Gaara stood in the arena with arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever, as though he had been waiting for this moment all along.
Shikamaru walked over to Naruto's side, his gaze fixed on the red-haired jinchūriki below. In a low voice he said, "We ran into him back in the Forest of Death."
"Oh?" Naruto tilted his head, his eyes narrowing with interest as he turned to watch the fight that had already begun between Gaara and Rock Lee.
"That guy fights by controlling sand," Shikamaru explained. "He can shape it into a sphere that defends him from every angle, no blind spots at all. As for his attacks…" He trailed off, his voice darkening as if recalling a memory he'd rather forget.
After a pause, he swallowed and continued, "They're brutal. If he gets ahold of you with his sand, it crushes the body until there's nothing left. A direct kill."
His lips tightened, and he gave Naruto a sidelong glance. "Honestly, I'm glad I didn't get matched against him. If I had, I would've surrendered immediately. I can't think of any strategy that could actually defeat him."
Naruto gave a small nod, his voice steady. "That's a logical choice."
Shikamaru's eyes flicked back down to the arena. "But what about Lee? Can he really handle someone like that?"
Naruto thought for a moment before replying. "In his normal state? He's still a step away. If his body were stronger, maybe. But…" His words hung deliberately.
Shikamaru caught the hesitation and raised a brow. "Normal state?"
Before he could press further, Rock Lee moved. His body erupted with sudden power as he opened the first of the Eight Gates, his speed spiking dramatically.
Shikamaru's eyes widened to slits. Lee was moving so fast that his form blurred, too quick to follow. "That… is this some kind of secret technique?"
Naruto shook his head. "No. When I said 'normal state,' I was talking about Gaara."
"What?" Shikamaru stared at him, disbelief written across his face.
Down below, Lee was opening the gates one after another. By the time he reached the fourth, his body blurred into near-invisibility, and Gaara was being driven back helplessly.
The sand that had always shielded Gaara his invincible Sand Shield was suddenly too slow. His defense shattered under the relentless speed and strength of Lee's attacks. All anyone could see was a storm of motion and Gaara's body being battered without mercy.
Temari and Kankurō, watching from the sidelines, froze in shock.
"This… this is impossible. Even Gaara's Sand Shield can't keep up!" Temari gasped, her fan trembling in her hand.
"Even his Sand Armor is breaking apart," Kankurō muttered, his expression grim.
Shikamaru's brows furrowed deeply. "Does Gaara still have a trump card?"
Naruto exhaled slowly, his eyes never leaving the battlefield. "Yes. Which is why, if you ever face him in the third round, you should surrender immediately."
Up above, Hinata had activated her Byakugan, her pale eyes tracking every strain of Lee's body. Suddenly, her voice rang out, filled with alarm. "Lee's arms and legs… the tendons are starting to tear!"
Sasuke's Sharingan spun open, confirming her words as his jaw tightened. Around them, the entire audience was silent, eyes glued to the incredible clash below.
This was, without doubt, the most breathtaking battle of the Chūnin Exams so far.
Might Guy clutched the iron railing so tightly it twisted under his grip, yet he didn't notice. His whole being was focused on his student.
"If his body could withstand the Fourth Gate for long periods," Naruto murmured, half to himself, "he could pound Gaara until the sand couldn't reform. But Lee isn't there yet. Against anyone else, maybe. But against someone like Gaara… he's still too fragile."
Naruto's voice carried quiet respect. He knew the tragedy of a taijutsu fighter: no matter how fast or strong, if they couldn't land a finishing blow, their efforts might mean nothing.
For a moment, Lee seemed to realize this himself. His strikes were overwhelming, forcing Gaara back again and again, but no matter how much damage he inflicted, Gaara wasn't truly breaking. The sand still clung to him, the armor of grains refusing to yield.
Gritting his teeth, Lee forced himself further. With sheer willpower, he opened the Fifth Gate Gate of Closing. His body screamed in protest, but he unleashed the Forbidden Lotus, his speed skyrocketing beyond human comprehension.
He became a streak of green light, his fists and feet striking Gaara's chest and stomach in a relentless flurry.
"Gaara!" Temari shouted, her voice edged with fear as she watched her brother take blow after blow.
Naruto exhaled again, a hint of regret in his tone. "Lee's too kindhearted. Why isn't he aiming for the head?"
Shikamaru grimaced, unable to respond. He could barely follow the fight at all.
With a final cry, Lee delivered the concluding strike of the Lotus, smashing Gaara down toward the ground with brutal force.
Dust billowed up as Gaara hit the arena floor, and for a moment, silence hung heavy. But then his gourd cracked, spilling a wave of sand that wrapped around him, forming a last protective cocoon.
Naruto's lips pressed into a thin line. "He broke his combo because of the pain. That gave Gaara the chance to gather chakra again."
Gaara lay on the ground, panting. For an instant, relief flickered in his eyes. But when he turned his gaze toward the equally fallen Lee, that relief twisted into pure, murderous intent.
His hand rose slowly, and sand began to slither toward Lee's unconscious body.
This was the cruel advantage of a ninjutsu user over a taijutsu fighter: even when lying broken on the ground, as long as there was chakra, they could still attack.
"Damn it," Shikamaru hissed. "I saw him use that before in the Forest of Death. He'll crush Lee alive with sand!"
Before the sand could reach its target, Naruto slammed his foot down. "Earth Style: Earth Wall!" A barrier of solid stone erupted from the ground, blocking the sand's advance.
Naruto's voice rang across the arena. "Referee, the fight's over. Isn't it time you called it?"
Everyone blinked, snapping out of their shock. All eyes turned to the two boys lying motionless on the ground, and then to Gaara's killing intent. Without hesitation, Guy leapt down and gathered Lee into his arms, holding his unconscious student protectively.
"The winner: Gaara!" the proctor, Hayate Gekkō, announced at last.
"Sorry, Guy-sensei," Lee whispered weakly before fainting. "I still lost…"
Guy's eyes softened as he held him close. "No, Lee. Youth doesn't care about wins or losses. Progress that is the true rhythm of youth."
But Lee was already unconscious.
Gaara, now fully cloaked in his restored Sand Armor, raised his head. His voice was cold, directed at Naruto. "Why did you save him?"
Naruto's answer was simple, with a smile that was both warm and defiant. "Because he's my precious brother-in-arms. There's no way I'd let him die here."
Gaara's teeth clenched, a flash of something bitter crossing his face. Words like "precious" and "brother" were things he loathed most of all. Without replying, he turned away and stalked back toward the stands.
"Gaara, are you alright?" Temari asked hesitantly as he approached.
"I'm fine," Gaara said flatly, his expression betraying nothing.
Kankurō glanced at his sister, muttering silently to himself. You're braver than I am, Temari, talking to him like that…
The tenth match was quickly called.
"Choji Akimichi versus Tōru of the Sound!"
Moments later, Hayate's voice rang out again. "Winner: Tōru."
Flat on the ground, Choji muttered deliriously, "Meat… I want more meat…" drool dripping from his mouth.
Shikamaru exhaled with relief. "At least the opponent didn't go for the kill."
That was the truth of the Chūnin Exams against strangers from other villages, there was no guarantee of survival. Against comrades, there was at least the chance of mercy.
Asuma approached, ruffling Ino's cropped hair with a smile despite the outcome. "We may not have made it to the third round as a full team, but you've all grown from this. That's what matters."
For a teacher, that was more important than victory.
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