The battle between Rock Lee and Gaara was extraordinarily intense!
Apart from the initial probing attacks, Gaara and Rock Lee traded blows evenly.
When Rock Lee fell behind, he shed his weights and boldly activated the Eight Gates Released Formation. With the Gate of Limit open, he battered the One-Tail Jinchuriki Gaara without giving him a chance to fight back.
Any other contestant in these Chunin Ninja Exams would have been crushed by Rock Lee long ago. Unfortunately, he had run into his one true opponent, Gaara.
As a Jinchūriki, immense endurance and vast chakra reserves were the most basic qualities. Gaara stubbornly survived Rock Lee's repeated attacks, though the sand he carried on his back had, of course, played a major role.
Rock Lee unleashed tremendous power through the Eight Gates Formation, but ultimately failed to defeat Gaara within the limited time available. In the end, his opponent even used sand to twist and break his left arm and leg.
Had Might Guy not personally intervened, Rock Lee might even have died in the fight.
"Naraku..."
Might Guy held the unconscious Rock Lee, tears and snot streaming down his face. As a taijutsu expert, he knew exactly how serious Rock Lee's injuries were. If anyone could save Rock Lee now, it was Shihōin Naraku alone.
The others from Konoha gathered around as well. The overwhelming might of the Eight Gates Formation had stunned everyone, and none of them wanted Rock Lee to lose his brilliant future just like that.
"Move aside. All of you, move aside. The matches aren't over yet. Don't crowd around here."
Shihōin Naraku stepped forward, waved the crowd away, and began examining Rock Lee's injuries.
"His stamina and chakra are severely depleted! Muscle fibers have torn in multiple places throughout his body, with signs of