The Chunin Ninja Exams

"Okay... I'll remember, Might Guy-sensei... I'll do my best and never give up."

Seeing Might Guy launch into his own little world without warning, Takizawa Dan could only smile wryly and play along.

After all, Might Guy and Rock Lee were cut from the same cloth: both were simple-minded, hot-blooded single-cell organisms...

"Hehe, that's the spirit! The moment I heard you were in trouble, I stopped training and rushed right over! But... Konoha's roads are just so complicated. I actually got lost on the way and have been wandering around ever since."

Takizawa Dan: "..."

Getting lost right outside the home he'd lived in for decades—Might Guy really was something else!

As the two were talking, Rock Lee came running over.

"Dan! Are you okay? I already called Might Guy-sensei over... Huh! Might Guy-sensei, why are you here?"

"Hmph, you brat! Didn't I tell you to stay home and rest while you recovered? Did you come out here to spar with someone and get beaten up again?"

One headbutt from Might Guy sent Rock Lee scurrying away, clutching his head.

Takizawa Dan was a little surprised. It seemed Rock Lee hadn't told anyone that his strength had improved.

"Takizawa Dan, I'm glad you're okay! If anyone gives you trouble in the future, remember to come to your teacher! Hahahahaha—"

"Lee! Don't run! When we get home, your teacher's giving you extra training! Hahaha!"

The two bowl-cut boys in green jumpsuits chased each other into the distance...

"Whew..."

Takizawa Dan rubbed his forehead with a wry smile, though the corners of his mouth lifted.

They could be a little annoying, but having people like them care about him let him feel a little warmth from Konoha.

After returning home, Takizawa Dan didn't let himself slack off. He continued his physical training in the yard.

Even though the system kept letting him pick up fragments and gain skills, instinct and adaptability were just as important in battle.

If he neglected to train his instincts, he'd lose the initiative in future fights and end up on the back foot!

Only after night had fully fallen did Takizawa Dan eat something to fill his stomach, then climb into bed and go to sleep!

The night passed without incident.

The next morning.

Knock, knock, knock—

Takizawa Dan was woken by a hurried pounding at the door.

When he opened it, he found Rock Lee there!

"Dan! Hurry to the examination grounds! Lord Hokage said they're holding a special Chunin Ninja Exam today!" Rock Lee's face was alight with excitement.

He'd lost to Gaara in the last Chunin Ninja Exams, and the defeat had rankled ever since. Every day, Rock Lee had looked forward to dazzling everyone in the next exam!

And at last, his chance had come!

"The Chunin Ninja Exams? Why so soon?"

Takizawa Dan couldn't help feeling puzzled.

The Chunin Ninja Exams were held only once a year, and usually several major nations held them jointly. Besides combat, they also included written tests.

But only six months had passed since the last exams, the one Naruto and the others had taken.

And from what Tsunade had said, it seemed she planned to skip every other part and promote people to Chunin based on their strength alone, right here in Konoha!

This was way too unusual!

"Who knows? As long as I can become a Chunin, that's all that matters! Dan, let's hurry to the examination grounds and grab a spot! We might not find one if we're late!"

Rock Lee hadn't given it much thought. He grabbed Takizawa Dan and started pulling him outside.

Whoa! This guy was strong. He'd been so badly injured just yesterday, yet today he was moving around as if nothing had happened!

"Lee, don't rush," Takizawa Dan said helplessly. "What time does the exam start?"

"Nine in the morning!" Rock Lee answered without hesitation.

"It's only six now! Do you want to sit there for three hours?!"

"Well... haha, then I'll sit here at your place for a while and we can go a little later..." Rock Lee laughed awkwardly, quickly trying to play it off.

Takizawa Dan shook his head, then prepared some breakfast for himself and Rock Lee. After eating their fill, the two did some light warm-ups in the yard.

The yard at Takizawa Dan's house was quite small and couldn't compare to the large training ground outside. They could only loosen up a little.

"By the way, Lee, didn't you say before that I was some kind of super genius? But yesterday... it seemed like you didn't tell Might Guy-sensei." Takizawa Dan asked tentatively.

"Haha, you mean that?" Rock Lee said with a smile. "You kept your strength hidden for thirteen years, enduring the ridicule of everyone your age in the village rather than revealing it. I don't know why, but you revealed it that day to save me. I'm not the kind of person who doesn't know how to be grateful. If I told someone else, wouldn't that make me an ingrate?"

Takizawa Dan felt a warmth in his heart and patted Rock Lee on the shoulder. "I understand, Lee!"

Eight thirty in the morning.

By the time Takizawa Dan and Lee arrived at the examination grounds, plenty of people had already gathered. Many of them were members of the original main cast.

After all, because Orochimaru had interfered halfway through the last Chunin Ninja Exams, almost no one had been promoted to Chunin—except Shikamaru.

He even spotted Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura!

Strangely enough, according to the usual timeline, shouldn't Sasuke have already been tempted by Orochimaru and left the village?

Why was he still here to take the Chunin Ninja Exams?

After thinking it over without finding an answer, Takizawa Dan shook his head and let it go.

Maybe his own arrival as an outsider had caused a butterfly effect and changed the course of this world!

"Naruto! Where are you looking?! You want a beating?!"

"Ow, ow, ow... I didn't do anything, Sakura!"

"Hmph. Stop wasting time, you two."

Sasuke was as handsome and aloof as ever. But when Rock Lee saw him, he immediately put on a stern face and walked over.

"Lee! Lee..."

Takizawa Dan called after him a few times, but couldn't stop him. He could only shake his head and follow.

"Uchiha Sasuke! Do you remember me?"

Rock Lee came up in front of Sasuke and barked at him.

"Whoa! Bushy Brows, it's you!!!" Naruto shouted.

"Lee? You've recovered from your injuries?" Sakura asked with concern.

"Hehe, Sakura... I'm as strong as a bull now! No matter when or where, I can protect you from getting hurt!"

The moment he saw Sakura, Rock Lee broke into a lovesick grin, all his earlier bravado vanishing.

"Idiot."

Sasuke shook his head. He'd meant to ignore Rock Lee, but when he noticed Takizawa Dan standing behind him, his brows lifted.

"Takizawa Dan? What are you doing here?"

There had already been plenty of people watching when Lee first came over. Now, with Sasuke's question, everyone turned to look at Takizawa Dan!

Whispers spread through the crowd, and their expressions grew complicated!

"Takizawa Dan? Isn't he not even a ninja...? Why is he at the Chunin Ninja Exams?"

"He's probably here to cheer Lee on. Those two are usually pretty close. Sigh, what a shame..."

"What's there to feel sorry about?! If he can't train, he should just be an ordinary person. Why insist on hanging around with the ninjas? What's the point?!"

Sasuke looked at Takizawa Dan and spoke slowly. "Takizawa Dan, this is the Chunin Ninja Exam site. According to the rules, ordinary people who aren't ninjas aren't allowed in."

"There's still time, so you'd better leave now. Otherwise, when Lord Hokage gets here, you'll have to answer for it."