Open the gate—and release the brain from the usual limits of the human body, allowing it to unleash 100% of its physical power.
The Gate of Rest lifted the restrictions on physical fatigue, overloading the body's cellular energy and rapidly restoring stamina to offset the consumption from opening the previous gates.
His heart and lungs began pumping harder, accelerating his blood flow—the last safe zone of the Eight Gates. A burst of green chakra energy erupted from every part of Rock Lee's body.
At that moment, Lee felt the energy he'd spent earlier come surging back, and he launched himself toward Sand #1 with explosive force.
By now, Sand #1 had realized the truth: this guy Lee… had actually skipped the first two gates and opened the third gate—the Gate of Life—directly?
What a freak…
The two fighters clashed across the arena, moving so fast they appeared and disappeared in rapid flashes. Their bodies were their weapons—sharp, disciplined, and relentless—as they traded blow after blow.
With every collision, the arena was further reduced to rubble.
The intensity of their fight ignited the passion of the audience. Roars echoed through the arena, hands waved wildly in the air as cheers poured down like thunder:
"Let's go, Sand #1! Don't hold back!"
"Rock Lee! I'll never laugh at you for being the last in class again—you're a true genius!"
"#1! Beat that Konoha taijutsu maniac!!"
Many had once looked down on physical fighters—ninja who couldn't use ninjutsu or genjutsu.
Whether it was jealousy or disdain, people whispered: How could someone without chakra talent be a ninja? What's the point of pretending hard work matters?
But now, witnessing this battle, those same people were silent. For the first time, they understood: perseverance alone could carve a path through fate.
In that moment, they cheered not with mockery, but with true respect.
Fueled by the crowd's energy, Rock Lee and Sand #1 pushed their limits. Their movements became fiercer, faster, stronger.
Finally, their clash reached a dramatic peak.
Both of them abandoned defense entirely and struck each other directly in the face.
Sand #1 was sent flying backward—and Lee was no exception.
As they both reeled from the blow, Lee began to notice something: Sand #1's movements were starting to create sound as he attacked.
Sand #1 himself knew that the high-speed clashes were gradually stripping away the protective chakra wings on his body. They wouldn't last much longer.
But maybe this was the mutual respect only physical combatants could understand.
Both fighters knew—the next move would decide it all.
Lee gathered chakra to the center of his chest, pushing past the pain in his already battered body.
Sand #1 expanded his chest, drawing in oxygen like a furnace, never taking his eyes off Lee.
"Lee! Right now, I can only increase my lung capacity to four times its original limit—that's all I've got left! Let's finish this!"
"Seven Days Breathing Technique – Fourth Phase: Activation!!"
Lee looked up at him with a faint grin.
"Sand #1… it looks like I'm still stronger."
"Burn bright, Youth!!"
"Eight Gates Technique—Fourth Gate: Gate of Pain… OPEN!"
"Fifth Gate: Gate of Limit… OPEN!!!"
In that instant, Lee felt every cell in his body scream in agony—but he opened the gate anyway.
Not for glory. Not for fame.
But for the fighter standing across from him—another taijutsu warrior who had given everything.
To fight with all his strength was Lee's greatest honor and the ultimate form of respect.
Lee's body vanished from the spot, the earth beneath him exploding from the sheer force. He spun wildly around Sand #1, whipping up a powerful hurricane.
Afterimages of Lee appeared all around his opponent—so fast it looked like several Rock Lees were attacking at once.
Sand #1 fought back at first—but as Lee's speed increased, he finally found an opening.
Lee appeared right in front of him and delivered a brutal rising kick to the jaw.
CRACK. Sand #1 was launched into the sky.
Lee flashed behind him mid-air, standing as if weightless. He extended his arms—his bandages unraveling in a flutter—and tightly bound Sand #1's limbs and torso.
Sand #1 struggled to break free, but Lee gripped him tightly.
The audience gasped in awe.
Even Kakashi was stunned into silence.
"…This… this isn't something you can achieve with effort alone. The level of precision at the Fifth Gate—unbelievable."
"…This boy really is a taijutsu genius."
From the stands, Guy beamed proudly.
"The Sage of Six Paths may have closed a door for him—but he also opened a window."
"Even though Lee can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu… his taijutsu surpasses even mine!"
High in the air, Lee tightened his grip, flipping upside down with Sand #1 and spinning rapidly.
"Primary Lotus!!"
Faster… faster… faster…!
Just as they were about to slam into the ground—
BOOOOOM! A massive water dragon surged from outside the field, swallowing them both mid-fall!
"Flowing Water Blade Style – Water Dragon Dance!"
Gekkō Hayate stood at the edge of the arena, his ninja sword swirling as he manipulated the jutsu.
As the referee, he knew—if that final hit connected, Sand #1 would've either died or been crippled for life.
Both fighters hit the ground hard, battered and drenched.
Jōnin Ji helped them both to their feet, then raised Rock Lee's hand high.
"The winner—Rock Lee!!"
The crowd erupted—some in joy, others in bitter disappointment.
"I won 100,000 ryō!!"
"Aaagh, I'll never bet again!!"
"What a beautiful match!!"
Might Guy leapt from the stands, appearing instantly before his student—and slammed a fist into Lee's head, leaving a giant bump.
"Lee!! How could you hit your opponent that hard? What if you killed him?!"
"Apologize immediately!"
Lee blinked, stunned.
He'd forgotten himself in the heat of battle.
Tears streamed down his face as he hugged Sand #1 tightly.
"Waaahhh~ Sand #1, g-gomen nasai! I didn't mean to hurt you that badly!!"
(｡•́︿•̀｡)
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