Chapter 53

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Chapter 53

After a day of relaxing with Hinata, the next day arrived.

Chunin exam, first exam room.

"What has Kakashi been doing recently? Why can't I see anyone!" Naruto was puzzled. In the past, Kakashi would just be late, but now he seemed to have completely disappeared.

"Maybe something happened recently," Sasuke said dismissively, raising his leg and walking upstairs. He hoped Mr. Kakashi could find out the result soon.

As they reached the second floor, they saw two chunins blocking the way in front of a door. The number on the door was 301, which was where their examination room was.

Sasuke's mouth twitched. "This kind of idiot's illusion trap, only fools will be fooled! Is this the level of Konoha Chunin's illusions?" he thought to himself.

However, just as he had this thought, he saw Naruto turn his head, on the verge of walking right into the trap.

Uzumaki Naruto exclaimed, "Damn it! I fell for it too!"

Uchiha Sasuke replied, "So you're a fool."

Nara Shikamaru commented, "The layout of this illusion is really rough. If you are fooled by it, being kicked out of the Chunin exam will save you a lot of trouble."

"Naruto!" Sasuke angrily grabbed Naruto's collar from behind and infused chakra into Naruto's body, causing him to wake up.

"Huh? How did it become 201?" Naruto said, finally realizing his mistake.

"...Even if you can't see that this is an illusion, can't you remember how many stairs you've climbed? You've just reached the second floor!" Sasuke couldn't help but hold his forehead in exasperation.

"Let's not even talk about ninjas. Even ordinary people shouldn't fall for this kind of illusion, right? Using this illusion technique feels a bit like an insult to intelligence," he continued.

"Hateful!" Even with Naruto's thick skin, he felt a little embarrassed and ashamed.

Sasuke sighed and began to explain to Naruto how to recognize and decipher illusions.

"Please wait!" a youthful voice called from behind.

Sasuke turned his head and saw a boy in green tights who looked like a kappa.

Rock Lee? Sasuke had heard of him. The other boy was a year older, only knew physical skills, but had graduated from ninja school.

"That lovely lady with pink hair, please date me. I will risk my life to protect you!" Lee gave a thumbs up, his teeth gleaming white.

"..." Sakura felt her brain tremble. Compared to him, Naruto seemed more refined and cute.

Rock Lee said, "Whoa, why is this happening!"

Uzumaki Naruto asked, "...Sakura-chan, are you complimenting me?"

"Your appearance is indeed too strange; it might scare girls."

Nara Shikamaru said, "Sakura looks at Sasuke's face every day. The contrast is just too obvious."

Rock Lee exclaimed, "Is it so great to be handsome? I think I look pretty good!"

Might Guy encouraged him, "That's right, Lee! You can't start doubting yourself because of others."

Rock Lee affirmed, "Yes, Teacher Guy!"

Tian Tian muttered, "You two are just hopeless."

Sakura shivered and hid behind Sasuke.

Sasuke spoke up, "Do you want to chase little Sakura? But she's my girlfriend, and that could cause me trouble."

He moved slightly to keep little Sakura shielded behind him.

A voice declared, "You're Uchiha Sasuke, right? I've heard about you at the ninja school. They say Neji and you are the two geniuses there!"

Lee's eyes blazed with a fighting spirit. This was the challenge he was seeking.

"Please, let's have a man-to-man duel!" Lee said excitedly. To defeat Sasuke and win little Miss Sakura's heart would be so motivating for him.

"A duel between men?" Sasuke mused. He turned to glance at little Sakura behind him, made a slight face, and gestured toward her.

"Huh? You're talking to me?" Sakura blushed, quickly kissed Sasuke's cheek, and said, "Here, just like you said, you've lost the man-to-man duel."

Sasuke looked back at Lee and stated matter-of-factly.

Lee stood there in shock, feeling as if everything around him had turned gray. He knelt on the ground, pounding his fists against it, tears streaming down his face. The disappointment was deeper than anything he had ever experienced—even without knowing ninjutsu or illusion techniques.

Uzumaki Naruto exclaimed, "Oh little Sakura, how could you? Damn Sasuke!"

Rock Lee cried out, "No, little Miss Sakura, please don't do such things!"

Tian Tian observed, "Lee is truly pitiful. I can almost hear his heart breaking."

Hatake Kakashi wondered, "A duel between men... Does Sasuke see it that way?"

Jiraiya sighed, "It's really a loss indeed."

Nara Shikamaru remarked, "The gap between Lee and Sasuke might not be as great as this one..."

Yuhi Kurenai asked, "You guys, how long have Sasuke and little Sakura been together over there? And they've just now let their guard down?"

Tsunade noted, "Some things require seeing the cruelest reality before they give up hope."

Terumi Mei commented, "To see the one you admire give everything to someone else right in front of you, it's utterly pitiful."

Rock Lee sobbed inconsolably.