Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece

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The desert exploded beneath their feet.

Like a shark erupting from beneath the sea, Kisame burst up from under the sand, sending it surging like a tidal wave. The shifting dunes surged high, and the team was forced to split apart.

Neji deliberately dodged toward Hidan, keeping close, while Kakuzu's calculating gaze flicked across the battlefield clearly assessing the situation.

Kisame stood proudly with Samehada slung over his shoulder, grinning at their scattered formation. His eyes landed on Neji, and his shark-like smile twisted with dark glee.

This time would be different. No restrictions. No holding back. Just pure, unleashed violence.

"Yo… long time no see, Konoha's wild beast… and the Hyuga prodigy—Neji."

His tone dripped with mockery, but Guy just tilted his head in confusion.

"You know this guy, Guy-sensei?" Lee asked, puzzled.

Guy blinked, visibly straining to remember. "Uh… wait. You're that guy… the one with the face like a shark?"

Everyone sweatdropped.

Seriously? He really doesn't remember?

Neji chuckled, recognizing the setup.

"Seems like you brought backup this time, Kisame. You must really think highly of us."

"Of course I remember," Guy finally said, brightening. "You're that Sharkman guy! The one with the water sword!"

The pure, unfiltered honesty struck deep. Kisame's grin twitched.

Hidan laughed aloud. "Seriously, Kisame? You made that little of an impression? Let me show them something unforgettable!"

He pointed his massive triple-bladed scythe at Neji and got into position.

Kisame scoffed. Let the loudmouth tire himself out. With Kakuzu watching Neji, Kisame could focus on splitting the battlefield and dealing with the real problem—Guy.

In a flash, Kisame leapt high and wove hand signs at breakneck speed.

Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!

A ridiculous torrent of water gushed from his mouth, instantly transforming the desert into a vast artificial lake.

Seriously, how much water can one guy spit?

Neji calmly perched atop a rising rock outcrop, mentally estimating the water pressure, flow rate, and what kind of physics would make Newton roll in his grave.

The others took to higher ground, though Hidan swore under his breath.

"What the hell, man? I was just about to go in!"

Kakuzu remained stone-faced. For him, this fight wasn't worth much. None of them had high enough bounties except Neji. He was worth a small fortune, maybe even close to Asuma's head.

Still, the odds of capturing him were low. So unless someone upped the pay? He was out.

Kisame skated across the water with ease, calling out:

"That one's yours. This beast? He's mine!"

He charged toward Guy with Samehada raised high.

Leaf Hurricane!

A blur of motion Lee intercepted Kisame mid-swing, kicking his wrist and sending Samehada flying. Kisame's eyes widened.

Headshot!

From the flank, Tenten lined up her custom weapon, something between a rifle and a cannon, and fired.

The red cloud cloak rippled as a bullet tore through Kisame's silhouette only for a splash of water to rise up.

He'd substituted himself into the water at the last moment.

Kisame reformed beneath the surface, breathing heavily.

"These kids… they're good. Scarily good. Their coordination is on point."

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Elsewhere in the lake, Hidan growled at the terrain.

"Stupid fish-face. How the hell am I supposed to draw blood in a giant puddle?

Unless his scythe made a clean cut, any blood would be diluted instantly.

Still, he wasn't one to be discouraged.

"Alright, kid. Time for a little pain and worship."

He swung his crimson triple-bladed scythe, the chains rattling as it screamed toward Neji.

"I'll pass," Neji replied smoothly. "You can go play your cult games alone."

With a flick of his finger, Neji deflected the scythe, sending it hurtling back toward Hidan.

"Heh, not bad." Hidan caught it with ease. He might've been crazy, but he wasn't unskilled. Still, Neji was already moving.

Using his [Observation Haki], Neji could predict every move. Every swing. Every motion.

He barely moved his feet. Just enough to evade.

Slice. Miss. Swing. Miss. Twirl. Miss.

Hidan began to sweat.

It was like trying to hit mist with a shovel. His attacks landed on air, over and over, while Neji calmly watched like he was being mildly entertained.

Compared to the chaos of crashing waves and ninja fireworks elsewhere, this fight looked like… a sparring match in a dojo.

"Damn it! Why won't you fight back?!"

"Because you're not worth the effort."

Those calm words stung worse than a blade.

Hidan's rage hit the boiling point. "KAKUZU! Stop standing there like a damn statue and do something! Help me out and I'll give you a cut of the next bounty I collect!"

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed. A decent offer. And he'd seen enough.

"Fine," he muttered. "I'll handle it."

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