The Hunt for Tsunade

Chapter Four: Misdirection! Neji's plan!

A dead silence followed. Neji looked at Haku, then Zabuza who was looking at Haku, then Tsunade and Shizune lying still on the ground. Then he had an idea.

'Well students,' said Guy, 'you heard her. Which one of you will avenge Lee's loss?'

'We will discuss who she will face you next.' said Neji. 'Guy-sensei, please, give us a moment.' Then he took Tenten aside. 'Listen to me, Tenten; our situation is grave. Haku is a formidable opponent for any of us, and she has manipulated us into fighting her one on one. At this rate, it is possible that all of us could be defeated.'

'You mean you don't think you can win?' said Tenten in surprise.

'No, I'm confident I can beat Haku.' said Neji. 'However, we should not bank the entire mission on that. You were always the best at stealth out of all of us. I want you to find an excuse to leave and free both Tsunade and Shizune.'

'What if Zabuza notices?' asked Tenten.

'Zabuza is totally focused on the fight.' said Neji. 'When you free them, lead them out of here. We'll meet up later.'

'Couldn't Tsunade help us?' asked Tenten.

'She's probably been dosed with powerful sedatives.' said Neji. 'It is the only way they could have held her captive in those ropes.'

'Right.' said Tenten.

Neji walked forward toward Haku, tensing himself for as the girl held her position. She seemed to be eyeing him carefully. 'So you will be the next to face me then.'

'Yes.' said Neji. 'You won't find me as easily outwitted as Lee.'

'That remains to be seen.' said Haku.

Neji charged toward Haku, and the girl moved quickly away. They ducked and weaved and struck, and Neji found that she had the advantage. Eventually, Haku leaped away in a whirl.

'Haku is careful.' said Zabuza. 'That boy is a Hyuga. Keep your distance.'

Haku drew out many senbon and hurled them at Neji. But Neji batted them with ease before going on the attack. Haku narrowly avoided a strike to the chest as she ducked.

'You're fast.' said Neji. 'But not as fast as Lee.'

Haku surged toward him, creating many water clones around her. Neji batted them aside, dodged her surprise attack and nearly got her in the face with one hand. Several more surprise attacks were attempted, but none found their mark.

'I see.' said Haku. 'You can sense me no matter where I'm coming from.'

'My Byakugan allows me to have 360 degrees vision.' said Neji. 'It doesn't matter which direction you attack from or what you do. I can block it.'

'We'll see about that.' said Haku, before making incantation with her hand. 'Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!'

The mirrors arose around Neji. He looked around, activating his Byakugan to see the reflections. And he saw the real Haku. 'Fool.'

Surging forward, he struck the ice mirror with his fist. The effect shot into the mirror and Haku was thrown out. Her organs would be broken. Then suddenly she exploded into water.

'I see.' said Neji. 'You created many water clones with an equal amount of your chakra. Your plan is to confuse my sight. But all I have to do is find the real one.'

He dodged and weaved away from dozens of senbon with ease. He could sense them coming with ease. As he did, he scanned for the reflections with chakra. And he saw one, one hanging back from the combat. He surged toward it and struck.