Chapter 14: The Breaking Point
The arena buzzed with restless energy. Murmurs swept through the stands as minutes ticked by with no sign of Sasuke.
"Where is he?" Ino huffed, tapping her foot. "Always late, always trying to look cool."
Sakura leaned forward, hands clenched tightly together. "He'll come. I know he will."
Kiba scoffed. "Maybe he realized Gaara isn't someone you want to fight and stayed home."
Lee didn't speak. His gaze was locked on the empty stage, the weight of Gaara's aura still heavy in his memory from the prelims. It wasn't excitement that Gaara stirred in people, it was dread.
Then, in an instant, two figures appeared in the center of the arena. Kakashi raised a hand in greeting, casual as ever, while beside him, Sasuke stood tall, dressed in black, the Uchiha crest gleaming on his back.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Kiba whistled. "Guess he decided to show up after all."
Lee's eyes narrowed, heart quickening. His presence… it's sharper. Kakashi's training has honed him into something stronger.
Across the way, Gaara descended, sand shifting restlessly at his feet, eyes locked on Sasuke with predatory focus.
The proctor's hand cut through the air. "Begin!"
Gaara's sand lashed out immediately, a crushing wave that split the earth. Sasuke blurred to the side, closing the gap in a heartbeat.
Lee's breath caught. That's… my Strong Fist!
The stance, the force behind those kicks and punches—there was no mistaking it. Sasuke's blows cracked against Gaara's sand shield again and again, precise and brutal, Sharingan guiding each angle.
Tenten leaned forward, awe in her voice. "That's Lee's taijutsu… but faster."
Lee's fists clenched at his knees. Pride swelled in his chest, but so did frustration. Kakashi-sensei passed my style onto him. Sasuke has taken it, refined it, and now the whole village sees him wield it where I could not… but unlike before, this time I will be better.
Gaara's defense shuddered under the relentless assault, cracks forming. The sand shield strained, but Sasuke pressed harder, Sharingan spinning as he read the smallest openings.
Then, lightning burst to life.
Chidori shrieked in Sasuke's palm, the sound like a thousand screaming birds. He lunged forward, piercing through Gaara's sphere. The smell of scorched sand filled the air as blood spilled.
Gaara screamed.
Sand erupted violently, thrashing in every direction. Gaara clutched his wounded shoulder, but instead of retreating, his face twisted, eyes widening with madness.
Lee's breath faltered. No… this isn't how it was supposed to happen. Sasuke should've pushed again, struck with another Chidori, Gaara should've fled to the forest to transform.
But here, now, Gaara's body contorted in the open. Sand crawled over his skin, a monstrous outline taking shape, his chakra flooding the arena with suffocating malice.
Lee's pulse hammered. Did I change this? Is this the butterfly effect? By being here…by changing events, did I push Gaara into breaking sooner?
The system pulsed, words slicing into his vision.
[High Threat Surge Detected]
Warning: Hostile Transformation Imminent
The proctor shouted for order, leaping back, but the damage was done. Civilians shrieked, the once-festive atmosphere collapsing into raw fear.
The moment Sasuke's Chidori tore through Gaara's sand shield, the arena tipped into chaos. Blood spilled from Gaara's shoulder, his scream piercing the air. But instead of retreating, as Lee remembered from the original flow of events, Gaara's body convulsed.
Sand surged around him, clinging to his limbs, crawling up his face. His chakra flared wildly, crushing the crowd beneath suffocating pressure. A monstrous silhouette began to take shape right there on the stage.
Lee's stomach dropped. No… this isn't right. He shouldn't transform here. He was supposed to flee to the forest. This is the butterfly effect… my presence has changed the script.
The stands erupted in panic. Civilians bolted for the exits, their screams echoing across the stone walls. Shinobi scrambled to contain the hysteria.
Then ANBU operatives flickered into view along the railings. For a heartbeat, relief swept through the civilians, until one of the masked figures raised his hands and a heavy chakra wave spread outward.
The world darkened. Genjutsu.
The audience froze mid-scream, caught like flies in a web.
"Kabuto…" Lee breathed, recognizing the cadence of the chakra and the smug voice beneath the mask. He's moving earlier too. Another change.
Around him, the Konoha 12 fought the illusion. Sakura's hands clasped together, her chakra surging as she broke free first. Hinata followed, veins bulging as her Byakugan activated. Even Kiba and Ino forced themselves clear, their breaths ragged but determined.
Lee dispelled it with a sharp exhale, sweat beading his brow. The invasion has started sooner… and worse. This isn't the same battle I remember.
Gaara roared, his sand cocoon splitting open as a monstrous claw broke free, swiping across the stage. Sasuke dodged back, lightning still flickering in his hand.
Explosions shook the distance. Smoke and fire rose beyond the arena walls. Konoha was under siege.
The system chimed, merciless as ever.
[Story Quest: Survival – The Leaf Will Burn]
Objective: Protect Konoha.
Status: Commencing…
Lee's hands curled into fists. The path ahead had shifted into the unknown. But one truth remained: he would fight, no matter how much the story changed.