After Kabuto surrendered in the match against Choji, murmurs ran through the crowd, but the tension quickly shifted as Hayate cleared his throat and prepared to announce the next match.
"Next match: Rock Lee vs. Gaara!" he called out, his voice echoing through the arena.
A wave of excitement surged through the crowd. Everyone had heard about Gaara, the mysterious and deadly genin from the Hidden Sand Village, and Rock Lee, the taijutsu specialist from the Hidden Leaf. The clash between these two promised to be intense.
As both competitors made their way to the center of the arena, the audience held their breath in anticipation. Sasuke, watching intently from the stands, activated his Sharingan, his eyes following every movement as he assessed the fighters before the match even began.
Hyuk leaned back in his seat, his usual calm demeanor intact. He observed Lee's determination and Gaara's cold, unmoving stance, wondering how this would play out.
"Rock Lee, vs. Gaara," Hayate said again, coughing before stepping back. "Begin!"
Without hesitation, Rock Lee dashed forward at blinding speed, his body a blur as he closed the distance between him and Gaara. His fists flew toward Gaara, aiming for a quick strike to test the sand user's defenses.
As expected, Gaara's automatic sand defense rose up, forming a protective barrier around him that effortlessly blocked Lee's strikes. Gaara didn't move, his arms still crossed, eyes locked on Lee with cold detachment.
But Lee wasn't about to give up. He danced around Gaara, attacking from different angles, launching kick after punch, each strike faster than the last. The audience watched in awe as Lee pushed the limits of his taijutsu skills, but Gaara's sand moved just as swiftly, blocking every attack.
"Incredible," Sasuke muttered under his breath, his Sharingan studying every detail of the fight. Lee's speed was on another level, but even so, Gaara's defense was proving impenetrable.
Lee leaped back, his eyes narrowing in focus. It was clear his normal attacks wouldn't work. He stood still for a moment, then reached down to his legs and began unstrapping his ankle weights.
The moment he let them drop to the ground, the entire arena shook from the sheer impact, leaving craters where the weights landed.
The crowd gasped.
"He's been holding back this whole time?" Sakura whispered, her eyes wide with shock.
Even Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the sight. "Impressive," he muttered, keeping a close eye on Lee's next move.
With his weights gone, Lee's speed increased to an unimaginable level. He vanished from sight, appearing behind Gaara in the blink of an eye, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick aimed at Gaara's head. The sand barely had time to react, blocking the kick at the last second.
Lee didn't let up. He continued his relentless assault, hitting Gaara from every possible angle. For the first time, Gaara furrowed his brow in concentration, realizing that Lee's speed was pushing his sand defense to its limits.
Then came the moment that left everyone speechless.
Lee stopped his assault and took a deep breath. "Guy-sensei! I'm going to use it!" he called out to Might Guy, who was watching from the sidelines.
"Do it, Lee!" Guy shouted, giving his approval.
With that, Lee began to open the Eight Inner Gates. His body surged with energy, his muscles bulging as his chakra spiked. The air around him rippled with power as he unleashed the full extent of his taijutsu abilities.
"This is... the Eight Gates," Kakashi muttered, recognizing the forbidden technique.
Lee's speed and strength skyrocketed, and in an instant, he was upon Gaara again. This time, the sand struggled to keep up. Lee's attacks were faster, harder, and more precise than ever before.
With a mighty shout, Lee launched Gaara into the air, performing his signature move, Primary Lotus. He spun Gaara high above the ground, delivering a series of powerful kicks before slamming him back down into the arena floor with devastating force.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, stunned by the sheer power and skill Lee was displaying. Even Hyuk, usually unfazed by most battles, watched with keen interest, his eyes narrowing as Lee's dedication became evident.
As the dust settled, Gaara's sand had once again saved him from the full brunt of the attack. But it was clear the match had taken its toll on both fighters. Lee, having pushed his body to the limit with the Eight Gates, struggled to stay on his feet. Gaara, while still standing, looked slightly shaken.
Lee wasn't finished, though. His spirit burned brightly, and he prepared to attack again despite the immense pain coursing through his body. But before he could launch another attack, Gaara's Sand Coffin wrapped around Lee, trapping him.
In a desperate attempt to crush Lee, Gaara tightened the sand, but Might Guy leaped in at the last moment, stopping the fight and saving his student from further harm.
The audience was silent, the gravity of the match weighing on everyone. Though Lee had lost, his bravery and determination left a lasting impression on everyone who watched.
As Lee was carried off the field, unconscious but smiling.