he'd commanded hundreds before impossible to disobey.

"Then let's go!"

"Yes!"

Tenten and Lee vanished toward their assigned targets.

Neji turned to Guy. "We're counting on you to hold the line here, Sensei."

Guy thumped his chest. "Leave it to me!"

...Why do I feel like I just got bossed around?

Before he could ponder it further, Neji had already disappeared.

Guy sighed. "Looks like his power has grown again. I didn't even notice him leave."

---

On both sides of the canyon, dozens of men lay hidden bandits in worn armor. Their leader scowled.

Why haven't they entered the canyon yet? Are they setting up camp out there?

No... that forest was dangerous.

Everyone who'd traveled this route before knew that the valley was the only safe place to camp.

"Oi, Third! You've got the smallest head. Stick it out and check what's going on. Why haven't they moved yet?"

You're the one with the small head...

Grumbling under his breath, "Third" adjusted himself... and then casually sniffed his hand.

"Ugh! Seriously?! You're doing that again? That's disgusting—hurry it up!"

The leader turned around and, unconsciously scratching himself too, sniffed.

And then quickly stopped, embarrassed.

Third gave him a disdainful side-eye. Every man does it. Don't act all high and mighty.

With a roll of his eyes, he wriggled into position and peeked out.

"They're... still outside. Not moving. Not camping either. Weird..."

Just as he turned to report back—

Thunk!

A kunai slammed into his forehead.

The bandits gasped.

That's... a ninja!

The weapon gave it away instantly. 'Damn it Nakata had hired ninja.'

The leader cursed and moved to rise, but—

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

Kunai flew like thunderbolts, piercing throats before anyone could shout.

One managed to scream "NINJA—!" before being silenced. Clearly, Lee had handled that side.

Neji lowered his arm, kunai in hand, watching the last enemy fall.

His Observation Haki swept the battlefield to confirm:

All clear.

◉◉◉◉◉

~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!