Just as Kanon was about to chase after her brother, a shinobi from Amegakure suddenly appeared, blocking her path with a palpable surge of killing intent.
"Little girl, if you don't want to die, you'd better come with me quietly."
Kanon blinked, then tilted her head with a look of mild curiosity. "Iruka-sensei, that's quite a stylish outfit for you."
With a sudden poof, the Transformation Jutsu dispelled, revealing Iruka.
"How did you figure it out?" Iruka asked, genuinely perplexed.
"I'm already familiar with the scent of your chakra. A simple scan was all it took to pick you up."
Iruka was stunned. He hadn't realized that Kanon Uchiha possessed the talents of a Sensory Ninja.
"Iruka-sensei, would you like to come over to our place for dinner?" Kanon offered.
"Well, I'd be honored," Iruka replied after a moment's thought. Truly, he didn't have much else to do, and he hadn't even decided what to eat for dinner.
"Then come with me to buy some groceries!" Kanon let out a soft laugh, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear as she led Iruka toward the market.
Following this, Iruka proceeded to test every member of Team 7 individually. Unsurprisingly, they all passed. While the test wasn't exceptionally difficult, it proved they possessed at least enough skill to survive. Five days passed in a flash, and following Kakashi's instructions, the team gathered outside Room 301 at the Academy for the exam registration.
"Kanon! Sasuke! Over here!" Sakura called out to the siblings.
Kanon and Sasuke walked over to join Sakura and Naruto.
"Good morning, Sasuke..." Sakura's voice was shaky, a lack of confidence that the siblings noticed immediately. Naruto, meanwhile, remained his usual thick-headed self—he didn't care about nerves; he was going to be the Hokage!
Just as the four of them were about to enter the classroom, a boy in a green spandex jumpsuit was shoved out the door, his face marred by fresh bruises.
"Lee, are you okay?!" Tenten rushed over to support Rock Lee.
"Tenten... I'm fine..."
Standing before them were two older Genin, both a head taller than the rest, wearing mocking expressions.
"You really think you're ready for the Chunin Exams looking like that?"
"Maybe it's better if you kids just give up now, huh?"
"Nothing but a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears brats."
Tenten stood up to reason with them, but she was met with a swift punch that sent her flying back to land beside Lee.
"Brats like you shouldn't even be here. We're just weeding out the failures before things get serious. Got a problem with that?"
Sasuke, leading the way for Team 7, walked forward with a look of pure disdain.
"You're not wrong," Sasuke said coolly. "But I'm going through anyway."
"And while you're at it, you might as well dispel this pathetic Genjutsu barrier. It's amateur."
"The room we're looking for is on the third floor."
"Oh? So you noticed, did you?"
Sasuke proceeded to give Sakura some "tactical praise" to help her regain her confidence. Watching this, Kanon covered her mouth to hide a giggle. Her usually cold brother actually knew how to play the diplomat when he wanted to.
Before Sasuke could say more, one of the sentries suddenly lashed out with a kick aimed at his head. Sasuke was fast, reacting to the sudden move, he went for a counter-kick, but someone else was faster.
Rock Lee vanished from his spot and reappeared instantly between the two, catching both of their legs mid-air.
How is this possible? Is it chakra? My leg won't move. Sasuke thought, his eyes narrowing.
Sakura was stunned by the boy's speed. Kanon, however, simply nodded to herself. Speed like that was the result of grueling, day-after-day training; she knew the feeling well. What struck her most was that she hadn't sensed any chakra movement from Lee.
There was only one conclusion: this boy was a Taijutsu specialist, and his skill in that area likely surpassed her own.
Suddenly, a boy with the same Byakugan as Hinata, Neji Hyuga, walked up to Lee.
"Hey. Didn't you say you didn't want to attract attention? This is the exact opposite of what we agreed on."
Lee started to explain himself, but his gaze suddenly shifted to Kanon, who was standing behind Sakura. Without warning, his face turned bright red.
Beside him, Tenten sighed and shook her head. "Here we go again..."
Ignoring Sasuke, Lee walked straight up to Kanon.
"My name is Rock Lee. You are Kanon, right?"
Kanon blinked, looking at the boy in the green jumpsuit with confusion. Suddenly, Lee gave her a thumbs-up and flashed a brilliant smile.
"Please go out with me!"
"I will protect you until the day I die!"
As he spoke, his teeth seemed to glint with a cinematic sparkle, leaving Kanon standing there with a look of utter bewilderment.
But his words hit a nerve. "No..." Kanon rejected him immediately.
How could this boy protect her? If strength alone were enough, why had everything happened the way it did? She didn't know him, and she certainly didn't feel any sense of security around him.
"What..." Lee was devastated.
"You deserve someone better than me. Thank you for the sentiment," Kanon said, giving him a polite, slight bow.
"Well... alright! If that's the case, I'll pursue Sakura-san instead!" Having anticipated rejection from Kanon, Lee pivoted instantly and turned his attention to Sakura.
"Absolutely not! Your eyebrows are way too thick!"
Rock Lee's Defeat: X2.
Neji and Tenten walked forward. "Hey, you over there. Identify yourself."
This time, it was Naruto who lost his cool. He glared at Neji, fire practically spitting from his eyes. "Dammit, not again! Everyone always asks for Sasuke!"
Sasuke kept his hands in his pockets, looking at Neji with cold indifference. "When you're asking for someone's name, isn't it common courtesy to give your own first?"
"You're a rookie, aren't you? How old are you?" Neji asked.
"I'm under no obligation to answer you," Sasuke replied flatly.
Neji's brow furrowed. Sasuke turned away, seeing the dejected forms of Lee and Naruto, and felt a wave of exasperation. Kanon was already trying to cheer Naruto up.
"What are you so depressed for? We have an exam to take."
"Kanon, you're right! I gotta get fired up!" Naruto shouted, his energy returning instantly.
"Alright. Sasuke, Kanon, Naruto, let's go!" Sakura cheered, trying to rally the team.
They hadn't walked more than a few steps when a voice stopped them.
"Please wait!" Lee called out.
"What now?" Sasuke looked up at Lee, who was standing on a higher balcony.
"Do you want to settle things with me right here, right now?"
Sasuke frowned. Seeing the absolute determination in Lee's eyes, he felt a flicker of intrigue. "You want to fight? Here?"
"Yes."
Lee leaped down, landing gracefully in front of Sasuke. "My name is Rock Lee. You said you should give your own name before asking others, right?"
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"I already knew that. I want to challenge you!"
Lee pointed directly at Sasuke, declaring his intent to duel. Kanon's expression shifted, turning cold as she watched the confrontation.
"Hey, Kanon, stay calm," Sakura said, patting her shoulder.
"I'm going to go over there and knock him flat!" Kanon muttered.
"Wait, he's challenging your brother, not you."
"Exactly! That's my brother!"
"It's fine, Sasuke is plenty strong," Sakura said, rubbing Kanon's back to soothe her.