"Perfect!"
Seeing his opponent was Izayoi, Rock Lee clenched his fist and shouted, his face alight with excitement.
He'd wanted to challenge Izayoi before, only to be stopped by Sasuke Uchiha.
Having witnessed Sasuke's strength and his deference to Izayoi, Lee's resolve to face him had only grown.
Now, his wish was finally granted.
"Go, Lee! Let your youth shine!" Might Guy clapped Lee on the shoulder, flashing a toothy grin.
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
Lee snapped to attention, returning the grin with a gleam that seemed to spark white light.
Feeling the odd stares from those around, Tenten covered her face, mortified.
Neji Hyuga, expressionless, spoke coolly. "Lee, your opponent's no ordinary ninja. His chakra is immense, and he's a companion of the Hyuga heiress. Be cautious."
"Got it."
Lee nodded solemnly, then stepped onto the railing, leaping down with a flip to land in the arena.
Seeing he'd drawn Rock Lee, Izayoi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The later rounds had mirrored the original story, so Izayoi had assumed Lee would face Gaara, while he might end up against Yoroi Akado, Shino Aburame, or even luck out with a bye.
He hadn't expected to face Lee.
The thought of the Eight Gates technique piqued Izayoi's interest.
As he prepared to jump down, Hinata's voice reached him.
"Izayoi-kun, give me the camera."
"Sure."
Handing her the camera, Hinata clenched her fist. "Good luck!"
"Watch me shine!"
Izayoi flashed a confident smile, then, as if struck by a thought, pulled back his foot from the railing. Leaning close to Hinata's ear, he whispered, "If I win, you owe me a reward later."
With that, he vanished in a Body Flicker, reappearing in the arena.
Hinata's cheeks flushed as she caught Kurenai Yuhi's teasing smirk. Raising the camera to hide her face, she searched for the best angle.
"Izayoi, please give me your all!"
In the arena, Lee struck a starting pose, his expression grave, eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
"Before we start, take off your weights," Izayoi suggested. "This may be a match between Leaf ninjas, but in battle, I don't hold back. If you keep acting cocky, don't cry foul when you're taken down in a flash."
"Impressive! You saw through me at a glance!" Lee's eyes widened, his battle lust intensifying.
Still, he hesitated, recalling his promise with Guy-sensei.
"Lee, take them off!"
Might Guy's voice cut through.
Guy gave Lee a thumbs-up, grinning. "This is an opponent worth going all out for. I permit it."
"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Tears welled in Lee's eyes. Thrilled, he sat down, unstrapping the weights from his legs.
"What?! Bushy Brows was wearing weights this whole time?!"
Over with Team Seven, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno gaped.
Sasuke scoffed. "Just a few metal plates, big deal."
But a moment later, his pupils shrank.
Boom—
A deafening crash echoed as two impacts merged into one.
Dust billowed from a corner of the arena.
When it cleared, the ground where the weights landed had caved in, spiderwebbed with cracks.
The sight left every Genin speechless.
"This guy…"
Sasuke gripped the railing, his mind reeling.
Wearing weights that heavy, Lee's speed had still forced Sasuke to use Lightning Release chakra to keep up.
What was his true speed?
Even several Jonin looked stunned.
"Guy, you've gone too far!"
Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi's eyes twitched, half-exasperated.
Kurenai, unaware of Izayoi's full strength, said gravely, "Izayoi's got a real challenge this time."
Shino Aburame pulled his hands from his pockets, gripping the railing. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes locked onto the unflinching Izayoi, brimming with anticipation.
Finally, I'll see the true strength of the top student I've studied beside for six years.
"Could this kid have mastered that technique?"
Orochimaru, who hadn't left the stands, eyed Lee warming up after shedding his weights, his interest in the fight deepening.
"Feels like ages since I've been this light."
Finished with his warm-up, Lee faced Izayoi again, striking a new starting pose. "Izayoi, this is my strongest form. Let's settle this!"
Izayoi raised two fingers with a smile. "Bring it on. Let's do this."
"Let's do this!"
Lee's pose shifted to the Seal of Confrontation.
At the sight, Hiruzen Sarutobi in the stands gave a pleased smile.
As if sensing their aura, Hayate Gekkō's demeanor turned serious. One hand held his clipboard, the other raised high as he shouted, "Tenth round, Izayoi versus Rock Lee… begin!"
His arm swung down, and Hayate flickered to the second-floor stands, clearing the arena entirely, wary of hindering their performance.
Hayate's Body Flicker was swift, but Lee's speed was swifter.
Before Hayate reached the stands, Lee vanished, reappearing at Izayoi's left, launching a low kick.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
His speed was staggering—neither the Genin, including Gaara, nor even some Special Jonin could track it.
But Izayoi was the true speed demon.
The instant Lee appeared, Izayoi turned his head, blowing gently at the incoming kick.
Whoosh…
A howling gust erupted, a twisting current that not only blocked Lee's kick but sent him hurtling backward.
It was the same Wind Release: Great Breakthrough Naruto had used earlier.
"One-handed seals? That casting speed!"
Seasoned Jonin exchanged startled glances.
To the Genin and Jonin watching, Izayoi stood rooted, hands tucked in his wide sleeves, predicting Lee's position, turning his head, and exhaling a stream of air that swelled into an invisible hand, flinging Lee toward a wall.
Hayate had only just reached the stands.
From the referee's exit to Lee's attack to Lee being blown back, less than three seconds had passed.
Yet those fleeting seconds laid bare the chasm between most Genin, Lee, and Izayoi.
Snapping to, Sasuke activated his Sharingan.
Even Kakashi lifted his headband, revealing his three-tomoe Sharingan, locking onto Izayoi and Lee below.
He had a feeling these two would deliver a fight nothing short of spectacular.
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