บท 12: Chapter 12: Genin
The Third Hokage, Might Guy, and the others were taken aback when, after his initial burst of positive emotions, young Rock Lee did not stop or change his position. Instead, he transitioned into a new stance, launching himself from the ground like lightning, and instantly moved right up to the rocky wall. Part of the wall had already fallen amidst the hail and dust, but the sturdy foundation remained intact, allowing the determined follower of Taijutsu to unleash dozens of impressive physical strikes that looked more like works of art. Lee spared neither himself nor the wall, relentlessly attacking as if his life depended on it. He slowly but surely achieved the desired result, causing the "obstacle" to crack and display a beautiful web of fissures.
"Do you see the enormous potential, Guy?" Hokage asked quietly about his overall assessment of Rock's skills, addressing the village's finest Taijutsu fighter, who had been serving Konoha for many long and weary years.
"You know, Hokage-sama, I was actually planning to take a Genin team under my wing as a full-fledged Jonin. Lee would be an ideal student for me, considering his talent in one aspect and mediocrity in some others. Plus, he possesses the Power of Youth, that elusive yet all-powerful force, ha-ha!" replied the man in the green jumpsuit, flashing a bright smile and giving a thumbs-up, evidently approving of Rock Lee and his abilities.
"Very well," nodded Sarutobi, reaching into his pouch to retrieve a small rolled-up bundle containing a forehead protector. He had prepared it just in case, a fifty-fifty chance, but it seemed Lee had indeed passed the exam, so it was not in vain.
Once Lee had completed his demonstration of the Katas, he found himself reminiscing about the past. The issue of his rank had effectively been resolved. Hokage promptly handed him a shining forehead protector, instructing him to wear it with pride as a symbol of being a Konoha Shinobi and no one else's. Lee saw no reason to resist this, so he put the protector on his forehead and smiled, feeling like a much more significant figure than usual.
Magic, no doubt...
[Name: Rock Lee]
[Shinobi Rank: Genin]
[Health: 100%]
[Stamina: 90%]
[Chakra: 88%]
[Taijutsu Rank: C+]
[Ninjutsu Rank: —]
[Genjutsu Rank: —]
[Inventory]
[Achievements: 1]
[List of Hellish Exercises: 2]
"Achievements?" Lee questioned to himself. However, seeing that the Third Hokage showed no signs of leaving, and there were still a couple of tedious tasks ahead, such as taking a profile photograph for the Shinobi registry, he had to put aside thoughts of "updating" his system for later. He needed to focus on the present.
Moreover, as it seems that Rock heard in passing, they still want to assign him to Guy's team, not to some random Jonin, which the guy was sometimes afraid of. The bushy guy spots the bushy one from a distance. Well, seriously, it's just impossible to find a better sensei than someone with the last name "Might" in the Hidden Leaf Clan!
...
In the end, by the end of the day, Lee showed up at his clan, tired to the point of falling apart, but not from physical weariness, but from mental exhaustion. His mental energy was depleted, as the documents required for every ninja, even the new Genin, were processed for him only after everyone else on the list, in short, he was the last of the last. Therefore, in any case, Rock couldn't avoid the tediousness, just as he couldn't avoid deep, as if a chasm, bags under his eyes, as if he didn't sleep well, although that's not true at all.
Anyway, the paperwork is no better than the infamous Konoha interrogators!
"Well done, son! Honestly, I never counted on you, but you surprised me, and I'm very happy about your success, even if it's possibly the last success in your life! However, a Genin, after all! Not a Chunin, of course, but that's fine! My son, a shinobi at last! After so many failures and defeats! Oh, I'm so proud of you, Rock! And your mother would be proud of you too if she hadn't left us a long time ago, damn her!"
Lee was jostled back and forth by the "relatives" who were celebrating in their house, including his father, who was somewhat tipsy in his joy. He seemed genuinely happy for his son's success, but he expressed it in such a miserable way that it made Rock want to either sink into the ground from embarrassment or, in the worst case, punch him to shut him up and stop portraying Rock in such a negative light.
In principle, the company of strangers who pretended to be "close" people greatly annoyed the bushy guy, who was being tossed around. He wasn't an introvert, no, but let's look at such a trivial situation from a different angle: people constantly intrude and distract you, asking obvious and stupid questions like, "How are you?" "How's life?" "How's your chakra control?" "How's Tenketsu doing?" Yeah, while doing so, they not only irritated you but also brought out emotions that you, in Lee's place, would certainly value and not waste on idiots!
However, when evening had completely taken over the day, and the sacred moon had risen above all, every member of the Lee clan hurried to bed as early as possible. They needed to gather the children for the academy tomorrow and prepare themselves for yet another morning mission to fill their meager pockets. After all, existence is existence.
But Lee's father, Son Lee, decided to break from tradition on this special occasion.
"Get ready, Rock! Don't sleep, my warrior! Tonight, we have a special party under the night sky, just the two of us, father and son, and nobody else!" exclaimed the man, playfully raising his eyebrows and slightly startling Lee with his enthusiasm.
"What? Maybe we shouldn't?" Lee awkwardly tried to decline, wishing for some rest. However, Son Lee didn't seem to ask or care about Lee's opinion.
"We should!" declared the man reactively and hyperactively. He always exhibited this behavior, as if the youngest member of their family were actually the elder, no matter how paradoxical it sounded in reality.
In the end, Son Lee brought his son to a restaurant, but not just any restaurant—a renowned one from the Akimichi clan. This clan was famous for its members' extra weight, which made them sensitive to jokes about obesity. They were also known for their techniques that could increase their size, allowing them to fight as giant figures, more like mathematically round and plump ones.
"Well, what do you think? Haha! You probably thought your old man was a foolish and penniless old man, but no, I saved money just for you. I've been working hard on missions and rarely coming home to make this day special for you, my son! Yes, we might spend a fortune tonight, but we'll celebrate like royalty, as befits our true family, Rock!" the man gleamed with joy, pointing towards the colorful, brightly lit building filled with well-fed individuals coming and going.
"Hmm, I had a worse opinion of him, and I was probably wrong..." the thought flashed through Lee's mind as he observed Son, who was smiling and sighing with relaxation. Son now looked like a good and caring father, willing to make sacrifices and efforts for the sake of his own flesh and blood, rather than the reckless fool he had appeared to be on other days.
"Thank you," Rock sincerely thanked his relatively new, but most importantly, his newfound father as they entered together to try the highest-quality meat for the first time. Where? In the Akimichi clan restaurant.
As for the system achievements, they would have to wait, just like the training before bedtime.
...
The morning of the next day.
A full classroom of twelve-year-old Genin, who had only become Genin yesterday and were still in high spirits. Among the smiling growing bodies was Rock Lee, who, in his typical fashion, sat at the top row, observing everyone and listening to the final words of their teacher, who would no longer be their teacher today. The main authority for them from now on would not be a single Chunin but a qualified Jonin for each team!
"Team number 1..."
"Team number 2..."
"Team number 3: Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee."
📢 Dear Readers
I want to share with you some changes in my publishing activity and explain why your support has become so important to me.
📚 You've no doubt noticed that I've been releasing fewer and fewer new fanfic chapters lately. This is due to the fact that it has become incredibly difficult for me to cope with financial difficulties, including renting an apartment.
🙏 Now my request goes out to you. If you don't mind and can help me with my financial commitment, that would be a huge help. All funds raised will go towards my basic expenses, allowing me to focus on creating. As a thank you for your support, I am willing to promise that I will be releasing 2-3 chapters a day for two weeks without interruption. This will be my way of expressing my sincere gratitude to you and showing you how much I care about you, my readers.
pa treon.com/Vandalizer.
Thank you to everyone who is willing to support me during this difficult time. Your support means a lot to me, and I hope that together we can continue our exciting literary journey.
With gratitude and hope for your support.
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