Naruto: Reborn as Neji Hyuga After Dying in One Piece-Chapter 74. Rock Lee vs Gaara -2

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"It's time to prove my Ninja Way!"

Lee's voice rang out with burning resolve.

"Third Gate – Gate of Life... Open!"

A violent surge of chakra erupted from within, dyeing his skin crimson as his energy exploded outward.

"Fourth Gate – Gate of Pain... Open!"

With a roar, veins bulged across Lee's forehead. The ground trembled. Pebbles vibrated, and the very air seemed to crackle under the pressure.

Even Gaara, who had up until now worn a maniacal expression, sobered up. His eyes narrowed with caution.

WHOOSH!

Like a typhoon had torn through the arena, the stone beneath Lee's feet shattered. Debris launched in all directions, forcing spectators to shield their faces.

"Ow! That hurts!"

From a safe distance, Neji shielded Hinata behind an orange energy field [Mind Barrier], his twenty-fifth technique, silently activated.

"There! Up there—Gaara's in the air!"

"Where's Lee?!"

A blur zipped through the sky. Lee had already appeared beside the airborne Gaara, and with one strike—

BOOM!

Gaara was sent crashing downward like a missile. But before he could even hit the ground—

BAM!

He was struck again midair!

Lee's form split into countless afterimages as he pounded Gaara with unrelenting force, suspending him in midair with nothing but sheer speed and strength.

Gaara's [Sand Armor] cracked under the assault. It couldn't keep up.

"What the—! His armor is falling apart!"

"If you're relying on that sand..."

"Then I'll break through it!"

"Fifth Gate – Gate of Limit... Open!"

A dragon's roar echoed as Lee's tattered upper garment shredded apart. A vivid four-clawed eastern dragon tattoo glowed on his torso, alive with pulsing chakra.

"What is that?" Kakashi activated his Sharingan, eyes locked on the markings etched across Lee's body. He turned toward Guy.

Guy only smiled quietly, proud.

'Neji... After this battle, even the Hokage will recognize your [Healing Seal].'

As Lee's chakra surged, the tattoo seemed to come alive, siphoning the excess chakra like a living barrier.

The blazing aura, his blood-red skin, and glowing crimson eyes turned Lee into a force of nature. His body began healing itself even as it broke down.

Not even Neji had expected this; the [Healing Seal] didn't fail at the third gate as anticipated. It amplified.

The dragon's roar turned unnatural, almost mournful. But Lee didn't hesitate.

He had only one thought: Win. Prove myself. To Guy-sensei. To Neji.

A shout burst from his lips as a stretch of bandages wrapped around Gaara midair.

Just like Hisoka's Bungee Gum!

The elastic bandage snapped Gaara back into range—

"Hidden Lotus!"

BOOM!!!

The arena erupted. A crater formed where Gaara landed, engulfed in a massive plume of dust.

Lee fell like a meteor beside him, his [Healing Seal] now shattered, overwhelmed by the fifth gate's power. The seal's remnants drifted like glowing embers in the air.

The chakra-conductive ink, now broken, sparkled like stardust.

Everyone was stunned.

This... this is a Genin-level battle?!

Some questioned everything they knew about shinobi. Could Genin really do this?

From within the smoke, Gaara rose, his face fractured like porcelain, but somehow still standing.

He raised a hand.

"Sand Coffin!"

A wave of golden sand surged at Lee.

"Guy-sensei!"

Neji shouted.

Instantly, Guy appeared beside Lee. With a single sweep of his arm, the sand dispersed into dust.

Gaara stared, silent. A distant memory tugged at him... He had once fought like this, too.

But his head throbbed with pain as he gripped it tightly.

"You... want to save him?"

"That boy is my student," Guy said firmly. "One I'm proud of... and would lay down my life for."

For a moment, Gaara's eyes softened.

But then, like armor re-forming, the [Sand Shield] crept back across his face, masking him in indifference once more.

"Whatever..."

He turned and walked away. The gourd reassembled on his back.

He was alone again, with only sand as his companion.

"Winner: Gaara!"

Genma Shiranui stepped forward to declare the victor.

But then—

A shadow stirred.

Lee stood.

Trembling. Barely conscious. But upright. In a stance.

Everyone gasped.

He shouldn't be able to move. He couldn't possibly...

He wasn't even conscious anymore. Just sheer willpower.

Guy's eyes widened with awe, and tears streamed down his face.

"You stubborn fool... Even without awareness, you're still trying to prove yourself?"

"Lee... you're already a splendid ninja."

He pulled Lee into his arms, his expression full of pride and grief.

Nearby, Neji gently lowered Hinata to the ground.

"All right, Hinata. Big Brother Neji has things to take care of, so no more cuddling."

"Wha—I wasn't!" Hinata blushed furiously, steam practically coming from her ears.

Neji chuckled and stepped into the field, his eyes meeting Gaara's one last time.

A quiet sigh escaped Neji's lips.

Gaara snapped to attention, but Neji had already passed by.

That guy... Gaara's gaze narrowed.

---

"Guy-sensei. Let me handle it."

"Neji! Please check on Lee right away!"

Guy quickly stepped aside, trusting Neji completely. Lee's condition was too unique; only Neji understood the workings of the [Healing Seal].

Even so, Genma still called for the medical unit. Just in case.

Neji's hands glowed with soft green light [Healing Jutsu].

He gently began mending Lee's battered body.

Hmm?

Lee's physical condition was far better than expected, though he'd still need months of rest.

"Guy-sensei, Lee's going to be fine. But he'll need at least three months to recover."

Guy exhaled in relief.

"And... the other side effects?"

Neji shook his head.

Guy nodded solemnly.

The medics arrived and carefully lifted Lee onto a stretcher.

And so... the battle ended.

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