Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

"Are you really going to take the Chunin Exams? Better not even try, you're just a bunch of snot-nosed brats."

One of the Shinobi guarding the door taunted.

"Please, let us through," Tenten pleaded, stepping forward. But with no sympathy whatsoever, one of the Shinobi threw a punch that sent her to the ground.

"That's too much!"

One of the nearby Genin couldn't help but complain.

"What did you say? Listen carefully, this is us being kind. The Chunin Exam is a massive hurdle. We've seen plenty of people abandon the path of a Shinobi because of this exam, or become so broken they can't recover."

"Chunin are team leaders, responsible for missions, and for their team members' lives. Do you kids have what it takes to shoulder that burden? Turning people away here is doing them a favor."

The two Shinobi guarding the door echoed each other and everyone fell silent.

"Naruto, what should we do?" Sasuke asked, glancing at him.

"What should we do?" Naruto repeated, though his attention hadn't shifted from Neji.

'Smooth long hair and fair skin, at first glance, he almost looked like a girl, but the sharpness between his eyebrows makes it clear that he's a boy.'

'Though not as pretty as Haku, Neji definitely had the potential for a more... feminine disguise!'

'And that hairstyle, mature and traditional… it was risky, alright...'

A mischievous glint sparked in Naruto's eyes.

'Neji's life had been marked by pain, and even when alive, he was tormented by the Caged Bird Seal. In comparison to suffering and death, what was a little… cross-dressing.'

With hands in his pockets, Naruto strolled over to Neji, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, "Hey, little girl, both of your teammates just got knocked down. What do you think you should do? Need me to help you out?"

"What?"

Neji scowled slightly, "You're the little girl here. Worry about yourself!"

"You bastard!"

The smile on Naruto's face instantly disappeared.

'Sure, I lacked facial hair due to Kyubi's influence, and his hair had grown a bit longer, almost resembling Minato's. But Neji actually mistook me for a girl? This guy was definitely just returning the insult.'

Naruto took a deep breath, holding back his irritation. He knew that acting impulsively would only give Neji the upper hand.

'No, I had to turn the tables on him!'

With a glint in his eye, Naruto's smirk returned, "Look at you, being all coy. You know, you girls are all so shy, never asking for help outright. But don't worry, this big brother's got your back."

Then he gestured for Sasuke to step up.

Sasuke nodded slightly and walked towards the gatekeeper ninja with his hands in his pockets.

"We're going through. This Genjutsu you're using, just drop it. We need to get to the third floor."

Hearing this, the Genin watching murmured in confusion, "What is that guy talking about?"

"Oh? You noticed that."

The Shinobi guarding the door knew exactly what Sasuke meant, which made the surrounding Genin even more confused.

Without waiting for Sasuke to explain, Naruto turned to Sakura, "Sakura, you noticed it first, didn't you? Your analytical skills and knowledge of Genjutsu are the best in our class."

He'd sensed Sakura's nervousness from the start. Initially, he hadn't planned to let her join them, but now that she was here, he wanted to give her a chance to prove herself.

"Sakura, go ahead."

After spending so much time together, Sasuke understood Naruto's thoughts very well, and naturally gave Sakura an encouraging look.

"Naruto, Sasuke, thank you."

Sakura said gratefully, then walked forward and confidently explained, "Of course I noticed… it's obvious because this is the second floor."

As Sakura finished speaking, she formed a hand seal.

Then, the classroom sign reading '301' behind the two Shinobi shifted to '201' as the Genjutsu dissolved completely.

"Hmph, that's pretty impressive, but seeing through a Genjutsu alone is pointless!"

One of the Shinobi snorted coldly, then he immediately launched a spinning kick.

"Huh?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he leapt into a counterattack.

Whoosh!

At this moment, a figure darted between the two.

Bang!

Sasuke and the Shinobi were blocked and forced to pull back. Standing between them was none other than Rock Lee, his thick brows furrowed in determination.

Sasuke stared in surprise. He hadn't expected such speed from Lee, especially not with the strength Lee showed in his blocking hand, which is a stark contrast from his earlier vulnerability.

"It seems that you have some skills. I underestimated you little brats."

The Shinobi admitted with a calm nod before leaving with his partner.

As they departed, Tenten, who had been lying on the ground, stood up, and the scratches on her face disappeared without a trace.

"Hey, Lee, this is different from what we agreed on. Weren't you trying not to draw attention to us?"

"But…"

Lee wanted to explain himself, but he didn't know where to start.

His eyes were glued to Sakura, his clenched fists and the blush on his cheeks betraying his excitement.

"Oh no, here we go again…" Tenten sighed, realizing exactly what was on Lee's mind.

Ignoring everyone else, Lee strode up to Sakura.

"My name is Rock Lee. You're called Sakura, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

Sakura was a little confused.

"Please, go out with me. I'll protect you with my life."

Lee flashed her a gleaming thumbs-up, his grin intense enough to rival any smile.

"Absolutely not! Your eyebrows are way too thick!"

Sakura responded, her expression twisting with horror.

Upon hearing this, Lee's face fell instantly and his heart was shattered by the rejection.

Naruto, however, paid no attention to the little drama unfolding nearby. His gaze remained fixed on Neji as he continued to tease, "So, little girl, it seems your teammates have some skills. But remember to be grateful, after all, it was partly thanks to this big brother's help. Once the Chunin Exams are over, I'll come back so you can repay me."

"You bastard…!"

Neji could no longer hold back and threw a punch at Naruto.

Bang!

Naruto gathered the Kyubi's Chakra and focused it in his palm, easily blocking the punch.

'He's snapped… Neji's finally snapped!'

Naruto felt a thrill, knowing he'd managed to get under Neji's skin, 'This time, it was Neji who had lost his composure.'

"Little girl, keep that soft punch to yourself. I already told you, after the Chunin Exams, you can repay me. What's the rush? Girls should be more reserved, you know."

Naruto chuckled, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"You… you're asking for it!"

Neji's frustration boiled over, and he unleashed a series of palm strikes, each gust of wind stinging the faces of nearby Genin.

However, Naruto was not panicked at all. Not only did he not fight back, he even turned around with his back facing Neji.

Bang, bang, bang!

Strike after strike landed, shattering the classroom sign. But Naruto was unharmed, his clothes and body still the same.

"Ah, that was refreshing! Nice touch, just the right pressure for a massage."

Naruto remarked with a relaxed grin, looking very much enjoying it.

"How is this possible!?"

Neji was shocked. Even a genuine Chunin wouldn't withstand that unharmed, and even a Jonin couldn't emerge unscathed, yet Naruto's clothes weren't even ruffled.

"Byakugan!"

Neji didn't hesitate and immediately activated his Byakugan.

With Byakugan's vision, he would unravel Naruto's secret.

Veins bulged around his eyes, as the Byakugan granted him clarity. But the next moment, fear and astonishment filled his gaze.

"Ah, this, ah, this..."

Neji couldn't form a complete sentence.

Because even though he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn't comprehend what he was witnessing.

'What kind of monster is inside this guy's body...'