Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece

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The moment didn't drag on Team Guy arrived swiftly at the Hokage's office.

Tsunade, not one to waste time, got straight to the point and laid out the mission briefing:

"You'll be heading to the Hidden Sand, just like Kakashi's squad. Your task is to rendezvous and assist them."

"Understood!"

Guy threw out his iconic thumbs-up with a blinding grin. The rest of the squad, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten, nodded confidently.

Their destination: Sunagakure.

---

Meanwhile, Team Kakashi had already reached the Hidden Sand. After a brief mix-up where Chiyo mistook Kakashi for his legendary father, the White Fang, Sakura stepped in to treat the poisoned Kankuro.

Relief washed over Temari, but her eyes drifted to the necklace in her hand, her thoughts clearly on Gaara.

Soon, Sakura followed Chiyo to the herb gardens to prepare an antidote anticipating the possibility of another battle.

Once Kankuro recovered, he confirmed it was two attackers. One of them... was Sasori.

Chiyo fell silent. She'd let it go for too long it was time to end it.

---

Elsewhere, at a covert Akatsuki stronghold in the Land of Rivers, Sasori and Deidara arrived with the unconscious Gaara.

Waiting for them was a spectral figure the Rinnegan glowing ominously in the dim light.

"Took your time," the projection said coldly. "Begin the preparations."

"The Jinchuriki was more powerful than we expected…" Deidara offered curtly.

With no further words, they began the ritual.

The ground rumbled as a giant statue, the Gedo Statue, erupted from the earth in a swirl of smoke. The figure raised his hand:

"Everyone, assemble."

More ghostly projections flickered into view as each member took position atop the statue's fingers.

"Let's begin."

"Seal: Phantom Dragon Nine Consuming Seals!"

From the Gedo Statue's jagged maw, nine spectral dragon heads twisted forth, locking onto Gaara. The extraction had begun it would take three days and three nights.

"Zetsu," the leader barked, "use your main body to scout. Use your widest vision."

Zetsu's dual voice replied, "Understood."

---

At the same time, Team Guy was racing through the forests at the border of the Land of Fire.

After running nonstop all day, Tenten finally spoke up:

"Can we rest for a bit? We've been running since morning…"

"Tenten, you should train harder," Lee said bluntly, as expected.

Tenten pouted. She could keep going, but what use was endurance if she had no energy left for the fight?

Just then, Neji's eyes narrowed.

"Hold up. Someone's ahead."

A familiar voice followed.

"Yo! Guy-sensei!"

It was Pakkun one of Kakashi's tracking hounds, perched calmly on a tree branch.

"We split up in eight directions to track Akatsuki's scent," Pakkun explained. "They're in the Land of Rivers."

"That puts you guys closest to them. Come on we'll talk on the way."

Neji gave a subtle smile and glanced behind them.

Unbeknownst to the others, a small bloom of earth split open. Zetsu, the Akatsuki's plant-like scout, emerged from the ground and relayed everything to his comrades.

"We've got enemies inbound. Strong ones—Guy from Konoha, and the Hyuga prodigy: Neji."

The Rinnegan projection was unmoved.

"Neji Hyuga… from Kisame's report, he's more dangerous than Guy."

Kisame's ghostly image smirked grimly.

"That Hyuga nearly killed me last time. The only reason I lived was because he thought I was dead."

If only Kisame knew how Neji actually described that fight he'd probably choke in embarrassment.

"Use that jutsu," said the Rinnegan voice.

"Let me go," Itachi offered coldly.

Kisame frowned. "That might not be enough. Even with me, three layers of power might not hold them back."

Pain nodded. "Then take Hidan and Kakuzu as backup. Don't let them disrupt us."

"I'll handle Kakashi," Itachi added. "Alone."

Everyone agreed, though Sasori clearly wasn't pleased. The sacrifice for the jutsu was one of his subordinates, after all, but there was no time to argue.

---

Team Guy had finally crossed into the desert.

Neji's eyes flared as he called out:

"Enemies incoming. Two in front. One behind."

He wasn't surprised. Akatsuki knew what he could do they were trying to isolate and eliminate him.

"Kakuzu makes sense," Neji muttered, "but what's Hidan doing here? To be annoying?"

He clenched his fists. "Fine. He dies first."

As Neji gave the warning, everyone spread into formation. Akatsuki made no effort to hide their approach.

From below, Kisame's Samehada cleaved the sand like a shark's fin, zeroing in. Ahead, Hidan and Kakuzu blocked the path.

The trap was sprung.

The fight had begun.

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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter

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