Within moments, all three ninjas from Kusagakure Village lay dead, felled by Rock Lee's unrelenting power. His actions were swift and decisive, leaving no room for hesitation.
The sight left Aiko stunned and speechless.
The ninjas of Kusagakure Village were no weaklings. Each had a strength nearly on par with Chūnin. It was no small feat for them to overpower Aiko's entire team. Yet, in the face of Rock Lee, these supposedly formidable opponents had crumbled like leaves in the wind.
What incredible and terrifying strength!
"He must be the strongest contender in the Chūnin Exams this year!" Aiko thought, her wide eyes fixed on Rock Lee with admiration.
Rock Lee's palm was stained with the blood and brain matter of the bald ninja, whom he had dispatched with his signature Broken Tablet Palm technique. The sight was horrifying, yet to Aiko, it symbolized an undeniable strength—a raw, unshakable masculinity.
"How are you? Are you alright?" Rock Lee asked, his voice calm as he approached Aiko. He bent down slightly, offering her his hand.
"I… I'm fine," Aiko stammered, her cheeks flushed. The sheer intensity of his presence left her flustered. Her torn and tattered clothes revealed patches of pale skin, adding to her embarrassment. Her face grew hotter as Rock Lee's eyes inadvertently lingered for a moment before he quickly looked away.
"I'm sorry," Rock Lee said hurriedly, turning his back to her to maintain propriety.
"No, it's alright," Aiko murmured shyly, her voice soft and fragile, stirring an instinct to protect within him.
"Wait here," Rock Lee instructed, glancing at the bodies of the fallen Kusagakure ninjas. He leaped to the nearest one and retrieved the bald ninja's intact shirt, then returned and handed it to Aiko.
"Put this on," he said gently.
"Thank you," Aiko replied, taking the shirt gratefully. "Thank you for saving me. What's your name?"
"Rock Lee," he answered after a pause. "And you?"
"My name is Aiko," she replied, her voice still tinged with shyness.
"That's a beautiful name," Rock Lee said with a small, sincere smile.
"Thank you," Aiko said, her face lighting up with a hint of joy. "You're a ninja from Konoha, right?" She pointed to the forehead protector he wore.
"That's right," Rock Lee nodded. "And you?"
"I'm a Genin from Hoshigakure Village," Aiko said softly.
"Hoshigakure Village? I've never heard of it," Rock Lee admitted, tilting his head.
"It's a small village," Aiko explained. "It's normal that you haven't heard of it."
Rock Lee nodded thoughtfully. Despite his extensive training and knowledge of prominent villages, he was unfamiliar with the smaller, scattered villages of the ninja world.
"What about your teammates?" Rock Lee asked cautiously.
"They… they're all gone," Aiko said, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes. "They fought bravely to save me… and paid the ultimate price."
"Don't be sad. Everything will be alright," Rock Lee said gently. He hesitated briefly before kneeling and pulling Aiko into a comforting embrace.
Aiko buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Her tears soaked his shirt, but he didn't care. He held her awkwardly but firmly, patting her shoulder in a clumsy attempt at comfort.
Gradually, her sobs quieted. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse but full of gratitude.
"What will you do now?" Rock Lee asked after a moment of silence.
"I don't know," Aiko admitted. "If I return to my village, I'll likely face harsh treatment. My teammates were the grandchildren of influential leaders, and with me being the only survivor, they might suspect betrayal."
Rock Lee frowned. Her fear wasn't unfounded. "Do you want to come to Konoha Village?" he asked suddenly, a spark of an idea forming.
"Konoha?" Aiko's eyes widened with surprise and hope. "Can I?"
"If you're willing, I'll find a way to help you," Rock Lee assured her. "I might even be able to arrange for a Jōnin to mentor you."
At that moment, Rock Lee thought of Mitarashi Anko. She hadn't taken a disciple yet, and he felt that Aiko might be a perfect candidate.