Chương 73: Naive
Rock Lee's voice was calm and steady, but his words carried an undeniable confidence and authority that made everyone present pause.
"You're too arrogant, Rock Lee," Uchiha Sasuke said, ignoring Tōsu, who stood frozen nearby. Step by step, Sasuke approached Lee, his scarlet Sharingan burning with determination. Sasuke believed his transformation had given him the strength to challenge Lee and overcome the humiliation of their previous encounter. For himself—and for the pride of the Uchiha clan—he wanted to prove his worth.
"Arrogant?" Lee responded with a faint smile. "I don't consider myself arrogant. I simply speak the truth. To defeat you, Sasuke, would be no harder than swatting a fly."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the insult, his fists clenching tightly. Though he admired Lee's strength deep down, his pride as an Uchiha wouldn't let him stand by without a challenge.
"I admit it," Sasuke said coldly. "Before, I was no match for you. But now, I'm not the same person I was. I can face you head-on!"
"Do you truly believe that?" Lee asked, his tone sharp. "You think one fight with Orochimaru transformed you into a lion from a simple cub? That's not how strength works."
"Are you calling me weak?" Sasuke's voice was laced with anger, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"Calling you weak would be an insult to dogs," Lee said, his expression unflinching. "At least a dog shows loyalty and gratitude to those who help it. I saved your life yesterday from Orochimaru and rescued Sakura from certain death, yet here you are, challenging me without even a word of thanks."
Sasuke's face turned red with embarrassment. Lee's words struck like slaps, each one more painful than the last. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself unable to deny the truth.
"You…" Sasuke stammered, lowering his gaze. "I… I didn't mean to be ungrateful. I only wanted to challenge you to prove my strength."
"You don't need to explain," Lee interrupted, raising a hand. "I care little for your words. Your actions speak louder. If you truly want to challenge me, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. The next stage of the Chūnin Exams will be one-on-one matches. Prove yourself worthy, and I'll face you in the finals."
Sasuke's eyes lit up with determination. "I will. I'll reach the finals and fight you!"
"Good," Lee said, nodding. "I'll be waiting."
Sasuke turned abruptly, his sharp gaze locking onto Tōsu, who had been inching away in an attempt to escape. "Stop right there!" Sasuke commanded, his voice like ice.
Tōsu froze, his body trembling. Slowly, he knelt on the ground and pulled out his team's Earth Scroll, holding it out with shaking hands. "Sasuke, you've already defeated us. Please, let us go. Take this as an offering."
Sasuke's eyes flicked to the scroll, then to Tōsu and Zaku, who lay injured nearby. After a long pause, he sighed. "Fine. Take your teammate and leave. But if I see you again, I won't be so merciful."
Tōsu let out a shaky breath of relief, quickly slinging Zaku over his shoulder. Without sparing a glance at the fallen Kin, he prepared to leave.
"You're being naive," Rock Lee said, breaking the silence.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked, turning to face him. Even Tōsu stopped, glaring bitterly at Lee.
"Do you think they'd show you the same mercy if the roles were reversed?" Lee asked sharply. "If you were the one kneeling and begging for your life, do you think they'd let you walk away?"
Sasuke's eyes widened as Lee continued. "Sakura knelt and begged them to spare you and Naruto. Did they show her kindness? No. Instead, they mocked and humiliated her. That woman," Lee gestured to Kin's lifeless body, "wanted to cut off Sakura's hair and then her head."
Sasuke's gaze shifted to Sakura, who looked away, tears glistening in her eyes.
"I saved her, Sasuke. Where were you then? What were you doing?" Lee demanded. "And now, after defeating them, you simply let them go, thinking they'll disappear quietly. That's foolish."
Sasuke clenched his fists, his face pale as Lee's words sank in. "I…"
Tōsu suddenly dropped Zaku and lunged at Lee with a roar, his arm surging with vibrations. "If I'm going down, I'll take you with me!"
"Interesting," Lee said, his voice calm. He didn't move an inch as Tōsu's fist closed in, vibrating with sound that could crush bones.
Tōsu grinned, thinking he had Lee right where he wanted him. With a seal from his free hand, he amplified the vibrations to their maximum, determined to deal serious damage.
But when his attack connected, nothing happened. The vibrations dissipated harmlessly against Lee's body, as if they'd hit an immovable wall.
"What?!" Tōsu shouted in disbelief.
"Is that all you've got?" Lee asked, his voice like steel. With a single, powerful punch, he shattered Tōsu's arm.
"Crack!"
Tōsu screamed in pain, stumbling back and clutching his mangled arm. He collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony.
Lee turned to Sasuke, his expression serious. "This is the reality of the ninja world. Kindness doesn't save you on the battlefield. Strength does. Remember that."
Sasuke stared at Lee in silence, his anger replaced by a newfound respect. His Sharingan dimmed, and he nodded slightly, acknowledging the lesson.
Sakura, still shaken, glanced between the two boys. "Sasuke… Lee…"
Lee crossed his arms and said no more, stepping away to leave Sasuke with his thoughts. The message had been delivered, and now it was up to Sasuke to grow from it.
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