Chapter 16: Wildflower (Chuunin Exam Part I)
The training field was a battlefield of discarded kunai, shurikens, broken training dummies, and scorched earth. Gouges carved into the dirt were interspersed with patches of smoldering flames and scattered puddles of water. The air hung heavy with the scent of singed grass and fresh rain.
At the center of it all stood Kimiko, chest heaving, her tanto unsheathed and humming faintly with a soft, watery glow. A streak of water chakra traced the blade's edge like a living current. Sweat glistened on her alabaster skin, now marred with small cuts and faint burns. Her hand clutched her stomach, just above where a single kunai had lodged itself near her hip. She grimaced but held firm, eyes sharp and focused.
Directly across from her, Sasuke stood his ground, just as exhausted. Water dripped from his soaked clothes, clinging to him like a second skin. Small cuts lined his arms and legs, with two senbon visibly protruding from his shoulders, each one leaking steady droplets of water. His signature Sharingan spun intently, his gaze fixed on Kimiko like a predator stalking prey. One hand gripped a kunai, muscles tensed and ready for more.
Completing the triangle was Naruto, panting hard, his bright orange jumpsuit singed and soaked in patches of wet fabric. Water-slicked senbon jutted out from his arms and legs like pinpricks, and two shuriken were buried just beneath his ribs. His teeth gritted as he yanked them out with sharp, deliberate movements, wincing but never stopping. His eyes blazed with stubborn resolve.
"It's unfair how freakin' fast you are," Sasuke muttered, his gaze still locked on Kimiko, his lips curling in frustration. His eyes flicked toward Naruto, his tone no less annoyed. "And you—seriously, what does it take to keep you down?"
"Never," Naruto snapped, spitting a wad of blood to the side. He yanked another senbon from his arm, the water still dripping from its point. "I'm not staying down 'cause I'm gonna surpass you." He grinned, wild and unyielding, eyes flicking toward Kimiko. "You too, Kimiko-chan. Count on it!"
"Heh, bold words," Kimiko replied, flicking her tanto once. The watery aura intensified, swirling around the blade like a ribbon in the air. Her breath was shallow but steady, and her eyes had that unmistakable gleam of someone about to strike.
"Alright, then try this," she said, twisting her wrist with sharp precision.
Her tanto carved an arc through the air, and in its wake, a crescent-shaped torrent of water ripped forward like a guillotine. It cut through the dirt, tearing apart the grass and dislodging bits of earth and rock. A deafening crack echoed as the waterwave struck, sending up a spray of mud, water, and debris like a smokescreen.
"Tch!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, his Sharingan tracking every shift in the field. His legs tensed, and he leapt backward, eyes never leaving the incoming torrent. Naruto mirrored him, both of them moving in sync, a split second ahead of the impact.
The ground burst beneath them in a small geyser of shattered rock and mud. Debris pelted the air like shrapnel, and water poured in every direction. In the chaos, Kimiko's left hand blurred into one handed seals, her tanto hanging from her fingers as she formed her next technique.
"Water Style: Rippling Torren—" she began, her voice calm but focused.
But Sasuke's eyes spun faster.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Juts-!" Sasuke's hands weaved faster than hers, fire already building in his lungs.
"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!" Naruto's hands were a blur of motion, his voice practically roaring as a shadow clone poofed into existence beside him.
The three attacks were poised to clash in an instant—fire, water, and numbers ready to collide in a storm of destruction.
But then—Brrrrrrinnng!
A loud bell echoed across the training field, and all three of them froze mid-action, panting like war-weary soldiers. A familiar voice cut through the fog of battle.
"Alright, that's twenty minutes of sparring! Time for healing, you maniacs."
They all turned to see Sakura standing at the edge of the training field, one hand gripping the bell, her other hand on her hip. She let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head like a disapproving mother. Her pink hair was tied neatly, and she wore her newly issued medical-nin jacket. Her gaze shifted from one battered teammate to the next.
"Seriously, how are you guys this strong for Genin? You're going to give me more work than all of Team 8 combined." She approached slowly, surveying the wreckage with wide eyes. Kunai, shuriken, broken dummies, smoldering fires, and literal puddles of water.
"I'm pretty sure some Chuunins don't do this much damage." Sakura glanced toward Naruto first, her gaze narrowing. "Naruto, you've got blood on you."
"I'm fine, I'm fine, see?" Naruto grinned, holding up his arms like a prizefighter. Two seconds later, he stumbled forward and winced. "Ah… I'm… I'm a little dizzy, actually."
"Yeah, no kidding, idiot," Sakura grumbled, rushing forward and pulling out a medical kit. She immediately pressed her glowing green hands against his ribs, letting the warm glow of medical chakra ease his injuries. Kimiko eyed her Palm Technique as a genin…I don't think you understand how strong you are too, Sakura.
"Man, it's so unfair," Sasuke grumbled, wiping the sweat from his brow. His Sharingan finally deactivated with a flicker, the tomoe slowly fading into black. His eyes felt heavier than usual. He rubbed his temples, trying to clear his mind.
"What's unfair?" Kimiko asked, tilting her head. She flicked the water off her tanto and sheathed it in one smooth motion.
"You," he muttered, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "You're way too fast. And seriously, you use so many jutsus like you don't care about your reserves."
"I'm sorry I lucked out and I have massive chakra levels as well as amazing speed, person-with-a-freaking-Sharingan." Kimiko shot back, her grin sharp and self-assured.
"He's right, you know," Naruto added, still wincing from the medical chakra pulsing into his ribs. "Your speed's insane, Kimiko-chan. It's so unfair!" He pouted. "I'm supposed to be the fast one!"
Kimiko flicked a curl of black hair away from her face, her serene mask never faltering. "Life's unfair, boys. Get faster."
"Cheh, I'm faster than both of you," Sasuke muttered under his breath, looking away. His pride wouldn't let him admit it, but Kimiko knew she had outmaneuvered him more than once.
"You three are ridiculous," Sakura said, rolling her eyes as she watched them banter. Her hands moved with practiced ease, closing Naruto's wounds. "I bet the proctors at the Chuunin Exams won't know what hit them."
Kimiko's eyes flicked toward Sakura, a faint, knowing smile curling her lips. "That's the idea, Sakura-chan. Which reminds me, are you going to assist the Medic-Nin assigned to the exams?"
"Yup!" said Sakura, her face brightening with a proud smile. "Hinagawa-sensei said I should get actual field experience — taking orders, handling real injuries — instead of just relying on textbooks. They told me I'm the youngest recruit since Rin Nohara was accepted, so it's gonna be really interesting!" Sakura's hands fidgeted, but her excitement was plain to see.
"Proud of you," Kimiko said, her voice light but sincere.
"Me too!" Naruto chimed in with a grin, his hands behind his head like he was basking in her success.
"Shut up, Naruto," Sakura shot back, her smile fading as she glared at him. Naruto's grin vanished as if she'd pulled the rug from under him. His arms slumped to his sides, his head hanging low like a scolded puppy.
Even Kimiko couldn't help but giggle, leaning her head lightly against Naruto's shoulder. Sasuke, meanwhile, seemed unimpressed by it all, cutting through the noise with his usual bluntness. "You two better not be late tomorrow when we submit our applications."
"When am I ever late?" Kimiko arched a perfectly manicured brow, giving him a look that was both daring and playful.
Naruto raised his hand eagerly, grinning like he had something to prove. "Yeah! When am I ever late?"
Sasuke gave him a flat, unimpressed stare.
"You're never late because I have to wait outside your house every morning, Naruto," Kimiko replied, shooting him a knowing side-eye.
"Hey, that's teamwork!" Naruto said, hands on his hips, his grin as wide as ever.
"That's babysitting, Naruto," said Sasuke, his tone as dry as desert sand.
Of course, none of them were late for their trip to the Academy. Naruto walked beside Kimiko, grinning and talking animatedly as usual, while Sasuke was already waiting for them at the front entrance.
Honestly?
Kimiko wasexcited.
There was something satisfying about walking into an exam room knowing you were ready — not just ready, but prepared to was power in being the person everyone else watched with envy, the one whose name would be mentioned alongside Sasuke, Gaara, Naruto, and Neji. No one would look past her. No one would doubt her. She'd make sure of that.
Don't be arrogant,she reminded herself, her fingers squeezing the hands of Naruto and Sasuke as they walked don't know how things have changed.
The Academy was swarming with ninja from every corner of the world. Students from Hidden Grass, Hidden Waterfall, Hidden Sand, even Hidden Rain. Kimiko's eyes lingered on the they're here, huh?Hidden Rain rarely participated in events like this. She recalled what she knew from her former life — that Hanzo's death was kept secret, and now some self-proclaimed "god" ruled over them. The thought sent a small shiver down her spine.
The air was thick with posturing. Genin from different villages glared at each other in the hallways like kids from rival schools, eyes darting from head to toe as if sizing up their opponents. Kimiko took it all in calmly. She didn't need to scowl or puff out her chest to make an impression. The way she held Naruto and Sasuke's hands as they walked together only made them look more unified. More dangerous.
"Third floor, right?" Sasuke asked, eyes scanning the hallway ahead. "So it should be—"
They all stopped.
In front of them was a commotion. A familiar figure in a green jumpsuit and bushy brows was flung backward, skidding across the ?!Kimiko's eyes narrowed. Standing in front of him were two older-looking "genin" with hard faces. One of them carried two oversized kunai strapped to his back, while the other wore a black durag.
They're not genin,Kimiko realized instantly, recognizing the subtle weight of their .Her eyes flicked to their posture, their positioning, and she felt a deep sigh bubble up in her and Kotetsu… Seriously?
"Is someone like you really thinking of taking the Chunin Exams?" barked Kotetsu, looming over Lee like a bully in a playground. His words dripped with mockery. "Why bother? Bunch of wet-behind-the-ears snot-noses!"
"You said it," Izumo snorted, folding his arms.
"Please," a girl in a red mandarin shirt with twin pigtails spoke .She was breathing heavily, clearly frustrated. "We're begging you. Just let us through."
Her words earned her a .
The sound echoed across the hallway, silencing every voice. Every genin in the area froze as they watched Izumo's hand drop from her face.
"That's just cruel…" muttered a Konoha genin in the crowd.
Izumo's head snapped toward the voice like a predator spotting prey. "What was that, huh?" he hissed. "We're doing you a favor. The Chunin Exams are hell. We've seen people fail and drop out for life, lose limbs, or get turned intovegetablesafter failing these exams. We're saving you from yourself. Be grateful."
"Yeah," Kotetsu added, taking a threatening step forward. "Chunin aren't kids playing ninja anymore. They're cell commanders. If a mission fails, if people die, it's their fault. Their fault alone. So we're just cutting the dead weight early."
Kimiko pinched the bridge of her nose. Oh, they seriously doing this cliché act?It was a classic power play — scare the weak into quitting before the test even began. Even without her knowledge of the anime, it was obvious these two knew far too much and spoke with too much conviction to be "ordinary genin."
Naruto wasn't buying it either. He crossed his arms, his face scrunching in annoyance. Kimiko felt Sasuke shift his weight next to her, as if bored. He still held her hand, but his fingers had gone lax.
"Sounds good in theory," Sasuke drawled, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "But you better let me through."
All eyes turned to him. The "genin" stopped talking, their eyes narrowing at the boy with the cocky smile.
"And drop the genjutsu while you're at it," he added.
The entire crowd went still. Murmurs rippled through the room like small waves after a stone is tossed into a pond. But Izumo only grinned.
"So, you figured it out, huh?" drawled Izumo, tilting his head slightly.
"Of course." Sasuke rolled his eyes, sounding utterly unimpressed. His gaze shifted to Kimiko, and with a small squeeze of her hand, he asked, "Kimiko?"
"Well, first of all, your genjutsu needs work," Kimiko said plainly, her tone as smooth as still water. Her eyes flicked up toward the number on the door. "We're still on the second floor, so I'm not sure why it says Room Three Zero One."
Releasing Sasuke's hand just long enough to form a single-handed seal, she muttered, "Kai."
Her chakra flared, sharp and clean, like a knife slicing through fog. The illusion shattered instantly, dispelling the false "Room 301" sign and revealing the true hallway beyond.
Even the two "genin" were visibly surprised.
"She broke it that fast…?" Izumo muttered, his eyes narrowing.
But what surprised Kimiko more was that Sasuke reached out and took her handagainthe moment she was done.
"That was lame, guys," Naruto said, giving a firm, self-assured nod like a seasoned veteran. "You can't fool exceptional ninjas like us if you're gonna be that sloppy."
Kimiko stifled a giggle at his serious tone, but she couldn't keep the grin from her face.
"...Not bad," Kotetsu muttered, his grin sharpening into something far more dangerous. His stance shifted. "But just seeing through it isn't enough."
In an instant, he lunged.
His speed wasn't "genin speed" anymore. He dropped low, shooting forward like a blur, aiming to sweep Sasuke's legs out from under him. Sasuke reacted on pure instinct, sliding backward to avoid the kick, his hand finally releasing Kimiko's.
But Kimiko wasn't idle.
Her body flickered like a mirage, and she reappeared directly in front of Izumo, one hand already drifting toward her tanto. Her sharp eyes locked onto his, daring him to make another move.
Naruto wasn't far behind. He slid back as well, flipping a kunai into his hand, his head darting left and right as he took up a rear position to watch both their flanks.
But the clash of limbs never came.
Kimiko's sharp ears caught the sound of something heavy striking flesh, and when she turned to look, she saw something unexpected. Or something she would have unexpected if she didn't have an inkling of what would happen.
The boy with the thick eyebrows and green jumpsuit stood in the middle of the skirmish, one arm raised to block both Kotetsu's kick and Sasuke's leg at the same time. His stance was perfect, his balance unwavering.
"Huh?" Sasuke's eyes flicked down at his leg, clearly not expecting to be stopped so cleanly. Naruto's eyes widened, his kunai lowering slightly.
He caught them both? Huh. Even weighted he's immensely Kimiko, her eyes narrowing with interest. She tilted her head just slightly, her grip on her tanto easing.
Lee, however, didn't seem fazed. He simply turned his head, his expression of playful awkwardness gone, replaced by quiet, focused determination.
"Hey," came a smooth, familiar voice from behind them.
Kimiko's eyes flicked upward, and her gaze landed on another familiar face she hadn't seen in quite a while. Angular features. Long brown hair. Pale, watchful eyes.
Hyuga Neji.
His presence alone shifted the entire atmosphere. His gaze wasn't as sharp as Sasuke's, nor as playful as Lee's. It was cold and calm, like an executioner judging his target.
"That's not what we agreed on, Lee," Neji said with a frown, his voice as cutting as it was cool. "You're the one who insisted we should avoid drawing attention to ourselves."
"B-But…" Lee started to argue, but then he saw her.
His eyes locked on Kimiko, and his face went bright pink. His gaze lingered a little too long.
"Oh, no…" Tenten muttered, palming her face from behind him.
Lee approached. Each step was filled with the kind of over-the-top energy only someone like him could carry. He stopped directly in front of her, standing tall and broad like he was about to make an announcement to a stadium.
"Hi. My name is Rock Lee!" His voice echoed across the hallway with all the power of a man making a grand declaration. His arms shot straight to his sides, fists clenched tight as he stared down at her with absolute sincerity.
Kimiko blinked, tilting her head slightly like a curious bird.
"You're Kimiko, right?" Lee's eyes shone with an almost divine glow. "Would you like to go out with me? I promise to protect you with my life!"
The silence was immediate. Tenten audibly groaned. Naruto's jaw hung slack, while Sasuke slowly raised a hand to his face, eyes shut tight as if trying to will the second-hand embarrassment away. Kimiko just stared.
Her lips twitched.
In an instant, she flickered.
One moment she was in front of him. The next, she wasbehind him, her delicate hand resting gently on his shoulder.
"I'm flattered, Lee-san," she said,"But I'm afraid that sort of talk will have to wait until after the exams."
Lee's eyes widened, his face now fully red as he glanced over his shoulder to see her calm smile. He gulped audibly.
"Y-Yes! Of course! After the exams!" Lee stammered, spinning around so fast it was a miracle he didn't lose balance. His eyes practically sparkled. "After the exams it is, then! I will train even harder until that day arrives!"
Kimiko's hand fell away from Lee's shoulder, and she sighed least he's harmless.
"Please don't encourage him!" Tenten shouted from behind him, dragging a hand down her face.
Neji's pale, sharp eyes locked onto Sasuke with quiet intensity.
"You there," Neji said, his tone as cold and steady as a winter stream. "What's your name?"
Naruto's face scrunched into a scowl, his teeth bared in annoyance. "Why's everyone always asking about him?!" he muttered under his breath, arms crossed tightly.
Sasuke, however, remained calm. His eyes flicked toward Neji, unbothered, disinterested. "It's common courtesy to give your name first," he replied coolly.
Neji's brow arched just slightly, as if Sasuke had surprised him. "You're a rookie, aren't you? How old are you?"
"I'm not obliged to answer you," Sasuke shot back without hesitation. His gaze stayed on Neji for a moment longer before he reached for Kimiko's hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. On her other side, Naruto did the same, grinning like a child proud of his prize.
"Let's go, Naruto. Kimiko." Sasuke's voice was firm and absolute, like the drop of a gavel. He began walking forward, tugging Kimiko along, and Naruto followed without missing a beat.
But Kimiko's eyes lingered on Neji.
"You never did give me that spar," she said, her voice lilting but clear as water. Her gaze didn't waver, holding him in place with a weight far greater than her size. She remembered. The promise made on Hinata's birthday, so many years ago. And it seemed he did too.
But Kimiko didn't wait for a reply. She simply turned, her long, dark curls bouncing with each step. Her fingers tightened ever so slightly on Sasuke's and Naruto's hands as they walked away.
She didn't need to look back to know that Neji was still watching them, his gaze sharp as a knife's edge.
As they descended the hallway, Sasuke moved closer to her side, his eyes flicking to her with that same flat, dry look she knew so well.
"You could've let Bushy Brows down harder, you know," he muttered. His words weren't harsh, just… honest.
"Where's the fun in that?" Kimiko shot back, her lips curling into a sly grin. Her red-ringed eyes sparked with mischief as she glanced at him from the corner of her vision.
"Right, right, big flirt," Naruto teased from her other side. He leaned in just far enough to jab her lightly in the ribs, his grin cocky and full of playful energy. "Maybe next time, just tell them to write you a love letter. Save us the whole show."
Even Kimiko had to laugh at that.
Their joy didn't last long. As they reached the wide-spanning floor in the Academy, a loud, clear voice echoed from above.
"Stop!"
Kimiko, Sasuke, and Naruto all froze, glancing up toward the source.
"You, with the scowl!" the voice continued.
Sasuke squinted. "...Yes?" he replied, eyes narrowing as he scanned for the speaker.
There, on the upper walkway, stood a familiar figure. Rock Lee. He leaned over the railing, his round eyes serious but not unkind.
"Do you want to fight, here and now?" Lee called down, his voice ringing with sincerity.
"You want to fight me?" Sasuke's tone was unimpressed, his lips curling into a half-smirk.
Without another word, Lee leapt over the railing, his body spinning gracefully in mid-air before he landed in a low crouch. His form was perfect, as if he'd rehearsed it a hundred times. As he stood, he raised four fingers in front of him while his other hand stayed clenched behind his back.
"My name is Rock Lee," he announced. "It's good etiquette to introduce oneself before asking for the name of another." He paused, eyes meeting Sasuke's with an intense focus. "But I already know yours... Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed further. "Heh, so you knew who I was all along?"
"I'm calling you out," Lee continued, his eyes unwavering. "I want to test the effectiveness of my techniques against the last surviving member of your legendary clan." He paused, shifting his gaze to Kimiko. His face flushed a faint red, and he coughed into his hand. "Besides… it's nice to see you again, Kimiko-chan."
Kimiko tilted her head, offering him a small, polite smile. "Nice to see you too, Lee-san."
"Y-You're an angel, Kimiko-chan!" Lee declared, his cheeks now full red.
"HEY!" snarled Naruto, bristling.
"So you're challenging me, even knowing my lineage?" Sasuke said, releasing Kimiko's hand with a slow, deliberate motion. He rolled his shoulders, his eyes sharp with quiet confidence. "In other words, you're a fool. You really want to know what it means to fight an Uchiha, bushy brows?"
"Absolutely," Lee said with conviction, raising his four fingers once more. A sharp grin pulled at his face, his teeth showing slightly.
Kimiko glanced between them, her brow furrowed in thought. Lee was strong. Extremely strong. Sasuke didn't know it, but she did. She'd seen enough in the anime. Sasuke would surpass him eventually, but here and now? Here, Lee was the stronger fighter.
Naruto, meanwhile, scowled as his fists clenched. "Hold it!" he barked, taking a step forward. "Let me handle him. He'll be toast."
Lee glanced at him briefly, then turned his eyes back to Sasuke. "I have no interest in fighting you," he said plainly. "Only Uchiha Sasuke."
Naruto's face twitched. "Only Sasuke, huh?" His fingers curled into fists, his eyes narrowing with fresh determination. "Alright, fine. I'll make sure you regret it!"
Before anyone could say anything else, Naruto shot forward in a burst of speed. His body blurred, kicking off with such force that even Kimiko raised a brow.
Fast. Faster than Lee's eyes widened for a moment.
Naruto's fist shot straight for Lee's face, but with a sharp, precise motion, Lee used two fingers to press against the top of Naruto's fist, tilting the angle of his punch. The momentum carried Naruto downward, forcing him to stumble toward the floor. But Naruto was ready.
On instinct, Naruto pushed his hand out to the ground, flipping into a handstand. His leg swept upward in a wide arc aimed at Lee's face, fast and sharp.
Lee ducked. His movement was so fluid it didn't look like a dodge—more like a natural, practiced reaction. His eyes stayed focused on Naruto's every motion.
Lee shifted his weight, his heel cutting through the air in a low sweep aimed at Naruto's grounded hand.
Naruto reacted instantly. Instead of resisting, he bent his arm and launched himself higher, flipping over Lee's sweep.
"Not bad, Naruto," Kimiko muttered, watching every moment. She could tell Lee was impressed too.
Naruto landed behind Lee, upright and grinning. Without hesitation, he spun on his heel and lashed out with a side kick aimed at Lee's back.
Lee raised his forearm just in time to block it, his feet sliding back a few inches from the impact. The force of Naruto's kick was no joke, and even Lee stumbled a little on its impact.
But Naruto wasn't done. He followed up with a second kick, this time a front kick aimed for Lee's stomach.
Lee lifted his leg, his knee rising in perfect form to intercept the strike. Naruto's foot hit his knee dead-on.
But Naruto wasn't retreating. He pushed off of Lee's knee, twisting in mid-air and launching himself backward to create space. His landing wasn't clean, his feet skidding against the floor, but he was crouched and ready to spring back into action.
His eyes blazed with fierce determination. He wasn't done. Naruto was about to move, when Sasuke's voice cut through the air.
"Naruto," said Sasuke coolly. He tilted his head just slightly, his eyes calm as ever. "He wants to fight me, not you."
Naruto froze, his hands still raised in a fighting stance.
His eyes darted toward Sasuke, brows furrowed. "But—"
"You're getting in the way, dead-last," Sasuke added, walking past him. His gaze didn't leave Lee.
Naruto's mouth opened, but Kimiko grabbed his sleeve, tugging him lightly.
"Not the time, Naruto," she said softly. "Let Sasuke handle it."
Naruto clicked his tongue but didn't argue. His arms fell to his sides, his body still tense, but he backed off.
Kimiko's eyes lingered on Lee. She watched as Lee slowly raised his fingers, counting them down one by one. Three. Two. One.
Kimiko stepped back, her eyes sharp as blades. She had seen this before, in another life. She knew what was coming. Lee was faster than any of them realized. She glanced at Sasuke's hands, fingers subtly twitching in anticipation.
Would he be able to see it?
Kimiko sighed quietly, folding her is a learning opportunity.
"You two are pretty strong," said Lee, his eyes flicking between Sasuke and Naruto. His voice was calm, but his stance was firm, ready for battle. "But among all the Leaf Genin, I'm the strongest fighter."
"This could be fun," Sasuke muttered, rolling his shoulders as he took a step forward. "Come on, then."
"Sasuke," Kimiko's voice came sharp and clear. Her eyes locked on his back like a watchful hawk. "Don't underestimate him. You've got only a few minutes before we have to file our applications. I'm not missing the Chuunin Exams because of your pride."
Sasuke glanced back at her briefly, "I know."
Then, he was gone. A blur of speed.
Sasuke shot toward Lee, his stride long and powerful, his footsteps barely touching the ground. Fast. Faster than Naruto. But Lee… Lee was faster.
He vanished, a flicker of green and black. By the time Kimiko's eyes caught up, Lee was already above Sasuke, his leg mid-swing. The deadly arc of his kick cut through the air like a falling guillotine.
"Leaf Hurricane!" Lee shouted, his voice sharp and commanding.
Sasuke dropped low, his eyes tracking the kick with precision. As Lee landed on the ground, he swung again, this time with his opposite leg in a wide horizontal arc.
Sasuke ducked, just barely. His back grazed the air just beneath the path of Lee's foot, his breath catching for a moment. As Lee's foot carved through the air, Sasuke pushed off with his palms, flipping away in a clean, fluid motion. He landed in a low crouch, his eyes glued to Lee.
"Wow, you're fast," Lee said, cracking his neck.
Sasuke wiped his shirt with a grunt. "Heh… fast, huh?" His lips twitched into a grin. "Alright. This might be the chance to test… this."
Kimiko's eyes narrowed. "Really? Using the Sharingan in a friendly spar?" Her tone carried a hint of disapproval, but there was also curiosity there. She had seen this play out before, but this Sasuke? This Sasuke was stronger. Smarter. More driven compared to canon Sasuke. She wanted to see just how good he got.
Sasuke ignored her, his gaze focused on Lee. His Sharingan spun to life, the two tomoe in each eye slowly rotating.
"Big deal," Naruto muttered beside her, arms crossed in a sulk.
Kimiko glanced at him, smiling softly. She reached up to ruffle his hair. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Naruto-kun."
Naruto huffed but didn't argue.
Sasuke darted forward, his speed even greater than before. The Sharingan's predictive power guided his every move. He weaved around Lee's attacks, footwork sharper, his movements more efficient. It was as if he could see the fight one step ahead.
But Lee's speed wasn't something eyes alone could match.
Lee ducked low, his weight shifting like flowing water. He thrust his leg upward in a rapid kick, catching Sasuke clean on the ribs.
CRACK.
Sasuke flew back, twisting his body to control his landing. He flipped mid-air and landed in a crouch, feet skidding across the dirt. His eyes flickered with frustration.
"Tch…" Sasuke hissed, clutching his side.
"Yes," Lee said, his smile sharp but not mocking. "You're fast, Uchiha, but not fast enough. You rely on those eyes of yours too much."
Lee charged this time. No hesitation. No holding back.
He closed the distance in the blink of an eye, reappearing directly in front of Sasuke. His elbow flew forward, fast as a jab.
Sasuke raised his arm, blocking it. Their forearms clashed with a dull thud. Lee spun, his foot sweeping low, but Sasuke leapt over it. Sasuke flipped in mid-air, swinging his leg toward Lee's chest.
It connected.
A clean kick to Lee's chest.
Lee staggered, his footing unsteady. But the moment Sasuke followed up with a punch, Lee's arm snapped up like a coiled viper, catching Sasuke's fist to parry them. Lee retaliated with a two-punch combo. Sasuke ducked under the first swing, but the second caught him on the chin.
"Hngh!" Sasuke stumbled, shaking his head to clear his vision.
"My techniques are neither ninjutsu nor genjutsu," Lee said, voice calm, his breathing steady. "They are taijutsu. Pure, simple martial arts."
Lee ducked under Sasuke's next swing, narrowly dodging his knuckles. He grimaced when Sasuke's foot struck him in the gut, sliding him back several paces. But Lee never let his posture break.
"No illusions. No chakra trickery. Just technique and training, honed every single day."
Sasuke clicked his tongue, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "What's your point?"
"My point is simple." Lee's face grew serious. His dark eyes focused squarely on Sasuke.
"Even if you can see my movements with those precious eyes of yours, it won't matter. If your body can't keep up with me, then you'll never win."
Kimiko's eyes flickered with it comes.
"There are two kinds of ninjas," Lee said, his tone sharp as steel. "Those born with talent and those who have to claw for every inch of progress. You, Uchiha, are the former. And I…"
He crouched."...I am the latter. I am the one who trains every single day of my life. Now I will prove my point. Hard work beats natural talent."
Lee blurred. He vanished as he seemingly lunged into the air.
Sasuke, too, leapt into the air, reacting on instinct. His eyes darted left and right, searching for Lee. But Lee was already behind him, arms parallel to his sides, The bandages around his wrists began to unfurl, fluttering like streamers caught in a breeze, ready to bind Sasuke like chains.
"Dancing Leaf Shadow!" Lee declared, his voice like the crack of thunder. "Your eyes are the worst match for my perfect taijutsu!"
Uh oh.
A flash of steel caught both their attention.
Four senbon flew through the air, pinning the loose ends of the bandages to a nearby wall. The ends flailed like the limbs of a dying snake.
Lee's eyes went wide. He turned his head, scanning the source, just as Kimiko blurred, reappearing right below Sasuke.
In one smooth motion, she caught him in mid-air, cradling him like he weighed nothing. Before gravity could claim them both, Kimiko's feet touched the ground, her body already flickering out of sight.
They reappeared at the starting point, besides Naruto.
Kimiko released Sasuke, and she looked him over once to make sure he wasn't hurt, her lips pressed into a flat line.
"Don't be reckless," she muttered. "You're not ready to beat him without ninjutsu yet,"
Sasuke clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed, but he didn't complain.
Lee touched down softly, his brow raised in surprise. "Fast." His eyes flickered toward Kimiko, his grin widening. "You're fast too, Yuhi Kimiko."
"Naturally." Kimiko flicked her hair back, giving Lee a small, knowing smile. "I train every day too, Lee-san. We're not so different."
"T-Then, would you like to—" Lee started, face red with determination.
"That's enough, Lee!" bellowed a deep, rumbling voice.
Kimiko, Sasuke, and Naruto all turned toward the source of the voice. What they saw made them blink in unison.
Was that... a tortoise?
"You know the rules, Lee!" rumbled the oversized tortoise, glaring up at the boy. "That move is forbidden!"
Lee stepped forward, immediately dropping to one knee. His fist pressed firmly to the ground, head bowed low. "F-Forgive me, I was just…"
"YOU ARE A DISGRACE! A SHINOBI NEVER REVEALS HIS TECHNIQUES UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY! YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS BY NOW!" the tortoise thundered, his voice like rolling thunder.
As the two "conversed," Naruto squinted, jabbing a thumb at the tortoise. "Hey, that thing he's talking to... that's a turtle, right?"
"A tortoise," Kimiko corrected, glancing at him with mild amusement. "Why?"
Naruto rubbed his chin as if pondering the great mysteries of life. "...Does that prove that tortoises can be senseis too?"
Kimiko and Sasuke both turned to look at him. Kimiko blinked, then burst into soft, uncontrollable giggles. "No, Naruto. I think it's what we call a—"
"ENOUGH!" the tortoise bellowed, cutting her off. "Are you prepared to accept your punishment, Lee?!"
Lee's head lowered in quiet resignation. "Yes…" he said, defeated.
"Then come out, Gai-sensei!" the tortoise declared, his eyes closing like a summoner calling forth a spirit.
Kimiko's eyes widened as a wide grin slowly spread across her face. Finally. I get to meet one of my favorite characters in the anime!
With a puff of white smoke, a man appeared atop the tortoise's back. As the smoke cleared, there stood Might Guy in all his glory. A bold, shining figure with a bowl cut as sharp as a kunai, bushy eyebrows that could block out the sun, and a brilliant green jumpsuit complete with a Konoha flak vest. He posed dramatically, one knee bent, one arm pointed to the sky, and his other hand circling his right eye like a lens.
"AH, THE EXUBERANCE OF YOUTH, YOU ARE FULL OF IT!" he declared, his voice as booming as the heavens.
Naruto and Sasuke's mouths fell open, wide enough to catch flies. Kimiko, on the other hand, clapped her hands in giddy delight.
This man right here… he's literally the strongest person in the Leaf... No, the strongest person in the world.
"So that's where Lee gets it from," Naruto muttered, still staring. "Same bowl haircut, same bushy eyebro—"
"HEY! DO NOT INSULT GUY-SENSEI!" Lee bellowed, his hands raised in indignation.
"WELL EXCUSE ME FOR NOT KEEPING UP WITH ALL OF THE FREAKS POPPING IN HERE!" Naruto fired back, eyes wild with disbelief.
"LEE!" Guy suddenly called, his tone shifting from jovial to stern. "It's time for your punishment."
Lee stiffened, snapping into a straight-backed posture. "O-Of course, Sensei!"
Guy walked calmly up to him, his face solemn as if preparing to deliver a life-altering lesson. Lee closed his eyes, ready for it.
Then, in a flash, Guy threw a punch straight into Lee's face.
The impact sent Lee tumbling through the air like a ragdoll. He hit the ground with a hard thud, groaning.
Kimiko laughed even harder, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Lee," Guy said, his voice dripping with heartfelt sincerity as he knelt beside his student. His hand rested on Lee's shoulder as he hung his head in shame. "But it's for your own good…"
Lee, tears forming in his eyes, croaked, "S-Sensei… I understand…"
Guy wiped his eyes, sniffling. "It's over, Lee. You don't need to say anything more."
"SENSEI!" Lee shouted, throwing himself into Guy's arms.
"LEE!" Guy yelled back, catching him with an equally tight embrace.
They both sobbed into each other's shoulders, streams of tears pouring like waterfalls. It was the purest form of emotional release.
Naruto and Sasuke were stunned, their jaws once again unhinged.
"How… how can I lose to someone so lame?" Sasuke muttered under his breath.
"Actually…" Naruto's gaze softened. "It's kinda sweet the way they're hugging."
"I agree," Kimiko said, resting her hands on her hips. "I wish Kakashi-sensei hugged us more. Want a hug, Naruto?"
"YOU BETCHA!" Naruto's hand shot up like a volunteer in class.
"Idiots," Sasuke muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm in a team with two idiots."
Kimiko leaned in to poke him lightly in the side. "Cheer up, Sasuke. We'll train even harder. You'll surpass that guy in no time. You already landed a few good hits on Lee. If you'd been able to use ninjutsu, it would've been much more even."
"It's okay, Lee," Guy said suddenly, lifting his student's chin with a single hand. "You're just too old to be called a boy, but too young to be called a man!"
Lee sobbed. "SENSEI, YOU'RE RIGHT!"
Guy raised his hand, eyes sharp. "But rules are rules, and I cannot let this go unpunished. Not only did you break the rules on fighting, but you disrupted the Chuunin Exams. As punishment, you must run…
"FIVE HUNDRED LAPS AROUND THE TRAINING ARENA!" Guy declared, pointing to the heavens as if passing judgment from the gods.
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "Man, I wish Kakashi-sensei was as cool as Guy-sensei…"
"Never mind that," Naruto added, still glancing at the tortoise. "But seriously, what's up with that turtle?"
Sasuke didn't even bother to respond anymore. He just stared at Guy, his brain still processing everything that just happened.
Guy's eyes suddenly focused on the three of them. His tone became serious, his voice as steady as a cliff's edge. "Tell me… How is Kakashi-sensei?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "You know him?"
"Do I know Kakashi?" Guy echoed, crossing his arms. His eyes gleamed with a competitive edge. "We are eternal rivals."
"There's no way!" Naruto gasped.
Kimiko couldn't resist. Her grin became sly. "Kakashi-sensei's not half as talented as this guy."
Naruto and Sasuke turned to look at her, wide-eyed in disbelief.
"Huh?" Naruto blinked.
"Heh, you have the wisdom of youth, little kunoichi," Guy said, grinning from ear to ear. "But it seems your two teammates are blind to the truth. A shinobi's actions always speak louder than their words!"
And then, Guy vanished. No blur, no wind shift — he was simply gone.
And just as suddenly, he reappeared behind them.
"My record is fifty wins, forty-nine losses. One better than his, by the way."
Sasuke tensed, turning sharply, eyes wide in disbelief.
Kimiko's breath 's fast. No… He's faster than fast. Even faster than how she thought he'd be.
Naruto turned as well, eyes darting around like a lost animal. "How did you beat Kakashi?!"
"Matter of fact, I'm stronger than Kakashi. And faster," said Guy, his voice as steady as a mountain and twice as unyielding.
"You see?!" Lee declared with a beaming smile, his chest puffed out in pride. "Guy-sensei is the best there is!"
"I'm sorry for the trouble Lee caused you," said Guy, turning toward Sasuke, who still looked completely dumbstruck at the idea of this eccentric man being better than Kakashi. Guy bent forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Sasuke with deep sincerity. "Look into my eyes and accept my most sincere apologies... and while you're at it, take notice of my handsome, manly features."
Sasuke twitched, his lips pressing into a tight line as his eyes flicked toward Kimiko in silent disbelief. She smiled back at him, clearly amused.
"Lee, you should accompany these fine young shinobi to the classroom," Guy instructed with a sudden shift in tone. Without even turning his head, he flicked his arm. A kunai flew through the air in a perfect arc, destroying the senbon Kimiko threw at the bandages, letting it fall to the ground. "Great job, by the way," Guy said, his eyes narrowing on Kimiko. "You're fast. You're Kurenai's younger sister, right?"
Kimiko's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly bowed her head respectfully. "Yes, Guy-sensei. It's an honor to meet you. I've heard many great things about you."
There was a brief moment of silence. Guy's face became stone-still, his eyes gazing deeply at her as if he were staring into her soul. His lips parted ever so slightly. The air itself felt heavier, anticipation rising.
Then suddenly—
"WHAT YOUTHFUL BEAUTY AND CORDIALITY!" he bellowed, throwing his arms to the sky as tears of passion streamed down his face. His voice echoed through the hallway like a drumbeat of thunder. "LEE! THIS GIRL IS THE SORT OF WOMAN YOU SHOULD ASPIRE TO BE WORTHY OF!"
Lee's eyes widened with awe, his entire body going stiff as if he'd been struck by lightning. "Y-Y-YES, GUY-SENSEI!" he stammered, hastily wrapping his bruised hands with the scraps of his bandages. "I-I WILL BECOME WORTHY!"
"Remember to give it your best," said Guy, throwing them a fiery thumbs-up. His teeth practically sparkled with how radiant his grin was. "Later, Lee!"
And with that, he vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving behind nothing but his booming voice echoing down the halls.
Kimiko could only grin. "He's everything I dreamed he'd be."
Sasuke shook his head, his eyes still staring at the spot where Guy once stood. "This village gets weirder every day," he muttered.
"I dunno," said Naruto, scratching his cheek. "I think I like him. He's cool."
Kimiko glanced at them, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "More than Kakashi-sensei?"
Naruto's eyes widened, looking genuinely conflicted as if she'd asked him to choose between ramen and barbecue. "...I'm not ready for that question."
Kimiko laughed, tapping Naruto lightly on the head. "Come on, we still have to register. Let's move, future Chuunin."
"Sasuke," Lee's voice suddenly echoed from behind, firm and unwavering. All three of them stopped, glancing back at him. He was standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes sharp with an intensity that hadn't been there before.
"What is it now?" Sasuke asked, turning around with mild irritation.
Lee's eyes locked onto him. "I lied to you when we fought."
That got everyone's attention. Naruto raised a brow, Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and Kimiko tilted her head with a curious look.
"I told you I just wanted to test my skills, but that wasn't the whole truth," Lee admitted, his voice more serious than before. "The truth is, I do want to test my skills, but you were never the one I really wanted to test them against." His words hung in the air, "I told you I was the best Genin here. But that's not entirely true, either. On my team… there's someone stronger than me."
Kimiko furrowed her brows, her eyes narrowing in , huh?
Lee's gaze remained firm, unwavering, as he stared Sasuke down. "I came here to defeat him. But you? "You were just practice. From this point on, you're also my target."
He said it plainly, without fanfare or mockery. Just fact.
"Consider yourself warned."
With that, Lee crouched, then shot into the air like a bullet, his departure marked by a brief gust of wind that tousled their hair. He disappeared onto the upper level with speed that left Naruto, Sasuke, and even Kimiko stunned for a second.
The silence was thick.
"...Guess you're not all that, huh?" Naruto muttered, his voice quiet but biting as he glanced at Sasuke from the corner of his eye.
"Shut up," Sasuke growled, his eyes narrowing, but his gaze remained fixed on the spot where Lee had disappeared.
Naruto didn't look smug, though. He wasn't teasing this time. His expression was serious as he gazed down at his hands, flexing his fingers. "You saw it too, right? His hands. They're all bruised and battered." His voice was unusually somber, his eyes filled with thought. "I think he's training harder than us… way harder."
Sasuke's hands slowly curled into fists, his teeth clenched tight. He didn't say a word, but his silence was louder than anything else. His pride had taken a hit. He hated that feeling.
Before either boy could sink too deeply into their own thoughts, a warmth suddenly pressed against their hands.
Kimiko had reached out, gently taking hold of both of them. One of her hands grasped Naruto's, while the other held Sasuke's. Her fingers squeezed just enough for them to feel it. The action drew their attention back to her.
Her eyes were soft but determined. "Then we'll train harder," she said simply, her voice steady as stone. "All three of us. No breaks, no shortcuts. We'll push ourselves until we can't move anymore, and then we'll keep going."
Her fingers gave them one more squeeze before she smiled. It wasn't big or boastful, just calm. Grounded. "We're going to win this, together."
Naruto blinked, his lips twitching before a grin spread across his face. "Yeah, that's right!" he barked, his energy reigniting. "Next time I see that Bushy Brows, I'm gonna show him what real training looks like!"
Sasuke glanced at her, his scowl slowly morphing into something sharper, a crooked grin forming on his lips. He tilted his head forward, letting his hair shadow his eyes just enough to make his smile more intense. "Heh. This just got interesting," he muttered, clenching his hands even tighter as if he were holding lightning in his palms. "Alright, Kimiko, Naruto… Let's get started."
Kimiko grinned wide, her heart thudding with renewed excitement as she pulled them along, leading them to the next step in their journey. Their hands remained linked as they walked forward.
"Oh," said Kakashi as they finally reached Room Three Zero One. He was casually leaning against the door, arms crossed like he had been waiting for them the whole time. "Glad you all made it. Well, I knew the three of you would." His visible eye crinkled with amusement. "But, as formalities go, I'm supposed to tell you this," he started, his tone shifting to something more serious. "You see, only groups of three are allowed to take the exam."
Kimiko's brows furrowed. "So if one of us didn't show… we would've been disqualified?"
"Exactly," Kakashi confirmed, his voice as calm as ever. "But there was no chance of that happening, not with you three. Still, rules are rules."
Kimiko glanced at her teammates. She knew neither of them would have backed out. It was a pointless rule, as far as they were concerned, but it did make her feel something. Gratitude, maybe.
Kakashi's voice softened. "Kimiko, Naruto, Sasuke… I'm proud of you. Truly." He pushed himself off the wall, standing tall, hands in his pockets. "I couldn't have asked for a better team. And I sincerely believe you three are the best genin team in Konoha right now." He glanced at them, letting the weight of his words settle in. "Now prove it to them."
With that, he turned on his heel and started to walk away. No parting glance. No dramatic exit. Just Kakashi being Kakashi.
Naruto clenched his fists, his grin wide and determined. "We won't let you down, sensei! Believe it!" His voice echoed in the hallway.
Kimiko glanced at him, smiling at his energy. Even Sasuke's lips curled into a small, quiet smirk — subtle, but it was there.
"Come on," Kimiko said, her eyes were set forward, fierce with purpose. Holding both their hands, she knew who was beside her. Hagoromo's sons, Indra and Ashura. Who could have stood against them?
"It's time to show them why we're the best." said Kimiko.