Stepping into the Academy building that served as the registration site, Lock and his two teammates quickly made their way upstairs.
They had barely reached the second floor when a loud impact echoed through the corridor.
Thump!
Rock Lee, dressed in a tight green jumpsuit and deliberately suppressing his presence, sat on the ground clutching his bruised cheek.
Standing before him were Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane — two Special Jonin disguised as ordinary exam supervisors. Though they looked like young men, both were experienced shinobi tasked with filtering candidates before the exam even began.
A Special Jonin specialized in a particular field. Their overall combat ability fell short of full Jonin, yet exceeded elite Chunin — a middle tier occupied by highly capable specialists.
Looking down at Rock Lee, the two exchanged exaggerated mockery.
"Hey, hey, what's this? We didn't even get serious, and you're already down?"
"So weak. You should just go home and cry to your parents for comfort."
"Hahaha!"
Their arrogant laughter made many examinees frown, but after witnessing Lee being knocked down so easily, no one dared step forward.
Behind Lee, Tenten sighed helplessly.
She stepped forward politely and bowed slightly.
"Please… could you just let us pass—"
Slap!
Before she finished, Kotetsu's hand struck her across the face.
"Don't try that nonsense," he said coldly. "Women only slow down my hand seal speed."
Izumo nodded beside him with exaggerated seriousness — then suddenly froze, eyes widening as realization struck. He instinctively clutched his backside and shuffled away.
Kotetsu's face darkened instantly.
"Idiot! That's not what I meant!"
After snapping at his partner, he turned back toward the gathered Genin, irritation rising again.
"Hmph. Even elites like us failed the Chunin Exams three times."
"You weaklings should go home. Chunin missions aren't games. Failure means injury — or death."
Truthfully, Kotetsu had not intended to be cruel.
But among the large crowd, not a single person had noticed the shallow genjutsu covering the hallway.
At this level, participating in the exam would only waste space.
The surrounding Genin lowered their voices, intimidated into silence.
At that moment, Lock, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the door labeled 301.
Lock walked at the front, headband loose around his neck, posture relaxed yet sharp. His unconventional appearance immediately drew whispers.
"That blond guy looks arrogant."
"Yeah, not even wearing his forehead protector properly."
"He must've never been beaten before."
"He's from Konoha? Never seen him."
"Let the guards teach him a lesson."
The crowd parted instinctively.
Behind him, Sakura muttered defensively:
"What's arrogant about it? You're just jealous our team has two handsome guys!"
Before anyone could respond, she leaned closer to Lock and whispered:
"It's a genjutsu. This is actually the second floor."
Kotetsu's expression shifted slightly.
"You noticed it already? Seems this year isn't completely hopeless."
He stepped forward, preparing to test them further.
"But seeing through genjutsu alone isn't enough—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
"…Where did he go?"
Lock had vanished.
Izumo's eyes widened as he pointed behind Kotetsu.
"He's already past us!"
Behind them, the single door labeled 301 shattered like glass. The illusion dissolved, revealing the true double doors marked 201.
Lock walked forward without breaking stride, raising one hand casually in farewell.
"Hurry up and finish here," he said without turning back. "You're wasting time."
Only then did the surrounding examinees realize the truth.
"It was a genjutsu!"
Kotetsu stared in disbelief.
"What terrifying Body Flicker…"
He knew Naruto — the Village's Jinchurik, whom everyone avoided.
But how could someone who had graduated only months ago move like that?
Their clearance level was far too low to know what had truly happened in recent months.
Seeing Lock make such an overwhelming entrance, Sasuke's pride stirred immediately.
He stepped forward coldly.
"Move."
His eyes sharpened.
"Or I'll kill you."
Kotetsu's irritation flared instantly.
"Oh? Big talk."
He spun on his heel, whipping his leg toward Sasuke like a steel lash.
"I'll see if your strength matches your mouth!"
Sasuke raised his leg to block while simultaneously forming hand seals.
But before impact—
A green figure flashed between them.
Rock Lee caught both ankles mid-strike, one in each hand.
Behind him, Neji frowned slightly, preparing to intervene—
Poof.
Sasuke vanished in a puff of smoke.
At the same time, Sakura beside them dissolved like a mirage.
Neji's gaze sharpened immediately as he looked toward the hallway beyond.
There, the real Sasuke and Sakura were already walking away behind Lock.
"Shadow Clone… and layered genjutsu," Neji murmured.
"They're not simple opponents."
He realized he had focused entirely on Sasuke and failed to notice Sakura's illusion technique at all.
Kotetsu scratched his head helplessly.
"What is with this year's monsters…"
Izumo sighed and stepped aside.
"Alright, you pass. Everyone may proceed."
The examinees erupted in relieved excitement, instantly grateful — conveniently forgetting their earlier mockery.
Neji and Tenten turned to Lee.
"Let's go."
But Lee remained staring down the corridor where Lock had disappeared.
"You two go ahead," he said quietly. "I have something to confirm."
Without waiting for a reply, he sprinted forward.
At the end of the corridor, Lee found Lock, Sasuke, and Sakura standing calmly in the hall below, as if waiting.
Lee slowed, confused.
Before he could speak, Lock's voice sounded calm and direct.
"Call Might Guy out."
Lock turned slightly, golden-red chakra faintly stirring beneath his skin.
"You're not qualified to fight me."
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A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
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