Chapter 3: Bronze Chest

"Phew... He's gone..." 

Rock Lee sighed with relief, watching his "father" head off on a C-rank morning mission that Son Lee usually receives.

In general, the Lee clan wasn't particularly renowned for its strength. 

The head of the family was just an unremarkable Tokubetsu Jonin specializing in surveillance. 

Therefore, the Lee's land wasn't very large either.

Rock Lee walked through the small Lee clan's property in a few minutes of light jogging and a few waves to the people.

However, Lee didn't complain or feel upset about the previous matter.

In fact, he simply couldn't care less about such "little things."

After all, he had no plans to become a noble leader and help his newly acquired family grow as their only bond was blood and nothing more. 

Lee would rather focus on his training than on bolstering others.

"Orochimaru will attack Konoha and the Sunagakure in about a year and a half. Then, the adventures and fights with Akatsuki will begin, especially with Obito who will bring nothing but a full-scale war to these villages and Kaguya!" 

"Alright! It's time to deal with the bronze chest!"

Lee clapped his hands and returned to his two-room apartment where he lived with his father. 

He knew no one could distract him, so Rock took a deep breath and sat down on the floor to finally figure out the system he had acquired after arriving in this world. 

"Status!" 

He exclaimed to himself while instantly displaying the digital interface before his eyes.

[Name: Rock Lee]

[Shinobi Rank: Academy Student]

[Health: 100%]

[Stamina: 30%]

[Chakra: 100%]

[Taijutsu Rank: C]

[Ninjutsu Rank: —]

[Genjutsu Rank: —]

[Inventory]

[List of hellish exercises: 3]

Stamina is gradually recovering, as is health. 

'The absence of Ninjutsu and Genjutsu ranks is likely because this body simply cannot use them. It's sad, but what can I do? As for Taijutsu... Rank C. Most likely because the original Rock Lee devoted a lot of time to physical training.'

'The inventory is clear, but as for the list of hellish exercises... 3? It seems like a new batch of hellish difficulty is ready to torment me...!'

Lee shivered, still experiencing a shiver of horror after those monstrously difficult push-ups.

Nevertheless, he simply pulled himself together and mentally addressed his inventory while taking out the so-called bronze chest, or rather...

A card with a faded drawing of a bronze chest on it.

"Unusual..." 

Lee thought while running his fingers over the sharp edges of the rectangle. 

He sighed, closed his big eyes and tore the card in half, and then fell apart into a brownish shimmer that revealed plenty of items. 

[20,000 ryō]

[10 Military Pills]

[Healing ointment]

[Rokushiki Style: Rankyaku]

The items were put into the inventory while Lee's thought was filled with the Rankyaku technique. 

This allowed him to see a complete, step-by-step training plan for mastering this technique from the "One Piece" manga and anime. 

These were quite worthy rewards.

'I don't think money is useless since I'm just a student at the school. Moreover, 20,000 ryō is equivalent to four completed D-rank missions. I can not only eat expensively and deliciously but also buy the same weights, but on sale... of course, I don't completely lose it due to masochism and self-torture...'

Lee thoughtfully

The other "items" opened up vast development opportunities. The Military pills could enhance a Shinobi in a short period.

The healing ointment could heal wounds and accelerate natural regeneration, and as for the Rankyaku technique...

There couldn't be a better reward than this!

In the end, a little problem arose for Rock Lee because the Shinobi Academy was about to start in just fifteen minutes. 

That place where children are taught the art of ninja, which includes surveillance, sabotage, and assassinations...

This is all just a young army and nothing more. 

Moreover, it has many tasks, and knowing the future events that will happen sooner or later, Lee will be glad if as many talented students as possible graduate from the academy. 

"I won't become a Taijutsu master if I stay on the sidelines." 

Rock concluded when changing into other clothes and preparing for school.

The weather in Konoha was just as wonderful as usual. 

There was a cool breeze that made the tree branches dance, and there was bright sunshine with no clouds at all. 

Looking at the buildings and stands where people were smiling, Lee couldn't help but feel good and forget himself in this wonderfully warm atmosphere.

The Hokage Monument was simply mind-blowing...

A magnificent mountain on which the faces of all the village leaders were carved. 

From the first Hokage to the fourth, who died in a battle with the Nine-Tails and then sealed the Nine-Tails inside his son Naruto.

A long history that goes back at least fifty years and maybe even one hundred.

Lee certainly didn't know as his familiarity with the entire storyline timeline was mediocre.

He was in a hurry to get to the Shinobi Academy which was located at the foot of that majestic mountain.

"I would have never thought that someday I would confirm the theory of soul reincarnation after death based on personal experience. Moreover, what I used to see only in anime has suddenly become a reality..." 

Lee continued to be shocked by this unexpected turn of fate.

"Hey! Why are you late?" 

Surprisingly, it wasn't anyone else but his classmate, Tenten, who was waiting for Lee at the main doors of the academy. 

Nevertheless, why wait? It was more like she met him by coincidence on the way. 

Tenten is a sweet girl dreaming of becoming a legendary Kunoichi following all the traditions of Tsunade Senju with chestnut hair tied in two bunches and brown eyes framed by a short fringe. 

She wore a pink jacket and dark green pants. 

Tenten's sudden meeting at the door with the fair skin and the serious, reprimanding look made Lee look away.

"Uh? H-hi, Tenten!" 

Lee was confused, but he didn't lose his cool. He was polite and confident around his copy with a stupid smile that he had just copied from his memory.

"Are you kidding me, Lee? I didn't allow you to call me by my name..." 

Tenten shook her head disapprovingly and immediately turned her back on him and, throwing her last words into the air.

She entered the academy, and Rock remained standing on the steps, blinking.

'Well... I certainly have a reputation... Besides, when I pass the Genin exam, there's a ninety-nine percent that she'll end up on my team. It would be very bad if we couldn't get along. However, unlike others, Tenten never told the original Lee that he was weak and a failure...'

With such thoughts, Lee headed to his class, also "remembering" that today there would be useful training with sparring.