Rock Lee's Journal
March 3rd, 1931
Its my first day with my new team. I am so excited! I cannot believe that my horrible spell and illusion skills were made up for in the written test and the hand to hand combat portion!
I have no skill in spell and illusion techniques. No matter how much I try, I just cannot get my chakra to flow properly enough to work for either of them. I can't even make a single henge!
It was horrible at the academy. Not only was I discriminated because of my eyebrows and skin, but they made fun of my lack of talent in...well...anything!
I could not make a clone. I can't use the replacement technique. My hand to hand was horrible. I was a miserable failure, and the only place I took solace in was the church orphanage. Sister Ayame is a great woman. She doesn't care what color I am or how to do an axe kick right. She says that God loves everyone, no matter what they look like.
Yes, I have never known my parents. It is something that has been a major problem to overcome. I have Sister Ayame to thank for raising me. Not many in Konoha would, despite The Republic of Fire, and Konoha's stance on being equal and wanting to make sure everyone lives fairly.
But I'm rambling. The one thing that really stuck with me was boxing. It is one of the ways we are taught to fight in the acadamy. To go just fist against fist, and nothing left but endurance and sheer will standing between the title of winner and loser, is one of the greatest thrills in the world!
I worked endlessly on my punches and my physical combat skills as much as possible. I even entered the academy's Platinum fist tournament. I lost in the semi-final round, but it was on a technicality because I was winning! Mr. Mizuki called a disqualification, saying I had thrown a kidney shot. I hadn't. It was a hook to ribs, and they didn't want me toppling the great Sasuke Uchiha in the one thing I was good at!
No! No. I will not let the bigotry get to me. Sister Ayame says that I am better than that. She says to ignore it. Break through the adversity. It'll make you stronger.
So I did what I always did. I went out into the training grounds. And practiced, and practiced, and practiced. I actually broke my hand at one point, working so hard. It finally paid off.
I have trained forever to do this. I...I'm....tearing up as it is! I will help the Republic of Fire with my skills and be the best ninja I can be.
I may not seem like much but I know the one thing I will not do is quit. With these fists I will carve my way into legend. I will show that not only can I be a good ninja with only the use of Martial Arts (and boxing in particular), I will show the Fire Republic that a black man can be a great ninja!
Written by RockLeetheAwesome. Consider it a brief interlude before resuming the Wave Mission.