Road to survival — Sakura vs Rock Lee. The Crypto Crossroads 6
I was ready to face Sakura in the final round of the Chunin Exams. I had trained hard with Guy-sensei, and I was confident in my skills. I knew Sakura was a talented kunoichi, but I also knew she was not as strong as Naruto or Sasuke. I thought I had the advantage in speed and taijutsu.
The match began, and I wasted no time. I dashed towards Sakura, aiming to land a powerful kick on her chest. She blocked it with her arms, but I could tell she felt the impact. I followed up with a flurry of punches, hoping to overwhelm her with my speed. She dodged some of them, but I managed to hit her several times. She stumbled back, and I saw blood dripping from her mouth.
I smiled, thinking I had the upper hand. I was wrong.
Sakura wiped the blood from her lips, and glared at me. She looked different. Her eyes were sharper, and her hair was shorter. She had cut it off during her fight with the Sound ninja. She said something that surprised me.
“Rock Lee, you are a worthy opponent. But you are not the one I want to defeat. I want to prove myself to Sasuke. And to do that, I have to beat you. So don’t hold back. Show me your full power.”
She then did something that shocked me. She formed a seal with her hands, and shouted.
“Release!”
I felt a surge of chakra from her. It was immense. It was like she had unlocked a hidden reservoir of energy. She had activated her Inner Sakura, a manifestation of her true self. She had learned this technique from Tsunade, the legendary Sannin and the Fifth Hokage.
She charged at me, and I barely had time to react. She punched me in the face, and I flew back. I crashed into the wall, and felt a sharp pain in my jaw. I got up, and saw her coming at me again. She kicked me in the stomach, and I coughed up blood. I fell to the ground, and she jumped on me. She grabbed my head, and slammed it into the floor. I felt dizzy, and my vision blurred.
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I tried to fight back, but she was too fast and too strong. She had surpassed me in every way. She was not the weak and timid girl I had underestimated. She was a fierce and determined warrior. She was a true ninja.
She looked into my eyes, and said.
“Rock Lee, you are amazing. You have inspired me to become stronger. But this is the end. I’m sorry.”
She raised her fist, and prepared to deliver the final blow. I closed my eyes, and waited for the pain.
I heard the sound of a bell. It was the signal for the end of the match. I opened my eyes, and saw Sakura standing over me. She had stopped her attack. She had spared me.
She smiled, and said.
“Rock Lee, you are a great ninja. You have earned my respect. Thank you for this fight.”
She helped me up, and we walked towards the exit. The crowd cheered for us, and I heard Guy-sensei’s voice.
“Lee, you did well. You fought with honor and courage. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are my proud student.”
I smiled, and thanked him. I also thanked Sakura, and congratulated her. She had won the fight, fair and square. She had proven herself to Sasuke, and to everyone else. She had grown as a ninja, and as a person.
I had lost the fight, but I had gained a friend. And I had learned a valuable lesson.
Never underestimate your opponent. Especially if they are Sakura.
