"If this is all you've got, you're nowhere near challenging Izayoi."
Sasuke Uchiha smirked triumphantly, relishing Rock Lee's stunned expression.
Rock Lee lowered his head, shadows cloaking his forehead and eyes. He silently unraveled the bandages on his hands, murmuring, "Teacher Kai, I'm sorry, but I might have to break that taboo, because…"
He snapped his head up, eyes blazing with resolve. "I have to prove myself to the person before me!"
In an instant, Rock Lee's entire aura transformed.
Just as the two prepared for another round, poof!—a cloud of white smoke appeared beside Rock Lee.
When it cleared, a man stood there, clad in the same green spandex as Rock Lee but with an added green vest. Perched atop a red tortoise, he struck a dazzling pose and grinned. "My, my, you kids are bursting with youth!"
"Even… thicker brows!"
At the sight, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno froze in shock.
Sasuke's fighting spirit vanished, his mouth twitching.
Even Hinata and Shino Aburame looked stunned, wondering if Rock Lee and Might Guy were father and son.
Only Izayoi studied Might Guy intently.
Around Might Guy floated two purple bubbles.
[Master of Taijutsu (Purple)]
[Kage-Level Potential (Purple)]
Like a larger version of Rock Lee, Might Guy's entries were a tier above his student's, matching Deidara's double-purple status.
But Izayoi knew well that Might Guy, in his normal state, wasn't a Kage-level ninja.
Yet the system rated his potential as purple, Kage-level, suggesting it accounted for the heights he'd once reached.
Might Guy with seven gates open was indeed a standout among Kage.
The Eight Gates, as Izayoi suspected, was a divine technique that could defy fate itself.
"You must be Kakashi and Kurenai's students! Such youth!" Might Guy said, having finished scolding Rock Lee. He approached Teams 7 and 8 to greet them.
Team 7 was still fixated on Might Guy's eyebrows, their mouths and eyes twitching.
Izayoi responded politely, "Guy-sensei."
Following his lead, Hinata and Shino echoed, "Guy-sensei."
"You know me? Haha, of course! After all, Kakashi and I are known as Konoha's eternal rivals!" Might Guy flashed a thumbs-up and a gleaming grin.
"He's an elite jonin like Kakashi-sensei?"
"No way! He… doesn't look the part at all."
Team 7 was floored by Might Guy's claim.
But his exaggerated gestures and expressions made them skeptical.
Though they'd never seen Kakashi Hatake fight, Izayoi's words had clued them into his reputation.
"You're being rude! Everything Teacher Kai says is true!" Rock Lee shouted, catching Team 7's doubtful glances.
"Guy-sensei is one of Konoha's trump cards, a renowned taijutsu master in the ninja world. He's Kakashi-sensei and Kurenai-sensei's classmate and indeed their rival," Izayoi said, vouching for Might Guy. Pointing at the wall clock, he added, "Also, the exam's about to start. We'll be late if we don't move."
"Oh, right, almost forgot about the exam!"
Might Guy, who'd been itching to show off, ruffled Rock Lee's hair with a laugh. "Lee, breaking the taboo would normally earn you a punishment. But given the circumstances, we'll save it until after the Chunin Exams."
"Yes, Teacher Kai!" Rock Lee snapped to attention.
Team 7 watched the eccentric teacher-student duo, thoroughly desensitized.
"We'll head out then," Izayoi said, leading Team 8 in a polite farewell as they left the administration building.
Team 7 followed close behind.
On the way to the lecture hall, Naruto sidled up to Sasuke, smirking mischievously. "Sasuke, since when did you become Izayoi's underling?"
"Dead last, you looking to die?"
Sasuke, who'd been about to boast to Izayoi about mastering Lightning Release chakra cell stimulation, bristled, a red tic mark pulsing on his forehead as he glared murderously at Naruto.
Unfazed, Naruto pointed ahead. "Sasuke, you're up!"
Sasuke's face flushed with rage. He lunged, fists flying, pummeling Naruto.
Naruto fought back, refusing to yield.
The fated rivals devolved into a bizarre spectacle, trading blows while inching forward.
"Stop it, you two, no more fighting!" Sakura pleaded, her face etched with worry.
Her inner persona, however, was loudly cheering for Sasuke.
"Let's pick up the pace," Shino said, a rare suggestion from the usually unobtrusive ninja, prompted by the odd stares from passing examinees.
"Mm."
Izayoi and Hinata nodded in agreement, quietly speeding up.
Walking with these three idiots was just too embarrassing.
Soon, Teams 7 and 8 reached the exam room outside the lecture hall.
Three figures sat on a bench in the corridor.
"Kurenai-sensei, Kakashi-sensei," Izayoi said, leading Hinata and Shino to greet Kurenai Yuhi and Kakashi Hatake. He glanced at Asuma Sarutobi beside Kurenai, who looked miserable, battling his nicotine cravings.
"I'm glad to see you all here," Kurenai said with a smile. She gestured to Asuma. "This is Team 10's jonin instructor, Asuma Sarutobi. You can call him Asuma-sensei or Instructor Asuma."
"Asuma-sensei," Team 8 said in unison, led by Izayoi.
"Hey there," Asuma said with a grin. "I've heard about you from Ino and Shikamaru—this year's top rookie and two perennial top-five students. Kurenai's got some luck."
"You're too kind, Asuma-sensei," Izayoi said modestly.
Meanwhile, Kakashi had explained to Team 7 why their jonin instructors were present.
Shino, who'd been listening, said flatly, "So, if only one or two of us showed up, we couldn't take the Chunin Exams?"
"Exactly," Kurenai nodded, smiling. "Remember what I told you during our introductions?"
"For a long time, until one of you becomes a chunin, I'll lead you on missions."
"Only when someone earns chunin rank, with the approval of their jonin instructor and the village, can they lead their teammates on missions."
"If you can't earn your teammates' trust or lack the resolve to lead them, you're not fit to be a leader."
"The Chunin Exams began the moment you received those applications."
Shino and Hinata exchanged looks of realization.
Kurenai stood, opening the exam room door for Team 8 herself. "Go on in. Good luck—I'm looking forward to your results."
"We won't let you down, Kurenai-sensei," Izayoi said, his lips curving upward. He led Hinata and Shino, both brimming with confidence, inside.
Team 7, snapping out of their daze, hurried after them.
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