Before Rock Lee's striking fists—white compressed air gathered into a lion's head. Several times more ferocious than Daytime Tiger. Grinding forward.
Behind Kimimaro—over a dozen scorpion-tail bone spikes thrust forward together. Blocking the lion's head.
But Lion's Elegy was a rapid-fire technique. Lee's fists swung continuously—and the air lions came like an overwhelming deluge.
Kimimaro met them without hesitation.
—Twilight Bone Song.
Those bone spikes—with terrifying frequency—struck back repeatedly in alternating patterns.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM.
Lion's Elegy and Twilight Bone Song wove together a heart-pounding, chaotic symphony.
The spectators erupted. Many jumped to their feet.
"What terrifying combat ability! These two have the raw strength to qualify as Earth Ninja already!"
"Why didn't they participate in the Grand Martial Exhibition before? They'd have earned Permanent Earth Ninja spots!"
"This must be the result of steady accumulation. Silent until the moment they shock the world!"
"So strong! Both of them are incredibly strong!"
Crack. Crack. Crack.
But as the collisions intensified—bone spikes began breaking off. Flying toward the stands in all directions.
"Ahhh!" Danger erupted. Screams rose everywhere.
At that moment—the Wind Shadow Gaara, who had been sitting motionless, lifted his eyes.
Whoosh.
From the gourd beside him—a sand waterfall rose. Precisely wrapping around the bone fragments hurtling toward the stands.
Crack.
As his hand clenched—the sand contracted. When it dispersed—only bone dust remained. Crisis averted.
Not to be outdone.
The Mizukage Haku formed hand seals.
—Ice Release: Cold Moon Frost Flower.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
Cold air directionally froze moisture in the air. Instantly forming ice steps in mid-air.
Haku's white-socked feet ascended the steps gracefully.
—Ice Release: Frozen Martial Fist.
Crack.
The bone fragments approaching—frozen by the cold emanating from his fist. Shattering into ice crystals the instant they made contact.
Though the audience's crisis was resolved—for some reason, his elegant brows furrowed. Those ice steps couldn't maintain themselves. Began falling from the sky.
Whoosh.
At that moment—a tall man leaped from the stands. Steadily catching Haku's delicate form before landing on the railing.
Momochi Zabuza.
His mouth and nose wrapped in white bandages. Looking at his wife in his arms—his sharp eyes now carried gentle reproach. "You're pregnant and still pushing yourself. I could've just sliced that thing in half with one swing."
Haku wrapped her arms around Zabuza's neck. Saying softly, "But I'm still the Mizukage. Protecting everyone is my duty."
Zabuza cherished her tenderly. "I really can't do anything with you. From now until the Grand Martial Exhibition ends—I won't let you leave my arms."
On another side—Might Guy was about to rise to intercept.
But Hokage Kakashi stood first. Crackle. His left eye instantly transformed into the Eternal Mangekyō.
—Kamui.
Whoosh.
The bone fragments falling nearby—directly transferred to the Kamui dimension.
After sitting back down—Might Guy asked, "Using Kamui so casually—is your chakra okay?"
Kakashi said calmly, "It's fine."
Crackle.
The Mangekyō changed to three tomoe. Then the three tomoe disappeared from view.
Through relentless training—he'd finally completely overcome the Sharingan's side effects. Could activate and deactivate it at will.
Whoosh.
On another side—the Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi, wearing a red qipao, leaped into the sky.
Her long, beautiful legs lifted to their limit. Hands forming seals.
—Earth Release: Hardening Technique.
Crack.
Deep gray earth spread across her skin. After hardening her leg—she struck down fiercely.
The instant she made contact—her hands formed another seal.
—Earth Release: Softening Technique.
The bone fragment in contact with her heel softened. This combination of hard and soft—produced immediate results.
Crack. The bone shattered.
Kurotsuchi executed a graceful aerial flip. Landing back in place.
The men around her whispered among themselves.
"Did, did we see...?"
"Seemed like it, but also... maybe not."
"Damn it... why don't I have Uchiha eyes!"
On another side—the Raikage Buroi chewed bubble gum. Watching a large chunk of bone spinning toward him. He calmly stood. Grabbing the spiked club behind him.
Crackle. Lightning formed thread-like wrappings around the club.
He leaped up and swung.
—Thunderbolt Striking Swan Strike.
BOOM.
The bone spun directly toward the horizon.
Nearby—Samui said, "Hey, honey, if that thing falls and hits someone, it's no joke!"
Buroi sat down. "Don't worry, it won't."
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE.
Seconds later—a lightning bolt struck outside Torrent City.
Turns out—first launching it away, then having it become a lightning bolt to destroy it. That was Thunderbolt Striking Swan Strike.
Buroi said, "See."
Samui said, "I think that's even more dangerous."
At that moment—nearby Omoi, sucking on a lollipop, began his endless rambling again. "What if that lightning killed someone outside the city? They'd definitely come demanding compensation. Would that be the responsibility of those two fighting, or Buroi-sama's responsibility?"
"If things escalate—it could turn into a diplomatic incident. Worst case scenario—Hidden Cloud and Hidden Rain become enemies. The Fifth Great Ninja War breaks out. The world teeters on the brink of destruction. And a young Raikage destroys the world with one swing. Ahh, how terrifying."
Nearby—Mabui got a headache. "Can you stop being such a worrywart!"
Omoi muttered, "Who was it that said she'd never marry a fatty over 180 pounds? And yet... you can't trust what women say."
Mabui said sharply, "Hey, you're just looking for a fight, aren't you."
To prevent further collateral damage—Naruto raised his palm. Sixteen black rods appeared throughout the arena.
He formed a seal.
—Sixteen Crimson Sun Formation.
Whoosh.
A magnificent sixteen-sided crimson barrier completely protected the venue.
Lowering his hand—Naruto said, "Yōxi, now we're all set."
Everyone: "..."
On the field.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM.
The collision between Twilight Bone Song and Lion's Elegy had reached white-hot intensity.
Shattered bone fragments continuously struck the barrier.
Ultimately—Twilight Bone Song was the first to fail.
BOOM.
Rock Lee, wreathed in Gate of Wonder flames, charged violently forward.
Crack.
Kimimaro tore away his right sleeve. Bone formed a mighty bone spear at his right arm's tip.
The seven silver Sage snakes coiling around him—entwined around the bone spear. Thrusting at full force toward Rock Lee.
—Sage Art: Shikotsumyaku: Seven Kills Army-Breaking Spear.
"AAAAHHHHH!"
Rock Lee roared. Spinning and rotating. Gate of Wonder power gathered at his foot—taking the form of an azure dragon.
—Gate of Wonder Secret Technique: Deathbed Serenade.
The dragon on his foot—carrying earth-shattering force—kicked the spear's tip.
CRACKLE.
Dark red lightning burst from the point of impact.
Both sides struggled against each other in the deadlock.
"AAAAHHHHH, my youth has no regrets!"
With Lee's roar—the Sage power serpents on the bone spear were completely dispersed. Crack. Crack.
Fissures appeared on the bone spear. Crumbling inch by inch.
BOOM.
His kick landed on the bone protecting Kimimaro's chest.
Crack. That protective bone layer shattered too.
Crackle. But almost simultaneously—Kimimaro's left eye's ocular power activated. Controlling the bone fragments before him like bullets toward Lee.
Crack. Crack.
In the spray of blood—two figures retreated backward together.
"Huff, huff, huff."
Both gasped for breath. Both seriously injured.
But comparatively—Lee's injuries were more severe. And his Gate of Wonder state had been released.
Kimimaro clutched his chest. Rising from a crouch.
At the same time—his remaining Sage power began gathering toward the bone snake at his tailbone.
A gray bone began emerging from that snake's mouth.
Kimimaro asked, "Rock Lee. Do you have an even stronger technique?"
Rock Lee removed the bone fragments from his body. Standing up bloodied. "Stronger techniques are only used to protect my most important comrades."
"Comrades."
Hearing this—Kimimaro smiled with heartfelt admiration. The gray bone that had just emerged from the snake's tail—retracted.
He withdrew from Sage Mode. Smiling. "I'm getting a bit impatient. How about we go drink together?"
Rock Lee said, "Now?"
Kimimaro said, "That's right. Right now."
Rock Lee said, "But if we kept fighting—you'd probably win."
Kimimaro said, "Winning or losing doesn't matter to us anymore. Does it?"
Rock Lee said, "Alright then. Let's drink till we drop."
And so—the two walked off the field together. Arms around each other's shoulders.
Might Guy laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Not caring about glory—acting on their hearts. Isn't that our lost youth! Lee, well done!"
The spectators buzzed with discussion.
"Uh... does this count as forfeiting?"
"The Grand Martial Exhibition never has draws. Either one side surrenders, or they're beaten until they can't stand, or they die."
"Still, what a spectacular match."
"It's a shame they didn't fight to the end."
At that moment—Tobi's playful voice rang out appropriately on the big screen. "Ohhh-kay! An unprecedented situation! These two were fighting, hit it off, and both withdrew together! I declare this match has no winner and no loser!"
In the contestants' section—Tenten went ballistic.
"Ahhh! That impulsive idiot! Why withdraw? Even losing means a huge prize!"
Temari asked, "Are you that strapped for cash?"
Tenten said, "You don't understand how huge my living expenses are! My strongest scientific ninja tools cost a normal ninja's monthly salary per shot! Even with 90% reimbursement—it's still a fortune."
Temari smiled. "Fighting me would probably bankrupt you."
Buzz.
The rotating board displayed the fourth match.
—TEMARI VS. TENTEN—
"Sigh."
Life was hard. Tenten sighed.
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