She was Kazuki's sister—how could she not trust her own brother? Naturally, she obeyed Kazuki's decisions.
Among the five people present, only Hyūga Neji seemed out of place. It was clear that Neji was not a member of Team Guy, whereas Kazuki was.
"Alright, let's go!" someone called out.
With that, the group, including a somewhat reluctant Neji, made their way toward the Forest of Death.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
Deep in the Forest of Death, Rock Lee, clad in his signature green jumpsuit, unleashed his taijutsu techniques at full force, launching an aggressive assault against Kazuki.
Kazuki, however, effortlessly deflected each of Lee's attacks with minimal movement.
It had been Kazuki's idea to let Lee challenge him in battle. After all, the best way to gauge someone's strength was to fight them directly.
As the battle continued, Lee fought with unwavering determination. From the sidelines, Might Guy observed his pupil's progress and nodded approvingly.
Meanwhile, Tenten idly toyed with the insects on the ground, seemingly uninterested in the fight.
Hyūga Neji, however, remained focused. His Byakugan was locked onto Kazuki's movements, analyzing every detail.
"He's handling Lee's attacks so effortlessly…" Neji thought. "If I were in Lee's place… I wouldn't be able to do the same!"
As the sparring session between Kazuki and Lee progressed, Neji suddenly stepped forward.
"Kazuki," Neji said. "Would you allow me to challenge you next?"
Without breaking his rhythm, Kazuki countered Lee's latest strike before turning to Neji.
"Of course," Kazuki replied. "But you'll have to wait until Lee and I are finished."
Though Kazuki wasn't particularly close to Neji, he knew that Neji was part of Guy's team. He had even visited Kazuki's home before, alongside Might Guy, Lee, and Tenten.
Naturally, Kazuki wouldn't refuse a challenge. However, priorities had to be set. Lee had approached him first, and as his senior, Kazuki was committed to giving Lee valuable guidance.
Neji's match, on the other hand, wouldn't be taken quite as seriously.
The sky gradually darkened. Time was running short.
If Neji still wished to fight, there wouldn't be much time left.
After the sparring sessions, Kazuki planned to invite Might Guy and the others for a light meal. Since Guy and Lee had gone out of their way to visit him, it was only right to welcome them warmly. That was simply the proper etiquette between teachers, students, and friends.
"Lee, it's getting late," Kazuki said. "Show me your true strength."
"Yes, Big Brother Kazuki!" Lee responded enthusiastically.
Taking a few steps back, Lee removed the heavy weights strapped to his legs.
Thud!
The weights hit the ground, sending shockwaves through the forest floor. A cloud of dust erupted upon impact.
"This…!"
Neji's eyes widened in shock.
"Lee… has been carrying that much weight?!"
For the longest time, he had looked down on Lee as the "dead last" of their team.
But now…
"Big Brother Kazuki, be careful!" Lee called out.
Kazuki nodded in acknowledgment.
In the next instant, Lee vanished.
Whoosh—
His speed rivaled that of a flying kunai, leaving behind nothing but a blur.
Seeing Rock Lee's figure suddenly appear from the east, then reappear from the west… Hyūga Neji's Byakugan didn't stop tracking for even half a second!
So fast!
To the point where, even as a spectator, he could barely keep up!
Rock Lee… was actually hiding his true speed?!
A bead of sweat rolled down Neji's forehead.
Even with his mastery of the Rotation (Hakkeshō Kaiten), could he really win against Lee?
With Lee's relentless, high-speed attacks… he might be able to deflect a few, but not for long.
Unless he kept using Kaiten non-stop!
But Neji didn't have the chakra reserves to sustain that!
Neji clenched his fists even tighter.
As the former top student of the academy… he was struggling against Lee, the so-called "dead last."
Unbelievable.
How could this be happening?!
With his Byakugan, Neji also noticed something else.
Kazuki…
Even as Lee's speed escalated to new heights, Kazuki remained rooted in place, effortlessly countering every single one of Lee's attacks without moving an inch.
Just how strong is this guy?!
"Not bad."
Amidst their clash, Kazuki offered Lee some rare praise.
"You have impressive stamina. Your speed isn't dropping, even with these constant attacks."
"Lee, it seems like you could handle even heavier weights."
During their fight, Kazuki casually gave Lee advice for his training.
"Yes, Big Brother Kazuki!"
Hearing his words, Rock Lee halted.
"Oh, right. The Eight Gates… Gai-sensei taught you, didn't he?" Kazuki suddenly asked.
Lee nodded.
"Have you mastered them?"
"I've learned it."
"How many Gates can you open?"
"Right now… I can barely manage the Fourth Gate."
Kazuki nodded.
"Then open the Second Gate first. Let me see."
"…What?"
Lee looked surprised.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Haven't you practiced it yet?"
"No, no, that's not it!"
"The Eight Gates training is going fine, don't worry, Brother Kazuki…"
"It's just…"
Lee hesitated.
Kazuki asked, "Just what?"
"…I was saving this move for Neji."
Hyūga Neji: ???
Lee still had a trump card?!
Even after removing his weights, Neji could barely keep up with him—yet Lee had been holding back?!
And he planned to use it against him?!
For the first time in his life, Neji wanted to curse.
"Hahaha, Lee! Don't worry about it!"
Might Guy, watching from the side, laughed heartily.
At his approval, Lee nodded.
"Big Brother Kazuki, be careful!"
"Eight Gates Released Formation—Open!"
"First Gate—Gate of Opening, open!"
"Second Gate—Gate of Healing, open!"
In an instant, Lee unlocked two of the Eight Gates, causing chakra to erupt from his body.
For a moment, his speed surged to an even greater level!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The thunderous impact of fists and kicks rang out.
Even with his Byakugan, Neji could barely keep up with Lee's movements!
And Kazuki…
Even with Lee's raw determination, after unlocking the Eight Gates, Kazuki couldn't afford to be careless.
He focused.
After observing that Lee's body wasn't suffering adverse effects, Kazuki finally spoke.
"Lee—open the Third Gate."
"Yes, Big Brother Kazuki!"
"Third Gate—Gate of Life, open!"
Chakra exploded from Lee's body, blazing like fire.
Lee's speed skyrocketed yet again!
At this point, even Neji could only catch fleeting glimpses of his movement!
Now that he had unlocked the Third Gate, Lee was overwhelming.
With pure taijutsu alone… even Kazuki was starting to feel the pressure.
For the first time, he could no longer stand still and casually deflect Lee's attacks.
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