Time flew by. The Chunin Exams finally arrived.
Konoha was bustling with activity, filled with unfamiliar faces.
These were mostly foreign emissaries and the genin participating in the joint Chunin Exams.
The influx of merchants and tourists added to the lively atmosphere.
The first exam was a written test, held in the familiar Ninja Academy.
When Natsuki and the rest of Team 8 arrived, the place was already packed.
Two Chunin guarded the entrance.
"Dispel this pathetic genjutsu. I need to get in and take the exam."
A familiar voice rang out. It was Sasuke from the main character's team, Team 7.
'To think we'd arrive just in time for this iconic scene from the original story.
'Next up should be the other three members of Team Guy, right?'
"Natsuki, what are they doing?" Hinata frowned slightly, worried the exam might be delayed.
"It's nothing, just a small test. They can handle it," Natsuki chuckled, patting Hinata's head.
As expected, the two Chunin, embarrassed at having their tricks exposed by mere genin, flew into a rage and suddenly attacked Sasuke.
But a thick-browed boy in a green jumpsuit intercepted them.
His fluid and impressive movements stunned everyone present.
Standing nearby was the prodigious Neji Hyuga, who possessed the Byakugan.
And there was also a girl in a pink qipao and a short-sleeved jacket.
It was the older, Team Guy: Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and the wealthy Tenten.
'Wait, something about that last name seemed off.'
Natsuki racked his brain but couldn't recall Tenten's family name.
Just as Lee was basking in the spotlight, with the surrounding examinees eyeing him warily, he suddenly abandoned his cool demeanor and dashed over to Sakura from Team 7, delivering a passionate confession.
The sudden display shocked the onlookers, jaws dropping all around.
Unsurprisingly, the confession ended in failure.
Sakura was known for being attracted to handsome boys.
With the farce concluded, the examinees began to file into the exam hall.
"Let's go. The genjutsu is dispelled. We should head in too." Natsuki led Hinata and Kiba, along with Akamaru, towards the staircase.
Perhaps hearing Natsuki's voice, Lee, who had been devastated by Sakura's rejection and was moping near the staircase, suddenly sprang to his feet.
He seemed to have regained his energy, completely revitalized.
It was Natsuki, the one who taught him the Hidden Lotus Palm.
"Teacher Natsuki, we meet again!" Lee excitedly rushed over to Natsuki, beaming.
Natsuki's face darkened.
He reiterated, "Don't say that. Guy sensei is your teacher. I only offered you some casual pointers before."
"Hehe, Natsuki, are you participating in the Chunin Exams too?" Lee didn't press the issue. After all, Guy was not only his teacher but also a father figure to him.
"Yes, we might even be competitors from now on," Natsuki nodded.
"That's fantastic! This is a perfect opportunity for you to see the results of my training.
"By the way, Natsuki, I still can't perform the Hidden Lotus Palm."
"But whenever I'm injured, if I perform the kata, my wounds heal much faster. So I must have at least grasped the basics, right?" Lee scratched his head, asking sheepishly. [tl/n: Kata means forms, various forms of a technique or martial arts.]
It had been years, and he still hadn't mastered it. No wonder Natsuki didn't want to be called his teacher. He was just too slow.
He knew better than anyone the true power of the Hidden Lotus Palm.
The accelerated healing was a clear result of his practising the kata diligently.
'Uh, I didn't expect this guy to be this stubborn and practice that technique for so long.
'But if he hasn't succeeded after all this time, could it be that Lee lacks the real spirit of chuuni?
'Perhaps he should give up on the Hidden Lotus Palm and focus entirely on the Eight Inner Gates.'
Natsuki pondered, about to deliberately steer Lee towards the Eight Inner Gates to encourage him to abandon the Hidden Lotus Palm.
Just then, Tenten walked over: "Hey, are you the one who turned our already idiot Lee into…this?
"Besides his regular training, he spends hours pushing trees and yelling something about the Hidden Lotus Palm.
"Villagers have complained several times that there's something wrong with that guy's head."
"You... you bastard! Change Lee back this instant! Don't think just because you're handsome, I won't hit you!"
Tenten marched up to Natsuki, initially fuming and ready to grab him by the collar.
But upon seeing his handsome, cute features, her voice gradually softened, and her raised hands instead went to smooth the hair by her ears.
'Damn it, how could there be such a handsome and adorable guy?'
"Tenten, what are you saying? How can you speak to Natsuki like that?
"The Hidden Lotus Palm is real! I haven't learned it yet because I'm too stupid. You're not allowed to talk to Natsuki like that!"
Before Natsuki could reply, Lee hurriedly pulled Tenten back, the normally docile boy scolding his teammate for the first time.
Even if his teammates hadn't understood, he did.
The Hidden Lotus Palm's healing effect was incredibly helpful for a training fanatic like him who was constantly covered in bruises.
However, he also knew Tenten was acting out of concern for him, so he softened his tone.
"Alright, do you still want to take the exam?
"We can talk about this later. Making a scene here will only make us a laughingstock."
Neji Hyuga, the prestigious Byakugan prodigy of Team Guy, reprimanded his two teammates, instantly silencing them.
"N-Neji..." Seeing her familiar clansman approach, Hinata, who was beside Natsuki, greeted him softly.
Her voice held a hint of fear towards her cousin.
"Hmph!"
Neji glanced at Hinata and said coldly, "Lady Hinata, you shouldn't be participating in this Chunin Exam. You're simply not suited to be a nin... aagh!!!"
Boom!
Before Neji could finish, a small, orange figure slammed into him fiercely, sending him flying.
"Agumon, get back here! What are you doing running wild again?" Natsuki's scolding rang out at just the right moment.
It was Agumon who had sent Neji flying.
Agumon wobbled to its feet, clutching its head in confusion.
It had been standing quietly behind its master when a sudden force pulled it forward, causing it to crash into the guy with the white eyes.
'Damn it, this world was dangerous.
'It missed the days as a little lizard, eating and sleeping to its heart's content. There were so many bugs in the forest, so much food.'
"Bastard, who attacked me?!" Neji, who had landed flat on his back, roared after Lee and Tenten helped him up.
The crowd in the hallway who hadn't yet entered the exam hall turned to look.
"No one attacked you. It's just my Agumon being a bit silly," Natsuki's calm voice replied, as if the incident was truly just Agumon's playful antics.
Neji turned to see a strange little creature on a leash beside Natsuki.
He realized he had indeed been knocked down by this small beast.
"By the way, you really aren't suited to be a ninja. Your awareness is terrible. You were knocked over by my Agumon without even noticing. If that were an enemy, you'd be dead already.
"And with your skills, you shouldn't even be in this Chunin Exam. Farming might be a better career path for you." Natsuki said indifferently, pulling Hinata along and walking past Neji without a backward glance.
"You bastard!" Seeing Natsuki's arrogant attitude, Neji's anger flared.
Veins bulged on his forehead.
"Neji, the exam is about to start. Don't waste your energy using your Byakugan on this," Tenten quickly intervened.
Neji stumbled, nearly falling again.
This was the problem with being from the Hyuga clan.
He was just angry, his vein bulging, yet everyone assumed he was about to activate his Byakugan for a fight.
However, amidst the commotion, Natsuki and the others had already disappeared up the stairs.
"Forget it. I'll see him in the exam." Neji waved his hand wearily.
'Natsuki, was it?
'I'll remember you.'
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