Chapter 28 (Patreon)

With the Chūnin Exams about to begin, Naruto found himself feeling increasingly carefree. He even took off the sunglasses he had been wearing all this time.

In another month, that scheming old Third Hokage would be dead. And with [Asura Field] active, Naruto’s strength would soon soar.

Who in Konoha would be able to keep him under control then?

Danzō? He wouldn’t be able to stop him either.

If things became troublesome, Naruto could simply leave the village and join the Akatsuki under his red-haired, masked-woman identity. Later, when he returned with Pain to destroy Konoha, he could take the opportunity to kill Danzō.

After all, his supernatural ability could completely conceal the Nine-Tails’ chakra. Neither Pain nor Obito would suspect that the Nine-Tails’ jinchūriki was right under their noses.

The next morning, Naruto headed to the first exam venue with Sasuke and Sakura.

They soon encountered Konoha’s familiar gate guards, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane. The pair had used genjutsu to alter the number displayed above a classroom door.

Team 7 arrived just in time to see Rock Lee, looking thoroughly outmatched, get kicked to the ground by the two guards.

You’re too honest for your own good, Lee...

Without another word, Naruto raised his hand and threw two kunai at Izumo and Kotetsu.

Both men dodged immediately. They stared at him in surprise, as did everyone else gathered there.

“Drop the genjutsu,” Naruto said, spreading his hands. “This is getting boring.”

Izumo’s expression tightened into an unpleasant smile.

“You think seeing through a little genjutsu is enough? The Chūnin Exams aren’t that easy.”

He pushed off the floor and lunged toward Naruto, intending to teach him a lesson with taijutsu.

Thud!

Lee darted between them and stopped Izumo’s attack.

The moment he had noticed Sakura, his enthusiasm had returned in full force. Forget hiding his abilities—this was his chance to impress her.

Naruto hadn’t intended to fight back in the first place. He had known Lee would intervene.

Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged surprised looks. These Konoha genin were more capable than they had expected.

Taking that as their cue, the two guards withdrew and cleared the way.

Lee went over to Sakura to declare his feelings, while Neji approached Naruto, who had just drawn everyone’s attention.

With his hands in his pockets, Neji looked him over.

“You there. What’s your name?”

Naruto frowned slightly.

“Naruto Uzumaki.”

Then the same awkward silence as before settled over them.

No one said anything.

A minute later, Neji looked at Naruto while Sasuke looked at Neji.

“Don’t you want to know my name?”

They asked at exactly the same time.

“Not interested.” Naruto shook his head.

Neji turned away in irritation, never so much as glancing at Sasuke.

Damn it. Again! Why does everyone only ask Naruto?

Sasuke clenched his fists, his expression souring.

Yesterday, Gaara had ignored him. Today, it was this white-eyed guy.

Damn it!

The humiliation burned. He had never expected to be overlooked like this, especially when the person stealing all the attention was Naruto—the class’s dead last, who had already beaten him five times.

His desire to grow stronger became more urgent than ever.

Naruto led Sasuke and Sakura onward. As they crossed a spacious hall, a shout came from behind them.

“Hey! You with the blond hair!”

Lee hurried after them.

Naruto turned, looking amused.

“What is it, Bushy Brow?”

“Would you fight me?” Lee asked earnestly. “Right here, right now.”

“You?” Naruto considered him. “If we only used taijutsu, I’d probably lose. But in a real fight? You’re not ready to take me on yet.”

It was the truth.

Taijutsu had always been Naruto’s weakest area. He was proficient in the basics, but trying to challenge Lee with those alone would only get him beaten up.

Lee was about to reply when Naruto pointed at Sasuke and grinned.

“If you want to fight me, beat him first.”

Damn it!

Sasuke’s expression darkened. He wanted to object, but after losing to Naruto five times, he couldn’t find much of an argument.

“Naruto! How can you say that?” Sakura protested.

Still, her tone wasn’t nearly as sharp as it once would have been.

Watching Naruto defeat Sasuke again and again had gradually changed the way she felt.

At her age, a crush could change. A handsome face caught her attention, but so did strength.

In the original story, Sakura had never met another boy her age who surpassed Sasuke in both looks and ability. He had both, and her feelings for him had remained firm.

Now things were different.

Naruto had already surpassed Sasuke in strength. And with his new clothes, even his appearance could almost rival Sasuke’s.

Sometimes, the right clothes were all it took.

Sakura wanted to say more, but Sasuke stopped her.

He was already full of anger and frustration. More than anything, he wanted someone to take it out on.

He stepped forward, only for Lee to stop him again.

Was everyone determined to ignore him today?

“Sakura! I’ll show you how strong I am!”

Lee’s face flushed. He winked at her and blew her a kiss.

“Hey! We’re standing right here, you know,” Naruto said, stepping in front of Sakura and giving Lee an annoyed look. “Quit flirting with our teammate like we don’t exist!”

Sakura looked at Naruto’s back.

He wasn’t particularly tall, but he had stepped in front of her without hesitation. Beside him, Sasuke seemed entirely unconcerned.

For the first time, her feelings began to lean more clearly toward Naruto.

“Come on, Sasuke! What are you waiting for?” Naruto pushed him forward. “Take him down!”

Damn it!

Sasuke’s face flushed with humiliation. He turned all that pent-up anger toward Lee.

“You’ll regret underestimating an Uchiha!”

He charged.

“So you’re Sasuke Uchiha? This year’s top rookie?” Lee slipped into his fighting stance, eager to meet him. “I’m lucky to get this chance!”

“Get him, Sasuke!” Naruto cheered from behind.

And Sasuke charged in!

Only to be kicked straight back.

He charged again!

Another kick sent him back.

He charged a third time!

And was kicked back yet again.

By now, Sasuke’s face was swollen from the blows.

Then his eyes changed.

The anger and humiliation had finally pushed him past his limit, awakening new power in his Sharingan.

On the night of the Uchiha massacre, the shock of losing his clan had awakened his one-tomoe Sharingan. Now, under the strain of this fight, a second tomoe appeared in each eye.

His Sharingan had advanced to two tomoe.

Lee had done it. He had managed the same feat as Itachi Uchiha: upsetting Sasuke enough to awaken his Sharingan.

As Sasuke felt the unfamiliar power in his eyes, his anger and frustration vanished. Joy and pride rushed in to take their place.

Naruto, Sakura, and Lee all stared at the change, each with a very different thought.

Nice work, Lee! I’ll thank you on Itachi’s behalf!

That was Naruto.

Sasuke has a Sharingan, just like Kakashi-sensei! Now he can beat Bushy Brow!

That was Sakura.

So this is the legendary power of the Uchiha... Guy-sensei, I’ll give it everything I have! I won’t let you down!

That was Lee.

A cold smile curled at the corner of Sasuke’s mouth. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous gleam appearing in them.

“Genjutsu, ninjutsu... they’re all just tricks. I can see right through them now!”

He snorted confidently.

“Come on, then! I’ll show you the power of the Uchiha!”

And Sasuke charged once more.