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{{Infobox}}
 
{{Infobox}}
{{translation|'''Rock Lee'''|ロック・リー|Rokku Rī}} is one of the major supporting characters of the series. He is a [[chūnin]]-level [[shinobi]] of [[Konohagakure]] and a member of [[Team Guy]].
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{{translation|'''Rock Lee'''|ロック・リー|Rokku Rī}} is a [[shinobi]] of [[Konohagakure]]'s [[Lee clan]] and a member of [[Team Guy]]. Unlike most shinobi, he lacked the skills necessary to use [[ninjutsu]] or [[genjutsu]]. However, he overcomes those shortcomings by undergoing special training from [[Might Guy]] that would make him a [[taijutsu]] master while still a [[genin]].
   
 
== Background ==
 
== Background ==
During his time as a [[Academy Student|student]] in the [[Academy]], Lee proved to have no talent for [[ninjutsu]] and [[genjutsu]]. As he was mocked by his peers because of this, Lee persevered, focusing on [[taijutsu]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 84, pages 7-8</ref>
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During his time in the [[Academy]], Lee proved to have no talent for ninjutsu and genjutsu. When he was mocked by his peers because of this, Lee persevered, focusing on taijutsu.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 84, pages 7-8</ref> After he succeeded in graduating he was added to Team Guy along with [[Neji Hyūga]] and [[Tenten]]. During the team's first meeting, Lee vowed to become a powerful ninja without using ninjutsu or genjutsu. Neji laughed at him, but their sensei, [[Might Guy]], took a special interest in Lee. He encouraged Lee to keep at it and, in time, began teaching him powerful forms of taijutsu.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 84, pages 9-17</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 85, pages 5-6</ref>
 
When Lee eventually graduated he was added to Team Guy along with [[Neji Hyūga]] and [[Tenten]]. During the team's first meeting, Lee vowed to become a powerful ninja without using [[ninjutsu]] or [[genjutsu]]. Neji laughed at him, but their sensei, [[Might Guy]], took a special interest in Lee. He encouraged Lee to keep at it and, in time, began teaching him powerful forms of taijutsu.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 84, pages 9-17</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 85, pages 5-6</ref>
 
   
 
== Personality ==
 
== Personality ==
[[File:Lee Pose.png|thumb|Lee's "nice guy" pose.]]
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[[File:Lee Pose.png|thumb|left|Lee's "nice guy" pose.]]
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Under Guy's leadership, Lee has acquired a number of his sensei's personality traits: he is energetic, optimistic, and hot-blooded, and shows the epitome of a "nice guy". He believes that one cannot dislike food and shows strong dedication to his promises; when this promise is broken, just barely, he assigns himself arduous training to prevent it from happening again. Lee speaks respectfully to others, never using contractions or swear words and always addressing people with appropriate honourifics (except his teammates, since Lee feels they are close enough to be spoken to informally). He also carries a small book and pencil to recall advice that Guy gives him over time.
Lee is extremely energetic, single-minded, and over-enthusiastic. He is characterised as being the epitome of a "nice guy", having assumed many of Guy's personality quirks. One such trait is his apparent lack of common sense, believing at times that he can get what he wants by not wanting it. At other times, he takes copious notes, but forgets that he cannot check them during a fight. He has a keen sense of honour, and respects his opponents, refusing to hold grudges against those who have defeated him, and returning favours to those that have helped him. This was shown by his befriending of [[Gaara]], forgiving him for crushing his arm and leg — injuries that nearly ended his career as a shinobi. Lee feels others should show the same respect towards their opponents, and is disgusted whenever someone is unnecessarily cruel to their enemies.
 
   
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Despite his passionate nature, Lee has also shown strong instincts, staying focused at the task at hand and rarely losing his composure. He has a keen sense of honour and respects his opponents, refusing to hold grudges against those who have defeated him, and returning favours to those that have helped him. This was shown by his befriending of [[Gaara]], forgiving him for crushing his arm and leg — injuries that nearly ended his career as a shinobi. Lee feels others should show the same respect towards their opponents, and is disgusted whenever someone is unnecessarily cruel to their enemies.
Lee is known for speaking respectfully to others, being very proper in both English and Japanese language versions, and never using contractions or swearwords. He also uses formal Japanese, applying proper titles ("-san", "-kun", etc.) to anyone he meets. However, Lee refers to his team-mates [[Neji Hyūga]] and [[Tenten]] just by their given names, implying that he is close enough to them to use such an informal way to speak to them. His relationship with [[Guy]] has also caused him to acquire many of Guy's traits; in addition to his personality, his dedication to his promises, as well as his belief that one cannot dislike food, are characteristics of Guy. Lee also carries this small book and pencil to recall the various bits of information Guy has given him over time.
 
   
Lee's attempts to prove and better himself are recurring themes for his actions throughout the series. He is generally optimistic, and believes that, with hard work and passion, he can surpass a natural genius, but can be prone to depression when faced with setbacks. His drive to succeed was initially most evident with his rivalry with Neji, having learned from Guy that having a rival will provide incentive to succeed. Neji, a "genius" ninja, found Lee's efforts of bettering himself to be in vain, and believed that Lee would be a "failure" for the rest of his life.
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One of Lee's recurring themes throughout the series is his drive to succeed, believing with enough hard work and perseverance, he can surpass a natural genius. He can be prone to depression when faced with setbacks. Neji, Lee's more talented teammate and rival, found Lee's efforts to be in vain, believing a "failure" could never defeat a "genius". As such, Lee became determined to defeat Neji in order to prove him wrong, though was met with defeat every time. When Neji himself was defeated by [[Naruto Uzumaki]], another so-called "failure", he rejects his belief in fate and now holds great respect for Lee, believing that he will surpass the gifted with enough work.
   
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[[File:Lee's dream.PNG|thumb|right|Lee dreams of victory in combat and love.]]
As such, Lee resolved to prove Neji wrong, and confronted another "genius", [[Sasuke Uchiha]], in an attempt to test his worth. While Lee maintained the desire to defeat Neji in a fight throughout the [[Chūnin Exam Arc]], after Neji's eventual defeat by [[Naruto Uzumaki]], another so-called "failure", Lee became less interested in this goal. Neji's rejection of his previous belief in fate also contributed to this, as he now respects Lee, believing that he will surpass the gifted with enough work.
 
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During Part I, Lee revealed he had feelings for [[Sakura Haruno]]. Although she did not reciprocate his feelings and even considered him weird, she later become more appreciative and friendly towards him after he helped saved her from the [[Otogakure]] genin during the Chūnin Exams. After the exams, Lee's interest in Sakura went largely unaddressed in the manga, though it is sometimes referenced in the anime; while having a match with Lee, Naruto transformed into Sakura, distracting Lee long enough for Naruto to attack him.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 193</ref> However, Lee's [[Infinite Tsukuyomi]] dream was of winning Sakura's affections, implying he still had romantic feelings for her. These feelings apparently have changed by adulthood, as Lee ended up marrying someone else and had a son named [[Metal Lee]].
 
Shortly after his introduction to Team 7, Lee revealed that he liked [[Sakura Haruno]], asking her to be his girlfriend and vowing to protect her immediately after they met. While she did not seem to share these feelings for him, and considered him weird, Lee maintained these feelings, and went out of his way to help her throughout the Chūnin Exams. Sakura became more appreciative after this, and punches Naruto whenever he insults Lee.
 
 
Despite this, Sakura does not seem to return any romantic feelings for Lee, as she refers to him with the more formal "Lee-san", as opposed to "Lee-kun". After the Exams' conclusion, Lee's interest in Sakura went largely unaddressed in the manga. It is occasionally referenced in the anime, such as when Naruto fought Lee in the Lee's Dōjō Arc; Naruto transformed into Sakura, causing Lee to forget about the fight long enough for Naruto to attack him.
 
   
 
== Appearance ==
 
== Appearance ==
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<gallery type="slideshow" position="left" widths="240" hideaddbutton="true">
[[File:Chapter 179.jpg|thumb|left|Lee while in the Academy, when first joining Team Guy, and as a genin.]]
 
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Chapter 179.jpg|Lee while in the Academy, when first joining Team Guy, and as a genin.
Lee possesses very thick eyebrows (leading to the nickname {{translation|"Centipede Brows"|ゲジマユ|Gejimayu|engtv=Bushy Brows}} by Naruto) and large, rounded black eyes with prominent lower eyelashes. During his academy days, Lee's hair was much longer and fastened in a braid that, along with his style of dress, gave him a more traditional Chinese appearance. When first joining Team Guy Lee's appearance changed drastically. He had shorter hair than before that curved upwards in the back. He still maintained the Chinese appearance, since he wore a robe and a martial arts belt around his waist. After joining Might Guy's team, his appearance changed considerably to emulate his idol and sensei.
 
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Lee full.png|Rock Lee in Part II.
 
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Lee - The Last.png|Lee in the Blank Period.
[[File:Rock lee full.jpg|thumb|Rock Lee in Part II.]]
 
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</gallery>
His hair is now cut and styled into a bowl-cut style like Guy, and he also began wearing the same attire, consisting of a green jumpsuit, orange leg warmers, and a red forehead protector worn as a belt. The only difference in his attire were the bandages he regularly wears around his hands and wrists, which also cover a set of stitches on his left hand,<ref name="C38P13">''Naruto'' chapter 38, page 13</ref> a trait that was due to his rigorous taijutsu training. In Guy's youth however, it is revealed that he also wore bandages.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 502, page 20</ref>
 
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Lee has shiny black hair, round eyes with prominent lower eyelashes, and very thick eyebrows; as a result, Naruto calls him {{translation|"'''Centipede Brows'''"|ゲジマユ|Gejimayu|engtv=Bushy Brows}}. As a child, his hair was quite long and fastened in a braid, though he cuts it short by the time he joins Team Guy, letting it curve out and upward. Lee originally wore a white, short-sleeved kimono-shirt with a martial arts belt and dark pants, giving him a more traditional Chinese appearance. He also sported a forehead protector and shinobi sandals.
   
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Lee later changes his appearance considerably to emulate his idol and sensei, Guy: his hair is now in a bowl-cut style; he wears a green jumpsuit, orange leg warmers, and a red forehead protector worn as a belt. He has bandages around his forearms up to his fingers, covering a set of stitches on his hands that were caused by his rigorous training.<ref name="C38P13">''Naruto'' chapter 38, page 13</ref> Like Guy, Lee's appearance remains largely the same over the years, though he adds a standard Konoha [[flak jacket]] as a [[chūnin]] in Part II, and its redesigned version in ''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]''. As an adult, Lee grew noticeably muscular with more-defined cheekbones, and now wears a sleeveless jumpsuit with an orange neckwarmer.
During Part II, his appearance has changed the least out of his friends. The most noticeable changes are that he has grown considerably taller, and wears a [[flak jacket]], as a chūnin, further emulating his sensei, however instead of wearing it open, Lee's is zipped up.
 
   
 
== Abilities ==
 
== Abilities ==
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[[File:Kakuyoku no Jin.png|thumb|Lee destroying half of a meteorite with the Suicide Corps.]]
Guy's leadership has influenced Lee's training habits, which, coupled with his hard-working resolve, has allowed Lee to improve rapidly. For example, when making a promise, Lee assigns himself arduous tasks to complete in the event that he doesn't live up to his expectations. When this promise is broken, usually just barely, he trains to prevent it from happening again.
 
  +
While in the Academy, Lee was looked down upon for his inability to use either ninjutsu or genjutsu. However, with the guidance and support of Might Guy, Lee conditioned himself into a superb ninja who relies exclusively on taijutsu.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 82, page 17</ref> While originally very limited in even that skill, Lee proved to be a late bloomer by Part I: His greatly improved skill was evident when he defeated [[Sasuke Uchiha]] (a natural prodigy), posed a challenge against Gaara in the Chūnin Exams, and held his own against [[Kimimaro]]. As a [[chūnin]], he was capable of defeating the legendary taijutsu master [[Chen]],<ref name="ship312">''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 312</ref> as well as destroy a meteorite by himself.<ref>''Boruto: Naruto the Movie'' novel</ref> By adulthood, he had advanced to the rank of [[jōnin]].
   
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=== Physical Prowess ===
Since Guy began training him, Lee has worn extremely heavy weights on his ankles that appear deceptively light, increasing his strength at the cost of inhibiting his speed to levels that his peers still consider quite fast. Upon removing the weights, Lee's speed vastly increases, making it almost impossible to see his movements with the unaided eye.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 82, page 3</ref> When he removed his ankle weights during his fight with Gaara, they enabled him to be the first person to ever bypass his defences and strike him. Lee's speed is so great in Part II that he could intercept a charge from [[Haku]], who is known for his speed both in and out of his [[Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 522, pages 13-14</ref> Not only does Lee possess immense speed, he also possesses immense strength, as Lee was actually capable of driving his hand into the earth to rip up a huge section of a giant tree's root.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 52, page 6</ref>
 
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[[File:Leaf Gale.png|left|thumb|Lee easily defeating Naruto.]]
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By age 13, Lee's arduous training conditioned him into essentially a taijutsu master, showing great proficiency in the [[Strong Fist]] fighting style. His strength could unearth a massive tree root from the ground,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 52, page 6</ref> and even though Sasuke could predict his moves with the [[Sharingan]] in their first fight, his body wasn't fast enough to react to them. As per his training Lee has worn heavy ankle weights even in fights and became much faster when they're removed, enabling him to become the first person ever to bypass Gaara's [[Shield of Sand]] and strike him.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 82, page 18</ref> As a chūnin, Lee learned to perform the {{translation|Leaf Great Gale|木ノ葉大烈風|Konoha Daireppū}}.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 400</ref> In the anime, due to Lee's extensive training, he has shown to be able to run and fight even while unconscious or asleep, using nothing but pure [[Wikipedia:Muscle memory|muscle memory]].<ref>''Naruto'' episode 152</ref> As an adult, Lee is considered to be one of Konoha's best taijutsu users.<ref>''Retsu no Sho''</ref>
   
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==== Drunken Fist ====
Lee has trained so extensively he can run and even fight while unconscious, using nothing but pure [[Wikipedia:Muscle memory|muscle memory]]. A flashback during the 'Curry of Life' filler arc, in Part I, highlighted that Lee can run in his sleep, due to training from Guy.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 152</ref> As a properly-trained ninja, Lee is more aware of his surrounding through his senses than a regular person would be. This is highlighted in the 'Three-Tails' arc, when he was blinded by [[Kigiri]]'s [[Destroying Smell Smoke Prison]]. Lee called on his training from Might Guy to be able to home in on [[Kihō]] through his "''spirit sensor''" — which he had developed through unceasing diligence and determination.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 103</ref>
 
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[[File:Drunken Fist.png|thumb|Lee using the Drunken Fist.]]
 
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Lee's very low tolerance for alcohol gives him a natural predisposition for the [[Drunken Fist]] style.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 210, pages 10-11 and 16-19</ref> When he consumes as little as one drop of alcohol, Lee becomes an unpredictable and nearly unstoppable force of destruction and chaos, attacking anyone whether they are friend or foe. This gives him considerably greater speed and dexterity, allowing him to strike and effectively dodge from various positions. Kimimaro, one of [[Orochimaru]]'s strongest subordinates, was ultimately overwhelmed by Lee's attack patterns with Drunken Fist, noting that they were too unpredictable to follow.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 211, pages 4-6</ref>
In the anime, it also seems that Lee is proficient with melee weapons. He tried to attack [[Kisame]] with a pair of [[tonfa]], but he was stopped before he could show his abilities.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 13</ref>
 
 
=== Taijutsu ===
 
[[File:Leaf Gale.jpg|thumb|left|Lee easily defeats Naruto.]]
 
Lee has no talent for [[ninjutsu]] or [[genjutsu]], and is unable to use them. Because this would ordinarily make life as a ninja impossible, Lee's dream is to become a famous ninja who uses only [[taijutsu]], despite having had very little talent for this, as well. Guy has specially trained him to reach this goal, teaching him a number of forbidden techniques in the process. The most basic of these is his [[Strong Fist]] style of combat, [[Wikipedia:Styles of Chinese martial arts#External styles|a martial art style focusing on external damage]]. In doing so, Lee has become a taijutsu master, as he has only trained in that form and has therefore almost perfected it. Lee is shown to be very fast even with the weights on his legs, but his true speed was first shown in his match against [[Gaara]]. His speed and prowess surpass those of more experienced ninja, and it is only in unique circumstances that his taijutsu is not enough to defeat an opponent. During Lee's fight with [[Kimimaro]] in Part I, Lee accidentally drank sake instead of his medicine, and slipped into [[Drunken Fist]]. After Lee slipped into Drunken Fist, Kimimaro noted that Lee's attack form was "too angular". In the anime, he was able to fight against [[Gari]], avoiding each and every one of his [[Explosion Release: Landmine Fist]]s and defeating him with a well placed kick to the head.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 284</ref> In the anime, with Guy's help, he could hold off the [[Nine-Tailed Naruto Clone]] with just taijutsu alone despite it being in a "Version 2" state.<ref name="ship293">''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 293</ref>
 
   
 
==== Eight Gates ====
 
==== Eight Gates ====
[[File:Eight Gates-Rock Lee.jpg|thumb|Lee after opening the third chakra gate.]]
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[[File:Gate Of Opening.png|thumb|left|Lee opening the first gate.]]
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Through Guy's teachings, Lee learned to open five of the [[Eight Gates]] at age 12,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 85, page 6</ref> the sixth gate at age 17,<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 669, page 8</ref> and (in the anime) the seventh gate some time after the Fourth Shinobi World War.<ref>''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 495</ref> By adulthood, Lee mastered the final gate.<ref>''Boruto'' episode 70</ref> Using the 6th gate Lee is able to move so fast he can save Guy from Madara's Truth Seeking Ball, which moved fast enough that Obito couldn't use Kamui to escape from them. He is recognised as a genius for this feat by [[Kakashi Hatake]], who notes it is highly difficult for even the most talented ninja to open even one gate.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 85, page 5</ref> With each gate he opens, Lee's strength, speed, chakra levels, and bodily functions increase tremendously. However, the longer he maintains any of these gates, the more strain and potential physical damage his puts on himself from pushing his performance so far past his natural limits. For this reason, Lee is only permitted to open any of the gates during the most dire situation or to protect something very dear to him.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 52, pages 11-13</ref> Through his continued training, Lee has become able to open some of the Eight Gates instantly and shows a faster recovery rate from using them, but he nevertheless succumbs to the pain or exhaustion they cause.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 613, page 1</ref><ref>''Naruto'' chapter 615, page 3</ref>
Through Guy's teachings, Lee has learned how to open at least the first five of eight [[chakra gates]], a feat that is difficult for even the most talented ninja, and as such has come to even be regarded as a genius by the like of [[Kakashi Hatake]] who noted that this was no mere feat of hard work.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 85, page 5</ref> Because of the danger to his body that the gates' power presents, Lee is only permitted to open them in certain circumstances such as life-or-death situations, protecting someone dear, or defending his way of the ninja. Most humans can only access less than 20% of their muscle potential but the eight gates uses chakra to "force" the muscles to work at much more power than they normally do, allowing the user to run at phenomenal speeds, pick up enormous weights, and much more at the expense of the muscles themselves. Near 50%, the muscles start to wear down and tear. Much more than that, approaching 100%, the muscles begin to break down and disintegrate. Once the Eighth Gate has been opened, they are practically unstoppable, but the user dies in the process. Lee has also learned or developed a number of taijutsu that take advantage of the extreme power and speed he gains from opening chakra gates. In Part II, he seemed to be able to recover from using the chakra gates quickly as he was not injured after using it, but was very exhausted. When both him and Guy used the Fifth Gate together, they were able to overwhelm the Nine-Tailed Naruto Clone despite it being in "Version 2", forcing it to get more of Kurama's chakra.<ref name="ship293"/>
 
   
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Lee has learned to use a number of taijutsu techniques that he can perform once certain gates have been opened; with the first gate, he can use the pile-driving [[Front Lotus]]; with the third gate, he can use the more destructive [[Reverse Lotus]]; with the sixth gate, he can perform the [[Crane Wing Formation (Eight Gates)|Crane Wing Formation]] in collaboration with members of the [[Suicide Corps]], which proved to be powerful enough to destroy half of a giant meteorite.<ref>''The Last: Naruto the Movie''</ref>
==== Drunken Fist ====
 
[[File:Drunken Fist.jpg|thumb|left|Lee using the Drunken Fist.]]
 
Lee has manifested a natural predisposition towards the [[Drunken Fist]]. When he drinks as little as one drop of alcohol, he becomes an unpredictable and unstoppable force of destruction and chaos. His actions while drunk are usually misguided attempts to impress Guy, regardless of whether or not Guy is around. He drunkenly attacks any friend or foe that is near him.
 
   
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=== Other Skills ===
Guy explained that, after Lee accidentally drank a small amount of sake, he proceeded to demolish the bar they were in, and it took the combined efforts of Guy and Neji to hold him down without harming him.
 
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Although Lee possess very little skill in ninjutsu, he can still perform basic chakra control skills, like using [[chakra]] to walk on vertical surfaces, as well as water. In the anime, he also developed enough skill to dispel genjutsu.<ref name="NS399">''Naruto: Shippūden'' episode 399</ref>
   
 
=== Stats ===
 
=== Stats ===
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== Part I ==
 
== Part I ==
=== Chūnin Exam Arc ===
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=== Chūnin Exams ===
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{{main|Chūnin Exams (Arc)|l1=Chūnin Exams}}
[[File:Lee attacks Sasuke.png|thumb|right|Lee attacking Sasuke.]]
 
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[[File:Kage Buyou.png|thumb|Lee attempting to use the Front Lotus on Sasuke.]]
Having not been allowed to participate the year before, Team Guy took part in the [[Chūnin Exams]] along with the [[Rookie Nine]]. They initially tried to avoid attention by acting weak, but Lee accidentally let slip his true strength by interfering with a fight between [[Sasuke Uchiha]] and [[Kotetsu Hagane]]. He also fell in love with [[Sakura Haruno]]. Soon afterwards, he confronted Sasuke, challenging him to a fight to see how he fared against the [[Sharingan]], but not before knocking out [[Naruto Uzumaki]], who tried to fight with Lee himself. Guy interrupted Lee and Sasuke's fight, however, when Lee tried to use the [[Front Lotus]], and Lee was forced to do laps around the practice range before he could proceed onto the first phase of the exams. With Tenten's help, he gained the answers for the written portion, and proceeded to the second round.
 
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Having opted not to participate the year before, Team Guy took part in the [[Chūnin Exams]] along with the [[Rookie Nine]]. They initially tried to avoid attention by acting weak, but Lee accidentally let slip his true strength by interfering with a fight between Sasuke and [[Kotetsu Hagane]]. He also fell in love with Sakura. Soon afterwards, he confronted Sasuke, challenging him to a fight to see how he fared against the Sharingan, but not before knocking out Naruto, who tried to fight with Lee himself. After battling Sasuke, Lee easily gained the upperhand but Guy interrupted Lee and Sasuke's fight as Lee tried to use the [[Front Lotus]], and Lee was forced to do laps around the practice range before he could proceed onto the first phase of the exams. With Tenten's help, he gained the answers for the written portion, and proceeded to the second round.
   
  +
After spending their first few days in the [[Forest of Death]] gathering supplies, Team Guy split up in search of other teams. Lee came across Sakura being attacked by [[Team Dosu]], and went to her aid. He used his Front Lotus on [[Dosu Kinuta]], but he survived the attack because of [[Zaku Abumi]] using his [[Decapitating Airwaves]] in the ground, and Lee was left unable to defend himself from a counterattack from Dosu. Neji and Tenten soon arrived to help, but didn't have to because [[Sasuke]] woke up and took care of Team Dosu. Once Lee recovered and they collected the specific scroll, they moved onto the preliminaries.
[[File:Lee Appears To Help Sakura.PNG|thumb|left|Lee comes to Sakura's aid.]]
 
After spending their first few days in the [[Forest of Death]] gathering supplies, Team Guy split up in search of other teams. Lee came across Sakura being attacked by [[Team Dosu]], and went to her aid. He used his Front Lotus on [[Dosu Kinuta]], but he survived the attack because of [[Zaku Abumi]] using his [[Decapitating Air Wave]] in the ground, and Lee was left unable to defend himself from a counterattack from Dosu. Neji and Tenten soon arrived to help, but didn't have to because [[Sasuke]] woke up, and once he recovered they moved onto the preliminaries.
 
   
[[File:Front Lotus Lee.JPEG|thumb|Lee using Front Lotus on Gaara.]]
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[[File:Front Lotus Lee.png|thumb|left|Lee using Front Lotus on Gaara.]]
In the preliminaries, Lee was matched against [[Gaara]]. When his standard attacks proved unable to bypass Gaara's defences, he removed his ankle weights to increase his speed and managed to land a couple of hits on Gaara. Then, he attempted the Forward Lotus, but Gaara was able to escape at the last minute revealing a sand clone instead. His options running out if he was to win and prove himself, Guy allowed him to use the [[Reverse Lotus]]. Gaara barely survived by turning his gourd to sand to cushion him, and the techniques took a massive toll on Lee's body. Gaara added to Lee's injury by crushing his left arm and leg. Though Guy intervened to stop Gaara from killing him, Lee got to his feet to continue the battle, despite being completely unconscious.
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In the preliminaries, Lee was matched against Gaara. When his standard attacks proved unable to bypass Gaara's defences, he removed his ankle weights to increase his speed and managed to land a couple of hits on Gaara. Then, he attempted the Forward Lotus, but Gaara was able to escape at the last minute revealing a sand clone instead. His options running out if he was to win and prove himself, Guy allowed him to use the [[Reverse Lotus]]. Gaara barely survived by turning his gourd to sand to cushion him, and the techniques took a massive toll on Lee's body. Gaara added to Lee's injury by crushing his left arm and leg. Though Guy intervened to stop Gaara from killing him, Lee got to his feet to continue the battle, despite being completely unconscious.
   
Because of his injuries, [[Medic-nin|medics]] predicted, that even if Lee recovered, his injuries would prevent him from ever being able to be a [[shinobi]] again. He nevertheless tried to train while he was in the hospital, something that only worsened his condition. When he was asleep, Gaara came to his room and tried to kill him, but he was stopped by Naruto and [[Shikamaru Nara]] and later by Guy. To try and cheer Lee up, Guy took him to watch the final round matches, but they were surprised when they arrived to find out that Neji had been defeated by Naruto. Envious of Naruto, Lee then watched Gaara's fight with Sasuke, and marvelled at how quickly he had learned to emulate Lee's speed. Before the fight could finish, however, the [[invasion of Konoha]] began, and Lee was knocked unconscious.
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Because of his injuries, [[Medic-nin|medics]] predicted, that even if Lee recovered, his injuries would prevent him from ever being able to be a shinobi again. He nevertheless tried to train while he was in the hospital, something that only worsened his condition. When he was asleep, Gaara came to his room and tried to kill him, but he was stopped by Naruto and [[Shikamaru Nara]] and later by Guy. To try and cheer Lee up, Guy took him to watch the final round matches, but they were surprised when they arrived to find out that Neji had been defeated by Naruto. Lee silently congratulated Naruto and then watched Gaara's fight with Sasuke, and marvelled at how quickly he had learned to emulate Lee's speed. Before the fight could finish, however, the [[Konoha Crush]] began, and Lee was knocked unconscious.
   
=== Invasion of Konoha Arc ===
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=== Konoha Crush ===
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{{main|Konoha Crush (Arc)|l1=Konoha Crush}}
 
Lee can be seen at the [[Third Hokage]]'s funeral alongside the other villagers, mourning his death.
 
Lee can be seen at the [[Third Hokage]]'s funeral alongside the other villagers, mourning his death.
   
=== Sasuke Retrieval Arc ===
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=== Sasuke Recovery Mission ===
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{{main|Sasuke Recovery Mission}}
[[File:Leaf Whirlwind.jpg|thumb|left|Lee attacks Kimimaro.]]
 
  +
[[File:Leaf Whirlwind.png|thumb|Lee attacks Kimimaro.]]
Over the coming weeks, Guy tried a number of his own remedies to heal Lee, though none of his efforts worked. It was not until news of [[Tsunade]] becoming [[Hokage]] reached them that they found hope. But, when she examined Lee, she informed him of the dire situation: his broken bones and torn muscles have healed, but fragments of bone had lodged in his spinal column, and removing them would involve an extensive operation that only she was capable of. When Tsunade offered him an operation that carried a fifty percent chance of returning him to his former state, or dying in the process, Lee was hesitant to accept the operation. Though Lee was worried he would die in the operation, thanks to Guy's influence, he accepted the surgery. Upon overhearing Naruto, [[Chōji Akimichi]], [[Kiba Inuzuka]], and [[Shikamaru Nara]] talking about the mission to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, Lee suggested that Neji go with them. Lee was disappointed that he couldn't go with them, still needing to go through his surgery that was scheduled for later that day<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 184</ref> (In the anime, Lee was recovering after having his surgery done the day before<ref>''Naruto'' episode 110</ref>). In the end, Lee successfully survived the operation.
 
  +
Over the coming weeks, Guy tried a number of his own remedies to heal Lee, though none of his efforts worked. It was not until news of [[Tsunade]] becoming [[Hokage]] reached them that they found hope. But, when she examined Lee, she informed him of the dire situation: his broken bones and torn muscles have healed, but fragments of bone had lodged in his spinal column, and removing them would involve an extensive operation that only she was capable of. When Tsunade offered him an operation that carried a fifty percent chance of returning him to his former state, or dying in the process, Lee was hesitant to accept the operation. Though Lee was worried he would die in the operation, thanks to Guy's influence, he accepted the surgery. Upon overhearing Naruto, [[Chōji Akimichi]], [[Kiba Inuzuka]], and Shikamaru talking about the mission to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, Lee suggested that Neji go with them. Lee was disappointed that he couldn't go with them, still needing to go through his surgery that was scheduled for later that day<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 184</ref> (In the anime, Lee was recovering after having his surgery done the day before<ref>''Naruto'' episode 110</ref>). In the end, Lee successfully survived the operation.
   
  +
Once Lee was well enough to move, he left the hospital to follow them and provide assistance. He caught up with Naruto, who was in the middle of a battle with Kimimaro, and told him to go after Sasuke while he dealt with Kimimaro. At first, it seemed Kimimaro overmatched him, but after Lee drank some sake that he had mistaken for his medicine, he began to outclass Kimimaro. Though Lee's anticipated moves were unpredictable to Kimimaro, he revealed his [[Kekkei Genkai]], [[Shikotsumyaku]], which, combined with Lee sobering up, easily took over the battle. Before his attack landed on Lee, Gaara arrived just in time to save him. Even though Lee insisted to fight side-by-side with him, he knew he was only getting in Gaara's way.
[[File:Kimimaro vs Gaara Rock Lee.jpg|thumb|right|The final moments of the fight with Kimimaro.]]
 
Once Lee was well enough to move, he left the hospital to follow them and provide assistance. He caught up with Naruto, who was in the middle of a battle with [[Kimimaro]], and told him to go after Sasuke while he dealt with Kimimaro. At first, it seemed Kimimaro overmatched him, but after Lee drank some sake that he had mistaken for his medicine, he began to outclass Kimimaro. Though Lee's anticipated moves were unpredictable to Kimimaro, he revealed his [[Kekkei Genkai]], [[Shikotsumyaku]], which, combined with Lee sobering up, easily took over the battle. Before his attack landed on Lee, Gaara arrived just in time to save him. Even though Lee insisted to fight side-by-side with him, he knew he was only getting in Gaara's way.
 
   
  +
[[File:Kimimaro vs Gaara Rock Lee.png|thumb|left|The final moments of the fight with Kimimaro.]]
 
For the rest of the battle, Lee watches and is amazed by Gaara's new abilities. Even though Gaara's new techniques completely buried Kimimaro, Kimimaro counters by turning the battlefield into a forest of bones, which Lee and Gaara escaped by hanging onto [[Desert Suspension|a pair of small clouds made out of sand]]. Kimimaro then emerged from one of the bones, preparing to kill the two at point blank range. They were saved, however, as Kimimaro finally succumbed to his disease and died. After the battle, Lee and Gaara reflect upon Kimimaro's purpose, then the two return to Konoha.
 
For the rest of the battle, Lee watches and is amazed by Gaara's new abilities. Even though Gaara's new techniques completely buried Kimimaro, Kimimaro counters by turning the battlefield into a forest of bones, which Lee and Gaara escaped by hanging onto [[Desert Suspension|a pair of small clouds made out of sand]]. Kimimaro then emerged from one of the bones, preparing to kill the two at point blank range. They were saved, however, as Kimimaro finally succumbed to his disease and died. After the battle, Lee and Gaara reflect upon Kimimaro's purpose, then the two return to Konoha.
  +
{{-L}}
   
=== Curry of Life Arc ===
+
=== Kurosuki Family Removal Mission ===
  +
{{main|Kurosuki Family Removal Mission}}
[[File:The Enemy of the Byakugan.JPG|thumb|left|Ranmaru is discovered.]]
 
  +
[[File:The Enemy of the Byakugan.png|thumb|Ranmaru is discovered.]]
Lee revealed that he once ran a marathon with [[Guy]] near the village of Katabami Kinzan shortly after being assigned to his team, and when he collapsed from exhaustion near the [[Curry of Life]] shop, the owner, Sanshō, and her son Karashi fed him curry and saved his life. Lee's dedication caused Karashi to become enthusiastic, and he later left. A year later, when he came to the village with his team-mates and Naruto to defeat the Kurosuki family, he found that Karashi had joined, and was upset that Karashi had sought strength in this way. He allowed Karashi to seek redemption, but Karashi used this opportunity to lure Lee's group into a trap after their first battle with [[Raiga]]. The trap failed due to Naruto's use of [[shadow clone]]s, and while the villagers were willing to seek vengeance on Karashi, Lee stepped in, promising to take responsibility for Karashi's actions. Karashi used the opportunity to take [[Ranmaru]] to revive Raiga. Lee went to fight Raiga with Naruto and Neji, and was knocked out but brought back to consciousness with the Curry of Life. The curry, however, accidentally contained wine, and Lee was intoxicated and performed the [[Drunken Fist]]. He fought Raiga drunkenly, but was defeated, and Naruto finished Raiga off. Later, when the group went back to the Curry of Life shop, they found out that Karashi had made a new curry that looked so bad that even Naruto didn't want to eat it. Lee, however, couldn't wait to try it, so the rest of the group had to literally drag him back to Konoha while he cried for the curry.
 
  +
In the anime, Lee revealed that he once ran a marathon with Guy near the village of Katabami Kinzan shortly after being assigned to his team, and when he collapsed from exhaustion near the [[Curry of Life]] shop, the owner, Sanshō, and her son Karashi fed him curry and saved his life. Lee's dedication caused Karashi to become enthusiastic, and he later left. A year later, when he came to the village with his teammates and Naruto to defeat the Kurosuki family, he found that Karashi had joined, and was upset that Karashi had sought strength in this way. He allowed Karashi to seek redemption, but Karashi used this opportunity to lure Lee's group into a trap after their first battle with [[Raiga]]. The trap failed due to Naruto's use of [[shadow clone]]s, and while the villagers were willing to seek vengeance on Karashi, Lee stepped in, promising to take responsibility for Karashi's actions. Karashi used the opportunity to take [[Ranmaru]] to revive Raiga. Lee went to fight Raiga with Naruto and Neji, and was knocked out but brought back to consciousness with the Curry of Life. The curry, however, accidentally contained wine, and Lee was intoxicated and performed the [[Drunken Fist]]. He fought Raiga drunkenly, but was defeated, and Naruto finished Raiga off. Later, when the group went back to the Curry of Life shop, they found out that Karashi had made a new curry that looked so bad that even Naruto didn't want to eat it. Lee, however, couldn't wait to try it, so the rest of the group had to literally drag him back to Konoha while he cried for the curry.
   
=== Ninja Academy Arc ===
+
=== Academy Student Lead Mission ===
  +
{{main|Academy Student Lead Mission}}
The [[Academy Student]]s were divided into teams of three and were assigned to a [[genin]] who would lead them on a mission against the other teams. Lee was assigned to lead a team of three academy students; Chen, Samo and En. His time with them was not covered much except that he was doing better than Naruto: After fending off some 'bandits', one of Lee's charges addressed Lee as "''Lee-Sensei''" out of awe, and, overjoyed, Lee went off into one of his declarations into the sunset whilst his students tried to tell him that he was going the wrong way.
 
  +
In the anime, Lee was assigned to lead a team of three [[Academy student]]s on a survival exercise. After fending off some 'bandits', one of Lee's charges addressed Lee as "''Lee-sensei''" out of awe, and, overjoyed, Lee went off into one of his declarations into the sunset whilst his students tried to tell him that he was going the wrong way.
   
=== Guy and Lee Impersonator Arc ===
+
=== The Appearance of Strange Visitors ===
  +
{{main|The Appearance of Strange Visitors}}
Guy and Lee left the village on a mission, and two spies tried to imitate them. Tsunade immediately saw through their disguise, and gave them various difficult, disgusting, or humiliating missions in order to keep them busy and prevent them from learning anything. They encountered the real Lee and Guy on the way out of the village and tried to attack, but were sent flying back to Konohagakure.
 
  +
In the anime, Guy and Lee left the village on a mission, and two spies tried to imitate them. Tsunade immediately saw through their disguise, and gave them various difficult, disgusting, or humiliating missions in order to keep them busy and prevent them from learning anything. Lee and Guy spot the imposters leaving he village. The imposters attacked but were sent flying back to Konoha.
   
=== Hoshigakure Arc ===
+
=== Star Guard Mission ===
  +
{{main|Star Guard Mission}}
Lee accompanied Neji, Naruto, and Tenten on the mission to [[Hoshigakure]], playing a lesser role than in previous arcs. He attempted to follow two of [[Akahoshi]]'s men while hiding under a barrel, as [[Tenten]] suggested, but was discovered almost instantly. While trying to infiltrate Akahoshi's mansion, he pretended to use a jutsu known as "Wall-Removing Technique", but, in actuality, it involved him moving at high speed to open a door from the other side. He was wounded during the final battle with Akahoshi, leaving Naruto to fight him alone.
 
  +
In the anime, Lee accompanied Neji, Naruto, and Tenten on the mission to [[Hoshigakure]], playing a lesser role than in previous arcs. He attempted to follow two of [[Akahoshi]]'s men while hiding under a barrel, as Tenten suggested, but was discovered almost instantly. While trying to infiltrate Akahoshi's mansion, he pretended to use a jutsu known as "Wall-Removing Technique", but, in actuality, it involved him moving at high speed to open a door from the other side. He was wounded during the final battle with Akahoshi, leaving Naruto to fight him alone.
   
  +
=== Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion! ===
=== Lee's Dōjō Arc ===
 
[[File:Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion!.JPG|thumb|Rock Lee's Gutz Dōjō.]]
+
{{main|Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion!}}
  +
[[File:Episode 193.png|thumb|left|Rock Lee's Gutz Dōjō.]]
Lee, seeing that he had little time to train with other people due to the many missions that must be done, sought a new means of training. He saw a man challenging a dōjō, ready to take the sign if he won, and ready to join if he lost, and believed that a dōjō would bring many strong opponents. When Naruto stumbled upon the dōjō, Lee asked that he fight, but Naruto hastily left, late for reporting back to Tsunade.
 
  +
In the anime, Lee, seeing that he had little time to train with other people due to the many missions that must be done, sought a new means of training. After having seen a man challenging a dōjō, ready to take the sign if he won, and ready to join if he lost; Lee founds his own dōjō (which he names the "Gutz Dōjō"), believing that a dōjō would draw-in many strong opponents. When Naruto stumbled upon the dōjō, Lee asked that he fight, but Naruto had to leave hastily, late for reporting back to Tsunade.
   
Guy, after hearing about the dōjō from Naruto, decides to disguise himself in order to fight Lee. However, he was given a mission at the last second, and an impostor replaced him. Lee fought the impostor and easily defeated him, but Naruto believed that the impostor was Guy, and that he was not fighting at full strength in order to avoid revealing himself. Naruto fought Lee while the impostor transformed into Lee, but met the real Guy while trying to leave, and was easily defeated by him.
+
Guy, after hearing about the dōjō from Naruto, decides to disguise himself in order to fight Lee. However, he was given a mission at the last second, and (unbeknown to Guy) an impostor replaced him. Lee fought the impostor and easily defeated him, but Naruto believed that the impostor was Guy, and that he was not fighting at full strength in order to avoid revealing himself, so Naruto challenges and fights against Lee. Meanwhile the impostor transformed into Lee, but met the real Guy while trying to leave, and was easily defeated by him.
   
 
=== Third Great Beast Arc ===
 
=== Third Great Beast Arc ===
  +
{{main|Third Great Beast Arc}}
Lee's condition worsened, and Tsunade became concerned about him injuring himself again. She removed him from missions, but allowed him to keep training after he convinced her to do so. Around this time, Guy arrived with a new student, who easily defeated Lee and injured his ankle. While Lee was recovering, Guy took the new student with him on a mission, causing Lee to believe that he had abandoned him. It was then revealed that the new student was an impostor, and that he planned on seeking vengeance against Guy. Lee headed to Guy's location, but was trapped in a castle made out of sparring posts. He and Lee were tricked into fighting each other by seeing the other as a sparring dummy, but they saw through the technique and opened their chakra gates to destroy the dummies without harming the actual person, freeing themselves and destroying the castle.
 
  +
In the anime, Lee's condition worsened, and Tsunade became concerned about him injuring himself again. She removed him from missions, but allowed him to keep training after he convinced her to do so. Around this time, Guy arrived with a new student, who easily defeated Lee and injured his ankle. While Lee was recovering, Guy took the new student with him on a mission, causing Lee to believe that he had abandoned him. It was then revealed that the new student was an impostor, and that he planned on seeking vengeance against Guy. Lee headed to Guy's location, but was trapped in a castle made out of sparring posts. He and Lee were tricked into fighting each other by seeing the other as a sparring dummy, but they saw through the technique, recognising each others fighting style, and opened their chakra gates to destroy the dummies without harming the actual person, freeing themselves and destroying the castle.
   
=== Trap Master Arc ===
+
=== Konoha Plans Recapture Mission ===
  +
{{main|Konoha Plans Recapture Mission}}
Lee, despite having few special abilities, made some noteworthy contributions to the investigation. While he initially encouraged the academy students to keep practising throwing kunai, once he realised that hitting the bull's eye would cause a chain reaction that would detonate explosives around Konoha, he caught a kunai in midair just before it hit the target, despite being far away from it. He defeated [[Gennō]] with his taijutsu during the final confrontation.
 
  +
In the anime, Lee and rest of the [[Konoha 11]] came down together to stop [[Gennō]] from bombing Konoha. Despite having few special abilities, made some noteworthy contributions to the investigation. While he initially encouraged the Academy students to keep practising throwing kunai, once he realised that hitting the bull's eye would cause a chain reaction that would detonate explosives around Konoha, he caught a kunai in midair just before it hit the target, despite being far away from it. Lee defeated Gennō with his taijutsu during the final confrontation.
 
=== Shinobazu Arc ===
 
Naruto accompanied Sakura and Lee to escort [[Gantetsu (Shinobazu)|Gantetsu]]. When the ship was sliced in half by a metal wire, Lee ended up with Sakura, and found the orphans Gantetsu had cared for. During the raid on the hideout, he fought the Shinobazu members outside.
 
   
=== Ultimate Weapon Arc ===
+
=== Gantetsu Escort Mission ===
  +
{{main|Gantetsu Escort Mission}}
Lee and Naruto helped Gaara fight and defeat an opponent who could absorb his enemies' chakra with his armour. After the mission, he sparred with Tenten, who was upset over being the only member of the Konoha 11 left out of the mission despite having a mission at the time, and noted that, in order to be able to face Naruto when he returned, they too must become stronger.
 
  +
In the anime, Naruto accompanied Sakura and Lee to escort [[Gantetsu]]. When the ship was sliced in half by a metal wire, Lee ended up with Sakura, and found the orphans Gantetsu had cared for. During the raid on the hideout, he fought the Shinobazu members outside.
  +
  +
=== Sunagakure Support Mission ===
  +
{{main|Sunagakure Support Mission}}
  +
In the anime, Lee and Naruto helped Gaara fight and defeat [[Seimei]] — an opponent who could absorb his enemies' chakra with his armour. After the mission, he sparred with Tenten, who was upset over being the only member of the Konoha 11 left out of the mission despite having a mission at the time, and noted that, in order to be able to face Naruto when he returned, they too must become stronger.
  +
  +
== Interlude ==
  +
=== In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths ===
  +
{{main|In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths}}
  +
In the anime, after about two years, the Chūnin Exams are held, co-sponsored by Konoha and Suna. While waiting to register, Team Guy spots Naruto, much too their surprise. However, Neji reveals that it was only [[Konohamaru]] in [[Transformation Technique|disguise]], who explained that he didn't want Naruto to miss out on this opportunity since he was away. With some comforting words from Lee and Neji, Konohamaru and his friends take their leave.
  +
  +
[[File:Team Guy race to Sunagakure.png|thumb|Team Guy racing towards Sunagakure.]]
  +
As part of the first stage, all teams were randomly split into different rooms to take the written test. Lee was placed in room 2 with [[Ino Yamanaka]] and [[Shino Aburame]]. On a monitor, Shikamaru as proctor explained that everyone only needed to answer one question, but their team's combined score must equal exactly 100 points to pass. Thanks to Neji, all the teams that were struggling were able to figure out which question to answer based on the specific amount of vibrations sent through the wall. To everyone's surprise, Shikamaru revealed a bonus question which asked that if a situation required you to sacrifice a teammate to be a decoy, which one would you choose. This was however a trick question that required no answer, as it was a test of loyalty, something that Lee and his team understood, allowing them to pass the first stage. However, as a result of having too many participants, a race to Suna was held, where only the first 30 teams to arrive at the destination would qualify for the second stage.
  +
  +
[[File:Lee meets Shira.png|thumb|left|Lee tries to talk to Shira.]]
  +
Ultimately, his team were among the first 30 teams to make it. During dinner, the genin tried to keep [[Burami]] from leaking sweat all over the food, and although they were successfully able to do that, the food was still ruined as result of Neji's [[Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven]] accidentally knocking the food down. This caused an all-out brawl between the genin in the room. Lee tried not to fight, but when he tried to strike [[Shira]], his attack proved futile. Eventually everyone lost their desire to fight when [[Fū]] arrived with her optimistic ways. Later, Lee approached Shira, noting from their earlier encounter, that he also endured much adversity, to which Shira stated true determination will ultimately succeed.
  +
  +
The following day, the second exam began. Like the last exam in Konoha, the teams were each given either a Heaven or Earth scroll and were required to obtain the other scroll. They would then have to bring the set to the main building in the centre of [[Demon Desert]], having three days to so. As they began wondering around aimlessly, Lee realised a pattern and began marking rocks with kunai, concluding that they were [[Cactus Genjutsu|wondering in circles]]. After dispelling the genjutsu, they find [[Team Goji]] and proceed to attack them, only for [[Team Shira]] to interfere and help their fellow Suna-nin. Unbeknownst by Team Guy, they get caught in another genjutsu by [[Sen]]. After Sen undoes the genjutsu, Team Guy finds that they are caught in quicksand, which drags them down into a waterfall sand pit. Lee manages to save his teammates and himself from falling to their doom after opening the second of the Eight Gates. After escaping from the pit, they find Team Shira in trouble, as they were being attacked by treacherous Suna-nin. Feeling compelled to help, Team Guy decides comes to Team Shira's aid, after which Neji asked why they were attacked at all. It was explained that Team Goji simply had no respect for Shira as a ninja, with Lee deducing that like him, Shira had no skill for genjutsu and ninjutsu, causing him to be ridiculed by his peers.
  +
  +
[[File:Lee and Shira.png|thumb|Lee and Shira's newfound respect for one another.]]
  +
Lee, in a pit of rage over Team Goji's disrespect, storms off to convince them to apologise to Shira. When this fails, the Suna-nin attack, trapping Lee in a [[Wind Release: Sand Cloud Whirlwind|sandstorm]] that cast illusions of figures attacking to distract him from the real threat when they strike him with [[Water Release: Mouth Shot|water needles]]. Just as he is about to be finished, Neji and Tenten arrive to save him. Before the battle continues, Shira begs the Konoha-nin not to leave them be, insisting that their distaste of him is his own fault for not training hard enough. Lee believed the very opposite however, but ultimately he and his team agreed. Shira offered his scroll to one of the Suna-nin teams as they technically defeated his team earlier. As Shira's words finally reached the spiteful Suna-nin, they declined and instead gave Shira's team and Lee's team their own respective scrolls as they lost this battle. After the Suna-nin left, determined like Shira to prove themselves by finding more scrolls, Shira agreed to Lee's request to have a one-on-one battle.
  +
  +
[[File:Lee vs Shira.png|thumb|left|Lee and Shira clash.]]
  +
While seemingly equal in raw speed and skill, Neji noted that Shira had a slight advantage with his more solid built, and by extension greater raw strength. As Lee attempted to use the Eight Gates, he was unable to do so due to Shira already anticipating this and striking his pressure points beforehand. As Lee began changing tactics from Might Guy's teachings, manipulating how Shira would move, he began to drive Shira back. After acknowledging each other's determination, Shira struck Lee's pressure points again to remove the block, wanting to face Lee at his best. As Lee entered the Eight Gates, Shira used the [[Seven Heavens Breathing Method]], which proved to be on par with the Eight Gates. As the intensity grew between the two, Shira's previous wounds begin to reopen, prompting Lee to call off the fight. As Shira was being [[Mystical Palm Technique|healed]] by Yome, he explained that after the Chūnin Exams ends, he will be enlisting in a special force on the outskirts of Suna so that he could be closer to his parents. Lee wished Shira good luck and gave him one of his jumpsuits as a gift, acknowledging their new friendship.
  +
  +
On the third day of the exam, Team Guy cross paths with a team of [[Team Ajisai|Ame kunoichi]] and battles them. After a short skirmish, the enemy team decided to retreat as Team Guy was not the target they sought for. Despite this, Lee's team pursued the Ame-nin into an old ruins. During their continued battle, the ground collapsed, swallowing Tenten and Ajisai, and separating them from their respective teams. Though Lee and Neji wanted to work together to save one another's teammate, the two Ame-nin turned them down and left. Lee suggested that they plough their way through the rubble, only for Neji to reject the idea in fear of causing more damage than desired. When Lee and Neji find the two Ame-nin, they aid them in their fight against [[Team Komugi|another Konoha team]] as they needed their help to find Tenten. This prompted the other Konoha team to retreat as they were outnumbered. After the two teams agree to work together, they battle a colony of large ants, but it is Tenten who defeats them. Having now been reunited, the two teams part ways peacefully.
  +
  +
[[File:Team Guy hiding.png|thumb|Team Guy waiting for the passing of the sandstorm.]]
  +
Later, Team Guy get caught in a massive sandstorm. Unable to push forward, Neji repelled the sand long enough for Tenten to summon a [[Unsealing Technique: Segmented Iron Dome|protective dome]] for them to wait out the storm. After the storm cleared and they resumed their efforts to past the exam, they spotted [[Matsuri]], who begged them to help save Gaara. Team Guy was soon approached by Fū's teammates, who agreed to unite their efforts in hopes of saving Fū and Gaara. While Lee and Matsuri joined Fū's teammates in distracting Hōichi, Neji and Tenten tried to save the jinchūriki. Ultimately, Neji was able to free Gaara and Fū with his Gentle Fist, which came at Hōichi's expense as the chains soon turned on him, still seeking tailed beast chakra and ultimately bound him.
  +
  +
Despite lacking a matching set of scrolls, Lee's team decided to complete the exams and head to the main building. There, it was learned that the Chūnin Exams were ended early due to controversy happening in the second exam. Instead, it was decided by Gaara that a report on each participant would be sent to their respective village leader for them to decide if they would be promoted. Upon returning to the village, Tsunade promoted Lee and Tenten to chūnin, while Neji was promoted to jonin.
   
 
== Part II ==
 
== Part II ==
=== Kazekage Rescue Arc ===
+
=== Kazekage Rescue Mission ===
  +
{{main|Kazekage Rescue Mission}}
[[File:Rising Wind.jpg|thumb|left|Rock Lee and Guy attack Kisame.]]
 
  +
[[File:Leaf Rising Wind.png|thumb|left|Lee disarming Kisame.]]
Team Kakashi was sent on a mission to rescue Gaara from [[Akatsuki]]. When Tsunade began to worry that they might have problems, she sent Team Guy as back-up. On their way to a rendezvous point, they were attacked by [[Kisame Hoshigaki]]. Kisame was quite angered that Guy didn't remember him from their fight in Part I. Kisame soon captured Lee, Neji, and Tenten, but by opening the sixth gate, Guy ended the fight quickly, and they moved on.
 
  +
After Team Kakashi was sent on a mission to rescue Gaara from [[Akatsuki]], Tsunade began to worry that they might have problems so she sent Team Guy as back-up. On their way to a rendezvous point they encountered [[Pakkun]], who redirected them to Team Kakashi's destination. Soon after they were attacked by [[Kisame Hoshigaki]]. As the battle waged on Lee was able to disarm Kisame shortly but soon was captured alongside Neji and Tenten in a [[Water Prison]] by Kisame's water clones. After a while Neji was able to free Lee and himself allowing Lee to rescue Tenten before she suffocated. Afterwards they watched on as Guy finished off Kisame. Upon Kisame's defeat they discovered that it was not really him they were fighting against, only a [[Shapeshifting Technique|lookalike]]. Realising they were being stalled, Pakkun led them off towards Team 7.
   
[[File:Team Guy finds Deidara.png|thumb|Team Guy confronts Deidara.]]
+
[[File:Lee vs clone.png|thumb|Lee overpowering his clone.]]
  +
When they convened with Team Kakashi, Team Guy was tasked with bringing down the barrier blocking the entrance to the Akatsuki lair. Neji used his Byakugan to find the seals keeping the barrier in place and directed the locations of them to the rest of the team. Once they found the seals they simultaneously taking them off, succeeding in removing the barrier but in the process were immediately ambushed by copies of themselves. Soon after Lee and his clone started fighting, matching each other attack for attack. After being evenly matched with his clone, Lee communicated to the rest of the team who were in the same situation and proposed a solution: to become stronger than they had been when the copies had been created. With that, Lee used a [[Youth Full Power|new technique]] and defeated his clone.
Once Kakashi's team arrived after them, the two squads found out that there was a barrier on the Akatsuki headquarters, something Team Guy volunteered to take down. They split up and removed seals spread out across the area, bringing down the barrier but triggering a trap: they were attacked by clones of themselves. When they were about to be defeated, Lee figured out how to beat the clones — by being stronger than when they met them. With that, Lee uses a new technique to defeat his clone. Later on Lee and the rest of his team-mates would confront [[Deidara]] who had been hiding and spying on Team Kakashi. With Deidara ultimately fleeing the scene and leaving an [[Suicide Bombing Clone|explosive clone]] behind, they are saved by Kakashi who warps the explosion away. Once Gaara was later revived, they headed back to Sunagakure and then later to Konoha. As they left, Guy had to carry Kakashi who had been incapacitated from using the Mangekō Sharingan too much. Seeing this as a form of training, Lee told Neji to get on his back so that they might race back to Konoha, but was forcefully rejected.
 
   
  +
[[File:Team Guy finds Deidara.png|thumb|left|Team Guy confronts Deidara.]]
=== Sasuke and Sai Arc ===
 
  +
With their battles won, Team Guy reunited and went to meet up with Team 7 again. On their way Neji spotted [[Deidara]] with his Byakugan and the team manage to sneak up behind him in time to block his escape. After fighting the team Guy, Deidara realised he was outmatched and he attempted to retreat. While on Deidara's tail Team Guy cornered him, leading him to make a [[Suicide Bombing Clone|exploding clone]], resulting in almost killing both teams were it not for [[Kakashi]]'s [[Kamui|intervention]]. After Gaara was revived and their mission completed, both teams accompanied him back to Sunagakure and later paid their respects at Chiyo's grave. Afterwards both teams departed for Konoha. On there way, Guy started carrying Kakashi who had been incapacitated from using the Mangekō Sharingan too much. Seeing this as a form of training, Lee told Neji to get on his back so that they might race back to Konoha, but was forcefully rejected.
Lee and the rest of [[Team Guy]] were only seen in the very beginning of this arc in the anime, as they returned from Suna. Lee, thinking he had come in second place in his and Guy's race from [[Suna]] to [[Konoha]], was shocked when Guy informed him that since he was carrying [[Kakashi]] on his back as well, Lee had only come in third. Lee was seen carrying everyone's packs when they returned to Konoha. After escorting Kakashi to the hospital, Team Guy went to rest.
 
   
=== Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc ===
+
=== Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission ===
  +
{{main|Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission}}
{{Main|Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc}}
 
  +
Lee and the rest of Team Guy were only seen in the very beginning of this arc in the anime, as they returned from Suna. Lee, thinking he had come in second place in his and Guy's race from [[Sunagakure]] to Konoha, was shocked when Guy informed him that since he was carrying [[Kakashi]] on his back as well, Lee had only come in third. Lee was seen carrying everyone's packs when they returned to Konoha. After escorting Kakashi to the hospital, Team Guy went to rest.
   
=== Hidan and Kakuzu Arc ===
+
=== Twelve Guardian Ninja ===
  +
{{Main|Twelve Guardian Ninja (Arc)|l1=Twelve Guardian Ninja}}
  +
In the anime, Lee and his guy peers were invited [[Asuma Sarutobi]] to join him for a lunch out with a [[Sora|guest]] from outside the village. When the village was invaded by [[Furido's 4-Man Team]], the enemies resurrected members of the [[Kohaku clan]]. Lee fought alongside other Konoha-nin to keep the zombie-nin at bay. Later, when Sora, who was discovered to be a [[Pseudo-Jinchūriki]] transformed, he and the others went to stop him. However, Sora proved too much and Naruto instead faced him and eventually stopped him. At the end, the invaders were all defeated.
  +
  +
=== Akatsuki Suppression Mission ===
  +
{{main|Akatsuki Suppression Mission}}
 
In the anime, he is seen at Asuma's funeral, mourning his loss.
 
In the anime, he is seen at Asuma's funeral, mourning his loss.
   
=== Three-Tails Arc ===
+
=== Three-Tails' Appearance ===
{{Main|Three-Tails Arc}}
+
{{Main|Three-Tails' Appearance}}
  +
In the anime, Lee was placed on [[Team Two]] with Yamato as leader and assistance from Tenten, Kiba and Akamaru. After his team settles in their position, they spot an [[Kigiri|enemy]]. Lee storms in for attack, connecting withwith a kick but the enemy is revealed to be a [[Smoke clone|smoke clone]]. The real Kigiri with his [[Team Guren|allies]] reveal themselves, and soon Lee finds himself trapped in Kigiri's [[Destroying Smell Smoke Prison|smokescreen]]. After remembering a discussion about using other senses with Guy, he found his way through and attacked [[Kihō]] with Front Lotus. His team ultimately defeated the enemy the opposing shinobi.
  +
  +
Later, he battled alongside Tenten against [[Guren]] and [[Rinji]] on the lake while [[Team Three]] tried to seal the [[Three-Tails]]. After the beast went berserk, he and the others retreated, carrying an unconscious Ino to shore. After recuperating, they all agreed to try the task again. Afterwards, Lee and his team end up battling the enemies from their earlier encounter. Unfortunately, his team lost due to the enemies' [[Orochimaru's Juinjutsu|cursed seals]] being activated, making them stronger than before. Later, to his and the others surprise, the enemies [[Casualty Puppet|merged]], becoming an even bigger threat. However, the Three-Tails while on its ramapage, crushed the merged foes. Having failed to seal the beast the second time, they returned to Konoha.
   
=== Invasion of Pain Arc ===
+
=== Pain's Assault ===
  +
{{main|Pain's Assault (Arc)|l1=Pain's Assault}}
During [[Pain]]'s invasion of Konoha, Team Guy was away on a mission. On their way returning to the village, they noticed a large number of birds flying from the direction of the village and rushed to see what the issue was. When they arrived to see the village in ruins they also spotted a severely wounded [[Hinata Hyūga]], and got her medical attention. Later, Lee, alongside the other villagers, celebrated Naruto's victory over Pain.
 
  +
[[File:Sakura healing Hinata.png|thumb|Team Guy gets medical attention for Hinata.]]
  +
During [[Pain]]'s assault on Konoha, Team Guy was away on a mission. On their way returning to the village, they noticed a large number of birds flying from the direction of the village and rushed to see what the issue was. The team then stumbled upon a defeated [[Gamabunta]], who informed them that the village was in destruction. When they arrived to see the village in ruins they also spotted a severely wounded [[Hinata Hyūga]], and got her medical attention after Tenten noted that her wounds weren't fatal. [[Katsuyu]] later informed them that Naruto was fighting with the last Pain member, much to everyone's shock. Guy insisted that he and his team provide back-up, but Katsuyu mentions that Naruto does not want anyone else to get involved. Later, Lee, alongside the other villagers, celebrated Naruto's victory over the defeat of Pain.
   
=== Konoha History Arc ===
+
=== Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha ===
{{Main|Konoha History Arc}}
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{{Main|Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha}}
   
=== Five Kage Summit Arc ===
+
=== Five Kage Summit ===
  +
{{main|Five Kage Summit (Arc)|l1=Five Kage Summit}}
 
[[File:Sakura's team.png|thumb|left|Lee accompanies Sakura to track down Sasuke.]]
 
[[File:Sakura's team.png|thumb|left|Lee accompanies Sakura to track down Sasuke.]]
When news reaches Konoha of [[Sasuke Uchiha]]'s crimes against other villages, Lee and the rest of the [[Konoha 11]] decide they should eliminate Sasuke themselves before he can involve Konoha in a war. So that Sakura can inform Naruto of their decision, Lee, [[Kiba]], and [[Sai]] escort her to the [[Land of Iron]]. When they locate him, Sakura tells Naruto that she loves him, surprising Lee. This does not convince him to give up his own search for Sasuke, so they leave without another word. Sakura then asks her escorts to help her find Sasuke. When they near his location, Sakura tries to knock them out so she can face Sasuke alone. Sai stops her, so Sakura convinces Lee and Kiba that he is a traitor. While they try to detain him, she succeeds in knocking them out.
+
When news reaches Konoha of [[Sasuke Uchiha]]'s crimes against other villages, Lee and the rest of the [[Konoha 11]] decide they should eliminate Sasuke themselves before he can involve Konoha in a war. So that Sakura can inform Naruto of their decision, Lee, [[Kiba]], and [[Sai]] escort her to the [[Land of Iron]]. When they locate him, Sakura tells Naruto that she loves him, surprising Lee. This does not convince him to give up his own search for Sasuke, so they leave without another word, despite Lee's protest. Sakura then asks her escorts to help her find Sasuke. When they near his location while Lee, along with Kiba, try to protest how telling Naruto the truth would have been better, Sakura tries to knock them out so she can face Sasuke alone. Sai stops her, so Sakura convinces Lee and Kiba that he is a traitor. While they try to detain him, she succeeds in knocking them out.
   
  +
After Sakura and the rest of Team 7 meet with Sasuke, they retrieve Lee and the others and return to Konoha. Lee is later seen with the rest of the Konoha 11 hearing Naruto's decision to take responsibility for Sasuke. Though they protested this action, Naruto firmly states that he would be the one to take care of Sasuke. Before leaving, he promises to tell them everything when the time was right.
[[File:Konoha 11 reunited.png|thumb|The "Konoha 11" meet to discuss Sasuke.]]
 
After Sakura and the rest of Team 7 meet with Sasuke, they revive Lee and the others and return to Konoha. Lee is later seen with the rest of the Konoha 11 hearing Naruto's decision to take responsibility for Sasuke. Though they protested this action, Naruto firmly states that he would be the one to take care of Sasuke. Before leaving, he promises to tell them everything when the time was right.
 
{{-}}
 
   
=== Chikara Arc ===
+
=== Power ===
{{Main|Chikara Arc}}
+
{{Main|Power (Arc)|l1=Power}}
Lee and his team-mates were sent to back up [[Team Kakashi]] who were investigating what was happening at [[The Hole]] located in the [[Tonika Village]]. During this mission, Lee and Guy confronted Naruto's berserk clone, and after opening the [[Eight Gates|Fifth Gate]] alongside his mentor, was able to stave off the creature before it took on a pseudo-Nine-Tails form.
+
In the anime, Lee and his teammates were sent to back up [[Team Kakashi]] who were investigating what was happening at [[The Hole]] located in the [[Tonika Village]]. During this mission, Lee and Guy confronted Naruto's berserk clone, and after opening the [[Eight Gates|Fifth Gate]] alongside his mentor, was able to stave off the creature before it took on a pseudo-Nine-Tails form.
   
=== Adventures at Sea Arc ===
+
=== Paradise Life on a Boat ===
{{Main|Adventures at Sea Arc}}
+
{{Main|Paradise Life on a Boat}}
   
=== Shinobi World War Arc ===
+
=== Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation ===
  +
{{main|Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation}}
[[File:Leaf Coiling Whirlwind.png|thumb|left|Lee and Guy attack Haku.]]
 
  +
[[File:Sakura healing Guy.png|thumb|Lee watches on as Sakura heals Guy who arrives injured.]]
During the [[Fourth Shinobi World War]], Lee is assigned to the [[Third Division]] alongside Sakura and Guy. He is seen fretting over his sensei's condition while Sakura tries to heal him. When members of the [[Surprise Attack Division]] are attacked by the [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnated]] shinobi, the Third Division arrives in time to intercept the attack. He is then seen along with the [[Third Division]] clashing against the reincarnated ninja. Upon Kakashi's orders, they group into a [[Manji Formation]], Lee promises that no matter what he will protect Sakura; she however tells him to also be careful as last time Zabuza was able to penetrate the formation from its weak point; the centre. He and Guy later intercepted Haku's assault with the [[Leaf Coiling Whirlwind]]. In the anime, after the [[Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist]] were summoned, Guy told Lee to chase after [[Pakura]] while he went after [[Gari]]. After a long day battling, Lee and the recuperates with his remaining division members as night falls.
 
  +
During the [[Fourth Shinobi World War]], Lee is assigned to the [[Third Division]] alongside Sakura and Guy. He is seen fretting over his sensei's condition while Sakura tries to heal him. When members of the [[Surprise Attack Division]] are attacked by the [[Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation|reincarnated]] shinobi, the Third Division arrives in time to intercept the attack. He is then seen along with the [[Third Division]] clashing against the reincarnated ninja. Upon Kakashi's orders, they group into a [[Manji Formation]], Lee promises that no matter what he will protect Sakura; she however tells him to also be careful as last time Zabuza was able to penetrate the formation from its weak point; the centre. He and Guy later intercepted Haku's assault with the [[Leaf Coiling Whirlwind]]. In the anime, after the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were summoned, Guy told Lee to chase after [[Pakura]] while he went after [[Gari]]. After a long day battling, Lee and the recuperates with his remaining division members as night falls.
   
[[File:LeeVSGari.png|thumb|right|Lee fighting Gari to protect his friends.]]
+
[[File:Leaf Coiling Whirlwind.png|thumb|left|Lee and Guy battling Haku during the war.]]
 
With the resumption of battle the next day, Lee sticks close to [[Sai]] who had been tasked with sealing the reincarnated [[Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist]]. Lee tells Sai not to worry and just concentrate on the sealing while he would protect him. When [[Naruto]]'s [[shadow clone]] arrives on the battlefield, Lee exclaims that with him here their numbers would increase. However, Naruto tells them that he wouldn't be able to perform the [[Shadow Clone Technique]] in his current state, so they'd have to defeat the new wave of [[White Zetsu Army]] clones with quality of techniques instead of quantity in numbers.
 
With the resumption of battle the next day, Lee sticks close to [[Sai]] who had been tasked with sealing the reincarnated [[Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist]]. Lee tells Sai not to worry and just concentrate on the sealing while he would protect him. When [[Naruto]]'s [[shadow clone]] arrives on the battlefield, Lee exclaims that with him here their numbers would increase. However, Naruto tells them that he wouldn't be able to perform the [[Shadow Clone Technique]] in his current state, so they'd have to defeat the new wave of [[White Zetsu Army]] clones with quality of techniques instead of quantity in numbers.
   
[[File:Lee Mourns Neji.jpg|thumb|left|Lee mourning the death of Neji.]]
+
[[File:Lee VS Chen.png|thumb|Lee clashes with Chen on the battlefield.]]
  +
Later in the anime, the Third Division came across another reincarnated shinobi: Master [[Chen]] — a renown hero of [[Konohagakure]] who was thought to have died during the [[Third Shinobi World War]]. As Might Guy who is happy at the prospect on challenging such a famed [[taijutsu]] master, Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey soon finds himself being forced on the defensive by the old man. A shinobi is able to break away from the battle and in his search for reinforcements, finds Rock Lee who rushes to Guy's aid. Seeing the legend he met once before as a [[genin]] before him, Lee reveals his history with Chen before engaging the legend in battle. Ultimately, Lee is able to counter Chen's [[Leaf Dragon God]] technique, using the [[One-Man Front Lotus]] which he had engineered to counter the rotation of the winds of the former. As Chen's immortal body disintegrates, he remembers the time when he had his own student who was incapable of using ninjutsu, and how he had died during the Third Shinobi World War. Finally letting go of his painful past and apologising to the young man for what he had said, the old master was able to break the summoning contract and his soul returns to the afterlife. Lee promises to Chen that he'll bring rice balls to his grave.<ref name="ship312" />
After being informed by [[Inoichi]] from HQ that Naruto and [[B]] were fighting the "[[masked Madara]]", Lee and the rest of the [[Konoha 11]] rush to his aid. As he runs, he spurred Sai — who was lamenting the fact that he could not use his [[Super Beast Imitating Drawing]] technique to get to Naruto faster — onwards telling him that now was the time to respond to the heroic efforts of those fighting Tobi. Upon finally arriving at the battlefield, and seeing his mentor's state, Lee asked whether or not Guy had used the [[Daytime Tiger]] technique again. He later stood with the other members of the [[Allied Shinobi Forces]] as they prepared to face their opposition. Opening the [[Eight Gates|Fifth Gate]], Lee and his mentor prepare to attack the two Uchiha, but are buffeted by the force exerted by the now fully-matured [[Ten-Tails]] as it escaped the hole it had seemingly been trapped in. He is then seen with Guy and Tenten reacting to Neji's death. Tearfully holding his fallen team-mate's corpse, he was stopped by Guy who told him to keep his tears and hold onto the feelings Neji left them. Lee was then seen listening on as Naruto imparted comforting words to the Allied Forces.
 
   
  +
=== Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax ===
== Movies ==
 
  +
{{main|Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax}}
=== Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom ===
 
  +
After being informed by [[Inoichi]] from HQ that Naruto and [[B]] were fighting the "[[masked Madara]]", Lee and the rest of the [[Konoha 11]] rush to his aid. As he runs, he spurred Sai — who was lamenting the fact that he could not use his [[Super Beast Imitating Drawing]] technique to get to Naruto faster — onwards telling him that now was the time to respond to the heroic efforts of those fighting Tobi.
  +
  +
[[File:Naruto powers Lee up.png|thumb|left|Lee resolved to keep Neji's memory in his heart.]]
  +
Upon finally arriving at the battlefield, and seeing his mentor's state, Lee asked whether or not Guy had used the [[Daytime Tiger]] technique again. He later stood with the other members of the [[Allied Shinobi Forces]] as they prepared to face their opposition. Opening the [[Eight Gates|Fifth Gate]], Lee and his mentor prepare to attack the two Uchiha, but are buffeted by the force exerted by the now fully-matured [[Ten-Tails]] as it escaped the hole it had seemingly been trapped in. He is then seen with Guy and Tenten reacting to Neji's death. Tearfully holding his fallen teammate's corpse, he was stopped by Guy who told him to keep his tears and hold onto the feelings Neji left them. Lee was then seen listening on as Naruto imparted comforting words to the Allied Forces.
  +
  +
[[File:Obito and Madara get seperated from the Ten-Tails.png|thumb|Lee bisects Madara and severs his connection to the beast.]]
  +
Thinking back on his time with Neji growing up and the conversations they had, Lee mused about something Neji had said to him. Having received chakra from Naruto, the now empowered Lee, respectfully closed his fallen comrade's eyes before joining the ranks of the other Allied shinobi. Charging forward with the Alliance, Lee signalled to Naruto that he would deal with [[Madara]] while he took care of [[Obito]]. With Guy giving him a boost, Lee propelled towards Madara and remorselessly bisected the Uchiha with a powerful kick, also destroying Madara's connection to the beast.
  +
  +
=== Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki ===
  +
{{main|Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki}}
  +
Lee would later stare in amazement at the red barrier that had been constructed around the Ten-Tails and listened on as Guy noted that only shinobi of Hokage-calibre were able to perform the [[Four Red Yang Formation]] technique. With the situation later turning grim as the Alliance was [[Six Red Yang Formation|trapped]] in a barrier with a [[Tailed Beast Ball]]-firing tree, Lee and the other shinobi soon found themselves shrouded in the previous Version 1 mantles again. He and the other subsequently found themselves on the outside of the barrier, escaping the near-fatal attack thanks to Naruto and Minato's [[Flying Thunder God Technique|action]].
  +
  +
[[File:Konoha 11 attacking Obito.png|thumb|left|Lee and the remainder of the Konoha 11 attacking Obito.]]
  +
The Ten-Tails transformed into its tree form, and many shinobi were attacked but Lee was able to escape. Hashirama Senju had Ino Yamanaka everyone link-up telepathically, Lee being one of them. Hashirama's words fail to inspire anyone, but Naruto's senjutsu-enhanced Tailed Beast Mode combined with Ino's telepathy causes his emotions and personal memories to be transferred to everyone. Later he mobilised alongside his comrades when Naruto called out to them. Shocked when he was enveloped by Naruto's Tailed Beast Mode mantle, Lee was apprehensive about being involved in their strategy at first because this would have been his first time using ninjutsu but ultimately launched an attack on Obito and was able to overwhelm his defence giving Naruto and Sasuke the opportunity to attack Obito directly. He and his comrades later aided Naruto in extracting the tailed beasts' chakra from Obito in order to stop the holy tree from blooming.
  +
  +
After his sensei over-exerted himself, unable to stand up on his own, Lee resorted to supporting him. While doing so, Lee and his teammates noticed Gaara speeding past them, where Lee noticed Sakura was with him. As Guy begins to worry about situation, Madara, having just [[Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique|revived]] himself and become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki himself, flies past the Konoha-nin and regurgitated the [[Benihisago]] and [[Kohaku no Jōhei]], which landed on top of both Guy and Lee.
  +
  +
[[File:Lee Saving Guy.png|thumb|Lee saving Guy.]]
  +
After recomposing themselves, Guy and Lee went on ahead while Tenten remained behind. Guy arrived on the battlefield in time to save Kakashi and then confront Madara. Lee arrived shortly after in time to save his teacher from Madara's attack. As Guy reassessed the situation, he decided to gamble his life and use the eighth gate against Madara. As Lee began to cry at the realisation of what Guy's actions would mean. Guy, however, told Lee not to be sad as this was his choice.
  +
  +
Watching Guy at full power taking on Madara, Lee watched on proudly. When the team decided to support Guy so that he could land his attack on the Uchiha, Lee immediately opened the sixth gate but was angered by his own inability to fight at the same level to help Guy. Minato told Lee to not feel that way, as Guy was making his sacrifice so Lee could live. After Minato explained the mechanics of Madara's [[Truth-Seeking Ball]]s, Lee threw the Fourth Hokage's [[Flying Thunder God Kunai]] in front of the chakra orbs which allowed Minato to teleport most of the orbs away. Ultimately, the team gave Guy the opening to land the five powerful blows from his [[Evening Elephant]].
  +
  +
[[File:Lee Caught.png|thumb|left|Lee caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.]]
  +
Lee watched on in amazement as his mentor unleashed another powerful attack on Madara, noting that this time, the stance he took was not that of the Evening Elephant, but the [[Night Guy]] technique. Lee was later shocked to see Naruto return with Guy who was still alive despite opening all of the Eight Gates. When Madara attempted to drop the massive earthen debris on the ground, Gaara asked him to leave there quickly, but later they fell victim to the [[Infinite Tsukuyomi]]. Inside the genjutsu, Lee dreamed of finally defeating both Naruto and Neji in battle followed quickly by Sakura professing her love for him.
  +
  +
=== Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes ===
  +
{{main|Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes}}
  +
Ultimately, Lee and the rest of the world were freed from the genjutsu by Naruto and Sasuke who ended the war.
  +
  +
== Blank Period ==
  +
=== Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky ===
  +
{{Main|Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky}}
  +
Lee helps Guy sneak aboard the [[Tobishachimaru]] so that he can fulfil his lifelong dream of flying. When Kakashi spots Lee - covered in a cloak - disembarking from the ship, he confronts him. Once he realizes that it's Lee and figures out what he's done, Kakashi also sneaks on board to join Guy. Lee later informs the [[Fifth Hokage]] that Kakashi and Guy are aboard the Tobishachimaru, which has since been hijacked.
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  +
=== The Last: Naruto the Movie ===
  +
{{Main|The Last: Naruto the Movie}}
  +
During [[Toneri]]'s attack on earth, Lee and other [[Eight Gates|taijutsu]] users defended Konoha from a larger meteorite after he opened the sixth gate.
  +
  +
=== Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding ===
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{{Main|Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding|Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding (Arc)|l1=Konoha Hiden (novel)|l2=Konoha Hiden (anime)}}
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When Lee is assigned to bring a present to Naruto and [[Hinata]]'s wedding, he takes the mission as seriously as he takes all his missions: very. He runs laps around Konoha until he can think of what to buy for them. 864 laps later, Lee collapses from exhaustion; the best idea he came up with was a pair of dumbbells, which he doesn't think would be appropriate. While passed out from fatigue, Lee has a dream of Neji; Neji starts giving him advice for the wedding present, but only manages to make unclear references to ''strength'' and ''stamina'' before Lee wakes up.
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  +
As Lee lies in the middle of a street, he is greeted by Guy. Guy is about to do laps around Konoha until he can think of what to buy for Naruto and Hinata and invites Lee to join him. Lee reports that he's already done that without success. Guy suggests that Lee try coming up with a gift for Hinata instead, while he thinks of a gift for Naruto. Lee thinks about Hinata's post-wedding life of childcare and housework. Guy thinks of Naruto's post-wedding life of home maintenance and carrying groceries. Both simultaneously conclude they should buy dumbbells to prepare Naruto and Hinata for their lives ahead. Neji's words suddenly make sense to Lee and he embraces Guy in a long, tearful hug.
  +
  +
In order to test out their idea, Lee puts on a dress and makeup so that he can see what it's like to be a housewife. This only convinces him that dumbbells were a great idea and he seeks out Tenten to make sure she won't be getting Naruto and Hinata the same present. When he finds her, Tenten is mystified by Lee's appearance and the accompanying explanation. At the wedding a few days later, she gives Lee and Guy advice about how they should behave.
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  +
== New Era ==
  +
In the following years, Lee was promoted to [[jōnin]]. He also had a son named [[Metal Lee]], whom he trained with.
  +
  +
=== Academy Entrance Arc ===
  +
{{main|Academy Entrance Arc}}
  +
When Metal was helping his classmate, [[Denki Kaminarimon]], train to prepare for a [[Tree Climbing Practice|chakra-climbing test]], Lee saved Denki from injuring himself by catching the falling student. Deeply touched by Denki's drive to succeed, Lee decided to supervise Denki's continued training. By the end of the day, he gave Denki a jumpsuit, insisting it would help with his training.
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  +
=== Sarada Uchiha Arc ===
  +
{{Main|Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring}}
  +
During the day of the [[Kage Summit]] in Konoha, Rock Lee was rigorously training with his son, as Lee emphatically told him that he was in the springtime of his youth.
  +
  +
=== Naruto Shinden: Parent and Child Day ===
  +
{{Main|Naruto Shinden: Parent and Child Day|Parent and Child Day Arc}}
  +
[[File:Climbing Lees.PNG|thumb|Rock Lee and Metal Lee training.]]
  +
When Konohagakure began a new annual holiday, Parent and Child Day, Lee spent it with his son. He was also accompanied by Sai, Shikamaru, and their respective sons. Later, he and Metal entered an eating competition as a team. However, Metal's anxiety at being watched quickly made him vomit, disqualifying the team. After Metal recovered, he and his father spent the remainder of the day training together.
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  +
=== Graduation Exams Arc ===
  +
{{main|Graduation Exams Arc}}
  +
As ninja classes began preparing for the graduation exams, Lee met with Metal and his teachers to discuss his son's progress and goals for the future. During which, Lee and his son continued their over-enthusiastic training routine.
  +
  +
=== Genin Mission Arc ===
  +
{{main|Genin Mission Arc}}
  +
Rock Lee appears in this arc.
  +
  +
=== Versus Momoshiki Arc ===
  +
{{Main|Boruto: Naruto the Movie|Versus Momoshiki Arc}}
  +
[[File:Mitsuki Wins.png|thumb|left|Lee proctoring the Chūnin Exams.]]
  +
Rock Lee serves as the proctor for the third and final round of the [[Chūnin Exams]]. During the seventh match between [[Boruto Uzumaki]] and [[Shikadai Nara]], Boruto seemingly wins but [[Naruto]] discovers that Boruto used a [[Kote]] to cheat. Lee disqualified Boruto for using this prohibited tool and declares Shikadai as the winner. Soon after, [[Momoshiki]] and [[Kinshiki]] attack the arena and Lee grabs Shikadai and gets him to safety.
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In the anime, as Lee began training his son in more advanced taijutsu, ready to teach the [[Eight Gates]], he learned that Metal began relying on useless good luck trinkets for confidence against his anxiety from too much attention. Disappointed by this, Lee postponed the training, telling Metal that he couldn't master the Eight Gates as he was then. Later, after Metal spent the day with Guy and learned about making the most of what you have, Lee decided to issue a challenge to Metal: To receive training in the Eight Gates, Metal was to face Lee in a match surrounded by a huge crowd and must land at least one blow. Accepting the challenge, Metal removed his trinkets and fought through all the stares and laughter of the crowd, which in reality boosted his performance. Ultimately, Metal unlocked the first gate, letting him solidly hit his father and win. Lee joined Metal and Guy in a group hug to celebrate Metal's success.
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  +
=== Time Slip Arc ===
  +
{{Main|Time Slip Arc}}
  +
In the anime, when the grown-up Sasuke and Boruto were sent back in time to shortly after Sasuke's defection, the two pretended to be travelling performers and were put under watch by Naruto. Past-Lee and his friends helped Boruto and Naruto clean up a bathhouse after the commotion Naruto and Jiraiya caused.
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=== Kara Actuation Arc ===
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{{Main|Kara Actuation Arc}}
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When learning of [[Kara]], Konohagakure sent Rock Lee to inform the Kirigakure about it.
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  +
=== Ao Arc ===
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{{Main|Ao Arc}}
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In the anime, Rock Lee attended the memorial service for the fallen people of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
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=== Kawaki Arc ===
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{{Main|Kawaki Arc}}
  +
In the anime, Lee participated in the coordination efforts lead by Shikamaru in preparation for [[Isshiki]]'s invasion. He was among the first to fight Isshiki upon his arrival, but was quickly defeated.
  +
  +
== In Other Media ==
  +
=== Movies ===
  +
==== Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom ====
  +
{{main|Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom}}
 
Lee was acting as the third member of Team 7. During his battle with [[Kongō]], Lee showed proficiency with nunchaku (despite striking himself in the head) a bō and a chain staff, all of which were made from his ankle weights.
 
Lee was acting as the third member of Team 7. During his battle with [[Kongō]], Lee showed proficiency with nunchaku (despite striking himself in the head) a bō and a chain staff, all of which were made from his ankle weights.
   
=== Naruto: Shippūden the Movie ===
+
==== Naruto Shippūden the Movie ====
  +
{{main|Naruto Shippūden the Movie}}
 
He became Sasuke's replacement, Neji being [[Kakashi]]'s replacement. Once initiating the Drunken Fist, he easily defeated [[Gitai]]. Later, he was able to kill [[Setsuna]] after Neji was able to get rid of [[The Gang of Four|the group's]] chakra source. At the end, he, Sakura, and Kakashi were surprised when [[Shion]] asked Naruto if he could stay with her and have a child.
 
He became Sasuke's replacement, Neji being [[Kakashi]]'s replacement. Once initiating the Drunken Fist, he easily defeated [[Gitai]]. Later, he was able to kill [[Setsuna]] after Neji was able to get rid of [[The Gang of Four|the group's]] chakra source. At the end, he, Sakura, and Kakashi were surprised when [[Shion]] asked Naruto if he could stay with her and have a child.
   
=== Naruto Shippūden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire ===
+
==== Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire ====
  +
{{main|Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire}}
Lee was sent with the remaining members of the [[Konoha 11]] after Naruto and Sakura to prevent them from going after [[Kakashi]]. After a brief encounter [[Team Guy]] was confronted by [[Ichi]] which resulted in his defeat when Lee and Neji combined their talents. He later joined the original team of nine in trying to defeat the Chimera created when Ichi, [[Ni]] and [[San]] fused together.
 
  +
Lee was sent with the remaining members of the [[Konoha 11]] after Naruto and Sakura to prevent them from going after [[Kakashi]]. After a brief encounter, [[Team Guy]] was confronted by [[Ichi]] which resulted in his defeat when Lee and Neji [[Front Lotus: Eight Trigrams Heavenly Spin|combined their talents]]. He later joined the original team of nine in trying to defeat the Chimera created when Ichi, [[Ni]] and [[San]] fused together.
   
=== Naruto 5: Blood Prison ===
+
==== Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison ====
{{Main|Naruto 5: Blood Prison}}
+
{{Main|Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison}}
   
  +
==== Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie ====
== Video Games ==
 
  +
{{main|Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie}}
  +
Lee first appeared with his friends battling several [[White Zetsu Army|Zetsu clones]] disguised as deceased Akatsuki members. Later in the [[Genjutsu World|alternate world]], a different Lee is seen. While is virtually identical to his counterpart, this Lee steals and wears women's undergarments.
  +
  +
=== Video Games ===
 
{{playable in}}
 
{{playable in}}
   
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== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
 
{{youthwiki|Rock Lee}}
 
{{youthwiki|Rock Lee}}
* Like his sensei, Rock Lee's character seems to be inspired by [[Wikipedia:Bruce Lee|Bruce Lee]], as shown from his name and having the same birthday and hair style.
+
* Rock Lee's name is derived from the [[wikipedia:Rock music|rock]] musical genre and is a play on [[Wikipedia:Bruce Lee|Bruce Lee]], whose given name is pronounced the same as [[wikipedia:Blues|blues]] in Japanese. The pun continues with his son, [[Metal Lee]].
*Rock Lee has his own spin-off series called [[Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden|Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth]] by Kenji Taira.
+
* Rock Lee has his own spin-off series called ''[[Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth Full Power Ninja Chronicles]]'' by [[Kenji Taira]], an assistant of [[Masashi Kishimoto]].
  +
* Like his sensei, Rock Lee's character seems to be inspired by [[Wikipedia:Bruce Lee|Bruce Lee]], as shown from his name and having the same birthday and hair style. The outfit Rock Lee wears in part one may have been based of Bruce Lee's jumpsuit from the 1973 film ''Game of Death''.
* Rock Lee placed very high in the first four Naruto character popularity polls. He finished 5th in the first and second polls, 8th in the third poll and 7th in the fourth poll. But his popularity slipped in the last two polls, finishing 13th in the fifth poll and 18th in the sixth and most recent. In the 3rd Databook, a combination of the previous six polls ranked him as the 9th most popular character overall.
 
  +
** Rock Lee's injury are also similar to the one Bruce Lee once received, both were also expected to never walk again.
  +
* Rock Lee placed very high in the first four Naruto character popularity polls. He finished 5th in the first and second polls, 8th in the third poll and 7th in the fourth poll. However, his popularity slipped in the last two polls, finishing 13th in the fifth poll and 18th in the sixth and most recent. In the 3rd Databook, a combination of the previous six polls ranked him as the 9th most popular character overall.
  +
* Studio Pierrot has consistently given him the height of 158 cm at 13yrs, instead of 158.5 cm as his Databook profile gives him.
  +
* [[Kishimoto]]'s official sketches of Rock Lee show that he is 177cm in ''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]''.
 
* According to the databook(s):
 
* According to the databook(s):
 
** Rock Lee's hobbies are his and [[Might Guy]]'s intense [[taijutsu]] training regimes.
 
** Rock Lee's hobbies are his and [[Might Guy]]'s intense [[taijutsu]] training regimes.
Line 192: Line 343:
 
** Lee's favourite foods are medium spicy curry rice and curry pilaf, though, like his sensei, he finds it impossible to dislike any sort of food.
 
** Lee's favourite foods are medium spicy curry rice and curry pilaf, though, like his sensei, he finds it impossible to dislike any sort of food.
 
** Lee has completed 61 official missions in total: 25 D-rank, 21 C-rank, 4 B-rank, 10 A-rank, 1 S-rank.
 
** Lee has completed 61 official missions in total: 25 D-rank, 21 C-rank, 4 B-rank, 10 A-rank, 1 S-rank.
** Lee's favourite words are {{translation|"Endeavour"|努力|doryoku}}, {{translation|"Guts"|根性|konjō}}, and {{translation|"Love"|愛|ai}}.<ref name="d3"/>
+
** Lee's favourite words are {{translation|"Endeavour"|努力|doryoku}}, {{translation|"Guts"|根性|konjō}}, and {{translation|"Love"|愛|ai}}.<ref name="d3" />
  +
* In ''[[Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes]]'', Lee calls himself "Leaf Village's Noble Savage".
   
 
== Quotes ==
 
== Quotes ==
* (To [[Tenten]]) "''A genius, huh? What does that mean? "Genius"? So I was not born with a whole lot of natural talent, not gifted like [[Neji]]… but I work hard and I never give up! That is my gift; that is my ninja way!"<ref name="Naruto chapter 84, page 9">''Naruto'' chapter 84, page 9</ref>
+
* (To [[Team Guy]]) "''Sensei! I want to prove that you can become a great ninja even without being able to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu! That is everything to me!''"<ref>Naruto chapter 84 page 8</ref>
  +
* (To [[Tenten]]) "''A genius, huh? What does that mean? "Genius"? So I was not born with a whole lot of natural talent, not gifted like [[Neji]]… but I work hard and I never give up! That is my gift; that is my ninja way!''"<ref name="Chapter 84, page 9">''Naruto'' chapter 84, page 9</ref>
 
* (To [[Sakura]]) "''Sakura, please go out with me! I'll protect you with my life!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 36, page 16</ref>
 
* (To [[Sakura]]) "''Sakura, please go out with me! I'll protect you with my life!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 36, page 16</ref>
 
* (To [[Sasuke]]) "''Among strong people exists genius types and hard-working types. If your Sharingan is a genius-type from the Uchiha blood, I am simply a hard-working type who has mastered only taijutsu.''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 37, page 20</ref>
 
* (To [[Sasuke]]) "''Among strong people exists genius types and hard-working types. If your Sharingan is a genius-type from the Uchiha blood, I am simply a hard-working type who has mastered only taijutsu.''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 37, page 20</ref>
* (To [[Team 7]]) "''See?! Guy-sensei is incredible!''"<ref name="C38P13"/>
+
* (To [[Team Kakashi|Team 7]]) "''See?! Guy-sensei is incredible!''"<ref name="C38P13" />
 
* (To Sakura) "''The lotus of Konoha blooms twice.''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 57, page 10</ref>
 
* (To Sakura) "''The lotus of Konoha blooms twice.''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 57, page 10</ref>
* (To [[Guy]]) "''I want to show I can be a splendid ninja as well even if I don't have ninjutsu or genjutsu… I want to prove it to the whole world!''"<ref name="Naruto chapter 84, page 9"/>
+
* (To [[Guy]]) "''I want to show I can be a splendid ninja as well even if I don't have ninjutsu or genjutsu… I want to prove it to the whole world!''"<ref name="Chapter 84, page 9" />
 
* (To [[Kimimaro]]) "''I am Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast — Rock Lee!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 209, page 18</ref>
 
* (To [[Kimimaro]]) "''I am Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast — Rock Lee!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 209, page 18</ref>
  +
* (To [[Kakashi]] and [[Gaara]]) "''I'm not sad!! In front of a man who [[Eight Gates Released Formation|made an important decision]]… feeling sadness or pity would be an insult to him!!!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 669, pages 7-8</ref>
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
<references/>
+
<references />
 
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Rock}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Rock}}
   
 
[[de:Rock Lee]]
 
[[de:Rock Lee]]
 
[[es:Rock Lee]]
 
[[es:Rock Lee]]
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[[id:Rock Lee]]
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[[pl:Rock Lee]]
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[[pt-br:Rock Lee]]
 
[[ru:Рок Ли]]
 
[[ru:Рок Ли]]
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[[fr:Rock Lee]]
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[[tr:Rock Lee]]

Latest revision as of 03:38, 2 September 2023

editRock Lee Camera font awesome Browse Information[1][2][3][4][5][6]
ロック・リー Rokku Rī

  • Centipede Brows (ゲジマユ, Gejimayu, English TV: Bushy Brows)[7]
  • Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast (木ノ葉の美しき碧い野獣, Konoha no Utsukushiki Aoi Yajū, English TV: Handsome Devil of the Hidden Leaf Village)[8]
Debut
Manga Naruto Chapter #36
Anime Naruto Episode #21
Novel Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky
Movie Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
Game Naruto: Konoha Ninpōchō
OVA Hidden Leaf Village Grand Sports Festival!
Appears in Anime, Manga, Novel, Game, Movie
Voice Actors
Japanese
English
Personal
Birthdate Astrological Sign Sagittarius November 27
Sex Gender Male Male
Age
  • Part I: 13–14
  • Part II: 17
Height
  • Part I: 158.5 cm1.585 m <br />5.2 ft <br />62.402 in <br />162.1 cm1.621 m <br />5.318 ft <br />63.819 in <br />
  • Part II: 172 cm1.72 m <br />5.643 ft <br />67.717 in <br />
  • Blank Period: 177 cm1.77 m <br />5.807 ft <br />69.685 in <br />
Weight
  • Part I: 46.6 kg102.735 lb <br />47.5 kg104.72 lb <br />
  • Part II: 54.7 kg120.593 lb <br />
Blood type A
Occupation
Affiliation
Team
Clan
Rank
Ninja Rank
Ninja Registration 012561
Academy Grad. Age 12
Chūnin Prom. Age 15
Family
Jutsu

Tools

Rock Lee (ロック・リー, Rokku Rī) is a shinobi of Konohagakure's Lee clan and a member of Team Guy. Unlike most shinobi, he lacked the skills necessary to use ninjutsu or genjutsu. However, he overcomes those shortcomings by undergoing special training from Might Guy that would make him a taijutsu master while still a genin.

Background

During his time in the Academy, Lee proved to have no talent for ninjutsu and genjutsu. When he was mocked by his peers because of this, Lee persevered, focusing on taijutsu.[9] After he succeeded in graduating he was added to Team Guy along with Neji Hyūga and Tenten. During the team's first meeting, Lee vowed to become a powerful ninja without using ninjutsu or genjutsu. Neji laughed at him, but their sensei, Might Guy, took a special interest in Lee. He encouraged Lee to keep at it and, in time, began teaching him powerful forms of taijutsu.[10][11]

Personality

Lee Pose

Lee's "nice guy" pose.

Under Guy's leadership, Lee has acquired a number of his sensei's personality traits: he is energetic, optimistic, and hot-blooded, and shows the epitome of a "nice guy". He believes that one cannot dislike food and shows strong dedication to his promises; when this promise is broken, just barely, he assigns himself arduous training to prevent it from happening again. Lee speaks respectfully to others, never using contractions or swear words and always addressing people with appropriate honourifics (except his teammates, since Lee feels they are close enough to be spoken to informally). He also carries a small book and pencil to recall advice that Guy gives him over time.

Despite his passionate nature, Lee has also shown strong instincts, staying focused at the task at hand and rarely losing his composure. He has a keen sense of honour and respects his opponents, refusing to hold grudges against those who have defeated him, and returning favours to those that have helped him. This was shown by his befriending of Gaara, forgiving him for crushing his arm and leg — injuries that nearly ended his career as a shinobi. Lee feels others should show the same respect towards their opponents, and is disgusted whenever someone is unnecessarily cruel to their enemies.

One of Lee's recurring themes throughout the series is his drive to succeed, believing with enough hard work and perseverance, he can surpass a natural genius. He can be prone to depression when faced with setbacks. Neji, Lee's more talented teammate and rival, found Lee's efforts to be in vain, believing a "failure" could never defeat a "genius". As such, Lee became determined to defeat Neji in order to prove him wrong, though was met with defeat every time. When Neji himself was defeated by Naruto Uzumaki, another so-called "failure", he rejects his belief in fate and now holds great respect for Lee, believing that he will surpass the gifted with enough work.

Lee's dream

Lee dreams of victory in combat and love.

During Part I, Lee revealed he had feelings for Sakura Haruno. Although she did not reciprocate his feelings and even considered him weird, she later become more appreciative and friendly towards him after he helped saved her from the Otogakure genin during the Chūnin Exams. After the exams, Lee's interest in Sakura went largely unaddressed in the manga, though it is sometimes referenced in the anime; while having a match with Lee, Naruto transformed into Sakura, distracting Lee long enough for Naruto to attack him.[12] However, Lee's Infinite Tsukuyomi dream was of winning Sakura's affections, implying he still had romantic feelings for her. These feelings apparently have changed by adulthood, as Lee ended up marrying someone else and had a son named Metal Lee.

Appearance

Lee has shiny black hair, round eyes with prominent lower eyelashes, and very thick eyebrows; as a result, Naruto calls him "Centipede Brows" (ゲジマユ, Gejimayu, English TV: Bushy Brows). As a child, his hair was quite long and fastened in a braid, though he cuts it short by the time he joins Team Guy, letting it curve out and upward. Lee originally wore a white, short-sleeved kimono-shirt with a martial arts belt and dark pants, giving him a more traditional Chinese appearance. He also sported a forehead protector and shinobi sandals.

Lee later changes his appearance considerably to emulate his idol and sensei, Guy: his hair is now in a bowl-cut style; he wears a green jumpsuit, orange leg warmers, and a red forehead protector worn as a belt. He has bandages around his forearms up to his fingers, covering a set of stitches on his hands that were caused by his rigorous training.[13] Like Guy, Lee's appearance remains largely the same over the years, though he adds a standard Konoha flak jacket as a chūnin in Part II, and its redesigned version in The Last: Naruto the Movie. As an adult, Lee grew noticeably muscular with more-defined cheekbones, and now wears a sleeveless jumpsuit with an orange neckwarmer.

Abilities

Kakuyoku no Jin

Lee destroying half of a meteorite with the Suicide Corps.

While in the Academy, Lee was looked down upon for his inability to use either ninjutsu or genjutsu. However, with the guidance and support of Might Guy, Lee conditioned himself into a superb ninja who relies exclusively on taijutsu.[14] While originally very limited in even that skill, Lee proved to be a late bloomer by Part I: His greatly improved skill was evident when he defeated Sasuke Uchiha (a natural prodigy), posed a challenge against Gaara in the Chūnin Exams, and held his own against Kimimaro. As a chūnin, he was capable of defeating the legendary taijutsu master Chen,[15] as well as destroy a meteorite by himself.[16] By adulthood, he had advanced to the rank of jōnin.

Physical Prowess

Leaf Gale

Lee easily defeating Naruto.

By age 13, Lee's arduous training conditioned him into essentially a taijutsu master, showing great proficiency in the Strong Fist fighting style. His strength could unearth a massive tree root from the ground,[17] and even though Sasuke could predict his moves with the Sharingan in their first fight, his body wasn't fast enough to react to them. As per his training Lee has worn heavy ankle weights even in fights and became much faster when they're removed, enabling him to become the first person ever to bypass Gaara's Shield of Sand and strike him.[18] As a chūnin, Lee learned to perform the Leaf Great Gale (木ノ葉大烈風, Konoha Daireppū).[19] In the anime, due to Lee's extensive training, he has shown to be able to run and fight even while unconscious or asleep, using nothing but pure muscle memory.[20] As an adult, Lee is considered to be one of Konoha's best taijutsu users.[21]

Drunken Fist

Drunken Fist

Lee using the Drunken Fist.

Lee's very low tolerance for alcohol gives him a natural predisposition for the Drunken Fist style.[22] When he consumes as little as one drop of alcohol, Lee becomes an unpredictable and nearly unstoppable force of destruction and chaos, attacking anyone whether they are friend or foe. This gives him considerably greater speed and dexterity, allowing him to strike and effectively dodge from various positions. Kimimaro, one of Orochimaru's strongest subordinates, was ultimately overwhelmed by Lee's attack patterns with Drunken Fist, noting that they were too unpredictable to follow.[23]

Eight Gates

Gate Of Opening

Lee opening the first gate.

Through Guy's teachings, Lee learned to open five of the Eight Gates at age 12,[24] the sixth gate at age 17,[25] and (in the anime) the seventh gate some time after the Fourth Shinobi World War.[26] By adulthood, Lee mastered the final gate.[27] Using the 6th gate Lee is able to move so fast he can save Guy from Madara's Truth Seeking Ball, which moved fast enough that Obito couldn't use Kamui to escape from them. He is recognised as a genius for this feat by Kakashi Hatake, who notes it is highly difficult for even the most talented ninja to open even one gate.[28] With each gate he opens, Lee's strength, speed, chakra levels, and bodily functions increase tremendously. However, the longer he maintains any of these gates, the more strain and potential physical damage his puts on himself from pushing his performance so far past his natural limits. For this reason, Lee is only permitted to open any of the gates during the most dire situation or to protect something very dear to him.[29] Through his continued training, Lee has become able to open some of the Eight Gates instantly and shows a faster recovery rate from using them, but he nevertheless succumbs to the pain or exhaustion they cause.[30][31]

Lee has learned to use a number of taijutsu techniques that he can perform once certain gates have been opened; with the first gate, he can use the pile-driving Front Lotus; with the third gate, he can use the more destructive Reverse Lotus; with the sixth gate, he can perform the Crane Wing Formation in collaboration with members of the Suicide Corps, which proved to be powerful enough to destroy half of a giant meteorite.[32]

Other Skills

Although Lee possess very little skill in ninjutsu, he can still perform basic chakra control skills, like using chakra to walk on vertical surfaces, as well as water. In the anime, he also developed enough skill to dispel genjutsu.[33]

Stats

Databook Ninjutsu Taijutsu Genjutsu Intelligence Strength Speed Stamina Hand seals Total
First 0.5 3.5 0.5 1.5 3 4 3 1 17
Second 0.5 4 0.5 1.5 3.5 4 3 1 18
Third 0.5 5 1 2 4.5 4.5 3.5 1 22

Part I

Chūnin Exams

Main article: Chūnin Exams

Kage Buyou

Lee attempting to use the Front Lotus on Sasuke.

Having opted not to participate the year before, Team Guy took part in the Chūnin Exams along with the Rookie Nine. They initially tried to avoid attention by acting weak, but Lee accidentally let slip his true strength by interfering with a fight between Sasuke and Kotetsu Hagane. He also fell in love with Sakura. Soon afterwards, he confronted Sasuke, challenging him to a fight to see how he fared against the Sharingan, but not before knocking out Naruto, who tried to fight with Lee himself. After battling Sasuke, Lee easily gained the upperhand but Guy interrupted Lee and Sasuke's fight as Lee tried to use the Front Lotus, and Lee was forced to do laps around the practice range before he could proceed onto the first phase of the exams. With Tenten's help, he gained the answers for the written portion, and proceeded to the second round.

After spending their first few days in the Forest of Death gathering supplies, Team Guy split up in search of other teams. Lee came across Sakura being attacked by Team Dosu, and went to her aid. He used his Front Lotus on Dosu Kinuta, but he survived the attack because of Zaku Abumi using his Decapitating Airwaves in the ground, and Lee was left unable to defend himself from a counterattack from Dosu. Neji and Tenten soon arrived to help, but didn't have to because Sasuke woke up and took care of Team Dosu. Once Lee recovered and they collected the specific scroll, they moved onto the preliminaries.

Front Lotus Lee

Lee using Front Lotus on Gaara.

In the preliminaries, Lee was matched against Gaara. When his standard attacks proved unable to bypass Gaara's defences, he removed his ankle weights to increase his speed and managed to land a couple of hits on Gaara. Then, he attempted the Forward Lotus, but Gaara was able to escape at the last minute revealing a sand clone instead. His options running out if he was to win and prove himself, Guy allowed him to use the Reverse Lotus. Gaara barely survived by turning his gourd to sand to cushion him, and the techniques took a massive toll on Lee's body. Gaara added to Lee's injury by crushing his left arm and leg. Though Guy intervened to stop Gaara from killing him, Lee got to his feet to continue the battle, despite being completely unconscious.

Because of his injuries, medics predicted, that even if Lee recovered, his injuries would prevent him from ever being able to be a shinobi again. He nevertheless tried to train while he was in the hospital, something that only worsened his condition. When he was asleep, Gaara came to his room and tried to kill him, but he was stopped by Naruto and Shikamaru Nara and later by Guy. To try and cheer Lee up, Guy took him to watch the final round matches, but they were surprised when they arrived to find out that Neji had been defeated by Naruto. Lee silently congratulated Naruto and then watched Gaara's fight with Sasuke, and marvelled at how quickly he had learned to emulate Lee's speed. Before the fight could finish, however, the Konoha Crush began, and Lee was knocked unconscious.

Konoha Crush

Main article: Konoha Crush Lee can be seen at the Third Hokage's funeral alongside the other villagers, mourning his death.

Sasuke Recovery Mission

Main article: Sasuke Recovery Mission

Leaf Whirlwind

Lee attacks Kimimaro.

Over the coming weeks, Guy tried a number of his own remedies to heal Lee, though none of his efforts worked. It was not until news of Tsunade becoming Hokage reached them that they found hope. But, when she examined Lee, she informed him of the dire situation: his broken bones and torn muscles have healed, but fragments of bone had lodged in his spinal column, and removing them would involve an extensive operation that only she was capable of. When Tsunade offered him an operation that carried a fifty percent chance of returning him to his former state, or dying in the process, Lee was hesitant to accept the operation. Though Lee was worried he would die in the operation, thanks to Guy's influence, he accepted the surgery. Upon overhearing Naruto, Chōji Akimichi, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shikamaru talking about the mission to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, Lee suggested that Neji go with them. Lee was disappointed that he couldn't go with them, still needing to go through his surgery that was scheduled for later that day[34] (In the anime, Lee was recovering after having his surgery done the day before[35]). In the end, Lee successfully survived the operation.

Once Lee was well enough to move, he left the hospital to follow them and provide assistance. He caught up with Naruto, who was in the middle of a battle with Kimimaro, and told him to go after Sasuke while he dealt with Kimimaro. At first, it seemed Kimimaro overmatched him, but after Lee drank some sake that he had mistaken for his medicine, he began to outclass Kimimaro. Though Lee's anticipated moves were unpredictable to Kimimaro, he revealed his Kekkei Genkai, Shikotsumyaku, which, combined with Lee sobering up, easily took over the battle. Before his attack landed on Lee, Gaara arrived just in time to save him. Even though Lee insisted to fight side-by-side with him, he knew he was only getting in Gaara's way.

Kimimaro vs Gaara Rock Lee

The final moments of the fight with Kimimaro.

For the rest of the battle, Lee watches and is amazed by Gaara's new abilities. Even though Gaara's new techniques completely buried Kimimaro, Kimimaro counters by turning the battlefield into a forest of bones, which Lee and Gaara escaped by hanging onto a pair of small clouds made out of sand. Kimimaro then emerged from one of the bones, preparing to kill the two at point blank range. They were saved, however, as Kimimaro finally succumbed to his disease and died. After the battle, Lee and Gaara reflect upon Kimimaro's purpose, then the two return to Konoha.

Kurosuki Family Removal Mission

Main article: Kurosuki Family Removal Mission

The Enemy of the Byakugan

Ranmaru is discovered.

In the anime, Lee revealed that he once ran a marathon with Guy near the village of Katabami Kinzan shortly after being assigned to his team, and when he collapsed from exhaustion near the Curry of Life shop, the owner, Sanshō, and her son Karashi fed him curry and saved his life. Lee's dedication caused Karashi to become enthusiastic, and he later left. A year later, when he came to the village with his teammates and Naruto to defeat the Kurosuki family, he found that Karashi had joined, and was upset that Karashi had sought strength in this way. He allowed Karashi to seek redemption, but Karashi used this opportunity to lure Lee's group into a trap after their first battle with Raiga. The trap failed due to Naruto's use of shadow clones, and while the villagers were willing to seek vengeance on Karashi, Lee stepped in, promising to take responsibility for Karashi's actions. Karashi used the opportunity to take Ranmaru to revive Raiga. Lee went to fight Raiga with Naruto and Neji, and was knocked out but brought back to consciousness with the Curry of Life. The curry, however, accidentally contained wine, and Lee was intoxicated and performed the Drunken Fist. He fought Raiga drunkenly, but was defeated, and Naruto finished Raiga off. Later, when the group went back to the Curry of Life shop, they found out that Karashi had made a new curry that looked so bad that even Naruto didn't want to eat it. Lee, however, couldn't wait to try it, so the rest of the group had to literally drag him back to Konoha while he cried for the curry.

Academy Student Lead Mission

Main article: Academy Student Lead Mission In the anime, Lee was assigned to lead a team of three Academy students on a survival exercise. After fending off some 'bandits', one of Lee's charges addressed Lee as "Lee-sensei" out of awe, and, overjoyed, Lee went off into one of his declarations into the sunset whilst his students tried to tell him that he was going the wrong way.

The Appearance of Strange Visitors

Main article: The Appearance of Strange Visitors In the anime, Guy and Lee left the village on a mission, and two spies tried to imitate them. Tsunade immediately saw through their disguise, and gave them various difficult, disgusting, or humiliating missions in order to keep them busy and prevent them from learning anything. Lee and Guy spot the imposters leaving he village. The imposters attacked but were sent flying back to Konoha.

Star Guard Mission

Main article: Star Guard Mission In the anime, Lee accompanied Neji, Naruto, and Tenten on the mission to Hoshigakure, playing a lesser role than in previous arcs. He attempted to follow two of Akahoshi's men while hiding under a barrel, as Tenten suggested, but was discovered almost instantly. While trying to infiltrate Akahoshi's mansion, he pretended to use a jutsu known as "Wall-Removing Technique", but, in actuality, it involved him moving at high speed to open a door from the other side. He was wounded during the final battle with Akahoshi, leaving Naruto to fight him alone.

Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion!

Main article: Viva Dojo Challenge! Youth is All About Passion!

Episode 193

Rock Lee's Gutz Dōjō.

In the anime, Lee, seeing that he had little time to train with other people due to the many missions that must be done, sought a new means of training. After having seen a man challenging a dōjō, ready to take the sign if he won, and ready to join if he lost; Lee founds his own dōjō (which he names the "Gutz Dōjō"), believing that a dōjō would draw-in many strong opponents. When Naruto stumbled upon the dōjō, Lee asked that he fight, but Naruto had to leave hastily, late for reporting back to Tsunade.

Guy, after hearing about the dōjō from Naruto, decides to disguise himself in order to fight Lee. However, he was given a mission at the last second, and (unbeknown to Guy) an impostor replaced him. Lee fought the impostor and easily defeated him, but Naruto believed that the impostor was Guy, and that he was not fighting at full strength in order to avoid revealing himself, so Naruto challenges and fights against Lee. Meanwhile the impostor transformed into Lee, but met the real Guy while trying to leave, and was easily defeated by him.

Third Great Beast Arc

Main article: Third Great Beast Arc In the anime, Lee's condition worsened, and Tsunade became concerned about him injuring himself again. She removed him from missions, but allowed him to keep training after he convinced her to do so. Around this time, Guy arrived with a new student, who easily defeated Lee and injured his ankle. While Lee was recovering, Guy took the new student with him on a mission, causing Lee to believe that he had abandoned him. It was then revealed that the new student was an impostor, and that he planned on seeking vengeance against Guy. Lee headed to Guy's location, but was trapped in a castle made out of sparring posts. He and Lee were tricked into fighting each other by seeing the other as a sparring dummy, but they saw through the technique, recognising each others fighting style, and opened their chakra gates to destroy the dummies without harming the actual person, freeing themselves and destroying the castle.

Konoha Plans Recapture Mission

Main article: Konoha Plans Recapture Mission In the anime, Lee and rest of the Konoha 11 came down together to stop Gennō from bombing Konoha. Despite having few special abilities, made some noteworthy contributions to the investigation. While he initially encouraged the Academy students to keep practising throwing kunai, once he realised that hitting the bull's eye would cause a chain reaction that would detonate explosives around Konoha, he caught a kunai in midair just before it hit the target, despite being far away from it. Lee defeated Gennō with his taijutsu during the final confrontation.

Gantetsu Escort Mission

Main article: Gantetsu Escort Mission In the anime, Naruto accompanied Sakura and Lee to escort Gantetsu. When the ship was sliced in half by a metal wire, Lee ended up with Sakura, and found the orphans Gantetsu had cared for. During the raid on the hideout, he fought the Shinobazu members outside.

Sunagakure Support Mission

Main article: Sunagakure Support Mission In the anime, Lee and Naruto helped Gaara fight and defeat Seimei — an opponent who could absorb his enemies' chakra with his armour. After the mission, he sparred with Tenten, who was upset over being the only member of the Konoha 11 left out of the mission despite having a mission at the time, and noted that, in order to be able to face Naruto when he returned, they too must become stronger.

Interlude

In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths

Main article: In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths In the anime, after about two years, the Chūnin Exams are held, co-sponsored by Konoha and Suna. While waiting to register, Team Guy spots Naruto, much too their surprise. However, Neji reveals that it was only Konohamaru in disguise, who explained that he didn't want Naruto to miss out on this opportunity since he was away. With some comforting words from Lee and Neji, Konohamaru and his friends take their leave.

Team Guy race to Sunagakure

Team Guy racing towards Sunagakure.

As part of the first stage, all teams were randomly split into different rooms to take the written test. Lee was placed in room 2 with Ino Yamanaka and Shino Aburame. On a monitor, Shikamaru as proctor explained that everyone only needed to answer one question, but their team's combined score must equal exactly 100 points to pass. Thanks to Neji, all the teams that were struggling were able to figure out which question to answer based on the specific amount of vibrations sent through the wall. To everyone's surprise, Shikamaru revealed a bonus question which asked that if a situation required you to sacrifice a teammate to be a decoy, which one would you choose. This was however a trick question that required no answer, as it was a test of loyalty, something that Lee and his team understood, allowing them to pass the first stage. However, as a result of having too many participants, a race to Suna was held, where only the first 30 teams to arrive at the destination would qualify for the second stage.

Lee meets Shira

Lee tries to talk to Shira.

Ultimately, his team were among the first 30 teams to make it. During dinner, the genin tried to keep Burami from leaking sweat all over the food, and although they were successfully able to do that, the food was still ruined as result of Neji's Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven accidentally knocking the food down. This caused an all-out brawl between the genin in the room. Lee tried not to fight, but when he tried to strike Shira, his attack proved futile. Eventually everyone lost their desire to fight when arrived with her optimistic ways. Later, Lee approached Shira, noting from their earlier encounter, that he also endured much adversity, to which Shira stated true determination will ultimately succeed.

The following day, the second exam began. Like the last exam in Konoha, the teams were each given either a Heaven or Earth scroll and were required to obtain the other scroll. They would then have to bring the set to the main building in the centre of Demon Desert, having three days to so. As they began wondering around aimlessly, Lee realised a pattern and began marking rocks with kunai, concluding that they were wondering in circles. After dispelling the genjutsu, they find Team Goji and proceed to attack them, only for Team Shira to interfere and help their fellow Suna-nin. Unbeknownst by Team Guy, they get caught in another genjutsu by Sen. After Sen undoes the genjutsu, Team Guy finds that they are caught in quicksand, which drags them down into a waterfall sand pit. Lee manages to save his teammates and himself from falling to their doom after opening the second of the Eight Gates. After escaping from the pit, they find Team Shira in trouble, as they were being attacked by treacherous Suna-nin. Feeling compelled to help, Team Guy decides comes to Team Shira's aid, after which Neji asked why they were attacked at all. It was explained that Team Goji simply had no respect for Shira as a ninja, with Lee deducing that like him, Shira had no skill for genjutsu and ninjutsu, causing him to be ridiculed by his peers.

Lee and Shira

Lee and Shira's newfound respect for one another.

Lee, in a pit of rage over Team Goji's disrespect, storms off to convince them to apologise to Shira. When this fails, the Suna-nin attack, trapping Lee in a sandstorm that cast illusions of figures attacking to distract him from the real threat when they strike him with water needles. Just as he is about to be finished, Neji and Tenten arrive to save him. Before the battle continues, Shira begs the Konoha-nin not to leave them be, insisting that their distaste of him is his own fault for not training hard enough. Lee believed the very opposite however, but ultimately he and his team agreed. Shira offered his scroll to one of the Suna-nin teams as they technically defeated his team earlier. As Shira's words finally reached the spiteful Suna-nin, they declined and instead gave Shira's team and Lee's team their own respective scrolls as they lost this battle. After the Suna-nin left, determined like Shira to prove themselves by finding more scrolls, Shira agreed to Lee's request to have a one-on-one battle.

Lee vs Shira

Lee and Shira clash.

While seemingly equal in raw speed and skill, Neji noted that Shira had a slight advantage with his more solid built, and by extension greater raw strength. As Lee attempted to use the Eight Gates, he was unable to do so due to Shira already anticipating this and striking his pressure points beforehand. As Lee began changing tactics from Might Guy's teachings, manipulating how Shira would move, he began to drive Shira back. After acknowledging each other's determination, Shira struck Lee's pressure points again to remove the block, wanting to face Lee at his best. As Lee entered the Eight Gates, Shira used the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, which proved to be on par with the Eight Gates. As the intensity grew between the two, Shira's previous wounds begin to reopen, prompting Lee to call off the fight. As Shira was being healed by Yome, he explained that after the Chūnin Exams ends, he will be enlisting in a special force on the outskirts of Suna so that he could be closer to his parents. Lee wished Shira good luck and gave him one of his jumpsuits as a gift, acknowledging their new friendship.

On the third day of the exam, Team Guy cross paths with a team of Ame kunoichi and battles them. After a short skirmish, the enemy team decided to retreat as Team Guy was not the target they sought for. Despite this, Lee's team pursued the Ame-nin into an old ruins. During their continued battle, the ground collapsed, swallowing Tenten and Ajisai, and separating them from their respective teams. Though Lee and Neji wanted to work together to save one another's teammate, the two Ame-nin turned them down and left. Lee suggested that they plough their way through the rubble, only for Neji to reject the idea in fear of causing more damage than desired. When Lee and Neji find the two Ame-nin, they aid them in their fight against another Konoha team as they needed their help to find Tenten. This prompted the other Konoha team to retreat as they were outnumbered. After the two teams agree to work together, they battle a colony of large ants, but it is Tenten who defeats them. Having now been reunited, the two teams part ways peacefully.

Team Guy hiding

Team Guy waiting for the passing of the sandstorm.

Later, Team Guy get caught in a massive sandstorm. Unable to push forward, Neji repelled the sand long enough for Tenten to summon a protective dome for them to wait out the storm. After the storm cleared and they resumed their efforts to past the exam, they spotted Matsuri, who begged them to help save Gaara. Team Guy was soon approached by Fū's teammates, who agreed to unite their efforts in hopes of saving Fū and Gaara. While Lee and Matsuri joined Fū's teammates in distracting Hōichi, Neji and Tenten tried to save the jinchūriki. Ultimately, Neji was able to free Gaara and Fū with his Gentle Fist, which came at Hōichi's expense as the chains soon turned on him, still seeking tailed beast chakra and ultimately bound him.

Despite lacking a matching set of scrolls, Lee's team decided to complete the exams and head to the main building. There, it was learned that the Chūnin Exams were ended early due to controversy happening in the second exam. Instead, it was decided by Gaara that a report on each participant would be sent to their respective village leader for them to decide if they would be promoted. Upon returning to the village, Tsunade promoted Lee and Tenten to chūnin, while Neji was promoted to jonin.

Part II

Kazekage Rescue Mission

Main article: Kazekage Rescue Mission

Leaf Rising Wind

Lee disarming Kisame.

After Team Kakashi was sent on a mission to rescue Gaara from Akatsuki, Tsunade began to worry that they might have problems so she sent Team Guy as back-up. On their way to a rendezvous point they encountered Pakkun, who redirected them to Team Kakashi's destination. Soon after they were attacked by Kisame Hoshigaki. As the battle waged on Lee was able to disarm Kisame shortly but soon was captured alongside Neji and Tenten in a Water Prison by Kisame's water clones. After a while Neji was able to free Lee and himself allowing Lee to rescue Tenten before she suffocated. Afterwards they watched on as Guy finished off Kisame. Upon Kisame's defeat they discovered that it was not really him they were fighting against, only a lookalike. Realising they were being stalled, Pakkun led them off towards Team 7.

Lee vs clone

Lee overpowering his clone.

When they convened with Team Kakashi, Team Guy was tasked with bringing down the barrier blocking the entrance to the Akatsuki lair. Neji used his Byakugan to find the seals keeping the barrier in place and directed the locations of them to the rest of the team. Once they found the seals they simultaneously taking them off, succeeding in removing the barrier but in the process were immediately ambushed by copies of themselves. Soon after Lee and his clone started fighting, matching each other attack for attack. After being evenly matched with his clone, Lee communicated to the rest of the team who were in the same situation and proposed a solution: to become stronger than they had been when the copies had been created. With that, Lee used a new technique and defeated his clone.

Team Guy finds Deidara

Team Guy confronts Deidara.

With their battles won, Team Guy reunited and went to meet up with Team 7 again. On their way Neji spotted Deidara with his Byakugan and the team manage to sneak up behind him in time to block his escape. After fighting the team Guy, Deidara realised he was outmatched and he attempted to retreat. While on Deidara's tail Team Guy cornered him, leading him to make a exploding clone, resulting in almost killing both teams were it not for Kakashi's intervention. After Gaara was revived and their mission completed, both teams accompanied him back to Sunagakure and later paid their respects at Chiyo's grave. Afterwards both teams departed for Konoha. On there way, Guy started carrying Kakashi who had been incapacitated from using the Mangekō Sharingan too much. Seeing this as a form of training, Lee told Neji to get on his back so that they might race back to Konoha, but was forcefully rejected.

Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission

Main article: Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission Lee and the rest of Team Guy were only seen in the very beginning of this arc in the anime, as they returned from Suna. Lee, thinking he had come in second place in his and Guy's race from Sunagakure to Konoha, was shocked when Guy informed him that since he was carrying Kakashi on his back as well, Lee had only come in third. Lee was seen carrying everyone's packs when they returned to Konoha. After escorting Kakashi to the hospital, Team Guy went to rest.

Twelve Guardian Ninja

Main article: Twelve Guardian Ninja In the anime, Lee and his guy peers were invited Asuma Sarutobi to join him for a lunch out with a guest from outside the village. When the village was invaded by Furido's 4-Man Team, the enemies resurrected members of the Kohaku clan. Lee fought alongside other Konoha-nin to keep the zombie-nin at bay. Later, when Sora, who was discovered to be a Pseudo-Jinchūriki transformed, he and the others went to stop him. However, Sora proved too much and Naruto instead faced him and eventually stopped him. At the end, the invaders were all defeated.

Akatsuki Suppression Mission

Main article: Akatsuki Suppression Mission In the anime, he is seen at Asuma's funeral, mourning his loss.

Three-Tails' Appearance

Main article: Three-Tails' Appearance In the anime, Lee was placed on Team Two with Yamato as leader and assistance from Tenten, Kiba and Akamaru. After his team settles in their position, they spot an enemy. Lee storms in for attack, connecting withwith a kick but the enemy is revealed to be a smoke clone. The real Kigiri with his allies reveal themselves, and soon Lee finds himself trapped in Kigiri's smokescreen. After remembering a discussion about using other senses with Guy, he found his way through and attacked Kihō with Front Lotus. His team ultimately defeated the enemy the opposing shinobi.

Later, he battled alongside Tenten against Guren and Rinji on the lake while Team Three tried to seal the Three-Tails. After the beast went berserk, he and the others retreated, carrying an unconscious Ino to shore. After recuperating, they all agreed to try the task again. Afterwards, Lee and his team end up battling the enemies from their earlier encounter. Unfortunately, his team lost due to the enemies' cursed seals being activated, making them stronger than before. Later, to his and the others surprise, the enemies merged, becoming an even bigger threat. However, the Three-Tails while on its ramapage, crushed the merged foes. Having failed to seal the beast the second time, they returned to Konoha.

Pain's Assault

Main article: Pain's Assault

Sakura healing Hinata

Team Guy gets medical attention for Hinata.

During Pain's assault on Konoha, Team Guy was away on a mission. On their way returning to the village, they noticed a large number of birds flying from the direction of the village and rushed to see what the issue was. The team then stumbled upon a defeated Gamabunta, who informed them that the village was in destruction. When they arrived to see the village in ruins they also spotted a severely wounded Hinata Hyūga, and got her medical attention after Tenten noted that her wounds weren't fatal. Katsuyu later informed them that Naruto was fighting with the last Pain member, much to everyone's shock. Guy insisted that he and his team provide back-up, but Katsuyu mentions that Naruto does not want anyone else to get involved. Later, Lee, alongside the other villagers, celebrated Naruto's victory over the defeat of Pain.

Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha

Main article: Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha

Five Kage Summit

Main article: Five Kage Summit

Sakura's team

Lee accompanies Sakura to track down Sasuke.

When news reaches Konoha of Sasuke Uchiha's crimes against other villages, Lee and the rest of the Konoha 11 decide they should eliminate Sasuke themselves before he can involve Konoha in a war. So that Sakura can inform Naruto of their decision, Lee, Kiba, and Sai escort her to the Land of Iron. When they locate him, Sakura tells Naruto that she loves him, surprising Lee. This does not convince him to give up his own search for Sasuke, so they leave without another word, despite Lee's protest. Sakura then asks her escorts to help her find Sasuke. When they near his location while Lee, along with Kiba, try to protest how telling Naruto the truth would have been better, Sakura tries to knock them out so she can face Sasuke alone. Sai stops her, so Sakura convinces Lee and Kiba that he is a traitor. While they try to detain him, she succeeds in knocking them out.

After Sakura and the rest of Team 7 meet with Sasuke, they retrieve Lee and the others and return to Konoha. Lee is later seen with the rest of the Konoha 11 hearing Naruto's decision to take responsibility for Sasuke. Though they protested this action, Naruto firmly states that he would be the one to take care of Sasuke. Before leaving, he promises to tell them everything when the time was right.

Power

Main article: Power In the anime, Lee and his teammates were sent to back up Team Kakashi who were investigating what was happening at The Hole located in the Tonika Village. During this mission, Lee and Guy confronted Naruto's berserk clone, and after opening the Fifth Gate alongside his mentor, was able to stave off the creature before it took on a pseudo-Nine-Tails form.

Paradise Life on a Boat

Main article: Paradise Life on a Boat

Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation

Main article: Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation

Sakura healing Guy

Lee watches on as Sakura heals Guy who arrives injured.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Lee is assigned to the Third Division alongside Sakura and Guy. He is seen fretting over his sensei's condition while Sakura tries to heal him. When members of the Surprise Attack Division are attacked by the reincarnated shinobi, the Third Division arrives in time to intercept the attack. He is then seen along with the Third Division clashing against the reincarnated ninja. Upon Kakashi's orders, they group into a Manji Formation, Lee promises that no matter what he will protect Sakura; she however tells him to also be careful as last time Zabuza was able to penetrate the formation from its weak point; the centre. He and Guy later intercepted Haku's assault with the Leaf Coiling Whirlwind. In the anime, after the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were summoned, Guy told Lee to chase after Pakura while he went after Gari. After a long day battling, Lee and the recuperates with his remaining division members as night falls.

Leaf Coiling Whirlwind

Lee and Guy battling Haku during the war.

With the resumption of battle the next day, Lee sticks close to Sai who had been tasked with sealing the reincarnated Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Lee tells Sai not to worry and just concentrate on the sealing while he would protect him. When Naruto's shadow clone arrives on the battlefield, Lee exclaims that with him here their numbers would increase. However, Naruto tells them that he wouldn't be able to perform the Shadow Clone Technique in his current state, so they'd have to defeat the new wave of White Zetsu Army clones with quality of techniques instead of quantity in numbers.

Lee VS Chen

Lee clashes with Chen on the battlefield.

Later in the anime, the Third Division came across another reincarnated shinobi: Master Chen — a renown hero of Konohagakure who was thought to have died during the Third Shinobi World War. As Might Guy who is happy at the prospect on challenging such a famed taijutsu master, Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey soon finds himself being forced on the defensive by the old man. A shinobi is able to break away from the battle and in his search for reinforcements, finds Rock Lee who rushes to Guy's aid. Seeing the legend he met once before as a genin before him, Lee reveals his history with Chen before engaging the legend in battle. Ultimately, Lee is able to counter Chen's Leaf Dragon God technique, using the One-Man Front Lotus which he had engineered to counter the rotation of the winds of the former. As Chen's immortal body disintegrates, he remembers the time when he had his own student who was incapable of using ninjutsu, and how he had died during the Third Shinobi World War. Finally letting go of his painful past and apologising to the young man for what he had said, the old master was able to break the summoning contract and his soul returns to the afterlife. Lee promises to Chen that he'll bring rice balls to his grave.[15]

Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax

Main article: Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax After being informed by Inoichi from HQ that Naruto and B were fighting the "masked Madara", Lee and the rest of the Konoha 11 rush to his aid. As he runs, he spurred Sai — who was lamenting the fact that he could not use his Super Beast Imitating Drawing technique to get to Naruto faster — onwards telling him that now was the time to respond to the heroic efforts of those fighting Tobi.

Naruto powers Lee up

Lee resolved to keep Neji's memory in his heart.

Upon finally arriving at the battlefield, and seeing his mentor's state, Lee asked whether or not Guy had used the Daytime Tiger technique again. He later stood with the other members of the Allied Shinobi Forces as they prepared to face their opposition. Opening the Fifth Gate, Lee and his mentor prepare to attack the two Uchiha, but are buffeted by the force exerted by the now fully-matured Ten-Tails as it escaped the hole it had seemingly been trapped in. He is then seen with Guy and Tenten reacting to Neji's death. Tearfully holding his fallen teammate's corpse, he was stopped by Guy who told him to keep his tears and hold onto the feelings Neji left them. Lee was then seen listening on as Naruto imparted comforting words to the Allied Forces.

Obito and Madara get seperated from the Ten-Tails

Lee bisects Madara and severs his connection to the beast.

Thinking back on his time with Neji growing up and the conversations they had, Lee mused about something Neji had said to him. Having received chakra from Naruto, the now empowered Lee, respectfully closed his fallen comrade's eyes before joining the ranks of the other Allied shinobi. Charging forward with the Alliance, Lee signalled to Naruto that he would deal with Madara while he took care of Obito. With Guy giving him a boost, Lee propelled towards Madara and remorselessly bisected the Uchiha with a powerful kick, also destroying Madara's connection to the beast.

Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki

Main article: Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki Lee would later stare in amazement at the red barrier that had been constructed around the Ten-Tails and listened on as Guy noted that only shinobi of Hokage-calibre were able to perform the Four Red Yang Formation technique. With the situation later turning grim as the Alliance was trapped in a barrier with a Tailed Beast Ball-firing tree, Lee and the other shinobi soon found themselves shrouded in the previous Version 1 mantles again. He and the other subsequently found themselves on the outside of the barrier, escaping the near-fatal attack thanks to Naruto and Minato's action.

Konoha 11 attacking Obito

Lee and the remainder of the Konoha 11 attacking Obito.

The Ten-Tails transformed into its tree form, and many shinobi were attacked but Lee was able to escape. Hashirama Senju had Ino Yamanaka everyone link-up telepathically, Lee being one of them. Hashirama's words fail to inspire anyone, but Naruto's senjutsu-enhanced Tailed Beast Mode combined with Ino's telepathy causes his emotions and personal memories to be transferred to everyone. Later he mobilised alongside his comrades when Naruto called out to them. Shocked when he was enveloped by Naruto's Tailed Beast Mode mantle, Lee was apprehensive about being involved in their strategy at first because this would have been his first time using ninjutsu but ultimately launched an attack on Obito and was able to overwhelm his defence giving Naruto and Sasuke the opportunity to attack Obito directly. He and his comrades later aided Naruto in extracting the tailed beasts' chakra from Obito in order to stop the holy tree from blooming.

After his sensei over-exerted himself, unable to stand up on his own, Lee resorted to supporting him. While doing so, Lee and his teammates noticed Gaara speeding past them, where Lee noticed Sakura was with him. As Guy begins to worry about situation, Madara, having just revived himself and become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki himself, flies past the Konoha-nin and regurgitated the Benihisago and Kohaku no Jōhei, which landed on top of both Guy and Lee.

Lee Saving Guy

Lee saving Guy.

After recomposing themselves, Guy and Lee went on ahead while Tenten remained behind. Guy arrived on the battlefield in time to save Kakashi and then confront Madara. Lee arrived shortly after in time to save his teacher from Madara's attack. As Guy reassessed the situation, he decided to gamble his life and use the eighth gate against Madara. As Lee began to cry at the realisation of what Guy's actions would mean. Guy, however, told Lee not to be sad as this was his choice.

Watching Guy at full power taking on Madara, Lee watched on proudly. When the team decided to support Guy so that he could land his attack on the Uchiha, Lee immediately opened the sixth gate but was angered by his own inability to fight at the same level to help Guy. Minato told Lee to not feel that way, as Guy was making his sacrifice so Lee could live. After Minato explained the mechanics of Madara's Truth-Seeking Balls, Lee threw the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Kunai in front of the chakra orbs which allowed Minato to teleport most of the orbs away. Ultimately, the team gave Guy the opening to land the five powerful blows from his Evening Elephant.

Lee Caught

Lee caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Lee watched on in amazement as his mentor unleashed another powerful attack on Madara, noting that this time, the stance he took was not that of the Evening Elephant, but the Night Guy technique. Lee was later shocked to see Naruto return with Guy who was still alive despite opening all of the Eight Gates. When Madara attempted to drop the massive earthen debris on the ground, Gaara asked him to leave there quickly, but later they fell victim to the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Inside the genjutsu, Lee dreamed of finally defeating both Naruto and Neji in battle followed quickly by Sakura professing her love for him.

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes

Main article: Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes Ultimately, Lee and the rest of the world were freed from the genjutsu by Naruto and Sasuke who ended the war.

Blank Period

Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky

Main article: Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky Lee helps Guy sneak aboard the Tobishachimaru so that he can fulfil his lifelong dream of flying. When Kakashi spots Lee - covered in a cloak - disembarking from the ship, he confronts him. Once he realizes that it's Lee and figures out what he's done, Kakashi also sneaks on board to join Guy. Lee later informs the Fifth Hokage that Kakashi and Guy are aboard the Tobishachimaru, which has since been hijacked.

The Last: Naruto the Movie

Main article: The Last: Naruto the Movie During Toneri's attack on earth, Lee and other taijutsu users defended Konoha from a larger meteorite after he opened the sixth gate.

Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding

Main articles: Konoha Hiden (novel) and Konoha Hiden (anime) When Lee is assigned to bring a present to Naruto and Hinata's wedding, he takes the mission as seriously as he takes all his missions: very. He runs laps around Konoha until he can think of what to buy for them. 864 laps later, Lee collapses from exhaustion; the best idea he came up with was a pair of dumbbells, which he doesn't think would be appropriate. While passed out from fatigue, Lee has a dream of Neji; Neji starts giving him advice for the wedding present, but only manages to make unclear references to strength and stamina before Lee wakes up.

As Lee lies in the middle of a street, he is greeted by Guy. Guy is about to do laps around Konoha until he can think of what to buy for Naruto and Hinata and invites Lee to join him. Lee reports that he's already done that without success. Guy suggests that Lee try coming up with a gift for Hinata instead, while he thinks of a gift for Naruto. Lee thinks about Hinata's post-wedding life of childcare and housework. Guy thinks of Naruto's post-wedding life of home maintenance and carrying groceries. Both simultaneously conclude they should buy dumbbells to prepare Naruto and Hinata for their lives ahead. Neji's words suddenly make sense to Lee and he embraces Guy in a long, tearful hug.

In order to test out their idea, Lee puts on a dress and makeup so that he can see what it's like to be a housewife. This only convinces him that dumbbells were a great idea and he seeks out Tenten to make sure she won't be getting Naruto and Hinata the same present. When he finds her, Tenten is mystified by Lee's appearance and the accompanying explanation. At the wedding a few days later, she gives Lee and Guy advice about how they should behave.

New Era

In the following years, Lee was promoted to jōnin. He also had a son named Metal Lee, whom he trained with.

Academy Entrance Arc

Main article: Academy Entrance Arc When Metal was helping his classmate, Denki Kaminarimon, train to prepare for a chakra-climbing test, Lee saved Denki from injuring himself by catching the falling student. Deeply touched by Denki's drive to succeed, Lee decided to supervise Denki's continued training. By the end of the day, he gave Denki a jumpsuit, insisting it would help with his training.

Sarada Uchiha Arc

Main article: Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring During the day of the Kage Summit in Konoha, Rock Lee was rigorously training with his son, as Lee emphatically told him that he was in the springtime of his youth.

Naruto Shinden: Parent and Child Day

Main articles: Naruto Shinden: Parent and Child Day and Parent and Child Day Arc

Climbing Lees

Rock Lee and Metal Lee training.

When Konohagakure began a new annual holiday, Parent and Child Day, Lee spent it with his son. He was also accompanied by Sai, Shikamaru, and their respective sons. Later, he and Metal entered an eating competition as a team. However, Metal's anxiety at being watched quickly made him vomit, disqualifying the team. After Metal recovered, he and his father spent the remainder of the day training together.

Graduation Exams Arc

Main article: Graduation Exams Arc As ninja classes began preparing for the graduation exams, Lee met with Metal and his teachers to discuss his son's progress and goals for the future. During which, Lee and his son continued their over-enthusiastic training routine.

Genin Mission Arc

Main article: Genin Mission Arc Rock Lee appears in this arc.

Versus Momoshiki Arc

Main articles: Boruto: Naruto the Movie and Versus Momoshiki Arc

Mitsuki Wins

Lee proctoring the Chūnin Exams.

Rock Lee serves as the proctor for the third and final round of the Chūnin Exams. During the seventh match between Boruto Uzumaki and Shikadai Nara, Boruto seemingly wins but Naruto discovers that Boruto used a Kote to cheat. Lee disqualified Boruto for using this prohibited tool and declares Shikadai as the winner. Soon after, Momoshiki and Kinshiki attack the arena and Lee grabs Shikadai and gets him to safety.

In the anime, as Lee began training his son in more advanced taijutsu, ready to teach the Eight Gates, he learned that Metal began relying on useless good luck trinkets for confidence against his anxiety from too much attention. Disappointed by this, Lee postponed the training, telling Metal that he couldn't master the Eight Gates as he was then. Later, after Metal spent the day with Guy and learned about making the most of what you have, Lee decided to issue a challenge to Metal: To receive training in the Eight Gates, Metal was to face Lee in a match surrounded by a huge crowd and must land at least one blow. Accepting the challenge, Metal removed his trinkets and fought through all the stares and laughter of the crowd, which in reality boosted his performance. Ultimately, Metal unlocked the first gate, letting him solidly hit his father and win. Lee joined Metal and Guy in a group hug to celebrate Metal's success.

Time Slip Arc

Main article: Time Slip Arc In the anime, when the grown-up Sasuke and Boruto were sent back in time to shortly after Sasuke's defection, the two pretended to be travelling performers and were put under watch by Naruto. Past-Lee and his friends helped Boruto and Naruto clean up a bathhouse after the commotion Naruto and Jiraiya caused.

Kara Actuation Arc

Main article: Kara Actuation Arc When learning of Kara, Konohagakure sent Rock Lee to inform the Kirigakure about it.

Ao Arc

Main article: Ao Arc In the anime, Rock Lee attended the memorial service for the fallen people of the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Kawaki Arc

Main article: Kawaki Arc In the anime, Lee participated in the coordination efforts lead by Shikamaru in preparation for Isshiki's invasion. He was among the first to fight Isshiki upon his arrival, but was quickly defeated.

In Other Media

Movies

Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom

Main article: Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom Lee was acting as the third member of Team 7. During his battle with Kongō, Lee showed proficiency with nunchaku (despite striking himself in the head) a bō and a chain staff, all of which were made from his ankle weights.

Naruto Shippūden the Movie

Main article: Naruto Shippūden the Movie He became Sasuke's replacement, Neji being Kakashi's replacement. Once initiating the Drunken Fist, he easily defeated Gitai. Later, he was able to kill Setsuna after Neji was able to get rid of the group's chakra source. At the end, he, Sakura, and Kakashi were surprised when Shion asked Naruto if he could stay with her and have a child.

Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire

Main article: Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire Lee was sent with the remaining members of the Konoha 11 after Naruto and Sakura to prevent them from going after Kakashi. After a brief encounter, Team Guy was confronted by Ichi which resulted in his defeat when Lee and Neji combined their talents. He later joined the original team of nine in trying to defeat the Chimera created when Ichi, Ni and San fused together.

Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison

Main article: Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison

Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie

Main article: Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie Lee first appeared with his friends battling several Zetsu clones disguised as deceased Akatsuki members. Later in the alternate world, a different Lee is seen. While is virtually identical to his counterpart, this Lee steals and wears women's undergarments.

Video Games

Rock Lee is a playable character in the following video games:

Game nameJapanese releaseEnglish release
Jump Super Stars8 August 2005
Naruto Mobile20162016
Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs. Rasengan14 July 2005
Naruto SD Powerful Shippūden29 November 20125 March 2013
Naruto Shippūden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 317 November 2009
Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX22 February 2007
Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX 229 November 2007
Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! EX 327 November 2008
Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! Special2 December 2010
Naruto Shippūden: Kizuna Drive15 July 201022 March 2011
Naruto Shippūden: Legends: Akatsuki Rising6 October 2009
Naruto Shippūden: Naruto vs. Sasuke4 July 20086 November 2010
Naruto Shippūden: Ninja Council 419 July 20072 June 2009
Naruto Shippūden: Ninja Destiny 224 April 200815 September 2009
Naruto Shippūden: Ninja Destiny 328 April 2009
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja 45 April 200724 March 2009
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja 520 December 200727 November 2009
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing14 July 201624 August 2016
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 310 December 200911 May 2010
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Impact20 October 201118 October 2011
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 221 October 201019 October 2010
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 318 April 20135 March 2013
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 44 February 20169 February 2016
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations23 February 201213 March 2012
Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution11 September 201416 September 2014
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker30 August 201831 August 2018
Naruto x Boruto: Ninja TribesJune 2019June 2019
Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage22 November 201722 November 2017
Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections16 November 202317 November 2023
Naruto: Clash of Ninja11 April 20037 March 2006
Naruto: Clash of Ninja 24 December 200326 September 2006
Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution23 October 2007
Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 221 October 2008
Naruto: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! 320 November 2004
Naruto: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! 421 November 2005
Naruto: Konoha Senki12 September 2003
Naruto: Ninja Council 229 April 200410 October 2006
Naruto: Ninja Council 2 European Version21 April 20053 October 2008
Naruto: Ninja Council 327 April 200622 May 2007
Naruto: Ninja Destiny14 December 200620 March 2008
Naruto: Path of the Ninja22 July 200423 October 2007
Naruto: Path of the Ninja 213 July 200614 October 2008
Naruto: Rise of a Ninja30 October 2007
Naruto: Shinobi Collection2014
Naruto: Shinobi Collection Shippū Ranbu27 July 2015
Naruto: The Broken Bond18 November 2008
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja23 October 200326 June 2006
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 230 September 200412 June 2007
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 322 December 200525 March 2008
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes28 August 2007
... further results

Creation and conception

According to an interview with Masashi Kishimoto in Shōnen Jump's 'Naruto Anime Profiles Episodes 1-37', Lee is his most fun character to draw. He also has stated that Sakura Haruno and Lee were meant to symbolise human weakness, at least in the beginning.

Trivia

Springtime of Youth
The Springtime of Youth wiki has an article about this topic:
  • Rock Lee's name is derived from the rock musical genre and is a play on Bruce Lee, whose given name is pronounced the same as blues in Japanese. The pun continues with his son, Metal Lee.
  • Rock Lee has his own spin-off series called Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth Full Power Ninja Chronicles by Kenji Taira, an assistant of Masashi Kishimoto.
  • Like his sensei, Rock Lee's character seems to be inspired by Bruce Lee, as shown from his name and having the same birthday and hair style. The outfit Rock Lee wears in part one may have been based of Bruce Lee's jumpsuit from the 1973 film Game of Death.
    • Rock Lee's injury are also similar to the one Bruce Lee once received, both were also expected to never walk again.
  • Rock Lee placed very high in the first four Naruto character popularity polls. He finished 5th in the first and second polls, 8th in the third poll and 7th in the fourth poll. However, his popularity slipped in the last two polls, finishing 13th in the fifth poll and 18th in the sixth and most recent. In the 3rd Databook, a combination of the previous six polls ranked him as the 9th most popular character overall.
  • Studio Pierrot has consistently given him the height of 158 cm at 13yrs, instead of 158.5 cm as his Databook profile gives him.
  • Kishimoto's official sketches of Rock Lee show that he is 177cm in The Last: Naruto the Movie.
  • According to the databook(s):
    • Rock Lee's hobbies are his and Might Guy's intense taijutsu training regimes.
    • Lee wishes for rematches with Neji, Sasuke, and Gaara, and for an all-out match with Naruto.
    • Lee's favourite foods are medium spicy curry rice and curry pilaf, though, like his sensei, he finds it impossible to dislike any sort of food.
    • Lee has completed 61 official missions in total: 25 D-rank, 21 C-rank, 4 B-rank, 10 A-rank, 1 S-rank.
    • Lee's favourite words are "Endeavour" (努力, doryoku), "Guts" (根性, konjō), and "Love" (, ai).[3]
  • In Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes, Lee calls himself "Leaf Village's Noble Savage".

Quotes

  • (To Team Guy) "Sensei! I want to prove that you can become a great ninja even without being able to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu! That is everything to me!"[36]
  • (To Tenten) "A genius, huh? What does that mean? "Genius"? So I was not born with a whole lot of natural talent, not gifted like Neji… but I work hard and I never give up! That is my gift; that is my ninja way!"[37]
  • (To Sakura) "Sakura, please go out with me! I'll protect you with my life!"[38]
  • (To Sasuke) "Among strong people exists genius types and hard-working types. If your Sharingan is a genius-type from the Uchiha blood, I am simply a hard-working type who has mastered only taijutsu."[39]
  • (To Team 7) "See?! Guy-sensei is incredible!"[13]
  • (To Sakura) "The lotus of Konoha blooms twice."[40]
  • (To Guy) "I want to show I can be a splendid ninja as well even if I don't have ninjutsu or genjutsu… I want to prove it to the whole world!"[37]
  • (To Kimimaro) "I am Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast — Rock Lee!"[41]
  • (To Kakashi and Gaara) "I'm not sad!! In front of a man who made an important decision… feeling sadness or pity would be an insult to him!!!"[42]

References

  1. First Databook, pages 133-136
  2. Second Databook, pages 165-167
  3. 3.0 3.1 Third Databook, pages 184-185
  4. Fourth Databook, page 205
  5. Retsu no Sho, page 33
  6. Zai no Sho, page 34
  7. Naruto chapter 37, page 6
  8. Naruto chapter 51, page 19
  9. Naruto chapter 84, pages 7-8
  10. Naruto chapter 84, pages 9-17
  11. Naruto chapter 85, pages 5-6
  12. Naruto episode 193
  13. 13.0 13.1 Naruto chapter 38, page 13
  14. Naruto chapter 82, page 17
  15. 15.0 15.1 Naruto: Shippūden episode 312
  16. Boruto: Naruto the Movie novel
  17. Naruto chapter 52, page 6
  18. Naruto chapter 82, page 18
  19. Naruto: Shippūden episode 400
  20. Naruto episode 152
  21. Retsu no Sho
  22. Naruto chapter 210, pages 10-11 and 16-19
  23. Naruto chapter 211, pages 4-6
  24. Naruto chapter 85, page 6
  25. Naruto chapter 669, page 8
  26. Naruto: Shippūden episode 495
  27. Boruto episode 70
  28. Naruto chapter 85, page 5
  29. Naruto chapter 52, pages 11-13
  30. Naruto chapter 613, page 1
  31. Naruto chapter 615, page 3
  32. The Last: Naruto the Movie
  33. Naruto: Shippūden episode 399
  34. Naruto chapter 184
  35. Naruto episode 110
  36. Naruto chapter 84 page 8
  37. 37.0 37.1 Naruto chapter 84, page 9
  38. Naruto chapter 36, page 16
  39. Naruto chapter 37, page 20
  40. Naruto chapter 57, page 10
  41. Naruto chapter 209, page 18
  42. Naruto chapter 669, pages 7-8