After Shiranui Genma officially announced the results, Lee, who had been holding on, finally felt a sense of relief. As his will relaxed, he softly collapsed to the ground.
Might Guy, who could no longer hold back, immediately rushed into the arena and tightly embraced the exhausted Lee, weeping loudly. Hot tears fell onto his disciple's jumpsuit.
"Lee—! Did you see it! Everyone witnessed your youth—!"
Although many people present understood these were tears of joy and pride, Might Guy's overly intense way of expressing emotion with a waterfall of tears still made many audience members feel a bit overwhelmed.
Respect... but not understanding.
It wasn't until the medical team arrived that they managed to pull away the emotional Might Guy. They carefully lifted the unconscious Lee and Neji, who was also immobile due to injuries, onto stretchers and took them to the treatment room.
The discussions in the stands lingered. Almost everyone was shocked by the duel they had just witnessed—could such earth-shattering power truly be unleashed by relying solely on Taijutsu?
It seemed Lee's promotion to Chunin was a foregone conclusion... although the strength displayed by Lee and Neji had already far exceeded that of ordinary Chunin, even reaching the Jonin level.
Even the usually indifferent Satsuki now had a solemn expression. She had never expected that Lee, from the "youthful master and disciple" pair she disdained, would hide such terrifying strength.
With her Three-Tomoe Sharingan, she could see Lee's movements after opening the Five Gates, but she had to admit that her own body speed might not be able to fully keep up with that explosive power.
Of course, in Satsuki's heart, Naruto was always the strongest. Although Lee's performance was amazing enough, recalling the scene in the Death Forest that day when Naruto fought the mysterious Ninja standing atop the giant snake... Lee's power was, after all, still too far behind.
After a brief period of awe and discussion, the audience's enthusiasm quickly shifted to anticipation for the next match. After all, many village heads and even feudal lords from various countries who had traveled long distances, their main goal was not to enjoy a passionate Taijutsu duel.
Their eyes were already fixed on the rumored name—Uzumaki Naruto, whom the Third Hokage personally declared "the strongest Genin in Konoha's history since its founding."
Of course, perhaps because the highly anticipated Uchiha descendant unexpectedly failed to advance, Konoha deliberately released such exaggerated news to attract attention and sell expensive tickets? But no matter what, that match was destined to become the focus of the entire arena.
In the contestant viewing area, Naruto watched Neji being carried off the field on a medical stretcher. Even from a distance, he could clearly see the look on Neji's face, a mix of unwillingness, pain, and deep regret... "Next match contestants, Nara Shikamaru, Temari, please enter the arena immediately."
Shiranui Genma's voice sounded again. Although Temari was worried about her brother Gaara's increasingly unstable state and hoped the plan would proceed smoothly, she could only compose herself for now.
She leaped lightly, landing in the center of the arena like a falling leaf, her large Three-Star Fan striking the ground beside her with a 'thump,' exuding a powerful aura.
On the other side, Shikamaru looked at the sharp-eyed Sunagakure female Ninja in the arena, who was clearly not to be trifled with, and felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. His troublesome nature almost made him want to retreat immediately.
I really don't want to fight... Damn it... It's only my first Chunin Exams, why do I have to go this far? I might as well just forfeit...
He thought of Asuma, who was sitting with Kurenai Yuhi in the audience. This time, his teacher surely wouldn't just throw him down, would he? So, he slowly raised his hand, preparing to signal the proctor that he was forfeiting.
"Go, Shikamaru, a Ninja can't run away from a fight."
Suddenly, an irresistible force came from behind him! Shikamaru looked back in surprise, and in the last moment before he lost his balance and fell into the arena, what met his eyes was Uzumaki Naruto's harmless smile.
Although Shikamaru, who had now fallen into the arena, wore an expression of "betrayal by a close friend" and questioned his life, in Naruto's view, this duel not only bought time but could also lead to a good marriage in the future... Why not do such a good deed that goes with the flow?
No longer paying attention to the situation in the arena, Naruto turned and seemed about to leave the waiting area.
"Naruto, where are you going?" Shino Aburame, who had been silent, reminded him, "My opponent hasn't arrived yet, and it might be your turn soon."
Facing Shino's concern, Naruto simply gave him a reassuring look and spoke in a relaxed tone.
"It won't take too long, I'm just going to the restroom."
With that, he walked straight out of the waiting room. However, the moment he turned, Gaara, who had been silent, fixed his gaze on Naruto's retreating back... The surging desire for slaughter within him suddenly intensified!
Those unfamiliar and bothersome emotions caused by Naruto wriggled like insects in his heart. He obsessively believed that as long as he killed this blond youth, these unwanted emotions would completely disappear, and he would become whole again... 'Mother... just a little longer...' he murmured inwardly, forcefully suppressing the grotesque expression that was almost appearing on his face,'Soon... I'll be able to quiet him down...'
Despite his efforts to control himself, the uncontrolled, bone-chilling killing intent he radiated still instantly set off alarm bells for the perceptive Shino Aburame beside him, causing his eyebrows to furrow tightly beneath his sunglasses.
— — — — — —
Inside the medical room, the green Chakra light slowly dissipated. The medical Ninja confirmed that Neji's broken ribs and internal organ concussions had mostly healed, advised him to rest for a period, and then left the room.
However, Neji, lying on the hospital bed, slowly sat up, the turmoil in his heart far more intense than his physical injuries. He looked down at his bandaged hands, his eyes filled with confusion and self-doubt.
'As long as one possesses enough power, one can change predetermined fate...' This was once the life creed that supported him through darkness and pushed him to constantly grow stronger. For this, he put in efforts far beyond ordinary people, training day and night, convinced that with this power, he would one day break free from so-called 'destiny.'
But today, his life creed was practiced and proven by another person in the most direct and shocking way—Lee, whom he had always regarded as a 'dead last,' through a struggle that burned his life force, truly and honorably defeated himself, who was hailed as a genius!
Lee changed his 'fate,' breaking the curse of 'the genius must win'... So what had he been doing all these years?! Neji harshly questioned himself inwardly, unconsciously biting his lower lip hard, trying to use the sharp pain to suppress the tumultuous upheaval in his heart.
Effort that risks one's life... it really can achieve this much... Am I, like this, truly worthy... of following in that person's footsteps?
Intense self-loathing grew within him, and just as blood was about to seep from Neji's tightly bitten lips—
"Yo, long time no see, Neji. You've grown a lot these past few years."
The door to the medical room was silently pushed open. Neji subconsciously looked up, and the moment he saw the person who entered, he froze as if struck by lightning, his mind completely blank!
The figure that had appeared countless times in his dreams, so incredibly familiar, stood at the doorway. That iconic fox mask, and the steady voice coming from beneath the mask.
Menma pushed the door open and spoke to the completely stunned Neji.
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