The afternoon sun baked the training yard in gold and shadow. Lee stood tall in the center, his bandages tight around his arms, fists raised. His body was tired but alive, his spirit burning with a heat that refused to dim.
Neji Hyūga faced him, pale eyes sharp and unreadable. "Your new techniques… they are not of Konoha. Not of Gai-sensei. Inspiration, you say? A lie. If you believe effort can defy fate, then prove it."
Tenten shifted uneasily, glancing between them. "Neji, this is reckless. He just got out of the hospital."
Gai crossed his arms, his usual grin subdued into something firmer. "Youth must test itself, Tenten. But remember, this is only a spar. No crippling blows, no lethal strikes. Do you both understand?"
Neji inclined his head. "Understood."
Lee tightened his fists. "Yes, Gai-sensei."
They stepped forward, touching fingers in the seal of confrontation. The air itself seemed to pause.
"Begin!" Gai called.
Neji burst forward first, Byakugan flaring. His palm cut for Lee's chest like lightning. Lee's body bent unnaturally, Kami-e softening his movement just enough for the strike to brush air. But Neji was already flowing, his second palm cutting low, tapping Lee's thigh. Pain jolted through his muscles, slowing his leg.
"You waste motion," Neji said, calm and merciless.
Lee spun, answering with Leaf Whirlwind. His kick slashed upward, forcing Neji to retreat half a step. He chained into Leaf Great Whirlwind, his leg sweeping wide. Dust flew as Neji flipped over the arc.
Lee roared, jumping after him. "Dynamic Entry!" His heel slashed down, driving Neji back. The Hyūga twisted in midair, his palm brushing Lee's shoulder to redirect him harmlessly into the dirt.
"You flail with force," Neji said, eyes cold. "But power without precision is nothing."
Lee spat blood into the dust, forcing his legs to coil again. "Then I'll make precision through power!"
He blurred with Soru, fists hammering forward. His Strong Fist strikes came heavy and fast, punctuated by Shigan jabs. Neji slipped between them like water, his palms brushing Lee's body in quick bursts, cutting off his chakra coils one after another.
Still, Lee pressed. A sudden Leaf Hurricane came low, then high, the second kick clipping Neji across the shoulder. For the first time, Neji staggered back. Lee dove in, fists pounding, driving Neji to block instead of counter.
From the sidelines, Tenten's eyes widened. "He's landing hits… against Neji!"
Neji's expression tightened. He surged forward again, his palms faster, sharper. Lee ducked, Kami-e softening his body like paper. He twisted, landing a blow to Neji's ribs with his knee.
But the victory was fleeting. Neji caught his wrist, spinning and striking his chest with a chakra-laced palm. The force threw Lee back, skidding across the dirt.
Lee struggled upright, chest heaving. His hands trembled, but he raised them again. "I'm not done yet!"
Gai's eyes gleamed, though worry flickered beneath.
Lee's body screamed for release. He could feel it…the inner gates, pulsing beneath his skin like a hidden flame. Just one… If I open one, I can match him! His fingers twitched toward the hand sign.
But before he could, Gai's voice thundered.
"Stop, Lee!"
Lee froze, his breath caught. Gai's face was serious, more than Lee had ever seen. "Your body is still healing. To use the Gates now would be to gamble your future! That power is not for this moment."
Lee's fists trembled, but slowly lowered. He bit back the frustration. "Yes, Gai-sensei."
Neji straightened, unruffled, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "Even with forbidden strength, fate does not bend." He exhaled, lowering his hands. "You are strong, Lee. But not strong enough. Not against me."
"Enough," Gai said firmly, stepping forward. "The spar is complete."
Lee dropped to his knees, gasping, sweat soaking into the dirt. But a fire still smoldered in his gaze. "Then I'll keep pushing… until I am."
Tenten hurried to his side, crouching down. "You lasted longer than I thought. And you hit him more than once. That's something."
Lee gave a tired grin. "It's not enough. But it's a start."
From the corner, Neji turned, his words clipped. "Fate will not yield to your persistence. It never has." He walked away, his pale eyes sharp even in retreat.
Gai, however, was trembling with pride, tears streaming freely. "SPLENDID! SUBLIME! Lee, your youth burns hotter than ever! To face Neji and strike true, your fire will one day consume destiny itself!"
Lee barely heard him. The system pulsed across his vision, cool and merciless.
[Limited-Time Story Quest Unlocked: The Hyūga Wall]
Objective: Surpass Neji Hyūga within 6 months.
Failure: Quest expires. Growth potential reduced.
Reward: ???
Six months. That was all the time the system had given him. Six months to topple Neji's wall.
Lee's hands curled into fists, trembling with exhaustion but iron in resolve. I'll climb it, break it, shatter it, no matter what it takes.
The sun dipped lower, shadows lengthening. The wall still stood tall, but cracks had begun to form.