Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 94. So Damn Annoying!

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On one end of the battlefield, two colossal beasts clashed in a titanic brawl.

On the other, Neji sprinted like a blur one girl slung over each shoulder, another dangling awkwardly in his grip.

Each time he leaped through the trees, he tossed Temari upward with just enough arc to catch her again before she smashed into bark or dirt.

There was no room left to carry her properly both shoulders were already occupied by long-haired Sasuke and the unconscious Sakura.

Temari rolled her eyes as she flew. 'Seriously? You call this a rescue?'

Sure, he'd gotten better at catching her mid-air before impact, but the floating, flailing feeling was still unpleasant. It's neither painful nor comfortable, just... annoyingly awkward.

Sasuke, clinging to consciousness, watched the battle unfolding behind them. The clash of Shukaku and Gamabunta felt worlds away.

I've been working so hard to get stronger... so why is Naruto, of all people, always catching up?

Why... why can't I keep up?

The comparison stung.

Years ago, she'd respected Neji back when she was still "he." Neji had always been stronger and more disciplined. He didn't just train harder than anyone he trained everyone.

He spared, coached, and corrected. He made everyone around him better.

To Sasuke, he wasn't just a rival. He was a mentor.

So when Kakashi spoke of the [Sealing Method], Sasuke didn't hesitate. She trusted Neji. It didn't matter that her body had changed her heart back then had still been that of a boy driven by vengeance.

'If Neji knew I saw him as an inspiration... he'd probably choke.'

---

They arrived atop a massive tree on high ground with a full view of the battlefield.

Neji gently laid down Sakura, then eased Sasuke down against the trunk. Temari didn't so much "set down" as he casually hung her across a thick branch like laundry.

She gave him a look that could murder.

Neji ignored it, placing glowing hands over Sasuke and Sakura, pulsing green with residual chakra. His chi reserves were empty, but he still had some chakra left. The fight had mostly drained his chi, not his traditional energy.

"Sakura's stable for now. But Sasuke..."

He looked her in the eye.

"That cursed seal of yours it's out of control. I can barely hold it back. You'll have to fight the rest of this yourself."

Sasuke bit her lip, eyes dark with frustration. The stronger my hatred gets, the faster it spreads...

Watching Naruto fight, realizing how far ahead he'd gotten was agony.

"I want to be stronger," she whispered. "Like you. Will you teach me?"

Neji paused.

The request felt heavy. But the truth was simple.

"...I can't."

He turned away.

"My strength comes from things I can't pass on. My techniques, my energy, even my experience... most of it comes from outside this world."

"...I see."

Sasuke's gaze dimmed. The one person she looked up to, the one who made her believe power was possible, had just shut the door.

She'd suspected it would happen. The Hyuga wouldn't share their secrets. Still, the rejection hurt.

But Neji wasn't done.

"Don't let the seal consume you. If you lose yourself, no power will ever matter."

Sasuke didn't reply. Her body trembled with suppressed pain, and frustration that she couldn't hide.

Neji exhaled sharply and turned toward Temari.

"Start shouting."

Temari blinked. "What?"

"Gaara's name. Over and over. Don't stop unless I say so."

She looked away, bitter. "It won't work. He's too far gone."

Neji's patience snapped.

"I didn't risk my neck to save a flower vase. Yell, now."

"You're the vase, jerk!"

Still, after a moment's hesitation, she clenched her fists.

She looked down at the chaos below Shukaku and Gamabunta locked in a furious clash and then at Neji, tending to the wounded.

Fine. She owed him that much.

Whether it worked or not... she'd give it everything.

"...Gaara!"

"...GAARA!"

Her voice rang across the battlefield, desperate and unyielding.

---

Naruto's ears twitched mid-fight.

"Huh? Is that the Sand Girl? Why is Neji helping her—wait... is she calling Gaara?"

"Focus!" Gamabunta growled.

"R-Right!"

BOOM!

Shukaku roared and slammed a claw straight into Gamabunta's gut, hurling the great toad backward. His earlier humiliation at Neji's hands had only made him more feral.

Now, hearing Temari's voice only fueled his rage.

"SHUT UP ALREADY! I HAVEN'T EVEN KILLED THAT BRAT YET!"

Behind a distant tree, Neji flinched at the quake of chakra. He was relieved the beast hadn't spotted him yet. His chakra-sense kept him safely hidden.

---

Inside Shukaku, in the depths of the sealed darkness...

Gaara slept.

For the first time in forever... he slept.

It was peaceful. Still. Quiet.

And someone was ruining it.

A voice, distant but persistent, called out to him soft at first, then louder, clearer.

"...Gaara..."

He frowned in his sleep. 'Damn it. He was finally resting. Why now?'

He hadn't slept in years. His mind had always been chaos, his body always a battlefield. Now, in this void, he finally felt peace.

And someone was trying to wake him up.

The voice grew louder. More familiar.

"...Gaara..."

Then, from the sand, like a memory, came a faint silhouette.

A girl, formed from the grains themselves, reached out gently and touched his face.

"...Gaara..."

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