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She is Tian Yu's sister—how could she not trust her own brother? Naturally, she obeyed Tian Yu's decision without hesitation.
Among the five of them, only Hyuga Neji stood out as the lone dissenter, his aura cold and aloof as always.
It was obvious: Neji Hyuga was never an official member of Might Guy's team, while Tian Yu had been accepted as one of them. Despite Neji's strength, his philosophies and demeanor didn't align with the passionate spirit of the Guy team.
"Alright then, let's move out!" Tian Yu called out, taking the lead with confidence.
Without waiting for Neji's opinion, the group, with the reluctant Hyuga Neji trailing behind, headed toward the Forest of Death—the next brutal stage of the Chunin Exams.
---
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
Deep within the dense, humid terrain of the Forest of Death, the air erupted with swift gusts as Rock Lee, clad in his green jumpsuit, launched a fierce flurry of taijutsu at Tian Yu.
But Tian Yu remained composed. With subtle movements, he effortlessly neutralized each of Lee's attacks.
This wasn't an accident—it was Tian Yu's idea to let Lee challenge him.
He knew better than anyone: the best way to truly gauge someone's strength was to face it head-on in combat.
Nearby, Might Guy watched proudly as Lee's strikes grew more refined.
Each punch and kick showed clear growth. Guy nodded in satisfaction.
Tenten, however, was lying back lazily, flicking stones at the insects on the ground, clearly bored.
Hyuga Neji, on the other hand, kept his white eyes locked onto Tian Yu.
His Byakugan saw everything—and what he saw made his brows knit tighter.
Tian Yu was calmly handling Lee's attacks like it was nothing.
Neji frowned.
If it were me… I couldn't deflect Lee's barrage that easily.
The mock battle continued, steady and heated.
Suddenly, Hyuga Neji stepped forward and spoke in his usual cold tone:
"Tian Yu… I'd like to challenge you too. Will you spar with me?"
In that moment, Tian Yu raised a hand and casually deflected Lee's spinning kick again before glancing toward Neji.
"Of course," he replied, "but wait until I'm finished guiding Lee."
Though Tian Yu didn't know Neji well, he had met him before—Neji had visited his home along with Guy-sensei, Lee, and Tenten. That made them acquaintances at least, and Tian Yu wasn't one to refuse a formal request.
But priorities had to be observed.
Lee had approached first, and he was someone Tian Yu respected—someone whose determination mirrored his own. He wanted to guide Lee with earnest advice.
As for Neji... he wouldn't be careless, but there would be less heart in it.
The sun dipped lower.
Darkness began to fall.
Time was running short.
If Neji still wanted a match, they'd have to keep it brief.
Tian Yu had also planned to invite Might Guy and the rest for a simple meal afterward.
They had come specifically to see him—Lee and Guy-sensei had always treated him warmly. Naturally, he would show his hospitality in return. That was proper etiquette between friends, mentors, and comrades!
"Lee, it's getting late," Tian Yu said, shifting slightly into a different stance, "Show me your real strength now."
"Yes, Big Brother Tian Yu!" Lee responded with enthusiasm.
The next moment, Lee stepped back several meters and began removing the heavy weights strapped to his legs.
Thud!
BOOM!
The moment they hit the forest floor, the ground trembled, and dust exploded upward like a smoke bomb.
"This…"
Even Neji was stunned.
"Lee's been carrying that kind of weight the entire time?!"
His jaw dropped in disbelief.
This… this is the same guy I thought was just a dropout?
"Big Brother Tian Yu, be careful!" Lee grinned, his eyes blazing with passion.
He vanished.
Swoosh—
Lee's speed shot up, now nearly on par with a kunai thrown at full force!
To the left—
To the right—
Then again from behind—
Even with his Byakugan, Neji could barely keep up with Lee's afterimages.
"So fast…"
Sweat dripped from Neji's temple.
If I were to fight Lee now, even if I used Rotation… I'd get overwhelmed. His attack frequency is too high—Rotation can block once, but not twice… not ten times!
Neji clenched his fists.
He was once the top student of the academy…
And yet now, he couldn't even say with confidence that he could defeat Rock Lee, the so-called "eternal dropout."
The shame was suffocating.
But what truly shook Neji…
Was Tian Yu.
Even after Lee unleashed this terrifying speed—Tian Yu still hadn't moved from his spot.
He remained rooted in place, calmly deflecting every one of Lee's attacks!
How… strong is he!?
"Not bad," Tian Yu complimented, finally speaking up amidst the clash.
"You've kept up your attack frequency while maintaining consistent speed. Impressive stamina."
Then Tian Yu added, "Lee, I think it's time you increased your training weights."
"Yes, Brother Tian Yu!"
Lee came to a halt, breathing a bit heavier, but still energetic.
"Oh, right," Tian Yu said, casually, "Guy-sensei taught you the Eight Gates, right?"
Lee nodded firmly.
"Have you opened any of the gates yet?"
"I have!" Lee replied. "I can barely open up to the Fourth Gate now."
"Then show me the Second Gate," Tian Yu said.
"Eh?"
Lee hesitated. "I was… saving that for Neji…"
Hyuga Neji: ???
He still has more up his sleeve?!
I already can't handle Lee without his weights… and now he's saying he was saving this for me?
Neji was close to exploding.
"Hahaha! It's fine, Lee!" Might Guy chimed in cheerfully. "Show Tian Yu! Use it without worry!"
Lee nodded with resolve.
"Brother Tian Yu, watch closely!"
"Eight Gates Release Formation—Open!"
"Gate of Opening: Open!"
"Gate of Healing: Open!"
An intense burst of chakra exploded from Lee's body, kicking up another wave of wind and dust.
His speed surged again—an entirely new level.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
His fists and feet were a blur. Neji couldn't even see Lee clearly anymore!
Now even Tian Yu had to adjust.
Lee wasn't holding back.
He finally had to take things seriously.
Tian Yu's eyes sharpened. He stopped standing still and began shifting his center of gravity, adjusting to Lee's new pressure.
Still, he moved with precision and grace, calmly responding to every strike.
After watching Lee's body endure the pressure without backlash, Tian Yu gave another instruction:
"Open the third gate."
"Yes, Brother Tian Yu!"
"Gate of Life: Open!"
Chakra flared like fire.
Lee's speed increased again. Neji could barely catch fleeting glimpses of his movement now.
At this level…
Even Tian Yu had to step back slightly and adjust his defense.
He could no longer deflect everything without moving at all.
Lee's pure taijutsu, driven by his unshakable spirit and powerful Eight Gates, was truly something to behold.
But Tian Yu—
He still hadn't used even one jutsu.
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