Inuzuka Kiba, partnered with Akamaru, although he hadn't yet mastered "Fang Over Fang," his "Passing Fang" combined with the Four Legs Technique made him one of the top students of his generation, solidly reaching the Chunin level.
So, what about Rock Lee, his opponent? What was his strength?
The answer might be surprising—even with his heavy weights on, Lee's strength was enough to overwhelm Uchiha Sasuke, who had awakened his Sharingan at the same time in the original story.
If he took off his weights, his speed could even surpass Gaara's sand, which was known as "Absolute Defense." And when he went all out, activating the Fifth Gate, the Gate of Closing, in the Eight Inner Gates Formation, he could kick Gaara repeatedly in the air like a sandbag!
If Naruto was a "cheat," Satsuki was a "genius," and Gaara was a "monster," then Lee was a "hardworking commoner" with no talent, built purely on sweat and perseverance.
Yet, such a "commoner," at this age, already possessed terrifying taijutsu strength comparable to an elite Jonin! In the original story, he practically crushed all examinees except Gaara.
However, besides Naruto, who knew the inside story, the other spectators did not realize what a disparity in strength this match would be.
Most people even favored Inuzuka Kiba, who came from a prestigious clan.
"It's finally my turn to shine! Akamaru! We must win!" Kiba shouted confidently, leaping into the arena with Akamaru.
"Woof!" Akamaru responded with equal fighting spirit.
In the arena, the two stood opposite each other. Lee adopted a standard Strong Fist stance, his eyes focused. Although he didn't encounter Naruto, Neji, or Gaara, whom he most wished to fight, he would not underestimate his opponent in the slightest.
"Then... *cough, cough*... you two may begin." Gekkō Hayate gave the command to start the match.
The battle erupted instantly! And this is what happened in the next minute.
Kiba immediately formed hand signs and low-growled. "Beast Mimicry Ninja Art: Four Legs Technique!" Chakra rapidly strengthened his limbs, his fingertips sharpened, and his entire body became like a beast poised to strike.
"Here I come!"
Before he finished speaking, Kiba and Akamaru lunged at Lee!
However—their fierce combined attack was precisely evaded by Lee with just a casual sidestep.
What?!
Kiba's heart pounded. His opponent had so easily defused their joint assault, and on that face with the bowl cut and thick eyebrows, there wasn't even the slightest change in expression, chillingly calm!
The moment Kiba's first attack missed and his body lunged forward due to inertia, Akamaru launched another surprise attack, directly pouncing on Lee's arm!
However, this fierce bite appeared in Lee's vision as clear as a slow-motion replay. He merely bent his elbow slightly, letting the fangs graze past, while his other hand formed a hand blade, striking at Akamaru's neck.
"Woof—!"
Akamaru let out a short whimper, his small body sent flying by the impact, rolling on the ground, and losing consciousness.
"Akamaru!"
Witnessing his partner's unconsciousness, Kiba's pupils constricted violently in shock and worry. What... what exactly is going on with this guy?!
He finally clearly realized that this seemingly unremarkable thick-browed individual possessed strength far beyond his reach.
Kiba instinctively wanted to rush towards Akamaru to check on him—of course, Lee had held back against a fellow Konoha Ninja, and Akamaru was only temporarily unconscious—but the moment he was distracted, Lee's figure was already closing in! His speed was too fast for Kiba's dynamic vision to catch! He could only rely on his fighting instinct to hastily throw a punch to counter!
However, all his movements, in Lee's eyes, were like being stuck in thick mud, full of flaws, slow and powerless.
The difficulty of this battle... was quite disappointing.
A hint of disappointed loneliness flashed through Lee's heart. He easily parried Kiba's harmless punch, then pushed off with his feet, his body gracefully leaping into the air, drawing a perfect arc.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
A sharp side kick, accompanied by the sound of rushing air, swept towards Kiba's chest and abdomen! Kiba hastily raised his arms to block, but Lee's leg speed far exceeded his reaction limit! Before his defensive stance was fully formed, an overwhelming force had already heavily slammed into his body!
"Bang!"
Kiba was sent flying backward, his back hitting the wall with a dull thud, then sliding to the ground, completely losing consciousness.
"..."
The entire preliminary arena fell into a dead silence. Did all that last for a minute? No, probably less than thirty seconds! This Genin named Rock Lee... his strength was terrifying?!
The Jonin in the examiner's seats naturally saw it clearly. From Kiba's initial speed and aura, his strength was not weak, even commendable. The only explanation for such an overwhelming result could be—this thick-browed boy was simply too strong!
"Then... the winner of this match is, Rock Lee."
Gekkō Hayate, after confirming that Inuzuka Kiba was indeed unconscious, couldn't help but take another look at the thick-browed youth in the arena before announcing the match results.
"Lee—!"
Suddenly, a loud, bell-like, passionate voice echoed throughout the entire examination hall. Hyuga Neji and Tenten seemed to have anticipated something, and both retreated a few steps, tacitly turning their faces away, trying to distance themselves from the center of the arena.
Might Guy, like a green whirlwind, directly leaped down from the spectator stands!
"Te... Sensei!" Lee immediately turned to the source of the voice, responding excitedly, his eyes sparkling with the same light.
Under everyone's astonished, even somewhat stunned, gazes, Might Guy suddenly burst into tears without warning, large teardrops rolling down his resolute, thick-browed cheeks.
"Lee... you rascal..." His voice was choked with emotion.
As if infected by this emotion, Lee also instantly teared up, tears gushing out. "Sensei... I... I succeeded!"
Is it genjutsu?! Naruto rubbed his eyes in horror, because he seemed to truly see the surging ocean and the blood-red setting sun as background effects behind the passionately gazing teacher and student!
"Alright! Don't say anything!" Might Guy opened his arms.
"Sensei!"
"Lee!"
The next moment, under the complex gazes of all the examinees and examiners, two figures with bowl cuts and equally thick eyebrows, one large and one small, suddenly rushed towards each other, embracing tightly and crying loudly.
This overly "fiery" expression of youth made most onlookers feel an inexplicable chill, and the air was filled with a mixture of awkwardness and confusion.
Perhaps disturbed by the commotion, or perhaps Lee had indeed held back, Kiba, who was being carried away on a stretcher by medical Ninja, slowly regained consciousness.
He laboriously raised his head, his blurry vision gradually clearing, and what came into view were the two green figures embracing and crying... I... I actually lost to these guys... An indescribable complex emotion, primarily shame and disbelief, instantly surged to his head. His throat choked, his eyes rolled back, he couldn't catch his breath, and he was actually stimulated to faint again... In the end, even the Third Hokage felt his old face was a bit disgraced. He cleared his throat a few times, signaling the Anbu nearby to quickly escort the teacher and student, who were still releasing their "youthful energy," back to the spectator stands.
Gekkō Hayate cleared his throat with a sigh of relief, trying to maintain the dignity of an examiner, and signaled for the electronic screen to begin drawing the next match's roster.
The screen flickered, and the names settled—
[Hyuga Neji VS Hyuga Hinata]
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"