Naruto Taught By Aizen - Chapter 314
Everyone felt quite emotional when watching the bullying footage.
The villagers of Konoha felt ashamed, while residents of other ninja villages seemed to take pleasure in it.
Although Konoha was regarded as the strongest ninja village in the Shinobi World, and its residents led peaceful lives, the review of several footages showed otherwise.
Both Naruto and Rock Lee suffered bullying and malice in their childhood, something even adults would find hard to endure.
Perhaps this was also the reason Naruto reached out to Rock Lee.
[After clearly deciding to become a ninja, Rock Lee began his training journey.]
[He didn’t understand ninjutsu, nor did he know any advanced training methods. He only knew how to foolishly throw punches and refine his body.]
[In a chance encounter, he witnessed Naruto’s training methods on the training grounds.]
[Despite his young age, Naruto not only surpassed him in physical strength but also displayed astonishing speed.]
[This was the first meeting between Naruto and Rock Lee.]
[Through their interaction, Naruto imparted his insights into physical training. While he praised Rock Lee’s efforts, he believed Lee’s direction was wrong. Blindly subjecting the body to hardship could easily cause hidden injuries.]
[Rock Lee also felt moved by Naruto’s refinement and kindness.]
[Naruto was the first person of his age to be so warm to him, which made Rock Lee genuinely trust him.]
[In the following days, Rock Lee started training alongside Naruto.]
“Incredible, as expected of Naruto, he’s gained a little fanboy.”
“I’ve seen through it all. Naruto’s gentleness is just a deceptive facade. He leaves a perfect impression on everyone, then defects in the end.”
“I actually think Naruto’s gentleness is his true nature. He’s forced to become a ruthless man just for the sake of peace.”
“But how does this bushy-browed kid qualify to train with Naruto?”
[In the days of subsequent training, Rock Lee trained daily with Naruto, and his training intensity was terrifyingly astonishing. As per Naruto’s view, effort was also a form of talent.]
[Rock Lee initially thought he’d be Naruto’s most trusted partner. However, upon their acquaintance, this self-deprecating boy became disheartened.]
In the footage, Naruto met Sasuke. Unlike Lee, Sasuke was undoubtedly an Uchiha genius and naturally attracted Naruto’s attention.
[Coincidentally, these days, newly enrolled Rock Lee discovered he had no ninja talent. Compared to other classmates, he even struggled to extract chakra.]
[For Rock Lee, these few days were undoubtedly a hellish pain.]
“He told Naruto about his inner torment: ‘I’m the last in the class to extract chakra. I don’t have any chakra talent. I can’t even master the Body Flicker Technique.'”
“Becoming a ninja is Rock Lee’s dream. But these recent setbacks made this little boy feel despair ahead of time. Even if he’s optimistic and passionate, he can’t force a smile at this moment.”
“Naruto noticed Rock Lee’s despair and gently spoke words that would impact Lee’s entire life.”
“‘Without ninjutsu talent, focus on taijutsu. Who says a ninja must know ninjutsu? Don’t let societal biases crush your confidence, Lee.'”
[Golden sunlight fell on Naruto’s smiling face, exuding an aura of a trusted elder brother.]
“Lee, if your ninjutsu talent isn’t as good as others, let’s focus on our strengths. Put in hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of times more effort to train in taijutsu. You’ve always believed in this, haven’t you? You’re a hardworking genius.”
[Rock Lee was in tears, nodding.]
[With renewed determination, Rock Lee trained even harder. He ran laps after laps, seemingly unaware of fatigue. He wanted to prove that even with limited talent, he could compensate through hard work. He didn’t want to disappoint Naruto’s expectations.]
Beside him, Sasuke was somewhat puzzled internally. He didn’t believe this method of increasing training volume could help Rock Lee become stronger. He thought Naruto’s words were more of a comfort. Yet, he heard Naruto saying, “He’s foolish to know his ninjutsu talent isn’t enough but still wants to realize his dream of becoming a ninja. He’s foolish to know this training method is destined to be difficult, but he persists without hesitation.”
“They say Konoha is the cradle of geniuses. But who knows behind these geniuses, people like Lee, ordinary folks, are trying their hardest to catch up? Both you and I are fortunate because we were born with talent, this sword. With the same training methods, we can achieve far more than Lee. But it doesn’t mean Lee is mediocre.”
“His terrifying perseverance and effort, beyond imagination, will accumulate like raindrops until one day, like a tsunami, it erupts, surpassing everyone and astonishing all.”
“In my eyes, he’s a hardworking genius!”
[Sasuke was surprised by Naruto’s acknowledgment of Lee’s beliefs. Even Lee himself didn’t know he had gained Naruto’s approval long ago.]
“This belief allows Rock Lee to fear no hardships in the future, to overcome all obstacles. It eventually made him an outstanding Shinigami!!!”
The entire ninja academy erupted.
Countless tearful eyes focused on Rock Lee.
“Rock Lee!!!” His life was their life, the life of an ordinary ninja.
Without enough talent, even with effort, the rewards might be minimal, and in the end, one might die in an unknown mission.
This was a portrayal of most ninjas.
“But can such a foolish method really work?” Those who watched the footage initially felt disdainful, but then fell silent.
They were initially disdainful of Rock Lee’s childishness but were now silent in the face of it.
Perhaps the foolish method might not yield results, but not doing anything would definitely yield no results.
Rock Lee proved why he was featured in the footage through his actions.
“I’m starting to look forward to this little guy’s future. Maybe his strength will astonish the entire Shinobi World?” Jiraiya was moved.
During his time at the academy, he too was at the bottom, only to rise remarkably through effort and talent discovery.
“A ninja with such great determination is definitely not ordinary. There must be a strong talent hidden within him,” Jiraiya affirmed confidently.
“Rock Lee! An extraordinary life of an ordinary person. He earned recognition from Naruto, and I’m looking forward to his future.”
“No matter which faction he stands with in the future, he deserves our respect.”
Rock Lee had already won the liking and anticipation of most ninjas.
Who would dislike a simple, hardworking companion?
Moreover, the ninjas firmly believed that after gaining Naruto’s recognition, Rock Lee’s future was boundless.
The footage wasn’t over yet; Rock Lee’s story had just begun.
Later, the footage revealed Rock Lee’s life after graduation.
His teammates were Neji and Tenten, but this time, he wasn’t at the bottom.
In terms of combat power, he was unquestionably the first.
They executed missions together, even completing some of higher difficulty.
Rock Lee fought against chuunins during these missions and emerged victorious.
Unknowingly, the formerly one-method Rock Lee had undergone a massive transformation.
[Later, Rock Lee joined the ANBU and became Naruto’s teammate.]
[Team Configuration: Naruto Uzumaki, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyuga.]
[In the Root, Rock Lee experienced significant development.]
The scene shifts to various Root missions.
Compared to regular missions, Root missions are undoubtedly darker and more challenging.
But every time Team Naruto flawlessly completes a mission, the audience is left in terror.
Through Rock Lee’s perspective, the audience once again gains a profound understanding of Naruto.
Internally, he is a gentle and refined ninja.
Externally, he is absolutely rational, ruthless, and unforgiving.
[In a chance encounter, Naruto informed Rock Lee about the defection plan. Trusting Lee, Naruto didn’t hide it but chose to inform him, revealing his goal of creating the Jingling Court, opposing the entire ninja world, overthrowing the rule of all ninja villages, establishing a new order, and achieving genuine peace.]
[Rock Lee was shocked by Naruto’s ambition. He understood that achieving this goal would require immense effort and sacrifice.]
[Yet, he unreservedly supported Naruto. In fact, since their first meeting, he had decided to follow Naruto completely.]
At this moment, an otherwise ordinary ninja embarked on a completely different path, destined for a tumultuous and legendary life.
Seeing this, numerous ninja’s speculations were confirmed.
Rock Lee also set foot on the path of defection.
Countless parallel versions of Rock Lee were bewildered.
“Defection? Me, defecting? What a joke!”
He found it amusing, but after watching all the footage, he began to trust Naruto differently in his heart.
He also imagined how things would be if he had experiences similar to that other Rock Lee.
The conclusion he arrived at was that he, too, would follow Naruto.
At a certain point after a Rock Lee graduation, Gai and young Lee embraced each other, shedding tears.
“You’ve earned Naruto’s appreciation. Your hard work has finally paid off. Two youths have decided to overturn this world together. This is youth.”
“Sensei!! Sob, sob!!!”
The ordinary person’s rebellion begins, the night of defection.
But the appearance of these words also signifies the event entering its climax.
Everyone holds their breath, anticipating a different Rock Lee.
The scene shifts to an area outside of Konoha.
Rock Lee has just completed a covert mission.
Due to the mission’s nature, a Root member accompanied him.
Suddenly, ripples appeared in the air, and a strange light wave appeared in front of Rock Lee.
Rock Lee immediately snapped the accompanying member’s neck and hurried towards Konoha.
His decisive action stunned everyone.
Many people’s impression of Rock Lee was still stuck on his somewhat simple and easygoing image.
The footage enters Rock Lee’s vision.
He enters Konoha and calmly heads towards the training grounds.
Before long, he begins his training.
[Shortly after, a red chakra erupts from the Root, and Rock Lee understands that his actions are about to begin.]
[Rock Lee and Tenten soon meet Naruto.]
At this moment, Naruto has already killed Tobi and no longer has whiskers on his face.
[Rock Lee understands that the Nine-Tails has been separated.]
“Let’s go, let’s start our performance,” says Naruto Uzumaki.
The scene then shifts to the moment of defection, Naruto facing Konoha, with Rock Lee carrying the Third Hokage on his shoulder.
When the defectors confirm they are being drawn by blue light, Rock Lee throws the Third Hokage downward.
A white light pierces the Third Hokage’s heart.
The scene jumps back to the fight between Rock Lee and Gai.
The battle between master and disciple.
Due to their differing perspectives, Rock Lee and Gai are bound to clash.
Both engage in intense combat.
Gai activates the Eight Gates Release.
Rock Lee, unwilling to fall behind, does the same.
Their figures flicker in the arena, each strike stirring up clouds of dust and waves of air, constantly expanding outwards. The soft sandy ground beneath their feet is crumbling, leaving almost no place to stand intact.
The thrilling taijutsu battle leaves the audience speechless.
[At some point, Rock Lee had already become a powerful ally to Naruto.]
Gai fails to comprehend Rock Lee. To him, Rock Lee’s efforts are enough to make him an outstanding ninja, to shine for Konoha. Faced with all this, Rock Lee shakes his head and says something that astounds Gai.
“Sensei, you’ve always taught me that hard work can surpass talent, that postnatal training can completely compensate for innate deficiencies. But no matter how much I train, I cannot unlock the final two gates of the Eight Gates Release. Perhaps in five years, or maybe ten, I could fully master it, but that’s only if I keep up with my daily grueling training.”
“As for those geniuses, they need only a few months of practice to catch up to my years of effort. I’m diligent, but if those geniuses are equally hardworking, the gap will only widen further. Talent isn’t the only criterion for becoming stronger, true, but without talent, one can never reach the pinnacle.”
“Even in taijutsu, the Eight Gates Release requires talent. And Naruto’s talent is so extraordinary that he can reach heights in just five years that others might never reach in their entire lives. How can I stand beside Naruto? How can I be his right-hand man?”
“I admire your eternal optimism, but you’re too naive, Sensei.”
[Talent without effort won’t suffice.]
[But effort without talent won’t suffice either.]
[Understanding the limits of his talent, Rock Lee ultimately chooses to embrace the Shinigami.]
[He initiates the Initial Release.]
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