Chapter 155
"He actually blew away the Sand Binding Coffin?!"
Kakashi-sensei frowned, "Has he merged the power of the Guardian Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams Palm and the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm?"
"The released Chakra formed an outward-impacting air shield, repelling the enemy's attack…"
Naruto was overjoyed, "That's amazing, Hinata!"
Sasuke, however, said, "No, that's not right…"
Kakashi-sensei sighed, "Hinata's move is her trump card, but it also exhausted her last bit of Chakra. I'm afraid…"
Indeed.
After using that move, Hinata couldn't help but gasp for breath, almost collapsing.
Gaara, seeing his technique broken, became even more furious.
"I'll kill you!"
He suddenly manipulated even more sand, covering the sky and earth, intending to completely bury Hinata within it!
Hinata was already powerless to resist and could only let the sand envelop her.
"Sand Waterfall Funeral!"
Gaara was about to clench his fist, unleashing a ruthless and fatal blow!
At that very moment… Kakashi-sensei suddenly appeared in front of Hinata, protecting her, lifting her from the sand, and leaping out, escaping the range of the Sand Waterfall Funeral.
And Naruto, as expected, recklessly jumped down and rushed towards Hinata.
"Hinata! Are you… are you alright?!"
Hinata looked at Kakashi-sensei, and at Narutowho rushed over. Although her heart was pounding, she felt incredibly warm inside and couldn't help but gently shake her head.
"I, I'm fine…"
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei, and also…"
"Naruto-kun…"
Kakashi-sensei landed, glanced at Gaara, and spoke to Shiranui Genma.
"We surrender."
Shiranui Genma nodded, "The winner is Gaara!"
Gaara, unable to kill Hinata, was filled with rage, roaring like a beast that had let its prey escape!
"One day, sooner or later…"
"I will kill you with my own hands!"
"No prey I've ever wanted to kill has escaped!"
Naruto was enraged, "It's just a Chunin Exams. Hinata has no grudge against you, so why do you have to go for the kill?!"
"Gaara, you bastard, if I ever meet you, I will never let you off!"
"Hinata, don't worry, I will definitely avenge you!"
Gaara coldly said, "You want to protect her?"
"Then I'll kill you first!"
Naruto angrily retorted, "Then let's see you try!"
...The match ended. Although Gaara's ferocity shocked everyone, Hinata's performance was already excellent enough.
Even Hyuga Hiashi sincerely applauded his daughter.
"Hinata, you did very well…"
Hyuga Hanabi wiped away her tears, "Sister, you are already very strong…"
The Jonin watching the match also applauded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, "Gaara is indeed formidable, but Hinata's talent and strength have also fully proven themselves, far exceeding ordinary people…"
Even Baki, Temari, and Kankuro had to admit this point.
"That little girl is indeed very strong…"
"Hmm, if she hadn't met Gaara, she might have caused a lot of trouble for our plan as well…"
"Konoha Village truly harbors hidden talents; it must not be underestimated…"
Just then.
Shiranui Genma continued to announce, "The next match will be between…"
"Rock Lee!"
"Versus…"
"Hyuga Neji!!!"
Chapter 126: Eight Gates Formation Explodes! Roar, Youth! Please give me your monthly votes!!!
"Hinata, are you alright?"
Naruto quickly asked with concern.
Hinata shook her head with a smile, "I'm fine, it's just a pity that I still lost…"
Naruto said, "You already performed very well!"
"That monster was just too abnormal!"
Sasuke also silently nodded.
Kakashi-sensei said, "The Chunin Exams finals are not about winning or losing to determine a hero, but a comprehensive assessment of the strength, will, intellect, decision-making, and so on, displayed during the battle."
"That is to say, although Hinata lost, it doesn't mean she will fail to become a Chunin."
"Conversely, even if one wins, they are not necessarily guaranteed a promotion."
Naruto was overjoyed, "So that's how it is! Hinatawill definitely make it!"
Kakashi-sensei smiled, "Indeed, given Hinata's performance just now, both her strength and her will, as well as her ability to independently create her own Ninjutsu, coupled with that power of perseverance…"
"If it were me, I would also let her pass the selection."
Hinata smiled shyly, "Thank you, Kakashi-sensei…"
Just then.
Team 7 also heard the opponents for the next match.
"Rock Lee versus Hyuga Neji!"
Naruto's heart stirred.
"Is it Lee?!"
"And, his opponent is precisely that bastard Hyuga Neji!"
"Great, we can finally fulfill our one-year promise with him!"
He immediately shouted loudly, "Lee! Go for it!"
"You must defeat that guy, Hyuga Neji!"
Rock Lee looked back, gave Naruto a thumbs-up, and showed a brilliant smile.
"Oh! I will, Naruto!"
Hinata, however, looked in Neji's direction.
"Neji-nii…"
Might Guy laughed heartily, "I didn't expect it to be Lee and Neji's fight?"
"Regardless of the outcome, the most important thing to remember is…"
"Youth must burn!!!"
Rock Lee immediately said, "Oh! I remember, Teacher Guy!"
Neji, however, just shook his head helplessly.
This battle also garnered much attention.
After all, in many people's eyes, Hyuga Neji was the strongest among the Konoha Ninja in this Chunin Exams!
As for Rock Lee, not many people had heard of him.
Although he also performed well in the preliminaries.
Rock Lee faced Hyuga Neji, full of spirit, striking a starting pose with his hands, and said confidently.
"Neji, the day has finally come!"
"I've always wanted to fight you fair and square to prove my strength!"
"And even more, to prove that one can become a powerful Ninja solely through Taijutsu!"
"You are indeed a genius, but I want to say that effort can definitely surpass genius!"
Hyuga Neji coldly said, "You're still the same, Lee, saying those unrealistic things."
"Give up, Lee, your destiny was sealed the moment you were born."
"You are Loser, and I am a genius. This is an unchangeable fate!"
Rock Lee smiled slightly, "Then let the battle prove everything!"
Hyuga Neji snorted, "How stubborn."
Shiranui Genma gave the command.
"Begin!"
To everyone's surprise… as soon as the referee's words fell, Rock Lee suddenly erupted with unparalleled, ferocious Chakra.
"Ah ah ah ah ah——"
His Chakra and aura instantly surged, a terrifying power filling his entire body, even causing veins to bulge on his face and body, making him look exceptionally fierce!
On the ground, sand and stones flew, and dust swirled wildly!
Hyuga Neji was also greatly startled, "That, that is…"
Might Guy also frowned, "Is that guy Lee planning to use that move from the very beginning?!"
Tenten was startled, "That's Teacher Guy's…"
"Although only Lee has learned it, is it really okay to use that move right from the start?!"
"Lee is going all in, fighting to the death!"
Might Guy shook his head, "No, it's precisely because Lee understands Neji too well…"
"In previous sparring sessions, Lee never won, because Neji's Gentle Fist perfectly counters his Taijutsu."
"As soon as Neji makes a move, he can precisely strike pressure points, blocking Lee's Chakra flow, making it impossible for him to use this technique."
"So, Lee is directly unleashing his ultimate killing move from the start!"
Tenten said, "I see, but in that case…"
"The battle might be decided in an instant…"
Naruto listened with great curiosity, "Bushy Brow Sensei, what kind of move is Lee using?"
"It's, it's so amazing!"
Might Guy said solemnly, "That is the ultimate Taijutsu secret technique that unlocks the limits of the body's internal meridians…"
"Eight Gates Formation!"