Match Nine: Gaara vs. Rock Lee
This battle left everyone in shock.
Gaara displayed terrifying strength. The sand's automatic defense rendered Rock Lee's attacks completely ineffective.
"What? Automatic defense?!"
"No hand seals at all?!"
"What kind of monster is this…?"
The examinees stared at Gaara in disbelief.
Rock Lee, determined to break through Gaara's defense, removed the heavy weights from his legs.
Boom! Boom!
The weights smashed into the ground, leaving deep craters behind.
"Those were that heavy… and he wears them all the time?!"
With the weights gone, Rock Lee's speed skyrocketed. He finally managed to get close to Gaara—but it still wasn't enough.
"Gate of Opening… open!"
"Gate of Rest… open!"
"Gate of Life… open!"
"Gate of Pain… open!"
"Gate of Limit… open!"
Green chakra erupted violently from Rock Lee's body.
"This is… the Eight Gates?!"
"That forbidden technique?!"
"A Genin can actually use something like this?!"
The crowd was stunned.
Rock Lee launched the Hidden Lotus, slamming Gaara into the ground at terrifying speed.
RUMBLE!!
The impact shattered the ground, cracks spreading in all directions.
When the dust settled, Rock Lee lay on the ground, completely unable to move.
"Damn it… I can't move…"
A short distance away, Gaara lay in the crater as well. His Sand Armor was completely shattered, revealing his injured body beneath.
"Did I… win…?" Rock Lee thought weakly, a flicker of hope appearing in his eyes.
But in the next moment, Gaara's fingers twitched.
He slowly pushed himself up. Though his face was pale and his body injured, he still stood firmly, ready to fight.
"What?!"
"He's still standing after that?!"
"A monster… a true monster…"
Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd.
Gaara raised his hand and touched his wounded shoulder.
"It hurts…"
He slowly turned his head, looking down at the motionless Rock Lee, his voice icy.
As he spoke, the sand around them began to surge violently, slithering toward Rock Lee like a venomous serpent.
"This is… Mother's will…"
"I must kill you…"
The sand gathered rapidly, surrounding Rock Lee and forming a massive prison.
"Sand Coffin…"
Gaara slowly raised his hand, preparing to crush it.
At that critical moment, a green figure flashed forward, moving so fast it left an afterimage behind.
Bang!
Might Guy kicked the sand away and scooped Rock Lee into his arms.
"Rock Lee!"
Gaara frowned, and the sand surged again—but another figure appeared instantly, blocking the path.
"Cough, cough… That's enough," Gekkō Hayate said firmly.
"Rock Lee has lost the ability to fight."
"The winner is Gaara."
Gaara stared coldly at Might Guy.
"This child is my most important student," Guy said, holding Rock Lee tightly, his expression deadly serious.
Gaara was silent for several seconds. He looked at Rock Lee in Guy's arms, then slowly lowered his hand. The raging sand retreated back into the ground.
"…Forget it."
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the arena, his back lonely and cold.
Might Guy held Rock Lee close, his eyes reddening, his voice trembling.
"Rock Lee… you were already incredible…"
"You proved… that hard work can rival genius…"
Rock Lee weakly smiled in his arms.
"Might Guy-sensei… did I… succeed…?"
"You did," Guy nodded firmly. "You're the best."
"Everyone saw your effort."
"You've already surpassed yourself."
Tears streamed from Rock Lee's eyes, filled with relief and fulfillment.
"That's… good…"
With those words, he lost consciousness completely.
Medical ninja rushed in at once.
"Hurry! Take him to the hospital immediately! His muscles and chakra pathways are severely damaged!"
In the stands, the examinees wore grim expressions.
"That red-haired one… he's terrifying."
"And the one in green… the Eight Gates…"
"This Chunin Exam… is full of monsters…"
Kakashi watched Gaara's retreating figure.
"The One-Tail's Jinchūriki… If Sasuke faces him, it'll be extremely dangerous."
---
Match Ten: Akimichi Chōji vs. Dosu Kinuta
The match ended quickly. Dosu's sound-based attacks perfectly countered Chōji's Human Bullet Tank.
"Cough, cough… Winner—Dosu!"
All preliminary matches were complete.
Final qualifiers advancing to the third round:
Uchiha Sasuke
Aburame Shino
Kankurō
Haruno Sakura
Temari
Nara Shikamaru
Uzumaki Naruto
Hyūga Neji
Gaara
Dosu Kinuta
Ten contestants in total.
The Third Hokage stepped onto the high platform once more.
"Congratulations to all of you for advancing to the third round."
"In one month, the official final round will be held in the arena."
"At that time, daimyo and nobles from many nations will be watching."
"This is your chance to show the world your strength."
He paused.
"Now, we will determine the final matchups."
The electronic screen lit up, displaying the bracket:
Round One: Uzumaki Naruto vs. Hyūga Neji
Round Two: Nara Shikamaru vs. Temari
Round Three: Haruno Sakura vs. Dosu Kinuta
Round Four: Aburame Shino vs. Kankurō
Round Five: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Gaara
"The matchups are set," the Third Hokage said.
"I will see you all in the arena in one month."
"Dismissed."
The examinees gradually dispersed.
Kakashi watched as Team 7 approached.
"Sensei!" Naruto fumed. "That Neji is unbearable!"
"I'll definitely beat him!"
"You'll get your chance," Kakashi said calmly. "You saw the bracket."
"Yeah!" all three nodded.
"Sasuke versus Gaara. Sakura versus the Sound ninja Dosu. Naruto versus Neji."
"None of your opponents are easy."
"Especially Gaara—he's extremely dangerous."
"And Neji is a true Hyūga prodigy."
"Dosu's sound attacks are also troublesome."
"For the next month, I'll be giving you special training."
"Yes!" the three answered together.
Kakashi looked at them seriously.
"But before that…"
"Go back and rest."
"Training starts tomorrow."
"Got it!"
The three left.
Kakashi remained where he was, waiting until most people had dispersed. His eyes narrowed as he looked toward a certain direction.
"Yakushi Kabuto…"
---
Deep within the Forest of Death.
The ninken stopped on a large tree.
Pakkun gestured to Kakashi.
"Target detected three hundred meters ahead."
"Scent confirmed."
Kakashi nodded and released the Summoning Jutsu.
He advanced alone, quietly.
In a clearing, Yakushi Kabuto stood there, as if waiting for someone.
"This place is remote enough…"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and glanced around.
"Quick fight. End it fast."
In the next instant, Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished.
Kabuto suddenly felt a sharp sense of danger.
"Not good!"
He dodged instinctively.
Swoosh!
A kunai grazed his cheek, leaving a bloody cut.
Kakashi appeared behind him, his Sharingan spinning.
"Good reaction."
"Ka—Kakashi-senpai?!" Kabuto's expression changed drastically.
"How did you—"
"How did I find you?" Kakashi cut him off. "That doesn't matter."
"What matters is this."
Chakra surged into his right hand.
Zzzzz—
"Lightning Release: Chidori!"
Brilliant lightning erupted from his palm.
Kabuto's pupils shrank.
"Damn it!"
He rapidly formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
A wall of water rose to block the attack—but the Chidori pierced straight through it.
Boom!
Water exploded outward. Kabuto used the Substitution Technique at the last second.
Bang!
A log was skewered by the Chidori and shattered into splinters.
Kabuto reappeared ten meters away, his face grim.
"Kakashi-senpai… why are you attacking me?"
"Stop pretending," Kakashi said coldly.
"Orochimaru's spy—Yakushi Kabuto."
Kabuto's expression darkened completely.
"How… did you know?"
"Not important."
Before he finished speaking, Kakashi rushed forward again, moving like lightning.
Kabuto gritted his teeth, chakra condensing in his hands.
"Chakra Scalpel!"
Pale green blades formed around his palms as the two clashed at close range.
Kabuto's attacks were precise, aimed at muscles and nerves—but Kakashi was faster. With the Sharingan, every movement was crystal clear.
Dodge. Parry. Counter.
Smooth and relentless.
"Tch… the Sharingan…" Kabuto cursed internally.
He deliberately exposed an opening.
"Cherry Blossom Technique!"
Kakashi struck Kabuto in the abdomen—but Kabuto seized his arm.
"Got you!"
Chakra surged into Kakashi's body, trying to disrupt his nervous system.
"Naive."
Kakashi raised his left hand, lightning flashing.
"Lightning Release: Excitation Wave!"
Zzzzz!
A violent current exploded outward.
Kabuto convulsed, screaming as he was forced to release his grip.
"AAAAH!"
Kakashi followed up with a kick to the abdomen.
Kabuto was sent flying, crashing into a tree and shaking loose a rain of dead branches.
"Cough… cough…" Kabuto spat blood, clutching his stomach.
"As expected of… Sharingan Kakashi…"
Kakashi walked toward him, Chidori forming once more in his right hand, lightning dancing wildly.
"It's over."
At that instant, a terrifying chakra swept in from the side, a chilling presence flooding the area.
"Hehehe… Kakashi-kun, you really are sharp."