Rock Lee Kicks Sasuke in the Face, and the Sharingan Awakens

As the Chunin Ninja Exams began, Naruto could hardly contain his excitement. He even took off the sunglasses he always wore.

He knew that in a month, that crafty old Third Hokage would be dead, while his own strength would soar once the Shura Field opened.

With one growing stronger and the other gone, he doubted anyone in Konoha could keep him in check.

Danzo? Not a chance!

If they pushed him too far, he would defect. Then he could join Akatsuki disguised as a masked red-haired woman. When he came back with Pain to destroy Konoha, he could seize the chance to kill Danzo.

The Divine Power of Myriad Transformations could completely conceal the Nine-Tails' presence inside him. Pain and Obito would never guess that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was right under their noses.

The next morning, Naruto headed to the site of the First Exam with Sasuke and Sakura. They arrived at the door where Konoha's two gatekeepers, Kotetsu Hagane and Kongo Hagane, had used Genjutsu to change the room number.

Just then, they saw Rock Lee holding back and getting kicked to the ground by the two of them. Sigh. Rock Lee was too honest for his own good.

With that thought, Naruto raised his hand and flung two Kunai at Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki.

The two hurriedly dodged. Like everyone else there, they were stunned.

"Drop the Genjutsu. This is seriously boring," Naruto said, spreading his hands.

Kotetsu Hagane gave him a cold smile. "So what if you saw through the Genjutsu? You think the Chunin Ninja Exams are that easy?"

He pushed off the ground and closed in on Naruto, intending to teach him a lesson in Taijutsu for that provocation.

Bang! Bang!

At the sight of Sakura, Rock Lee perked up. Deciding to stop holding back and make a good impression, he stepped between Kotetsu Hagane and Naruto, blocking them both.

Actually, Naruto had never intended to fight. He knew Rock Lee would do this.

Surprised that these Konoha Genin were fairly capable, Kotetsu Hagane and Kongo Hagane took the opportunity to leave, clearing the way.

Rock Lee went off to confess to Sakura. Neji, meanwhile, approached Naruto, who had just stolen the spotlight. With his hands in his pockets, he asked, "Hey, you over there. What's your name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said, raising an eyebrow.

Then things got awkward again. Nobody said a word.

A minute later, Neji looked at Naruto while Sasuke looked at Neji. They both asked at once, "Don't you want to know my name?"

"Not interested." Naruto shook his head.

Anger immediately crossed Neji's face. He did not even look at Sasuke.

Damn it, not again! He only asked Naruto!

Sasuke clenched his fists, his expression darkening too. Gaara had ignored him yesterday, and now some guy with cataracts was doing the same.

Damn it!

Humiliation welled up inside Sasuke. He had never imagined he would be ignored, especially while the one stealing the spotlight was Naruto, the dead last who had beaten him five times!

His desire to grow stronger became more urgent than ever!

Naruto led Sasuke and Sakura away, but Rock Lee stopped them as they passed through a hall.

"Hey, you! The blond guy!" Rock Lee called as he caught up from behind.

Naruto turned and asked with an amused smile, "What is it, Bushy Brows?"

"Will you fight me now?" Rock Lee asked earnestly.

"You? If we only used Taijutsu, I probably wouldn't be a match for you. But in a real fight, you're not ready to take me on yet," Naruto said honestly.

Taijutsu had always been his weakness. His Basic Taijutsu was only at the Proficient level. Comparing that to Rock Lee's skill would just be asking for a beating.

Rock Lee was about to reply, but Naruto pointed at Sasuke and said with a grin, "If you want to fight me, beat him first."

Damn it!

Sasuke's face darkened. He wanted to argue, but to his dismay, he had no grounds to.

"Naruto, how could you say that?" Sakura complained, though her tone was less harsh than it used to be.

Ever since she had seen Naruto defeat Sasuke several times, something had gradually begun to change in her heart.

Young girls were fickle. They either fell for handsome boys or admired the strong.

In the original story, Sakura had never met anyone her age who was both stronger and more handsome than Sasuke. He had looks and strength, so her devotion to him had never wavered.

But things were different now. Naruto had surpassed Sasuke in strength, and after changing into better-looking clothes, he was barely his equal in looks too.

Clothes made the man, after all.

Sakura was about to say more, but Sasuke stopped her.

Sasuke was burning with anger and frustration. He could not wait to let it all out.

Sasuke started forward, only for Rock Lee to stop him.

This was getting ridiculous...

"Sakura, I'll show you how strong I am!" Rock Lee's face reddened as he spoke. Then he stared at Sakura, ready to wink and send her a heart.

"Hey, hey. You're flirting with our team's girl right in front of us. Do you think we're not here?" Naruto stepped in front of Sakura and glared at Rock Lee.

As Sakura looked at Naruto standing before her—his figure not especially tall—and then at Sasuke, who acted as though none of this concerned him, the scales in her heart finally began to tip.

"Go on, Sasuke! What are you waiting for?" Naruto gave Sasuke a shove. "Get him!"

Damn it!

Sasuke's face flushed with humiliation as he poured all his strength into his attack on Rock Lee.

"You'll regret looking down on a Ninja of the Uchiha Clan!"

With that, Sasuke Uchiha charged.

"So you're Sasuke Uchiha? The top rookie of the next class? I'm lucky!" Rock Lee took his stance, eager to meet him.

"You've got this, Sasuke!" Naruto cheered from behind.

Sasuke charged in!

And got kicked right back...

Sasuke charged in again!

And got kicked right back again...

Sasuke charged in yet again!

And got kicked right back yet again...

Sasuke's face was swollen from the kicks!

And then his Sharingan awakened!

The sheer force of his anger and frustration drove his Sharingan to awaken.

Just as seeing his entire clan slaughtered had awakened his One-Tomoe Sharingan years ago, his rage now brought out another Tomoe in each eye. He had the Two-Tomoe Sharingan!

Congratulations, Rock Lee. You had accomplished the same thing as Uchiha Itachi!

As Sasuke felt the mysterious power in his eyes, his anger and frustration vanished in an instant, replaced by joy and pride.

Naruto, Sakura, and Rock Lee all stared in surprise at the change in Sasuke's eyes, each with a different thought.

Naruto: Well done, Rock Lee! Sasuke's brother ought to thank you!

Sakura: Sasuke has the same Sharingan as Kakashi-sensei! He'll definitely beat Bushy Brows now!

Rock Lee: So this is the legendary power of the Uchiha? Guy-sensei, I'm going all out now. I won't let you down!

One corner of Sasuke's mouth curled into a cold smile. His eyes narrowed, giving him a wicked look.

"Genjutsu, Ninjutsu—it's all just tricks to fool the eye! I can see through every one of them! Hmph!"

"Come on! I'll show you the power of the Uchiha!"

With that, Sasuke Uchiha charged in once more.