"I'm simply giving careful consideration to what will help me in my quest to become stronger than I am now, and tap into my hidden potential," Sasuke answered.
"I see. In that case, I'll have to watch my back and make sure that I stay on top as Konoha's number one surprising ninja," Naruto replied. "And speaking of surprises, I have to plan one for Hinata-chan; something romantic after the exams are over. I need to do something that I'm hoping she'll enjoy very much."
"You can always take her out to dinner, and I don't mean to the ramen stand. Or maybe an expensive gift," Sakura suggested, missing the frown that wanted to form on Sasuke's face after seeing her give Naruto ideas about what he could do to surprise Hinata.
"Maybe a picnic would be nice," Naruto added.
"Oh definitely! In the right environment and setting, any girl would appreciate their guy treating them like a princess, even if it's at a picnic," Sakura said dreamily while visualizing Sasuke doing that with her.
"But then again, I have to do something different this time since I already took Hinata-chan out on a picnic and swim date," Naruto thought out loud.
"You did that!? When was this?!" Sakura asked wanting to know the details. Sasuke too wanted to know when he and Hinata went out on a private picnic and swim date. Naruto, realizing his slip of the tongue, quickly replied, "That would be kissing and telling. I'm not saying anything further."
Sakura resisted the urge to snort, but knew from experience that Naruto doesn't reveal much about himself. Sasuke, though, was in thought, wondering when Naruto pulled such a stunt off. The idea of Hinata wearing nothing but a two-piece bathing suit and being alone with Naruto by the waters greatly displeased Sasuke, but there wasn't anything the Uchiha could do that wouldn't jeopardize his future as a ninja. He couldn't approach Hinata directly anymore.
If only I could prove to Hinata that Naruto isn't the one for her, and that I'm the one she needs. Hinata would make a great Uchiha matriarch if she would just open her eyes to the truth. If only I had the ability to achieve the Mangekyō Sharingan and show Hinata my powers and skills in comparison to Naruto's, Sasuke thought.
After a good amount of walking, Team 7 arrived and entered the Academy. They walked up the flight of stairs until they got to the second floor. Upon arriving, though, they saw a crowd outside a room with the number 301. Suddenly, a boy wearing green spandex with a bowl haircut and very large eyebrows was knocked down by two older boys standing in front of the door, guarding it.
"And you're going to take the Chuunin Exams? Pathetic," one of the boys said.
"Appreciate the fact that we're doing this. The Chuunin Exams are extremely hard. You weaklings would just be slaughtered," the second said.
"Let us in you stupid jerks! We're here for the first part of the Chuunin Exams!" yelled Tenten, who was now holding Lee after he was knocked down by the older shinobi. Naruto saw that Rock Lee was clearly holding back.
"Give up. The Chuunin Exams are way too difficult for any of you. Even we failed three times," the second older boy guarding the door said.
"Have you any idea how many like you we've seen killed or injured for life by this exam?" the first one asked.
"A Chuunin is a team captain. Both the safety of the team and the success of the mission depend on the captain. And you're trying to become that? Spare us the nonsense," the second one said. Naruto looked at Sakura, who snorted at the two older shinobi.
"What's your problem, punk?" asked the shinobi standing next to the one who struck down Lee in the beginning of the brawl.
Naruto, having seen enough, stepped forward towards the two boys and told them firmly, "Step the hell out of our way, or I'll be forced to personally remove you both myself! You're preventing us from heading to the third floor to take the exam!"
Several people wondered what Naruto was talking about.
"Your pitiful excuse of a genjutsu that any simpleton shinobi could see is up over the door," Sasuke cut in, "Sakura, you saw through the genjutsu I'm sure, right?"
Sakura nodded in agreement, though she didn't outright insult the two older shinobi in front of them as Naruto and Sasuke did. Though Naruto wasn't as good with genjutsu as his girlfriend's sensei Kurenai, he had a measure of knowledge about them based on what he learned from his dreams about them. The sign shifted from 301 to 201.
"So…you both saw it. But that isn't enough," the first kid said and moved to kick Sasuke and Naruto. Sasuke responded by moving to kick back, however Lee moved in between them and stopped their kicks with his bare hands.
Impressively fast…Sasuke mentally noted.
"Hey…" Neji said, walking up to Lee, then reprimanded, "It was your idea to hide our strength, and you go and do this?"
Naruto noticed that the bruises Lee had were gone. Lee looked at Sakura and blushed. Tenten shook her head.
"Oh no," Tenten muttered as Lee walked up to Sakura, a faint blush on his cheeks.
"My name is Rock Lee! You're Haruno Sakura-san, Naruto-kun's teammate right?" he asked. Sakura nodded and Lee struck a pose known universally as the good guy pose.
"You are an angel! Let us go out sometime! I'll protect you until I die!" Lee declared. Sakura's face showed horror as Naruto snickered before he noticed that the two troublemaking boys were gone. Naruto and the rest of Team 7 turned to leave when Neji spoke up, "Naruto?"
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