Rebirth In Naruto world English version

Neji's training under Shokuryuu was unlike anything he had experienced. The dragon led him deep into the heart of the forest, where ancient trees towered like guardians of an eternal sanctuary. The air was thick with magic, each breath filling Neji with a faint, tingling energy that felt both foreign and familiar.

Week One: Learning to Listen

"Before you can wield the Verdant Arcana, you must first listen to the forest," Shokuryuu instructed. "Feel its rhythm, its pulse, its song."

Neji spent days meditating under ancient trees, focusing on the hum of life around him. The whispers of leaves, the subtle vibrations of roots beneath the ground, and the steady flow of energy through every living thing became his constant companions.

At first, Neji struggled. His Byakugan, attuned to detecting physical chakra, found it difficult to perceive the subtle, natural magic. But as the days passed, he began to notice faint green auras around the plants and animals. The forest itself seemed alive, guiding him gently toward understanding.

Shokuryuu tested him constantly. "What does the wind say today?" the dragon would ask. Or, "Why do the trees sway when there is no breeze?" Neji learned to interpret the subtle signs, connecting with the magic on a spiritual level.

Week Two: Bonding with Nature

Shokuryuu then began teaching Neji to merge his chakra with the natural energy around him. This was the foundation of dragon slayer magic—the ability to harmonize with the element the dragon represented.

"You are no longer a mere human," Shokuryuu told him. "You are a vessel for the forest's will. Draw its strength, and it will grant you power."

Neji practiced summoning vines from the ground, creating shields of bark, and directing roots to ensnare targets. Each success was hard-won, requiring intense focus and an unshakable bond with the forest.

One exercise had Neji face a charging boar without attacking. "Do not fight it," Shokuryuu instructed. "Guide it." Neji used his connection with the plants to redirect the boar with a wall of vines, learning to control the flow of a battle without brute force.

Week Three: Physical Conditioning

Shokuryuu emphasized that dragon slayer magic was as much physical as it was magical. The training was grueling. Neji was made to run across treetop paths, leap between ancient branches, and balance on unstable vines—all while carrying weights infused with magical energy.

To survive the intense workouts, Neji learned to draw on the forest's life force to replenish his stamina. "Feel the forest breathe with you," Shokuryuu would remind him. This technique allowed Neji to endure longer and push his limits further than he thought possible.

Week Four: Offensive Techniques

Finally, Shokuryuu introduced Neji to the offensive aspects of Verdant Arcana. "The forest is not only a sanctuary but also a defender," the dragon explained. "Its fury is swift and unrelenting to those who seek to harm it."

Neji practiced summoning massive roots that erupted from the ground to crush boulders, launching razor-sharp leaves in devastating storms, and creating protective barriers of enchanted wood. Each spell required precise control and a deep connection to nature.

Shokuryuu demonstrated the pinnacle of Verdant Arcana by summoning a massive tree-like golem, which moved as an extension of the dragon's will. "This is the essence of my magic," Shokuryuu said. "Not destruction, but balance. The forest protects what it holds dear and strikes only to restore harmony."

Neji's crowning achievement came when he successfully cast "Verdant Gale," a powerful technique that unleashed a swirling storm of leaves and branches, shredding everything in its path.

The Mark of Progress

By the end of the month, Neji had undergone a profound transformation. His chakra now resonated with the energy of the forest, his body was stronger and more agile, and his techniques were honed to near perfection. He had even developed a dragon slayer's heightened senses, allowing him to perceive minute changes in the environment and react accordingly.

Shokuryuu observed Neji's growth with quiet pride. "You have come far, young one," the dragon said. "But remember, power without purpose leads to ruin. The forest has chosen you as its protector—do not betray that trust."

Despite his progress, Neji felt there was still more to learn. "Shokuryuu-sama, I still don't fully understand the Verdant Arcana's true potential," he admitted.

The dragon's emerald eyes gleamed with wisdom. "That is because your journey is not yet complete. The magic of the forest is endless, as is your growth. But there is one final trial you must face—a test not of strength, but of spirit."

Neji nodded, ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead. His heart burned with determination, and his connection to the Verdant Arcana had become an inseparable part of him. As Shokuryuu led him deeper into the forest, Neji knew this was just the beginning of a greater purpose he had yet to uncover.

Shokuryuu guided Neji into the densest part of the forest, a place where the light barely reached the ground and the air felt heavy with ancient magic. The dragon's presence seemed to calm the oppressive atmosphere, but Neji could sense the overwhelming energy surrounding them. It was alive, aware, and watching.

"This place," Shokuryuu began, his deep voice reverberating, "is the Heart of the Forest. It is here that the Verdant Arcana is at its purest. To master the magic, you must face its essence directly."

Neji looked around, trying to see through the shadows and thick vegetation. The air shimmered faintly, as if something intangible was moving just beyond his sight.

"What do I need to do?" Neji asked, his tone steady despite the unease creeping into his chest.

"You must commune with the Heart," Shokuryuu explained. "It will test you, probing your soul for weaknesses and doubts. If your will is strong, you will emerge renewed, your connection to the Verdant Arcana unbreakable. But if you falter…"

The dragon didn't finish the sentence, but the weight of his words was clear.

Neji nodded. "I'm ready."

Shokuryuu stepped back, his massive form disappearing into the shadows of the trees. "Go forward, Neji Hyūga. The Heart awaits."

As Neji stepped deeper into the Heart of the Forest, the air grew thicker, each breath feeling like a struggle. The ground beneath his feet seemed to pulse, sending faint vibrations up his legs. A low hum began to fill the air, growing louder with each step.

Suddenly, the environment shifted. The trees around him twisted unnaturally, their branches forming grotesque shapes. The ground cracked and split, revealing glowing green veins that pulsed like arteries. In the center of it all, a massive, glowing orb of green light floated, pulsating rhythmically.

"This must be the Heart," Neji thought, feeling a mix of awe and apprehension.

As he approached, the orb's light intensified, and a voice echoed in his mind. It was deep and layered, as if countless voices were speaking as one.

"Why have you come, child of a foreign world?" the voice asked.

"I seek to master the Verdant Arcana," Neji replied. "I want to use its power to protect and create balance."

The Heart's light dimmed slightly, as if scrutinizing him. "You speak of balance, yet your soul carries burdens that weigh heavily upon it. Show me your truth."

Before Neji could respond, the world around him dissolved into a swirling void. He found himself standing in a memory—a battlefield littered with broken bodies, the stench of blood and fire filling the air. He recognized this place from his past life, the pain and anger he had buried rising to the surface.

"Is this what you call balance?" the voice asked. "You seek to protect, yet your heart still burns with vengeance."

Neji clenched his fists. "I've moved beyond that. I've chosen a different path."

The scene shifted again, this time to the Hyūga compound. He saw his younger self training relentlessly, pushing his body to the limit, fueled by resentment toward the main family.

"You have chosen a path, but the scars of your past still linger," the voice continued. "To wield the Verdant Arcana, you must let go of the chains that bind you."

Neji felt a surge of frustration. "I've worked hard to overcome my past! I won't let it define me anymore!"

The Heart's light flared, enveloping him in a blinding green glow. "Then prove it. Show me that your resolve is stronger than your pain."

The light receded, and Neji found himself back in the forest clearing, but he wasn't alone. Before him stood a figure—a perfect copy of himself, but with eyes filled with hatred and malice.

The doppelganger smirked. "You think you've changed, but you're still the same. Weak. Resentful. Chained by your own insecurities."

Neji took a deep breath, centering himself. "I'm not the person I used to be. And I'll prove it to you."

The doppelganger lunged at him, striking with a flurry of attacks that mimicked Neji's own Gentle Fist techniques. Neji blocked and countered, each blow reverberating with the power of the Verdant Arcana.

The fight was intense, the doppelganger's attacks forcing Neji to confront the darker aspects of himself. But as the battle continued, Neji began to notice something. The doppelganger's strikes lacked the precision and purpose of his own. It fought out of anger, while Neji fought with clarity and determination.

"You're just a shadow," Neji said, his voice steady. "You're what I used to be, but I've grown beyond you."

With a final burst of chakra infused with the Verdant Arcana, Neji struck the doppelganger, shattering it into fragments of light.

The Heart's voice returned, softer now. "You have faced your past and embraced your growth. The Verdant Arcana accepts you, Neji Hyūga. Go forth as its guardian."

The green light enveloped him, filling him with a warmth that seemed to heal not only his body but his spirit as well. When the light faded, Neji stood in the clearing once more, Shokuryuu watching him with a nod of approval. The dragon's eyes glimmered with a mix of pride and satisfaction.

"You did well, Neji," Shokuryuu rumbled, stepping closer. "Few can face the Heart and emerge whole. You are now truly a bearer of the Verdant Arcana."

Neji glanced at his hands, feeling the vibrant energy coursing through his body. The Verdant Arcana wasn't just power; it was a connection to the life around him. He could feel the trees, the grass, even the faint presence of insects moving within the forest.

"What's next?" Neji asked, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity.

Shokuryuu tilted his massive head. "Mastery is a journey, not a destination. Now that the Heart has accepted you, you must hone this connection. The Verdant Arcana will test you in ways no physical opponent can. Your training begins anew."

The dragon led Neji deeper into the forest, where the terrain became increasingly challenging. Vines that moved as if alive, trees that shifted positions, and sudden changes in weather tested Neji's adaptability and endurance.

"Your first lesson," Shokuryuu said, "is understanding the essence of Verdant Dragon Slayer Magic. It draws not only from your strength but also from the life around you. To wield it, you must learn to listen and harmonize with the forest. Start by focusing on the smallest lifeforms."

Neji sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes as he extended his senses. At first, the myriad noises and movements of the forest overwhelmed him, but gradually, he began to isolate individual presences: the rustling of a leaf, the scurry of a small animal, the faint pulse of a budding flower.

"Good," Shokuryuu said, watching him intently. "Now, channel the Arcana into a form that benefits life rather than destroys it."

Neji concentrated, focusing on a withered patch of grass nearby. Green energy flowed from his hands, spreading into the ground. Slowly, the grass regained its color and vitality, growing taller and lusher.

"Impressive," Shokuryuu said, his voice tinged with approval. "But remember, balance is key. The power to heal must be matched by the ability to protect and destroy when necessary."

Neji spent days practicing under Shokuryuu's watchful eye, learning to manipulate the Verdant Arcana in various ways. He discovered that the magic could be used not only to heal but also to create barriers, enhance his physical abilities, and summon roots and vines to attack or defend.

One day, as Neji sparred with Shokuryuu to test his combat prowess, he unleashed a new technique he had developed. Channeling the Verdant Arcana into his palms, he created an intricate web of thorned vines that ensnared Shokuryuu's massive limbs.

"Verdant Bind!" Neji shouted, the vines tightening around the dragon.

Shokuryuu let out a rumbling laugh, breaking free with a surge of power. "You're learning quickly, but don't grow overconfident. A true dragon slayer must always remain humble, or the Arcana will reject you."

Despite the grueling training, Neji felt a sense of fulfillment. The Verdant Arcana resonated with him in a way that felt natural, almost as if it had always been a part of him. Yet, he knew there was still much to learn, and his journey was far from over.

One evening, as Neji rested beneath the canopy of the forest, Shokuryuu approached him with a serious expression.

"Neji, there is something you must know," the dragon said. "The Verdant Arcana is powerful, but it is also tied to the balance of life. There may come a time when you must choose between preserving that balance and achieving your own goals. When that time comes, remember what you have learned here."

Neji nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of Shokuryuu's words. His training had given him power, but it had also instilled in him a deeper sense of responsibility.

As the moonlight filtered through the trees, Neji resolved to honor the bond he had formed with the Verdant Arcana and the wisdom imparted by Shokuryuu. His path was set, but he knew that the challenges ahead would test him in ways he could not yet imagine.