To be honest, once your strength reaches a certain level, there's barely any real difference between a genin and a Kage. The only thing that separates them is the kind of missions they're allowed to take. But missions are just a way to earn money and prestige, aren't they?
Prestige? Neji had no interest in that. All he wanted was to survive. And as for money... what a joke. He was born into the Hyūga clan. How could money ever be a concern?
"This Chūnin Exam will definitely bring together many formidable opponents. My youth is burning brighter than ever!"
Lee clenched his fists in excitement, then turned to Neji with intense seriousness.
"But my greatest goal is still you, Neji."
Neji let out a quiet sigh, visibly unimpressed.
"How troublesome."
Why did everyone fixate on surpassing jōnin as their goal?
Among all the shinobi under the Hokage's command, wasn't it already clear who the strongest genin was?
Neji cast Lee a sidelong glance, full of scorn. This guy still didn't understand the truth of this world.
And so, the three of them continued toward the exam venue. As soon as they entered the building, a commotion echoed through the hallway.
"We're genin here to take the Chūnin Exam! Why won't you let us through?"
"You brats want to take the Chūnin Exam? What a joke."
The two guards standing by the door burst into laughter.
"Honestly, we're only doing this for your sake. The Chūnin Exam isn't something you can pass just because you've got spirit."
"Take our advice and go train for another couple of years."
The mocking tone enraged many of the gathered genin, but no one could do anything about it.
Neji had no interest in wasting time here. With his level of strength, being blocked like this felt beneath him.
So, without hesitation, he stepped forward.
"Would you kindly remove the genjutsu? We're in a hurry."
"Genjutsu?" The two men Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki flinched slightly, their expressions twitching.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Just drop the act. The real exam room is on the third floor, but you've made this place look like it's the third. The genjutsu is far too obvious."
At Neji's words, the two men gave resigned smiles.
"Sheesh. As expected of the Hyūga prodigy."
And with that, they both dispelled the illusion.
Only then did the others realize what had been going on.
It had all been a genjutsu.
If they couldn't even see through this illusion…
The thought made many of them shiver. They began to look at Neji with respect and newfound admiration.
Just then, Hinata and Sakura arrived, catching the scene from the hallway.
Hinata's voice was quiet, filled with admiration.
"Neji-niisan… is incredible."
Sakura glanced at Naruto and Sasuke standing beside her and let out a sigh. Why couldn't either of them be a little more composed and reliable, like Neji?
"Damn it, why is it always someone else stealing the spotlight?" Naruto gritted his teeth.
"Tch. I was this close," Sasuke muttered, visibly frustrated.
Just a second sooner, and it would've been him impressing everyone.
Kotetsu and Izumo looked at Neji with admiration.
"This year's Chūnin Exam might really have a monster in it."
Then they turned to the others.
"Alright, the genjutsu is lifted. You can all head in."
"It's getting late. We should get to the classroom too," Tenten said.
"Wait."
Suddenly, Lee dashed in front of Sakura.
"Miss Sakura Haruno! My name is Rock Lee!"
Then, gathering all his courage, he declared, "Please go out with me! I will protect you with my life!"
He flashed a gleaming smile, his teeth shining brightly.
He had thought about this since the mission to the Land of Waves. This moment had been building inside him, and now was the time to act. That was the spirit of youth.
Everyone froze.
Neji looked at Lee for a moment, then fell into deep thought.
Was this guy really not Might Guy's biological son?
"I refuse!" Sakura shouted without hesitation.
Who would want to date a guy with a bowl cut and bushy eyebrows?
"If it were Neji, maybe I'd consider it…" she thought shyly, sneaking a glance at him.
As the group walked off, Kotetsu and Izumo shared a grin.
"This Chūnin Exam's going to be interesting."
By the time they reached Classroom 301, it was already packed with genin. Nearly everyone looked fierce and battle-hardened.
As Neji's group entered, they immediately spotted the final three members of the Rookie Nine Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji.
When they saw Naruto and the others, they called out cheerfully.
"Yo, there are so many people here. Everyone looks pretty strong," Naruto said with a grin.
"Tch. They're just genin like us," Sasuke scoffed.
As a member of the Uchiha clan, he couldn't afford to lose face.
"Don't underestimate them," came a calm voice from behind.
Neji turned to see a silver-haired young man with glasses approaching.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked.
"My name is Kabuto Yakushi. I'm a Leaf shinobi like you, and this is my seventh time taking the Chūnin Exam," he said with a warm smile.
"Seventh? Then why are you still a genin?" Naruto asked, wide-eyed.
Kabuto gave a wry smile.
"I just never passed."
"Seriously? Is the Chūnin Exam that hard? What a pain," Shikamaru muttered.
Neji stood silently to the side, observing. As expected of a spy. Kabuto had already integrated himself smoothly.
The other members of the Rookie Nine were surprised by the information he shared and began asking about their opponents.
"Hey, Neji, should we ask too?" Tenten whispered, intrigued.
"No need. The truly powerful ones won't have their data on his cards."
Or more accurately, Kabuto wouldn't share those details with everyone.
Kabuto gave Neji a sidelong glance. He felt an odd chill, as if the boy had seen through him completely.
But… he was just a kid.
"Must be my imagination," Kabuto thought, looking away with a soft chuckle before continuing his explanations.
Lee took a moment to reflect, then said, "Yeah. It's more thrilling to fight unknown opponents anyway."
"Let's grab some seats."
As soon as they sat down, Kabuto raised his voice so that the entire classroom could hear him.
"Sound Village is a newly formed nation. Not much intel is available, but it seems all their genin are quite powerful."
His voice was steady, just loud enough to catch everyone's attention.
Neji glanced toward the trio from the Sound Village with interest.
The show was about to start.
"Hey, you're being awfully loud."
Right on cue, a sharp burst of movement shattered the tension as Dosu Kinuta launched an attack at Kabuto.
The exchange happened in an instant. Kabuto collapsed to his knees, convulsing violently.
A shinobi with elite jōnin-level strength, willingly humiliating himself in front of everyone.
All to raise the reputation of the Sound ninja. Or more accurately, to draw Sasuke's attention.
Kabuto was certainly dedicated to his role.
"Now you know the power of the Sound Village," Dosu sneered.
Seeing everyone stunned into silence, he burst out laughing.
"Write it down in your little ninja cards. The Sound Trio is guaranteed to become chūnin."
Neji gave him a brief glance.
"The Chūnin Exams are a stage for genin with real ability," he said coldly. "It's not a place for garbage."