Konohagakure.
After a month, Lee returned here once again.
His first priority was to find his teacher.
At this moment, Guy was leading his students on a weeding mission.
The moment he saw Lee, his eyes welled up with tears.
“Lee!” “Guy-sensei!” “Lee!
Although I’m happy to see you, where is the Youth Suit I gave you?” With a bang, Lee was sent flying by a sudden punch.
Lee had split his green jumpsuit in half.
He still wore the green training pants, but his upper body was clad in an undershirt.
Lee wiped the dirt off himself and explained, “Guy-sensei, because my training has increased recently, the outfit became too small.
It pulls on my arms, so that’s why I’m wearing it like this.” Guy slapped Lee on the shoulder and laughed, “Is that so?
It seems you really have grown a lot.
You didn’t even bleed from that punch just now, and there was even a faint instinctive rebound.
You’ve become stronger, Lee.” Lee said excitedly, “Yes, Guy-sensei!” “…” “…” The two people standing nearby watched the scene with lines of frustration on their faces.
Although they had been together for over a year, this surging aura of youth was still hard to understand.
These two were none other than Lee’s teammates from the same class.
One of them was Neji, who had long black hair tied in a small bundle at the end.
Born into the prestigious Hyuga Clan, he possessed the Byakugan, one of the Three Great Dojutsu, and had self-taught the secret Ninjutsu of the Hyuga Main House—Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven.
He was known as a Genius Ninja and was also the target Lee had previously sworn to surpass.
The other teammate was named Tenten, whose goal was to become a kunoichi like Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin.
She often served as Neji’s sparring partner and acted as a mediator whenever conflicts arose between Neji and Lee.
Her control over ninja tools was exceptional.
Guy once called her long-range attacks ‘100% accurate,’ and Neji also stated that ‘it’s impossible for her projectiles to miss.’ She was a specialized Ninja in manipulating ninja tools.
Tenten said, “Lee, I heard you don’t plan on doing missions anymore.
Have you turned into a training maniac now?” Lee laughed heartily.
“A training maniac?
I like that name.
However, after these few months of training, I’ve found that I’m more suited for ascetic training.
One day, I will fulfill my dream.” Tenten teased, “Oh, do you still want to challenge Neji?
However, I’m not very optimistic about your chances.” Lee shook his head in denial.
“No, my dream is to change my fate.
For that, I am willing to give everything, even my life.” Neji frowned slightly and said in a low voice, “Lee, are you provoking me?” He had always lamented the injustice of his fate, a fact known to all three of them.
As a Genius of the Hyuga Clan, he was born into the Branch House.
Members of the Branch House must have a Cursed Seal carved on their foreheads.
The Main House can use this Seal to destroy the brain nerves of Branch House members, thereby controlling them.
This Cursed Seal can only be removed upon death.
Furthermore, an even more important point is that it can seal the abilities of the Byakugan.
Therefore, in his heart, Neji maintained a pessimistic fatalism, obsessed with the idea that fate cannot be defied.
But now, Lee said his dream was to change fate.
Wasn’t this a blatant slap in the face?
Lee did not show any signs of intensity in response to Neji’s questioning.
After being baptized by the mysterious comments, his mindset had matured significantly.
All kinds of abuse and contempt had long since become the motivation for his training.
Facing Neji’s words, he said calmly, “Provocation?
No, I am merely stating a fact.” He looked at Neji and said seriously, “I am different from you.
I have always been a dead-last, and I know I don’t have any outstanding talent.
Therefore, I can accept any injustice, but I can also resist any injustice.
This principle has long been carved into my body.
I, Rock Lee, will not accept my fate.” Guy suddenly laughed loudly, “Lee, that was beautifully said.
You really have grown recently, Lee.” Lee hugged him excitedly.
Tenten couldn’t help but complain, “The atmosphere was so good, and then you guys ruined it, sigh…” Hearing Lee’s speech just now, she had been a bit impressed.
But in the blink of an eye, the style changed to this.
“He’s actually not clamoring to duel Neji anymore, I’m quite unaccustomed to it.” Having reunited with the three after a long time, Lee naturally had a lot to say.
However, he also kept his dream firmly in mind, and after reminiscing, he began his new training.
Still full of energy, he pumped his fist and shouted, “For youth, weighted sprint for 2 hours!” With a ‘whoosh,’ he ran off.
Guy watched Lee’s retreating figure and then looked at the footprint left on the ground.
Being able to control one’s strength at the moment of a sprint without sinking into the ground was no simple feat.
“Lee, your growth might just give everyone a big surprise.” Neji also stared at that shallow footprint in the ground, feeling a pressure he had never felt before.
Has he already grown to this extent?
It seems I’m still not working hard enough.
Although he always complained about the injustice of fate, he never thought he would lose to Lee.
But now, he seemed less certain.
— — — As the days passed, Kakashi’s Team 7 remained busy with missions, and Guy continued leading Tenten and Neji in weeding and walking dogs.
Lee’s behavior of being detached from the team reached the offices of the Konoha higher-ups.
Although this was Guy’s business, as a ninja, the village raised you not so you could be undisciplined.
You have to contribute to the village.
In the Hokage Office.
Danzo, the Hokage Assistant and leader of Root, was very dissatisfied with this.
He said irritably, “Hiruzen, look for yourself at what’s going on with this Lee.
He hasn’t done anything for the village for months.
The village worked hard to raise him, is this how he repays us?” The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, picked up a stack of reports and said calmly, “This isn’t a big deal.
Guy hasn’t kicked him off the team, and Lee is still credited for the missions.” Danzo said angrily, “Is that the same thing?
If he doesn’t do these low-level missions today, he won’t do high-level missions in the future.
If this continues, will he still care about the village?” “If this precedent is set and other ninjas stop doing missions, what will happen to the village’s source of income?
Will clients still send missions to Konoha?
This is simply outrageous.” Hiruzen tapped his pipe and countered, “Danzo, you’re making too much of a fuss.
Genin only do D-rank missions, which doesn’t affect clients from other villages.” Danzo asked, “Genin?
D-rank?
Last time, he followed Kakashi to the Land of Waves and even fought with Kirigakure ninjas.
Such strength needs to be controlled as early as possible, don’t you understand?” Hiruzen asked, “So, you’re going to make a move against him?
Danzo, that doesn’t sound like your style.” “Lee has no talent for Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, nor does he have a Kekkei Genkai.
Why have you set your sights on him?” Danzo argued, “I am doing this to unearth talent for the village.
Unlike some people who stay in their office all day, indifferent to the world.” Having said that, he prepared to leave.
Before he walked out the door, Hiruzen warned, “Danzo, don’t do anything reckless.
Behind him is Guy, do not break the village’s unity.” Danzo gave a cold snort.
“I don’t need you to tell me how to do my job.”