In the end, Shiro had no choice but to accept the challenge.
He was all too familiar with Rock Lee.
Last year, they had been in the same class. Shiro had ranked first, while Lee had ranked... second. From the bottom.
Lee only managed to avoid dead last because, apart from taijutsu, he couldn't do anything else.
But even with just taijutsu, Lee was strong enough to crush most of their peers.
And now, Lee had already met his destined mentor—Might Guy. He had been training under Guy for months, sharpening his skills to terrifying new heights.
In the original storyline, Lee was the only one among the Konoha 12 whose growth got permanently stunted after his "newbie phase."
But right now, he was still in that phase!
If Shiro had to fight him now...
Hmm...
Shiro was already considering what color his urn should be.
Just then, a loud, youthful voice boomed through the air.
"Tobirama-sama! We have arrived!"
Two figures, dressed in identical green jumpsuits with identical bowl-cut hairstyles, flipped into the clearing on their hands, kicking up a huge cloud of dust as they landed.
After standing upright, the taller of the two struck a dramatic pose and saluted.
"Konoha's proud Elite Jonin, Might Guy, reporting with my beloved student, Rock Lee!"
Shiro's face twitched.
They just sprinted here... on their hands?
How the hell am I supposed to fight that?!
Tobirama merely glanced at the two in front of him, his expression unreadable.
His eyes lingered for a few seconds before he quickly looked away.
This outfit... this hairstyle... this aura...
Even the legendary Second Hokage found it difficult to stare at them for too long.
To be honest, if he hadn't already seen Guy's taijutsu prowess firsthand, he would have never believed this ridiculous-looking man was Konoha's strongest taijutsu user.
Lee straightened up and met Shiro's gaze. His eyes immediately lit up, and he greeted him with the boundless energy of youth.
"Oh! Shiro! It has been too long! Tonight, I shall be your opponent!"
Shiro's face remained blank.
Yeah, yeah, I got that. You don't have to rub it in.
Lee clenched his fists, eyes blazing with determination.
"I promise to give this battle my all!"
Shiro: Σ(°Д°; !!!
No, please, anything but that!!!
Suddenly, Guy clapped a firm hand on Lee's shoulder, his expression dead serious.
"Lee, what are you saying? How could you even consider holding back?!"
Shiro let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Oh, thank goodness.
At least someone has a little sense here.
But then—
"In a battle chosen personally by Lord Second, against such a strong opponent, 'giving your all' is simply not enough!
You must push past your limits and fight at 200% power! Only then will you truly honor your opponent!"
Shiro: (╯°Д°)╯︵┻━┻
GUY, YOU TRAITOR!!!
YOU BACKSTABBED ME!!!
Shiro: (Ｔ▽Ｔ)...
Lee's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"I understand now, Guy-sensei! My very soul is burning!"
"That's the spirit, Lee!"
"GUY-SENSEI!!!"
"LEE!!!"
The two green-clad warriors threw themselves into each other's arms, weeping tears of fiery passion.
The rest of the onlookers averted their eyes, feeling secondhand embarrassment.
Tobirama let out a sharp cough, cutting the scene short and steering things back on track.
"Enough. Begin the battle."
"Yes, Lord Second!"
"Lee! Show him the full power of youth!"
"Understood, Guy-sensei! This is the essence of youth!"
"LEE!!!"
"GUY-SENSEI!!!"
...
Tobirama: (╯°Д°)╯︵┻━┻
Shiro: (╯°Д°)╯︵┻━┻
Naruto: (д)b !!!
Sasuke: d(д) !!!
Hinata: (°ー°〃)...
Can we start already?!
If not, can we at least swap someone else in?!
The Battle Begins
Despite the chaos, the match eventually started.
Shiro and Lee faced off, exchanging a respectful bow before assuming their stances.
"Shiro, please guide me well!"
"Lee, please go easy—GAH!"
Before Shiro could even finish speaking, Lee vanished and reappeared behind him, slamming a kick straight into his back.
Shiro was sent flying.
Shiro: (д;) !!!
MY KIDNEYS!!! I WASN'T READY!!!
YOU CHEAP LITTLE—
Lee was already charging again.
Shiro barely managed to roll away in time, narrowly dodging another powerful kick.
From the sidelines, Tobirama shook his head.
This fight is one-sided.
Perhaps Shiro still lacks the physical conditioning to keep up with Lee.
But then—
Tobirama's sharp eyes noticed something.
The flow of the battle was... shifting.
At first, Lee completely overwhelmed Shiro.
But gradually, Shiro started dodging more effectively.
Then, he began countering.
Soon, he was even landing blows of his own.
By the time Tobirama snapped out of his thoughts, Shiro and Lee were clashing on equal footing.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
"Shiro-style Taijutsu—Twin Dragon Lock!"
Lee swept in low, launching a spinning kick with the full force of his momentum.
Shiro caught Lee's legs, lifting him into the air.
Then, with a fierce twist, he sent Lee crashing face-first toward the ground.
BAM!
Lee barely managed to block the final impact with his arms, but Shiro didn't stop.
"I'M NOT DONE YET!"
With a loud battle cry, Shiro launched Lee into the air.
He followed right after, wrapping an arm around Lee's neck and pulling them both into a spiraling dive.
BOOM!
The ground shook as Lee was slammed into a crater.
Shiro landed nearby, breathing hard, a victorious grin forming on his lips.
But then—
FWOOOOSH!
Lee leapt out of the crater.
Aside from some dust on his jumpsuit, he looked completely fine.
His breathing was steady. His eyes were sharp.
Meanwhile, Shiro was exhausted.
"...Guy-sensei?" Lee turned toward his mentor, seeking permission.
Guy gave him a solemn nod.
"I permit it, Lee. This is your moment. Show him your youth."
Shiro's eyes widened in horror.
Lee bent down and reached for his legs.
Shiro knew what was coming next.
Those leg weights...
They were coming off.
Lee's voice was full of respect.
"Shiro, you are a worthy opponent. I apologize for not fighting seriously earlier. From now on, I will go all out."
Shiro screamed internally.
NO, WAIT, I WAS FINE WITH YOU HOLDING BACK!!!
BOOM!!!
The weights hit the ground, creating a crater deeper than the one Lee had just crawled out of.
Shiro: ε＝ε＝ε＝(#＞д＜)ノ
HELP!!! SOMEBODY SAVE ME!!!