The next day, at the Ninja Academy.
Neji walked in through the classroom door and sat down in his usual seat.
He opened his book and began reading in silence.
From the back row, Tenten carefully leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Neji, are you... alright?"
"Hmm?"
Neji turned his head to look back.
He gazed at her for a few seconds before nodding slightly. "I'm fine."
After saying that, Neji went back to his book, his expression turning cold, seemingly no different from before.
This was a choice he was betting his life on.
He could not afford to expose himself!
Outside the window, Masahiko walked slowly past, a slight smile playing on his lips.
At a corner, Homura Mitokado approached him. Just as Masahiko was about to step aside to give way, the other man waved his hand.
"I came to find you. Let's talk in your office."
"Yes!"
Masahiko nodded and led the way to his office.
Once inside the office, Homura Mitokado sat down, and Masahiko brought a cup of tea to him.
Homura Mitokado took it and immediately thanked him.
Compared to before, his attitude was much more easygoing and kind. He said with a smile, "Sit. It's just a casual chat, nothing else."
"Yes."
Masahiko sat down.
Homura Mitokado took a small sip and smiled playfully. "Kurenai's flower tea? Tsk, only your place never runs out of it."
He set the cup aside and said, "I wanted to talk to you about your future work."
"I will follow the arrangements of the Village and the Elders."
Masahiko adopted an attitude of being ready for any hard work.
Homura Mitokado shook his head with a smile and said, "You are now a Jonin, and a seventeen-year-old Jonin at that. You have a great future ahead of you; you can't be a teacher forever, can you?"
"Being a teacher is also quite good."
Masahiko's tone was calm.
He looked up and said seriously, "Elder, I'm not being humble, I really think so... We are in an era of peace now, and the Village doesn't lack one person like me to carry out missions."
"Is that how you think?"
Homura Mitokado's expression became complicated upon hearing this.
"From an emotional perspective, children are the future of the Village. From a rational perspective..."
Masahiko paused for a second or two before continuing:
"They are Konoha's reserves. If a war breaks out again, they might all have to leave the Academy early."
"The stronger they are now, the lower their chance of dying will be."
"Conversely, if I go on missions... what can I change alone? Being an ordinary Jonin won't save Konoha."
His sincere counter-question left Homura Mitokado stunned.
The other man remained silent for a long time, took another sip of the flower tea, and then nodded:
"That makes sense."
Homura Mitokado looked at Masahiko and praised him, "You truly are a genius. Hiruzen did not misjudge you."
"It is all thanks to the support of the Elders and seniors; otherwise, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"Hahaha, then you shall continue as the Class Monitor. You must take responsibility for the Academy's affairs and offer more ideas to lead everyone."
Homura Mitokado stood up.
Masahiko explained, "If there is a need, I can also be flexible with my work."
"Heh, that's Hiruzen's concern. I'm just helping him handle some Academy matters. Since you're not leaving, I don't need to consider a successor."
Homura Mitokado smiled and gave a few more words of encouragement before leaving.
Masahiko saw him to the door.
Afterward, he sat down, took out his notebook, and began arranging work... until noon.
Hyuga Neji finally plucked up his courage and came to the outside of Masahiko's office.
Knock, knock!
There was a knock on the door.
His heart pounded along with the sound of the knocking, impossible to suppress.
At this moment, Neji was both clear-headed and fanatical.
This was an opportunity to change his fate and break his cage.
But it could also be the first step toward the abyss and destruction.
He was filled with trepidation. Just two or three seconds felt as long as three or four days, until the moment the door opened... Neji held his breath.
"Masahiko-sensei..."
"Sorry, I was resting just now and didn't hear you immediately."
The other man smiled warmly. "Come in."
"Excuse me!"
Neji bowed deeply.
After entering, he stood stiffly.
Masahiko didn't close the door.
He smiled and said, "Have you made your decision?"
"Yes, even if it costs me my life, I will do it!"
Neji's tone was firm.
Masahiko nodded and pointed to the seat in front of him. "Then sit down."
Only after being invited did Neji sit in the chair, looking like a marionette.
"You are of the Hyuga Clan, so you should know the definition of the Gentle Fist. Your Gentle Fist involves using the Byakugan to lock onto Tenketsu and weaknesses, and then attacking the Chakra Pathways, Tenketsu, and internal organs with Chakra..."
Masahiko provided a simple summary.
Neji did not interrupt, listening quietly.
He also wanted to know how an outsider viewed and defined the Gentle Fist.
"Actually, striking Tenketsu and attacking internal organs can also be achieved by ordinary people through continuous training and effort. Do you know where the advantage of the Byakugan lies?"
Masahiko asked back.
Neji pondered for a long time and said, "Insight. It allows one to see more Tenketsu clearly and precisely in a high-speed state, and to strike with greater accuracy..."
"Yes, but it's not comprehensive."
Masahiko shook his head.
He said seriously, "The human body has many Tenketsu. No matter how strong an ordinary person is, they may not be able to fully develop and utilize them. For example, me..."
He held out his hand.
Chakra gushed out from several Tenketsu in his arm, gathering into water.
"I can only utilize a few major Tenketsu in my body. The remaining part requires intensive study of medical arts and further precise control of Chakra to attempt development."
As he spoke, the Chakra slowly dispersed.
"The so-called Gentle Fist, no matter how exquisite, requires the user themselves to be strong enough, doesn't it?"
"I..."
Neji's mind felt like it was being struck by lightning, and his ears were buzzing.
He had actually thought about what Masahiko was saying, but it was more of a general, vague intuition—a 'feeling' unique to geniuses.
But now.
From Masahiko's mouth, he truly understood the principles and figured out how to proceed and how to work hard.
In the past, if there had been such a person to guide and lead him, he could have avoided many detours.
Neji couldn't help but have his eyes turn red.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and tried his best to soothe and calm his emotions.
After a few seconds, Neji said, "So, what I need to do now is first develop my own Tenketsu?"
"Yes, and also..."
Masahiko flicked his finger, and a stream of water at his fingertip burst, forming an exploding water bullet. "Which is larger, a drop of water or a water ball when it explodes?"
"The latter, of course."
Neji said without hesitation.
Then, he said thoughtfully, "Whether it's developing Tenketsu and Chakra Pathways, or improving physical strength, it's essentially about increasing Chakra and its range of application."
Neji was indeed a genius; otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to develop the Rotation on his own. He understood these points immediately.
Things are easy for those who know how, and difficult for those who don't.
A little guidance in exchange for the other party's trust... a huge profit!
Masahiko smiled, leaned back in his chair, and said, "So, isn't it obvious what you should do next?"
"Yes, yes!"
Neji nodded excitedly. "I understand. Thank you very much for your guidance!"
"Temporary silence is not a disgrace. You must understand what you need and what you seek, and then... fear not life or death, and forge ahead bravely."
Masahiko said with a smile.
Neji stood up and bowed deeply, then without another word, slowly backed out of the room.
By the time he reached the outside, he had regained his usual expression.
The moment he stepped out of the office, he looked down from above. On the playground, Naruto was running around happily, while Hinata watched silently from a corner.
In the past, Neji might have felt contempt in his heart and then been angry about his own origin and fate.
But now... anger, sadness, and resentment were all inferior to seizing the time and opportunity to make himself stronger!
It was also at this time.
["naruto: prequel" Episode 16 filming complete!]
[Editing...]
[Film produced successfully!]
[Total appearance duration: 6 minutes 32 seconds
Screen time ratio: 31.1%]
[Prompt:...]