Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 37. Dragon Tattoo

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Hidden Leaf Village.

Deep within the Hokage Tower, in a sealed chamber guarded from prying eyes, Team Guy sat assembled before the Third Hokage.

This wasn't a mission briefing or a routine debrief. It was history in the making.

Not long ago, after wrapping up their latest assignment, Neji had pulled Guy aside. His research, built on months of anatomical theory, sealing formulas, and chakra mapping, had finally borne fruit.

He believed he could help Lee, the one boy born without the gift of ninjutsu, unlock a sliver of that power.

Just enough to perform the [Shadow Clone Jutsu].

Hiruzen, intrigued by the possibility, had personally ordered the demonstration confidential, contained, and observed by the top brass only.

Lee now sat cross-legged at the center of the room, stripped to the waist. The lean muscle of a dedicated martial artist carved his silhouette in sharp lines. At his side, Neji adjusted an array of ink, tools, and sealing scrolls.

"Lee," Neji said, voice steady beneath the mask that covered half his face, "are you ready?"

Neji looked... transformed.

Gone was the stoic prodigy of the Byakugan. Dressed in a pristine white coat, gloves on, surgical mask, and goggles in place, he resembled a cold, calculating surgeon equal parts genius and terrifying.

Lee nodded firmly. "I'm ready."

To him, whether or not he could use ninjutsu had never defined his worth. But this moment wasn't about power it was about faith. Faith in Neji's genius. Faith in Guy's belief. Faith in himself.

"You're still going with the dragon design?" Neji asked one last time.

"Of course."

"Then brace yourself."

Neji's hands moved with practiced precision, tracing pressure points across Lee's torso and locating chakra nodes with near-invisible touches. Then came the first needle thick, barbed, and pulsing with ink infused by chakra.

Lee's face twitched. Just once.

Then Neji began.

The dragon came to life across Lee's chest in real-time. Stroke by stroke. Scale by scale. It wasn't mere art it was calligraphy in living flesh, a sealing array in the shape of legend.

Off to the side, the Third Hokage watched in contemplative silence.

So that's why he requested sealing scrolls and chakra schematics, Hiruzen mused.

Each mark formed part of a larger whole a network of controlled flow paths that mimicked the sealing arts. The ink didn't just decorate Lee's body... it rewired it.

"You've trained quite the team, Guy," the Third Hokage murmured.

Guy scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Honestly, Lord Hokage, I haven't taught them half of what they know. Aside from taijutsu, I just try to keep up."

Hiruzen smiled. "Sometimes, the best thing a teacher can do is give the right student room to grow."

He looked back at Neji, whose dragon tattoo now coiled across Lee's chest and shoulder four claws carved in exquisite detail.

Four claws, Hiruzen noted silently. A sign of power but not sovereignty. The tattoo resembled a dragon tattoo of Kaido from One Piece.

Neji paused. He had left the dragon's eyes untouched.

Unfinished on purpose. The tattoo held authority, but no soul. Not like the ink etched into Neji's own back the kind that seemed to breathe.

"All done," Neji said at last. "Lee—try channeling your chakra."

He stepped back. Lee rose slowly, staring down at the dragon coiled across his torso.

He clenched his fists.

Something stirred.

Before, his chakra had always been a storm wild, directionless, blind. Now... now it felt different.

Focused. Responsive. Obedient.

He drew in a breath.

"Do you feel anything?" Neji asked.

Lee nodded. "A flicker. Not much. But... it's there. For the first time, it's really there."

"Try the [Shadow Clone Jutsu]."

Lee's fingers moved instantly, instinctively.

Ram... Snake... Tiger.

With a faint poof, a duplicate appeared at his feet lopsided, wobbly, and grinning like a fool.

The silence that followed lasted only a beat and then was shattered by warm laughter.

Not ridicule. Not mockery. Pure, overwhelming joy.

"You did it," Neji said, clapping a hand on Lee's shoulder. "From today on, you're a ninja who can use ninjutsu even if it's just the basics."

Tenten rushed over and slapped Lee's back. "Now I really want one of those tattoos. I'm officially jealous."

Neji gave her a sly grin. "Actually... it might not be such a bad idea. According to Lady Tsunade's research, fine-tuning your chakra pathways like this could slow aging."

Tenten's eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Wait... are you saying it could keep me young?" freeweɓnøvel.com

"In theory," Neji said with a shrug. "Still missing data. But the preliminary results are promising. The chakra tattoo might be a side door to physical rejuvenation."

Tenten grabbed him by the arms. "Neji! If you're not joking, I need one. And it better be fabulous."

The three of them dissolved into playful banter. But behind them, Hiruzen's smile faded, replaced by sharp introspection.

Eternal youth... just like Lady Mito once achieved. And Tsunade, with her Strength of a Hundred Seal...

'Had Neji really come this far already?'

'This boy's potential... it's extraordinary.'

The decision was made on the spot.

From this day forward, Neji's research will be split into two files. One for standard review. The other, containing everything about his sealwork and chakra manipulation, would be classified. Only accessible by the Hokage himself.

"Guy," Hiruzen said, turning. "Tell Neji I'm granting him full access to our restricted archives including Tsunade's personal notes."

Guy's jaw dropped. "Yes, Lord Hokage!"

He turned to call out but the old man raised a hand to stop him.

"No need. Let them have their moment."

He turned, walking toward the exit.

"I've got other matters to attend to. But tell them this..."

He glanced back one last time.

"I'm looking forward to their next success."

Guy watched him go.

Behind him, Neji cracked the faintest of smiles as Tenten shook him with renewed excitement.

Mission complete.

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