As Gaara rose from the small crater, the audience gasped, murmurs rippling through the stands. His sand barrier had absorbed the full brunt of Lee's relentless assault, and yet here he stood, looking as untouched as ever. Not a single scratch.
Lee's hands trembled as they clenched into fists, his knuckles white against the strain. He had poured everything he had into his attacks, even opening the First Gate… and still, nothing. No bruise, no hesitation. Just that unbreakable wall of sand, moving like a guardian with a will of its own.
This is what it meant to face a genius. A kind of strength he couldn't reach simply by being born.
But then again, hard work had always been his answer. If he couldn't use ninjutsu or genjutsu, he would master taijutsu. If taijutsu wasn't enough, he'd train harder, pushing through pain, exhaustion, and every failure in his way. He would never stop.
His gaze flicked to Guy-sensei in the stands, who looked down with unshakable faith in his eyes. "Lee!" Guy shouted, his voice echoing through the arena. "Show them what hard work can do!"
Lee's face sharpened in determination. His veins bulged as he focused, his entire body flushing a deep red as if his blood were boiling. Blue steam began to rise from his skin, wrapping around him in a mist that pulsed with raw energy. "Even without ninjutsu or genjutsu… I can still be a great ninja! This is my way of the ninja!"
He shut his eyes, summoning every ounce of his will. "Third Gate of the Eight Inner Gates… Life Gate, OPEN!"
A shockwave of energy erupted around him as his muscles strained, drawing gasps from the audience. Loose stones lifted from the ground, caught in the torrent of power as blue mist poured from Lee's body like a living flame. The onlookers stared in awe, and even the Jōnin in the crowd exchanged wary glances. A skill like this—one that pushed the body beyond its natural limits—was meant only for the most seasoned shinobi.
Gojo-sensei leaned back against the railing, twirling a lollipop casually. "The Eight Gates push your body beyond its limits," he explained to Naruto, who looked on in shock. "Crazy power, but if you open all eight… it's Kage-level strength. But you'll probably never walk again. Or, you know—boom." He shrugged.
Naruto's eyes widened. "Could opening all eight really make someone stronger than even you?"
Gojo smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, kid… it's impossible I'd win," he said, flicking his fingers playfully. "No one's faster than me!"
The battlefield trembled as Lee's aura expanded, scorching the ground beneath him. Lee's eyes burned as he faced Gaara, unblinking.
Gaara, usually cold and impassive, took a step back as his sand trembled, almost as if it felt fear. "What… is this power?"
"Guy-sensei!" Lee shouted, blood trickling from his eyes as the strain took its toll. His skin blistered, but he held on, pushing even further. The light blue steam around him darkened into a dense, swirling cyan mist, each pulse sending a ripple of energy across the arena floor.
"Fourth Gate—Pain Gate, OPEN!" he roared, his voice shaking the ground itself. The force of his chakra shattered the earth, cracks spiraling out beneath his feet, the impact almost deafening. His body trembled from the strain, but his spirit burned brighter than ever.
This is it. I'll show them what I'm made of! Every inch of his being was on fire, but he'd saved every ounce of this strength for this one, single moment.
"Neji!" he bellowed, his voice carrying through the stunned silence. "Watch closely! This move… is for you!"
And with that, Lee vanished. His form blurred as he launched forward with blinding speed, his movements so fast that only a faint, flickering afterimage remained behind him. Even the seasoned Jōnin struggled to follow his movements as he hurtled toward Gaara, each step a blur of concentrated power.
"Such… speed!"