Rock Lee VS Uzumaki Naruto!
Watching the names scroll rapidly across the electronic screen before slowly coming to a stop, locking onto these two names, Sasuke found himself genuinely curious.
Curious about a taijutsu versus taijutsu match.
"The two examinees whose names appeared, please come forward!" Hayate Gekko let out a cough, sounding as though he might stop breathing at any moment, his voice unusually frail. "Stand facing each other!"
Naruto and Rock Lee exchanged a glance from across the room, then slowly made their way to either side of Hayate, standing face to face.
"Bushy Brows, I heard your taijutsu is something else. Show me what you've got."
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest, his expression dead serious.
Lee's eyes lit up with fierce battle spirit, and he responded in kind: "I never expected to run into you this soon, Naruto! I'm genuinely thrilled. Then let us have a youthful showdown between taijutsu ninja, Naruto!"
... Tch, what an easily fired-up idiot.
Watching Lee look like he'd just pumped himself full of adrenaline, Naruto clicked his tongue. But somewhere in his chest, a spark of that same heat was beginning to catch.
"Fine! Then let's show them what taijutsu ninja are made of!"
What spirited young people.
Hayate watched the two of them brimming with energy, nodded in satisfaction, and announced: "Then, let the match begin!"
"Watch yourself, Naruto!"
The words had barely left his mouth before Lee's entire body blurred into an afterimage, a gust of wind accompanying his sweeping kick straight at Naruto.
"Hold on!"
Naruto sidestepped it with ease, then turned to Lee with an annoyed look. "You're still wearing your weights, aren't you. Fighting me like that, are you looking down on me?"
"You can actually tell?"
Lee blinked.
"Tch." Naruto gave a light snort. "Your feet sink slightly into the ground when you step. You control it well, but there's still something unnatural about the way you walk."
"As expected of Naruto, though..."
Lee went quiet for a moment, his words trailing off unfinished, when a loud voice rang out from the stands.
"Lee, take them off!"
"But Teacher Guy, you said only when protecting a comrade could I..."
"It's fine, I'm giving you permission!" Might Guy thrust his thumb up, a flash of white gleaming between his teeth. "In a passionate, youthful taijutsu showdown, giving everything you have is the greatest way to respect your opponent!"
"Don't leave any regrets in your youth, Lee!"
"Yes, Teacher Guy!"
Lee called back loudly, then released the weights from his body. Two heavy thuds rang out, the massive weights slamming craters into the floor.
"Yosh, that's much better. Come on then, Naruto!"
"Give it everything you've got, Lee, that's what youth is all about!"
Might Guy pumped his fists in excitement, cheering at the top of his lungs.
Whoosh!
Lee's foot struck the ground, and his body shot forward like an arrow drawn to its limit, moving so fast the naked eye could barely follow.
"Now this is a little more interesting."
Facing Lee's sweeping kick, Naruto showed no panic whatsoever. He planted his feet, swung his fist out with a sharp crack of displaced air, and surged straight into Lee's attack.
A thunderous boom rang out. Visibly, a circular shockwave of layered compressed air exploded outward from the point of impact.
The visual was born from the sheer force of two opposing powers colliding and crushing the air between them.
What tremendous strength!
Lee's expression shifted slightly. The exchange looked even on the surface, but in truth, he had come out the worse for it.
Because Naruto had held his ground, while Lee had carried the momentum of his charge into the blow, adding no small amount of inertia and impact behind his strike.
"Not bad, Bushy Brows. Keep it coming!"
Having witnessed Lee's refined taijutsu, Naruto's competitive spirit ignited. His eyes lit up with excitement, and he dropped low, spinning into another attack.
Bam bam bam!
The two of them dissolved into streaks of motion, trading blows in a relentless exchange, the rapid crack and slap of fists and feet filling the air.
Leaf Whirlwind, Leaf Great Whirlwind, Dancing Leaf Shadow, and a string of other Leaf-style taijutsu techniques flew back and forth between them, leaving everyone in the stands slack-jawed.
"These two kids are seriously strong," Kurenai remarked from the stands, then turned to Asuma with a blooming smile. "Asuma, who do you think will win?"
"Naruto, probably." Asuma thought it over before answering. "Naruto's constitution is exceptional, and his chakra far exceeds the norm. If their taijutsu levels are roughly equal and Lee doesn't have any other cards up his sleeve, he'll eventually lose to Naruto."
"Fair point." Kurenai nodded. The son of the Fourth Hokage, a member of the Uzumaki clan, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Naruto's identity was known to all the Jonin instructors in his class. Well, all of them except...
At that thought, Kurenai glanced over at Might Guy, whose face had taken on an expression of near fanatical devotion. She fell silent for a moment.
"I didn't expect it. Two students, one from Kakashi's squad and one from Guy's, both with taijutsu this strong. Lee makes sense, his teacher is Guy after all. But where did Naruto learn taijutsu like that?"
Kurenai was puzzled. Kakashi's own taijutsu was solid enough, but nurturing a student to this level was something else entirely.
"He's using Dragon God Style taijutsu."
"Dragon God Style!?"
Kurenai froze. "Wasn't that senior lost during the last Great Ninja War... ah, I see."
Before she could finish the thought, she figured it out herself. Asuma gave a good-natured smile in response, raising a finger to his lips in a quiet shushing gesture.
"Kakashi, how did you produce a student like this?"
Watching Lee on the field gradually being pushed back by Naruto, Might Guy went quiet for a moment before turning to the ever-nonchalant Kakashi beside him.
Kakashi looked at Guy with his dead-fish eyes and said flatly, "It has nothing to do with me. I've given that kid very little guidance."
What Kakashi said was the truth, but Might Guy had misunderstood.
"As expected of Kakashi, my eternal rival. Just a little guidance, and he's brought his student's taijutsu to this level?"
Kakashi shrugged and spread his hands, not bothering to correct him.
"Damn that Kakashi, ignoring me again!"
Might Guy deflated for a moment, but quickly rallied, striking a pose mimicking Kakashi's air of casual indifference.
He raised an eyebrow and said coolly, "Even so, Kakashi, I believe Lee will be the final victor. After all, he still has one technique left, you know."
"Hmm?" Kakashi's expression shifted slightly. He asked with barely concealed disbelief, "You actually taught him that technique?"
"Indeed!" Might Guy nodded, his voice dropping with weight. "I've always said that child is a genius of hard work. But in truth, he isn't only a genius of hard work. He is a genius of taijutsu itself!"
"This forbidden technique was meant for protecting one's comrades. But in a passionate, youthful taijutsu showdown like this, if Lee cannot fight with his full power, he will carry regret for the rest of his life."
"Let the Lotus of the Leaf bloom, Lee!"
Boom!
Out on the field, Lee, who had been on the back foot for the last several exchanges against Naruto, suddenly erupted with a massive surge of chakra.
An invisible but ferocious pressure wave howled outward from his body.
Caught in the shockwave, Naruto's relentless advance staggered. He twisted around and planted his feet.
"What kind of taijutsu is this!?"
Naruto's expression tightened. Seeing Lee explode with a chakra wave this powerful, his tone turned cautious.
"This is the secret technique Teacher Guy passed down to me. The Eight Inner Gates!"
Lee's face was flushed red, veins bulging, his expression fierce.
"This technique was originally meant for defeating Neji. But if I can't have a truly satisfying battle with you, Naruto, I know I'll regret it!"
"Alright!"
Feeling the full weight of Lee's resolve and fighting spirit, Naruto's own blood began to boil. He snapped into the opening stance of the Steel Fist Style, and said with gravity:
"As a taijutsu ninja, meeting a taijutsu ninja as excellent as you genuinely excites me. Come on then, let's keep going!"
"Watch yourself, Naruto!"
The chakra wave surged outward. The bandages wrapped around Lee's body tore free with a thunderous crack, and he launched himself at Naruto, moving so fast the sound had not even caught up.
The Reverse Lotus!
Opened after the third Gate, the Gate of Life. A forbidden technique that delivers high-speed strikes against an opponent at speeds exceeding the sound barrier!
"So fast!"
Naruto's eyes narrowed, but his reaction was no slouch either. Chakra erupted across his entire body, and he clenched his right fist, sharp wind-natured chakra crackling along his knuckles.
Dragon God Steel Fist Style: Gale Roar, Third Form!
A technique combining the Wind Release art "Gale Breath" with Steel Fist taijutsu. With Naruto's punch, a razor-sharp wind release shockwave exploded outward in every direction!
Having seen Lee play his trump card, Naruto answered with his own Dragon God technique!
Slash slash slash!
Just as Lee's bandages, flying in all directions, were about to coil around Naruto, the ferocious gale tore through every strip, shredding them into countless fragments!
Boom boom boom!
The two collided again in close-quarters combat. Every punch and every kick detonated with tremendous shockwaves and concussive blasts. The ground cracked beneath them, shards of stone flying in every direction.
The arena had been reasonably spacious to begin with, but as the two of them fought on with full intensity, the shockwaves from the battle began to reach the stands.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched this with a satisfied nod, then leaned over and gave quiet instructions to his subordinates nearby.
Within moments, the barrier team's ninja took up positions at the four corners and erected a barrier technique, confining the destruction of the battle to the arena floor.
"This child has no talent for genjutsu or ninjutsu. He has only taijutsu. In that one thing, this child refuses to lose to anyone!"
Might Guy spoke slowly.
"Just as you said, that child truly is a genius of taijutsu."
Kakashi replied in a low voice.
"But Naruto is also extraordinarily stubborn when it comes to taijutsu. He doesn't want to lose to anyone either."
After saying that, Kakashi shifted his gaze back to the two figures locked in fierce combat below.
The Eight Inner Gates...
He sighed inwardly. Of the three students in Team Seven, Sasuke hardly needed mentioning.
Sakura had a natural affinity for Water Release. His own expertise in that field was considerable, so guiding her had been straightforward enough.
Naruto was the student he knew least how to teach.
Beyond the Rasengan, Kakashi had given Naruto almost no meaningful guidance over these past few months.
He himself knew the Eight Inner Gates technique as well.
But the forbidden technique was far too dangerous, and he had intended to wait until Naruto's body had grown stronger before passing it on.
Looking at things now, though, the time was probably drawing close.
Boom!
One more concussive blast of air. The two separated from contact.
Naruto had gathered a few small bruises, and his clothes had taken some damage here and there. But in contrast, Lee's injuries were far more numerous.
"Let's end this, Bushy Brows!"
Naruto's eyes sharpened as he looked across at Lee. He had already recognized the enormous toll the forbidden technique was taking on Lee's body.
"As expected of Naruto."
Lee wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. The chakra in his body surged once more.
"Gate of Pain, open!"
The Gate of Pain: it further amplifies attack and speed, though the body begins to sustain damage. This is the threshold of danger within the Eight Inner Gates. Entering the true state of the Eight Inner Gates.
"Gate of Limit..."
"Wait!"
Just as Lee was about to open the fifth Gate, Naruto cut him off. His expression was entirely serious. "You're close to your limit right now, aren't you?"
"I want to see what you can really do at full power. But I don't want this to leave you with damage your body can't undo. And I don't want to lose a taijutsu rival like you over something like this."
"What we're doing today is sparring between comrades. Not a fight to the death."
"Naruto is right, Lee!"
From the upper platform, Might Guy nodded and called out loudly, "For a friendly spar between comrades, four Gates is enough!"
In theory, Lee could open the fifth Gate. But it would exact a toll he could barely bear, and more importantly, they were all comrades of the Leaf.
There was no need to gamble their lives against each other.
If he opened the seventh or eighth Gate every time he sparred with Kakashi, what would even be left of Kakashi?
Nothing would be left of him!
Hearing this, Lee was quiet for a long moment, then nodded. "You're right, Naruto. Then let's settle this. Watch yourself, Naruto! Even at four Gates, I'm still very strong!"
The True Lotus!
Dragon God Steel Fist Style: Leaf Hurricane Roar!
Two ultimate techniques from the Leaf Steel Fist Style erupted from the two of them, crashing together, instantly detonating the arena with wave after wave of ferocious shockwaves.
The air shook, the ground trembled and buckled, chunks of stone tumbling and rolling outward.
"That's insane!" Kiba Inuzuka's jaw dropped. These two were actually this strong!?
"Are these two even human?"
"Naruto..." Hinata stared anxiously toward the field, but the billowing clouds of dust blocked everything from view.
Unable to stop herself, she activated her Byakugan, watched for a moment, and only then let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Someone can actually fight Naruto in taijutsu to this degree?"
Sakura was equally stunned. As Naruto's teammate, she knew exactly how frightening his taijutsu was.
She never expected that unremarkable bowl-cut boy to push Naruto this far.
"Sasuke, who do you think won?"
Sakura had gone in with tremendous confidence in Naruto, but now she wasn't so sure anymore.
"Naruto already won."
Sasuke answered flatly.
The dust and debris gradually settled, revealing what lay beneath. Rock Lee was breathing in deep, ragged gasps, his body seemingly without the strength to stand.
But he had not fallen.
He was being held up by Naruto, who stood steadily at his side gripping him tightly.
Naruto had taken his share of injuries, but nothing serious.
"Examiner, I forfeit!"
Lee raised his right hand, trembling.
With Lee's forfeit, the exam continued.
"Toss VS Akimichi Choji"
"Winner: Toss"
"Tenten VS Temari"
"Winner: Temari"
"Nara Shikamaru VS Kin"
"What a drag." Shikamaru let out a sigh and slowly descended from the stands.
Ten minutes later.
"Winner: Nara Shikamaru"
"Haruno Sakura VS Inuzuka Kiba!"
"Do your best, Sakura, give that Kiba a good thrashing!"
A few minutes later.
Hayate cleared his throat and glanced down at the floor, where one person and one dog had been bound completely immobile by a tight coil of Water Whip. He announced:
"Winner: Haruno Sakura!"
"Next up: Yamanaka Ino VS Gaara of the Sand!"
When Hayate announced the matchup, Ino froze. In the very next instant, a gaze loaded with cold, enormous killing intent locked onto her like a vice.
This killing intent is terrifying. Just how many people has this guy killed!?
The Yamanaka clan are one of the Kekkei Genkai bloodline clans of the Yin Release lineage.
Yin Release ninja tend to be extraordinarily sensitive to things like killing intent and bloodlust.
The moment Gaara's gaze fell on her, Ino felt it, deep in the texture of his chakra.
The thick, raw smell of blood. Something savage and utterly unhinged.
This guy... he's terrifying.
Ino found herself trembling, unable to bring herself to look Gaara in the eye.
While Ino stood there shaking, Sakura appeared at her side without a word. She gave a light snort. "Are you scared?"
"I am not!" At that, Ino's embarrassment instantly curdled into anger, her trembling stopped, and she snapped back loudly.
"Good!" Sakura gave a nod, her chin tilted with an air of superiority. "Then give it everything you've got, Ino-Pig. Don't lose so badly that I end up laughing. Hmph!"
"Just you watch!"
With that provocation from Sakura, Ino shoved her fear to the back of her mind.
Her eyes filled with resolve as she slowly made her way down from the stands.
But reality was cruel.
No amount of mental fortitude can bridge an overwhelming gap in ability. After only a single exchange, Ino was completely outmatched.
"What kind of monster is this!?"
When Ino staked everything on her secret technique, the Mind Body Switch Jutsu, she was instead overwhelmed by the sheer presence of Shukaku lurking within Gaara's body.
"I surr..."
Ino raised her trembling right hand, on the verge of surrendering, but Gaara's killing intent only grew sharper.
"Sand Binding Coffin!"
Sand poured in from every direction, surrounding Ino completely and cutting off her attempt to forfeit.
Gaara's eyes snapped wide open, veins and bloodlust etched across them.
"Sand Waterfall..."
His fist closed. The sand encasing Ino tightened violently. The crushing pressure was on the verge of grinding the girl to dust!
"This is bad!"
Asuma shot to his feet, ready to leap down into the arena and pull his student out regardless of the exam rules. He had barely left the ground when...
Whoosh!
A massive surge of water erupted from the floor, spinning in a sweeping circular motion and forming a wall that drove Gaara's sand back entirely.
"That's the Second Hokage's Water Wall!?"
"Who did that?"
As he watched the water wall rise, Asuma felt the knot in his chest loosen, but confusion quickly took its place.
His entire focus had been on his student. He had no idea who had intervened.
"Hey. You."
The water wall rushed and cascaded down. Sakura stood in front of a barely conscious Ino, her green eyes locked onto the red-haired boy across the arena.
She spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "She was clearly about to forfeit. Why did you go in for the kill anyway?"
"Heh heh." Gaara did not answer her question. Instead, a vicious smile crept across his face.
"Haruno Sakura, is it? You dared to interrupt my fun. Have you prepared yourself to die?"
At that moment, Gaara was like a bloodthirsty beast finally unleashed after a long confinement, one that looked ready to erupt into carnage at any second.
"A barren desert brings death, but a dead desert can never match the boundless expanse of the open sea. No matter how fierce the desert grows, in the end, it will always be swallowed by the ocean."
Faced with Gaara's bloodthirsty killing intent, Sakura's expression did not change.
She spoke a string of words that seemed to have no clear meaning to anyone listening.
"If, one month from now in the finals, your opponent is me, I will make you understand exactly what I mean."
With that, Sakura turned, supporting the injured Ino as she walked away. She paid no mind whatsoever to Gaara's intensifying bloodlust or the cold, heavy gaze boring into her back.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Gaara watched the two of them leave in silence. The sand around him whirled faster and faster, but in the end, he chose not to act. The sand quietly withdrew back into his gourd.
"Due to Yamanaka Ino being unable to continue, Gaara wins this round. Now, let us proceed to the final match!"
"Hyuga Hinata VS Hyuga Neji!"
What followed unfolded much as it did in the original story.
With Naruto's encouragement ringing in her ears, Hinata rose again and again beneath Neji's brutal Gentle Fist strikes.
"Hinata, hang in there, I believe in you..."
Smack!
Just as Naruto was about to unleash another round of his verbal encouragement technique, Sasuke's hand came down on his shoulder, cutting it off.
"What are you doing, Sasuke!?"
"Stop talking." Sasuke let out a sigh and glanced at the field. "If you keep cheering her on, Hinata is going to get herself killed."
"Uh..."
Naruto's mouth opened, then fell shut. He closed it and looked out at the arena with a face full of worry.
Smack!
Neji's Gentle Fist drove hard into Hinata's abdomen. She let out a cry and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Give up. You have absolutely no chance of winning."
Looking at Hinata in front of him, battered and broken all over, a flicker of reluctance and conflict passed through Neji's eyes.
It vanished just as quickly, replaced by an expression of cold indifference.
The girl staggered back to her feet, trembling. She quietly wiped the corner of her mouth and smiled weakly. "Neji, I won't give up."
"Then die."
Neji steeled himself, and in an instant he moved against Hinata.
Though the words he spoke were kill her, in the moment he struck he pulled back considerably on his power, and aimed away from the vital points of the human body.
What came after was, as in the original story, Naruto stepping in to play the hero.
"A month from now, I'm going to beat the hell out of you!"
Naruto issued his challenge to Neji.
But the draw that followed did not go the way Naruto hoped.
The Chunin Exam finals bracket was set as follows:
Match 1: Kankuro VS Aburame Shino!
Match 2: Temari VS Nara Shikamaru
Match 3: Gaara of the Sand VS Haruno Sakura!
Match 4: Hyuga Neji VS Toss
And the final match: Uchiha Sasuke VS Uzumaki Naruto!
With the draw concluded, the third stage of the Chunin Preliminary Selection Exam came to an end.
___
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