Chapter 82: Challenging Gaara
Hearing Naruto's words, Kurenai Yuhi found it hard to refuse again. This was already the second time Naruto had invited her; refusing would be quite disrespectful.
"Alright! I'll definitely be there on time."
"Then I shall look forward to your arrival, Senior Kurenai!"
After inviting Kurenai Yuhi, Naruto turned his gaze toward Asuma. To be honest, Naruto really didn't want to invite Asuma Sarutobi—who told his father to be Hiruzen Sarutobi!
However, since he had invited Asuma Sarutobi's three students, it would be somewhat improper not to invite Asuma Sarutobi himself.
"Asuma-sensei, why don't you join us? I heard Asuma-sensei is the son of the Third Hokage, so you must be quite wealthy! How about Asuma-sensei covers the costs of our gathering?"
Naruto's words were triple-edged: they contained an invitation to Asuma Sarutobi, pointed out that he was the Hokage's son, and mentioned that he was very rich.
Those who didn't know the inside story would surely think Naruto was just joking with Asuma Sarutobi, but those who did would think much more deeply about it.
Naruto was also the son of a Hokage, yet everyone had seen the kind of life he had lived since he was a child.
It was unclear whether Asuma Sarutobi was simply thick-skinned, a political novice, or if he just didn't catch the triple meaning in Naruto's words. Instead, he said with a chuckle, "Sure! I'll pay for the meal! It's rare for everyone to be together, so why don't we invite Team Guy as well?"
Naruto smiled and said, "Of course! I also want to ask Guy-sensei for advice on the last two gates of the Eight Gates!"
Naruto's words caused several of Konoha's Jonin to look at him in surprise; none of them expected that Naruto could already open the Eight Gates up to the Sixth Gate.
Guy ran excitedly to Naruto and asked, "You can open the Sixth Gate of the Eight Gates?"
Naruto nodded with a smile and said, "I can barely open the Sixth Gate. As for the Seventh and Eighth Gates, Kakashi doesn't know them and hasn't taught me, so I want to take this opportunity to ask for your guidance, Guy-sensei!"
Guy nodded excitedly and said, "Certainly, certainly! I will tell you everything I know about the Eight Gates."
While they were discussing the gathering, the names of Gaara and Lee appeared on the electronic screen.
Naruto frowned slightly at the match between Gaara and Lee. Current Lee was no match for Gaara; if Lee could open the Sixth Gate, then as long as Gaara didn't release Shukaku, Gaara would definitely not be Lee's match.
But as things stood, Lee was completely outmatched. In the end, he would surely be sidelined for six hundred episodes. Should he intervene?
After all, a hardworking genius was much more precious than those geniuses with a Bloodline Limit!
While Naruto was hesitating, Lee had already opened the Fourth Gate, the Gate of Life.
Seeing this, Naruto sighed helplessly. It was too late to stop it now; Lee's muscles had already begun to tear. He could only wait until the end to save Lee.
After Lee opened the Fifth Gate and performed the Hidden Lotus...
Naruto looked at Might Guy and said, "Guy-sensei! Lee has already lost."
Both Kakashi and Guy looked at Naruto in disbelief.
Naruto sighed softly and said, "Gaara's Shield of Sand is not that simple. After Lee uses the Hidden Lotus, if Gaara can still perform Ninjutsu, you must stop him. Otherwise, Lee's path as a Ninja will end right here."
Guy and Kakashi both fell into deep thought. In that short moment, Lee finished the Hidden Lotusand crashed to the ground.
Seeing that Gaara really could still perform Ninjutsu, Guy knew Naruto was right. He quickly jumped down to the first floor and stopped the Sand Binding Coffin Gaara was about to use.
Gaara stared fiercely at Might Guy and said, "Why? Why did you save him?"
"Because! He is my most precious subordinate, and even more so, my most precious disciple."
After Gaara stood up, he turned around to leave.
"I'm done fighting!"
Perhaps Gaara thought of someone who treasured him, or perhaps he admired Guy's heart for treasuring Lee, or perhaps he didn't want to destroy that bond.
Just as Gekkō Hayate was about to announce Gaara's victory...
Lee stood up shakily and said, "I can still fight!"
Gaara glanced back at Lee, said nothing, and went up to the second floor.
Might Guy looked at Lee and said, "That's enough, Lee. You have already proven yourself."
"But... Guy-sensei, I haven't won yet."
"Proving yourself doesn't necessarily require winning."
"O... Okay!"
After saying that, Lee fell straight down.
Guy caught Lee with quick reflexes and shouted for a Medical Ninja.
After Lee was taken away, Gekkō Hayate also announced Gaara's victory.
The final selection match was between Choji and Dosu.
Although Choji had practiced with Naruto for a long time, Dosu's modified arm countered Choji too severely, and he still lost the match.
Gekkō Hayate announced the end of the selections, and Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen announced that the formal third round of exams would take place in one month.
Then he had Naruto and the others draw lots.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to announce the match-up list...
Naruto stepped forward, looked at Gaara, and said, "Are you interested in having a match with me?"
"Oh? Since you want to seek death, I am naturally willing to oblige you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe, looked at Naruto, and said, "Naruto, don't mess around! This is a fair duel; you are not allowed to choose your own opponents."
Naruto smiled and looked at the other winners, asking, "Do you have any objections to me fighting Gaara?"
Of the ten winners, six were from Konoha. Of the remaining four, only one was from the Sound Village, and the other three were from the Sand Village.
Now that Naruto had made the request, the Konoha Ninjas naturally wouldn't refuse. That left only Kankuro, Temari, and Dosu.
Kankuro and Temari were also afraid of facing Gaara, so it was better to just confirm the duel between Gaara and Naruto now.
The last one remaining was Dosu. Back in the Forest of Death, Naruto had spared them, so Dosuwas naturally willing to return the favor. Furthermore, whether he could even participate in the exam a month later was still an unknown, so he was willing to pay back this favor to Naruto.
In the end, all eight agreed to the duel between Gaara and Naruto, leaving the Third Hokage with nothing to say. Since all the participants agreed, what objection could he, as the organizer, possibly have?
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen also wanted to know exactly how far Naruto's strength had progressed.
Gaara's strength was at least at the level of an Elite Jonin. If Naruto won, then Naruto's strength would speak for itself.
If Naruto lost, Sarutobi Hiruzen could also judge Naruto's strength from the encounter.