"Fourth Gate!"
"Gate of Wounds, Open!"
With the opening of the Fourth Gate, Lee truly entered the Eight Gates state.
This was the danger zone of the Eight Gates; once the Fourth Gate was opened, the power released was entirely different from the first three gates.
In Sasuke's eyes, the Sharingan was spinning rapidly.
The intense ocular power seemed to be consumed at an alarming rate.
What Sasuke didn't realize was that his eyes were desperately attempting to copy the Eight Gates technique.
Copying forbidden techniques was impossible!
Basic ninjutsu could be copied, but techniques like the Eight Gates couldn't be replicated with the Sharingan.
However, Sasuke's Sharingan was running at full speed, seemingly trying to absorb this technique.
At the same time, with the help of his Sharingan, Sasuke observed the remarkable changes in Lee's body after opening the Eight Gates.
"Sasuke..."
At that moment, Sasuke was deeply absorbed in observing the wonders of the Eight Gates.
However, Lee's furious shout snapped Sasuke back to reality.
Sasuke refocused and looked at Lee, who was now surrounded by a powerful chakra aura, causing intense air currents that rippled throughout the arena.
"If you don't take this seriously, you won't survive my next attack!"
Lee had noticed Sasuke's obvious distraction.
Hearing Lee's words, Sasuke exhaled lightly.
Indeed!
Even though Lee had only opened the Fourth Gate, facing the Eight Gates was no small matter, and Sasuke couldn't afford to be careless.
"Don't worry! I won't be taken down that easily!"
Sasuke's lips curled into a slight smile.
He raised his hand and motioned for Lee to come forward.
This gesture reminded Lee of their first encounter when Sasuke had made the same motion toward him.
But back then, Lee felt nothing but provocation from Sasuke.
This time, however, Lee sensed nothing but respect.
Crack!
In an instant!
A bolt of lightning erupted from the center of Sasuke's forehead.
The lightning spread out like a spider's web, rapidly covering Sasuke's entire body, followed by a thunderous roar.
"Lightning Release: God Speed!"
Crackle~~ Crack! Crack!
The flickering lightning surrounded Sasuke's body, even altering his hairstyle due to the electricity.
Seeing Sasuke like this, Shikamaru and the others, also Chuunin, widened their eyes.
This time, it was different from before; Sasuke's Lightning Release was on an entirely different level.
With God Speed activated, they could clearly feel Sasuke's transformation.
Asuma and the others couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment: "What powerful Lightning Release! Has this kid truly reached such an unfathomable level in the nature transformation of Lightning Release?"
Hearing this, Shikamaru looked confused. "What does the teacher mean?"
Asuma observed the wild lightning around Sasuke.
"Ordinary Jonin wouldn't be able to generate such a massive disturbance with their Lightning Release, but this kid's power is clearly different!"
Orochimaru's eyes also flashed with delight. Such talent was incredibly rare.
However, Orochimaru glanced at Sarutobi and remarked, "Konoha really is a cradle of geniuses! These two Chuunin are likely to become Konoha's top fighters in the future!"
Hearing the words of the Fourth Kazekage, Hiruzen's mood brightened, and he smiled humbly. "They are still just young kids, far from being true warriors."
Lee watched as Sasuke was enveloped by lightning.
"So this is my chosen opponent... this move looks pretty strong!"
"But how does it compare to my Eight Gates?"
Boom!
Lee suddenly erupted.
The explosive power of the Eight Gates sent Lee's speed to an entirely new level.
The moment he moved, the air itself seemed to tremble violently.
A single step left a crater in the ground.
His figure shot toward Sasuke like a cannonball.
However, facing the incredible speed of Lee charging directly at him, Sasuke's lips curled slightly.
"Lightning Flash!"
Crack!
In an instant, Sasuke transformed into a bolt of lightning, leaving behind a streak of lightning, and his figure vanished.
Both combatants unleashed a speed unimaginable to ordinary ninjas.
The air cracked with the roar of thunder, as waves of compressed air exploded around them.
The lightning snakes jumped and danced, and a powerful shockwave spread outward.
Sasuke gripped his alloy ninja blade in one hand, his body flashing back like lightning, while Lee was similarly sent flying backward by the force.
Their first clash was a draw.
"Impressive!"
In just one exchange, the impact from both of them had stunned everyone present.
The Konoha ninjas were okay, but Gaara and his companions from Sunagakure were left in disbelief.
"Are Konoha ninjas really this terrifying?!"
"That Uchiha guy makes sense, but this guy who only uses Taijutsu is just as scary..."
The next second, Lee's face lit up with excitement as he unleashed another burst of power. Thud, thud—two explosions rang out.
He shot straight toward Sasuke.
At the same time, Sasuke's figure transformed into lightning once more, flashing wildly across the arena.
Lightning Release gathered on Sasuke's alloy blade, slashing down on Lee's incoming fists.
What followed was a scene of rapid flashes.
The two of them moved so fast that seven or eight explosions seemed to occur almost simultaneously.
Sasuke's lightning trails nearly formed an irregular web across the entire arena.
Lee's movements created shockwaves that surged one after another, without pause.
"This level of battle is something that Chuunin shouldn't be able to pull off!"
The Jonin judges were drenched in sweat.
These two kids seemed like they were going to destroy the entire arena.
"Their speed is so fast; we can't even see their movements!"
Naruto struggled to widen his eyes, trying to catch their movements, but it was impossible...
Not even Kakashi could follow them properly without revealing his uncovered Sharingan. Otherwise, he too would have trouble keeping up with their actions.
This level of combat would make anyone think that two Jonin were fighting...
But the two combatants were only Chuunin!