"The Third Gate, Gate of Life—Open!"
Under the astonished gaze of the crowd, the sand cocoon exploded. Visibly violent Chakra erupted from Lee's body like flames, his skin turning red instantly.
However, this was not the end. Lee roared, his voice carrying a resolute hoarseness, "The Fourth Gate, Gate of Pain—Open!"
An even more surging wave of Chakra swept out. The blood vessels and veins on his body bulged, creating a terrifying appearance, and the airflow around him became turbulent.
In the stands, Mamoru's eye couldn't help but twitch.
It's not a life-and-death struggle, is it necessary to open the Gate of Pain?
Even with his constitution far exceeding that of an ordinary person, he only dared to stabilize the Eight Inner Gates at the Third Gate. Beyond that, every gate opened required paying a devastating price, which simply wasn't worth it.
After this battle, who knows how many of Lee's bones will be broken?
Lee's figure suddenly blurred, tearing through the air to appear directly beneath Gaara like a ghost. A heavy high kick exploded with a sonic boom, accurately hitting the chin and blasting Gaara high into the sky.
The sea of sand roared and soared upward, only to find in despair that it was always that tiny distance away from its master's body.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The dull sound of physical impacts echoed continuously in the air.
Like a broken puppet, Gaara was subjected to a continuous pursuit in the air by Lee at an irrational speed. The Sand Armor constantly crumbled and splashed under the absolute speed.
Just as the sand was about to catch up to its master, Lee finished his final buildup. He stomped on the arena ceiling, his body turning into a bolt of green lightning as he shot downward toward Gaara in mid-air.
At the moment the two were about to collide, Lee erupted again.
"The Fifth Gate, Gate of Closing, Open!"
A heavy punch, infused with all his strength, will, and years of resentment and frustration, smashed into Gaara's abdomen like a meteorite.
Reverse Lotus!
Boom!!!
A ring of visible, terrifying airwaves suddenly exploded, carrying sand and dust like a tsunami toward the stands.
The onlookers raised their hands to shield themselves, faces full of shock. Some Genin were even forced back half a step by the pressure.
However, although this earth-shattering punch landed solidly, the sand that had pursued them in the air had already formed a buffer layer behind Gaara in time. Most of the force was absorbed and neutralized by the flowing sand curtain.
Gaara's figure slowly sank into the sea of sand along with the sand flow and disappeared.
The exhausted Lee fell straight onto the sand pile below like a bird with broken wings. Fortunately, the softness of the sand buffered his fall, saving him from more severe secondary injuries.
Just as everyone was urgently searching for Gaara's figure, the sand pile next to Lee suddenly bulged upward. Sand slid down like a waterfall, and a strange figure was gradually exposed to everyone.
The right side of Gaara's body had undergone a terrifying mutation. His right arm had expanded into a giant dark brown claw covered in purple patterns, and half of his face looked like a clay-molded monster, appearing hideous and terrifying, like a demon crawling out of hell.
Seeing that figure, panicked voices immediately came from Sunagakure's stands.
"Not aware, he lost control?!" Kankuro's voice trembled as he unconsciously gripped the railing beside him.
"What do we do now? Should we go down and stop it?" Temari hurriedly looked at the leading Jonin, Baki, her tone urgent.
The sudden turn of events left even Baki briefly at a loss, his brow furrowed, unable to make a quick decision.
Meanwhile, in the arena, saliva dripped from the corner of Gaara's lips. A crazy light flashed in his eyes, and a frantic, twisted smile appeared on his face.
Lee, who had just recovered from the shock, felt that near-tangible killing intent. He tried to scramble away using his hands and feet, fear appearing in his eyes for the first time. But his body simply wouldn't obey. His right arm and right leg felt as if they were filled with cold lead, heavy and numb, as if they were no longer part of his body.
"Go save him, now!"
In the stands, Mamoru's loud shout rang out like a clap of thunder, startling everyone around who had been stunned by the scene.
Almost at the same time, Gaara's massive monstrous arm, carrying a vicious wind that tore through the air, slammed down toward Lee.
Clang!
Several figures appeared like ghosts. Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and Hayate used Kunai and their own bodies to forcefully block that fatal blow.
Facing the several Konoha Jonin standing ready before him, a subhuman growl issued from Gaara's throat, the madness and violence in his eyes almost overflowing.
After a brief standoff, the strange parts of his body began to collapse, crumbling away from the edges and turning into ordinary sand that merged back into the sea of sand beneath his feet.
The madness on his face receded like a tide, leaving only a dead-water-like calm.
"I'm done."
Coldly spitting out these words, he turned and walked toward the stands. The sand on the ground, as if summoned, swirled back into the gourd on his back.
"Lee! Are you okay!" Guy turned and rushed forward, cradling the unconscious Lee, his voice trembling with anxiety. "Lee... wake up!"
"Hey, calm down, Guy." Kakashi advised helplessly, his hand resting gently on Guy's shoulder.
After a short while, the Medical Team arrived quickly. The three members had clear roles and systematically began examining Lee's body.
Soon, Guy was called aside and received the diagnosis—extensive muscle tearing throughout the body, multiple fractures in the limbs. There was no danger to his life, but he must undergo long-term rest.
Hearing this result, the heavy stone in Guy's heart finally fell, and his tense body relaxed, though his gaze toward Lee remained full of worry.
At that critical moment, if not for Mamoru's reminder, let alone being severely injured and disabled, Lee might have had his brains knocked out by that punch.
Mamoru slowly dispersed the Chakra in his palm, the pale green light gradually fading. He carefully sensed the condition of Hinata's Chakra pathways and heart, confirming that the damaged parts had been repaired.
"That should be fine now." Mamoru whispered to himself, reaching out to wipe the fine sweat from his forehead.
The long period of delicate treatment had consumed much of his energy, but seeing Hinata's steady breathing and peaceful sleeping face, he felt it was all worth it.
Mamoru stood up and said to Kurenai, who had been waiting nearby, "Send her to the Medical Team."
Kurenai immediately stepped forward, her brow slightly furrowed. "Is there a problem?" Her voice carried an unmistakable concern.
Mamoru gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, she's basically fine now. She just needs some time for her body to recover. In that regard, the Medical Team is more professional than I am."
Kurenai finally breathed a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright."
She leaned down and carefully picked up Hinata. Her movements were extremely steady, for fear of disturbing Hinata's peaceful sleep.
The next second, Kurenai's figure instantly appeared at the entrance below the arena. The Medical Team members waiting there immediately came forward to meet her.
"She needs further observation and rest." Kurenai instructed softly, carefully placing Hinata on the stretcher.
The Medical Team members skillfully handled the handover, and the stretcher was lifted steadily.
Kurenai stood silently in place, watching as the white figures were swallowed by the darkness of the corridor. Only then did she withdraw her gaze and turn back to the stands.