Lee was injured, his left shoulder bone fractured from the encounter with the powerful female ninja earlier. Even though he had already eliminated one group of attackers, his condition was still far from ideal, and he knew he had to keep his guard up.
Lee sighed and tossed the branch aside, deciding not to pursue them. His injuries were too severe to keep fighting.
Crossing his legs on a thick tree branch, he formed a meditative stance, focusing on his breathing. This was a technique from Sion Mun's martial arts training—a method to calm his mind and alleviate pain, promoting faster healing.
Two hours later, he opened his eyes, feeling slightly refreshed. Although his shoulder was still far from fully healed, the sharp pain had dulled significantly.
"As long as I avoid anyone like that monster or Kabuto, I can still manage," he muttered, standing up carefully. Even with his injuries, he wasn't one to sit idle. He needed to keep learning about the abilities of others in this world, preparing himself for future battles. Encounters like the one with the female ninja had taught him that he needed to be ready for anything.
"Let's keep moving," he murmured to himself.
With a slight flex of his muscles, he sprang into the treetops, moving gracefully through the branches, all the while using his heightened senses to detect any nearby Genin.
After some time, he paused, sensing a familiar presence.
"So, it's them," he muttered, spotting Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, and Haruno Sakura wandering aimlessly below.
At that moment, a distant scream echoed through the forest, sending a chill down the spines of the three Genin below. They froze, looking nervously in the direction of the sound.
"Was that… a scream?" Sakura asked, her voice filled with unease. "I'm suddenly feeling really nervous."
Sasuke's gaze hardened, but he remained silent. Naruto, despite looking visibly shaken, forced a smile. "It's fine, Sakura, hahaha," he laughed awkwardly, clearly rattled.
After a few seconds of strained laughter, he noticed Sakura and Sasuke staring at him as if he'd lost his mind. Embarrassed, he quickly cleared his throat. "I, uh… I'll be right back. Just… you know, nature calls."
He moved behind a nearby tree, seemingly preparing to relieve himself.
"You idiot!" Sakura stormed after him, smacking him on the head. "Have some manners! There's a girl here—do that somewhere else!"
Naruto hung his head. "Sorry," he muttered, heading further back into the bushes.
Hidden in the treetops, Lee observed the scene with a faint smile. "Uchiha Sasuke, the last of the famous Uchiha clan and this year's top rookie. Let's see if you live up to your reputation."
A moment later, Naruto returned, looking far too casual given the tense situation. He walked up to Sasuke and Sakura, seemingly oblivious to their watchful eyes.
"Naruto, have I not told you to be more mindful around girls?" Sakura huffed, fists clenched.
Then, without warning, Sasuke punched "Naruto" hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Sasuke! What was that for?" Sakura shouted, shocked.
"What's your problem?" the fallen Naruto growled, rubbing his bruised cheek.
"Where's the real Naruto?" Sasuke demanded, his expression intense.
Watching from above, Lee smirked, impressed. "Sharp. Just what I'd expect from this year's top rookie."
"I… I don't know what you're talking about," the fake Naruto stammered.
"Where's the scar on your face that the examiner gave you?" Sasuke said, his voice cold. "And Naruto's shuriken bag is tied to his right leg, not his left. Your Transformation Technique is pathetic."
The fake Naruto smirked, realizing he'd been found out. With a puff of smoke, he transformed into a tall man with a gas mask covering his face—a Rain Village Genin.
"This Transformation Technique has so many flaws," Lee thought to himself, unimpressed. In Sion Mun's past life, he'd known a supreme technique called "The Change of Heaven and Earth," which allowed one to alter their appearance down to the bones, making it nearly indistinguishable from reality. Unfortunately, he couldn't yet perform such a technique—he'd need to reach the fifth level of his martial arts training to even attempt it.
For now, Lee remained hidden, curious to see how Sasuke would handle the imposter.