The morning broke crisp and clear, sunlight spilling over the rooftops of Konoha. Lee was already awake, sweat dripping from his brow as he pushed through the last grueling set of kicks. His muscles screamed, his breath came ragged, but he didn't stop until the counter ticked over.
The system chimed.
[Daily Task Complete – Routine of Youth]
Reward: +0.5 Strength, +0.5 Vitality, +0.5 Stamina
[Updated Status]
Strength: 47
Vitality: 46
Stamina/Chakra: 47
Luck: 5
Lee exhaled hard, collapsing onto his mat. His limbs trembled, but inside, a fire burned steady. He had finished early on purpose, today wasn't just another day. Today, the Chūnin Exam finals began.
The roar of the crowd hit him first. Konoha's arena was packed, the circular stands crammed with cheering civilians, foreign guests, and shinobi of every rank. To outsiders, it was a spectacle, entertainment. But to the genin walking into the arena, it was a trial by fire.
Lee climbed the steps and found his seat among the others who had lost in the preliminaries. Tenten waved him over, patting the bench beside her. Sakura sat on her other side, posture straight and eyes already fixed on the arena floor. Hinata hovered close to the railing, fingers twisting together nervously.
Around them, the rest of the Konoha 12 clustered. Choji munching chips, Ino leaning forward eagerly, Kiba grinning with Akamaru perched on his head, and Shino silent as ever.
Tenten glanced sideways at Lee. "You sure you're up for this? Yesterday you looked ready to collapse."
Lee straightened despite the ache still in his bones. "Of course. To witness my comrades' flames of youth is the greatest motivation there is."
Sakura gave him a faint smile, then turned back to the arena. "I just hope Naruto doesn't make a fool of himself."
Hinata's eyes softened. "He won't. I… I believe in him."
Kiba snorted. "Believe all you want. Neji's the prodigy of the Hyūga clan. Naruto doesn't stand a chance."
Ino crossed her arms, nodding. "Kiba's right. Neji's too far ahead. I don't see how Naruto can win."
Lee folded his hands on his knees, gaze steady. "Do not dismiss him so quickly. Naruto has a spirit that refuses to yield. Sometimes, that alone is enough to overturn expectations."
Hinata glanced at him with quiet gratitude.
The match began with Neji standing tall and composed, Byakugan activated, every motion precise. Naruto, in contrast, charged recklessly, clones bursting into existence only to be shredded by Neji's Gentle Fist.
The Konoha 12 groaned.
Kiba shook his head. "Told you. He's hopeless."
But Lee's eyes narrowed. Naruto stumbled, yes, but he kept rising. His body screamed from Neji's strikes, yet his eyes still burned. Just like me, Lee thought. No matter how many times fate knocks him down, he stands.
Then came the moment.
Naruto's chakra flared violently, red and molten, as the Kyūbi's power surged through him. His wounds mended, his movements sharpened, his strikes hit with new force. Even Neji faltered, his eyes widening as he felt the oppressive swell of energy.
Still, Neji's defenses held. His Rotation spun like a shield, deflecting Naruto's assaults again and again. The crowd roared at each clash, neither side giving way.
Finally, both boys staggered, battered and heaving. Naruto rushed one last time, and Neji prepared another Rotation. Their collision erupted in a cloud of dust and smoke.
When it cleared, Naruto lay flat on the arena floor. Gasps rippled through the stadium. The referee stepped forward, beginning to raise his hand
and then the ground shifted.
From beneath Neji's feet, Naruto burst upward with a roar, his fist connecting squarely with Neji's jaw. The strike lifted the Hyūga heir clean off his feet and hurled him across the arena.
Silence. Then cheers thundered like a storm.
Sakura leapt to her feet, fists clenched. "He did it! He actually did it!"
Hinata pressed a hand to her chest, tears brimming in her eyes. "Naruto-kun…"
Even Ino gaped, stunned. Kiba muttered something under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief.
Lee allowed himself a small, proud smile. "So long as you do not give up… you will always have a chance."
Naruto, battered but grinning, raised his fist in triumph.
Later, in the quiet of the infirmary, Neji sat on the edge of his bed, his body aching. Hiashi stood before him, silent for a moment before placing a folded letter on the table. Without a word, he left.
Neji's fingers trembled as he unfolded the parchment. His father's handwriting spilled across the page, explaining the truth of his sacrifice, the true meaning of the Hyūga curse mark, and the choice he had made out of love and desire to fight against his destiny.
The words shook Neji to his core. All his life, he had believed himself shackled by fate, a prisoner of destiny. Yet here was proof that even his father had chosen defiance in his final moments.
His thoughts drifted to Lee, how he had shattered his spine and yet returned, burning with willpower. How he had stood in the training yard, refusing to accept limits.
Perhaps… fate was not absolute.
Back in the arena, the next match was called… The previous match was postponed due to a late participant. Shikamaru ambled onto the field, hands in his pockets, yawning. Temari glared at him, her giant fan already poised for battle.
The fight began, and Lee leaned forward, curious. At first glance, Shikamaru seemed lazy, even disinterested. But as shadows crept and stretched across the ground, it became clear, he was drawing her in, one step at a time.
Temari fought back fiercely, her fan sending slicing gales across the arena, but Shikamaru's shadow crept closer and closer until it finally snared her.
Ino leapt up, cheering. "Yes! That's how it's done!"
But then, Shikamaru sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "I give up."
The stadium erupted in disbelief.
"What?!" Ino shrieked. "You had her! Why did you surrender?!"
Shikamaru trudged back up to the stands, hands shoved in his pockets. "Chakra reserves were too low. I already proved I could catch her. No point dragging it out."
Ino fumed, grabbing his sleeve. "You're unbelievable!"
Choji chuckled, offering Shikamaru a bag of chips. "Nice try."
Kiba snorted. "More like nice nap."
Lee tilted his head, considering. "Not all strength is in fists and kicks. Sometimes, knowing when to withdraw is also its own form of wisdom."
Shikamaru gave him a lazy grin. "Glad someone gets it."
The Rising Tension
As the crowd settled, the air in the arena thickened. The next match loomed, the one everyone was waiting for. Lee felt his pulse quicken. He had seen Gaara once already, and even at a glance, his killing intent was suffocating.
The system pulsed faintly in the corner of his vision.
[High Threat Approaching: Gaara of the Sand]
Lee tightened his fists. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on.