"The Konoha's Lotus will bloom once more!"
Anyone with eyes can see that Rock Lee, who doesn't know any Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, is completely unable to execute any tactics against Gaara, who can manipulate sand and has Absolute Defense.
The only thing Rock Lee can rely on is his own hard-core strength.
The Eight Inner Gates —is Rock Lee's only trump card.
Kakashi pulled back his Forehead Protector, revealing his Sharingan, and whispered to Hinata, "Hinata, you need to watch the battle carefully from here on out."
Hinata: "???"
Why do I need to look at it carefully?
What exactly are you trying to express in a veiled way?
Hinata looked at Rock Lee on the sidelines and murmured, "Was it worth it?"
Is it worth it?
Kakashi didn't know how to answer Hinata's question.
For many people, this is just a Chunin Ninja Exams. Even if they don't pass this time, there will be another time, and countless more.
But for Rock Lee, winning this battle is his way of the ninja.
All of Rock Lee's desired opponents had passed the Preliminary Selection and successfully entered the Third Exam.
Rock Lee didn't want to be the only one to fail here.
To be honest, Hinata really admires Rock Lee and Might Guy.
In this story filled with theories of bloodline and hailed as the 'Legend of Colored Contact Lenses,' only they reached the pinnacle of strength through their own hard work.
Even if their peak is as brilliant as fireworks, it will soon be gone.
Yet they still left the deepest impression on the world.
Hinata suddenly didn't want to say anything more, she just wanted to quietly watch the battle that was about to begin and appreciate Rock Lee's first display of his true self, his most brilliant display ever.
"The Third Gate... the Gate of Life... open!"
Off the court, Rock Lee was flushed red, with veins bulging on his face and whites in his eyes, relying solely on his willpower to stay upright.
"Haaaaaah—"
Rock Lee roared in pain and opened the Fourth Gate of Pain.
'Despair!'
Rock Lee vanished from the spot in an instant.
The mere aftershocks of the run shattered the hall floor, and the crowd in the stands were forced to raise their hands to shield themselves from the strong wind.
However, in order to obtain this amazing power, Rock Lee also paid an extremely heavy price.
All the capillaries on Rock Lee's skin surface were ruptured, his muscles were torn, and his whole body was bright red, like a steamed lobster!
Gaara was moved by Rock Lee for the first time, but before he could even prepare himself, he was kicked hard in the chin and sent flying into the air like a cannonball.
The sand, capable of self-defense, could no longer keep up with Rock Lee's speed.
'Bang bang bang—'
Gaara was kicked around like a ball by Rock Lee, and his supposedly Absolute Defense Sand Armor was shattered by Rock Lee's brutal punches and kicks.
Hinata had already activated her Byakugan, and her expression was now solemn.
Even Hinata, facing Rock Lee at this moment, would probably only be able to rely on her Heavenly Spin defense.
They could only parry, but had no power to retaliate.
The final blow!
As Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, the Gate of Limit, his muscles were strained again, and the intense pain caused Rock Lee movements to stiffen for a moment.
Gaara's actions couldn't escape Hinata Byakugan; however, at this moment, no one could warn Rock Lee.
Rock Lee's final blow... was very strong!
But ultimately, a mistake still occurred.
Rock Lee, who has only opened Five Gates, is incredibly fast, but his attack power is still lacking.
Even though Gaara's Sand Armor was broken, Might Guy's student Lee's two consecutive punches failed to seriously injure Gaara.
The gourd turned into sand, which held Gaara back and counteracted the force of Gaara fall.
Rock Lee fell to the ground, his face pale, and he could barely move.
Hinata exclaimed, "Teacher Might Guy!"
Before Rock Lee admits defeat himself, only his assigned Jonin Might Guy has the right to admit defeat on his behalf.
This is a battle between Konoha and Sand Village. Unless one side concedes defeat or the examiners intervene, no one can interfere.
Gaara was clearly exhausted; in his haste, he no longer had time to control the sand to cover Rock Lee's entire body.
The sand got tangled in Rock Lee's left hand and left foot, but was then dispersed by a force.
In the first round of the match, Gaara had already demonstrated his signature move, "Sand Burial," and Might Guy was prepared even without Hinata's reminder.
"Phew~"
Hinata also breathed a sigh of relief, her heart, which had been in her throat, calmed down.
Hinata still admires Rock Lee.
In the Second Exam, Hinata didn't want Gaara to pass, partly because she didn't want to see Rock Lee seriously injured.
I've gone to so much trouble for you!
Thankfully, I'm alright now.
Hinata sighed, murmuring in a barely audible voice, "Fate is the complaint of the weak, luck is the humble word of the strong. Rock Lee just lacks a little luck."
Yes, Rock Lee has the power to change his fate; he's just a little unlucky.
Hinata will not sympathize with Rock Lee's failure this time, just as Rock Lee himself said: In front of a man with a sense of responsibility, any sympathy or pity is an insult to him.
Looking at her friends around her, Hinata felt a warmth in her heart; everyone was getting stronger little by little.
Kakashi heard this and was somewhat surprised, but also relieved. His Hinata's thought process had finally returned to normal.
Thinking about the past, Kakashi felt a little tired.
This is so hard for me!
It seems that having Hinata watch Rock Lee's fight closely did have some effect.
Kakashi put his hand on Hinata's shoulder, about to say something to encourage Hinata.
Hinata glanced at Kakashi and sneered, "Stop getting physical, or I'll yell..."
emmm...
It was finally Choji's turn to fight.
"Choji, do your best! You're the best!"
Hinata acted as the cheerleader captain, and also pulled Ino, Sakura, Tenten and the others into the cheer, shouting encouragement to her little sister.
It also allows them to vent the pent-up frustration from the previous match.
Seeing Rock Lee work so hard, betting his life on the field, only to ultimately lose, it's hard for anyone to feel good.
Hinata is still cheerful; being depressed or melancholic is simply not suitable for Hinata.
Some say that behind every smiling face lies untold hardship.
Hinata didn't want to be that kind of person.
Having been given a second chance at life, Hinata only wants to live a happy life.
Proving yourself is for others to see, but true happiness belongs only to yourself.
The fight between Choji and Dosu was hilarious.
Dosu tried to get close several times, but Choji always ran away and kept throwing Kunai Bomb at Dosu.
'Boom boom boom—'
Explosions were heard continuously from the sidelines.
Dosu rolled around the field, looking utterly disheveled.
Although the protective gear on his hands was also a sonic weapon, it was infrasound and could not withstand long-range weapons like Kunai Bomb.
"Choji! Do your best!"
"Choji! You're the strongest!"
"Choji! You're the best!"
Choji had never felt so handsome before, with a group of cute girls cheering him on from the sidelines, their enthusiasm no less than Sasuke's.
Without realizing it, Choji struck a pose...
"Behold my ultimate move..."