"What!"
A voice pierced the quiet night, sharp with surprise.
"Who's there?" Rock Lee snapped his head around, eyes sharp. Years of combat experience from Sion Mun's life made him instinctively drop into a defensive stance, his senses alert. But when he spotted Tenten standing a few meters away, looking at him with wide, astonished eyes, he relaxed.
"Oh, Tenten! I didn't realize you were there," Lee greeted, smiling brightly as he eased out of his defensive stance. His intense aura softened as he met her gaze, which was still fixed on him in shock.
"Lee…" Tenten began, glancing between him and the tree he'd split in half with a single kick. "Did you just… split a tree in half?"
Lee chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah, yeah. Guess I've gotten a bit stronger!"
Tenten blinked, as though trying to make sense of what she'd just witnessed. "A bit stronger? Lee, you just destroyed a tree! Since when did you have that kind of strength?"
"Well, Tenten, I've been training hard every night," Lee said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I've discovered some… unique techniques that focus entirely on taijutsu, refining my body's strength and resilience to a whole new level. And the results have been amazing!"
Tenten's eyes widened. "Unique techniques? Lee, what kind of training could give you that kind of power?"
"It's hard to explain," Lee admitted, his expression thoughtful. "It's not like the normal taijutsu training we do. It's more about pushing my body beyond its natural limits, discovering how strong I can truly become with pure taijutsu alone."
Tenten stared at him, processing his words. "But… doesn't that hurt?"
Lee laughed, nodding. "Oh, it hurts. A lot! But every time I push through the pain, I feel myself getting stronger. I'm reaching a level I never thought possible before!"
Curiosity and admiration sparkled in Tenten's eyes. "I knew you trained hard, Lee, but this is incredible. You're really turning into a taijutsu master!"
Lee's face lit up with excitement. "That's the plan! Let me show you!"
Without waiting for her response, Lee moved toward an even thicker tree nearby. His movements were swift and precise, his form radiating confidence. He steadied himself, taking a deep breath as he channeled his energy, feeling every muscle tense with controlled power. With one fluid motion, he swung his leg and kicked the tree with intense force.
CRACK!
The tree, nearly twice as thick as the last one, split cleanly in half, scattering wood and leaves around them. Lee stepped back, smiling proudly, while Tenten stared, wide-eyed and speechless.
"Lee… that's incredible!" she finally managed, her voice full of amazement. "I knew you were strong, but this is… it's like you're on a whole new level! With strength like this, you could even rival the strongest ninja in Konoha!"
"That's the goal!" Lee said, his grin wide and confident. "Taijutsu alone can bring me to the top. I will show everyone that with enough dedication, hard work, and the right training, pure physical skill can be as powerful as any ninjutsu or genjutsu."
"Lee," Tenten said, a soft smile forming on her face. "I've always admired your spirit, but this… it's like you're tapping into something completely different. I can't wait to see what else you'll accomplish."
Lee nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Tenten. I'm going to keep pushing myself further every day. With this new training, I'm more confident that I can make Guy-sensei proud and become a true taijutsu master!"
Tenten laughed, encouraged by his enthusiasm. "Just make sure you don't hurt yourself in the process, okay?"
"I promise, Tenten!" Lee laughed, eyes shining with confidence. "I'll keep pushing my limits carefully, but I won't stop until I reach the top!"
As they started to walk back toward the village, Tenten said thoughtfully, "It's perfect timing, you know. The Chūnin Exams are starting soon."
Lee's eyes lit up at her words. "The Chūnin Exams! Yes, Guy-sensei mentioned we'd be entering this time."
"Every six months, the Chūnin Exams bring together the strongest Genin from the villages," Tenten explained, excitement clear in her voice. "This time, the exam will be held in Konoha. Teams from all the other villages will be here competing, and it'll be our chance to show our skills."
Lee clenched his fists in anticipation. "This is it! This is my chance to prove to everyone that taijutsu can stand against any ninjutsu or genjutsu."
Tenten nodded. "We'll be up against some tough competition, but with all the training you've done, I think you'll surprise everyone—maybe even Neji."
"Neji?" Lee's expression grew determined. "I'll give it everything I've got. I've been working for this moment, and I won't let it pass me by!"
With newfound excitement, they returned to the village, Lee's heart pounding with anticipation. He knew the upcoming Chūnin Exams would be his chance to test his strength against his peers and the best young ninja from every village. And with his newfound power, he felt more ready than ever.