Two days later.
Konoha Training Grounds. Today was the grand finale of the Konoha Chunin Exams—the final round of the official matches!
All the exam proctors had arrived, but the two Kage were still nowhere to be seen.
With the time nearly upon them, Kakashi discussed it briefly with the others and decided to begin the exams first!
The first match: Rock Lee vs. Gaara.
Gaara had lost to Sasuke yesterday, but he was not upset in the slightest, because losing to Sasuke was perfectly normal.
First, Sasuke possessed a powerful Kekkei Genkai.
Second, Sasuke possessed tremendous talent.
Third, Sasuke was also a jinchuriki.
Gaara had no confidence that he could defeat Sasuke, so he planned to use the False Sleep Technique and have Sasuke defeat Shukaku, thereby raising Sasuke's reputation within Konoha.
Yesterday, Gaara had not been Sasuke's match.
But today, facing this watermelon-headed kid in a green jumpsuit, Gaara would not hold back.
Because Rock Lee was not Gaara's friend.
Rock Lee knew that Gaara was the One-Tail's jinchuriki, and it made him extremely nervous.
Gaara noticed Rock Lee's nervousness and decided to end the battle quickly.
There was no sand around him, and Gaara did not possess Shukaku's ability to create sand.
Gaara opened the gourd on his back, and grains of sand instantly spread around him!
"Sand Claw!"
The sand formed into claws and grabbed at Rock Lee!
Rock Lee flipped away, then swiftly assumed a stance. "Eight Gates Formation: First Gate, Gate of Life—Open!!"
White steam immediately rose from Rock Lee's body.
The sand inside Gaara's gourd was very light.
So it required less chakra to control!
"Sand Waterfall!"
With a wave of Gaara's hand, the sand crashed toward Rock Lee in wave after wave. As Rock Lee twisted and leaped through it, he