Chapter 3 - The Test Continues: Worthy Opponents Step Up!

“So he’s passed your test, Kakashi? That’s surprising, but somehow, at the same time, not totally unexpected.”

The Third Hokage looked down into his crystal ball, seeing Ryouko study his scrolls, while working on his own scroll. It was growing longer every day.

“I overheard him tell Sakura and Naruto to get the bells. He stepped up as a leader, and his plan was well-crafted for someone being thrust into such a position. His next test is…Rock Lee, and his sensei, Maito Gai. I’ve heard that he’s had prior taijutsu experience, and it was evidenced by how he fought me. He wouldn’t have beaten me, he left a few openings. But it was an interesting fight, and I think he and Lee will have something in common,” Kakashi stated, holding Makeout Paradise open, but not reading it, out of respect to his conversation with Lord Hokage.

“I see. I assume that you are referring to his work ethic?” the Third asked/stated.

“That, and they are both underdogs. In different ways, but both have the tides of natural talent against them,” Kakashi said by way of explanation.




Ryouko saw what appeared to be two of the same people. He stepped back just in time as Naruto and the others came by, walking dogs. Well, Sasuke and Sakura were walking dogs; Naruto was BEING walked, and Kakashi was lounging in a tree, reading his book, silently shaking his head as Naruto was walked into a practice area. Ryouko gave a friendly wave.

A strong voice shook Ryouko out of his trance at the site of Naruto getting his walk. It was clear who was in charge between Naruto and the dog.

“I’m Maito Gai! You must be Kaguya Ryouko! Lee and I have been waiting. I’m here to see just how well you’re versed in taijutsu.”

Ryouko looked at the taller of the two, noticing he looked slightly different that who was, apparently, his protégé.

“Alright. Who am I fighting?” Ryouko asked. That question was immediately answered, though not by the taller one.

“You will be fighting me! I am Rock Lee! It is nice to meet you!” the younger of the two was bursting with energy. He held out his hand in a thumbs-up, and smiled, his teeth actually gleaming.

Ryouko returned Lee’s greeting with a bow. “I’m Kaguya Ryouko. Nice to meet you, two.” Geez, if there’s ANYTHING a depressed, miserable loner like myself hates it’s a cheerful person. This clown and his sensei are annoying. But still, not a good idea to underestimate this guy, no matter HOW stupid he might look. Can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Or a ninja by his spandex (sweatdrop).

The one called “Gai” continued.

“Ah, youth! Now, listen, my Lee here is only capable of taijutsu. He cannot use genjutsu or ninjutsu. But don’t think he’s easy pickings because of that. Now, you are free to use whatever you want, but I will stop the match if you become incapacitated. Lee has a technique that’s forbidden, and once he’s in position for it, the match is over.”

Ryouko nodded. “Okay. And if I win, you’ll stop the match when he’s knocked out or gives up?”

Gai laughed. Ryouko didn’t get the joke, and wasn’t amused anyway. He was rapidly getting angry over these two brushing off his comments. Or, at least “Gai” was. Ryouko was wincing and laughing at the same time at the matching jumpsuits and leg warmers. Even haircuts and eyebrows that were matching. It was among the most ludicrous things Ryouko had seen.

“Lee does not understand the concept of ‘giving up’. He’s a special kid. It’s unlikely you’ll beat him, but more power to you if you think you can. (Gai struck a weird pose about here) Positive thinking is key. You just keep thinking that way, that’s a good start. Now, how about we drop the talking while you’re both young and start the fighting!” Gai struck a comical stance, at least to Ryouko. But the boy was too weirded out by this joker to laugh. The weirdo seemed nice enough, just a little on the odd side.

“Just one thing- I don’t like advantages against people who aren’t enemies. So, if he’s using only taijutsu, so am I,” Ryouko murmured, shedding his vest. Without the semi-cumbersome makimono pouches, he could move a little quicker. That had to be an advantage, right?

Gai burst out laughing. “Honorable one, aren’t you? If you hope to win, it would be in your best interest to fight using everything you can. But, if you want to try, you’re more than welcome to! Either way, let’s begin!”


Ryouko took up his old guard. One hand over his heart, the other near his head, extended out. His opponent, this “Lee” guy, had one arm behind his back, and one in front of him, palm inward. It struck Ryouko as strange. The kid is wide open…what’s he pulling?

Until Lee moved. Ryouko had never seen someone move so quick. He leapt back just in time as the first of many kicks came. Usually, Ryouko could dodge, but this guy had incredible attack power and speed. His hand and forearms were already bruised from blocking. So the next time Lee came running in, Ryouko threw a crescent kick, catching Lee’s guard hand. He swept it aside. Lee kicked, and Ryouko brought his foot back in another crescent kick, hitting Lee’s inner leg. That gave him a short opening to step in. Lee skipped backward as Ryouko punched forward. Ryouko cursed as he realized he had dropped his guard.

That might be just the bait I need. he thought, figuring that he could trick Lee into attacking. But Lee was too quick. He brought his leg up, under Ryouko’s chin. Ryouko felt the boy leap up behind him. What he intended to do, Ryouko didn’t want to know. So he turned in the air, throwing a roundhouse kick. He caught Lee in the ribs, but not hard enough, because, just as they hit the ground, Lee swept his legs. Ryouko landed hard, but rolled aside immediately, he kicked upward, keeping Lee away, until he surprised Lee by rolling forward and grabbing a leg. He tried to wrestle Lee to the ground, but the kid was strong. Ryouko thought that they would be evenly matched in terms of strength, but damned if looks weren’t deceiving! Lee leapt upward. Ryouko clung on, pulling off the leg warmer. What he saw made him gasp.

Weights? This whackbag wears WEIGHTS while fighting? Good thing I DIDN’T underestimate him. He’ll be a hell of a sparring partner.

“I see you have seen my weights. Gai-sensei, may I remove them?” Lee asked his older look-alike. Ryouko had figured out that they were different people, rather than clones. But still, they looked so much alike it was weird, nearly to the point of being creepy. It became creepy when you figured they were both wearing spandex.

“No, Lee, not in this match. If you two spar, that will be your choice. Today, we’re evaluating him, not you,” Gai responded. Lee saluted crisply.

“Don’t hold back on me. I don’t want some half-assed match. If I lose, I lose, but give it everything. A victory by default isn’t a true victory, and neither is it a victory if your opponent is holding back.” Ryouko smiled slightly.

I am so gonna get my @$$ kicked…this kid is good. But, still, I don’t like cheap wins. And how embarrassing would it be if I knew about the weights and ignored them? I’d call it pride, but I don’t have any? Stupidity, though- I’ve got plenty of that apparently…





Ryouko came to a short time later.

“Damn, I remember that kick, Konoha Hurricane, I think, but what the hell happened after that?” he muttered.

“I am sorry. I got a little carried away…” Lee’s voice greeted Ryouko’s ears.

“Whoa! You look as bad as I’ve gotta look!” Ryouko exclaimed. “There’s no way I did that! Broken nose, cut lip, black eye…”

“Oh, that was Gai-sensei. He is such a good teacher! I used my forbidden move on you, and Gai-sensei had to discipline me. He is very wise!”

Those words made Ryouko doubt Lee’s sanity.

If a sensei did that to me for a mistake, he wouldn’t be my sensei for long…this guy is good, and that Gai-sensei is a taijutsu rarity. I study this stuff every night, and I STILL got my @$$ handed to me. Although, apparently, this guy’s training is taijutsu-only, and just as fanatical as mine. Plus, he’s had a year head start.

“Hey, good match. We’ll have to do it again some time,” Ryouko offered, extending his hand.

“I would like that! I must point out that your crescent kick block was new to me,” Lee replied as he shook Ryouko’s hand.

“The fact that you just kind of threw everything you had at me for twenty straight minutes was new to ME,” Ryouko replied earnestly, scratching the back of his head.

Lee looked nothing short of proud. “It is my goal, even my Nindo, to become a splendid Ninja, using only taijutsu! I have people I wish to defeat!”

Ryouko raised an eyebrow. “Oh? If you don’t mind my asking, who?”

Lee grew serious. “I wish to defeat Uchiha Sasuke, but even more importantly…Hyuuga Neji.” Lee’s fist clenched at the name.

“Hyuuga Neji…sounds familiar. Byakugan…hmm. I’m sure you can do it, Lee. If you’ll pardon me, I’ve got one more appointment. But if you feel like sparring again, let me know. It beats beating a punching bag that doesn’t hit back. You only learn by doing, right?”

“And giving it your all! Hard work and dedication! And do not forget to believe in yourself!” Lee struck his ‘nice guy’ pose.

Ryouko had turned around by that point, but he couldn’t stop his latest thought. Nice guys, those two. Little weird, but who isn’t?




“Aw man, Ino, you’re troublesome. I don’t see why we have to have some dogy girl on our team anyway. What is it you do, again? Flowers?” Shikamaru questioned.

“It’s WAY more practical than your skuzzy shadow crap! And who are you calling a dog? You do nothing BUT complain!” Ino shot back, crossing her arms moodily.

“Hey, lay off, you two. We’re here for the barbeque, remember?” Choji added, helping himself to more delicious, tender, Korean-Barbequed meat.

“Sure, flowers are REAL practical in combat! You’ll make our caskets look great when we get our asses handed to us!” Shikamaru retorted.

Sarutobi Asuma breathed out, a hand to his head.

“Okay, we’re here about teamwork, not to complain. Your parents were a great team, and I’ve got every reason to believe you’ll be the same. But since you’re complaining, I’m going to have you fight a new graduate, Kaguya Ryouko. He’s being evaluated, and you three need work on your teamwork. Use your jutsu together, don’t just attack and complain about each other, alright? I want to see good chakra control.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’ve already told us! Still, best not to underestimate the new grad. I met him before, and the kid is a fanatic- hey!” Shikamaru was cut off in mid-sentence by Ino. She had her hands clasped over her heart.

“AND he’s the hottest thing since Sasuke! (Hearts in her eyes) Those eyes, that mask! Oh, why didn’t he get put with me? Then I could rub him in Sakura’s face! Of course she gets Sasuke! Little princess! They must have felt sorry for her, with her forehead! Ha! Well, once she sees me cozy up to the new guy-”

“She’ll totally finish landing Sasuke without any competition,” Choji helpfully added, causing Shikamaru to sigh.

“Damnit Choji, don’t get her any MORE wound up than she already is.”

Asuma lit another cigarette, exhaling thoughtfully. Great. One’s in love, one’s hungry. The only one thinking about what the kid might be capable of is Shikamaru, and he’s too lazy to do anything about it.

The flap that opened to the barbeque joint opened. Asuma looked up, and grinned.

This is the kid Kakashi was talking about? Alright, let’s see how he does…




In the middle of a field, Ryouko stood by himself. From three different directions came his enemies. Ryouko focused his chakra to his feet and leapt straight up, then shifted direction in the air. He made hand signs before landing near Ino.

Ino saw a swirl of leaves. When they cleared, everything looked the same. Except- there was Sasuke! And he was smiling at her!

“Ino…”

“S-Sasuke!” Ino replied. He’s actually talking to me! And smiling! He’s so hot!

“Has anyone ever said…you’re totally hot?” Sasuke muttered, his lips pursed in a kissable manner.

“All the time! But it means more coming from you!” Ino said, flicking her hair and laughing. The Uchiha boy smiled at the hair movement.

Ino and Sasuke embraced and began to kiss.

“I’m glad you’re my first real kiss. Sakura would NEVER measure up,” Sasuke whispered to Ino. Ino giggled pleasantly.



Meanwhile, Shikamaru and Choji watched Ino apparently making out with some imaginary figure. Huge sweatdrops grew on their faces.

“Genjutsu? Ah man, he knows her weak point! She won’t even fight THAT genjutsu!” Shikamaru groaned. “Then again, she’s out of the way…Now where did he go?”

Ryouko was hiding in the bushes. He decided to try something new. He couldn’t hold it for long, but it might get that Shikamaru guy to look the other way. Ryouko could tell Shikamaru was smart. He had overheard him trying to talk strategy with his team in the restaurant. That’s also how Ryouko knew about Ino’s infatuation with beating Sakura when it came to Sasuke. So maybe he could trick him with one of those things that Naruto used.

“Dragon’s Ember Jutsu: Clone Instigation!” Ryouko whispered. A clone popped out of the bushes and used the Dragon’s Ember Jutsu.


“Whoa, head’s up!” Shikamaru pulled Choji out of the way just in time. He landed crouching, which was perfect for-

“Shadow Possession Jutsu!” Shikamaru began to extend his shadow. It trapped ‘Ryouko’.

“Now, Choji! Just make sure I’ve let go first!” Shikamaru reminded him.

“Right! Human Boulder!” Choji grew in size, and rounder, until he resembled a ball. He tucked his head in and began to roll toward the trapped ‘Ryouko.’ Shikamaru let go of the Shadow possession, and Choji squashed ‘Ryouko.’

Shikamaru suddenly heard running from behind. He backed up just in time as a kick nearly beheaded him.

“Choji, that was a clone! Heads up!” Shikamaru called.

Choji changed direction. Ryouko ended the genjutsu on Ino, hoping to play the quarreling threesome against each other.


Ino suddenly was holding thin air, up on her tip-toes, lips pursed.

“Genjutsu! Oh! You’ll pay! He’s even standing still…perfect!” Ino lined Ryouko up with her Mind/Body Transfer Jutsu. She attacked, letting her body slump to the ground.

Ryouko, who saw Choji coming, also sensed an incoming chakra. Focusing his to the bottom of his feet, he leapt straight up again.


Ino was in someone’s body. Her jutsu had worked!

“Ha! I did it- what?! Damnit! Choji, you idiot! You got in the way!” Ino screeched upon realizing she had taken over Choji’s body. She exited as quickly as she could, feeling like burning her skin off.



As soon as Ryouko landed, he knew he made a mistake. He was rooted to the spot.

Damnit…this must be that shadow attack he used before on my clone. He snuck within range while the other two provided a distraction inadvertently…apparently he’s the brains here…

“You want to look? I’ll let you,” Shikamaru told him. Ryouko felt his head move down. He saw his shadow snared by Shikamaru.

“I couldn’t get you before because Ino and Chouji were in the way, then you were out of range. But I judged where you would come down. Still, I’ll give you credit, you gave us a hell of a time.” Shikamaru let go of Ryouko’s shadow and rolled his shoulders.

How troublesome. I just wanted to be a ninja so I could do whatever I wanted. So much for THAT…

“TOO much of a time.” Asuma had reappeared. “How did it take you three 20 minutes to fend off a single new guy? Anyone have an answer?”

“He’s really good!” Choji remarked. Ino nodded her agreement.

“Our teamwork fell apart. But that wasn’t just us, to be fair, he (Ryouko) had a lot to do with that. Somehow, he knew our attacks. That clone jutsu revealed Choji’s, and he must have sensed Ino’s chakra about to hit him. Oh, by the way Ino- what were you making out with?” Shikamaru quipped at the end.

“Sorry about that, Ino. I, um, hope you enjoyed your time with Sasuke,” Ryouko said sheepishly.

“Best genjutsu ever!” Ino remarked. She gave Ryouko a swat on the butt, which caused him to blush. He never HAD been graceful around cute females.

Asuma blew out another puff of smoke. “Well, Kakashi and Gai warned me you’d be a handful. Interesting techniques. That clone thing- is that one of yours?”

Ryouko nodded. “It is. I saw Uzumaki Naruto use a Shadow Clone Jutsu, and I wanted to see if I could combine it with my Dragon’s Ember jutsu. Since I really didn’t know your team, I thought it might get them to reveal their attacks.”

“That’s smart thinking. And your chakra control was impressive. If you’re around, stop by for a game of Go, or Shogi, if you prefer. In fact, I’m going to add that to our lesson for today. I’ve got this puzzle thing I think you’ll like…”

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