Chapter - 26: Breaking the Genjutsu

 Rock Lee, the ever-optimistic ninja, stood defiantly before the two men, his youthful determination shining through the dust smudging his face. His power of youth, fueled by his unwavering belief in the ninja way, was a stark contrast to the bullies' bravado.

Tenten, ever the pragmatist, stepped forward, her gaze sharp and unwavering. She was ready to defend her team, her quick wit and agile movements a testament to her skill as a ninja. "Why don't you back off?" she demanded, her voice filled with righteous indignation. "We're here to take the exam, not play your stupid games."

The two men, unfazed by Tenten's challenge, continued to mock the group. Their arrogance was a facade, a mask to hide their insecurity. They knew that their illusion was weak, a mere test of the ninja's perception and resolve.

Xero, the volatile member of the group, was quick to anger. His fists clenched, his knuckles turning white, he yearned to unleash his fury upon the two men. However, Kuro, the calm and collected strategist, intervened, recognizing the illusion for what it was.

"Don't bother," Kuro said, his voice steady and reassuring. "It's just a genjutsu. We're still on the second floor."

Reika, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow, her doubt evident. "You're sure?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Kuro nodded confidently. "The signs don't match up. It's a simple trick to weed out the unobservant."

Nearby, Sakura Haruno, kunoichi who is good at perceive genjutsu, had also noticed the inconsistencies in the illusion. Her eyes met Kuro's, a silent acknowledgment of their shared understanding.

Naruto, the ever-optimistic and somewhat oblivious ninja, scratched his head in confusion, oblivious to the deception. Sakura sighed, her patience wearing thin. "That makes one of you," she muttered, her voice laced with exasperation.

Sasuke Uchiha, the enigmatic and stoic ninja, stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. His dark eyes, piercing and intense, bore into the two men, their arrogance melting away under his gaze.

"Enough with the games," Sasuke said, his voice cold and deliberate. "We know it's genjutsu. This is only the second floor."

The two men exchanged a glance, their smirks widening. "Oh? So you figured it out, huh?" one of them said mockingly.

The hallway hummed with the faint buzz of tension as the spiky-haired man smirked at Sasuke's calm declaration. His posture was casual, but his eyes held a predatory glint.

"Figuring out the genjutsu doesn't mean much," he said, his voice laced with mockery. Without another word, he launched himself forward, his leg whipping around in a powerful kick aimed at Sasuke's head.

Sasuke reacted instantly, his Sharingan spinning to life. He pivoted smoothly, meeting the attack with a counter-kick of his own. The force of their strikes sent a sharp gust of air rippling through the hallway, drawing gasps from the gathered shinobi. (In OG Sasuke didn't used Sharingan)

But before their blows could connect, a blur of green shot between them. Rock Lee appeared as if from nowhere, effortlessly blocking both attacks with a speed that seemed almost inhuman. His arms moved with fluid precision, absorbing the impact without flinching.

"Please, no unnecessary fighting," Lee said, his voice calm yet commanding. "We're here for the Chunin Exams, not to settle personal scores."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes but stepped back, recognizing the remarkable skill in Lee's intervention. The spiky-haired man, meanwhile, looked less impressed.

Xero, leaning against the wall, let out an approving whistle. "That guy in the green spandex isn't half bad."

Kuro chuckled, watching the scene unfold with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Yeah, he's something else. Just wait—you'll see soon enough."

The spiky-haired man scoffed, muttering something under his breath before turning and walking away, his partner trailing behind him. The genjutsu shimmered and dissolved completely, revealing the true hallway leading up to the third floor. The crowd began to disperse, the brief confrontation leaving a mix of awe and relief in its wake.

Reika, arms crossed, let out a slow sigh and shook her head, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Well, now that the drama's all wrapped up, no point in sticking around here anymore. Let's head upstairs," she said, her voice casual but with a hint of amusement in it.

Xero, ever the eager one, flashed a grin full of sharp teeth. "Finally! About time. Let's hope the next floor's a little more interesting. I'm not in the mood for more boring stuff." His eyes sparkled with excitement as he imagined what might be waiting for them.

The trio started climbing the stairs, the low hum of quiet conversations echoing faintly behind them, but it didn't really catch their attention. They were too focused on what lay ahead. Kuro, however, had his eyes fixed on something a little more specific. His gaze was fixed on Rock Lee, who was walking a few paces behind Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

Kuro smirked to himself, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. *This is gonna be fun,* he thought, a tinge of excitement creeping into his mind. The scene before him wasn't new, far from it. He had seen it before—he knew what was coming next. Lee was about to challenge Sasuke, and things were going to get interesting. It was a moment he'd been waiting for, one that was about to unfold in the most predictable yet thrilling way.

As his mind wandered down that familiar path, Reika caught sight of the far-off look in his eyes. She raised an eyebrow, not really surprised but definitely curious. Kuro's moods were unpredictable, and sometimes, he would zone out for no reason at all. But she had learned not to ask too many questions when that happened. It was his thing, and she'd never been able to figure out what was going on in his head during those moments of deep thought.

But before she could ask, they had reached the landing of the third floor. The stairs creaked slightly under their feet as they paused for a moment, looking around.

Suddenly, Kuro stopped, a quick, almost imperceptible pause in his movements. He turned around, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk that was almost too casual. "You two go ahead. I, uh… need to take care of something," he said, his tone so nonchalant it was almost suspicious.