Chapter 65: The mistake of Neji

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

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Before leaving, Colt gave Naruto some intense training.

While Naruto wasn't weak, he tended to only get smart after taking a beating in most fights. This was quite frustrating.

Except when facing Sasuke, where he was surprisingly competent, Naruto was usually reckless and only fought back effectively after being beaten up.

However, with Gaara and his team's appearance, it was clear the Chūnin Exams were imminent.

The next day, Kakashi summoned the four to gather at the training ground. True to his habitually late nature, he arrived via Body Flicker Technique after the others had grown impatient waiting.

"Good morning, everyone!" Kakashi greeted them with a smile before explaining the details of the Chūnin Exam.

The four had different reactions.

Colt was indifferent, Naruto was enthusiastic, and Sasuke feigned coolness. Only Sakura looked uneasy.

Noticing her expression, Kakashi produced a form.

"This is the application for the Chūnin Exam. Normally, we participate in three-person teams, but we have four members. So, Sakura, it's okay if you don't participate - that way we'll have the right number. Of course, if all four of you join, the requirements will be higher accordingly. You have three days to decide, and I'll support whatever choice you make."

With that, Kakashi vanished, leaving them to consider their options.

Naruto left first, seeking a place for special training. Sasuke glanced at the hesitating Sakura but said nothing, instead approaching Colt.

"Can I ask you some questions? I've almost mastered Chidori," Sasuke said, a slight hint of embarrassment on his face.

"Show me," Colt agreed.

Without hesitation, Sasuke formed hand seals. An unstable electric current appeared in his hands, flickering erratically.

Colt shook his head.

"You haven't mastered Chakra Nature Transformation. Your lightning attribute Chakra isn't pure enough, and you're straying from the correct path."

"What should I do then?" Sasuke asked anxiously. After seeing Colt use Chidori, he was determined to master this powerful jutsu.

Colt didn't speak but extended his right hand. A crackling sound emanated from between his thumb and index finger.

"Power isn't about quantity," he explained. "Even a tiny amount of Chakra can have immense potential."

As he finished speaking, Colt released the electric arc. It instantly blew a bowl-sized hole in a large tree.

"Don't focus too much on Chidori's speed. When you master the Nature Transformation of lightning Chakra, Chidori will come naturally. Not only that, but any lightning-style jutsu you learn afterward will be more effective with less effort."

Colt patted Sasuke's shoulder earnestly.

After a long silence, Sasuke whispered, "Thank you."

It was the first time since the Uchiha clan's destruction that he felt genuine concern from someone.

As for Naruto... well, he was an idiot!

Colt simply smiled in response.

Time flew by, and soon the day of the Chūnin Exam arrived. Seeing all four names on the list, Kakashi smiled with relief. "Now that you've decided, let's go."

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura headed towards the Ninja Academy in high spirits to submit their registration forms. Colt had gone to find Hinata and Ino earlier and hadn't met up with them yet.

At the Academy, they climbed to the second floor, where a crowd had already gathered. Two Konoha Chūnin, disguised as gatekeepers, were bullying other genins, including Rock Lee and Tenten. None of the other genins dared to speak up.

"Stop these silly tricks and get out of my way," Sasuke demanded as he appeared, easily seeing through their illusion technique.

The disguised Chūnin pretended to be angry and challenged the Uchiha prodigy. Just as they were about to fight, Lee intervened.

Lee looked up and saw Sakura, and he was instantly blushing.

"Your name is Sakura, right? I'm Rock Lee. Please go out with me!"

As he spoke, his thick eyebrows twitched enthusiastically.

"No way!" Sakura shook her head desperately. "Your eyebrows are too thick, and I like Sasuke!"

Sasuke snorted coldly but didn't respond.

Undeterred, Lee quickly caught up to Sasuke as the group headed downstairs.

"You're Uchiha Sasuke, right? I challenge you to a match!" Lee declared.

"Why?" Sasuke frowned, unsure why he was being targeted.

Lee's eyes were sincere. "I want to test myself against you, who's called a genius, to prove that hard work can surpass natural talent!"

"But..." Naruto interjected, frowning, "Isn't Colt our top rookie this year? Why are you challenging Sasuke?"

Lee replied honestly, "Because I can't beat Colt-kun."

This time, Sasuke exploded. If Lee couldn't beat Colt but thought he could beat Sasuke, did that mean Sasuke wasn't as good as Colt? Was he not even as good as this thick-browed guy?

Feeling utterly disrespected, Sasuke charged at Lee.

The two engaged in an intense taijutsu battle. Without activating his Sharingan, Sasuke found himself overwhelmed by Lee.

"Damn it!" Sasuke's eyes widened as his Sharingan activated, greatly enhancing his dynamic vision.

Due to his Chidori training, Sasuke's physical fitness was much stronger than in the original timeline. Yet Lee still managed to suppress him steadily.

Just as Lee was about to defeat Sasuke with his Front Lotus, Guy finally appeared and punched Lee away.

"Lee! How could you use such a move on your comrades?!" Guy scolded.

"I'm sorry Guy-sensei"

Then the two hugged and cried dramatically.

Even Sasuke, despite his defeat, couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows in disbelief. He had lost to this guy?

"Lee, are you bullying my teammates here?" Colt's languid voice came from downstairs, Ino and Hinata at his side.

"No, I just wanted to test my skills against Sasuke-kun," Lee replied respectfully. He had seen Colt and Guy spar and admired Colt's terrifying physical abilities.

"Yo! Colt!" Guy greeted cheerfully.

"Colt, you know Bushy Brows?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Yeah, Lee is Guy-sensei's student, and Guy-sensei is Kakashi's eternal rival."

Guy beamed at being called Kakashi's rival, flashing his signature grin and shocking the others.

"You're Kamiyo Colt?" Neji approached with Tenten, his eyes fixed on Colt.

He had heard stories about Colt from Tenten and Guy but had been too focused on his own training to meet him until now. Through his Byakugan, he could clearly see the immense Chakra within Colt's body. Still, he remained confident. The Gentle Fist style, combined with his Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, was particularly effective against opponents with large Chakra reserves.

"Colt, th-this is my cousin Neji," Hinata introduced weakly.

Neji, as if just noticing Hinata, said sarcastically, "Oh, it's the main family's heiress. Shouldn't you be enjoying yourself at home instead of suffering like the rest of us out here?"

"Cousin Neji..." Hinata looked down, understanding the source of Neji's hatred.

That was his first mistake…