Inside the Ninja Academy.
Naruto and the others entered the registration area and immediately saw that it was already crowded with people.
"So many participants…" Sakura said as she looked around.
"Of course," Sasuke replied calmly. "It is the Chūnin Exams."
"I'm fired up!" Naruto clenched his fist excitedly.
Just as they were about to register, a voice called out from behind them.
"Hey—you're Uchiha Sasuke, right?"
The three turned around.
Standing there was a boy wearing a green jumpsuit, with a bowl-cut hairstyle and extraordinarily thick eyebrows.
"You are…?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"I am Rock Lee!" Lee declared passionately. "A student of Guy-sensei!"
"I've heard the Uchiha clan is incredibly strong, so I want to fight you!"
Sasuke's expression didn't change. "Not interested."
"Don't say that!" Lee insisted. "Let me witness the strength of the Uchiha!"
"I said I'm not interested." Sasuke turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Lee suddenly attacked, launching a high-speed kick toward Sasuke's head!
But Sasuke tilted his body slightly and dodged with ease.
Lee's eyes lit up. "Amazing reaction!"
"Then how about this!"
He accelerated, unleashing a rapid series of attacks.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
"Leaf Gale!"
Fists and kicks came down like a storm, shocking the surrounding Genin.
"So fast!"
"He specializes in taijutsu?!"
Sasuke, however, remained calm. His Sharingan activated, the two tomoe spinning as he clearly read every movement, dodging and deflecting with precise timing.
"What?!" Lee was stunned. "You can keep up with my speed?!"
Sasuke said coldly, "Maybe not two months ago."
"But now…"
"I can see all of your movements clearly."
Lee clenched his fists, about to push even harder.
"Lee, that's enough."
A cool female voice rang out.
Tenten walked over, her hair tied into twin buns.
"The exam hasn't even started yet. Don't cause trouble."
"But Tenten—" Lee protested.
"And…"
Another voice joined in.
Neji Hyūga stepped forward, his gaze cold as he looked at Sasuke.
"Before the Byakugan, a mere Sharingan is nothing special."
Sasuke's eyes sharpened instantly. "What did you say?"
The atmosphere grew tense.
"Enough."
Naruto stepped forward, standing beside Sasuke.
"We're here to take the exam, not fight."
"And besides—" Naruto grinned. "If there's any score to settle, isn't it better to do it during the exams?"
Lee paused, then laughed loudly.
"You're right!"
"Then I'll see you in the exam!"
"I will defeat you, Uchiha Sasuke!"
With that, Lee turned and left.
Tenten gave them a small bow. "Sorry about that. That's just how Lee is."
She followed after him.
Neji gave Sasuke one last long look before turning away as well.
Sakura let out a sigh of relief. "That was close…"
"Sasuke-kun, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Sasuke replied calmly. "That guy in green really is fast."
"But it's still within my limits."
"Kakashi-sensei's special training really paid off."
Naruto puffed out his chest. "Of course! We trained hard for two whole months!"
"Let's go register."
The three headed toward the registration desk.
---
At the same time.
Training Ground Three.
Kakashi and Guy stood facing each other, while Kurenai and Asuma sat on a nearby tree, ready to spectate.
"Finally full," Asuma said, a cigarette between his lips. "Kakashi ate way more than I expected."
"He's probably exhausted from training students lately," Kurenai laughed.
On the field, Guy stretched energetically.
"Kakashi! I can't wait any longer!"
"Show me your current strength!"
Kakashi sighed helplessly. "Guy… do we really have to do this?"
"Yes!" Guy replied seriously. "You are my eternal rival!"
"And I can tell—you've gotten much stronger!"
"That makes the flames of my youth burn even brighter!"
Kakashi scratched his head. "Your instincts are annoyingly accurate…"
With the system's enhancements, his strength really had increased significantly.
"Alright then," Kakashi said, taking a stance. "But I won't hold back."
"Perfect!" Guy's eyes shone. "That's true respect between rivals!"
The instant he finished speaking, Guy vanished.
In the next moment, he reappeared right in front of Kakashi.
"Leaf Gale!"
A high kick came down.
Kakashi's Sharingan spun as he leaned aside and dodged.
"Fast."
"Of course!" Guy landed and twisted his body. "Leaf Great Hurricane!"
A flurry of kicks followed.
Kakashi avoided every strike smoothly.
"Guy's taijutsu is still terrifying," Asuma commented.
"Yes," Kurenai nodded. "But Kakashi isn't losing at all."
"His reaction speed… is even faster than before."
Guy frowned when he realized none of his attacks were landing.
"Kakashi, you really have gotten stronger!"
"Then I'll get serious!"
He stepped back and assumed a stance.
"The First Gate—Gate of Opening, open!"
"The Second Gate—Gate of Healing, open!"
"The Third Gate—Gate of Life, open!"
A green aura of chakra erupted from Guy's body.
"The Eight Gates—Third Gate!"
His speed and power skyrocketed, veins bulging as his skin flushed red.
"Here I come, Kakashi!"
Guy became an afterimage, charging forward at triple his previous speed.
"The Eight Gates…" Kakashi narrowed his eyes, his Sharingan pushed to its limits just to track Guy's movements.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fists and kicks collided at close range.
"So fast!" Kurenai exclaimed. "I can barely see them!"
"Guy's Third Gate speed is insane," Asuma said. "And Kakashi is still keeping up…"
While blocking and countering, Kakashi searched for an opening.
"Guy's taijutsu really is the best in Konoha."
"But taijutsu alone…"
He seized his chance and formed hand seals.
"…isn't enough!"
"Lightning Release: Lightning Beast Tracking Fang!"
A lightning-shaped beast roared across the ground toward Guy.
"What?!" Guy was startled and dodged instantly, but the lightning beast chased him relentlessly.
"Tch!"
Guy sprinted across the field, throwing several shuriken behind him.
Kakashi flashed aside, but the lightning beast stayed locked onto Guy.
"So persistent!" Guy growled, suddenly stopping and punching forward.
Bang!
His fist dispersed the lightning beast, though electricity numbed his arm.
"Such powerful Lightning Release…"
Kakashi didn't hesitate, forming seals again.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive water dragon surged up and crashed toward Guy.
With no time to evade, Guy crossed his arms.
"I'll take it head-on!"
Boom!
The water dragon slammed into him, sending him skidding backward and carving deep grooves into the ground.
"Huff… huff…" Guy panted. "As expected of Kakashi—nonstop ninjutsu."
"But…"
His eyes burned brighter. "I still haven't gone all out!"
Just as he was about to open more gates, Kakashi raised a hand.
"Wait, Guy."
"Hm?" Guy stopped.
Kakashi smiled slightly. "Let's end it here."
"If you open more gates, you'll need a long recovery."
"The Chūnin Exams will last several days. Don't you want to watch your students perform?"
Guy froze, then laughed heartily.
"That's true!"
He closed the Eight Gates, the green aura fading.
"And I've confirmed it—you really are stronger now, Kakashi."
"Your ninjutsu is more powerful, and your chakra control is sharper."
Kakashi shrugged. "Same to you. Your Eight Gates have improved too."
"The Third Gate's speed was much faster than last time."
"Hehe!" Guy grinned proudly. "Of course! I train every day!"
"Youth must burn continuously!"
Kurenai and Asuma jumped down from the tree.
"That was a great spar," Asuma said with a laugh. "You two really are lifelong rivals."
"And you knew when to stop," Kurenai added. "Especially during the exams."
"Let's go," Kakashi said. "The exam should be starting soon."
"Let's head near the academy."
"Even if we can't watch the written test, we can feel the atmosphere."
"Alright!" Guy nodded.
As they walked, Guy suddenly asked, "Kakashi, do you believe in your students?"
Kakashi thought for a moment. "Very much."
"They'll definitely surprise everyone."
Guy's eyes gleamed. "Excellent! My students won't lose either!"
"Especially Lee—his effort won't fall behind anyone!"
Asuma laughed. "Mine might be lazy, but their brains are sharp. The written test won't be a problem."
Kurenai smiled. "I just hope Hinata can gain some confidence."
As they continued walking, Kurenai suddenly asked, "By the way, Kakashi…"
"Are you really not thinking about getting a girlfriend?"
Kakashi nearly choked. "Kurenai, why are you bringing that up again…"
"Because I care," she said gently. "You've moved on. It's time to think about happiness."
"Exactly," Asuma agreed. "Kurenai and I have already—"
He stopped abruptly, and Kurenai's face turned red.
Guy burst out laughing. "I knew it! You two are dating!"
"Ahem…" Asuma coughed. "It's… not official yet."
"But it's close," Kurenai said softly.
Kakashi smiled. "I wish you both happiness."
"So," Kurenai said, turning to him, "you should find someone too."
Kakashi shook his head. "You can't force fate."
"And I'm doing just fine."
"Students, a formal disciple, missions… I'm busy enough."
Kurenai sighed. "That stubborn personality of yours…"
"But it's good. It means you've truly moved on."
The four continued toward the academy.
Meanwhile, inside the exam hall, Ibiki Morino stood at the front, his expression fierce.
"Now then."
"The first exam—the written test—begins now!"