Vow

Naruto gradually settled down, his emotions ebbing away as he processed what Neji had done to Hinata. His initial anger and frustration slowly transformed into determination and resolve. Giving Neji one last intense death stare, Naruto made a conscious decision to let go of his anger and walked away, refusing to be consumed by negativity.

As Naruto moved forward, his footsteps echoing in his mind, Neji couldn't resist the urge to make one final snide remark. "You may as well accept who you are. Once a failure, always a failure," Neji taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. His words pierced Naruto's heart, but he refused to let them break his spirit. Clenching his fists, Naruto felt a surge of determination flowing through his veins. He knew deep down that he had been a failure in the past, but he was no longer defined by his past mistakes. He was determined to rise above them and prove himself.

His mind focused on his ultimate goal of becoming the Hokage, Naruto vowed to become stronger, no matter the cost. The image of Neji's smug face fueled his inner fire. He knew that before he could attain his dream, he had to defeat Neji in battle, to prove to himself and others that he was capable of surpassing even the most formidable opponents. As Naruto's anger intensified, his eyes turned a fiery shade of red, a glimpse of the immense power of the Nine-Tails chakra leaking through.

Clenching his trembling hands over the handrails, Naruto struggled to contain the overwhelming power pulsating through his body. Even as the rails buckled under his grip, he managed to rein in his strength, refusing to let it consume him. He knew that real strength came from discipline and control, not from reckless outbursts.

Meanwhile, from a distance, Kankuro couldn't help but be intrigued by Neji's actions. While Naruto had certainly made an impressive showing, his presence didn't linger in Kankuro's mind. After all, when they had first met last week, Kankuro hadn't seen Naruto as a formidable threat. However, Neji's enigmatic nature puzzled him. In Kankuro's mind, it seemed as though Neji hadn't even been harmed by the encounter. He suspected that Neji possessed hidden reserves of strength and resilience, making him a formidable opponent.

Recognizing the need to strategize and plan ahead, Kankuro's mind shifted gears. He knew that to face opponents like Neji, he couldn't rely solely on his initial impressions. He needed to dig deeper, to explore the depths of his own abilities and formulate a plan of action. The final rounds awaited, and Kankuro was determined to rise to the challenge, prepared to face whatever obstacles lay ahead. As he delved into the intricacies of his own strategies, he couldn't help but wonder about the true extent of Neji's power, knowing that underestimating him would be a grave mistake.

He glanced over to the opposite stands, his eyes scanning the crowd. Among the spectators, he spotted Naruto making his way up the stairs. Kankuro couldn't help but form a judgmental opinion of Naruto, considering him to be a bit of an idiot. However, he also recognized the potential value of gathering intelligence from someone like Naruto, who seemed oblivious to the complexities of the situation.

Without hesitation, Kankuro decided to approach Naruto, stepping forward and calling out to him. "Hey!" he called, but Naruto remained engrossed in his own inner turmoil, still struggling to contain the boiling rage that consumed him. Perplexed by Naruto's lack of response, Kankuro closed the distance between them, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder to get his attention.

Naruto, feeling the touch on his shoulder, was momentarily startled. His heightened state of anger had dulled his senses, making it difficult for him to perceive his surroundings clearly. His head turned towards Kankuro, his eyes reflecting the intensity of his emotions. The slit pupils and the red irises emitted an aura of pure rage, which seemed to pierce through Kankuro's very being. Overwhelmed by the intense gaze, Kankuro took a step back, his body trembling involuntarily.

Finally snapping out of his rage-induced haze, Naruto's eyes blinked, reverting back to their usual blue colour. As the fog cleared from his mind, he registered the presence of the person in front of him and realised that Kankuro was not the one he wanted to crush. Naruto's expression softened as he took in Kankuro's features. "Hey, you're one of those Sand ninja, right?" Naruto said, struggling to recall the name. "Ummm, Kankuro?"

Kankuro, still trying to shake off the unsettling feeling caused by Naruto's intense gaze, looked at him with a baffled expression. Had he imagined the piercing rage he had sensed moments ago? He studied Naruto's face, noticing that he had changed since their last encounter. Yet, despite the transformation, there was still an air of innocence about him. Kankuro questioned his own perception, wondering if he had been seeing things or if there was more to Naruto than met the eye.

"Well, you see, I wanted to ask you about that Neji Hyuga guy," Kankuro began, his curiosity getting the better of him. However, as soon as the words left his mouth, Naruto's fists clenched instinctively, a visible struggle evident on his face as he fought to keep his anger from boiling over. Neji was no ally in Naruto's eyes, not after the way he had treated Hinata. To Naruto, anyone who acted in such a callous manner couldn't be trusted or considered an ally.

Naruto took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure, knowing that he couldn't let his anger cloud his judgement. He realised that withholding information wouldn't serve any purpose either, especially when Kankuro sought answers. "Sorry," Naruto finally responded, the words punctuated by a hint of frustration. "You could probably tell I don't get along with him."

Kankuro understood Naruto's hesitation and frustration, recognizing that their relationship was far from amicable. However, he remained focused on his objective, needing the information Naruto possessed. Despite his reservations about Naruto, he acknowledged that the blonde ninja seemed to be a better person than he had initially assumed.

Naruto turned his attention towards Kankuro and spoke, the anger in his voice replaced with a cautious tone. "I can't tell you a lot about him," Naruto began, his voice laced with a sense of reluctance. "But from what I do know, he specialises in attacking people's internal organs. I've been told he is considered the strongest genin in the Leaf Village." Naruto chose to withhold specific details about the Byakugan, knowing that it was something Hinata possessed and he wanted to respect her privacy.

Kankuro couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise and frustration as he looked at Naruto. The blonde ninja's actions reaffirmed his initial impression that Naruto could be quite foolish at times. Naruto had essentially given away the entire fighting style of a fellow Leaf ninja without hesitation. Kankuro silently noted that such reckless behaviour could be a serious liability in battle. Before he could respond to Naruto, a raspy voice echoed through the room, drawing their attention.

It was Hayate, the Jounin overseeing the exam, who spoke up, signalling the beginning of the next bout. The attention of the spectators turned towards the large screen above, which displayed the names of the next match. "Will Rock Lee and Gaara please come down to the arena," Hayate announced, his voice carrying a sense of anticipation.

As Hayate's words hung in the air, Gaara materialised in a swirl of sand, his presence emanating an intense aura of bloodlust. His eyes locked onto Lee with a chilling determination. Gaara seemed eager for the upcoming battle, the thirst for violence evident in his gaze.

Sakura, watching from the stands, couldn't help but feel a wave of concern wash over her. Her gaze fixed on Gaara, her eyes filled with worry for Lee. She couldn't shake off the bad feeling that settled within her. The massive gourd strapped to Gaara's back intrigued her, its purpose and contents shrouded in mystery. She was well aware of Lee's strength, but facing an opponent like Gaara, she couldn't help but question if he would be okay.

Meanwhile, Lee, unaffected by the apprehension of those around him, jumped down from the viewing stands with unwavering determination etched across his face. His eyes gleamed with an unyielding resolve, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the arena.

The atmosphere inside the arena crackled with anticipation as Rock Lee stood face to face with Gaara, the enigmatic and intimidating opponent whose power remained largely unknown. The crowd held their breath, their eyes fixed on the unfolding battle.

With each lightning-fast strike, Rock Lee's fists collided with Gaara's impenetrable wall of sand. The spectators watched in awe as the sand effortlessly deflected Lee's attacks, forming an impenetrable shield around Gaara. The sheer display of Gaara's impenetrable defence left the audience astounded, their minds struggling to comprehend the extent of his power.

Amidst the murmurs that spread throughout the crowd, Sakura couldn't help but voice her concerns to Lee's mentor, Guy-sensei. Her voice laced with worry, she questioned the wisdom of Lee's relentless use of taijutsu. "Why is Lee only using taijutsu? It's clearly ineffective and painful against that wall of sand. He needs to utilise ninjutsu and attack from a distance," Sakura suggested, hoping that Guy-sensei would offer some guidance.

Many others among the spectators echoed Sakura's sentiments, expressing their doubts about Rock Lee's approach. They couldn't fathom how he could overcome Gaara's impenetrable defence with his relentless taijutsu alone. Doubt filled the air as onlookers questioned the viability of Rock Lee's strategy, convinced that victory in this battle was an unattainable dream for the taijutsu specialist.

The stakes of the match soared even higher when Guy-sensei shed light on Rock Lee's limitations. He spoke up, his voice projecting authority and knowledge. "Lee can use neither ninjutsu nor genjutsu, leaving him with just his taijutsu to rely on," Guy-sensei explained, revealing the truth that set Rock Lee apart from other shinobi. The realisation settled in the minds of the spectators—Rock Lee was stripped of the powerful tools of ninjutsu and genjutsu, relying solely on his mastery of taijutsu. The odds seemed insurmountable as they contemplated the daunting challenge that lay before Rock Lee in his battle against Gaara and his formidable sand-based jutsu.

In the midst of the seemingly bleak and desperate situation, a decisive moment unfolded. Rock Lee, sensing the need to reassess his approach, gracefully leaped backward, creating distance between himself and Gaara. The tension in the air heightened as everyone held their breath, awaiting the next move.

It was then that Guy-sensei's authoritative voice boomed throughout the arena, breaking the silence. "Alright, Lee! Take them off!" Guy-sensei's face beamed with confidence as he gave Rock Lee a thumbs-up, a proud smile adorning his features.

Rock Lee's expression reflected a mix of hesitation and determination. He grappled with the conflict of his principles, recalling the lessons imparted to him by his esteemed mentor. "But, Guy-sensei, you said that I should never do that unless I was defending the lives of people who are precious to me!" Rock Lee saluted his sensei, his face displaying a serious yet surprised demeanour.

Guy-sensei reassured his dedicated student, his voice filled with conviction. "That's right, I did say that. But I'll allow it this time," he declared, recognizing the critical nature of the battle at hand. The weight of his words resonated with Rock Lee, prompting him to make a resolute decision. With unwavering determination, he resolved to remove the weights that had been hindering him.

Seated on the pillar, Rock Lee began to unfasten his leg warmers, revealing the hidden weights attached to his legs. As the weights slipped off, a palpable sense of anticipation enveloped the arena. Taking a deep breath, Rock Lee exclaimed with newfound confidence, "I feel much better now. With these weights gone, I can move freely!" The discarded weights crashed to the ground with a resounding boom, stirring up a cloud of dust that billowed upwards, reaching the pinnacle of the twenty-metre pillar.

The reactions of the spectators mirrored the impact of the fallen weights. The genin gasped in awe and realisation, fully comprehending the significance of Rock Lee's action. Kakashi, with a mix of exasperation and amusement, couldn't help but face-palm, deeming Guy-sensei's theatrics as a bit excessive. In contrast, Gaara remained unfazed, his expression unchanged, as if convinced of Rock Lee's inherent weakness compared to his own overwhelming power. The weight removal signalled a turning point in the battle, a shift in the dynamics that left the audience captivated by the unfolding spectacle.

The clash between Rock Lee and Gaara intensified, each moment filled with an electric energy. As Rock Lee's unrestrained speed and strength came to the forefront, it became increasingly evident that he was a force to be reckoned with. His movements were a blur of precision and agility, his punches and kicks landing with astounding accuracy.

With each passing moment, Rock Lee's attacks grew swifter, closing the gap between himself and Gaara. The spectators watched in awe as his strikes inched closer to connecting with their intended target. Gaara, taken aback by this unexpected challenge, felt a surge of unease ripple through him. His eyes widened, realising that he had underestimated Rock Lee's true capabilities.

In a burst of speed that caught Gaara off guard, Rock Lee appeared beside him, startling him into whipping his head to the side. Seizing the opportunity, Rock Lee leaped into the air, executing a powerful axe kick that surpassed even Gaara's formidable sand shield.

The gasps of surprise resonated throughout the arena, echoing from the genin representing all the villages. The sand ninja, in particular, were left astounded that someone had not only managed to breach Gaara's impenetrable defence but also make physical contact with him. It was a testament to Rock Lee's incredible speed and skill, leaving everyone in awe of his abilities.

Naruto, observing the intense battle from above, wore a serious expression on his face. As he watched Rock Lee's remarkable display of growth and prowess, Naruto couldn't help but ponder his own strength in comparison. He acknowledged the rapid progress he had made since the forest of death, yet he knew that he still had a long way to go. Naruto recognized that while he may possess a similar level of speed to Rock Lee, he lacked the refined techniques and skills that his fellow shinobi demonstrated. It was a moment of realisation for Naruto, a mental note made to himself that despite his aversion to learning technique, he understood its necessity in his journey to become stronger.