Standing before the Shinobi Academy—the stronghold of knowledge for Konoha's aspiring young ninja—one particularly thick-browed boy took a deep breath of fresh air, slowly letting go of a month's worth of memories. He had to admit, he would miss these steady, yet never dull days within these walls.
It's funny how it works out for some students—one moment, they're solving equations, and the next, they're standing in line at the year-end ceremony, caught off guard by how fast time flies. It's natural to feel a bit nostalgic.
But not for Lee. No, there was no reason for him to be sad—because for Rock Lee, everything was just beginning!
— Today's the Genin Exam, and you're this calm? Is that even normal, Lee?
A voice, light and ringing like spring itself, called out near the entrance. Tenten, dressed in her usual pink jacket, stood there, her warm brown eyes gazing at him with a mix of amusement and friendship. A gentle smile bloomed on her flawless face. She didn't greet him by name, nor did she even address him directly—too shy for that—but she saw Lee as both an inspiration and a close friend, someone she truly wished to be on the same team with.
— I can, I do, I practice, — Lee replied confidently. — The Hokage will be watching me today, but I'll just show him what he needs to see. Then, I'll walk out of here, forehead protector in hand. So tell me, why should I worry, hmm?
His sheer confidence radiated off him, and for some reason, Tenten didn't reply. Instead, she stuck out her tongue playfully and slipped inside the Academy, whispering something under her breath with a faint blush on her cheeks.
— Good luck…
Lee stood frozen at the entrance, his round eyes blinking, unintentionally blocking the way for other students. He was as still and sturdy as a lamppost, lost in thought. Only a month ago, at this very place, Tenten had hit him with some rather cold words, leaving him confused and unsure of where they stood.
And now? Was this… was this what it felt like to be friends with a girl like her?
So… ordinary? So routine? So—mundane?
Wasn't it supposed to feel different? How many more synonyms could he go through before he found the right one?
"In my past life, every girl who liked me only did so because I was athletic, built, into healthy living—just the usual superficial nonsense. None of them ever shared my true dream, my goals, my vision for the future. But here… Here, it's different. Here, almost every other person strives for ultimate strength. That means I'm surrounded by people who can understand and support me on my journey to master the martial arts. Which means… I'll never have to be a lone fanatic again."
Lee clenched his fists, feeling a strange mix of emotions—anger? Determination? Frustration? Or maybe… hope?
With that thought, he marched into the classroom. Their teacher was already at the board, explaining the theoretical portion of the exam. Upon seeing Lee enter, the man greeted him with a smile—he had long since recognized Lee's potential. The other students, however, looked at him with varying expressions—some with indifference, some with barely concealed irritation.
Like Neji Hyuga, for example. As a member of Konoha's most prestigious clan, why should he concern himself with someone like Lee, who had neither power nor status? And yet, Neji had somehow decided, in his own mind, that there was some sort of rivalry between them—at least when it came to being the strongest. Not that he'd ever admit it, of course. He'd rather act like Lee didn't even exist.
Then there was Inuzuka Kero. A month ago, Lee had utterly destroyed him in a sparring match—humiliated him, even. And while that wasn't the point, Kero clearly hadn't let it go. His barely concealed resentment was proof enough. Young, prideful, and emotionally unstable—that's what they all were, really.
Most of the other students had learned to respect Lee by now. They didn't laugh at him anymore, nor did they suck up to him. That sparring match with Inuzuka had made one thing clear—if you picked a fight with Lee, you'd better be ready for a response. A powerful one.
Silently, Lee took his seat, pulled out his notebook and pens, and focused on the teacher's instructions. Occasionally, from the front rows, Tenten would sneak glances back at him, trying to be discreet, watching him with a look that was difficult to decipher.
Suspicious behavior from a certain kunoichi, wasn't it?
After half an hour of explanations, silence fell upon the room. The teacher handed out the test papers, announcing the start of the theoretical exam. Lee immediately got to work. Twenty questions in total—half were simple logic problems, the other half far more complex, testing true shinobi knowledge. Even for someone as sharp-minded as Lee, it required complete focus—no distractions from birds chirping outside or distant chatter from the courtyard.
Well, he had prepared. He wouldn't mess this up!
And…
Roughly an hour later, he was done.
— Not bad, Lee, — the teacher remarked, glancing over his answers. — No visible mistakes at first glance, but I'll double-check later. For now, stay ready. You'll be the last to take the practical exam, and only then will I bring in the Hokage to watch you. Don't let me down. You are, after all, our future Taijutsu master, eh? — he added with a chuckle.
The students had completed their written exams, and now it was time for the main event—the practical portion, where they would demonstrate an E-rank shinobi technique.
This was the core of the Genin Exam: Ninjutsu and Genjutsu.
The very things Lee had been born without.
Which meant that now, more than ever, he had to prove that Taijutsu alone was enough—that he could rise above all odds, defeat alien invaders, tame Bijuu, surpass legendary shinobi, and even exceed Might Guy himself, the man he admired beyond words.
However, before any of that, a happy and slightly flustered Tenten approached him, now wearing her forehead protector with quiet pride.
— It suits you, Tenten! You look amazing with the Hidden Leaf headband! — Lee praised her sincerely, his good-guy grin shining as he gave her a thumbs-up. His words made her blush even deeper, and she mumbled a soft, shy "thank you."
One by one, the students passed. Even a humbled and subdued Inuzuka Kero. And Neji—oh, how smug he was. The look on his face was something to behold, his arrogant smirk making it clear that he saw no future for Lee as a shinobi.
But Lee? Lee believed otherwise.
When he was finally alone in the classroom, waiting for the Hokage, he stretched his muscles in preparation, then summoned his system's status screen:
[Name: Rock Lee]
[Shinobi Rank: Academy Student]
[Health: 100%]
[Stamina: 100%]
[Chakra: 100%]
[Taijutsu Rank: C+]
[Ninjutsu Rank: —]
[Genjutsu Rank: —]
[Inventory]
[Hellish Training List: 2]
"All right, Lee, this is it. Time to prove myself. I'll show the Hokage Rankyaku—I see no point in hiding a technique I'll be using often. And if I impress him, maybe, just maybe, he'll assign me to Guy-sensei. There's no one else in Konoha better suited for me than him. That's a fact!"
Just then, an explosion rocked the room, filling it with thick gray smoke.
— So, you're Rock Lee… the special boy with a talent for Taijutsu? — a kind, elderly voice spoke nearby…
P.s: If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 17+ at patreon.com/c/Lucius01