In the next instant, sand surged up on Gaara's left side. Seizing the opportunity, Gaara prepared to strike, but before he could move, a voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
"I'm over here."
As the words fell, Gaara was sent flying by a fierce punch from Little Lee.
"Yes! That was a solid hit!" Sakura clenched her fist in excitement.
"Go, Lee!"
"Finish him!"
"Wait, look closely." Neji's calm voice cut through the cheers, halting the shouts of encouragement.
Everyone turned their attention to the arena and their expressions changed instantly. Chunks of sand began to crumble from Gaara's face. His entire visage was cracking apart.
"That's... sand."
"He covered his whole body in it?!"
"Then Lee's attack just now was completely useless?"
The rookies gasped, their excitement vanishing in an instant. Only Neji remained composed.
He didn't believe in fate, but based on Little Lee's current strength, it was clear he still couldn't defeat Gaara.
"Hey, Sensei..." Kankuro and Temari looked uneasily at Baki.
Baki was sweating profusely, but when he glanced at the impassive Kazekage beside him, he forced himself to appear calm. "It's nothing. Keep watching."
What none of them realized was that the Kazekage was actually Orochimaru in disguise.
And Orochimaru had no time to spare for Baki. His gaze was fixed on Neji, eyes narrowing in disbelief.
From the beginning until now, everything seemed to unfold just as Neji had anticipated. His composed expression had not wavered for a moment.
Orochimaru glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi. A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind.
Could the old man have known his identity all along? Had he set this entire trap just to lure him in?
It wouldn't be impossible.
At that moment, Orochimaru sat stiffly, as if on a bed of needles. He couldn't shake the feeling that the old man was about to turn the tables on him.
"No, it must be coincidence," he told himself.
Meanwhile, Little Lee had already unraveled the bandages from his hands. With a flurry of powerful kicks, he launched Gaara into the air.
"Primary Lotus!"
Boom!
The arena floor split open with a thunderous crash, a crater gouged into the ground.
Lee somersaulted out of the pit, landing beside it. As he looked at Gaara lying motionless in the center, he let out a long breath of relief.
"This time for sure. No way he could've walked away from a fall like that," Naruto said confidently.
Everyone in the arena, including Hayate Gekko, assumed Lee had secured victory.
But Neji let out a quiet sigh.
"Such a shame. He was so close."
"Huh?"
"Neji, what do you mean? Are you saying Lee didn't win?" Naruto gave him a look of disbelief.
A fall from that height, and Gaara was still fine?
Just then, the figure lying in the crater crumbled into a fine stream of sand.
"A clone... it was a clone!"
The entire arena fell silent. Lee stood there, stunned, staring at the empty pit.
He had risked everything, even using a self-damaging technique, and all he hit was a decoy.
Gaara now approached him, face dark with fury. Behind him, the sand roiled with killing intent.
"Keep going."
The words had barely left Gaara's mouth before the sand chased after Lee again. Having used the Lotus technique, Lee's body was under immense strain. He could only dodge in desperation.
In the stands, everyone was on edge.
"What's going on?" Shikamaru asked.
"When did Gaara..."
Everyone turned to Neji, silently hoping for an explanation.
"There was a brief pause in Lee's movement while he was kicking," Neji said calmly.
He glanced toward Kakashi. Guy had been too emotional earlier, but Kakashi had watched carefully. He must have noticed too.
It had only been a split-second, but in that instant, Gaara had escaped. His reaction time was terrifying.
Shikamaru stared at Neji. This guy was no weaker than Gaara.
At the same time, Neji looked back at Shikamaru. That brain of his really was something else.
"How... how could this be..." Tenten whispered.
In the arena, Lee kept dodging, barely staying ahead of the sand. He was teetering on the edge, and everyone could see it.
"Lee, stop!" Naruto shouted.
"Lee, forfeit! Your body can't take this anymore!" Shikamaru said, unable to bear watching.
"You'll die if this keeps up!"
After using the Lotus, Lee's body was reaching its limit. Now, he was only taking hits.
"Neji, say something!" Tenten pleaded. Even though Lee and Neji often fought, everyone knew they were close friends.
She didn't say it aloud, but in her heart, she knew Neji cared deeply for his comrades.
"I won't stop him. This is the path he chose. To a man who's made peace with his destiny, tears and pity are insults."
"But... Lee's already"
"Believe in him."
Hearing Neji's words, Lee gave a wide smile. "Thanks, Neji."
Might Guy slapped Neji on the shoulder. "Neji, I never expected you to understand youth so well."
Neji didn't respond.
"But are we really just going to watch Lee take a beating?" Sakura asked.
"No. He's about to use that move," Neji replied.
"That move?!"
"Wait... Lee has a trump card?"
Guy glanced at Neji. He hadn't expected their bond to be this strong strong enough that Neji even knew about the Eight Inner Gates.
In the arena, Lee pulled a kunai from his pouch and used it to slash at the sand.
"Is this all you've got? You're pathetic," Gaara said coldly.
Lee somersaulted away to gain distance, then shouted, "Sensei, forgive me for being selfish this once!"
"The weak can surpass geniuses through sheer effort. That's why I trained in taijutsu. This is my ninja way."
Crossing his arms, Lee's veins bulged across his forehead. Chakra surged wildly inside him.
Guy hesitated for a moment, then clenched his jaw. "Go, Lee. Let your youth burn bright."
"Yes, Sensei!" Lee shouted.
The people in the stands didn't understand.
"Neji, what are they talking about?"
Neji stepped forward, watching Lee gather strength. "The Eight Inner Gates."
"What?!"
Kakashi's expression changed instantly. Without hesitation, he pushed up his forehead protector.
"Guy, you maniac... he's just a kid. Stop him!" Kakashi growled.
"It's no use. Once Lee makes up his mind, not even I can stop him," Guy said, his brows furrowed.
"You"
Hinata and the others looked around in confusion. They didn't know what was happening, but they could tell something was very wrong.
"Neji-niisan, what's the Eight Inner Gates?" Hinata asked.
Neji sighed lightly. "It's a technique that lifts the body's natural limits on chakra flow, unleashing the excess energy inside."
"Once all eight gates are opened, the user gains strength tens of times greater than the Hokage. But it's only temporary. After opening all eight... the user dies."