Chapter 153: Not Exactly a Good Person
In another small courtyard.
Hiashi was teaching Neji the Eighty Trigrams Empty Palm, the air thick with a serious and focused atmosphere.
Suddenly, a gust of wind carried over faint but exceptionally clear fragments of conversation from the adjacent courtyard:
"...Let's join forces, Sister!"
"...Sister Ino is more proactive than you... Sister Karin is already living in Big Brother Naruto's house..."
"...If you want to pursue Big Brother Naruto, you must take the initiative!"
...Hiashi's movement, mid-demonstration, froze in mid-air.
Neji maintained the starting stance of the "Eighty Trigrams Empty Palm," his entire being seemingly immobilized by an invisible Gentle Fist technique.
The wind seemed to stagnate at this very moment.
A few leaves fluttered down from the trees, silently landing on the floor tiles between the two.
Time froze for a full three seconds.
Hiashi turned his head extremely slowly, frame by frame. On his face, which was usually as calm as a still well, the corner of his eye twitched uncontrollably.
He looked at Neji.
Neji also turned his fair neck with the same rigid speed, looking back at his uncle.
In those Byakugan eyes, which were always calm and wise, the same shock, absurdity, and a... deep, indescribable complexity of emotion were now clearly reflected.
Hiashi's temples throbbed.
He felt as if he could already see that the two most precious cabbages he had carefully nurtured were not only both eagerly growing toward someone else's fence.
The smaller one was actually desperately egging on the larger one to pull up her own roots and jump into that person's yard!
Uzumaki Naruto... you really deserve to die!
Neji closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He once thought that after experiencing despair, hatred, and reconciliation, his state of mind was already as solid as a rock.
But now, he really wanted to kill Uzumaki Naruto.
Hiashi's broad palm fell heavily on Neji's shoulder. That weight came not just from the palm itself, but also contained an indescribable expectation and a certain resolve. He didn't speak, but just gave Neji a deep look.
Neji paused slightly, instantly deciphering the complex and difficult message in his uncle's eyes.
It seemed the training volume for the next few days was going to double or triple.
Instead of resisting, a cold flame ignited in his eyes.
This was exactly what he wanted.
So what if he had lost to Uzumaki Naruto before?
Even if he were to lose to Uzumaki Naruto again this time, it wouldn't matter.
As long as he could land a single punch, it would be worth it!
Seeing Neji like this, Hiashi knew he was overthinking things.
Hiashi slowly shook his head, casting his gaze further away, as if piercing through the rooftops of Hidden Leaf Village to see the wider world.
"Neji."
His voice was low.
"Do you remember that 'Eight Gates' technique Guy used back in the Hidden Mist Village?"
Neji's expression turned solemn as he nodded gravely: "Guy-sensei's Eight Gates is indeed very powerful."
Powerful was an understatement.
The blue steam Might Guy erupted with in that moment, that Aura of power that was pure and crazed to the extreme.
Neji had no doubt that if the circumstances hadn't been special, the shockwaves of that explosive Aura alone would have been enough to incapacitate most people present. If Guy-sensei truly had killing intent, no one could withstand his might.
Hiashi withdrew his distant gaze and refocused on Neji, his tone carrying a deliberate guidance: "Guy is a very pure person; his eyes hold only burning youth and worthy opponents.
You are his student. If you were to take the initiative and make a sincere request... given his Heart-Nature, he would surely be willing to pass this secret technique on to you."
He paused, scrutinizing Neji's lean, powerful physique and those Byakugan eyes filled with steadfast will: "You already have an excellent foundation in the Hyuga style Gentle Fist, and your physical fitness far exceeds that of ordinary people.
If Guy is willing to teach you, I estimate that with your tenacity and hard work, it's not impossible to break through to the third gate, the 'Gate of Life,' in a short time."
Hiashi's words stopped there, and he said no more.
But the hand he had on Neji's shoulder tightened slightly.
A cold light that could not be mistaken flashed through those habitually majestic eyes.
The Way is not taught lightly; Hiashi's meaning was clear.
If Neji wanted to learn the Eight Gates, he would definitely have to become a formal Personal Disciple.
A Master and a teacher represented different things.
Neji straightened his back, the sharpness in his Byakugan condensing into substance.
Meeting his uncle's gaze without the slightest hesitation, he replied in a deep voice:
"Yes, Uncle. I understand."
As long as he could land a punch on that blond's face, never mind becoming a Disciple.
Even if he had to wear that embarrassing green spandex suit and shout about 'youth' on the streets with Lee and Guy-sensei, Neji was... willing!
——————————
"Are you willing to become my Disciple? Naruto."
Today, Jiraiya was wearing the iconic outfit from the depths of Naruto's memories: a dark red overcoat, a forehead protector engraved with the character for 'Oil,' and his white, spiky long hair tied back. If one ignored that face always filled with improper expressions, he had quite the look of a veteran Ninja.
If he didn't smile, that is.
He appeared abruptly at Naruto's doorstep, looking at the red-haired girl who came to answer the door with a beaming smile.
Karin adjusted her glasses, looking at this tall, white-haired stranger with some confusion, before she could even open her mouth to ask.
"Karin, don't open it!"
A golden figure flashed like the wind, moving from the kitchen to the door almost instantly.
Naruto pulled Karin behind him, shielding her completely with his body. His azure eyes were filled with undisguised vigilance and hostility, like a lion protecting its cub.
"Get lost, you old pervert!"
He glared at Jiraiya, practically speaking through gritted teeth.
"Stay away from Karin!"
The air instantly froze.
The smile on Jiraiya's face stiffened, then turned into a somewhat awkward, bitter laugh.
He raised a hand to scratch his white hair.
As expected... after being caught by this kid while 'collecting material' outside the women's bath last time, his impression score had hit rock bottom, hadn't it?
"Hmph! Ignorant brat, you probably have no idea what kind of figure is standing before you!"
He pointed his thumb back at his chest, full of momentum.
"Listen up! I am the Toad Spirit Sage of Mount Myōboku, commonly known as—the Toad Sage, Jiraiya!"
He paused to observe Naruto's reaction. Seeing the boy still maintaining a defensive 'keep on lying' face, he immediately threw out his heavy-hitting titles: "I am one of the 'Sannin' of Hidden Leaf Village legend, a hero who shakes the Ninja World! I am the Personal Disciple of the Third Hokage Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the mentor of the Fourth Hokage!"
After speaking, he narrowed his eyes slightly, expecting to see shock, admiration, or a sudden realization on Naruto's face.
After hearing this, Naruto showed no admiration; instead, his expression became even more disgusted and certain.
Without a word, he grabbed the doorknob.
BANG!
The heavy door was slammed shut without mercy, nearly hitting the high bridge of the nose Jiraiya was so proud of.
Immediately after, Naruto's voice came from inside the door, resolute and with logic so clear it made Jiraiya want to cough up blood:
"Based on what you said, the Third Grandpa who taught an old pervert like you must have been a big, improper pervert when he was young too!
So, the Fourth Hokage who was taught by an old pervert like you... hmph, I bet he wasn't exactly a good person either!"
Read New BooKs In Profile
Naruto: Start With Tenseigan
Loving Book So Far? Check Out 30+ Advanced Chapters At PA Treon
patreon.com/FictionOP