Growth

...

(General P.O.V.)

As a flash of blue went off late at night inside of the training grounds. A shadowy figure was seen flying backwards before doing a kick in midair to rotate himself. After skidding back a bit, he wiped his mouth before looking back towards his opponent.

The clouds above moved out of the way and shinned down on a adolescent teen. He had a different haircut as his hair was now short on the sides while leaving the top. His eyebrows had been plucked revealing a relatively handsome young man if it wasn't for his round eyes.

Rock Lee donned a familiar green tight body suit while wearing orange bands over his arms and legs. Spreading his feet out, he brought one hand up while putting the other behind his back.

Frowning, he brought his attention towards the white eyes shinning in the dark. 'We've been doing this for a while now. I've lost a few while winning most of our fights. But that damn rotation is troublesome Neji.'

"We taking a break or something?" Neji said in a bored and laid back tone as he casually revealed himself in the moonlight. "You'd be blitzing to rip my head off by now. Something happen with your Aunt?" Neji had completely changed in regards to both his looks and personality.

Ever since losing to Rock Lee, he had grown depressed and completely quit on being a ninja. But that was before he got told the true reason for his fathers death. It was a bit earlier than what Lee had expected, but Neji was lucky that Hiashi decided to tell him about his dad.

The old coot didn't want to see his nephew become depressed and waste his talents. And as Lee had become a rival figure for Neji, he began to progress rapidly under their fights. Even Hiashi and the others began to discuss if this prodigy should be taught the main branches techniques.

But then Itachi happened and he lost that privilege fast. He was however lucky enough to read about the rotation technique before losing that privilege.

But anyways, this gave him a bit of time to grow with the other kids his age.... by kids.... that meant only Rock Lee and TenTen. He even took Lee's advice and cut off all of that excess hair. I mean sure, looking cool is nice and all. But having your vision blocked off and getting stabbed from a blind spot would suck.

It was mostly because he wouldn't be able to have his byakugan activated permanently at all times.

Rushing towards Lee, Neji threw a faint jab to which Lee saw through and threw a counter. Neji with his byakugan activated knew it wasn't a feint due to Lee's muscles.

He was however caught off guard when Lee used the counter to rotate himself before sending a elbow directly into his Ribs.

'Leaf Rock Crush'

Being launched into the air, Neji flew backwards before rotating himself. Already scanning his location with his byakugan, he landed on a tree's surface in a squat. Using Tree Walking, he coughed a bit before widening his eyes.

'Dynamic Entry!'

Immediately using body-flicker, he saw with his 360 degree vision as Lee broke the tree in half! But he didn't seem that surprised as he began to run towards a Lee that was stuck in mid-air.

'Eight Trigrams.'

With the intention to seal all of Lee's tenketsu, he sent a blow towards his abdomen. But as his fingers where a few centimeters away from hitting the desired point. A force of chakra blew his hand away forcefully causing a shocked expression to appear on his face.

Lee then landed before rushing towards an already collected Neji. He threw a punch directly towards Neji's chest while the later went to both seal and deflect his opponents attack.

But the same force of chakra caused Neji's hand to blow away and leave his chin wide open for Lee. And with his eyes activated, he saw a large amount of chakra begin to condense in Lee's fist.

Recognizing it to be familiar to what had left him wide open. He started to sweat as he imagined what would happen to him if he got hit.

"It's your win!" He screamed as the fist stopped directly in front of his face. The force couldn't be contained and was expelled anyways causing him fly backwards. The force caused him to flip rapidly and crash through at least 3 trees before being stopped by a rock.

Lee seeing his friend and rival unconscious started to scratch his head nervously. "Neji?" He asked nervously as he slowly walked up to the unconscious Hyuga. 'Hmmmmm, should I call for a Medic-nin? He looks pretty bad with his face being all swollen.'

"Auuaagh." Neji sounded out unconsciously while foam dripped from his mouth causing Lee to smile brightly. He then turned around before walking out of the training grounds. "Nah, he looks alright to me."

But as he left, he failed to notice a taller man who wore the same green body tight suit as himself. With tears streaming down his eyes, the man named Might Guy looked at the unconscious body of Neji. 'What a wonderful rivalry these two have! It's almost like my time in the academy with Kakashi! The Youth I felt from those days bring a tear to my eye?'

Quickly appearing in front of Neji with nothing but pure physical strength, he picked up the unconscious prodigy with a grin. 'Keep in there Neji, and don't let up Lee. A rivalry like this will make the both of you SPLENDID ninja.'

*swish*

....

(Rock Lee P.O.V.)

*slurp*

As I casually used a pair of chop sticks to finish all of the Ramen in my bowl. I began to reminisce how boring yet exciting these past few years have been.

Most of my time consisted of waking up early in the morning and working out. Then I would go home shower, eat, do some chores for Aunty, then go to the Academy. My time in Academy was useful and well spent. I've learned how to read, write, make traps, track people, familiarize with certain geographical features, disguise myself, sneak, and most of all kill. My current age is 12 years, but I still have to wait a bit before I can graduate as this years course is still ongoing.

'I mean I could have requested to test earlier. But I really want to become a student under Guy. I've already noticed that someone is helping out me and Neji when we get knocked unconscious, so I think he's already put his eyes on us.'

TenTen has also made a bit of progress in regard to scrolls and weapons. But she still is overly obsessed with being like Tsunade. I'll have to wait for her to take the medical exam and build a better liking towards weapons.

Putting my 5th bowl of ramen on top of the others. I leaned back and patted my belly in satisfaction. "Ohhhhh~, this ramen of yours always hits the spot old man."

The old man named Teuchi looked at me with his signature smile. "Thank you Lee, but you should come by more. Ayame can't make it on the only day you come and I'd like to introduce you to her as you are technically a regular here."

Reaching into my pocket, I took out a small bag of Ryo and slid it over the counter towards Teuchi. Stopping the bag with his hand, he jiggled the bag before putting it under the counter.

"That's enough for your meal. But please Lee, come by on a weekday. She will be taking over my place in the future. So I want her to be familiar with you before I go."

Staring at him for a while, I began to think carefully before shaking my head.

"I'm sorry old man, but I can't afford to cheat my diet." I said causing him to nod with a sad smile. "I'm afraid that if I do come on any other day except today.... I'll become addicted to this!"

Staring at me for a bit, he began to sigh as he grabbed the bowls off the counter. "You're far too strict for your age Lee. But besides that, you don't have to eat here to talk with us. We won't charge you for a conversation."

"I understand, I'll be sure to come la-...." Hearing a familiar pattern of footsteps, I looked behind me to see my Aunt staring down at me. And with a wide smile, she softly grabbed me by the ear.

"So this is where you've been? Did I not tell you that my friend coming over?" She asked causing me to sweat even more.

Noticing my static expression, her eyes darkened and her smile widened even more. And with a soft voice, she calmly continued. "So you knew all along? No? You're shaking head right now? So you don't listen to me then? Is that it?"

"I do I swe-." Clamping a hand over my mouth, she leaned in before speaking in a rough tone. "Listen here you little punk. I got stood up by you. So you're going to do me a favor alright?"

Nodding, she smiled brightly before pulling me to my feet. "Good, good, I'll tell you what I want you to do. I want you....."

'You want me to what?'

"I want you to stop training for a day."

*crack*

...

(The next day)

In my Aunts living room, I am experiencing a sense of familiarity. Sitting down is my Aunt while I stand and massage her.

"Can you get my feet for me Lee?" She asked reclining her chair. "Maybe my legs while you're at it too? It's been a pain to help all these families move in."

Silently moving around the chair, I grabbed a wooden step stool before getting to work. Smiling all the while was my Aunt as she began to vent and tell stories.

It was comparable to an elderly telling stories from their life experiences. Things like "back in my day" or people they had grudges against was nearly identical to her current state.

"Yeesh, I can't believe that I'm still single. I'm so hardworking and innocent! Just who is going to notice my charm?"

'Single and over 40.' I thought with a deep frown as I still kneaded her feet with my hands. Looking up at her, I saw the form a lazy, narcissistic, manipulative, slob. 'Yeah not so surprising now that I think about it.'

*Bang*

"What was that for!"

Having the same face from yesterday, she began to speak softly. "You're face was leaking your true thoughts Lee. It makes me think you want me to be single. Is that it?"

"N-No mam."

"Good, Good." Nodding her head, she put her feet back on the table and leaned back. Closing one of her eyes, she looked towards me with a blank expression. "Well? I can't do the massage myself now can I?"

"...."

"Can I go train now?" I asked with a straight face. Immediately, a chill went down my spine causing me to rethink my goals. "Alright! Massage time Aunty!"

.....