As Lee observed the subtle smirk playing across Neji's face, he couldn't help but feel the sharp sting of his teammate's words, as though he were somehow missing a deeper lesson. Yet, strangely enough, he found himself calm—a calmness rooted in memories that didn't feel like his own but rather as if he'd absorbed the essence of a thousand-year journey in a place called Martial World.
"Is this the difference between us?" he murmured, barely aware of how deeply he now sensed the contrast between a prodigy's advantages and his own humble origins.
Neji's cutting remarks would've ordinarily left him defensive, yet the influx of Sion Mun's memories brought a tempered, grounded clarity. In Martial World, where single words could spark wars and resentment ran deep, taunts like Neji's seemed as trivial as a gentle breeze. Instead of letting the words disturb him, Lee felt an unexpected focus take root within. He shifted his gaze away from Neji and Tenten and tuned into his own thoughts, as Sion Mun's wisdom wove into the fabric of his mind.
Why can't I practice ninjutsu or genjutsu? What makes this body different? he pondered, sorting through memories and experiences that had seemingly materialized overnight.
Gradually, he pieced together a clearer picture: Rock Lee, age thirteen, standing at 158.5 cm, weighing in at 46.6 kg, and bearing the registration number 102561. He was born in Konoha, part of the Land of Fire, with nothing particularly remarkable about his background. Rock Lee had struggled through the Academy, barely graduating with limited talent for ninjutsu. His only true affinity lay in physical combat.
Assigned to a team with Neji, the school's top genius, and Tenten, a prodigy with hidden weapons, Rock Lee's shortcomings became even more apparent. Six months after graduation, Neji had advanced swiftly, edging close to Chūnin-level strength. Tenten, though not as gifted as Neji, was still skilled enough to best the average Genin in a duel. Compared to them, Lee's physical prowess alone seemed inadequate, and his limitations only deepened his frustration.
Yet, from Sion Mun's vantage, Lee now saw things differently. In Martial World, physical strength was the foundation of power. Through the insights of Sion's memories, Lee realized his so-called "weakness" was actually a perfect vessel for cultivating pure physical skills. In Martial World, he would have been hailed as a prodigy in a rare and refined field.
"From this day forward, I'll rise through my own strength," he muttered, finding determination replacing his frustration.
Before he could fully process these thoughts, Lee noticed a presence approaching—a disciplined rhythm in each footstep. Sion Mun's heightened awareness lent him an instinctive sense of presence, almost like he could sense the air itself shifting with movement. He recognized the figure immediately.
"Lee! What are you doing here?" called Might Guy, his voice brimming with energy as he landed nimbly in front of him.
"Ah, Guy-sensei!" Lee jumped to his feet, his eyes wide with enthusiasm and a subtle new confidence. Something about this situation, about Guy's presence and guidance, felt clearer than before.
"Are you out here slacking off? Did you know Neji and Tenten are training hard just a hundred meters from here?" Guy's brows knitted, although his voice held a note of concern beneath the strictness.
"No, I wasn't being lazy," Lee replied earnestly. "I was… thinking, Sensei. About why Neji's talent is so high and why he has the Byakugan, while I… can't even perform the simplest ninjutsu or genjutsu. Why is my only path taijutsu?"
Guy's expression softened, a sympathetic smile forming as he listened. He reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Lee's shoulder. "Lee, I know these thoughts well. When I was younger, I was just like you. Some thought of me as a failure because I couldn't practice anything but taijutsu."
A glimmer of understanding flashed through Lee's gaze. The words felt deeply resonant, an echo of Sion Mun's determination now blossoming in his own heart. While Sion's memories held techniques, philosophies, and powerful skills, what mattered most was the belief that strength didn't rely on innate talent but on resilience and hard work. The memory of this truth filled him with renewed resolve.
"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Lee nodded firmly. "I understand!"
"That's my student!" Guy beamed. "Youth is about striving against the odds! Since you understand, it's time to put these thoughts into action. Let's train!"
With an electrifying sense of purpose, Lee accepted the challenge. "What are today's training exercises?"
"Today, we're doing twenty laps around the village, five hundred push-ups, five hundred sit-ups, five hundred pull-ups, five hundred squats, and five hundred frog jumps!" Guy declared enthusiastically, gesturing dramatically toward the village with a gleam in his eyes.
"Yes, Guy-sensei! I promise to complete it!" Lee shot off at a sprint, diving into the training with a vigor that seemed to surprise even him. As he moved, he began mentally arranging the training techniques from Martial World that were now part of his consciousness, integrating them with Guy's regimen.
Lee's journey had only just begun, yet with Sion Mun's guidance weaving through his thoughts, he could sense the potential waiting within his body. It was a transformation waiting to unfold—one built on strength, resilience, and the path of pure taijutsu.