In the arena, almost all the spectators watched this scene in disbelief—was that violent Chakra and terrifying aura truly released by a Genin?
Kankuro, sitting with Maki in the stands, had a stunned expression, his mind greatly impacted. This Chunin Exams… there were so many monstrously strong individuals, their power surpassing his own?!
Kakashi and Satsuki simultaneously activated their Sharingan, pulling up their masks to reveal their crimson eyes, tightly tracking the green afterimage in the arena.
Most of the regular spectators in the stands were in a frenzy. They had never expected such a breathtaking duel to unfold in just the first match!
This… is this really Lee, the one who has never beaten me in any of our previous duels?!
Watching Rock Lee, whose body was enveloped in a green energy, as if covered in flames, Neji's 'absolute victory' belief finally showed clear cracks. He forcefully calmed his mind.
I must use Rotation to block his fierce attack! He definitely can't maintain this state for long!
Here he comes!
"Boom—!!!"
Rock Lee's figure suddenly blurred! The air current generated by his initial dash alone was like an invisible giant palm, tearing up and overturning the solid ground layer by layer!
Even in Neji's Byakugan vision, he could only capture an extremely fast green streak of light, completely unable to clearly lock onto his movements!
"Rotat—?!"
"Bang!"
Just as Neji was about to activate Rotation, his spin barely beginning, Rock Lee's figure had already instantly appeared directly in front of him! A high kick, so fast it surpassed visual capture, precisely and ruthlessly struck his jaw!
So fast!
This was the only thought in Neji's mind. The immense impact not only interrupted his Rotation but also sent his entire body uncontrollably flying into the air.
He tried to adjust his posture and stabilize himself mid-air, but Rock Lee gave him no chance to catch his breath!
"Bang!"
Another dull thud! Neji couldn't even see where the attack came from, only feeling a tearing pain in his ribs. Before his defensive stance could even form, his entire body was once again sent flying like a broken kite!
"Is that the Body Flicker Technique?!" A Ninja in the stands exclaimed in shock.
"...No! I didn't see him form any hand signs! Is his speed so fast that we can't even see his hand signs?!"
The Ninja in the stands were completely awestruck by this terrifying power. Genin? Chunin? No, this level of strength and speed was difficult for even many Jonin to easily achieve!
What Rock Lee was using was not the Body Flicker Technique at all, but pure, ultimate Taijutsu speed unleashed by his physical body! It was only because it was so incredibly fast that, to ordinary people, it created the illusion of spatial teleportation!
What?! I actually… have no way to fight back?!
His body was constantly being impacted and sent flying like a leaf in a gale. Neji barely maintained consciousness in his shock. Just as he tried to find his balance, Rock Lee, his face flushed red from surging blood, appeared before him again like a burning meteor!
"Fifth Gate, Gate of Limit! Open!"
An even more violent Chakra erupted! Neji felt as if everything in his vision turned into blurred color blocks. He was completely unable to capture Rock Lee's movements. His entire body was like a tattered sandbag, being wildly battered by an invisible force. Then, Rock Lee's voice, slightly hoarse from the surging power, clearly reached his ears.
"Neji, this move is specifically prepared to defeat you! This is the final blow!"
"Bang!"
A massive, irresistible impact slammed him hard into the ground! Neji endured the excruciating pain of his entire body feeling like it was falling apart, and to his horror, found himself tightly bound by a bandage!
Pulled by the bandage, his body uncontrollably crashed towards the poised Rock Lee, whose fist, condensed with terrifying power, rapidly grew larger in his vision!
This was no longer just about losing the match… If this blow hit a vital spot… he could truly die!
If Neji had successfully sealed Rock Lee's Chakra points with Gentle Fist before Rock Lee activated the Eight Gates, this battle could have been easily won. But in the state of Four Gates, or even Five Gates, Rock Lee's speed was already too fast for Neji to have a chance to strike his points!
"Lee! That's enough!"
Just as that destructive fist was about to touch Neji's body, in the nick of time, Might Guy's loud voice rang out from the stands like an alarm bell! The fist, about to strike, was forced to change its trajectory by this shout!
"Reverse Lotus!"
"Boom!!!!!"
Accompanied by a deafening roar, a terrifying shockwave swept across the entire arena! The stirred-up dust spread outwards like a tsunami, forcing most spectators to raise their arms to shield themselves from the incoming sand and debris.
When the dust slowly cleared, the sight before everyone made them hold their breath. Neji, still shaken, looked at Rock Lee, who was almost within reach—he was suspended above him, and that potentially fatal fist had finally landed on the ground beside his head.
The green energy emanating from Rock Lee's body had dissipated, and his skin returned to normal. He collapsed beside Neji, exhausted, his chest heaving violently as he gasped for breath.
And the ground next to Neji was already a mess, covered in spiderweb-like cracks and a clear crater… I lost?
This thought echoed uncontrollably in Neji's mind. He clearly knew that Rock Lee had avoided a fatal blow at the last moment.
But even if he hadn't taken the final blow, the preceding barrage of fierce attacks had left him in agonizing pain all over, making it incredibly difficult to even move his body.
On the other side, Rock Lee was also gasping in pain from the immense side effects of the Eight Gates, but his eyes still burned with an unyielding flame. He tried again and again, wanting to stand up again through sheer willpower.
Finally, under the silent gaze of the entire audience, that green figure trembled, yet stood up again with unwavering determination! Although his body was already swaying, as if he could collapse at any moment.
The arena was silent. Everyone watched Rock Lee, who had stood up again through sheer perseverance but was extremely weak.
"Neji… this time," Rock Lee's voice was intermittent from exhaustion, "I… won."
As this declaration was uttered with difficulty, Might Guy in the stands could no longer suppress his excitement. Large tears rolled down both sides of his resolute cheeks. He vigorously waved his fists, immensely proud of his disciple.
"First round match over—"
Shiranui Genma walked back to the center of the ravaged arena, his gaze falling on the green figure that, though swaying, still stood stubbornly. He announced in a loud voice.
"Winner… Rock Lee!"
The moment his words fell, deafening cheers and thunderous applause swept in like a tide from all sides of the stands! Surging towards the figure in the arena.
Years of arduous training day after day, countless times sweating in unnoticed corners, enduring the doubts and scorn of being labeled a 'Taijutsu-only dead last'… At this moment, it all transformed into brilliant proof in the arena.
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