"Straightforward…" Neji hadn't expected that evaluation.
"Not simple—pure," Shen Mo said, patting Neji's shoulder. "It means you have a strong, unyielding will. But avoid tunnel vision. Think before acting, and you'll reach a higher level."
"I'll remember that," Neji said, taking Shen Mo's words to heart.
"Feel the power of Enhancement Nen," Shen Mo said with a smile.
To the others, it seemed Shen Mo treated Neji more warmly post-job change.
Was this a mark of status?
They vaguely understood: in Shen Mo's eyes, job change was a dividing line.
"Nen seems to use cellular vitality to convert to and from chakra," Neji said, raising his palm, marveling at the new sensation.
Like condensing chakra for the first time.
But chakra was familiar since birth; Nen was unknown.
"Let's test it," Tsunade said, eager. "You've recovered enough, right? I'll be your opponent. Let's fight!"
"No way," Hyuga Hiashi interjected. "Lady Tsunade, you're a guest of the Hyuga. Let me—"
"You can't," Tsunade cut him off, giving him a deep look. "Hiashi, you haven't grasped the cans' terror. Without opening any, you can't beat Neji, who's opened so many and changed jobs."
Back then, Sasuke, not even done with Level 2 cans or a job change, had pushed Kakashi to his limits.
Hiashi was likely weaker than Kakashi, but Neji, graduating a year earlier, was stronger than Sasuke then.
By comparison…
Tsunade's claim that Hiashi couldn't beat Neji wasn't exaggeration—it was likely fact.
Everyone was stunned.
In half a day, before their eyes, the Hyuga clan head, a top-tier jōnin, was outmatched by a genin just a year out of the academy?
"Since I arrived, you should discard 'impossible' from your minds and overturn your old worldviews," Shen Mo's calm voice reached them, a reminder—and a warning.
The world had changed.
Those who couldn't adapt were doomed to be left behind.
Not everyone fully grasped this yet.
But at least…
The cans' power and terror were now undeniable.
"So—" Tsunade clapped her fists, the thud like a drum. She smiled charmingly at Neji. "I won't hold back. Be ready."
Shen Mo saw her ulterior motive—venting envy at Neji's luck.
Neji didn't notice.
He bowed earnestly. "Please guide me, Lady Tsunade."
Nothing adapted one to new power faster than combat. Tsunade, a legendary ninja, would offer invaluable lessons.
"Then, Lady Tsunade, let's use the training ground," an elder said. "This place is too small."
They wanted to see how strong Neji had become after so many cans.
Tsunade agreed.
The group moved to the Hyuga training ground, now empty.
Tsunade and Neji formed the Seal of Confrontation, facing each other.
"My Holy Light has strong healing," Tsunade said, tossing her coat to Shizune, stretching her neck and wrists. "Don't worry about hurting me. If I hurt you, I'll heal you."
"Understood, Lady Tsunade," Neji said, striking a stance, channeling Nen to his feet.
Without flexing a muscle…
Boom—!
The ground cracked, sinking, spiderweb fractures spreading.
Incredibly…
Despite unleashing such force, Neji stood steady.
No recoil.
"That power…" Tsunade, a strength expert, narrowed her eyes, sensing something.
"It feels like Nen can be released directly," Neji said, surprised, shifting his stance. "No movement needed—just from the aura nodes, it's highly destructive."
Chakra couldn't do this.
Everyone…
Including Hiashi, stared gravely at the cracked ground.
Terrifying…
Such power with minimal movement meant high deception.
Who'd expect a light touch to unleash such force?
"That's Emission's trait," Shen Mo said. "The Enhancement test shows your best fit, but you can use other types. Nen's wonder and power require a lifetime to master."
Paired with the display…
Everyone grasped Shen Mo's words.
This wasn't a ninjutsu extension.
It was a new, fearsome power, rivaling ninjutsu.
"I feel it," Neji said, moving slightly, sensing the flowing energy, eyes alight with excitement. "My body's enhanced beyond belief—muscles, skin, senses. Lady Tsunade, please be careful…"
A drastic power surge required adjustment.
Neji didn't know its full extent.
But it felt… immense!
Tsunade's lips curved, eyes narrowing, her smile brighter.
"Interesting. You're worried about me? Do you know how many cans I've opened?"
She raised her palm.
Then—
"Get ready for a divine baptism!"
Blinding light burst from her hand, the air above Neji warping.
As he reacted…
A torrent of scorching Holy Light poured from the sky, engulfing him.
The blinding glow and surging waves shocked everyone.
"Relax, I used less than a tenth of my Holy Light," Tsunade said, arms crossed. "You can handle this, right? If not, get out."