Walking through Konoha with a steady stride, as if he were a champion of life itself, Lee whistled a pleasant tune and calmly made his way to the Shinobi Academy. Today was the crucial Genin exam, a test that would determine far too much for the future of the young boys and girls taking part. Yet, Lee wasn't worried—why should he be? Unlike the other students, who would be going through the usual ninjutsu practicals, he had something else in mind. Something entirely different…
A demonstration of Rankyaku!
Yes, Rock had decided to earn his Genin rank through an alternative method. Unconventional, but practical and, in fact, quite recognized. Unlike his previous attempt a month ago, Lee hadn't been idle—he had refined the Rankyaku technique from the renowned Rokushiki style, making it less energy-draining and more efficient to use. Now, this technique consumed only about 10% of his chakra reserves—a significant reduction. The strain on his tenketsu had also lessened, making it much more sustainable.
Not that he could hope for anything better. Now, all he could do was wait, watching the clock tick down, playing the waiting game until his own physical core matured and expanded like a sapling growing into a sturdy tree in fertile soil.
Still, it was worth mentioning—briefly or not—just how much progress Lee had made in Taijutsu after a month of grueling, near-inhuman training. A month that felt like a haze, blurring together in the intensity of his relentless efforts…
He would do five hundred, sometimes a thousand push-ups, biting his tongue until it bled. He would squat until his joints creaked in protest. He would do sit-ups on rough stones, bruising his back, and slam his forehead against tree bark every time he felt the urge to collapse and rest, tempting himself with the deceit of an unnecessary break.
It was only natural that doubts plagued his mind, gnawing at him worse than any enemy's Genjutsu. But Lee wasn't some weak-willed fool—he was a karate fighter who had already overcome countless trials. So he shook off the mental negativity and exhaled all his worries in one decisive breath.
In the end, Rock succeeded. And he swore, with pride, that he would not stop here—he would keep climbing the heights of the shinobi world…
Throughout his training, Tenten and Naruto often watched him. They were, in truth, the only two people he was close to, aside from his father, Son Lee, who was always away on missions. They watched in awe because the thick-browed boy pushed himself harder than they would ever push their enemies. "What kind of masochism is this?" they sometimes wondered.
For example, when Lee mastered extreme body coordination and reached an impressive level of flexibility—not quite a snake, but close—he began training while running on his hands, with weights tied to his legs for extra resistance. More than once, he nearly snapped his spine doing this, but by sheer luck, he came out unscathed.
Watching her classmate endure this daily torture, Tenten found herself thinking—really thinking—during one of their lessons. And she realized something. A monster walked beside her, one who showed no mercy to himself or his enemies.
At the same time, she couldn't ignore the uncomfortable truth: she wasn't trying hard enough. No matter how monstrous Lee was, he was still human, just like her. And if he could push himself to such extremes, then what excuse did she have for her own laziness?
Seeing Rock's relentless drive, Tenten began dedicating more time to her own training. She used to think there was no rush, that she had all the time in the world. But Lee… he always seemed to be preparing for something. Something dangerous. Something that threatened their peaceful existence. And in doing so, he pushed her to train harder as well.
And Naruto…
Uzumaki was just happy to have Lee and Tenten as friends. Exchanging banter, sharing meals—it filled him with joy.
"I'm going to be Hokage, dattebayo! And then everyone will acknowledge me as a great ninja!"
That was Naruto's eternal promise. And whenever he and Rock had dinner at Ichiraku Ramen, the blond boy would always declare with a laugh:
"When I become Hokage and rule the Hidden Leaf, I'll give us both unlimited free ramen coupons! We'll eat to our hearts' content every day, Lee! Isn't that awesome? Ha-ha-ha!"
Memories like these brought a warm smile to Rock's face. In a way, it felt as if he were raising a younger brother or training a promising student in the martial arts. They weren't related. They weren't brothers. Just friends. But that was enough. After all, Lee had no desire to live as a recluse without companionship.
What wasn't as warm or pleasant, however, was a certain memory—one that stood out in the grueling monotony of his training. A moment when he finally decided to take on one of the three hellish challenges of his system. Specifically…
[Endure five full-force hits from your holographic clone.]
A week ago—maybe two, time blurred—he had made his way to the training grounds, deliberately seeking out a secluded area near the dense trees and river. He had ensured there were no training dummies around—just in case someone like Might Guy happened to pass by and witness something… unusual.
Following his mental command, a semi-transparent, bluish figure materialized before him, an exact replica of himself, perfectly mirroring his height and appearance.
"I can't let my guard down. This is the System's Hellish Training, for crying out loud! I bet this clone isn't just as strong as me—it's probably even stronger! There are no more free passes in my life. Time to work like a damned laboring devil!"
With that, Lee braced himself for the first strike, assuming a defensive stance—one arm protecting his head, the other shielding his torso.
Yet, the holographic clone exceeded all his expectations. With a single straight punch, it sent a numbing shock through Lee's limbs, a crackling pain following in its wake. The second attack came from a kick aimed directly at his head, forcing Lee into a desperate squat—only for the clone to counter with an even faster strike to his stomach, nearly making him vomit.
Two. Three. Four.
Only one strike remained.
Lee's lip was split, and beneath his clothes, a deep bruise bloomed over his liver, another near his knee. It was impossible to block everything. His arms couldn't keep up—the pressure, the sheer force, was unbearable. His limbs had been battered so badly he could barely lift them. His own digital-holographic double, with its blank expression and empty gaze, unnerved him beyond words.
And then came the final attack.
Lee clenched his fists, his black eyes flickering with an ephemeral spark. His teeth gritted. His thick brows furrowed. The system clone launched forward, fist raised, and Rock took the blow—head-on. He met the attack with his own forehead, mixing sweat with blood, accepting the pain alongside a mild concussion.
Yes, and let's not forget—Lee had to walk around with a very noticeable lump on his forehead for quite some time. Luckily, by the time the Genin exam came, it had healed, thanks to some medicinal ointment. Now, he was in top shape, and as a reward from the system, he had received a new technique from a bronze-tier box. More of a stance than a move, really. A Taijutsu-based formation that Lee found delightfully simple yet incredibly effective.
'Right hand, right leg, right stance.'
By tensing all his muscles and positioning his right hand, shoulder, hip, and leg at the front, the user of this stance delivers swift strikes—not at the opponent, but at a "point" far behind them. This increases the likelihood of landing a hit, even if the enemy retreats or attempts to create distance from the attacker.
P.s: If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 17+ at patreon.com/c/Lucius01