Lee executed the Primary Lotus, spinning rapidly as he smashed Kimimaro Kaguya into the ground, creating a massive crater on impact.
Lee backed away, panting heavily while staring at the rising dust cloud.
Even with just the first gate activated and having used only one Primary Lotus, Lee's muscles already ached painfully.
Unfortunately, this was an unavoidable side effect of using the Eight Gates. Even with just the Opening Gate, there was no way to escape its consequences.
As the dust settled, Lee looked down at Kimimaro Kaguya lying in the crater and smiled.
However, before his smile could fully form, his expression froze.
Because Kimimaro Kaguya had risen again, appearing completely unharmed.
What in the world...!
Lee saw Kaguya's exposed shoulder where his kick had torn the clothing. The skin was damaged, but beneath it was bone.
Kimimaro Kaguya had used the bones beneath his skin to absorb both Lee's attack and the impact from hitting the ground.
Kimimaro Kaguya glanced at his ruined clothing, then simply removed his upper garment and said to Lee, "Your taijutsu is impressive, but unfortunately for you, you're facing me."
He extended his palm toward Lee, beckoning him forward.
Lee dashed forward at high speed and attacked.
[Leaf Great Whirlwind!]
Lee spun around with a full-body roundhouse kick, aiming his heel at Kimimaro Kaguya.
[Shikotsumyaku Dance of the Larch!]
This technique was specifically designed to counter taijutsu fighters like Lee — the stronger their physical attacks or charging moves were, the more powerful the counter-effect would become.
The sharper bones covering his body amplified the damage inflicted upon anyone attacking with excessive force.
Seeing the deadly bone spikes covering Kaguya, Lee's pupils constricted to tiny points.
If he didn't pull back now, that kick would cost him his leg.
Lee braced his hands against the ground and redirected his kick mid-motion.
Kimimaro Kaguya immediately charged forward, engaging Lee in close combat.
But with Kimimaro Kaguya's entire body covered in lethal bones, Lee suddenly found himself holding back in fear of injury.
Lee attempted to break these bones, but they proved extremely rigid and resistant.
What shocked him even more was that Kimimaro Kaguya could actually match his speed.
Right shoulder, left abdomen — bones had pierced him there. His whole body bore countless small wounds from bone shards.
Lee seized an opening in Kaguya's assault to create some distance between them.
Lee clutched his bleeding stomach and gasped for breath, staring at Kimimaro Kaguya with rising dread.
He never thought that even after unlocking the Eight Gates, he'd still be helpless against this guy.
Kimimaro Kaguya said to Lee, "You've probably figured it out too—my Kekkei Genkai is extremely effective against Taijutsu fighters who use the Strong Fist style. So please give up. There's no need to keep fighting. Continuing the battle will only be a waste of effort."
Lee took a deep breath and locked eyes with Kimimaro Kaguya. "Looks like you're another genius, like Neji. I'm not a genius, but I want to prove that even someone who cannot use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu can still become an excellent ninja. This is the meaning of my life. This is my Ninja Way!"
"And if I quit now, it would mean denying my Ninja Way. Therefore..."
"Eight Gates! Third Gate! Life Gate! Open!"
Lee's body flushed with blood and turned red, emitting green energy all over his body.
Seeing Lee in this state, Kimimaro Kaguya frowned slightly.
Hyuga Neji had asked him to go easy on Lee, but from what he could see now, maybe mercy wasn't necessary at all.
[True Reverse Lotus]! Instantly, Lee disappeared from Kimimaro Kaguya's view.
As Kimimaro was trying to locate Lee, Lee had already appeared behind him.
Lee kicked upward, sending Kimimaro flying into the air.
While Kimimaro was midair, Lee attacked him repeatedly at incredible speed, keeping him suspended helplessly in the sky.
Watching from the side, Uzumaki Sōnagi was stunned. "This knucklehead kid is actually this strong?"
"This is the power of the Eight Gates Release. The Eight Gates Release pushes the body's maximum capabilities to the limit, but this comes at a cost. No matter how strong you train your body, it can only reduce the damage—not eliminate it completely."
"That boy tears his muscles every time he attacks Kimimaro. Although achieving such physical mastery at his age shows incredible dedication, because he's so young, his body hasn't fully matured yet. His limit remains clear. Activating beyond the third gate still causes serious harm to his body."
"See for yourself—he's already close to being nearly as fast as your Thunder Flash. When he opens the fourth gate, his speed will definitely match yours—and possibly even surpass it."
"Don't get cocky just because you've got a bit of natural talent. Don't think that just because you were born with a little talent means you can do whatever you want. There are plenty of geniuses in the Shinobi World—it's not just you alone."
Already in position, Chinya came up beside Uzumaki Sōnagi and Jugo Tenbin, seizing the chance to lecture Sōnagi.
Uzumaki Sōnagi pouted and muttered, "I know, I know. You've told me this tons of times already."
Jugo Tenbin asked with concern, "Will Kimimaro be okay?"
Chinya focused again on Kimimaro being continuously assaulted midair by Lee and replied, "Don't worry. Although Kimimaro and Neji have completely different fighting styles, both specialize in defensive counterattacks. Against just the third gate, Kimimaro should handle things well enough. However, if that kid plans to open more gates, then Kimimaro might struggle using his normal strength alone."
"It's only when you open the fourth gate that you truly enter the Eight Gates state — power surges exponentially from there."
Despite the brutal assault, Kimimaro Kaguya barely flinched. His exposed bones absorbed Lee's strikes effortlessly, while the ones beneath his skin dispersed the impact before it could do real damage.
Furthermore, Kimimaro Kaguya sensed the rhythm of the blows through his body, timing his counterattack perfectly. He retaliated instantly, driving a bone spike straight through Lee's left calf.
The searing pain made Lee freeze for just a second.
Seeing the opening, Kimimaro Kaguya unleashed [Bone Pellet], firing from every fingertip at Lee.
With no time to escape the incoming [Bone Pellet], Lee threw up his arms in a last-ditch defense.
"Fourth Gate, Harm Gate! Open!"
Lee pushed the Eight Gates even further. A fresh burst of green chakra erupted from him, scattering Kimimaro Kaguya's [Bone Pellet] like leaves in the wind.
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