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At this time, in Team 7.
"Sasuke, where are we going now?" Sakura paused and asked. Their team had entered the Forest of Death. The next step was to collect both the Heaven and Earth scrolls, which would require attacking another squad.
Naruto also looked at Sasuke. Although he often felt competitive with Sasuke, he had to admit that Sasuke was strong and had a sharp mind. Decisions like this were best left to Sasuke.
Sasuke thought for a moment, feeling a bit distressed. He originally planned to find Gaara and his team first, but how should they go about it? He hadn't learned any reconnaissance ninjutsu. If only Ino or Hinata were here—they could perform long-distance reconnaissance. Unfortunately, no one on his team had that ability.
Generally speaking, reconnaissance ninjutsu are bloodline limits or clan secret techniques, like the Byakugan, Kagura's Mind Eye, or the perception jutsu of the Yamanaka clan. Sasuke muttered to himself, "These ninjutsu are powerful, giving a ninja a great advantage in battle. But I haven't mastered any of them. What should I do?"
When thinking about Kagura's Mind Eye, Sasuke looked slightly disappointed as he glanced at Naruto. To be honest, if Sasuke didn't know that Naruto was the son of Kushina Uzumaki from the original story, he would have doubted Naruto's lineage. His signature jutsu, Kagura's Mind Eye and the Adamantine Sealing Chains, were completely out of reach! The only thing left was his unusually abundant chakra!
"What's with that look?!" Naruto, dissatisfied with Sasuke's attitude, shouted angrily. Sasuke was looking at him with such disgust. If Sasuke hadn't just helped him yesterday, Naruto might have snapped back at him.
Sasuke looked at Naruto calmly and said seriously, "I'm considering whether to beat you up—maybe until you're half-dead—to see if that can awaken some hidden ability in you! I've heard of people who, after suffering serious injuries like losing a limb, awaken their body's self-repair abilities. Would you like to try?"
"I don't want that!" Naruto loudly refused in horror.
At that moment, Sasuke suddenly became alert. He noticed a pair of eyes watching them from afar. This feeling was like being secretly observed, which made Sasuke uneasy. He quickly recognized this sensation and guessed who was spying on him. Sasuke slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a faint smile, "Oh, problem solved—the reconnaissance ninja is here."
He put his hands in his pockets and waited leisurely for the visitor. Not long after, Team 3—Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee—appeared before Sasuke.
As soon as Rock Lee saw Sasuke, his eyes lit up, burning with the desire to fight. He shouted excitedly, "Uchiha Sasuke, please have a real duel with me!" Clearly, he couldn't wait to challenge Sasuke.
Sasuke noticed how Rock Lee shyly glanced at Sakura from time to time and couldn't help but shake his head, sighing, "Oh, Sakura, this suitor of yours is really persistent."
After hearing Sasuke's words, Sakura blushed slightly, but her tone was firm, "There will always be only Sasuke in my heart!" She looked at Sasuke affectionately, her eyes full of love.
Hearing this, Rock Lee's body trembled slightly, as if something had shattered in his heart. But even so, his determination to duel with Sasuke didn't waver.
Seeing this, Sasuke shrugged helplessly, "Well, okay. People keep staring at my girlfriend. Isn't it appropriate for me to ignore it? In that case, let me teach your love rival a lesson."
Sasuke's eyes became sharp as he exuded a powerful aura. Although he had a good impression of Rock Lee's character, no one could compare to his own wife!
"Lee, maybe you should forget it. I suddenly have a bad feeling—you might be unlucky," Tenten kindly warned, while also curiously observing Sasuke. Was this the Uchiha Sasuke her father mentioned? Although he already had a girlfriend, did he really want him as a son-in-law? He seemed like just a playboy! Thinking of this, Tenten's cheeks couldn't help but blush slightly.
"How can I retreat in the face of battle? Burn, my youth!" Rock Lee didn't take her warning seriously and roared excitedly. His entire body moved like lightning as he disappeared in an instant and then launched a powerful kick at Sasuke!
Just as a "pop" was heard, Sasuke easily caught Rock Lee's ankle with one hand, feeling the weight on his palm sink slightly. He couldn't help but admire, "As expected of Guy-sensei's student. These weights you're wearing are heavy—terrifying for an ordinary genin."
However, Sasuke was no ordinary genin!
When Rock Lee saw Sasuke catch one of his legs, he was shocked and quickly twisted his other leg to kick Sasuke in the head with all his strength! If this kick landed, even with Sasuke's physical strength, it would cause serious injury.
However, just as Rock Lee's foot was about to connect with Sasuke, he suddenly felt his body go out of control! The scenery in front of him changed rapidly, and his head seemed to be rapidly approaching the ground!
Boom!
With a loud noise, Rock Lee's body hit the ground heavily, raising a cloud of dust.
"Cough... cough!" Rock Lee struggled to get up from the ground, coughing violently and almost losing his breath. He looked at Sasuke in shock, secretly amazed—Uchiha Sasuke was so strong! Not only did Sasuke easily parry his leg attack, but he also lifted him effortlessly! Considering his own weight plus the load, it was terrifying. Was Sasuke really just a genin?
Rock Lee came back to his senses and tried to break free from Sasuke's grip on his ankle, but found it impossible! Sasuke's hand was like an iron vise, firmly holding his ankle—no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't get free!
"Remember, don't think about my girlfriend in the future!" Sasuke said coldly. There was a trace of determination and indifference in his eyes, as if he were warning Rock Lee not to have any further thoughts.
After saying this, Sasuke didn't stop. He continued to display his strength. Sasuke's arm moved like a whirlwind, swinging Rock Lee from one side of the ground to the other. The coherence and power of the movement were astonishing, as if he was holding not a person but an insignificant object.
Rock Lee was helpless in Sasuke's hands, as if he were a toy being manipulated by Sasuke. Every swing was accompanied by a huge impact. Rock Lee's body drew arcs in the air before crashing heavily into the ground. Dull thuds echoed across the ground as large human-shaped craters appeared one after another.
These craters bore witness to Sasuke's anger and strength, showing just how heavy the blows were that Rock Lee was receiving.
Faced with such a ferocious attack, all Rock Lee could do was desperately protect his head. He held his head tightly with both hands, trying his best to avoid more serious injuries. However, despite his efforts, Sasuke's power was simply too overwhelming—Rock Lee couldn't completely avoid injury.
The whole scene was filled with tension and violence. Sasuke's coldness contrasted sharply with Rock Lee's helplessness. It made people anxious for Rock Lee, while also instilling awe in Sasuke's strength.
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