Konoha: Starting with the Tenseigan, Taking Over Team 7

"I always believed that if I trained twice as hard as a genius, I'd grow stronger. I always believed it... But no matter how hard I try, I still can't match a true genius."

Rock Lee's voice caught in his throat. His eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his cheeks.

I worked so hard... and still lost to a genius...

The One-Tail Runs Wild, and War Begins

"Die. Mother craves your blood." Gaara raised a hand toward Rock Lee. Bloodstained sand lifted from the ground and shot toward Lee's head.

In an instant—

Bang! Might Guy appeared before Rock Lee and swept the surging sand aside with one hand.

Barely conscious, Rock Lee stared at Might Guy's back. "Guy Sensei," he rasped, his voice breaking, "I... lost."

He had always worked hard. Harder than anyone.

But... he had lost.

"Lee... you did well. You worked so hard." Might Guy turned and held him. At the sight of so much blood spilling onto the ground, his nose stung and tears filled his eyes.

Rock Lee passed out.

Gekko Hayate gave Gaara a long look, then announced grimly, "The winner is Gaara."

Several medical ninja carried Rock Lee away.

The crowd watched with heavy hearts. None of them had expected Rock Lee to lose—much less suffer a crushing defeat after opening the fourth gate.

The speed Rock Lee had shown was easily at Special Jōnin level. Gaara of Sunagakure, meanwhile, might be as strong as a Jonin or even an Elite Jonin!

More importantly...

Every Jonin present had clearly sensed the strange chakra Gaara had released just now.

Something was wrong!

That chakra felt just like the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's had years ago.

"The One-Tail Jinchuriki?" Mei Terumi rested her cheek on her hand and looked down at Gaara, a thoughtful glint