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NA - Chapter 72 : Rock Vs Sand Part 2
🕑 Added 2024-08-16 10:26:14 +0000 UTCDisclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.
“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
-Author notes-
Chapter 72 : Rock Vs Sand Part 2
There are many special constitutions out there, but only a few humans are lucky enough to be born with one. Like the Yin Constitution, the Golden Body, Heavenly Platinum Physique, Chaotic Demon Veins… there are countless of them.
He didn’t know exactly which one Lee had, but its effects seemed to allow him to concentrate and assimilate chakra into his bones and muscles. This was essentially what the first stages of cultivation were about, but Lee could do it in a passive manner. Much like demonic beasts, he could get stronger just by letting time pass.
Of course, Lee’s rigorous training had exacerbated the effects.
Naruto felt a bit envious of this. But then again, it wasn’t like he didn’t have any boons of his own.
Also, even if he were born with a unique constitution, his advantage would become less noticeable as the level of power gets higher. Among genin, he would stand at the top, but among jonin, he would just be one of many.
Unless… he could get a cultivation manual that fits his constitution… only then could his true potential be unleashed.
Naruto knew of such a method, but he had no reason to share such valuable information in exchange for nothing.
“Wow!” Shikamaru said.
Lee had just sent Gaara flying after connecting a punch to his face.
“Go, Lee!” His sensei continued to cheer.
“This is bad…”
Naruto looked back and saw the worried expression on Kankuro. At first glance, one would assume he was preoccupied with his teammate’s potential loss. But that was not the case.
Gaara’s face began to crack…
“Huh?... is that sand?...” Naruto could see it clearly now. There was a layer of sand covering his entire body. Gaara had used some method to make it look like normal skin, but after Lee broke the part that was protecting his face, it began to take its original shape.
“He’s going to lose it now…” Kankuro muttered.
Gaara began to laugh like a maniac.
“What’s with that guy?...” Naruto said. It was obvious that this boy was not mentally stable.
Gaara reformed the sand armor around himself. This time, there seemed to be a lot more sand around him.
“What is he doing?” Kiba asked.
“The Sand Armor… that is his absolute defense. Nothing can break through that,” Temari was the one who answered.
“So he’s just going to defend like a turtle?...” Kiba scoffed.
Temari glared at him before returning her gaze to the arena.
“If only…”
“Hurry up and come,” Gaara said as if to taunt him.
“As you wish!” Lee rushed to him and performed a powerful upwards kick that propelled Gaara into the air.
“That move!...” Sasuke’s demeanor changed when he saw this. His Sharingan activated and began to spin around.
“That’s the one he used against you… but he never finished it,” Naruto said as Lee jumped after Gaara and wrapped him up in a white bandage.
He then proceeded to flip him upside down and brought him back down while spinning his body at great speed.
Gaara collided with the ground, making a tremendous noise and breaking a large part of it.
“Yikes!” TenTen grimaced.
“Is… he dead?...” Kiba had the same expression.
“Aren’t you glad you didn’t get hit with that?” Naruto said to Sasuke in a jovial tone.
“Hmph…” Sasuke responded.
“Yes! Good job, Lee!” Gai-sensei exclaimed.
“A bit early for that…” Kakashi said.
After the smoke cleared, they could all see that the ‘body’ that impacted the ground was nothing more than an empty sand armor.
“When did he leave the armor?!” Gai shouted.
“When you closed your eyes to pray…” Kakashi told him.
The real Gaara appeared behind Lee and chuckled.
Lee turned around just in time to see a massive wave of sand coming his way. He crossed his arms in a protective manner and was pushed with force toward the wall.
“Arg…” Lee grunted, but Gaara was not done yet and sent a barrage of sand bullets at him.
“Ahhh!” Lee screamed. He tried to cover his vitals as much as he could but still received serious damage to his entire body.
“Why didn’t he dodge that? He was moving so fast a moment ago,” Kiba asked.
“He can't…” Gai had an expression of pure concern on his face.
“The Lotus technique allows Lee to enhance his speed tremendously, but it also causes damage to his body. It’s a double-edged sword…”
“He must be in a lot of pain right now,” Kakashi said.
Lee was attacked several more times, but he didn’t seem willing to give up.
“If he can’t fight anymore… why keep going?” Shikamaru commented. To him, it made no sense.
“Lee is not done yet!” Gai exclaimed.
“The Lotus will bloom again…”
Kakashi seemed surprised by this comment.
“Gai… don’t tell me that you also taught him that technique…”
“It is as you think, Kakashi…” Gai said.
“You taught the Eight Gates to a genin?” Kakashi said in an accusatory manner.
“The Eight Gates?” Naruto’s interest was piqued at hearing that.
Sasuke was also paying close attention.
Gai did not deny it.
“He had the ability to learn them.”
“Even if he did! That doesn’t mean you should have! Some techniques are forbidden for a good reason. I’ve lost my respect for you as a sensei…” Kakashi told him.
Gai glared at Kakashi.
“What do you know about that boy?”
“Lee has something important to prove. Something so precious to him that he is willing to risk his life to accomplish it. As a sensei… it is our job to give them the necessary tools to achieve their dreams, isn’t it?”
