Chapter 72: Storm Release Judgment, Ultimate Technique vs. Ultimate Technique

Chapter 72: Storm Release Judgment, Ultimate Technique vs. Ultimate Technique

"What's with that thick-browed kid?"

"So…so powerful! What technique is this?!"

All the genin candidates stared in shock at Rock Lee, his body radiating green energy while blue chakra flames roared around him. The air itself warped and shimmered, his hair standing on end as if charged with electricity.

Neji Hyuga and Sasuke Uchiha, their Byakugan and Sharingan activated, had their eyes trembling with shock, their hearts pounding with awe.

They never imagined Rock Lee could reach such strength.

Even the jonin watching felt their breath catch, sensing lethal danger radiating from Rock Lee.

"Eight Gates Formation… That brat actually mastered this forbidden technique?"

Orochimaru, disguised as a Sound Ninja, regarded Rock Lee with newfound seriousness, his mind racing. This generation of Hidden Leaf truly brims with prodigies!

Like the Flying Thunder God Technique, the Eight Gates Formation was legendary across the ninja world. While most jonin needed at least two nature transformations to become specialists, Might Guy had become a top-tier combatant using taijutsu alone—the world-renowned Taijutsu Master. His secret? The Eight Gates Formation.

Mastering this technique required a body honed to withstand chakra so violent it could rupture meridians. Orochimaru had never seen anyone under thirteen open even three gates.

But soon, he realized he'd underestimated this boy.

Rock Lee, his aura growing fiercer, clenched his fist and roared, "Eight Gates Formation—Fourth Gate: Gate of Injury… Open!"

A shockwave exploded through the chamber as his green energy flared brighter.

"He's entered the danger zone?!"

Orochimaru and Kakashi exchanged glances. The Fourth Gate marked the true beginning of the Eight Gates Formation.

Even the Third Hokage set down his pipe, watching Izayoi's expression tighten. If Izayoi seemed fearful, he'd call an end to the match. The Eight Gates Formation was an unfair advantage—its power came at a terrible cost.

Rock Lee, now adapted to the Fourth Gate, crouched into a sprinter's stance. Everyone leaned forward, Izayoi locking onto him with Kagura Shingan.

Crack—Boom!

The floor shattered, followed by a deafening explosion.

Rock Lee vanished.

Unlike his earlier speed—fast enough to leave only afterimages—this time he'd shattered the floor with sheer force, erupting in a storm of dust and wind like a tornado.

"Lightning-fast!" Izayoi thought, impressed. Though Kagura Shingan tracked his movement, matching Rock Lee's speed with Lightning Release Chakra Mode was impossible.

If the First Gate amplified Rock Lee's power to 100%, the Fourth Gate pushed it past 200%. His strength and speed now eclipsed Izayoi's.

Izayoi raised his hand, unleashing a gale that scattered the dust—but Rock Lee had already reappeared behind him.

Crackling electricity filled the air as Rock Lee leaned forward, creating a sonic boom between them.

Boom!

The shockwave struck Izayoi, but his body dissolved into white smoke, leaving a log behind.

Substitution Jutsu!

Looking up, Orochimaru saw Izayoi's true form suspended from the ceiling, surrounded by swirling winds.

"Got him!" Might Guy, his hands in a praying gesture moments ago, threw his fist in the air.

He'd feared a drawn-out battle—Rock Lee's body, still developing, couldn't sustain the Eight Gates' strain. But now Izayoi had leapt into the air, practically offering himself as a target.

Rock Lee confirmed Izayoi's position, then bent his knees, biting his lip. "Eight Gates Formation—Fifth Gate: Gate of Death… Open!"

The shockwave this time tore through the entire hall and second floor, shattering the floor and blinding weaker-natured shinobi.

Only the strongest could witness this clash. Kakashi and other Hidden Leaf jonin tensed, ready to rescue Izayoi if needed.

But then, even the Hokage's expression darkened.

Izayoi raised his palm downward, a blue vortex forming in his hand. More spirals erupted, fusing into a massive blue-white sphere.

"Rasengan?!"

"How can this kid know the Fourth Hokage's technique?!"

"No… this isn't Rasengan!"

The jonin realized the sphere kept growing, surpassing a man's head in size. Inside, two smaller orbs formed—one white, one blue.

The Third Hokage, Orochimaru, and Kakashi stiffened.

Rasengan was an A-rank shape transformation technique. Adding nature transformation turned it into Chidori—a Lightning Release S-rank jutsu. But Izayoi had fused two nature transformations.

What power could that unleash?

Boom!

The sonic boom cleared the dust. Rock Lee, cloaked in green energy, rocketed toward the ceiling, his feet flickering as he ran on air.

Izayoi closed his eyes, Kagura Shingan pinpointing Rock Lee's position. The twin orbs in his Super Hurricane Barrage spun wildly—one clockwise, one counterclockwise—before colliding.

The two natures fused, erupting into a blinding laser.

"Judgment!"

The laser beam erupted downward.

"Hidden Lotus!"

Rock Lee, moving fast enough to create afterimages, had no room to dodge. He redirected his prepared strike toward the beam, his glowing fist unleashing a shockwave that collided with the laser.

The ultimate clash—taijutsu against Storm Release—unfolded before the stunned crowd.

Neither technique belonged to a genin. Even most jonin couldn't match such power.

Before anyone could judge the outcome, Rock Lee's shockwave shattered, the laser engulfing him.

"Lee!!" Might Guy screamed.

Chidori!

Kakashi materialized, his lightning blade severing the beam mid-air, saving Rock Lee. Hayate Gekko flashed in, catching the unconscious boy before Body Flickering away.

The remaining beam struck the ground.

Booooom!

The Central Tower trembled. Candidates without chakra grip fell, clutching railings in shock as the beam carved a bottomless crater into the hall.

When the light faded, only a gaping abyss remained.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end