Rock Lee was stunned to see Gaara get back to his feet.
"Even an attack like that couldn't break through all his defenses? That's really surprising."
Despite his words, Rock Lee never stopped moving. Instead, he began unwinding the bandages around his hands.
"Is Lee going to use that move?!"
As his teammate, Tenten recognized Rock Lee's intention.
Beside her, Neji nodded.
"That's right. The forbidden Taijutsu technique, the Lotus."
"Go, Lee! Let your youth burn!"
Might Guy shouted encouragement to Rock Lee.
Gaara still stood there, yellow sand swirling around him.
"Whatever you're planning, go ahead and try it."
"Here I come, then!"
Before his voice had even faded, Rock Lee vanished.
A storm whipped up around Gaara, stirred by Rock Lee running at tremendous speed.
"You're going to use the same move again? I already... what?!"
Before he could understand what was happening, Rock Lee charged up to him and kicked him into the air.
Gaara tried to control the sand to pull himself back to the ground, but a second kick immediately followed.
One kick, two kicks, three kicks...
Rock Lee relentlessly kicked Gaara higher into the air.
But the technique also inflicted tremendous damage on his own body. Fighting through the pain, Rock Lee completed the final step and wrapped Gaara in his bandages.
The two spiraled down from high above, hurtling toward the ground.
"Front Lotus!"
Boom!
The thunderous impact echoed through the Tower.
The Konoha spectators cried out at the sight.
"Yes!"
"He did it!"
"Nice work, Lee!"
"Way to go..."
Rock Lee barely managed to stand in the arena, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
Yet a smile spread across his face.
"Yes, I did it!"
Seeing that Rock Lee's attack had landed and Gaara had been lying motionless for some time, Gekko Hayate stepped