Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 83

Blood still clung to the corners of his mouth, and his face was as pale as paper, clearly indicating that he had also suffered serious internal injuries.

However, his body and limbs were completely unharmed! And his eyes were bloodshot.

At this moment, a pure, icy killing intent burned within him, enough to incinerate everything!

"A...a substitution technique?!" Kai exclaimed in shock. "Under that speed and restraint...he could actually use sand to perform a substitution?!"

Kakashi said regretfully, "You closed your eyes while praying just now, and that's when he used his substitute."

"Damn it!" Naruto slammed his fist on the railing of the stands.

Sakura covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes: "Lee..."

In the Sunagakure stands, Kankuro and Temari breathed a sigh of relief, but then their hearts tightened again, because Gaara's eyes... were terrifying!

You...you're hurting me...

Gaara's voice was as if it came from the deepest hell, so cold that it carried no warmth whatsoever.

He slowly raised his right hand, aiming at the bottom of the pit, at the green figure that had almost lost the ability to move, yet was still stubbornly trying to stand up.

"Sand-bound coffin!"

The sand and soil around the pit instantly surged!

Like a giant, living python, it instantly coiled around Xiao Li's right arm and left leg!

“Ahhhhhh——!!!”

Xiao Li let out a heart-wrenching scream! It was the excruciating pain of his bones being crushed!

Click!Click!

The teeth-grinding, clear sound of bones cracking was amplified and carried clearly throughout the deathly silent hall!

It was like a heavy hammer slamming into everyone's eardrums and heart!

"stop!!!"

In the stands, Kai's eyes were bloodshot, and he roared furiously!

He could no longer bear it, and his body transformed into a green lightning bolt, instantly rushing down from the stands!

However, Gaara's killing intent was unwavering!

"Sand Waterfall Funeral!"

The sand that was wrapped around Xiao Li's severed limbs suddenly contracted and squeezed inward!

He wanted to grind this mortal who had brought him pain and humiliation, along with his flesh and bones, into dust!

At the critical moment!

A green figure, with a death wish and speed beyond its limits, appeared at the bottom of the pit as if by teleportation!

He is Li's teacher.

A powerful surge of chakra coalesced in his arm, shattering Gaara's sand with a single strike.

Kai's voice, like that of a wounded lion, was filled with anger and undeniable power: "He has lost!!"

Gaara's cold eyes were fixed on Guy, who was blocking his way, and Lee, who was covered in blood and had broken bones but was still struggling to stand up behind him.

That intense will to protect and indomitable fighting spirit were as dazzling as sunlight, making him feel extremely disgusted and irritated.

Gaara's voice was icy cold: "Those who stand in my way... die!"

The sand around him boiled again, clearly indicating he had no intention of stopping!

Just then, Moonlight Gale's figure appeared between the two of them.

Although his face was pale and he was coughing incessantly, his eyes were incredibly sharp: "Gaara of the Sands! The match is over! Stop your attack immediately! Otherwise, you will be disqualified!"

At the same time, several powerful auras locked onto Gaara from the high platform, including the Third Hokage's imposing gaze.

Although people may die during the process, the battle will stop immediately once a winner is determined.

Gaara's movements froze.

His cold gaze swept across the moonlight and the wind, across the high platform, and finally landed on the pair of green-clad master and apprentice.

Kai continued to protect Xiao Li fiercely, his eyes showing no sign of backing down.

Gaara finally lowered his hand slowly.

He didn't look at anyone else, turned around, and silently walked towards the Sunagakure stands, leaving a bloody sand mark with each step.

That silhouette was filled with loneliness, violence, and unfathomable darkness.

With the crisis averted, Kai's tense nerves relaxed.

However, the moment he turned around, Kai's eyes widened involuntarily.

He discovered that Xiao Li had already fainted from the intense pain, but his will to win kept him in a fighting stance.

Kai's voice choked with emotion; for the first time, hot tears welled up in this tough yet tender man's eyes. "You did a great job...you've proven everything...you are the pride of your teacher..."

Li, who was being held in Kai's arms, was already in a daze, and the excruciating pain overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

But he seemed to hear Teacher Kai's voice. His blood-stained face twitched slightly, as if he wanted to smile.

His body trembled and convulsed incessantly due to the excruciating pain and blood loss.

But his eyes, blurred by blood, remained stubbornly open, gazing towards the sky, until he completely lost consciousness and sank into deep darkness.

Even when he was unconscious, his back was not completely bent over, and the way he was held in Kai's arms still carried an indomitable stubbornness.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Everyone stared at the enormous crater below the field, which resembled a disaster site.

Looking at the green beast holding its beloved disciple, its eyes filled with tears.

Looking at that blue beast, whose spine remained straight even in its coma.

Looking at that chilling figure emanating from the Sand Village stands…

There was no cheering, no discussion.

There were only heavy breathing sounds, and the thick, pungent smell of blood and sweat that filled the air, along with an emotion called "shock".

A "mortal" without bloodline limits, family secret techniques, or even the ability to use ninjutsu and genjutsu.

With a physique honed through countless trials, a will that transcends limits, and forbidden techniques that burn with the power of life.

They launched the most tragic and heroic challenge against a "monster" favored by a tailed beast!

He almost succeeded!

He broke through that supposedly "absolute" defense!

He made that indifferent "monster" bleed!

He proved the weight of the word "hard work" to everyone through his actions!

Although he was ultimately defeated, severely injured, and may even lose his ability to be a ninja forever...

But he fought to the very last moment!

With his blood and broken bones, he wrote the most magnificent and awe-inspiring chapter of youth for the "genius of hard work"!

Moonlight Gale suppressed the metallic taste in his throat and the pounding in his heart.

Watching the medical team rush into the field, carefully taking the unconscious Xiao Li from Kai's hands, and lifting him onto a stretcher.

He looked at Xiao Li's clenched fist, still tightly clenched even in his unconscious state, and his twisted and deformed right arm and left leg. He took a deep breath, and with all his strength, loudly announced:

"The victor... Gaara of the Sands!"

The moment the announcement ended, someone in the stands was the first to applaud.

Pa…pa…pa…

Immediately afterwards, applause spread like wildfire!

From scattered sparks to convergence, they eventually transformed into a thunderous wave of reverence and emotion, resounding throughout the entire tower!

This applause is not for the victor.

Rather, it is dedicated to that person who fell in a pool of blood, whose life exemplified "effort" and "unyielding spirit"—

Rock Lee, the Beast of Konoha!

Chapter 95: The Second Chunin Exam Ends

Locke Lee's unyielding figure, even in its broken state, is like the most tragic totem, imprinted in the hearts of every spectator.

Cheers and exclamations seemed so out of place at this moment; only the tense footsteps of the medical team and the rustling of stretchers could be heard.

And Teacher Kai's low, rapid breathing, filled with suppressed grief, was exceptionally clear in the silent hall.

On the Sunagakure stands, the smiles on Kankuro and Temari's faces had vanished, replaced by solemnity and a hint of barely perceptible apprehension.

Gaara's power and cruelty sent chills down their spines.

Gaara himself stood at the edge of the terrifying pit he had created, the sand around him flowing slowly like restless venomous snakes.

He kept his head down, his long bangs obscuring his bloodshot eyes, which still held a hint of rage.

However, the chilling killing intent emanating from him, which almost froze the air, made the medical team that tried to approach hesitate.

He ignored the announcement, ignored everything around him, as if he were still immersed in the twisted pleasure and emptiness brought by the torture.

The medical team quickly and carefully lifted the unconscious and severely injured Xiao Li onto a specially made stretcher.

His left hand and left leg were immobilized with thick bandages and splints, but the seeping blood was still shocking.

Teacher Kai stayed close to the stretcher, never leaving his side. He was a tough guy who always showed his passion and smile.

His face was streaked with tears and deep sorrow, but he still stood tall, holding Xiao Li's intact right hand tightly, as if trying to pass on his strength to him.

"Li! Hang in there! Your teacher is here!"

Kai's voice was hoarse, but carried an undeniable firmness.

Looking at his disciple's pale face, he was filled with endless self-reproach and worry about the future.