Challenge

"Reporting to the teacher, Rock Lee wants to challenge those few!"

"Hmm? Is that true, Rock Lee?"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Under the proctor's questioning gaze, Rock Lee remained confident and firm.

Because of Kimura Takuya, Rock Lee was no longer as insecure as he was during his school days in the original story.

Furthermore, his strength was significantly greater than it had been at the time of graduation in the original timeline.

Other classes were also taking their respective exams, and seeing someone suddenly appear to take on five opponents at once, they all curiously gathered to watch.

Even the proctors were quite intrigued and joined in to observe the match.

While classes for other grades were suspended during the graduation exams, many lower-grade students still came to watch the spectacle.

Naturally, this included Ino and her two companions.

"Go, Rock Lee!"

Seeing Takuya push Rock Lee forward, Ino also cheered loudly for him.

A soft chuckle drifted from the crowd.

"Ridiculous. Does the class of dead-lasts really think they can change their fate? Fate is unchangeable; this is nothing but grandstanding, completely meaningless."

Kimura Takuya cast his gaze toward the speaker: a young boy with black hair, a handsome face, and those iconic Byakugan eyes.

This was not the first time Takuya had seen the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan, yet every time he saw them, he found them quite peculiar.

Are they really not suffering from cataracts? How does one distinguish a cataract patient from a member of the Hyuga clan?

If someone from the Hyuga clan were to develop cataracts, how would one differentiate the diagnosis?

This was a very serious medical question, and as someone about to officially become a medical ninja, Takuya felt it was necessary to conduct some research.

If he wanted to research it, he first had to get to know a Hyuga.

"Hey, genius of the Hyuga clan, how about a bet?"

Hyuga Neji turned to look at Kimura Takuya, calmly delivering his verdict on Rock Lee, just as he had delivered a verdict on his own fate.

"He cannot win. I know who he is; he cannot even learn ninjutsu."

"Heh, no, I mean a bet on which of us would win."

"What? Are you trying to challenge me?"

"That's right. If Rock Lee wins, give me a chance to challenge you, the so-called genius. How about that?"

Hyuga Neji frowned, his Byakugan instantly activating.

He gauged the amount of chakra within Kimura Takuya and shook his head in disappointment.

"You are no match for me."

"Hahaha, here we go again. You are about to be proven wrong for the first time."

Kimura Takuya laughed, held up a single index finger, then turned his head toward Rock Lee in the arena and shouted.

"Rock Lee, one move!"

Upon hearing this, Rock Lee nodded at Takuya.

The duel began.

Rock Lee vs. the five small-fry.

At the start, the five used their numerical advantage to instantly surround Rock Lee.

Normally, given Rock Lee's speed, they wouldn't have been able to surround him at all.

But since he was restricted to only one move.

Rock Lee crouched, lowered his shoulder, and swept his gaze across his surroundings, waiting quietly for the five to close in.

They were close!

As soon as the five approached, Rock Lee executed a 360-degree spinning kick from a standing position.

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

Without a single wasted movement, the whirlwind kick struck all five heads in succession.

The five small-fry collapsed!

"Sugoi!"

"Incredibly clean and efficient. He only used one move?"

"That's too amazing, right? Is this really someone from Class 10?"

"As expected, Takuya-kun's friend is also super amazing!"

Seeing Rock Lee win so easily, Ino grabbed the Shika-Cho duo, jumping up and down and stomping her feet in excitement.

Applause and gasps of amazement erupted from the crowd.

The incredulous proctor, prompted by a reminder from Kimura Takuya, announced the result.

"Rock Lee, winner!"

Hyuga Neji's Byakugan widened instantly; he stared at Lee with flickering eyes, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

"How about it? Do we have a bet?"

Kimura Takuya wore a faint smile as he walked toward the testing area for Class 1, stopping right beside Neji.

"Let me witness the gap between myself and a genius, shall we?"

Hyuga Neji remained silent, but those around him began to whisper and chatter.

"What? A small fry from Class 10 actually wants to challenge our genius from Class 1?"

"Are you crazy, guy? It would be one thing if that bushy-browed kid were doing it."

"Exactly, who are you? What right do you have to challenge the Hyuga clan?"

Kimura Takuya ignored the questioning voices entirely, waiting quietly for Neji's response.

Finally, Hyuga Neji tore his gaze away from Lee and looked at Kimura Takuya.

"I will let you know the wretchedness of your fate."

"Ha."

Kimura Takuya chuckled softly, turning his head to look at the proctor nearby.

"Kimura Takuya of Class 10 requests a match against Hyuga Neji of Class 1."

"Now, student Kimura, have you thought this through? This is the graduation exam! While challenges between different classes aren't forbidden, grading isn't based solely on wins and losses. In a battle with such a massive disparity, if you lose too quickly, you might not receive any points at all."

"I am certain, positive, and absolute. Let's begin, teacher; Lord Hokage is waiting to watch as well."

After the taijutsu exam concluded in the afternoon, the headbands would be distributed.

As per tradition, the Hokage would come to the academy at this time to preach the Will of Fire to the newly graduated genin.

Therefore, the Hokage was naturally present, as was Might Guy.

Kimura Takuya's decision to challenge Neji at this moment was simply to show off a little.

"Guy, is that bushy-browed boy the student you're making an exception for? He has already received your tutelage, hasn't he? His taijutsu ability is quite impressive."

"Haha, yes. You are too kind, Lord Hokage. That child is a bit special; his chakra has no elemental affinity, which makes it very difficult for him to learn ninjutsu. However, his talent for taijutsu is truly formidable. I am thinking of teaching him that technique."

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, nodded, having anticipated this and feeling no surprise.

Seeing Kimura Takuya challenge Hyuga Neji, the Third raised an eyebrow.

"Who is this child? His courage is commendable."

"Kimura Takuya, an orphan from the incident eleven years ago. He has been working as a hospital aide. His ninja talent is not high, but he taught himself medical ninjutsu. The hospital recommended him to the academy, and he will return there as an assistant medical ninja after graduation."

The academy principal bowed to the side, reciting Kimura Takuya's file to the Third Hokage one detail at a time.

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent for a moment, then nodded to the principal, signaling that he understood and there was no need to continue.

The ninja world was not peaceful; even in this so-called era of peace, the casualty rate for ninjas on missions remained high. It was a high-risk profession.

Orphans were everywhere in the village.

Out of every ten ninjas, three were orphans, two came from single-parent households, and the remaining five having both parents alive was something only possible in an era of peace.

As an orphan, having a talent for medical ninjutsu and a temperament that wasn't twisted was enough.

The Third Hokage did not hold high expectations for Kimura Takuya.

He simply watched the duel quietly.

Kimura Takuya vs. Hyuga Neji.

The duel begins!

Neji stood still on one side, not intending to strike first.

He didn't even plan to activate his Byakugan, though the Byakugan was a physical ability and not technically a ninjutsu.

Did the Byakugan strictly count as taijutsu?

Neji still didn't intend to use it, not because he was afraid of bullying his opponent.

He simply felt that a match like this was not worthy of his Byakugan.

However, he would soon regret it.

Whoosh!

Kimura Takuya vanished!

Did he use a ninjutsu?

No, behind him!

Neji spun around abruptly, yet still saw no sign of anyone.

He only heard that faint sound once more.

Was it behind him again?

Neji turned around a second time, but there was still no one to be seen.

His eyes were filled with disbelief, and the people around them were left stunned, their jaws agape.

For Kimura Takuya, who had vanished from Neji's sight, had been directly behind him the entire time.

Every time Neji turned, Kimura Takuya was able to swiftly dodge behind him.

The sound grew fainter and fainter, until it vanished into nothingness.

That initial, weak sound had seemed like a deliberate warning.