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After getting Neji's clear answer, the Third Hokage fell silent, drawing several slow puffs from his old smoking pipe.
He was deep in thought, weighing possibilities. Neji and Guy simply stood to the side, quietly waiting.
"How long will it take you," Hiruzen finally asked, lifting his gaze to Neji, "to fully master this and start implenting it?"
"I'll need at least a year and a half," Neji answered firmly.
He knew the timing well—
In about a year, Naruto and his generation would graduate from the Academy, and only a few months later, the Chunin Exams would begin.
Even if his presence was already stirring small changes in the world's flow, major events like the "Konoha Crush" were almost inevitable.
Would the Third Hokage live long enough to see it?
That remained to be seen.
"A year and a half..." Hiruzen muttered, frowning deeply. It was hard to tell whether he thought that was fast or slow. Neji didn't concern himself with it either way.
"I understand," Hiruzen finally said. "I'll grant you access to a portion of Konoha's sealing technique archives. You'll be able to study them freely."
Unspoken aning:
The truly powerful techniques? Those stay locked away.
"And this project," Hiruzen continued, his voice lowering slightly, "must remain secret. Aside from those already involved, no one else must know. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Neji responded crisply.
"Might Guy," Hiruzen added, "inform your other two students as necessary."
"Understood!" Guy replied with a sharp nod.
Hiruzen had no intention of informing Danzo or any other faction. For now, this would stay between trusted hands.
Turning back to Neji, Hiruzen asked, "Is there anything else you require? Funding, materials? I'll have Guy relay any further requests directly to ."
Neji thought for a mont before speaking.
"I'd like access to whatever dical ninjutsu notes Lady Tsunade left behind. My understanding of the human body isn't sufficient yet."
"That can be arranged," Hiruzen said after a pause. "But understand Tsunade didn't leave behind much. Most of the available material was compiled by her students."
Another reminder:
The really valuable secrets? Still out of reach.
Neji took the hint and nodded. "I understand. That'll be enough for now. Also..."
He glanced sideways. "I plan to involve Rock Lee in so of the experints."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly. That was exactly what he had hoped.
After all, only a few could even attempt to learn the Eight Gates.
"In that case," Hiruzen said, "Team Guy will be assigned an S-rank confidential mission its duration: one and a half years. I trust you'll succeed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Neji and Guy answered in unison.
Satisfied, Hiruzen waved them off.
"You're dismissed."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Bowing once more, the two took their leave, heading toward Konoha Hospital.
----
Back inside his office, Hiruzen tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
"Looks like it's about ti we bring Tsunade back," he murmured. "I'm getting too old for this... If this plan fails after a year and a half, we'll need her here to take over."
Opening a drawer, Hiruzen pulled out a crystal orb the legendary artifact he used for surveillance.
He rubbed his hands together lightly.
"Ti to get so real work done."
The orb shimred—
And imdiately displayed sothing truly radiant.
"...Hmph. Not bad."
----
anwhile, on the road back to the hospital, Guy was practically glowing with excitent.
"Neji!" he cried, clapping him on the back, "you've made an incredible discovery! Youth burns brightest at monts like these! I'll leave Lee's recovery in your capable hands!"
"Of course, Guy-sensei," Neji replied seriously. "On another note... I have a request. I'd like you to teach the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Strictly speaking, Neji could have easily gained access through official channels. But sothing inside him preferred learning directly from his teacher.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu, huh?"
Guy rubbed his chin. Ninjutsu wasn't exactly his specialty but even he could arrange this.
"All right! I'm no expert, but I'll find a way for you. Give two days, and we'll et back at the hospital."
He already had a plan: Challenge Kakashi for a "friendly spar" and steal a copy from him afterward.
"Got it," Neji said with a nod.
The matter settled, and they continued toward the hospital.
---
Inside Konoha Hospital, in Lee's room:
Neji and Guy entered carrying a bag of fresh fruit.
"You're back!" Tenten's face lit up as she rushed to take the fruit from Neji and placed it beside Lee's bed. "Did everything work out?"
Guy set down his own things and glanced at Lee, who was still bundled tightly in bandages.
"More or less," he said with a small smile.
"How's Lee doing?"
Tenten shook her head. "He's still out. The doctor said it's his body's natural defense chanism. He might be asleep for a while."
Guy nodded knowingly. The shock of forcibly unlocking the Eight Gates and then shutting them down always ca with a heavy price.
Unless your mind was ironclad and your body nearly unbreakable, the consequences were inevitable.
"Let him rest," Guy said. "The mission is postponed until further notice. For now, Tenten, there's sothing important you need to know."
Tenten imdiately straightened up, her heart pounding. This wasn't just any mission...
It was an S-rank assignnt.
Even if her direct involvent was limited, being officially recorded as part of an S-rank operation was a huge deal for a genin.
Excited beyond belief, Tenten suddenly grabbed Neji in a spontaneous hug.
"This is amazing, Neji! Thanks to you, we're part of sothing huge!"
Neji chuckled softly.
He let her cling for a mont there was no harm in letting Tenten have her little victory.
Honestly, he was pretty happy too.
An S-rank mission this early?
That ant a serious boost to his experience and credentials.
'I'll need to complete this before the Chunin Exams' Neji thought to himself, ntally adjusting his tiline.
----
By the ti everything was settled, it was already past noon.
The sll of lunch drifted lazily through the air. It was the signal to call it a day.
"That's enough for today," Guy said, standing by Lee's bed. "But rember YOUTH doesn't take vacations! Keep training hard even during downti."
"I'll stay here and watch over Lee. You two can visit when you have ti."
"Yes, Guy-sensei! We'll leave him in your care!" Neji and Tenten bowed respectfully.
Tenten's voice practically overlapped Neji's, making it sound strangely like a married couple offering their thanks together.
Guy chuckled under his breath but said nothing.
----
As they left the hospital, a soft excitent fluttered in Tenten's chest.
Finally so ti alone with Neji!
"Hey, Neji," she asked, trying to sound casual, "are you busy this afternoon?"
"Very," Neji replied bluntly. "In fact, extrely busy."
Tenten's shoulders sagged instantly. 'Ugh. Should've known.'
Seeing her disappointnt, Neji reached out and lightly touched her cheek, offering a rare mont of comfort.
"This is important. It's to help Lee... and Guy-sensei too."
"I know," Tenten said, quickly masking her emotions. "Go on. I'll see you later."
She watched him walk away, pressing a hand to her flushed cheek.
'It's been so long... since he touched like that' she thought, her heart pounding harder than it should.
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