Chapter 30: Neji, This Was Originally Prepared for Itachi

Rojie saw his name appear on the large screen.

He nodded to Kurenai and Yamato.

Then Rojie leapt forward and landed steadily on the arena floor.

Both Kurenai and Yamato trusted Rojie’s strength.

To them, Rojie winning this preliminary match was child’s play.

On the other side, Neji Hyuga stared grimly at Rock Lee beside him and said.

“That man is the one who caused terrible destruction in the Death Forest.”

“Even I have little chance against him.”

“Lee, your strength cannot handle him.”

Upon hearing this, Rock Lee’s eyes blazed with fierce determination.

He shouted with passionate fervor: “That man is a genius even Neji respects?”

“So what if he’s a genius!”

“Even if I lack talent, I’ll surpass geniuses through effort!”

“This is my goal, this is my ninja way!”

Might Guy, hearing this, looked on with deep pride.

He raised his thumb high and shouted: “Itachi’re my most beloved subordinate!”

“Go, Lee!”

“Yes, Master Guy!”

Rock Lee responded, leapt with all his strength, landed on the arena floor opposite Rojie, and immediately assumed a starting stance.

His gaze locked tightly onto Rojie.

At that moment, Gekko Hayate slashed his palm through the air.

“The match begins.”

In an instant, Rock Lee shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, moving at astonishing speed—far exceeding all other genin competing in the Chunin Exams.

His figure blurred into a streak of afterimage as he lunged at Rojie with ferocious speed.

But in the next moment, Rojie merely lifted his hand lightly, his motion casual yet perfectly precise as he blocked Lee’s fierce strike.

Rock Lee’s heart jolted, his pupils shrinking instantly.

He never imagined Rojie’s physical conditioning could be so formidable—equal to his own.

No, it could even be said to far surpass his own.

Shocked, Lee did not slacken for a second; he swiftly retreated backward, trying to create distance and find an opening in Rojie’s defense.

Then he launched another assault, unleashing a full combo of punches.

But to his dismay, every strike was effortlessly blocked by Rojie.

Rock Lee silently marveled.

What exquisite taijutsu! What an incredibly hardened body!

Mastery of taijutsu and refinement of the body admit no shortcuts—only relentless daily training.

He never expected that this genius Neji respected would have endured such grueling effort, just like himself.

I acknowledge your effort!

At this moment, Rock Lee’s fighting spirit ignited fully, his youth burning even hotter.

If Rojie knew his thoughts, he would only say:

That’s right—I train this hard!

Kids, do Itachi know what Konoha looks like at four in the morning?

After another attack was effortlessly deflected by Rojie, Rock Lee leapt backward and landed atop a statue at the arena’s edge.

He looked up at Might Guy in the stands and shouted: “Master Guy, I want to use that technique!”

Might Guy raised his thumb without hesitation, eyes filled with encouragement, and roared back: “Approved, Lee!”

“Release your youth!”

Rock Lee swiftly unfastened two weighted bands engraved with the characters “Willpower” from his shins.

Throughout the process, Rojie stood motionless, offering no resistance.

He wanted to witness this burning passion of youth.

No—he meant the power of the Eight Gates.

The spectators in the stands, seeing Lee remove his weighted bands, frowned in confusion.

What century is this, still using weights?

This Lee is weak.

Yet the next second, two thunderous crashes echoed—and everyone froze.

The moment the two weighted bands hit the ground, they shattered the arena’s hard floor.

Stone fragments flew everywhere.

Every eye widened in disbelief.

The Sand Village’s top beauty, who had been admiring Konoha’s handsome ninja, blinked in confusion.

What kind of monsters are Konoha’s ninja?

While the crowd was still stunned, a green afterimage shot toward Rojie like lightning.

The speed was beyond imagination—most genin’s dynamic vision simply failed.

They could not track Rock Lee’s movement at all.

Are we all this weak?

In stark contrast, Rojie moved with the same casual ease.

His motions were slow—everyone could clearly see every movement.

The contrast between speed and slowness was jarringly odd.

Yet Rojie, with these seemingly slow movements, perfectly intercepted Lee’s lightning-fast kick.

As if everything unfolded exactly as Rojie had foreseen, without the slightest deviation.

I will guard everything!

“Open the Gate, open!”

Rock Lee suddenly roared, his aura surging violently, his speed becoming even more terrifying.

He unleashed Shadow Leaf Dance, his body moving like a phantom as he lunged to kick Rojie away.

But Rojie merely delivered a single, unhurried Earth Fist.

A simple punch—but infused with the power of six worlds.

He easily blocked Lee’s attack.

After all, my five other selves have been carrying the weight for me!

Rock Lee leapt backward rapidly, creating distance from Rojie.

He had planned to use the Reverse Lotus.

But now he couldn’t even properly begin the Shadow Leaf Dance—how could he possibly execute the Reverse Lotus?

“Gate of Rest, open!”

“Gate of Life, open!”

Rock Lee gritted his teeth and opened two more gates.

Green energy gradually emerged on his body, his aura rising continuously, like a volcano about to erupt.

If strength is lacking, let youth make up the difference!

“Gate of Injury, open!”

With this roar, Rock Lee’s aura surged again; his body began to sustain damage, and violent airwaves rippled around him.

Yamato, watching from the stands, showed a look of shock.

This is far too reckless.

Kurenai and Ino Yamanaka grew increasingly worried.

But Might Guy shouted loudly: “Effort never betrays a person.”

“Lee, burn your youth!”

With Guy’s encouragement, Rock Lee’s fighting spirit reached its peak.

Neji, this was meant for Itachi.

Rock Lee thought.

Neji Hyuga’s veins bulged; he activated his Byakugan, staring in shock at Lee.

Lee, is this the trump card Itachi prepared for me?

I treat Itachi as a teammate, and Itachi want to kill me?

Rock Lee roared: “Gate of Closure, open!”

Instantly, his entire body turned crimson; his skin tore open, blood seeping from the wounds.

But he ignored his pain and charged at Rojie with full force.

Seeing this, Rojie finally took him seriously.

I can’t let Itachi go on like this!

Rock Lee, your strength is truly incredible!

Luo Jie glared coldly and instantly activated his terrifying visage.

The next moment, Rock Lee’s speed plummeted, nearly coming to a stop.

Then, Luo Jie’s hands glowed with a faint green light as he unleashed the Dragon Claws once more.

In a flash, he moved forward, meeting Rock Lee, and reached out to grab him.

Rock Lee was blasted backward, crashing heavily to the ground and rolling several times.

Several gruesome claw marks appeared on his green jumpsuit.

Rock Lee groaned in pain, forced out of the Eight Gates Release state, grievously wounded.

Luo Jie paid no mind.

Although Rock Lee’s injuries were severe,

compared to the original timeline, the situation was vastly better.

A few days of rest and he’d be hopping around again.

He wouldn’t be banned!

Why don’t Itachi thank Master Luo right now!

Gekko Hayate, seeing this, stepped forward and announced loudly: “The match is over—Luo Jie wins!”

With this declaration, the entire arena fell silent.

Everyone was stunned by the spectacular battle.

On the spectator stands, a Sound Village jonin fixed his gaze on Luo Jie, slowly licking his lips, eyes gleaming with excitement.

It’s definitely natural energy.

But he didn’t enter Sage Mode.

An interesting little brat.

(End of Chapter)