Naruto: Chakra System

"Kakashi, stop! Stop!"

After leaving the Chūnin Exam selection meeting, Kakashi was making his way back, lost in his thoughts, when he was called out by a familiar, boisterous voice.

He paused and turned. "What is it, Guy?"

"Haha! It seems you were serious back then! You really had your team enter the Chūnin Exam!" Might Guy said, walking side-by-side with Kakashi, a hearty laugh echoing in the air.

"You thought I was lying back then?" Kakashi asked, a joking lilt to his voice.

"Well, not that, but my students seem more enthusiastic about their battle with Sasuke in the Chūnin Exam."

"Hmm... Why are they so fixed on Sasuke?" Kakashi replied. "I'd advise you to inform them that in this Chūnin Exam, it's Naruto they should be worried about and enthusiastic to fight."

"Hahaha! It seems you have high confidence in your team!" Guy laughed.

"Yeah, I do." Kakashi stopped walking and turned to look at Guy. "So, what is it you want to talk about?"

Guy sighed. "Phew, you caught me. Where do I even start? From the day you said you would study the Caged Bird Seal, Neji has seemed to have a hidden hope in his eyes." His tone turned serious. "But, Kakashi! Did you really study it and find a solution? Though I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't, that seal isn't—"

"Oh, that. Yeah, I did it. I found the solution to unseal the Caged Bird Seal!" Kakashi stated simply, not giving Guy time to finish. Guy was left speechless, his mouth literally wide open, his jaw slack.

"HUH! REALLY?!" Guy them immediately cheered loudly, his excitement palpable. After all, Neji was his student.

"Haha, well, don't get too excited. You know I can't just go and remove that seal from Neji's forehead, right?" Kakashi said. "Just wait for some time. After the Chūnin Exam is over, I will create a situation where, even if all of them have no seal on their heads, those hypocrites can't do anything but complain."

While Kakashi did not address anyone specific, Guy understood who he was talking about. The more he understood, the more he felt that Kakashi was planning something, but he was happy nonetheless. He didn't care about anything else than Neji leaving his rigid nature and accepting Youth!

———

One week later, Kakashi arrived at the meeting spot with Naruto. "Morning, everyone!" he said, waving his hand casually at Sakura and Sasuke. Sakura bowed, and Sasuke nodded in return. Naruto then bounced up to them, passing a slip of paper to each of them.

"Here, your application forms! Fill them out quickly," Naruto said in his usual excited tone, showing them his own already-filled form. "See, I already filled mine. We should hurry!"

"Calm down, Naruto," Sakura said, before turning to Kakashi.

"Well, fill them if you want to join the Chūnin Exam," Kakashi explained to them. "And as I said, for teams to participate, all members must agree. Otherwise, not even a single one of you will be able to join. You have to turn them in by 4 PM at Room 301 today at Academy. And... that's all!"

"So, it's finally time, huh!" Sasuke muttered, his onyx eyes filled with a new, unknown determination.

—

In 10 Minutes, Team Seven stood before the entrance to the Academy. As they gazed around, they could see that dozens of teams from different villages had already entered. Many were just chilling outside, despite the anxious atmosphere.

"Let's move in!" Naruto said simply, his voice a stark contrast to the anxiety around them, which made many eyes turn to Team Seven. Their relaxed state made others curious. Even Sakura did not seem anxious; although she was nervous inside, her face showed confidence— confidence in the training she had done under Kakashi, in her own strength, and in her two teammates, whom she considered stronger than herself.

With a confident swagger, they made their way into the Academy and toward the upper floor where Room 301 was located.

Bang!

The moment they entered, a mocking comment greeted them. "Hah! You plan to take the Chūnin Exam with that strength? You'd better quit it!"

The voice came from two Genin— one with a blue Leaf Village headband covering his head and the other with spiky dark hair. On the ground lay a boy with a bowl cut and a green spandex suit— Rock Lee.

"What is going on here?" Sakura said, surprised that a crowd of Genin couldn't enter the room because of just two ninjas guarding the door.

"Hey! They're from the Leaf Village? Why aren't they letting them enter?" Naruto exclaimed.

All three of them stared at the entrance to Room 301 with suspicion, and the realization dawned on them.

'Genjutsu!' Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura immediately sensed it and exclaimed internally.

"Please... Let us in!" Tenten requested as she walked toward the two guards.

Smack!

The ninja with spiky black hair immediately slapped her away and snorted. "You're just little kids. The Chūnin Exam is—"

Bang!

He didn't finish his sentence as a powerful kick landed on the side of his face, sending him and his partner on his right flying a few feet away.

"What a bother. You'd better let us through rather than rumbling here, and drop this Genjutsu. This level doesn't work on us anyway!" Sasuke said with bored expressions. He, along with Sakura and Naruto, had instantly sensed the Genjutsu that was cast over the hallway around them and had immediately resorted to violence.