58: Hulk Smash In Rock Lee
["Sasuke-kun, where are we going now?"]
[Little Sakura stops and asks.]
[The three of them from the seventh squad had already ventured a certain distance into the Forest of Death, and the next step should be to collect the Earth scroll.]
[To do this, they would need to choose a team to attack.]
[Naruto also looks at Sasuke.]
[Although he often feels competitive with Sasuke, he admits that Sasuke is strong and has a good head on his shoulders. This kind of decision should be made by Sasuke.]
[Sasuke pondered for a moment, pinching his forehead in frustration.]
[He originally planned to find the three from Sunagakure, but how could he locate them? Kakashi-sensei doesn't know any large-scale reconnaissance ninjutsu either...]
[It would be great if Hinata or Ino were here; both of them can perform long-distance scouting.]
[And as for his own team!]
[He himself has mastered small-range reconnaissance ninjutsu, but for long-distance, Kakashi doesn't know any...]
[Those are usually Bloodline techniques or family secrets, like the Byakugan, Kagura Mind's Eye, the Yamanaka clan's sensory ninjutsu, and so on.]
[Thinking of Kagura's Mind's Eye, Sasuke looked slightly disappointed at Naruto's expression.]
[If it weren't for Naruto's huge Chakra reserves, Sasuke might have doubted if the "Uzumaki" surname was just for show!]
[Kagura's Mind's Eye is not possible, and neither are the Adamantine Sealing Chains!]
[Naruto only has Chakra!]
["What's with that expression?!"]
[Naruto asked, very dissatisfied.]
[He looked like Sasuke was despising him!]
[If Sasuke hadn't helped him yesterday, given Naruto's usual attitude, he would have been angry by now.]
[Sasuke looked at Naruto seriously and said: "I'm thinking about whether I should beat you half to death to see if it awakens any special ability!"]
---
Uzumaki Naruto: "What's Kagura's Mind's Eye? Is it like Sasuke's Sharingan?"
Senju Tobirama: "Your common sense is seriously lacking, brat... You're completely ignorant of the Uzumaki name."
Namikaze Minato: "...Kushina and I died when Naruto was born; no one taught him these things."
Orochimaru: "These are things he could learn just by reading a few books. Minato, your son doesn't resemble you at all, except in appearance."
Namikaze Minato: "..."
Uzumaki Kushina: "Ugh, what Sasuke said was so rude! Not every Uzumaki awakens special talents!"
---
[Suddenly.]
[Sasuke sensed a familiar feeling of being watched.]
[This sensation... It seemed like someone was observing him from afar using the Byakugan!]
[Sasuke, who had often sparred with Hinata, immediately recognized this feeling and guessed who was coming.]
["Heh, problem solved. A reconnaissance ninja has come right to our doorstep."]
[Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and waited leisurely for the visitor.]
[Soon.]
[Neji and the other two from Squad 3 appeared in front of them.]
["Uchiha Sasuke, I want a real fight with you!"]
[Rock Lee's eyes were filled with fiery determination!]
[This time, Sasuke wouldn't be able to rely on Little Sakura to deflect the challenge!]
["Oh, Little Sakura, your suitor is really persistent."]
[Sasuke glanced at Rock Lee, who was sneaking hopeful glances at Sakura, and shook his head.]
["I will always only have Sasuke-kun in my heart!"]
[Little Sakura said in a firm tone.]
[Crack!]
[There seemed to be the sound of a heart breaking.]
[Rock Lee's body trembled slightly, as if he had taken another emotional blow, but his determination to duel was unwavering!]
["Well, I guess it's only fair. People keep staring at my girlfriend; it wouldn't be right for me to ignore it."]
[Sasuke looked at Rock Lee, a smirk forming on his lips as a cold light flickered in his eyes.]
[Though your teacher and mine are close friends, we aren't close at all!]
["...Rock Lee, maybe you should let it go. I have a bad feeling you're in for some trouble."]
[The bun-haired girl beside him, Tenten, warned.]
["In the face of battle, there's no retreat! Burn, my youth!"]
[Rock Lee was unfazed and roared with excitement, his figure vanishing in an instant as he leapt toward Sasuke with a flying kick!]
[Smack!]
[Sasuke easily caught Rock Lee's ankle with one hand, feeling a slight weight in his palm, and praised:]
["As expected of Might Guy's student, the weights you wear are impressive for an ordinary Genin."]
[But…]
[He is no ordinary Genin.]
[Rock Lee, seeing one leg was caught, immediately swung his other leg to kick at Sasuke's head!]
[However!]
[Suddenly, he lost control of his body!]
[The scenery around him blurred as his head rapidly approached the ground!]
[Boom!]
[Sasuke, gripping Rock Lee's leg, swung him like a hammer and smashed him into the ground!]
["Pfft... cough, cough!"]
[Rock Lee gasped for breath, nearly knocked out!]
[Uchiha Sasuke, this guy is so strong!]
[He easily parried my kick and then used me as a weapon to swing around!]
[Keep in mind, with his own weight combined with the training weights, that's a lot of force!]
[Rock Lee struggled to regain his senses and tried to break free from Sasuke's grip, but he couldn't.]
[Sasuke's grip was like an iron clamp around his ankle!]
["Remember, don't keep staring at my girlfriend."]
[Sasuke's calm voice sounded.]
[Then he swung Rock Lee again, lifting him from the ground and slamming him in the opposite direction!]
[Over and over!]
[Rock Lee was swung around like a toy in Sasuke's hands, unable to resist, only able to protect his head…]
[Boom!]
[Boom!]
[Boom!]
[Humanoid craters were left on the ground!]
---
Rock Lee: "Damn it! There's no way to fight back!"
Hyuga Neji: "...It's almost like an adult bullying a child."
Tenten: "It looks worse than that. Rock Lee's being tossed around like a helpless little chick!"
Nara Shikamaru: "Always staring at someone else's girlfriend—it's no surprise Sasuke gave him a lesson. And Rock Lee might look miserable, but he didn't actually get hurt."
Uzumaki Naruto: "But! This kind of wrestling is just too humiliating!"
Little harm, but maximum humiliation!
Inuzuka Kiba: "Definitely a good idea not to mess with Sasuke. That guy holds grudges!"