Naruto: Martial God Art

From Sion Mun's memories, Rock Lee remembered living over a thousand years, mastering martial arts and becoming incredibly strong. Sion Mun had been powerful beyond measure, but his life was lonely. He had no friends, no allies—only a path he walked alone. This isolation became his weakness when he faced his final test, as seven of the nine martial arts gods turned against him and attacked.

Now, with Sion Mun's memories alive inside him, Lee realized something important: strength alone wasn't enough. True power wasn't just about personal skill; it was about having people to trust and depend on. Looking around at his teammates and even rivals like Sasuke, Lee saw them differently now—not just as people he had to compete with, but as potential allies and friends.

Might Guy had just finished advising Lee and his team on important aspects of the upcoming Chūnin Exam. With the "body flicker technique," he vanished, leaving Lee, Neji, and Tenten to make their way to the registration area.

"Neji, Lee, let's go report in!" Tenten urged, her excitement infectious as she looked forward to the exam.

Neji nodded coolly, and Lee followed them, his mind busy with Sion Mun's insights about building alliances.

"Should we hide our full strength?" Tenten wondered as they walked. "I heard there are plenty of strong newcomers this time, and many of them have been trained by top Jōnin from different villages."

"Among them is Uchiha Sasuke," Lee said casually, recalling information he'd overheard. "He graduated top of his class and trains under Hatake Kakashi."

"Uchiha… Sasuke?" Neji's usually indifferent expression shifted slightly.

As a member of the Hyuga clan, known for its revered Byakugan and Gentle Fist, Neji had always carried pride for his family's legacy. But the Uchiha clan, reputed as "the strongest in the ninja world," overshadowed the Hyuga, breeding a subtle rivalry. Though the Uchiha massacre had left Sasuke as its only survivor, Neji's reaction showed that the rivalry persisted.

"Are the Uchiha really that strong?" Lee asked, feigning innocence.

"They were," Tenten replied. "The Uchiha and Senju clans were once considered the strongest in the ninja world. But… things changed."

Lee appeared genuinely surprised. "The Uchiha and Senju? Are they really stronger than the Hyuga?"

Tenten hesitated, casting a glance at Neji. Though the Uchiha and Senju clans were legendary, it felt awkward for her to say it in front of Neji, whom she admired.

"The Uchiha and Senju clans are indeed stronger than our Hyuga clan," Neji admitted, his voice calm but his gaze sharp on Lee. He knew Lee was pushing his buttons, but he couldn't entirely dismiss the truth.

"That's strange," Lee mused, still in character. "The Uchiha clan was almost wiped out, and only Sasuke remains. But what happened to the Senju clan? I haven't seen any members around."

"Most Senju perished in the wars," Tenten explained. "But some are still around, like Lady Tsunade. No one knows where she is, though."

Lee was intrigued. "Lady Tsunade?"

Tenten nodded enthusiastically. "She's one of the legendary Sannin!"

The Sannin—a title known to all. As students of the Third Hokage, they'd become legendary during the Second Ninja World War. Their skills were even acknowledged by Hanzō of the Salamander, who gave them the title after a fierce battle.

"Tsunade-sama is the only female among the Sannin," Tenten continued, awe evident in her voice. "She's the granddaughter of the First Hokage and a descendant of the Senju clan."

"The Senju clan must be amazing!" Lee exclaimed, still feigning naivety. "Do you know where Lady Tsunade is now?"

"I wish!" Tenten sighed. "If I did, I'd beg her to take me on as a disciple. Unfortunately, she's been away from the village for years."

"Actually, the other two Sannin have been missing for a long time too," Neji added thoughtfully.

"Is that so?" Lee murmured, absorbing everything they said.

Thanks to Sion Mun's memories, Lee quickly pieced together the current state of Konoha. The village looked strong from the outside, but the loss of elite shinobi had left it vulnerable. The Sannin were gone, the Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself, White Fang had been forced into suicide, and Might Duy had perished taking down several of the Mist's Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Only a few, like the Third Hokage, Might Guy, and Kakashi, remained to protect Konoha.

If any true threat appeared now, Konoha's resilience would be tested to its limits.