Neji frowned. Lee collapsing here was nothing short of a joke a complete waste of his potential, only for the Chūnin Exams to end up invalidated in the end.
Lee was the biggest loser in this entire exam.
But Neji refused to let Lee fall here. He still intended to bring both Lee and Might Guy under his command.
In the future, when the Great War erupts, both Lee and Guy after opening the Seventh Gate would each be capable of taking on five Kage-level enemies by themselves. That kind of power couldn't be allowed to go to waste here.
"Lee, your body can't take any more," Neji said calmly.
"No."
Lee shoved Neji aside, taking a stance, still intent on challenging Gaara.
"Lee, don't! It's just a Chūnin Exam!" Tenten called out anxiously.
"Guy-sensei, please say something!" she pleaded.
Shhh
Just then, Gaara's sand reformed once again into a giant hand, reaching toward both Neji and Lee.
"Gaara!" Hayate Gekkō looked like he wanted to step in. He knew if Lee had the chance to grow, he would become a mighty pillar of Konohagakure.
But Hayate held a special role now, and since Lee hadn't technically forfeited, he couldn't intervene.
Neji frowned. Gaara's killing intent was far too strong now.
"I'm sorry, Lee," Neji said.
"Neji, you"
Before Lee could finish, Neji chopped the back of his neck. Lee barely had time to let out a gasp before collapsing unconscious.
Hiruzen Sarutobi considered stepping in to save Lee, while Orochimaru watched intently, eager to gauge Neji's true strength. In the end, neither said a word.
With both of the key decision-makers choosing silence, no one else dared interfere.
Neji had counted on exactly that this was why he acted so brazenly.
Shhhhhh
The sand surged forward. Though slow, it radiated destructive force. Neji was impressed.
To think that, even after enduring the havoc of the Eight Gates, Gaara could still wield this level of power now that was something to brag about.
But even so, Neji didn't take him seriously.
With Neji himself stepping in, Gaara dared not take him lightly. Gritting his teeth, Gaara rose to his feet, lifting both arms. The sand suddenly morphed into sharp, glinting pyramids.
"AHHH!"
With a furious roar, Gaara hurled them forward. The air split with whooshing sounds as one after another flew toward Neji.
At that moment, Gaara had completely forgotten Lee. In his eyes, there was only Neji now.
"Those sand projectiles... and that terrifying defense. So this is the power of a One-Tail Jinchūriki," Orochimaru murmured, eyes narrowing. "Well then, Neji... how will you block that?"
Hiruzen glanced sideways at Orochimaru.
"For someone so young to already have this level of strength... he's not inferior to Kakashi at all. Rasa really did give birth to a formidable heir."
Neji stood perfectly still, watching Gaara complete his technique.
In the blink of an eye, he moved.
A powerful thrust of both legs sent him vanishing from sight. In the next instant, he appeared right before Gaara and punched.
BOOM!
Gaara's pupils shrank.
The punch tore through the Sand Shield like paper and landed squarely on his face.
CRACK!
Gaara's armor shattered. He went tumbling through the air, slamming into a wall, and bringing down a cloud of dust and rubble.
"What?!"
Everyone's expressions were utterly stunned.
They had considered many possibilities but this wasn't one of them. That Neji could punch straight through Gaara's Sand Shield?
Unthinkable.
No one could fathom the sheer force behind that punch.
"But... isn't Neji trained in Gentle Fist?"
That was Gentle Fist?
With destructive power like that? Are you kidding?
That terrifying punch surpassed even Might Guy's Strong Fist!
In unison, all eyes turned to Hinata, silently demanding an explanation.
"I... I..."
Hinata panicked, unsure how to explain. Her eyes reddened with frustration.
They don't believe me... I knew it only Neji-nii-san treats me right.
"Is that... Monster Strength?"
Both Hiruzen and Orochimaru thought of the same possibility at once.
Tsunade's back?
When?
Why didn't I know?!
Though Hiruzen looked calm on the outside, his thoughts were racing.
He knew Tsunade well she rarely ever took on male disciples.
That could only mean one thing.
Hiruzen gave Neji a strange look.
This kid's something else.
Thankfully, Neji had no idea what the old man was imagining. Otherwise, Orochimaru wouldn't need to make a move Neji himself would have "taught him a lesson," all in the spirit of respecting the elderly.
"Hmph. Still, this Hyūga Neji... a fine young man," Hiruzen said with satisfaction.
To him, age was no issue. Talent was what truly mattered.
But Orochimaru didn't share that sentiment. At this moment, he was panicking.
What's going on?! Tsunade is back in the village?!
And according to intel... Jiraiya's here too?
I have to fight three Kage-level opponents?!
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. He began to doubt whether he could even make it out alive.
This won't work. This is out of control. Destroying the Leaf will have to wait.
Orochimaru exhaled slowly, deciding to delay his plans.
Clack
A faint noise caught everyone's attention. They turned toward the source and from the rubble, cloaked in dust, Gaara began to crawl out.
His face was twisted in fury, and his body was covered in cracks. He looked downright terrifying.
"No way... he's still standing?"
Hinata gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
She wasn't alone. Even the Konoha 11 and Kakashi looked shaken.
That Sand Armor... it had taken such a beating and still managed to protect Gaara?
What they didn't know was that Neji had deliberately held back. He didn't want to force Shukaku out not yet.
He wouldn't make a reckless move. After all, he only had one life to live.
"In your current state, you have no chance of defeating me," Neji said.
Gaara seethed with rage, but he wasn't an idiot. He knew today wasn't his day.
He shot a murderous glare at Lee.
If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have lost to Neji twice...
I won't let you off.
Seeing the situation, Hayate Gekkō immediately announced, "Gaara wins."
With a cold snort, Gaara turned and left.
The final match Chōji's was a breeze. But after the explosive fight between Lee and Gaara, no one paid it much attention.
To allow the finalists to recover and reach peak condition, the final round of the exams would be held one month later.
With that, Hiruzen and Orochimaru left with their respective teams.
"Heh. Tsunade's return... that's good news."
Hiruzen smiled to himself.
I'm getting old. It's time to step down. With both Jiraiya and Tsunade back, they've got no more excuses.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's expression was pitch dark.
Damn you, Danzō... How could you hide something this important from me? Are you trying to get me killed?!
Wait.
He actually IS trying to get me killed! That old bastard...
If that's how it is, then forget it I'm done playing this game.