Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
In the original story, these two Leaf gatekeepers had a decent amount of screen time. In terms of strength alone, they were arguably among the elite of the Chūnin.
The fact that they could exchange blows with Kakuzu without being instantly killed was proof enough.
No matter how "weak" Kakuzu might have seemed, he was still a Kage-level existence. He wasn't someone any ordinary Chūnin could mess with.
Even without referencing the original plot...
Menma could see through their rather clumsy Transformation Jutsu and the low-level Genjutsu they had set up at a glance.
To be blunt, the Chūnin Exams had already begun here.
The setup by Izumo and Kotetsu was the first test for the Genin from various nations.
If they couldn't even see through such a simple Genjutsu...
Then there was indeed no point in participating in the Chūnin Exams.
However, their acting was truly too terrible. At most, they could only fool inexperienced Genin.
After glancing at them for a moment, Menma's gaze shifted to the "green beast" figure lying on the ground.
The moment he saw that figure, Menma's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rock Lee!
Another boy who could also be called a genius.
The Eight Inner Gates.
This wasn't a technique just anyone could learn and master.
If this technique were easy to learn and didn't require talent, Danzō's Root would surely have a large number of people learning it.
That Lee could open five gates at his age was due to both his hard work and his talent.
For such an existence...
Menma would naturally pay more attention.
"This is a Genjutsu, right? Are these two blocking the way on purpose?"
Menma could see through the inferior Genjutsu at a glance.
Sasuke and Sakura were naturally no exception.
Not to mention they were familiar with the Academy's layout; this place couldn't possibly be Room 301.
"Eh? What? It's a Genjutsu? I was wondering why it felt weird. Room 301 should be one floor up, right?"
Only Naruto truly hadn't seen through the Genjutsu. After Sakura spoke, he acted as if he had suddenly realized the truth.
"Naruto-kun, I think this should be pretty obvious..."
Sakura said with a hint of helplessness.
"Ahaha, my bad, my bad. Just got careless."
Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.
Beside them, Sasuke showed a look of disdain.
"Well, this should be the appetizer before the formal exam. No need to waste time here. Let's go."
Menma smiled and nodded. The group of four walked straight through the crowd to the very front.
Seeing Menma, Naruto, and the others approach, Izumo and Kotetsu's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
This was naturally because of Team 7's identities.
Menma was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage, and Sasuke was the sole survivor of the once-prestigious Uchiha clan in the Hidden Leaf.
Such a combination easily attracted attention.
Moreover, during this period, the quantity and quality of missions executed by Team 7 far exceeded those of ordinary Genin squads.
Izumo and Kotetsu naturally paid extra attention.
However, it was only for a moment.
Their faces still maintained deliberately arrogant expressions. Just as they were about to speak...
"Excuse me, could you move aside? You're blocking our way upstairs. We still need to get to Room 301."
Menma spoke softly with a calm expression.
His gentle and plain words...
"Eh?"
"What does he mean?"
"Isn't this Room 301?"
Apart from those watching the show, the remaining background character Genin all looked at Menma and his group with shock.
"Ho ho? Finally, some capable guys have arrived."
To the side, Izumo casually dispelled the covering Genjutsu, clearly showing a surprised expression that was completely faked.
With the disappearance of the "301" sign and the reappearance of the stairs...
"However, seeing through it is one thing. If you want to pass here, you'll have to defeat us first!"
Kotetsu looked at Menma and the others with an arrogant expression, speaking in a provocative tone.
"Defeat you?"
Before Menma could say anything...
Sasuke, standing behind him, could no longer tolerate this guy's deliberate provocation.
Boom!
Exploding chakra from his feet...
Sasuke sped toward Kotetsu, his swinging arm whipping down like a flexible lash.
Facing the heavy blow...
Kotetsu maintained his leisurely demeanor.
Just as he was about to block at the last moment...
In that instant.
Whoosh!
A green shadow flashed.
Bang!
It appeared directly between Sasuke and Kotetsu, extending both hands to effortlessly block each of their attacks.
"Eh?"
"Hm?!"
This figure was none other than Rock Lee, who had just been pretending to be knocked down on the floor.
Such incredible speed.
Not to mention Sasuke, even Kotetsu opposite him showed a look of surprise.
This kid? He's actually that fast?
And it was obvious that he hadn't even used his full strength.
"Who are you?"
Sasuke looked coldly at Lee blocking his attack and asked in an unfriendly tone.
"A Leaf Genin just like you, Sasuke-kun. I just graduated a year earlier than you. My name is Rock Lee!"
Lee shed his previous timid demeanor, staring straight at Sasuke with burning eyes. The intense fighting spirit in his pupils was visible to any normal person.
This huge contrast...
Caused Sasuke to frown.
"Lee, didn't we agree to keep a low profile? Why did you rush out directly?"
From the side.
Seeing Lee rush out...
His teammates, Neji Hyūga and Tenten, also walked out.
While speaking to Lee, their gazes shifted back and forth between Menma, Sasuke, and Naruto.
Unlike in the original story where Neji only cared about Sasuke...
In this life, Neji paid close attention to all three of them.
"Ah, sorry, Neji. I couldn't control myself for a moment. After all, it's Sasuke-kun, Menma-kun, and Young Master Naruto."
Lee first apologized to Neji, then turned to look at Menma, Sasuke, and Naruto again.
His expression was practically written with fighting spirit.
Sasuke bore the name Uchiha.
Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage.
Menma was the top graduate of this year's class.
No matter which one, Lee felt they were very worthy of challenging.
"Lee, you really... I'm truly sorry, Sasuke-kun, Menma-kun, and Young Master Naruto. My teammate here is a bit impulsive. But as he said, we are graduates from last year, and we are quite interested in the three of you. Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Neji of the Hyūga clan. Please take care of us."
Neji looked at Menma, Sasuke, and the others with a calm expression, his gaze showing a hint of respect only when it shifted to Naruto.
This was probably ingrained in Neji's genes.