Under the gaze of countless eyes—former opponents reunited on the stage.
Kimimaro's handsome face—nostalgic smile. "Rock Lee. By now, you shouldn't need to rely on alcohol to get fired up, right?"
Rock Lee smiled. "Not anymore. But if your body's doing better—I could have a few drinks with you."
Kimimaro smiled. "It's been fine for a long time."
Crack. Crack. Thick, winding bones emerged. Intertwining outside his skin—forming exoskeleton armor.
"But if we're going to drink and talk—it'll have to be after I make you my defeated opponent once again!"
—Shikotsumyaku: Bone Asura State.
Rock Lee knew how formidable Kimimaro was. Right from the start—he opened the Sixth Gate of View.
Green steam erupted. Thick black hair flying wildly. Skin turning dark red.
BANG.
He struck first. Not leaping into the sky—but charging straight at Kimimaro.
"Oh? Not creating flames with your fists from above—but greeting me directly with fists that create flames!"
Seeing through Lee's intent—Kimimaro chose to meet him head-on.
"AAAAHHHHH!"
In close combat—Rock Lee's fists built up power.
—Morning Peacock: Modified: Eight Trigrams Lotus Fist!
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG.
The two engaged in brutal fist-to-bone close combat. Sonic booms endless. Shockwaves earth-shaking.
People watched the fierce exchange in shock. Crying out in amazement.
"What brutal combat!"
"This level of taijutsu confrontation—you couldn't find more than a handful in the entire ninja world!"
"Both of them are beasts!"
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Lee's fists struck Kimimaro's exoskeleton armor—creating lotus-like flames.
After countless collisions—the two separated.
Drip. Drip.
Lee's fists—covered in wounds. Blood dripping continuously.
Crack. Crack.
But Kimimaro wasn't much better off. When the flames wreathing him extinguished—the exoskeleton framework had cracked and fallen away. Exposing the skin beneath.
Kimimaro sighed. "Bone Asura is the hardest bone I can create in my normal state. Yet it could only barely defend against your fists. Lee—you've truly grown these past years."
Rock Lee said, "I'm not a genius like you and Neji. Apart from hard work—I have nothing else. Through that exchange just now—I've got a read on your current bone strength. So, next..."
Words falling. Lee crossed his arms. Gaze becoming incredibly sharp.
Kimimaro: "Oh. The Seventh Gate of Wonder."
He immediately crouched down. Pressing his palm to the ground. Bones extending from his palm bones—burrowing into the earth and growing wildly. Erupting as massive bone structures from all directions. Closing together—transforming into a bone giant no less massive than a Karasu Tengu Susanoo.
Crack.
The bone from his palm snapped off. Kimimaro leaped to the bone giant's head. The bones at the skull opened and closed—forming protective enclosure.
—Shikotsumyaku: Bone Asura State: Second Stage.
Seeing this—Rock Lee's eyes narrowed.
—Seventh Gate of Wonder: Open!
BOOM.
Azure steam erupted from his pores.
His whitened eyes gazed at the bone giant in the distance. "That's many times more powerful than the simple exoskeleton armor covering his skin before. At this rate, the Gate of Wonder alone can't compete with that. No choice—I'll have to use the newest technique Guy-sensei taught me."
Rock Lee closed his eyes. Took a deep breath.
Whoosh.
The Gate of Wonder steam enveloping his body—began to retract.
Knowledgeable people in the audience cried out in shock.
"Hey, what's going on! His Gate of Wonder seems different!"
Northern stands.
Hokage Kakashi's eyes focused. "Guy, what's happening?"
Lee's mentor, Might Guy, said, "The Eight Gates can release the eight gates that restrict chakra in the body. In the opened state—chakra activity becomes extremely intense. So wasteful consumption is also extremely severe. Especially after opening the Seventh Gate of Wonder—it becomes an issue that can't be ignored."
"Through countless tests—I reached a conclusion. After the Gate of Wonder, the useful work actually accomplished through techniques is a pitiful 17%. This means the energy loss rate exceeds 80%."
Kakashi couldn't hide his shock. "That..."
Might Guy said, "So, to offset the Eight Gates' weaknesses and side effects—I developed a Lesser Heavenly Circuit Breathing Method compatible with the Eight Gates. It changes the traditional method of breathing through mouth and nose. Instead—every pore on the body becomes a breathing organ."
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Right now on the field—Rock Lee's entire body was surrounded by azure energy bands.
Might Guy said, "With each breath in and out—the steam circles the body like light. Forming an internal circulation of the Eight Gates."
Kakashi said, "Compared to before, what's the improvement?"
Might Guy said, "First, in this state—the Gate of Wonder can be maintained for extended periods. If on this foundation you switch to burst mode—compared to Eight Gates without the breathing method's enhancement, taijutsu power can increase by more than five times."
Kakashi exclaimed, "Not only endurance but also greater strength! Isn't that too absurd!"
Might Guy said, "No. It's just that we haven't been able to unleash the Eight Gates' true power before. Lee's current state is what can truly be called the Seventh Gate of Wonder's full power state."
Kakashi said, "You mentioned Lesser Heavenly Circuit Breathing Method. Does that mean there's also a Greater Heavenly Circuit Breathing Method?"
Might Guy smiled mysteriously. "That, well... I'll explain later."
BOOM.
At the Seventh Gate of Wonder's full power—Rock Lee launched a fierce assault.
Whoosh. He flashed before the bone giant almost instantly. His fists creating afterimages.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Each punch produced earth-shaking roars. Accompanied by flying bone fragments.
Kimimaro's expression—grave. "This power is extraordinary."
The bone giant's fist struck toward Rock Lee.
In mid-air—Rock Lee interlaced his fingers.
—Daytime Tiger!
BANG.
A tiger of compressed air surged forth. The bone fist was blown back. Causing the bone giant to retreat nearly a hundred meters.
As the bone giant retreated—it launched several bone spears.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Rock Lee dodged and weaved. Striking out with his fists—another bone-shattering barrage.
Seeing this wouldn't work—Kimimaro's left eye crackled. Transforming into Uchiha Shin's Mangekyō Sharingan.
"How about this!"
Crack crack crack.
Massive amounts of bone separated from the giant. Under his ocular power's control—they rained down like a deluge.
The range was too vast to dodge.
But Rock Lee lowered his center of gravity. Planted his stance. With a "HA!"—blue steam exploded outward. Blowing away all the approaching bones.
Kakashi's eyes lit up. "That's!"
Might Guy said, "Burst Release. Through Lesser Heavenly Circuit Breathing Method control—accumulated Gate of Wonder chakra is released all at once. It's a defensive taijutsu derived from the Eight Gates."
Kakashi sighed. "Simply put—it's no less impressive than the Hyūga's Rotation."
Clang. Clang. Clang.
After repelling all the bones—Rock Lee took a deep breath. The Gate of Wonder steam retracted again. Looking at the nearly decimated bone giant—he declared loudly:
"Kimimaro! If you're still hiding any trump cards—bring them out! You're a man I respect. I want to face you at full power on this Grand Martial Exhibition's supreme stage!"
Kimimaro looked at Rock Lee's serious face.
"I... understand."
CRASH. The bone giant collapsed.
"Rock Lee. You're one of the rare ninja who can make me get serious. Let me show you my true full power."
Whoosh. After landing—Kimimaro pulled open his shirt.
On his chest—where the curse mark once existed—now completely blank.
Rock Lee: "Hm? Your curse mark is gone?"
Kimimaro said, "Lord Orochimaru and Lady Tsunade used cutting-edge medical treatment to cure my illness. That curse mark didn't disappear—it completely fused with my body. Changing my constitution. Later, through Lord Naruto's introduction—I had the honor of training at a sacred land for half year."
Crack crack crack.
Kimimaro's form changed.
In the chief examiner's seat—Mitsuki's eyes narrowed. "This feeling. It's natural energy."
Kimimaro's skin turned silver-gray. In his pupils—the white snake's distinctive vertical pupils. Two horns emerged from his hair. From his tailbone—a bone snake descended.
Hiss. Hiss. Hiss. Hiss.
Violent Sage power transformed into seven silver Sage snakes—dancing wildly around him.
—RYŪCHI CAVE SAGE MODE.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Under Rock Lee's vigilant gaze—Kimimaro formed hand seals. Forcefully pressed them to the ground.
—Sage Art: Shikotsumyaku: Inorganic Reincarnation!
Crack.
The earth beneath his palms rapidly ossified. Becoming bone matter. Spreading all the way to the dueling ground's edge. Even the stands' walls weren't spared.
—Bone Giant Soldiers.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
The ossified earth went berserk. Dozens of scorpion-tail-like towering bone tendrils erupted. Gathering behind Kimimaro.
Kimimaro declared resolutely. "Come."
"AAAAHHHHH!"
Rock Lee roared skyward. Switching to burst mode.
He brought his fists together. Struck out with all his might.
LION'S ELEGY!
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