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Rock Lee versus Gaara—undoubtedly one of the most iconic battles of the early Naruto era.
At this stage, both of their abilities completely outclassed the other Genin, and the level of their combat was nearly on par with Jōnin!
As a One-Tail Jinchūriki, Gaara was undeniably powerful, earning the nickname "Genin ceiling" of his generation.
However, facing him was a ninja who knew neither ninjutsu nor genjutsu—Rock Lee—who could challenge this monster using only the Eight Gates. That alone proved his strength and perseverance.
Unfortunately, Rock Lee's story was always tinged with tragedy. He peaked early. Even by the end of Naruto Shippuden, he could only open six gates.
Why? Because during this very fight, Gaara crushed his arms and legs, forever limiting his future development.
But now, everything had changed.
Haruto was eager to see what difference the golden egg items might make in rewriting Rock Lee's fate.
In the exam hall below, Gaara and Rock Lee faced each other.
"Tch, it's you," Gaara said with scorn in his voice.
Back in the Forest of Death, this same green tracksuit kid had been reduced to a pulp by him. If that other guy with the Byakugan hadn't stepped in, he would've buried both the green watermelon-head and the bowl-cut kid alive.
"Hurry it up," Gaara said coldly. "Let's end this meaningless battle quickly."
"Really?" Rock Lee stood tall, one arm behind his back, the other stretched forward.
"I didn't think I'd be fighting you so soon. But I'm happy!"
"You weren't my most anticipated opponent at first," Lee continued, glancing at Hinata. A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes when he recalled how she defeated Neji so easily.
"But you're still strong. And I've always wanted to test myself against geniuses like you!"
Two flames of passion ignited in Lee's eyes—pure youth.
"I know nothing of ninjutsu or genjutsu. That makes me the lowest in your eyes."
"But then I met Guy-sensei. He told me that even without those skills, I could still become an amazing ninja!"
"Now, I'll prove that I can defeat geniuses like you with pure taijutsu!"
"Because I am a taijutsu genius!"
"Well said, Lee!" Guy shouted from the stands, giving a thumbs-up with a wild grin.
"Tch." The cork of Gaara's gourd popped off and flew toward Lee.
"Haha!" Kankuro and Temari both scoffed, clearly looking down on Lee's speech.
To them, this green jumpsuit boy was overconfident and ridiculous.
After all, who could defeat Gaara, the living sand monster?
Pah!
Rock Lee caught the gourd's cork midair and replied calmly, "No need to be so hasty."
"Then I declare—match nine begins!" Hayate Gekkō announced, waving his hand dramatically.
Whoosh!
The moment Gekkō finished speaking, Lee vanished into a blur and charged at Gaara.
After watching Hinata take down Neji, Lee's fighting spirit was surging. He had to vent this boiling energy.
Now facing Gaara, someone nearly as powerful as Neji, he felt utterly fired up.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
Lee spun with a fierce kick toward Gaara's head—but was blocked by an instant wall of sand.
Lee anticipated this. He leapt back, dodging Gaara's counterattack effortlessly.
More sand gushed from Gaara's gourd, forming a protective shroud around him.
"Tsk tsk…" Haruto watched from the stands, amused. "That's what you call a mother's love."
"???" Those around him were baffled.
But everyone was now staring at the gourd behind Gaara, expressions solemn.
They'd always thought the gourd was just decorative. Who knew it held that much sand?
No wonder Gaara always had sand on hand, even deep in the Forest of Death.
Shino adjusted his glasses, realization dawning. "So that's how he does it…"
"A sand-based ninjutsu user? This might be tricky," Lee murmured, narrowing his eyes at the gourd.
So much sand. Enough to layer Gaara in protection several times over.
"Let's see if my speed can outrun your sand!"
Lee charged again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
No matter which angle he attacked from, Gaara's sand arrived just in time to shield him.
Gaara stood perfectly still the entire time, unmoving.
"Not good," Kakashi muttered.
If this dragged on, Lee would tire out before ever breaking through.
"Haha!" Guy smiled confidently.
"Don't worry. Lee isn't so easily defeated."
"He has more stamina than any Genin here. After all…" Guy beamed, "Running five hundred laps around Konoha is just a warm-up for him!"
"What?!" Several Genin gasped.
Five hundred laps? Was that even humanly possible?
Kakashi facepalmed. "You're insane."
"He's still just a kid…"
"Hahaha!" Guy laughed like a madman, proud beyond reason.
"Lee is a genius forged from hard work!"
His dazzling White teeth grin nearly blinded everyone.
"But will that be enough?" Naruto asked nervously, watching Lee's endless whirlwind of attacks.
Despite everything, he still couldn't break Gaara's sand defense.
"I told you," Kankuro said smugly. "Physical attacks are useless."
"That sand auto-defends him. Not even Gaara himself can pierce it."
"No one's ever hurt Gaara!"
"Oh?" Sasuke glanced sideways, coldly. "Is that so?"
Kankuro gulped slightly.
"Is that all?" Gaara said with disdain. "Try harder."
"Excite me a little."
The sand surged again—this time wrapping around Lee's leg—and smashed him into the wall.
End of the Chapter.