"How dare you show up to take the Chunin Exams like this?"
"What a joke!"
"Why not just pack up and go home for some braised chicken wings?~"
The legendary gatekeeping duo of Konoha, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, were in perfect sync, even in their teenage years.
Though their acting was a bit exaggerated, it was still convincing enough for this group of rookies.
And what was their method?
Arrogance!
Rock Lee, battered, bruised, and shaking dramatically, spoke with determination:
"I...I will never give up!"
"I will uphold the honor of Team Guy!"
He didn't care what others thought; this was his conviction.
Sasuke's fist clenched involuntarily.
Why did this sound so familiar?
Of course, Kotetsu and Izumo's fists also clenched.
The two exchanged glances.
mmp!
They weren't even hitting this kid as hard as they wiped their own backsides, yet he was acting like this?
Still, all eyes were on them now.
Mission accomplished.
Fine. They'd just play along with this dramatic kid.
"Kid, you're too naive."
"It's too soon for you to talk about honor or protection."
They mocked Lee in unison.
Lee, fired up, caught a glimpse of pink hair out of the corner of his eye, fueling his determination.
He lunged forward and clung to Kotetsu's leg.
"Don't...don't say such things!"
"Listen to me... Today, either I go out lying down, or... you do!"
Tenten palmed her face and swiftly distanced herself from the scene.
Neji, leaning coolly against the wall with arms crossed, felt second-hand embarrassment.
Then he saw Tenten escaping and, rare for him, felt the urge to do the same.
"Neji!"
"For the honor of Team Guy, let's go!"
Neji: "..."
A conversation between Kakashi and Might Guy surfaced in his mind.
"Guy, you should have Tenten and the others act like they're not too familiar with the rest of the Rookie Nine."
"There are a lot of Anbu watching the Chunin Exams."
"Come in separately, put on a little act, and buy me some time."
Might Guy scratched his chin. "Kakashi, why?"
"Just trust me."
"Alright... By the way, is Makeout Paradise really that good?"
Kakashi: "..."
After Kakashi left, Might Guy gathered his team for a serious meeting.
One of them suggested, "Since we need to pretend not to know them… why not take it up a notch?"
At the time, neither Tenten nor Neji fully understood.
Lee, however, was instantly fired up, his eyes sparkling like stars.
SMACK!
A sharp sound snapped Neji out of his 'death replay.'
Lee was on the ground again, courtesy of Kotetsu's slap.
Kotetsu's eyes widened. He...he barely even touched the guy!
"Damn... the Chunin Exam is really..."
"Yeah, those two are ruthless!"
"Poor guy, all this for his team's honor."
"..."
Listening to the murmurs of the surrounding Genin, Kotetsu's mind went blank.
Fortunately, Izumo had nerves of steel.
"Hmph, listen up, you weaklings! This is for your own good!"
Meanwhile, after comforting Tenten, Sakura rolled her eyes at Izumo's speech.
"Naruto-kun, doesn't this feel a lot like our bell test?"
"Also... aren't these two supposed to be guarding the Konoha gate?"
"Are they about to start intimidating us too?"
Just as Sakura finished speaking, Kotetsu growled in frustration:
"Do you even know what a Chunin is?!"
"A Chunin is a team leader. If the mission fails, if your teammates get hurt or die, you take the blame!"
"You're all weaklings. None of you can pass this test. Letting you go now is doing you a favor!"
"Move aside."
Sasuke smirked.
What a perfect opportunity.
"What did you say?!"
Izumo scowled. "You deaf? Get lost!"
???
Was this guy nuts?
The surrounding Genin, unaware of the genjutsu in play, were utterly confused.
"Arrogant kids get what's coming to them."
Kotetsu seized the chance to scold Sasuke coldly.
"The door you're guarding isn't even real."
Sasuke's words shattered Kotetsu's confidence.
"Tch!"
Kotetsu snorted and lashed out with a kick.
It was a prime moment for Sasuke to show off.
But—
Someone intercepted.
Whoosh!
A green blur zipped between them.
Lee reappeared, effortlessly blocking the strike.
"Please, no fighting. Let's settle this peacefully!"
Kotetsu twitched. Not only had he been forced to act, but now he had been outacted.
Sasuke scoffed, lowered his foot, and turned away.
"We're all Konoha shinobi. We should get along before the Chunin Exams."
"I'm interested in you. What's your name?"
Sasuke didn't even look at him.
He simply walked off.
Lee, however, wasn't done.
After the Chunin Exam, he'd challenge Sasuke properly.
"Tenten, we're going in."
"Okay, Neji and I will follow later."
After Team 7 entered, Neji and Tenten timed their move perfectly and slipped into the real exam hall.
"Are these Kakashi and Might Guy's students?"
"Yes. They've all passed the screening."
"Then our mission here is done."
"This year's candidates look promising. Let's go, Kotetsu."
Meanwhile, Lee hesitated before running after Team 7.
"Where are you going, Lee?"
"There's only one person I want to challenge in the Chunin Exam!"
BANG!
"Looking for a fight?"
"Hmph, pointless."
Misunderstood, Lee quickly explained, "My skills just now caught Sasuke's attention! I know he'll accept my challenge."
"Wait… not Naruto?"
Tenten facepalmed. "Just train with us more. There'll be plenty of chances. Don't forget our mission."
"Fine, fine… I'll challenge Sasuke next time!"
"Let's go before we're late."
Neji's expression darkened.
Tenten patted his shoulder. "Naruto said it's not impossible for Konoha and the Hyuga to be laughed at—if you lose to Hinata."
Neji paused.
"Is Orochimaru really as dangerous as Naruto says?"
"Not just Orochimaru. Even the Hokage can manipulate the exam results."
Neji narrowed his eyes.
This Chunin Exam… was just getting started.
Just as they walked in, the three of them experienced the same oppressive atmosphere Naruto and his team had just felt.
More than a hundred pairs of eyes turned toward them, filled with cold hostility.
This group was nothing like the clueless Genin on the outskirts who had already fallen victim to low-level genjutsu.
"So many people!"
Even Lee felt the pressure. The sheer number of stares made the usually bold young man straighten up stiffly.
"Hmph."
Neji scoffed, unimpressed. Like Sasuke, he looked down on everyone equally.
"What an annoying crowd. Naruto-kun, let's go."
Sakura frowned as she noticed the attention Naruto was getting—particularly from the kunoichi in the room. Her expression soured instantly.
Naturally, Sasuke also attracted his fair share of attention, diverting some of the focus away from Naruto.
"Target confirmed."
The trio from Otogakure exchanged silent glances.
At that moment, a figure suddenly rushed toward Naruto.
Sensing the chakra behind her, Sakura sighed in relief and quickly stepped aside.
Then, an elegant girl with short golden hair pounced onto Naruto.
"Dear~"
"Why were you so slow? I missed you so much~"
Ino's sweet voice rang out as she clung to Naruto.
"Didn't we just have breakfast together?"
"Shhh, honey, let's keep a low profile."
Shikamaru and Chōji arrived just in time to witness the scene. Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his temple.
"Ino, can you at least try to act with some dignity?"
If this reached Yamanaka Inoichi's ears, Naruto would once again become the unfortunate target of the man's resentful glares.
Few people knew that not long ago, Minato and Kushina had paid a visit to the Yamanaka clan. Since then, Inoichi had been smiling more often.
Meanwhile, Kurama's expression had grown significantly more resentful.
"You guys are finally here. Ha~ waiting this long was making me sleepy."
"Woof!"
Kiba grinned, Akamaru barking excitedly on his head.
Shino, as usual, kept his hands in his pockets, exuding an aura of aloofness.
"Naruto-kun~"
"Hinata, you always get shy in crowds."
Tenten arrived, holding Hinata's hand.
Seeing them, Ino finally released Naruto and latched onto Tenten instead.
"Stupid brother, when is that person you mentioned arriving?"
Just as she spoke, Naruto's expression shifted slightly.
"I can feel someone watching us... right behind."
Speak of the devil.
He's here. One of the top six most dangerous figures in the ninja world.
Not the strongest, but certainly not to be underestimated.
"Hey, you guys! Keep it down."
A young man with blue-and-white hair approached. His gaze held an air of understanding, and his expression brimmed with quiet confidence.
"You must have just graduated from the Academy, huh? Do you realize how loud you are?"
Kabuto's condescending tone instantly irritated Kiba.
Lately, he'd been getting punched for no reason. Now, someone was practically volunteering to be his next victim.
"Who do you think you are?"
"I'm not 'Onion.' My name is Kabuto."
Kiba: "..."
Alright, you win this round.
"That aside, look behind you."
At his words, everyone turned.
All the gathered Genin had their eyes locked on them. Their hostility was nearly palpable.
"Heh."
Sasuke lowered his head, a smirk forming on his lips.
Sizzle—
Chidori flared to life, its crackling energy illuminating his hand.
Many of the Genin stiffened, some even taking a step back.
"To everyone here—"
"Sasuke, calm down."
Lee cut in before he could continue.
Sasuke's fist clenched tightly.
It's you again!
For the first time, Sasuke actually wanted to punch Lee.
Now wasn't the right moment, so he swallowed his irritation and dispelled the Chidori.
Some Genin eyed Lee warily after witnessing Sasuke's reaction, mistaking him for someone dangerous.
Lee was unaware of this, but he did understand one thing: Sasuke and Neji had very similar personalities.
Which meant, if he did something that usually annoyed Neji...
Sasuke would definitely accept his challenge next time.
"There are a few Genin from Amegakure behind you. They're not the patient type. If you upset them, you might not make it out alive."
Kabuto's words redirected everyone's focus.
Naruto turned and noticed something odd.
Among the Amegakure Genin, one particular individual from the original timeline was missing.
In their place was someone unexpected.
One-eyed Hanzo (Menghuo), Two-eyed Hanzo (Oboro)...
Eyeless Hanzo (Kori) was missing, replaced by a small girl.
"As expected of Konan..."
Naruto recognized her immediately.
She must have recently become Konan's disciple.
'Too bad. During the second Chunin Exams, Konan sent her on an S-rank mission immediately after she returned due to her ties with Konoha.'
'If not for that, she would have made it far.'
Hydrangea had exceptional potential in space-time ninjutsu. Given the right circumstances, she might even learn the Flying Thunder God.
Naruto sighed. War narratives always created tragic figures.
Akatsuki itself represented such a class.
Under Yahiko, things were at least somewhat just. But then came Nagato—the "champion of the oppressed."
Yet he treated his own people no better than the ones he sought to overthrow.
Always making them haul supplies!
One just wanted to tell him: No! Go away!
Hydrangea, feeling Naruto's gaze, hesitated.
'So handsome... That look... Is that mercy?'
She wanted to look at him longer, but Naruto had already turned away.
"I'm not exaggerating. I've participated in six Chunin Exams."
"This is my seventh."
Kabuto continued, only to be interrupted by Sakura's amused scoff.
"No wonder you've never passed."
"This time won't be any different."
Kabuto frowned. This wasn't going according to plan.
"Haha, well, I'm not too confident myself."
A good spy avoids unnecessary conflicts.
"You told us to be quiet, yet you're talking even louder."
Sakura narrowed her eyes.
"You even emphasized that we were fresh Academy graduates. It seemed like friendly advice, but really, you just alerted everyone here that we're newcomers."
"Feels like you're the one tipping the scales."
The girls silently gave Sakura a thumbs-up.
Kabuto, however, only smiled.
"Sharp. I didn't expect you to catch that. Impressive."
"As an apology, how about some intel?"
He pulled out several ninja info cards.
The other Genin observed warily.
At times like this, it all depended on Sasuke's reaction.
"I already told you. Everyone here is trash. You call this compensation?"
"If those weaklings saw us taking this seriously, they'd think we feared them."
"You? You've already chosen your way to die."