The aftermath of the battle in the Mist Forest had not yet dissipated, and the high-ranking officials from various countries gathered in the Land of Water square were already engaged in heated discussions.
On the large screen, the footage of Lee defeating Gaara using Eight Inner Gates was repeatedly replayed before everyone's eyes.
Especially the Phoenix of flame that incinerated everything, it left all the ninjas present in shock.
"Go investigate immediately! What is this Rock Lee's background?"
In less than half an hour, intel reports were delivered to the high-ranking officials of each country.
When the names "Guy" and "Duy" appeared on the paper, the entire square instantly fell silent.
Lee's teacher was none other than Konoha's Blue Beast Guy, and Guy's father, Dut, was a master of Taijutsu who had left behind legendary battle records in the history of the Ninja World.
"Duy... it's actually related to him."
Rasa looked at the contents of the intel report, his fingers trembling slightly.
The report clearly documented events from over a decade ago: Duy, to protect the young Guy and his comrades, single-handedly faced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist from Kirigakure.
At that time, two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist could fight a Kage-level expert to a draw, three could hunt down a Kage-level strongman, and when all seven gathered, they could even ignite a small war.
"Equivalent to facing 3.5 Kage-level experts..."
A murmured the analysis from the report, his voice filled with astonishment. "A Genin, who could kill 4, and scare off 3 Ninja Swordsmen, such a record is simply a myth."
The high-ranking officials of various countries instantly understood why Gaara had been defeated so thoroughly.
This battle not only made Lee famous but also made the name "Eight Inner Gates" once again shock the entire Ninja World.
After the audience in the square learned the truth, it erupted into an uproar: discussions about Eight Inner Gates... Duy rose and fell, and with it, Konoha's prestige instantly rose by several points.
At the same time, in another part of the Mist Forest, Hamamaru, Shiryu, and Seishin were walking idly.
When ninjas from other countries saw the three of them, they either avoided them from a distance or quickly detoured, not even giving them a chance for conflict.
"This is too boring."
Shiryu pounded his fists, his tone dissatisfied. "We came to participate in the Chunin Exams, not to take a stroll."
Hamamaru leaned against a tree trunk, his gaze sweeping across the distance. "Didn't you see? The ninjas from other countries are all ganging up on people from Akatsuki, no one dares to provoke us."
Seishin stroked his chin, and suddenly his eyes lit up. "How about we disguise ourselves as Akatsuki people? That way, someone will definitely come to fight us."
This suggestion immediately received the approval of the other two.
The three quickly found the corpse of an Akatsuki ninja who had been ambushed nearby, secretly took off their headbands and black Akatsuki robes, and quickly put them on.
Soon, a rush of footsteps sounded from a distance.
Three ninjas from Sunagakure were rushing towards them, and upon seeing the headbands on their foreheads, their eyes instantly turned cold.
"Finally, a fight!"
Shiryu's eyes gleamed, and he clenched his fists, looking eager to try.
The three ninjas from Sunagakure quickly surrounded them. The leading ninja was tall and slender, none other than Shira, the outstanding Taijutsu ninja of Sunagakure.
He stared at the three, his voice cold. "Remnants of Akatsuki, today I, Shira of Sunagakure, will send you to Hell."
Upon hearing the name "Shira," Shiryu immediately became interested. "You're called Shiro? I'm called Shiryu. We both have 'Shi' in our names, how about we have a match? Let's see whose Taijutsu is stronger."
"A match?"
Shira's expression grew colder, his hands clenched into fists. "Your Land of Akatsuki invaded the Land of Wind back then, killing how many Sunagakure comrades? My mission isn't to have a match, it's to send you to your deaths."
After speaking, Shira's Chakra began to surge around him, activating his self-created Taijutsu secret technique, "Seven Heavens Breathing Method."
Seven Heavens Breathing Method was renowned in Sunagakure , rumored to rival the Eight Innee Gates. Its principle was to activate all body cells by regulating breathing, thereby greatly enhancing speed and strength. It's divided into First activation to Seventh activation. The higher the activation rank, the more significant the increase in combat power.
However, currently, Shira could only use up to Fifth activation. Going higher would cause irreversible damage to his body.
"Seven Heavens Breathing Method - First Activation!"
Shira roared, his breathing rhythm instantly quickening. He stomped his foot, charging towards Shiryu. His fist, carrying the sound of breaking wind, went straight for Shiryu's face.
Shiryu's eyes narrowed, not daring to be careless, and he dodged the punch by sidestepping.
"Good."
His fist, carrying a sharp gust of wind, struck towards Shira's abdomen.
Shira reacted extremely quickly, his footwork shifting, and he swiftly avoided the attack. "That was close, I almost got hit. It seems the enemy is a strong one, I must become stronger."
"Second Activation!"
Shira's speed and strength increased again, his attacks becoming more ferocious, his fists raining down on Shiryu like raindrops.
Shiryu had great strength and speed. Every block he made left Shira's arm feeling somewhat numb.
"The opponent is so strong. It seems I can't hold back anymore."
"Third Activation... Fourth Activation!"
The Chakra around him had already turned deep red, he was so fast that afterimages appeared, and the power of his fists could easily shatter rocks.
Shiryu gradually struggled, only able to defend passively, and soon his body was grazed by punches, leaving several blood marks.
Seeing that Fourth Activation still couldn't take down the opponent, Shira roared, "It's not over yet! Fifth Activation!"
His Chakra instantly erupted around him, and he stomped a large pit into the ground. His fist, carrying a world-destroying aura, slammed fiercely towards Shiryu.
Shiryu took a deep breath, his eyes becoming resolute. "I have to admit, you are very strong. You've piqued my interest: Sage Mode - Activate!"
Pale golden Chakra enveloped his body, and his aura instantly became calm and powerful.
"Take this! Rising Dragon Punch!"
Shiryu leaped up, unleashing golden Dragon-shaped Chakra from his fists, which flew towards Shira like a golden Dragon emerging from the sea.
Shira's pupils contracted sharply, and he quickly brought his fists up to protect himself, but the power of the golden Dragon far exceeded his imagination.
With a loud "bang," he was sent flying by the residual force, crashing heavily into a tree trunk, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, and his Activation state instantly disengaged.
Shiryu walked up to Shira, not making another move.
"Your Taijutsu is very impressive, the Seven Heavens Breathing Method lives up to its name. We are not from Akatsuki, we just wanted to find someone to spar with."
After saying that, he turned and waved to Hamamaru and Seishin. "Brothers, we should go. If we don't go to the fortress soon, the assessment will be over."
Hamamaru and Seishin quickly followed, and the three soon disappeared into the mist.
Shira lay on the ground, watching them leave, his eyes complex.
These three guys beat someone up and then ran, truly...