"If that's all the strength you've got, then I'm afraid you're not qualified to challenge Izayoi."
Looking at the shocked expression on Rock Lee's face, Uchiha Sasuke finally felt like he'd gotten his moment of glory. He wore a smug expression, basking in his triumph.
Rock Lee, however, slowly lowered his head, his forehead and eyes cast in shadow. He quietly began unwrapping the bandages on his hands, murmuring, "Guy-sensei… I'm sorry. I might have to break that taboo, because…"
Suddenly lifting his head, Rock Lee's eyes were full of determination. "Because I have to prove myself… to the person standing in front of me!"
In an instant, Rock Lee's entire aura changed.
Just as the two were about to start a new round—
Poof! A puff of white smoke suddenly appeared right next to Rock Lee.
When the smoke cleared, a man dressed in the same green bodysuit as Rock Lee—but with an added green flak jacket—stood there, posing flamboyantly atop a red turtle. He grinned brightly and said, "Honestly now, you kids are so full of youth!"
"E-even thicker eyebrows!"
Upon seeing him, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno were instantly petrified.
Even Uchiha Sasuke's fighting spirit vanished on the spot, his lips twitching.
Hinata and Shino were equally stunned, thinking Rock Lee and Might Guy must be father and son.
Only Izayoi remained calm, seriously observing Might Guy.
Around Might Guy floated two purple bubbles:
[Taijutsu Master (Purple)]
[Kage-Level Potential (Purple)]
Just like a larger version of Rock Lee, Might Guy's entries were both one tier higher. Like Deidara, he had dual purple entries.
But Izayoi knew clearly that in his normal state, Might Guy wasn't at the Kage level.
Yet the system still judged him as having "Kage-level potential," meaning it took into account the level of power he had once reached.
When he opened the Seventh Gate, Might Guy indeed stood among the strongest at the Kage tier.
Eight Gates Release—just as Izayoi suspected, it was truly a god-tier technique capable of turning fate itself.
"You guys are Kakashi and Kurenai's students, huh? Ahhh, so youthful!"
While Izayoi was lost in thought, Might Guy had already finished scolding Rock Lee and walked over to greet Teams 7 and 8.
Team 7 continued staring at his bushy brows, faces twitching uncontrollably.
Izayoi respectfully said, "Guy-sensei."
Seeing that, Hinata and Shino followed suit, bowing and greeting, "Guy-sensei."
"You even know me? Hahaha! Well, I suppose that makes sense. After all, Kakashi and I are known as eternal rivals of the village!" Guy said, flashing a toothy smile and giving a thumbs-up.
"He's actually on the same level as Kakashi-sensei?!"
"No way! That's… totally unbelievable!"
Team 7 was utterly shaken by his claim.
But his exaggerated movements and expressions made them seriously doubt him.
Even though they had never seen Kakashi fight, they had a rough idea of his strength from what Izayoi had said before.
"You're being rude! Everything Guy-sensei said is true!"
Seeing their doubtful looks, Rock Lee shouted in protest.
"Guy-sensei is one of the Hidden Leaf's trump cards, a renowned taijutsu expert of the ninja world. He's a classmate of Kakashi-sensei and Kurenai-sensei, and yes—they are rivals." Izayoi spoke up to vouch for Guy, then pointed at the clock hanging on the wall. "Also, the exam's about to start. If we don't go now, we'll be late."
"Ah! I almost forgot about the exam!"
Originally planning to show off a little, Might Guy instead patted Rock Lee's head with a smile. "Lee, you broke the taboo, so you should be punished. But since the situation is special, we'll hold off on that until after the Chuunin Exams."
"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Rock Lee stood straight and shouted.
Watching this eccentric pair of master and disciple, Team 7 had already become numb to it all.
"Well then, we'll be heading out first."
Izayoi politely said his farewells and led Team 8 out of the building.
Team 7 followed closely behind.
On the way to the academy, Naruto leaned toward Sasuke with a mischievous grin. "Hey Sasuke, since when did you become Izayoi's little sidekick?"
"Dead-last… you've got a death wish, huh?"
Sasuke, who had been planning to show off the way he used Lightning Chakra to stimulate his cells, suddenly had a red pound-mark pop up on his forehead. He turned his eyes full of killing intent toward Naruto.
Naruto wasn't afraid at all. Instead, he pointed ahead and said, "Go get him, Sasuke!"
Sasuke immediately exploded with rage and charged in to beat him up.
Naruto wasn't one to back down and struck back.
And so, the two rivals started brawling while continuing to walk forward.
"Stop it already! You guys, please stop fighting!"
Sakura tried to break them up, looking genuinely worried.
But deep inside, her inner persona was screaming: Go, Sasuke! You can do it!
"Let's pick up the pace."
Seeing the odd looks from other examinees around them, the usually low-key Shino spoke up for once.
"Mm."
Izayoi and Hinata both agreed, silently increasing their pace.
Walking with these three idiots was just too embarrassing.
Before long, Teams 7 and 8 arrived outside the exam room in the academy.
In the corridor outside the door, three figures sat on a bench.
"Kurenai-sensei, Kakashi-sensei."
Izayoi led Hinata and Shino over and greeted Yūhi Kurenai and Hatake Kakashi. He also glanced at Asuma Sarutobi, who sat next to Kurenai looking miserable and craving a smoke.
"I'm glad to see you all made it," Kurenai said with a gentle smile. Then she introduced Asuma: "This is the jōnin leader of Team 10, Sarutobi Asuma. You may address him as Asuma-sensei or Jōnin Asuma."
"Asuma-sensei."
Led by Izayoi, Team 8 greeted him respectfully.
"Nice to meet you."
Asuma smiled and said, "I've heard about you from Ino and Shikamaru. The number one rookie of this year, along with two top-five regulars—Kurenai really lucked out."
"You flatter us, Asuma-sensei." Izayoi replied with a modest smile.
Meanwhile, Kakashi had already explained to Team 7 why the jōnin leaders were there.
Listening quietly, Shino calmly asked, "So, if only one or two of us showed up, we wouldn't be allowed to participate in the Chuunin Exams?"
"That's right."
Kurenai nodded and said with a smile, "Remember what I told you during your introductions?"
"Until one of you is promoted to Chuunin, I'll be the one leading you on missions."
"Only when one of you becomes a Chuunin, recognized by both your jōnin instructor and the village, can you take on the role of team leader."
"If you can't earn your teammates' trust and don't have the courage to lead them, then you don't deserve to be a leader."
"The Chuunin Exams… actually began the moment you received the application form."
Upon hearing this, Shino and Hinata both had a look of realization.
Kurenai looked at the calm-faced Izayoi, stood up, and personally opened the door to the exam room. With a warm smile, she said, "Go on in. Good luck on your exam. I'm looking forward to hearing good news from you."
"We won't disappoint you, Kurenai-sensei."
Izayoi's lips curved upward as he stepped forward with the confident Hinata and Shino.
Team 7, who had just come to their senses, followed closely behind.