Naruto glared furiously at Neji, his fists clenched tight as he took a step forward—but he froze. His gaze shifted to Hinata's unconscious body, then back at Neji.
"I'll kick your ass!" he shouted.
Neji didn't even acknowledge his words. He simply turned and walked away.
"Alright," Gekkō Hayate announced, stepping forward. "Let's begin the next match."
"Wow!!! It's about time for your turn, Lee!" Might Guy said enthusiastically, turning to his student.
"No," Lee replied calmly. "I will go last."
Guy's eyes widened in shock, speechless. Even Neji turned his head, surprised by Lee's sudden shift in demeanor.
Only Akuma remained unmoved.
Just then, the next match appeared on the board:
Gaara vs. Rock Lee
Lee grinned and pointed dramatically. "You fell for it! I used reverse psychology! I never wanted to go last!"
Sakura blinked in confusion while Guy nearly stumbled backward in disbelief. He quickly recovered and walked up to Lee.
"Be careful," Guy warned. "That gourd on Gaara's back—it's suspicious."
"Yes, Sensei!" Lee replied cheerfully before leaping into the arena. Gaara stood across from him, silent and waiting.
"I couldn't be happier to face you this early," Lee said sincerely.
In response, Gaara detached the cork from his gourd and flung it toward Lee. Lee snatched it out of the air with ease.
"Why are you in such a hurry to fight?" he asked.
Gekkō Hayate quickly stepped between them. "Now, begin the 9th match!"
Everyone on the viewing deck leaned forward, watching intently. Might Guy's expression turned serious, and Akuma's red eyes remained locked onto the arena.
Lee was the first to move.
"Leaf Spinning Wind!" he called out, unleashing a powerful spinning kick aimed at Gaara.
But the sand responded before Lee could land the blow, shielding Gaara and lashing out. Lee was struck and sent tumbling across the ground, barely managing to land upright.
As Lee stared at Gaara—now partially encased in swirling sand—his expression shifted from confusion to resolve. He charged forward, launching a flurry of kicks and punches. But every attack was blocked effortlessly by the sand. Gaara hadn't moved an inch.
"He's only using taijutsu?" Sakura asked from the stands, puzzled. "Why doesn't he fight from a distance?"
"Because he can't," Guy answered. "Lee has no talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu. He's trained in taijutsu alone—and that's why I believe he'll win."
Down below, Lee dodged another wave of sand, landing atop a statue's hand.
"Lee! Take them off!" Guy shouted.
"But Sensei, didn't you say I should only do that to protect precious people?"
"It's alright. I give you permission. Now—go for it!"
Lee smiled brightly. "Okay! Now I can move easier!"
He removed his ankle weights and let them drop.
They crashed into the ground with a thunderous boom, sending chunks of stone flying and shocking the entire arena.
"Were those ankle weights?!" Sakura gasped.
"Yes," Kakashi answered. "Old-school training. Brutal, but effective."
Below, Lee vanished in a blur. His speed had more than doubled. He attacked Gaara relentlessly, the sand struggling to keep up with him.
"Even if he can't use other jutsu," Guy said proudly, "this is his greatest strength."
Akuma watched quietly, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
Lee's movements became increasingly fast and unpredictable. Eventually, he found an opening and delivered a powerful downward kick to Gaara's head.
The blow landed. Gaara staggered, visibly rattled.
"Keep going, Lee!" Guy encouraged.
Lee's attacks became even more aggressive, and he soon landed another solid hit—this time sending Gaara skidding across the arena floor.
"Whoa! His attacks are so fast, I can barely see them!" Choji exclaimed.
"That black-eyed bastard took a heavy hit!" Naruto added.
Kankurō, watching tensely, muttered, "This is bad…"
"Yeah, it is," Naruto agreed.
"That's not what I mean," Kankurō said gravely. He pointed toward Gaara.
Gaara's face, cracked from the impact, began to crumble. Sand fell away, revealing his real face beneath—his eyes wild and filled with bloodlust.
Slowly, sand began to swirl and reform, encasing his entire body in a thick armor.
"Was that all you had?" Gaara growled.
Lee's brows furrowed. He realized his earlier blows had done nothing.
I'll have to deal serious damage to break that armor… he thought.
Only the Lotus can do it.
He turned to look at Guy, silently asking for permission.
Guy nodded.
Lee immediately unraveled the bandages from his arms.
"Come at me," Gaara said coldly.
Lee exploded forward, his speed unmatched. He delivered a crushing upper kick to Gaara's chin, launching him high into the air.
"Ugh," Lee groaned in pain. Using the Lotus hurt him as well.
Guy watched anxiously, silently praying the fight would end quickly.
Akuma didn't move—but he was ready. If Lee's life was in danger, he would step in without hesitation.
Up in the air, Lee bound Gaara with his bandages and spun downward at high speed.
"Initial Lotus!!" he roared.
At the last moment, Lee released Gaara, slamming him headfirst into the ground with devastating force. The arena cracked and trembled from the impact.
"Is… is he dead?" Naruto asked.
"No… it can't be!" Kankurō stammered, eyes wide.
"Lee WON!" Sakura shouted, overwhelmed with excitement.
"Yes!" Guy cheered, raising his fist.
But Kakashi frowned. "No, Guy—look closely."
Below, the cracked body of Gaara crumbled further—into sand.
"It was just his sand armor?" Guy asked in disbelief.
"He slipped out," Kakashi explained. "It happened when you closed your eyes to pray… and when Lee paused in pain. He made his move then."
From behind, Gaara slowly emerged from the sand—silent, deadly, and preparing to strike.