"Simple personality..." Neji hadn't expected such a direct assessment of his character.
"Simple is not the opposite of complex; it is the essence of purity," Shen Mo clarified, reaching out to pat Neji's shoulder. "It signifies a fierce, unyielding will. However, you must also guard against becoming rigidly fixated. By deliberately thinking more broadly before committing to action, you can attain a higher state."
"I shall engrave your advice into my heart, sir," Neji responded, bowing slightly.
"Go now, and feel the raw power of the Enhancement-type Nen ability," Shen Mo said with a genuine smile.
To the onlookers, the merchant's sudden gentleness toward Neji was striking. It seemed acquiring a job change was truly a watershed moment in Shen Mo's eyes.
"Nen seems to be able to interchange with Chakra, using cellular vitality as its medium," Neji mused, raising his palm. A novel sensation washed over him, akin to the very first time he successfully condensed Chakra. But while Chakra was a power known since birth, Nen was a beautiful, terrifying unknown.
"Let's put that power to the test," Tsunade suggested, her eyes alight with the anticipation of combat. "You should be mostly recovered. I will be your opponent; let's have a proper spar!"
"That is unacceptable, Lady Tsunade," Hiashi Hyūga protested. "You are our honored guest. Allow me to—"
"You would be inadequate," Tsunade cut him off, staring deep into his eyes. "Hiashi, it seems you still haven't fully grasped the terrifying reality of the Jars. Without opening any yourself, you are likely already incapable of defeating Neji, who has opened dozens of Jars and successfully changed professions."
She recalled Sasuke, who hadn't finished his Tier Two Jars or acquired a job change, yet managed to push Kakashi to the brink. Neji, a year older and already highly skilled, should be substantially stronger than Sasuke was then.
Tsunade's assertion that the Clan Head, a high-ranking Jōnin, could be defeated by a recently graduated Genin was not hyperbole, but a disturbing new reality.
The Hyūga Clan members stared in stunned silence. In less than a day, the head of their Clan had potentially become inferior to a nephew they had recently cursed?
"Since I arrived, you must excise the word 'impossible' from your vocabulary, and ideally, completely reconstruct your understanding of how the world functions," Shen Mo's unhurried voice permeated the air, sounding like a firm reminder, and perhaps an implicit warning.
The world had fundamentally changed. Those who failed to adapt were destined to be left behind, if not actively eliminated. The true terror and limitless potential of the Jars had become an undeniable truth.
"In that case—"
Tsunade slammed her fists together, the resounding dull thud echoing like a war drum. She fixed Neji with a bright, challenging smile.
"I will not hold back. You must be prepared."
Shen Mo watched, convinced he was witnessing her malicious intent—an attempt to vent her envy and frustration at the 'European Emperor' (lucky player) who had pulled a super prize.
Neji, oblivious to the Sannin's pettiness, bowed seriously. "Please guide me, Lady Tsunade."
There was no faster way to adapt to a new power than through combat. Facing a powerhouse like Tsunade was an invaluable opportunity.
"In that case, Lady Tsunade, perhaps we should move to the training grounds?" an elder proposed quickly. "This courtyard is too confined."
They desperately needed to witness the extent of Neji's newfound strength.
Tsunade agreed, and the group relocated to a spacious, empty training ground within the Hyūga compound.
Tsunade and Neji formed the necessary hand signs, signaling the start of the spar.
"The Holy Light power I acquired possesses formidable healing abilities," Tsunade announced, peeling off her jacket and tossing it to Shizune while rotating her neck and wrists. "You need not fear causing me harm. Conversely, should I injure you, rest assured, I will heal you immediately."
"Understood, Lady Tsunade."
Neji adopted a combat stance and tentatively focused his newfound Nen energy into his feet. He didn't even activate his muscles—he simply channeled the energy.
Boom—!
With a thunderous explosion, the stone pavement beneath him instantly fractured and sank, a vast network of cracks spreading outward like a spiderweb.
More astonishingly, despite unleashing such terrifying, localized force into the ground, Neji remained perfectly stationary, his stance unshaken. He had not been launched backward.
"This force..."
Tsunade, an expert in harnessing overwhelming physical strength, narrowed her eyes, instantly recognizing the unique nature of the output.
"It feels as though this Nen can be released directly," Neji said, equally surprised, shifting his weight. "It requires no physical action. Simply directing the release through the pores can generate powerful destructive force."
Chakra was incapable of such pure, instantaneous kinetic release.
Every Hyūga member, including Hiashi, stared at the cracked pavement, their faces etched with grave seriousness. The sheer destructive power was terrifying.
The fact that it required minimal movement also made the attacks deeply deceptive. Who could possibly anticipate such immense power from a seemingly casual touch?
"That is characteristic of the Emission-type of Nen," Shen Mo explained at that moment. "The Enhancement type you tested earlier merely represents the system where your power is most potent. It does not preclude you from using other systems. The versatility and power of Nen Ability demand a lifetime of training and exploration."
Coupled with the demonstration, everyone gained a deeper appreciation for Shen Mo's words. This was no mere augmentation of Ninjutsu; it was a completely new, terrifying power system, fully independent of Chakra.
"Indeed, I sense it," Neji acknowledged, flexing his muscles, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "My entire being seems profoundly enhanced—my musculature, skin, and even my five senses. Lady Tsunade, I urge you to be cautious..."
Any sudden, significant leap in strength required an adjustment period. Neji had no frame of reference for his current power level, only the gut feeling that he was extremely strong.
Tsunade's lips curved upward, her eyes narrowing as her smile grew almost menacingly bright.
"Interesting. I'm being worried about. Do you have any idea how many Jars I've opened?"
She slowly extended her palm.
And then—
"Prepare yourself for divine baptism!"
A brilliant, scalding light erupted from her palm, and the space directly above Neji shimmered. Before he could fully react, vast, scorching torrents of Sacred Light descended from the sky, completely engulfing Neji in a blinding column of pure, radiant energy.
The sheer intensity of the light and the accompanying rolling air currents caused everyone's expressions to change dramatically.
"Relax," Tsunade said, crossing her arms. "I've only used less than a tenth of the Sacred Light's full power. You should certainly be capable of withstanding this, yes? If you find yourself struggling, simply step out of the light."