Sasuke Uchiha vs Choji Akimichi
Following my victory, it was time for the next match: Sasuke versus Choji. The two took their places in the arena, each adopting their respective fighting stances. Sasuke's eyes were sharp and focused, his Sharingan faintly glimmering as he prepared to anticipate Choji's movements. Opposite him, Choji cracked his knuckles, his expression a mix of determination and hesitation, knowing that he was up against a tough opponent.
Hayate Gekko raised his hand and, through another coughing fit, managed to announce, "Begin!"
As soon as the signal was given, the air grew tense, with both fighters ready to launch into action.
As soon as Gekko signaled the start, Sasuke and Choji sprang into action. Choji immediately activated his Partial Expansion Jutsu, enlarging his arms to throw a powerful punch towards Sasuke. However, Sasuke swiftly evaded, his Sharingan activated, allowing him to anticipate Choji's movements with ease.
Sasuke responded with a burst of speed, closing the gap and delivering a spinning kick aimed at Choji's side. The larger boy blocked it with his expanded arm, but the force still pushed him back a few steps. Choji gritted his teeth, "You're pretty fast, Sasuke, but I'm not backing down!"
He quickly transformed into a Human Boulder, rolling rapidly towards Sasuke. Sasuke jumped high into the air, dodging Choji's attack, and performed a quick series of hand seals. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" he shouted, releasing multiple small fireballs towards Choji's rolling form.
The fireballs struck Choji, forcing him to cancel his jutsu and revert to his normal size, slightly singed but still determined. Sasuke landed gracefully, his Sharingan still active and watching Choji's every move. It was clear that he was conserving his strength, waiting for an opening to finish the match.
The clash began with a burst of energy, as Choji activated his Partial Expansion Jutsu, his arms swelling to massive proportions as he swung at Sasuke, attempting to crush him with the sheer force of his strikes. However, Sasuke's agility was remarkable—each time Choji's enormous fists came down, Sasuke evaded effortlessly, darting just out of range.
Realizing that evasion alone wouldn't be enough to end the fight, Sasuke drew his katana, its blade gleaming in the light. Channeling his lightning chakra through the weapon, it crackled with energy as he prepared to strike. With a swift dash, he closed the distance between them, aiming to use the Lightning Style to momentarily stun Choji, creating an opening to finish the battle.
The next few moments would determine whether Choji's sheer power could overwhelm Sasuke's speed and strategy, or if Sasuke would be able to capitalize on his advantage and bring the match to an end.
However, Choji wasn't about to let Sasuke get the upper hand so easily. With a burst of chakra, he expanded his entire body into a massive, boulder-like form and began rolling rapidly toward Sasuke, launching his Human Boulder Jutsu. The ground trembled as he barreled forward, aiming to crush Sasuke with his sheer mass and momentum.
Sasuke, not one to back down, gripped his lightning-infused katana and met the attack head-on, the blade crackling with electricity as he braced himself. The impact was intense, the force of the collision echoing throughout the arena as the two struggled to overpower each other. For a moment, it seemed like a stalemate, but Sasuke's speed and precision gave him the slight edge he needed.
With a powerful push, he redirected Choji's momentum, sending him crashing toward the wall. The impact was enough to knock Choji unconscious, his enormous form shrinking back to normal.
Hayate Gekko raised his hand and declared, "The winner is Sasuke."
Rock Lee vs Yoroi Akadō
With half of the day's matches concluded, there were still five more to go. Up in the stands, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, watched the battles with a pleased expression. The display of skill, determination, and growth from the young genin had exceeded his expectations.
"This year's participants are truly exceptional," Hiruzen remarked, his tone filled with pride and optimism.
The nearby Jonin, observing alongside him, nodded in agreement. It was evident that this generation showed great promise.
Meanwhile, down in the arena, Hayate Gekko cleared his throat and announced, "Next match: Rock Lee versus Yoroi."
The two competitors stepped forward, each taking their position. Lee's eyes burned with youthful determination, while Yoroi adjusted his gloves, a calculating look on his face as they prepared for the upcoming clash.
The two fighters stood facing each other, each in their respective fighting stances, ready for the challenge ahead.
"Begin!" Hayate Gekko called out.
Without hesitation, Rock Lee burst forward with blinding speed, closing the distance between himself and Yoroi in an instant. He launched into a flurry of close-quarter strikes, his fists and feet moving in a blur as he pressed the offensive. Yoroi, however, was quick to react, skillfully blocking and parrying Lee's rapid attacks.
It quickly became evident that both were skilled taijutsu users, each testing the other's strength and reflexes as they traded blows. Lee's relentless aggression was met with Yoroi's precise defenses, as the clash intensified with every passing moment.
As the battle continued, Rock Lee began to notice a strange decline in the impact of his punches and kicks. His strikes, which usually landed with great force, were starting to feel weaker. At first, he shrugged it off, attributing it to fatigue, but soon, it became evident that something was seriously wrong. His strength seemed to be draining away with every exchange.
Yoroi smirked, sensing Lee's confusion. "My technique allows me to absorb your physical and spiritual energy, converting it into my own power," he explained, his voice calm and confident. "In other words, your chakra and stamina are fueling me."
The spectators gasped at the revelation. It was a rare and unsettling ability, one that could turn a fight on its head in an instant. Even the experienced Jonin watching couldn't help but be taken aback by the nature of such a technique. Who would have thought that a jutsu like this existed, one that could sap an opponent's vitality and turn it against them?
Lee found himself in a dire predicament. As a taijutsu specialist, he relied on his physical abilities more than anything else. But against an opponent who could drain his strength with each clash, he was facing one of the most challenging adversaries imaginable. It was a battle not just of fists and feet, but of endurance and strategy, where every move could cost him the power he needed to stay in the fight.
As the situation grew increasingly desperate for Lee, his sensei, Might Guy, called out from the sidelines. "Lee, you can remove your weights."
Lee hesitated. "But Sensei, you said I should only take them off if a friend was in danger," he countered, looking conflicted.
"I know what I said, Lee," Guy replied with a serious expression. "But right now, you need to show your guts!"
With his sensei's approval, Lee sat down and began to unfasten the weights strapped to his legs. The spectators watched with skepticism, some even whispering among themselves.
Temari scoffed. "What difference will a few pounds make?" she said dismissively.
Standing beside her, I couldn't help but smirk. "A few pounds, huh?" I replied, my tone teasing as I waited for the reveal.
As soon as the weights hit the ground, the sheer impact cracked the floor, sending a shockwave through the arena. Temari's eyes widened in disbelief, and a collective gasp arose from the crowd.
"I told you," I said, grinning at her reaction. "Just a few pounds, right?"
Even the Jonin were taken aback, with Kakashi glancing over at Guy. "What were you thinking, training your students like this?" he mumbled, half-amused and half-bewildered.
With the weights off, Lee's speed and strength surged to an entirely new level. He became a blur, moving so fast that Yoroi struggled to keep up. In an instant, Lee closed the distance and launched a powerful kick, sending Yoroi hurtling across the arena and crashing into the wall. Yoroi slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Winner: Rock Lee!" Gekko declared.
Lee quickly picked up his discarded weights and ran over to celebrate with Guy, who welcomed him with open arms and a proud smile.