Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece
Chapter 147. Results Begin to Show

Chapter 147: 147. Results Begin to Show

◉◉◉◉◉

After trying out the weapons, Tenten ran over excitedly.

"These are way better than throwing tools!"

Neji’s brain immediately conjured a meme-worthy image of Uncle Harry looking smug. He chuckled nostalgically.

But Tenten’s joy was tempered with a hint of regret.

"They’re amazing... but they have some flaws."

"Flaws?" Neji raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," she explained, serious now. "I’m so used to throwing ninja tools that I keep wanting to toss the guns. Plus, since they take up both hands, I can’t easily switch or weave hand seals."

Neji nodded thoughtfully.

"I see. You’re right... They’re effective, but not integrated well with standard shinobi methods. Got any suggestions? This gear’s for you, in the end, your feedback’s more important than my theory."

"Let me try a few things first," she said, and went back to training.

While she tested new techniques, Neji pondered her words. He’d already considered the pros and cons of introducing firearms into the ninja world, but clearly, his secrecy measures needed reinforcing.

Soon, Tenten returned and reported back. She pointed out usability quirks and made suggestions like what to do if the guns are lost, and whether they could include other attack options that didn’t rely on firing.

Neji paused, smiled, and said:

"Actually... there’s a simple solution that can solve most of those problems: I’ll inscribe a summoning seal on the guns."

Tenten’s eyes lit up. "Ohhh, that makes perfect sense!"

Only rare or treasured ninja weapons were ever bound to summoning scrolls like the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, which had once belonged to the Hozuki Clan.

Those legendary blades could be recalled via scrolls... before their clan was destroyed by Obito’s revenge, leading to the infamous Bloody Mist Village massacre.

Most of Tenten’s ninja tools were stored in summoning scrolls, but not in a way that would allow them to be recalled.

"Hand them over I’ll start modifying them," Neji said.

"Alright!" she replied eagerly, handing over her beloved twin pistols with complete trust.

Neji accepted them with a grin.

"Now, while I work on modifying the weapons... It’s time to collect your experience pack."

"That?"

"Yep."

"I get it. I’ll give it everything I’ve got. You won’t be disappointed!"

"You better not. I’ll be testing your limits."

Both of them smirked. Tenten’s fighting spirit ignited as she strode confidently into the forest ready for battle.

---

Half an hour later...

The forest lay in ruins clear signs of their intense sparring session. Tools and weapons were scattered everywhere.

Neji sat on a rock, smiling teasingly at the panting girl lying next to him.

"Impressive. Your stamina and technique have really improved. I didn’t think you’d last that long under my full assault."

Tenten gasped for breath, her flushed cheeks still glowing from exertion.

"I’ve trained with you the longest... I know you better than anyone. If I still can’t keep up, that’d just be embarrassing."

She was so familiar with his moves, she could predict and counter instinctively. Even the way he lifted a leg would cue her to shift into the perfect defense posture.

Neji smiled as he absorbed the training experience. They rested for a bit and chatted until Tenten recovered.

"Let’s go. I’ll get back to modifying your gear. Just wait until you see the next version of my guns."

"I’ll be waiting," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

They returned to Konoha, said their goodbyes, and parted ways Neji heading back to his lab in the Land of Waves via teleportation.

---

Elsewhere: The Lab and Training Ground

Neji left the firearm upgrades to his shadow clone while he visited the training ground in person.

He arrived just in time to witness Zabuza, Haku, and Karin ganging up on Kimimaro. Honestly, it was a satisfying scene.

What caught his attention, though, was Kimimaro’s [Curse Mark]. Neji had studied it for a long time, but lacked sufficient data, especially regarding Jugo’s origin and genetics.

As the sparring neared its end, Neji clapped lightly.

> Clap!

Everyone paused mid-fight and looked toward him.

"BOSS!"

"Mm." Neji nodded, then turned as Izumi approached from behind and whispered, "It’s ready."

"Good."

He faced the group once more.

"Today, my third lab has finally produced early-stage combat puppets. Want to give them a test run?"

The group looked surprised. The mention of Lab #3 made them think of the blank-faced test puppets they’d seen before but now?

Zabuza slung her Executioner Blade over her shoulder like a gang boss.

"Let’s see what you’ve cooked up, Boss. Bring it on."

Everyone else nodded curious and ready.

"Izumi," Neji called.

She pressed a button on the controller, and the walls of the training field slid open.

Ten figures entered, each wearing numbered masks. Their synchronized steps and eerie silence made everyone tense up—these weren’t toys anymore.

Zabuza narrowed her eyes. "Yeah... these things aren’t for show."

Kimimaro sensed something familiar about them.

"Be careful," he warned. "They might carry my kekkei genkai."

Haku tensed up. Karin’s expression grew focused she was eager to show off for Neji.

"Let the test... begin."

The ten puppets sprang into motion, locking onto the four as targets. Their fingers twitched menacingly.

Kimimaro reacted first. He raised an arm and formed a bone shield, jagged white bone bursting from his forearm. Karin quickly ducked behind him.

Haku leapt forward, clapped his hands, and conjured an ice wall in front of Zabuza.

CRACK! The clash resounded through the field. Bone fragments and ice shards were scattered in every direction.

"Speed, hardness, and impact are about on par with mid-level shuriken techniques," Kimimaro muttered, analyzing as he blocked.

Zabuza and Karin launched a counterattack. Her giant sword flew first, causing a puppet to dodge instinctively.

And Karin, now trained in Neji’s taijutsu, leapt from above and smashed a fist into the same puppet, sending it reeling.

◉◉◉◉◉

~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter

◉◉◉◉◉

For early access to advanced Chapters on P-atreon:

P-atreon/iamxeno

(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!