Chapter 638 : Fujin's Choice! (Patreon)

Gaara Vs Lee!

As in the original story, Guy warned Lee about Gaara's gourd, though he didn't mention any details. Kakashi looked at Gaara and thought, ‘So he is the Fourth Kazekage's son, and also Suna's only Jinchuriki. This should be an interesting fight.’

Since Naruto was standing close to Fujin, Kankuro didn't dare to get close to him to get some information about Neji. The fact that Fujin was able to injure Gaara when he was only 13 was enough of a deterrent for Kankuro.

As for Fujin, he was looking forward to the fight. He thought, ‘Even though there were several good fights in Naruto, if there was one that stood out, it would be this one. A shame that it was also the last time Lee was in the spotlight. If it wasn't for the fact that I have been in even more intense battles, I would have been even more excited to watch this in person.’

“Let the ninth round battle begin!”

Lee went on the attack as soon as Hayate announced the start of the battle but was blocked by the Sand pouring out of Gaara's gourd and protecting him autonomously.

Fujin looked at it and thought, ‘I didn't get time to have a closer look at him in the desert, but the sand in his gourd is quite intriguing. Unlike normal magnet release, the sand in his gourd works autonomously like it has its own mind…

No, that wouldn't be correct. A better comparison would be a robot having a set of instructions to always follow. The technique his dying mother used to achieve this should undoubtedly be a Kinjutsu that would cost the caster's life. If it can be used more liberally, then it can be used to create several powerful tools.’

Of course, Fujin wouldn't use that technique himself. However, he saw a lot of scope in it if given to his Phantom Haven Society members. Even if a small percentage of them could use that technique during their death, Fujin would gain several Jounin and Elite Jounin level members.

He continued analyzing, ‘The best case would be someone enchanting tools that can be used by me. However, I'll need to create a very strong personal bond with everyone to achieve that. It's not something that I can do from so far away. Also, spending that much time is probably not worth it, though I could send low chakra Shadow Clones…’

As he was analyzing, Guy asked Lee to remove his weights. While most considered it lame, everyone was shocked when Lee dropped those weights to the ground. When he attacked again, only a handful of people were able to see his movements and Gaara wasn't one of them! Fortunately for him, his sand could still protect him.

Fujin thought, ‘Oh well, I'll think about it after I get my hands on that technique. I'll first need to get the Edo Tensei jutsu. Hopefully, he'll know how to perform this jutsu. Once I learn it, I'll have to dig up his mother's grave and resurrect her…’

Fujin's mind fell silent for a bit as he thought, ‘Sigh, how far have I fallen? From someone who never killed to being comfortable with killing to working on dead bodies and now to digging up graves…’

Fujin stopped thinking about it. In his previous life, he would never have done something like this. Be it for his morals or just the disgust about doing something like that. However, the ninja world slowly changed his morals and moulded his personality to a point where such things became acceptable to him.

“Bushy Brows has gotten even faster! He really is strong!” Naruto exclaimed in shock and surprise.

Fujin said, “He is. At least in terms of strength, Lee is qualified to become a Chunin. Watch this battle properly. They are the two strongest Genins in this exam. A shame that they had to fight before the Main exam.”

Neji frowned on Fujin's proclamation. Naruto exclaimed in surprise, “Wait, the two strongest? You mean that they are stronger than me and Sasuke?”

Fujin chuckled and answered, “You two are still quite weak. You'll need to train very hard to even be able to compete with them. Even though you have grown stronger, Naruto, you'll need to train a lot more before you reach their level.

Not to mention, there are ninjas who can defeat both of them together with ease. Always remember that when you train.”

Naruto solemnly nodded as Lee used the front lotus. Unfortunately, Gaara slipped and used Substitution jutsu when Lee closed his eyes momentarily due to pain.

Lee's body took a lot of damage due to using the technique and he took a lot of beating until he could open the Gate of Healing. Fujin looked at Lee and thought, ‘If this fight continues as usual, Lee will be injured badly.

If everything happens as per the original story, then Hiruzen will die during the invasion, following which Kakashi will be left in a terrible shape by Itachi while Jiraiya will put forth Tsunade's name for the fifth Hokage. She will return and her Hemophobia will be cured as well.

I could then get her help to increase my cellular activity. She'll heal Lee and Kakashi and everything will go back to normal. The only drawback is that I won't get to have fun with Hiruzen any more. That would be a pity…

However, all that is assuming things happen like they did…’

Fujin glanced towards Hiruzen and thought, ‘I haven't seen Hiruzen go all out, but I always had a feeling that he is ridiculously stronger than what he was shown in the canon! His reputation is just too huge and I don't think any of it is fake.

Even if Orochimaru summons Hashirama and Tobirama, I am not sure whether the three of them could defeat Hiruzen! On the contrary, I have a feeling that Hiruzen might seal up the Senju brothers and kill Orochimaru without needing to rely on the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

After all, Orochimaru's Edo Tensei summons don't have their peak power like how Kabuto's did. Not to mention, even if he did, Hashirama would just break out of his control… In fact, even Tobirama might be able to do it. So even if he could, Orochimaru wouldn't risk making either of them any stronger.

If Hiruzen ends up winning, or even if he just holds them back until Jiraiya and I can reinforce him, then the entire future will change drastically. With him alive, Jiraiya won't go looking for Tsunade to become the next Hokage and she won't return to the village…

Without her, Lee's injuries can't be treated. Even though Guy is strong, he doesn't have the influence to make Hiruzen call Tsunade back. Even if he did, Hiruzen wouldn't call her back for that reason. After all, her hemophobia won't be cured if she doesn't meet Naruto and those events don't occur.

I might be able to get Hiruzen to call her to the village using my accomplishments during the war and get my cellular activity increased, but Lee's career as a ninja will most likely be over…’

Everyone watched in awe and shock as Lee made Gaara his punching bag after opening the Fourth Inner Gate, Gate of Pain, as Gaara's sand could no longer keep up with Lee's incredible speed and Gaara's sand armor crumbled. Fujin was the only one having different emotions as he wondered, ‘Should I let nature take its course and leave it to Lee's luck? Or should I make a move and end the fight early?’

As Fujin was deciding, Lee opened the Fifth Inner Gate, Gate of Limit and used Reverse Lotus and hit Gaara with all his strength. The impact of his palm and foot on Gaara's abdomen was so intense that high-speed winds and dust were launched in every direction.

Most of the spectators immediately covered themselves up while Fujin just continued watching the duo as the winds and dust avoided him. Guy's and Kakashi's eyes widened in shock as Gaara's gourd turned into sand and softened his fall. Even though he was hurt, this move ensured that he wouldn't get knocked out.

Lee fell to the ground as well as his body was too tired and hurt from the backlash of opening Five Inner Gates for so long. As the dust cleared, Lee saw Gaara lying in his sand and extending his arm towards him. He muttered in disbelief, “How can that be?”

While everyone was still in shock from these developments and trying to process what had taken place, Gaara controlled his sand and moved it towards Lee! Due to the state of his body, he couldn't move properly and the sand reached his left arm and left leg!

[A/N: Thought quite a bit about changing this fight as well. However, the original fight between Gaara and Lee was just too epic. So, I decided against interfering with it. Fujin did have some influence on both of them since Lee saw his spars with Guy while Gaara was injured by him, but the influence wasn't high enough to force me to make changes in their battle (like I had to in Sakura and Naruto's matches). Anyway, find out tomorrow what decision Fujin makes :)]