Naruto: Chakra System

"We're going to the third floor." After effortlessly kicking the two rude Genin out of the way, Sasuke put his hands back in his pockets and began to walk, followed by Naruto and Sakura.

"What's he talking about?"

"Who knows?"

The other Genin in the hallway murmured, confused.

"Sasuke Uchiha!" Neji muttered from his position with Tenten and the fallen Lee on the ground.

"So you noticed, eh?" The Genin with his head covered by a blue headband stood up with his partner after being kicked.

Team Seven turned around, and Naruto replied with a broad grin. "Of course we noticed it the moment we entered! This is the second floor, with a Genjutsu cast around here!"

"Huh! Genjutsu?"

"No way! How could we not have noticed it!"

The other Genin murmured again, shocked by Naruto's casual comment. Immediately, the sign above the door changed from '301' to '201', shocking all the Genin who hadn't realized the illusion.

"Hey... Not bad." The dark-haired Genin said, a smirk on his face as he rushed toward Sasuke. "But just seeing through it isn't... ENOUGH!"

Swoop!

The dark-haired Genin twisted his body, raising his leg high and aiming for Sasuke's face. Sasuke instantly sensed the attack's trajectory, took a step back, and prepared to block the incoming kick with his own leg.

Shaaa...

But before their attacks could connect, Rock Lee's figure instantly appeared between them. He grabbed their incoming kicks with his bare hands, planting himself firmly at the nexus of their strikes.

"Huh!" Sasuke was taken aback. Lee's speed was so shocking he hadn't been able to see it clearly without his Sharingan. 'He blocked my kick with his bare hands, and what is this strange chakra around them?' Sasuke thought, taking a step back to stand beside his teammates.

"Oh! He's fast!" Naruto commented, also surprised by Lee's speed.

"Lee! Aren't you the one who insisted we should avoid drawing attention?" Neji asked, walking forward to Lee with Tenten.

"Yeah, but..." Lee began, turning to face Sakura. A small blush appeared on his cheeks.

Tenten shook her head. "Haa... Here we go again." Neji just turned his head away, not wanting to be part of whatever was on Lee's mind. He instead walked toward Sasuke.

"Hi, my name is Rock Lee," Lee said, standing in front of Sakura. He gave her a thumbs-up, his teeth shining brightly for a moment with a classic nice-guy smile. "Would you like to go out with me? I'll protect you with my life!"

Sakura looked flustered, glancing to her right at Sasuke, who was speaking with Neji, then to her left at Naruto, who stood with his arms crossed, a look on his face that said, 'What the hell is wrong with this big-eyebrowed, bowl-cut guy?' though he didn't say anything.

"Aha," Sakura laughed nervously. "Sorry... but I like someone else!"

Rock Lee's shoulders and head slumped in disappointment. Seeing this, Naruto laughed, but then instantly composed himself.

"I UNDERSTAND! BUT WE CAN STILL BE FRIENDS, RIGHT!!" Lee then said in a loud voice, grabbing unnecessary attention from the crowd of other Genin.

"You are Sasuke Uchiha, correct? I am Neji from the Hyuga Clan!" Neji introduced himself, ignoring Lee's emotional display at the side.

"Neji Hyuga? Yeah... I've heard your name. You're the current prodigy of the Hyuga Clan. Nice to see you," Sasuke replied, a knowing smirk on his face. 'First that spook from the Sand Village, then this bowl-cut guy who blocked my kick, and now a genius from the Hyuga Clan. Not to mention even Naruto is much stronger now, with his Beast's power.'

He clenched his fist. 'Is this what Kakashi-sensei meant, that I would grow stronger in this Exam, after fighting all these monsters as my challenges!'

"Hey! Hey! Do you know me?" Lee immediately jumped to Sasuke and Neji's side, a wide smile on his face as he asked Sasuke.

"You... Rock Lee, is your name, huh?" Sasuke put a hand on his chin, thinking seriously. He then shook his head. "Nope! No idea!"

Rock Lee's shoulders and head slumped again. This was even sadder for him than Sakura's fresh rejection. He wanted to fight and defeat these geniuses of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, yet Sasuke didn't even know his name, though he had heard about Neji.

"Sasuke-kun, Naruto! Let's move!" Sakura then said, and they walked forward.

"Hey, those two, they definitely weren't Genin, right?" Naruto asked as they walked away.

"Of course not," Sasuke replied. "That level of Genjutsu isn't easy for any Genin!"

"Well, we should move, too! Come on, Lee, what are you doing?" Tenten said.

"You guys go on ahead. I'll meet you soon!" Lee replied, walking behind Team Seven.

Tenten turned to Neji, who just shrugged and said, "Well, he'll catch up. We should go."

————

"That kick from the Uchiha brat was really strong for a rookie Genin!" The two Genin who were guarding the second floor, with a puff of smoke, changed into their real forms. "No wonder Kakashi was so confident in them during the meeting."

"Yeah, I can't say about the other two, but this Uchiha brat can be promoted to Chūnin after this exam!" Kotetsu said with a snort and grin.

"Yeah! This exam is going to be fun... for us examiners too!" Izumo said with a nod.

———

"I challenge you to a fight! Uchiha Sasuke!" Rock Lee stated, a serious look on his face, as he stopped in front of Team Seven.

"Huh, a fight right now?" Sasuke asked, his expression confused.

"Yeah, I want to test my skills against the last survivor of the genius clan!" Lee said, getting into a fighting stance.

"Sasuke! You shouldn't fight with him. Kakashi-sensei told us not to, or did you forget?" Naruto said, his left fist on his waist, shaking a finger and head at Sasuke.

"Oi! Why are you assuming that I've agreed to his challenge?" Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto.

"Hey! Are you backing down from a fight!" Lee yelled, hearing Naruto and Sasuke.

"Wait, I think I've seen you somewhere!" Naruto turned to Lee, a look of recognition on his face. "Oh yeah, you look just like Kakashi-sensei's friend, Might Guy! Are you his son?"

Lee's fighting stance immediately broke. With a proud smile, he said, "No! I am Guy-sensei's proud student! Rock Lee!"

"HUH!!" Naruto's face slumped, his expression one of clear shock. He muttered to himself, "Both have a bowl cut, bushy brows, a green tight spandex suit, and the same loud energy, yet they aren't father and son??"