In the arena, Rock Lee had removed the weights from his body and was now eagerly bouncing back and forth, warming up. His speed was clearly on a whole new level.
Sand #1 observed Lee's movements, puffed out his chest silently, and began breathing in a strange, rhythmic pattern. His lungs expanded and contracted repeatedly, drawing deep breaths as though preparing for something serious.
"Lee, come at me."
"No problem. Let's go!"
The two locked eyes—and in the next instant, they clashed in the center of the arena. Their forearms collided once again, and a fiercer, faster taijutsu exchange began.
But something felt off.
Lee frowned mid-exchange. Something was missing.
While he was distracted by that thought, Sand #1 seized the moment, spinning to drive an elbow into Lee's cheek. Then, with pinpoint precision, he jabbed Lee's torso twice with his fingertips before finishing the combo with a powerful kick, sending Lee skidding across the arena floor.
Lee rolled twice, then caught himself with both hands, launching into a clean somersault and landing back on his feet.
It was then that realization struck him.
The sound. The sound of Sand #1's attacks—it was completely gone.
Ninjas typically rely on vision in battle, but taijutsu users like Rock Lee depend even more on hearing. The subtle rush of wind, the swoosh of a fist cutting through the air—those sounds were critical.
Now, in the viewing area, Neji also noticed something strange. With the speed Lee had shown, it was odd he hadn't reacted in time. Unless...
Neji activated his Byakugan.
That's when he saw it: a thin chakra film wrapped around Sand #1's body—one that shimmered like owl feathers.
Owls fly silently thanks to the comb-like edges of their feathers, which muffle the sound of air resistance. This chakra coating mimicked that effect, suppressing the sounds of movement and attacks.
"So that's it..." Lee muttered, now recalling how that earlier kick also felt oddly cushioned.
"A chakra barrier formed around his body..."
"Damn... I can't predict his movements..."
A brief wave of helplessness washed over him. His eyes unconsciously drifted toward the audience—toward Might Guy.
What should I do, Sensei?
But what Lee saw was Guy smiling with confidence, as if saying:
Lee. Believe in yourself.
Courage surged in Lee's heart. The fear vanished. He regained his composure and braced himself.
He crossed his arms, crouched low, and began channeling chakra through his body, striking key points in his brain.
A powerful pressure burst out from his body. The air around him began to whip and swirl as his chakra flared, and his bowl-cut hair was swept upwards in the gust.
Naruto… Sasuke… Neji… I won't be the only one left behind!
This is the path I chose… my own ninja way!
But the next moment, the chakra suddenly halted—cut off.
Lee froze in place.
"Eh?"
In the stands, Kakashi blinked and looked at Guy.
"Guy… Did Lee just try to open the Eight Gates? Is he still not ready...?"
Guy looked even more exasperated.
"Kakashi, how many times have I told you to stop reading those dirty books? Your eyes are so blurry now, you can't even see straight."
"That kid didn't try to open the Gates. That guy just sealed two chakra points on Lee's body—exactly the ones you need to access to open or close the Gates."
Kakashi silently snapped shut his Icha Icha Paradise.
"Tch... Shut up. It's not like you've even got a girlfriend..."
The word "girlfriend" barely left his lips before Guy appeared behind him, strangling him in a headlock and clapping a hand over his mouth.
"SHUT UP. Say one more word and I'll burn your collector's edition!"
Kakashi nodded helplessly.
Why is he always like this…?
Back in the arena, Sand #1 watched Lee quietly, then raised his right hand above his head, bent his left hand in front of his core, and continued his rhythmic breathing.
"Lee, I've sealed your chakra points. This match is mine!"
"Seven-Day Breathing Technique—Full Activation!"
"Second Stage: Activated!"
"Third Stage: Activated!"
At once, his muscles swelled violently, his skin flushed red, and bulging veins crawled visibly beneath his skin like coiled serpents.
A massive burst of chakra exploded from him, shattering the tiles underfoot.
Backstage, Yamato's expression suddenly turned pale.
Lee swallowed hard, but still refused to back down.
In the next instant, the floor beneath Sand #1 cracked again—and he vanished.
Lee instinctively raised his arms to defend—
Too late.
More than a dozen strikes landed in a blur, coming from behind and the sides, overwhelming Lee with speed and pain. It was like sparring with Guy-sensei all over again.
Sensei… Eight Gates…
Right! Guy-sensei can open the Sixth Gate directly—the Gate of View! I can't do that, but maybe… maybe I can skip the Opening Gate and activate the Rest Gate instead!
Lee kicked forward, forcing Sand #1 to back off momentarily, and tried channeling chakra again.
But once again… nothing. The flow was blocked.
"Damn it… even the Rest Gate is sealed?"
"In that case..."
Lee grit his teeth, blocking blow after blow while pushing chakra toward the third Gate—Gate of Life.
Sand #1 didn't let up, disrupting Lee's flow with each strike.
Finally—
With a surge of force, Lee burst through the blockage.
The Gate of Life was open!
Chakra erupted from him like a shockwave. His entire body flushed red with blood pressure, and the ground trembled from the sheer force.
Lee was back—and this time, he was on equal footing.
(ง •̀_•́)ง🔥
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