Chapter 21: Lee's Victory, Takahashi's Turn
Naruto and Sakura stared, their jaws nearly hitting the floor. They pointed shakily at the arena. "That bushy-browed guy... he was fighting with those on? Is he even human?"
Seeing their shock, Takahashi muttered under his breath, "If this little thing surprises you, you haven't seen anything yet."
Seeing this, Temari yelled down to Kankuro, "Hurry up and summon Salamander! Don't hold back! That kid is dangerous!"
He didn't dare delay. He quickly summoned Salamander, one of his few defensive puppets, and immediately used his Black Secret Technique: Puppet Shield.
But at that moment, he felt a cool breeze behind him. Temari screamed, "Look out!!"
Kankuro jolted in fright. What kind of speed is that? I can't even see him move! What's with this class? Why are they all monsters?
He yanked the Black Ant puppet in front of him just as Rock Lee's Konoha Whirlwind kick slammed into it. The puppet took the blow and was sent flying.
Kankuro was thrown back more than ten meters. The sharp pain in his chest made him cough violently. All his contempt was gone now. The guy in front of him was a real threat. If he wasn't careful, he would lose badly.
He pulled all three puppets close. This was his full power—one for attack, one for defense, one for confusing the enemy.
"I'm getting serious now," he said coldly. "You won't get another chance like that."
He wasn't just boasting. With three puppets working together, even Lee's great speed was countered. Kankuro was fighting dirty. He knew Lee's only strength was taijutsu, so he planned to drag the fight out and wear him down.
Neither could gain an advantage. The fight was at a stalemate.
Seeing this, Kakashi couldn't help but admire it. "This Sand kid is very tactically mature. He knows his own weak points and learned his opponent's weakness in advance. He's containing him perfectly. If this goes on, Lee might be in trouble."
Others watching also felt respect. To practice pure taijutsu to this level... even if he lost, no one would laugh at him.
Tenten hopped anxiously next to Takahashi. "Takahashi! What's going on? You said Lee would crush him! If this keeps up, Lee can't win!"
Takahashi felt a little exasperated. He sighed. "Why are you in such a hurry? Let Lee play with him for a bit."
Actually, Kankuro in the arena wasn't having an easy time. Only by fighting Lee himself could you understand the pressure. This guy was incredibly strong. Kankuro had to defend with everything he had every time, and he also had to watch out for sneak attacks.
It was a great irony. A ninja from a village famous for sneak attacks now had to worry about being ambushed by a taijutsu specialist who barely understood chakra.
But even so, he was confident he could beat Rock Lee. He just had to use a method that wasn't very honorable.
Seeing the situation, Might Guy took a deep breath, as if making a decision. "Lee! Now is the time to burn your youth! Show your true power!"
Hearing this, Lee quickly retreated. He looked at his teacher with fiery eyes. "Don't worry! I won't let you down!"
Kakashi suddenly thought of something terrifying. "Guy... you don't mean you taught him that jutsu, do you? How could you? You know the dangers of that technique better than anyone!"
Guy turned and looked at Kakashi with utter seriousness. "How much do you know about that boy? You only see a kid who can't use ninjutsu. But his will to become stronger is greater than anyone's. He is a genius. A genius of hard work."
Kakashi fell silent. He stared at the arena without another word. He was still a little curious. Could this foolish boy really use the Eight Gates?
Down below, Kankuro taunted, "What, giving up? It's time you saw the real difference between us."
Hearing this, Takahashi almost laughed out loud. That line is so fitting. But it's not clear who's outclassing who.
Lee strode forward. The blood in his body flowed faster. Veins bulged on his forehead. A powerful force surged from within.
"First Gate, Gate of Opening, open!"
With those words, his entire aura changed dramatically.
Kakashi gasped. "He can open the Initial Gate directly! Guy, it seems you've taught him well."
But Guy just said, "It's only the beginning."
Lee seemed to prove his point. The explosive power didn't stop. It grew even stronger.
"Second Gate, Gate of Healing, open!"
"Third Gate, Gate of Life, open!"
Kakashi was completely stunned. "Is he... really a genius?"
To train the Eight Gates to this level at his age... he absolutely deserved the title.
The power of the Eight Gates shocked everyone present. Most were seeing this jutsu for the first time.
Might Guy's father had once opened the final, Eighth Gate of Death as a genin, single-handedly wiping out the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen. The price was his life, but that legendary feat proved this technique's extraordinary power.
Sasuke and Neji didn't look so good. Could pure physical power really reach this level?
Even Gaara frowned. He felt a genuine, strong threat from this power.
It was Kankuro's first time seeing the Eight Gates. He quickly had Salamander protect him and raised his Puppet Shield. But against Lee with three gates open, it was useless. Even Gaara's "Absolute Defense" might not hold against this, let alone Kankuro's.
His eyes couldn't track the movements at all. Lee seized the opening and unleashed a full combo—Front Lotus. Amid the crowd's gasps, he won the match beautifully.
Kankuro lay on the ground, seemingly questioning his life. He never thought he'd lose so completely.
He struggled to his feet and walked toward Gaara, trying to explain, but no words came out.
Temari stepped forward, wanting to help explain, but Gaara cut them off with a wave of his hand.
"No need to explain," Gaara said, his voice flat. "Losing to him is no shame. Even I feel threatened by that fearsome jutsu. Go rest and recover."
Then, Gaara looked back toward the arena. The next match was his.