Yome watched Daigan's motionless form with concern.
"He's not... dead, is he?"
A typical Genin would be in dire straits after a hit like that.
Chi shook her head.
"Knowing Daigan's cunning, he wouldn't lose this easily."
He had been so aggressive, provoking his opponent into using their ultimate moves. He had to have a countermeasure.
"Don't worry," Saya, a fellow Puppet Master, said, watching the performance below with great interest. "He's finally starting to look like a real Puppet Master."
"Still, that was a close call," Kankuro said, letting out a sigh of relief. "His opponent is no pushover. I don't know why Daigan kept provoking him. Did he think the fight wasn't exciting enough?"
As he spoke, several pairs of eyes shifted to Temari.
"Why are you all looking at me?"
"Weren't you the one who told Daigan not to embarrass us? So he probably thought he had to win in style."
"What does that have to do with me? He's the one who wanted to show off," Temari retorted, her face flushing.
In the arena, the motionless Puppet Master's limbs and torso separated, dancing in the air, controlled by invisible chakra threads, before reassembling into a complete human form.
As if to work out some stiff joints, its neck and limbs twisted unnaturally, making creaking sounds.
"A puppet? How is that possible..."
It hadn't looked like a mechanical puppet when it was hit. It had even bled when injured.
The Substitute Puppet righted its head and stared with lifeless eyes at Rock Lee, who was still reeling from the aftereffects of using the Front Lotus.
"Do you have any idea what it cost me to create a puppet this realistic? You smashed it to pieces. I don't even know how much it'll cost to fix it! To be honest, I'm pretty angry."
"If that's a puppet, then where is the real body?" Rock Lee's gaze fell on the small Temari puppet, which had collapsed to the ground, no longer being controlled.
"Wrong again."
A hand suddenly shot out from the ground, grabbing Rock Lee by the hair and forcing his head down. "Goodbye, kid!"
Gripping his head, Daigan lifted him into the air. A tornado of micro wind blades formed in his palm and engulfed Rock Lee. A scream, accompanied by a spray of blood mist, filled the arena as the metallic scent of blood spread through the room.
The more timid female ninja, Haruno Sakura and Hyuga Hinata, had already turned their heads away, unable to watch. Their Konoha comrades, Uchiha Sasuke and Nara Shikamaru, wore expressions of pity, while Hyuga Neji's hands, gripping the railing, showed bulging veins.
A few seconds later, Daigan threw the blood-soaked Rock Lee to the ground.
"Proctor, shouldn't you be announcing the result?"
The pale, dark-circled Gekko Hayate coughed a few times and was about to check on Rock Lee's condition when he saw, to his surprise, the boy struggling to get back up.
"Hey, are you going to continue?"
"It seems your opponent isn't ready to give up," Gekko Hayate said with a helpless shrug. Might Guy was right there and hadn't stopped the match, so the proctor, despite his status, wasn't about to overstep his bounds and end it himself.
"That last move... it hurt. What's it called?"
Blood dripped from his lowered fingertips, and the blood on his forehead was nearly blurring his vision. The aftereffects of opening the Eight Gates had not yet faded, and Rock Lee's legs were still trembling as he looked at Daigan with half-open eyes.
"I haven't thought of a name yet. Let's just call it... 'Dark Dirge.'"
The attack certainly looked the part, but his hand was throbbing with pain.
"That's a... rather nonsensical but arrogant name. As nasty as your personality."
"Thanks for the compliment. But... are you sure you want to continue? I know you have stronger moves, but this is just the Chunin Exam. We've gone far enough. If we keep fighting, I might not be able to hold back. You could really die."
He had already been merciful. If the blades of wind had cut Lee's throat or a vital organ, his life would have been in danger. Wind Release was the most difficult of all to control. If he let loose, it wasn't just Rock Lee who would be in danger; Daigan himself could suffer from the backlash.
"What nonsense is this? I can't be the only one to lose here..."
Hyuga Neji had already won. Challenging the "strongest Genin in Konoha" had always been Rock Lee's dream. How could he accept that dream being shattered right at the start?
"Well, then... I won't be holding back!" Daigan took a deep breath, a wild grin spreading across his face. "This will be the first time I'm using some of these moves on a real person. Don't blame me if you die."
Rock Lee glanced at his teacher, Might Guy, who was watching him intently, and gave a slight nod. The Front Lotus was no longer enough to win; he needed greater power. The results of his years of training would be channeled into one final blow. Success or failure hinged on this moment.
The Gate of Rest opened. Pushing his body past its limits, he gained a massive surge of stamina and chakra, instantly recovering from the fierce battle. The sheer amount of chakra even stimulated his injuries, healing them slightly.
The Gate of Life opened. Rock Lee's entire body turned red as the last safe zone of the Eight Gates Formation was unlocked, and a green energy radiated from him.
"Truly astounding... You really live up to your reputation."
Daigan unwrapped the bandages on his hands, revealing scarred palms. Some were old calluses from years of being cut, while others were fresh wounds from the wind blades moments ago.
"You're not the only one with a dream! Unfulfilled desires, being misunderstood, feeling the pain, wanting victory to gain recognition? You'll have to beat me first!"
*And while I'm at it, I'll test the limits of my own power!*
With a light dance of his fingers, the Substitute Puppet and the Temari puppet faced the powering-up Rock Lee, then slowly faded into the air, like a pencil drawing being erased.
Not only that, but the scattered wind-style chakra in the area began to gather, combining with the chakra seeping from Daigan's body. It formed a pale blue, silk-like barrier that settled over him like a loose robe.
"More hand seal-less jutsu?" Rock Lee asked, observing his opponent's transformation, asking one last question while he was still clear-headed.
Daigan answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm still controlling puppets, so where would I find the time to make hand seals? Besides, I don't know a single Wind Release jutsu that requires them."
"You've had it tough, too," Rock Lee said with a nod of understanding. "Gate of Harm, open!"
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