"Where... am I?"
Rock Lee blinked groggily, his head spinning as he looked around in confusion. He lay on his back beneath a towering tree, his body nestled in soft grass, surrounded by the earthy smell of soil and the light fragrance of flowers. A warm breeze brushed against his face, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a soft, golden glow.
He could hear the faint rustling of trees and the chirping of birds. In the distance, he noticed a dense forest with trees so old and tall they seemed to scrape the sky. Thick vines twisted around the trunks like ancient, coiled dragons.
For a moment, Lee felt disoriented. He was sure he'd been in the training grounds just moments ago. But then a flood of strange, vivid memories surged through his mind—scenes of battles, of distant lands, of incredible power.
"I… didn't I just…?" Rock Lee muttered, pressing a hand to his temple as flashes of another life, one that wasn't his, unfolded within his mind.
He saw visions of a man named Sion Mun—a legendary cultivator, a master of a realm called the Martial World. This Sion Mun was a figure unlike any Lee had ever known, a martial artist so powerful that he defied the laws of nature, rising to unimaginable heights. Sion Mun's memories of hardship, triumph, and power, all achieved through sheer physical prowess. It was a life filled with intense combat, battles with gods, and the pursuit of perfection. He even remembered Sion's last moments: struggling against a divine Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, only to be ambushed and betrayed by seven other Martial Gods.
And then, nothing.
"Why… am I seeing this?" Lee whispered, wide-eyed, his voice quivering. He shook his head, trying to make sense of it. He knew these memories weren't his. He was Rock Lee, a young ninja who couldn't use ninjutsu or genjutsu but had thrown himself fully into mastering taijutsu. He was nothing like this invincible martial artist from another world. But somehow, the memories felt real.
"Lee! So this is where you've been hiding, slacking off?" came a voice, breaking his thoughts.
Startled, Lee looked up to see Tenten approaching, her bright smile paired with a playful look of impatience. She was about his age, dressed in her usual pink blouse and black pants, with her headband resting proudly on her forehead.
"Hey, what's with you? You're staring at me like you don't recognize me!" she said, crossing her arms and giving him a quizzical look.
"Tenten..." he murmured, her name slipping from his lips as he processed both his memories and the unfamiliar presence of Sion Mun's. He saw Tenten as if for the first time—this life, his life as Rock Lee, now mingled with the shadows of the past.
Tenten raised an eyebrow, looking at him suspiciously. "Are you okay, Lee? You seem… different."
"I'm fine, Tenten," he replied with a small smile, though he couldn't shake the feeling of Sion Mun's strength pulsing within him, his voice and memories a silent presence. These memories, this life of power… Lee thought, could they be something I was meant to find?
"Lee!" A cold, familiar voice interrupted from a few steps away.
Lee turned to see Neji walking over, his eyes narrowed as he glanced between Lee and Tenten. Dressed in white, Neji's stance carried an air of pride and distance. "It's no use wasting time with him, Tenten. If you keep hanging around the weakest member of the team, it'll only hold you back."
"Brother Neji, don't be so harsh," Tenten protested, giving Lee an encouraging smile. "Lee, remember—Might Guy-sensei believes in you. Don't let him down!"
Lee nodded, his mind racing with new thoughts. He wasn't Sion Mun, but maybe—just maybe—these memories and this knowledge were gifts, something he could use to fulfill his own dreams. With the shadow of Sion Mun's incredible strength and experience lingering in his mind, a newfound determination swelled within him.
As Neji turned and walked away with Tenten following, Lee clenched his fists. I'll take these memories, he thought, and make them my own. I'll prove that even without ninjutsu, I can become the strongest taijutsu master.
With a resolute smile, Rock Lee rose to his feet, ready to train harder than ever before.