Naruto: Martial God Art

As Rock Lee lay on the ground catching his breath, Tenten's voice rang out, clear and slightly annoyed. "Lee, you're slacking off again!"

Groaning, Lee rolled over, looking up to see Tenten standing there, arms crossed, her big, expressive eyes narrowed at him in disapproval.

"What's up, Tenten?" he asked lightly.

Tenten's brows furrowed as she pointed across the training ground. "Did you even look over there? Neji's been training nonstop, and here you are, taking a nap! What's gotten into you today?"

"I wasn't napping," Lee replied, trying to keep his tone friendly. He appreciated Tenten's care, but he wasn't about to explain the full extent of his grueling practice. Some things were best kept to himself.

"Not napping?" she huffed. "I saw you lying there with my own eyes! If Might Guy-sensei saw you like this, he'd be disappointed."

Lee just looked at her, a hint of a smile on his lips and steady eyes.

Tenten's expression softened, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks as she looked away. "If you keep slacking off, I will have to stop calling you my teammate." With that, she turned and stormed off, leaving Lee in silence.

"Thank you," Lee whispered, watching her disappear into the distance.

He stayed on the ground for a little longer to regain his strength. Soon, his breathing evened out, and his energy returned. "Time to get back to it," he said to himself with resolve.

Taking the same challenging stance, he resumed his unusual exercises—stretching his body in ways that pushed him to the edge. By dusk, he had managed five complete sets of movements.

"Only five rounds all day?" he muttered, exhausted but pleased with the progress. His sweat-soaked body was covered in dark grime, the impurities being expelled through his intense workout.

As Lee dragged himself towards the nearby river to wash up, he noticed a few passing villagers covering their noses or muttering unkind remarks, but he paid them no mind. Their comments rolled off him like water on a leaf.

Lee stripped down to his training shorts and jumped into the river, letting the cool water wash away the grime. The cold stung his tired muscles, sending a shiver through him. "This body is still too weak," he thought. "Even the cold water feels intense."

Suddenly, he heard someone approaching and forced himself to relax. As much as he wanted to be on high alert, old habits of Sion's past life were difficult to break.

"Lee!" came Might Guy's booming, enthusiastic voice from the shore.

Lee spun around, playing up his surprise. "Guy-sensei!" he exclaimed, splashing as he turned.

Might Guy stood there, studying him with an approving smile. "You've done well, Lee!" he said, his eyes twinkling with pride.

Lee blinked, unsure of what he meant. "What do you mean, Sensei?"

"Tenten told me you were being lazy," Guy said, still smiling. "But I knew better. You, of all people, wouldn't slack off. And here you are, your physical progress obvious even from a distance."

Lee's heart swelled at his teacher's praise. "Thank you, Sensei."

"Finish cleaning up and meet at the training ground," Guy instructed, turning with a thumbs-up.

Lee nodded. "Got it!"

Half an hour later, Lee joined his teammates at the training ground, his body clean but still feeling the effects of his intense practice.

Guy's gaze swept over them before he spoke. "Today's match-up: Lee versus Neji."

Lee took a step forward, ready, but Neji crossed his arms, his expression one of cold indifference. "I refuse," he said firmly. "Fighting someone as unskilled as him won't improve my abilities. It'll just drag me down."

He looked at Lee, his white eyes narrowed with contempt. "He's not worth my time."

Lee clenched his fists but held his tongue, staying calm despite Neji's words. This was only the beginning; he would prove himself step by step.