章 41: Efforts Cannot Be Surpassed!
Kakashi stood in the center, clearing his throat with a dramatic fist-to-mouth gesture. "Ahem... let the game begin!"
The crowd murmured in anticipation, eyes glued to the battlefield.
"Leaf Hurricane!" Lee sprang into the air, his leg spinning in a fierce arc aimed right at Gaara's head.
But Gaara didn't flinch. Arms crossed, he remained still as a tidal wave of sand rose up, blocking Lee's kick effortlessly, as if the sand had a mind of its own.
Lee jumped back, grinning despite himself. "So, you're a sand guy, huh? Alright, let's see what you've got!"
Lee launched into a flurry of attacks, his strikes landing faster than the crowd could follow. But Gaara's sand blocked every move, shifting and swirling as though it were Gaara's personal bodyguard with a serious grudge.
Up on the viewing platform, Kurenai raised an eyebrow. "Sand that moves on its own… A kekkei genkai?"
Gojo, lounging nearby and fiddling with a lollipop like he had better places to be, pushed his sunglasses up and grinned. "Oh, so you do notice things sometimes. Impressive."
Kurenai shot him a glare. "I notice plenty, thanks." Her eyes narrowed, studying Gaara. "That sand... it's alive."
Satoru waved his lollipop dismissively. "Yep, there's a little spirit in there—'Shukaku.' A cheerful demon fox who just loves family gatherings."
Kurenai's gaze flicked over to Naruto, who was watching the fight with intensity. This wasn't just a match—it was a wake-up call. Gaara was dangerous in a way that went far beyond technique.
Naruto was practically bouncing in frustration on the sidelines, fists shaking. "Come on, Lee! Kick that jerk's sand right back at him!"
Memories of Gaara's sand swarming him, cold and unyielding, were fresh in Naruto's mind. He wanted revenge, if only by proxy.
"Lee's attacks are all getting blocked," Sakura muttered, worry in her voice as she leaned over the railing. "Is that it? Is Lee gonna lose?"
Sasuke, hands coolly in his pockets, was as unfazed as ever. "Who cares? I'm taking the finals. The Uchiha clan will show the rest of you up soon enough."
But Might Guy was full of optimism, striking a power pose. "Nonsense! Lee's going to show the world his ninja way, believe it!"
Kurenai shook her head, giving a tiny smile. Only Guy could make such grand declarations.
"But he lost to Gaara in the second exam," Sakura said softly, thinking back to the merciless display of power they'd witnessed.
Might Guy's smile was unwavering. "Losses are only steps toward victory. The youth of Konoha will bloom once more!" He grinned so widely it practically sparkled.
Satoru looked at him and then back at the field, smirking. "I'll let you keep that optimism, Guy."
Might Guy's unshakeable confidence was infectious, and Lee felt it too. "Guy-sensei, do you really think I can do it?" he asked, his eyes bright with determination.
Guy's smile widened even further, if that was possible. "Take them off, Lee!"
"Take them off?!" gasped Sakura and Naruto.
Gojo leaned over with a mischievous smirk. "Yeah, Lee, go on. Let's see some ankle!"
Lee blushed. "N-Not those!" He quickly unfastened the weights from his ankles and tossed them aside, where they landed with a massive crunch that left two mini-craters in the ground, stirring up dust.
The crowd gasped, and even the Jonin leaders exchanged astonished glances. "He was fighting with those on?" one whispered.
With the weights gone, Lee seemed to vanish, his speed unreal. He reappeared in front of Gaara, launching another kick with newfound intensity. "Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
This time, Gaara's sand barely kept up. Lee's strikes, once restrained by the weights, were now hitting with staggering speed and power.
Gaara's eyes narrowed as his sand shield started to crack under Lee's relentless assault. "You're fast," he muttered.
But Lee wasn't slowing down. He ramped up his attacks, launching his "Shadow Dance Leaf" combo. The Eight Gates technique flowed through him, amplifying his power tenfold.
"Boom!" Lee's strike slammed Gaara to the ground, sending tremors through the arena floor, cracks snaking out from the impact.
Guy shot Gojoa triumphant look. "And now you're still saying Lee can't win?"
Gojo just shook his head, Six Eyes focusing on Gaara's unyielding defense. "Sorry, Guy. Impressive, but Gaara's sand isn't done yet."
Even through the intense attacks, Gaara's sand shield was holding. For Lee, this was a fight of blood and sweat; for Gaara, it was as natural as breathing. He didn't even need to lift a finger.
Back up in the stands, Sasuke watched with uncharacteristic intensity. Lee had given everything, but in the end, some shinobi were born with unimaginable power. Hard work didn't always trump bloodline.
Gaara slowly stood up, sand swirling around him like a looming shadow. And as he prepared to unleash the full power of Shukaku, the arena grew quiet, the crowd holding its collective breath, knowing this battle was about to reach a terrifying new level.
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