Naruto Planned to Use Force

Naruto watched Sasuke's performance with great satisfaction. Not bad, little bro. He'd actually been holding something back. This Great Fire Annihilation might still be weaker than Madara's, but it should be enough to roast a layer of Shukaku's hide.

As the flames dispersed, a figure was revealed in the center. Rock Lee stood with his arms crossed before him, his hair standing on end, his skin flushed red, and his clothes somewhat tattered.

Kakashi stared at Guy in shock from the stands. "You actually taught him that technique!"

Guy said proudly, "Lee and I are the same type. His perseverance even surpasses Gan, Wen, and Cui!"

"You're being far too reckless!" Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, exposing his Sharingan as he observed Rock Lee. "How many Gates can he open?"

"The Fifth Gate. He is my proudest student." Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs-up and reassured him, "But don't worry. Lee won't use the Fifth Gate. That isn't a technique to be used casually against comrades."

Sasuke had been startled when he first saw Rock Lee's appearance. Was he that red because he had been roasted? No. The Sharingan clearly showed that the Chakra in his body had surged dramatically, and it was incredibly violent. What was going on?

"I prepared this technique to defeat Neji. Sasuke-kun, you really are strong, but I will defeat you!" Rock Lee stomped down, shattering the ground as he charged wildly toward Sasuke.

"Damn it." The instant Rock Lee moved, Sasuke judged that he could not match his speed. With the fastest hand signs of his twelve years, he immediately formed seals, and more than a dozen Sasukes scattered in different directions.

Rock Lee struck one, but failed to hit anything solid. "Clone Technique? I truly can't distinguish them with my eyesight, but if I destroy them all..."

Rock Lee became a blur, smashing fist and foot into each Sasuke, yet not a single one had a physical body.

"What is going on?"

Sasuke's smug voice reached Rock Lee's ears from all directions. "This is the Body Flicker Technique. None of them are physical, but you could also say every one of them is physical!"

"Could this technique be... Body Flicker Shisui's..." The Kazekage looked at a young man standing behind Minato.

"That's right." Seeing that Minato did not stop him, Shisui said, "Sasuke has great talent."

The Kazekage looked at Sasuke with admiration. Such strength, such talent. This child and I are fated. Sasuke Uchiha, was it? I need to find a chance to vaccinate him and give him a tattoo.

In the arena, Rock Lee futilely attacked Sasuke's afterimages one after another. He had no other way, but he believed that if he was fast enough, even the Body Flicker Technique would not be able to react in time.

In truth, Sasuke was terrified as well. Even though he could barely see Rock Lee's movements, his body genuinely could not keep up. Once his true position was exposed, he absolutely would not be able to withstand even one punch. At this point, he was practically gambling on luck.

Unfortunately, Rock Lee's body could not endure any longer. Opening the Fourth Gate had begun tearing his muscles apart, and his bones were under immense strain as well.

Sasuke keenly caught a trace of unnaturalness in Rock Lee's movements. When Rock Lee's fist passed through another afterimage, Sasuke appeared directly in that spot and grabbed Rock Lee's wrist with his left hand.

Yet he had not expected to be dragged off balance by Rock Lee's immense strength. Fortunately, he reacted quickly enough, striking Rock Lee hard across the side of the face with his right hand. At the same time, Rock Lee bent his leg and drove his knee into Sasuke's abdomen.

Rock Lee was sent flying by the punch and crashed to the ground. His violent Chakra vanished, his hair and skin returned to normal, and he struggled weakly.

Sasuke was also sent flying by the impact. He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed on the ground, clutching his stomach.

A few seconds later, Sasuke was the first to stand. Panting heavily, he held a Kunai to Rock Lee's neck, as Rock Lee could barely move.

The light in Rock Lee's eyes dimmed as he said unwillingly, "I lost."

"The winner is Sasuke Uchiha." After Genma announced the result, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.

Sasuke put away his Kunai and extended a hand to Rock Lee.

Rock Lee looked up at him, his eyes lacking any real spark.

"Rock Lee, you're very strong. If you had been able to use your full strength in that final attack..." Sasuke did not finish the sentence. Rock Lee's final counterattack had been hasty, and he had already been at the end of his strength. Otherwise, Sasuke would not even have been able to stand now.

"The next time we meet, I'll become even stronger!" Rock Lee grabbed Sasuke's hand and rose to his feet.

"So will I." Sasuke supported him as they walked toward the stands, stopping the medical team that was about to come over. He waved to Sakura in the Audience Seats—he trusted his teammate's Medical Ninjutsu more.

The medical team recognized the young girl who jumped into the arena to examine the two of them as Tsunade's disciple, so they did not stop her. "Sasuke's injuries aren't serious. He'll be fine after resting for a few days. Rock Lee has torn muscles in several places on all four limbs, as well as a minor fracture in his leg. It would be best for him to go to the hospital with the medical team for treatment."

Rock Lee was ultimately placed on a stretcher. When he met Guy at the exit, he was still somewhat dejected. "I'm sorry, Guy-sensei. I disappointed you!"

"That is indeed true, Lee. Then, as punishment for losing to Kakashi's disciple, go run five hundred laps around the field!" Guy said with a stern expression. "But, Lee! Youth is always accompanied by failure and tears, yet it will never stop moving forward because of a single defeat!"

"Oh, Guy-sensei!" Rock Lee's spirits soared. He tried to leap up, only to be immediately pressed back onto the stretcher by the medical personnel.

They roared angrily at Guy, "Don't mess around, idiot! If you're his teacher, then let him get some proper rest, damn it!"

"Huh?" Guy froze as though he had suddenly lost power after being scolded, then bowed at a ninety-degree angle. "I'm deeply sorry!"

Guy gave Rock Lee a thumbs-up. "In that case, Lee, your punishment will wait until after you recover."

"Yes, Guy-sensei!"

Only then did Rock Lee obediently allow himself to be carried away.

"Next Match: Hyuga Neji versus Kankuro." The Senbon in Genma's mouth shifted. "Contestants, please enter the arena!"

In the stands, Sakura followed Sasuke in, and the two of them came to stand beside Naruto.

"Is Sasuke alright?" Naruto asked.

Sakura said worriedly, "He should rest as soon as possible, but..."

"I'll use Flying Thunder God to send you away." Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

"No. This little injury is nothing." Sasuke brushed Naruto's arm aside. I don't want to miss Naruto's match over such a minor injury.

People who refused medical advice were the most annoying. Naruto planned to use force.

But then Kankuro's voice interrupted Naruto's movement. "I forfeit!"

"What?" The Audience Seats erupted into an uproar. Were Sunagakure's ninja really this cowardly? Could they at least let them watch a proper match?

Kankuro did not care in the slightest. He adjusted the Puppet on his back and murmured, "Before the plan begins, I don't want to expose the mechanisms inside Crow like this."

"Tch." Neji, who had been about to leave the arena, slapped a hand against the railing, clearly displeased.

Shino, standing less than three meters away from Kankuro, twitched his ears. A plan? Crow? It was as though the lenses of Shino's sunglasses reflected the light of wisdom.