"So let me see if I understand you correctly, Lady Tsunade," said Neji. "This operation you propose has a 50 percent chance of completely healing Lee?"
The Hyuga prodigy had just intercepted the Slug Sannin in the streets of Konoha. Where she was going is anyone's guess.
Neji had heard all about the operation from Guy-sensei, and, truth be told, he had some misgivings about the whole idea.
"Well, that's what I hope to accomplish," Tsunade replied, a deadly serious look on her face.
"And should the operation fail, Lee will… die?" Neji struggled to get the word out of his mouth.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," replied Tsunade.
Neji froze for a minute. Then he chuckled darkly. "That's just like Lee," he said. "Of course he'd gamble his destiny away instead of playing on the safe side."
"I don't want to hear it!" Tsunade bellowed. "Rest assured, I'm doing everything I possibly can to raise the survival rate of the jutsu!" She took a breath. "Besides," she continued. "I may not know Lee that well yet, but I know his type. Even if I don't go through with the operation, the knowledge that he can never fulfill his dreams will kill him inside. And that's a more agonizing pain than death on the outside." Suddenly, memories of Nawaki, and then of Dan, came flooding back to her, and it was enough to prompt a few tears to slide down her face.
'I know that pain all too well,' Tsunade thought silently.
The woman wiped her eyes and forced a smile. "Besides," she said. "Without Lee, Guy-sensei would put a much greater emphasis on training you and… God damn it, what was that name again?"
"Tenten," Neji replied automatically.
"That's right, Tenten" Tsunade muttered. "Anyway, think about that for a moment." Without another word, the Sannin walked away, leaving Neji to his thoughts.
The mental picture Neji conjured was not a pretty one…
"HELP!" a female voice shrieked. Team Guy, minus Lee, heard the cry and were instantly on the scene. For some reason, Neji and Tenten were wearing green jumpsuits just like their sensei's.
"Is that a cry for help I hear?" Tenten asked, striking a pose as dramatic music started to play.
"It speaks to me, loud and clear!" said Neji suavely.
"On the wind!"
"Past the stars!"
"In your ear!" Guy there, the speaking alternated between Tenten and Neji.
"Bringing justice at a breakneck pace!"
"Dashing fear, putting hope in its place!"
"The power of youth will sweep you off your feet!"
"When the day is saved, our work is complete!"
"Tenten!"
"Neji!"
"Might Guy! That's me!" Guy said, pointing his thumb at himself.
"Putting the bad guys in their place!" said Tenten.
"We're Team Guy…" Neji trailed off.
"In your face!" the whole team shouted together.
Neji paled at the thought that had just crossed his mind, mouth wide open in horror.
At that moment, he sent a prayer to every known deity (even Jashin) that Lee would pull through.