Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece

Chapter 117 - 117. You Just Said He’s On Kakashi’s Level...

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Jiraiya winced as he stood his ground.

Truth be told, he was only standing because he forced his battered body to. Tsunade's concoction may have worked miracles, but it still left him feeling like death warmed over.

Any other shinobi would've been comatose for a day and a half minimum.

He glanced at Neji, whose earlier [Aura Shield] was nothing short of elite. "Kid, that move alone proves you're ready. Don't even think about playing the bystander now."

Then, to the group, he called out, "Neji you take the four-eyed freak. Shizune, stay with Tsunade. Orochimaru's mine."

But Naruto was already marching forward, clearly not pleased.

"What about me?! Why am I being benched?!"

Before Jiraiya could answer, Kabuto scoffed. His glasses gleamed under the sun.

"You need to understand something. You're not Sasuke."

His voice was cold. Clinical. Cruel.

"You don't have what it takes to be a ninja."

The words hit like a kunai to the chest. Naruto's fists clenched.

He didn't have talent?

Compared to Sasuke?

That... that was unforgivable.

Kabuto's tone remained calm, almost condescending. "Relax. You're cute for a loudmouth genin. But this isn't a place for children."

He stepped forward, eyes unblinking.

"Don't get me wrong I'm quite interested in the monster inside you. But compared to the legendary Sannin? You're just... a bug."

"Try anything reckless and I'll squash you."

The threat was emotionless. Not anger. Not hatred. It was just a cold, calculated dismissal.

Naruto exploded. "LIKE HELL YOU WILL!"

Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Naruto, wait—!"

"Damn it, kid! My body's still—"

He turned to Neji. "Why didn't you stop him?!"

Neji's answer was simple and resolute: "Some lessons can't be taught. They have to be felt."

Jiraiya fell silent.

The kid's not wrong, he admitted bitterly.

Kabuto watched Naruto rush in, amused. He'd studied every Konoha ninja for years. This one? Impulsive. Emotional. Predictable.

A threat someday, maybe but not today.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto split into four. His eyes locked onto Kabuto's injured right arm.

That's his opening.

Kabuto lowered his head slightly, pushing his glasses up. His smirk widened.

Clever.

But still naive.

One feint. Two clones misdirecting toward his injured side.

Kabuto baited them, then dodged effortlessly—inviting the final blow.

As expected.

He struck fast.

Blood splashed across the battlefield—his own.

Hot, red liquid sprayed Naruto's eyes and clones, blinding them.

Kabuto stepped in, unrelenting.

Kunai in hand one kick, two punches.

The clones popped like balloons.

He grabbed the real Naruto mid-air and hurled him into the ground like a rag doll.

Crash. Boom. Slam.

A perfect combo of "Naruto fireworks."

Kabuto advanced for the finisher—but a kunai whizzed past his cheek, forcing him back.

He turned sharply.

Neji.

Of course.

A dangerous light entered Kabuto's eyes. "So you're finally done spectating... Neji."

Orochimaru chuckled from atop his summoned snake. "Looks like someone just sharpened their blade using you as the whetstone, Kabuto."

Kabuto exhaled. "Not surprising. It's Neji, after all."

He adjusted his stance, gaze fixed on the Hyuga prodigy.

Unlike Orochimaru, Kabuto had always seen Neji's potential. That was why he feared him.

Orochimaru chuckled again. "Perfect timing for a little bloodshed, wouldn't you say?"

Kabuto grinned. "Then shall I remove the seal on your left arm, my lord?"

---

Meanwhile...

Shizune helped Naruto limp back to safety, while Jiraiya sighed in relief.

"Kid, as much as I hate to admit it... that four-eyed freak is right."

He looked across the battlefield, serious now.

"That guy? He's at least on par with Kakashi."

Naruto groaned. "Fine... guess I'll just sit back here... with the pig."

"...Pig?" Jiraiya asked, glancing at Ton-Ton.

Naruto instantly realized the implication.

"Wait—no! I didn't mean—!"

Too late.

Ton-Ton huffed, raised a dainty hoof, and stomped hard on Naruto's toe.

"GAH! MY FOOT!"

Jiraiya chuckled, turning back to the enemy. "Neji—you good to take on four-eyes?"

Neji gave no answer. Just a tiny shrug.

You just said he's on Kakashi's level... what do you think?

Five-fifty at best.

---

The air shifted.

Orochimaru moved.

Jiraiya did the same.

Blood.

Chakra.

Resolve.

"Summoning Jutsu!" they called in unison.

BOOM!

Smoke exploded.

From Orochimaru's side: Manda, the twin-headed serpent.

From Jiraiya's...

"Yo."

Gamachū, the drunk toad.

Jiraiya blinked.

Naruto facepalmed.

Even Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh.

"Jiraiya... still as idiotic as ever. I knew Tsunade set you up."

Kabuto leaned in, twisting the dagger. "That jutsu needed a living sacrifice. Maybe that's why she slipped you a power-suppressing drug."

Jiraiya scowled. "You bastards talk too much."

Orochimaru sneered. "Still useless, huh?"

Naruto's blood boiled. "HEY! Don't insult Pervy Sage!"

He bit his finger. "SUMMONING JUTSU!"

Everyone turned.

Neji calmly stood with arms crossed. Here we go again...

Orochimaru looked mildly concerned.

"He's trying to summon... could it be—?"

Kabuto leaned in, worried. "The Nine-Tails?"

A giant puff of smoke.

And then—

"Yo, where am I?"

"Gamakichi?! You too?!"

Naruto deflated. "Oh come on..."

Orochimaru laughed. "Still hopeless."

Kabuto smirked. "Told you—he lacks the talent."

Jiraiya ignored them.

Orochimaru turned to Kabuto.

"You take the rest. He's mine."

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