Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 89. Hold Up, I’ll Break You Out!

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Neji, Tenten, and Hinata had finally caught up with Sakura's group.

Naruto, having been filled in along the way, scratched his head in disbelief. "So that's everything? Man... what the hell is Sasuke thinking?!"

Shikamaru gave a dramatic sigh. "Okay, I get all that. But riddle me this why am I here?"

Sakura shot him a sharp look. "Because Kakashi-sensei ordered it. Deal with it."

"U-Um... let's all just... get along..." Hinata offered, soft as ever.

Tenten chuckled, half-exasperated. "Ignore them. But honestly, Shikamaru... maybe you should run your attitude by Neji."

Shikamaru's face tensed. "Please no. I'm just venting. Don't put me on his radar."

He glanced nervously at Neji trailing behind them and exhaled in relief when he saw no reaction.

Pakkun suddenly stopped mid-run and sniffed the air, tail going stiff. "This way!"

The group veered, following the tiny ninja hound without question.

But only moments later, Neji's brow twitched. Pakkun's ears perked up.

"Trouble. Two squads, nine enemies total, closing in fast."

"What? Already? You've gotta be kidding me!" Naruto groaned.

"They haven't pinpointed our location yet," Pakkun said, "but they're creeping incautiously."

"If they're all Chunin-level or higher, we're toast if they catch up!" Sakura muttered.

Neji landed on a tree branch mid-run. The others stopped as he raised a hand.

"Shikamaru," he said without turning, "you, Naruto, and Sakura continue after Sasuke. Tenten, help me prep the field. Hinata spotting duty."

"Wait, hold on!" Naruto protested. "There's only three of you! Nine against three?"

"Stop stalling," Neji replied coolly. "Don't tell me you don't trust me."

"Exactly!" Tenten added. "We've got this."

Hinata nodded. "You guys need to go now."

Sakura hesitated, then bowed her head. "Alright. We're counting on you."

With that, the trio plus Pakkun took off into the trees.

As their presence faded, Neji turned his focus toward the pursuing threat.

Nine targets. Experienced. Confident.

'Good' he thought. 'Let's see if they can handle this.'

"Neji!" Hinata called. "They're closing in fast!"

"Can you stall them?" Tenten asked. "Enough time for traps?"

"Not a chance," Hinata replied. "They're almost here!"

The forest rustled and the Sound ninja burst from the canopy, surrounding the trio.

"Just three brats?" one scoffed.

"Tch. I thought someone dangerous had broken through."

"Shut up and wipe them out."

Tenten drew a kunai. Hinata shifted into her [Gentle Fist] stance.

Nine against three. Not great odds.

Then—

[Chakra Barrier].

Neji raised his hands. An orange, translucent dome burst outward, slamming the advancing Sound ninja backward like flies hitting a force field.

"What the—?!"

"A chakra shield?!"

One hurled a kunai at it, but it bounced off with a dull plink.

"Neji!"

"Neji-Nissan!"

Tenten and Hinata's eyes lit up. They'd never seen him use this before, but the protective aura made them feel invincible.

"Stay inside," Neji said calmly. "I'll handle them."

The Sound ninja erupted in jeers.

"Big words from a punk!"

"Arrogant little worm let's see how long that shield lasts!"

Neji ignored the trash talk. His hands blurred through seals.

[Phantom Clone Technique]!

Eight illusionary clones burst forth each locking onto a separate enemy.

Combined with [Shadow Clone Jutsu], these projections carried both deadly force and autonomous movement.

Neji picked his target. "One in nine chance... lucky you."

[Flash Step].

He vanished.

The enemy ninja barely had time to blink before his wooden substitution log was reduced to splinters from Neji's kick.

What the hell was that?

A Konoha Genin shouldn't be this strong!

"You're better than I expected," Neji said coldly. "But now it's over."

His clones latched onto the others.

[Shatter Burst]!

A web of electricity detonated across the clearing like a silent thunderstorm. If Deidara had been watching, he might have declared Neji his soulmate.

The Sound Ninja didn't even scream. It was over in seconds.

Only one remained, trembling.

Run.

I have to run!

What kind of freak Genin is this?!

Lightning illusions? Self-detonating clones?

It must be a genjutsu... it has to be...

He quickly formed a hand seal.

"Release!"

"Release what?" a voice whispered behind him.

Neji stood there, smiling coldly.

"Genjutsu's better in cinema. You're not in a movie."

His palm fell like a guillotine.

Final hit. Nine down.

But even Neji blinked in surprise. Did that guy really convince himself this was an illusion?

Just then, a new chakra signature surged into Neji's perception. Strong. Fast.

A blur landed nearby.

"You guys took care of all this?" the man asked, cigarette dangling from his lip.

Asuma stared in shock at the aftermath. Then his gaze landed on the still-active orange dome.

His eyes sharpened.

"Alright, stand back. I'll bust you out!"

"...What?"

All three of them, Neji, Hinata, and Tenten, had identical expressions of disbelief.

Hinata spoke up, trying to explain. "Actually, this is—"

"Hang on. Don't panic. I've got this!" Asuma said confidently.

He summoned his signature trench knives, wind chakra flaring along the blades.

"Wait—"

"Stop—"

SLASH!

"—It's not a trap!"

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