Lee, by opening the Harm Gate—the Fourth Gate of the Eight Gates—released a burst of green energy that deflected Kaguya Kimimaro's finger bone.
Despite the tight contraction of the muscles around his wounds helping to stem the bleeding, Lee endured the searing pain and kept attacking Kaguya Kimimaro at high speed.
This time, Kaguya Kimimaro's bones could no longer withstand Lee's strikes. They began to crack, and his body started taking damage. A thin trickle of blood now ran from the corner of his mouth.
Kaguya Kimimaro's expression turned grim. He hadn't expected this Konoha Genin to unleash such powerful Taijutsu capable of shattering even his bones, which were harder than steel.
If so...
The cursed seal on Kaguya Kimimaro's chest began transforming. Black markings spread across his entire body, resembling visible veins surfacing beneath his skin.
Kaguya Kimimaro had entered the first state of the Cursed Seal of Heaven and Earth.
In this state, Kaguya Kimimaro's speed, strength, and bone density all increased dramatically.
Watching from the sidelines, Sasuke Uchiha immediately recognized the markings on Kaguya Kimimaro's body—it was also the Cursed Seal of Heaven and Earth.
Sasuke's Sharingan eyes observed the battle between Kaguya Kimimaro and Lee without blinking.
Lee had once again landed a punch on Kaguya Kimimaro. As Kaguya Kimimaro was about to hit the ground, Lee wrapped his left bandage tightly around him.
Having already pushed his body close to its limit by opening the Harm Gate, Lee soon realized that after Kaguya Kimimaro underwent the Cursed Seal Transformation, his punches could no longer break the enemy's bones like before.
"If that's the case… Fifth Gate! View Gate! Open! This will finish it!"
[True Reverse Lotus!]
Lee suddenly yanked the bandage in his left hand, pulling Kaguya Kimimaro toward himself, then fiercely kicked out his right leg at Kaguya Kimimaro.
[Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Iron Cocoon!]
Kaguya Kimimaro pierced his own body with protruding bones that surrounded his surface like an armor shield. Lee's right foot slammed directly into Kaguya Kimimaro's bony defense.
Although Kaguya Kimimaro's bone shield blocked Lee's kick, he was still sent crashing into the ground.
The sheer impact shattered the ground beneath them into chunks, and Lee tumbled across the battlefield before finally coming to a stop.
Lee was now forced out of the Eight Gates state. Even lifting his head felt extremely painful, but he stubbornly kept watching Kaguya Kimimaro.
All the spectators stared intently at the smoke-filled battlefield, anxious to see what condition Kaguya Kimimaro was in after receiving such a devastating attack.
A breeze blew through, scattering the dust.
Though Kaguya Kimimaro appeared quite battered, he still stood firm.
Kaguya Kimimaro glanced at the cracked bone shield covering his body. If hit by another attack, it would certainly shatter completely.
"Even bones formed under the first stage of Cursed Seal Transformation can't fully block that last blow…"
Kaguya Kimimaro looked toward Lee in the distance, who was trying to stand again, and then turned as if to leave.
"W-wait a second! The fight isn't over yet!"
Lee rose unsteadily, holding onto his trembling legs.
Kimimaro Kaguya turned to Lee. "You shouldn't be able to get back into that earlier state anymore. The result's already clear. Do you really think you can win like this? Pushing yourself when you're in such bad shape?"
Lee lifted his arm, with muscles already torn, and got into the Strong Fist stance. "I... I just don't want to give up."
"Do you really believe forcing yourself to fight me with this severely injured body means you won't give up? All it does is make you look foolish. Hey, weren't you the one who said you'd stop fighting once the result was clear? If you don't end this match now, I will kill him. I've already given you a chance."
Kimimaro looked toward Genma Shiranui.
Genma Shiranui gave Kimimaro a serious glance and muttered, "How come these kids these days are scarier than the last?"
Genma Shiranui announced, "The result has been decided. The victor is Kimimaro Kaguya from Otogakure!"
Upon hearing the announcement of his defeat, Lee finally let go of the last bit of strength he had been holding onto, rolled his eyes back, and fainted.
Might Guy performed the Shifting Body Technique and caught Lee just before he hit the ground.
Seeing Lee unconscious, Might Guy burst out tearfully: "You did great, Lee!"
Medic Ninja carried a stretcher inside, placed Lee on it, and immediately took him away for treatment.
Kimimaro Kaguya entered the waiting room.
Seeing Chinya there as well, Kimimaro greeted him, "Lord Aranori."
Chinya nodded with a smile. "Yes, good fight."
Sōnagi Uzumaki playfully slung an arm around Kimimaro's shoulders and cheerfully said, "Oh, Kimimaro, you really made me anxious during that battle. For a moment, I actually worried you might lose!"
Kimimaro glanced at the departing Lee and replied, "The opponent truly was quite strong."
Sōnagi sighed. "Never would I have guessed that seemingly clueless kid could unleash such power. It amazed me. Well then, it's time we started our mission, so we're off, Lord Aranori."
Chinya nodded. "Yes, our operation here is about to begin too. Go, and be careful."
Sōnagi Uzumaki, together with Kimimaro Kaguya and Jugo Tenbin, left the examination grounds to rendezvous with Neji Hyuga.
Next was the match between Naruto Uzumaki and Shino Aburame.
Since Naruto had observed Shino's fighting style during the supplementary exam, he knew that as long as he kept Shino's insects at bay, this battle wouldn't be difficult.
As soon as the match began, Naruto Uzumaki unleashed Wind Release Ninjutsu, wrapping wind chakra around his body to prevent Shino's Parasitic Bugs from getting close.
[Wind-Style Sword Techniques]
Then, using Wind-Style Sword Techniques, Naruto defeated Shino within several moves, claiming victory.
Seeing how easily Naruto gained victory, Minato Namikaze couldn't suppress the grin forming on his face.
Next came the battle between Gaara and Sasuke Uchiha.
Outside Konoha Village, where Gaara and Sasuke were locked in fierce combat,
the Sand Ninja had already taken positions outside Konoha Village, ready to infiltrate and commence their attack inside the village at any moment.
Chinya checked the time.
"The time is almost up. Then let's get started on the plan."
Chinya's hands flew through a series of hand seals.
[Nirvana Resthouse Jutsu!]
White feathers drifted down across the battlefield like hypnotic illusions. Anyone who laid eyes on them was soon lulled into a deep slumber.
Baki stiffened as he saw the white feathers.
Because this was the signal for the operation to begin.
With that signal given...
Baki turned his gaze toward Orochimaru's direction.
Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, cast a glance at Hiruzen Sarutobi seated beside him.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi also looked toward Orochimaru.
The moment their eyes locked, the Sand Ninjas behind Orochimaru hurled smoke bombs.
Thick clouds of smoke erupted in every direction.
Orochimaru seized Hiruzen and sprang onto the rooftop.
"Now!"
Sakon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo—disguised and stationed at the four corners of the roof—each formed a hand seal and activated the Barrier Ninjutsu.
[Four-Corner Sealing Barrier!]
A transparent barrier with flickering purple flames surged outward in all directions, enclosing the space in a perfect rectangle to isolate Orochimaru and Hiruzen for their one-on-one duel.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>