Chapter 23

"Ahh-" Lee coughed with a painful expression, falling to the floor.

"Lee are you alright?" Tenten asked, kneeling beside he teammate.

Team Guy and several other Genin were assembled in the hallway of Konoha's academy, standing in front of room 301. However, a pair of overbearing Genin were blocking the doorway, refusing to let anyone pass.

"You think this is a joke? You're taking the Chunin exams, but you can't even get past us?" A 12 year old Genin spat out.

This Genin had fair-skin with three band aids spread across his face, concealing his chin and cheeks. Also, he had spiky black hair that protruded out in every direction, contrasting the headband of Konoha around his forehead.

His outfit consisted of ankle-length blue pants, matching the sweater and scarf that he wore. Finally his most prominent feature was a pair of kunai blades, strapped against his back in a slanted angle.

"Why don't you just give up now before you get hurt? I hear your mommy calling you." The 2nd Genin cut in.

This Genin wore a dark blue beanie with the headband of Konoha sewn into it, obscuring several strands of his brown hair. This beanie deeply contrasted his attire, a knee-length green tunic with black pants.

"Let us through! We're supposed to go in there." Tenten protested.

After speaking, Tenten quickly stood up, inspiring the bandaged Genin to surge forward, raising his fight fist into the air. However, instead of blocking this attack, Tenten held both arms in the air, acting like a defenseless girl.

At this moment, Tenten was abruptly pulled back by an unseen force, floating backwards through the air. While this occurred, the bandaged Genin accidently punched the floor, shocked by Tenten's sudden disappearance.

Naruto's right arm then leisurely draped around Tenten, holding her with one hand while standing beside Lee. This created an awkward silence in the hallway, forcing dozens of Genin to glare at Naruto.

"I will not tolerate violence." Naruto mumbled.

"Look what we got here. A tough guy." The bandaged Genin chuckled in response.

After he spoke, this Genin took several steps forward, forcing Naruto's eyes to pulsate and widen. Afterwards, the entire world became discolored and pale, shifting into the chakra-filled world.

This allowed Naruto to casually observe the chakra network in front of him, recognizing the unique pattern. This chakra belonged to Kotetsu Hagane, a 24 year old Chunin from Konoha, disguised as a child.

"A shinobi who doesn't like violence? You're a long way from your safe spac,e kid." While speaking, Kotetsu crossed both arms in front of his chest.

These words inspired Naruto's Rinnegan to once again pulsate, causing his pupils to bulge and swell. Because of this, the black rings across Naruto's eyes were all pushed back, overwhelmed by his distinct pupils.

This created a faint glimmer of purple light, radiating out from Naruto's concealed eyes. This violet aura quickly garnished Kotetsu's attention, causing him to lean forward while squinting both eyes.

"What's up with your eyes, kid?" As Kotetsu spoke, he finally caught a glimpse of Naruto's Rinnegan.

This revelation forced Kotetsu's knees to buckle and shake while his eyes convulsed and twitched. After several brief moments, Kotetsu fell against the floor with a dense thud, leaking sweat from his face and neck.

"Kotetsu!" The disguised voice of Izumo spoke out.

Instead of waiting for a response, Izumo rushed across the hallway before crouching beside Kotetsu. At the same time, Naruto lowered Tenten to the floor before helping Lee stand up.

"Wh-... What did you do?" Sakura muttered, rushing out from the nearby crowd.

"I was just helping Lee." Naruto replied with a innocent smile.

"Well, actually..." Lee interrupted.

"We were trying to look weak and easy, so other students wouldn't take us seriously." As he spoke, Lee held one finger in the air.

"You idiot!" Tenten shrieked, slamming her fist against Lee's skull.

"Why would you say that out loud? Everyone just heard you." While speaking, Tenten grabbed her waist with both hands

"That isn't fair! Why am I the only one getting hit today?" Lee grumbled, rubbing his head with both hands.

While this conversation progressed, Sasuke finally came into view, standing beside Sakura. Also, dozens of Genin were whispering in the background, glancing at Naruto with interest.

"You there - what do you think you're doing?" Neji cut in, staring at Naruto.

"Just because your Lee's friend, that doesn't mean you can touch my girl." As Neji spoke, his eyes began to narrow.

"If you actually protected her, Naruto wouldn't have to do your job." Sasuke remarked.

Suddenly, Neji and Sasuke became embroiled in a fierce staring contest, allowing their contrasting eyes to meet. However, Neji soon scoffed with disgust, turning his gaze back to Naruto.

"The dead last of your class, being protected by a dead clan." Neji snorted.

Enthralled by these words, Sasuke gripped the hilt of his blade before unsheathing it, surging towards Neji. But instead of moving, Neji chuckled in response, forcing his eyes to bulge and twitch.

"Come, Uchiha." After speaking, Neji's white eyes morphed into a lavender color, fueled by the throbbing veins across his face.

These veins were the distinct pattern of the Byakugan, one of the three great Doijutsu, like the Sharingan. Because of this, Neji possessed an extensive list of abilities, beyond that of a normal shinobi.

"Behold, the might of the Uchiha!" Sasuke barked out, revealing his 2 tomoe Sharingan.

As these enraged Genin drifted towards each other, a violet flash quickly appeared between them. This purple aura completely overwhelmed Sasuke and Neji, overpowering their ancient Doijutsu.

Sasuke and Neji were then flung back by an unseen force, flipping and sliding across the wooden floor. Eventually, Neji slammed against a crowd of Genin while Sasuke fell on top of Sakura.

"No violence, please." Naruto mumbled with a sheepish tone, rubbing his spiky hair.

As Naruto spoke, he stood in the exact spot where Sasuke and Neji just were, shocking the nearby Genin with his speed. Even Izumo was left speechless by this display, filled with sheer disbelief.

Naruto, what was that? Lee asked himself.

N-no way! This kid cancelled Neji's rotation? Tenten internally stuttered.

"Really? why did I get pushed back?" Sasuke snarled, annoyed tone.

"Mmmmm, thanks Naruto - 3/0." Sakura hummed, wrapping both arms around Sasuke.

"Not one moment of rest." Sasuke scoffed, leaping away from Sakura.

"Clanless filth. How dare you!" Neji spat out with contempt.

"Well, I mean. If you would just calm down, I wouldn't have to step in." Naruto stuttered his excuse.

After speaking, Naruto flew into panic as Neji's vibrant chakra network became more prominent. Focused on the pulsating eyes that Neji possessed, Naruto was the center of his attention.

What's going on? How did some lowborn rat get a Kekkai Genkai? Neji glared at the chakra-filled silhouette of Naruto's Rinnegan.

He has nothing, no clan, no family and no future - then how? Lost in his own thoughts, Neji swelled with confusion.

"Wait a second - this isn't even the 3rd floor, why did we stop here?" Sakura snapped out, springing to her feet.

"Huh?" Both Sasuke and Naruto mumbled in unison.

"It clearly says room 201 above that door." Sakura sighed, holding both arms against her chest.

"Sorry... I was distracted." Naruto apologized.

"Whatever, let's head upstairs." Sasuke muttered without a care in the world.

Meanwhile.

"So, those misfits belong to Kakashi." Izumo muttered to himself, peeking out from a half-closed door.

"That fox brat though, I can't believe he did this to Kotetsu." Mumbling aloud, Izumo towered over his unconscious friend.

Ten minutes later.

"I'm glad to see you all together, it brings a tear to my eye." Kakashi spoke out, poking his head through an opened window

Standing in the center of a wooden hall, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were gathered in front of a large doorway. Positioned inside the Shinobi Academy of Konoha, this building was filled with nostalgia.

"We'll past this test, no problem!" Naruto procalimed, grinning from whisker-to-whisker.

"Oh I'm sure you will, Naruto. It's the other two I'm worried about." Kakashi replied with a lazy tone.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Sakura snorted.

"Just a joke, I assure you." Kakashi chuckled, waving one hand through the air.

"Your jokes are terrible." Sasuke scoffed, crossing both arms in front of his chest.

"Hmmm, maybe, but I want to tell you all something." Kakashi hummed.

"I'm proud of you." Winking his visible eye, Kakashi was sprawled across an open window-seal.

Shaking the embarrassing swell in her stomach, Sakura narrowed each of her emerald green eyes. Glaring at Naruto, Sakura was filled with an odd sensation of envy.

You've really grown up, haven't you? Sakura pondered..

Sasuke gives you so much attention... But he doesn't even notice me. Fueled by these thoughts, Sakura clenched both fists.

"I won't be able to intervene once you and your teammates pass this door, from that point on." Kakashi declared, tearing Sakura from her mind.

"These exams are very dangerous..." Sighing with boredom, Kakashi visible eye was barely open..

"If something happens, you'll teammates will rely on you to save them." Speaking with a lazy tone, Kakashi rubbed the side of his head.

"And do you really think I can?" Naruto mumbled.

"Just do what you do best." Kakashi answered with a faint smile.

"Hurry up, Naruto!" Sakura barked out, standing beside Sasuke.

Rushed down the hall, Naruto was flung through a wooden door by Sakura, triumphantly cheering. Trailed by Sasuke, Sakura charged through the door without a care in the world.