The Rock Lee vs. Gaara fight is one of the most iconic battles in the Naruto series. But why did Rock Lee lose to Gaara?
Rock Lee had to lose to Gaara because his high-speed taijutsu put a gigantic strain on his body. The recovery period slowed Lee down, Gaara then using his sand coffin technique out of desperation to break Lee’s leg.
Lee was able to open his inner gates in order to conjure up enough power to use the Reverse Lotus technique. This would have won the fight for Lee if Gaara had not used his sand gourd to defend himself at the last moment.
Chapter Specifics Behind How Rock Lee Had to Lose to Gaara
In chapter #84, the crowd of chunin-hopefuls watches the Gaara Vs. Lee fight with fear. Lee was able to get a hit on Gaara, the first time the sand ninja has ever taken damage. This new sensation awoke Gaara’s inner demon, the power taking over and lunging aggressive sand towards Lee.
Lee’s movements are considerably slower than earlier in the fight. He can barely avoid Gaara’s newly aggressive sand attacks. Sakura questions why Lee doesn’t continue to dodge the attacks, but his sensei, Guy, explains why.
“The lotus technique he just used, it’s a double-edged sword,” Guy said. Kakashi then jumps into the conversation, explaining the complexities and downsides of the technique.
“Fundamentally, it’s a forbidden move. Using that level of high-speed taijutsu puts a huge strain on the body. Right now, Lee’s nothing but a mass of pain and weakness… Isn’t that right, Guy?”
Kakashi to Guy | Chapter #84
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Guy then has a flashback of his 1-on-1 training sessions with Lee. From the start of his childhood, Lee has always been an outcast due to his inability to use either Genjutsu or Ninjutsu. Even his squadmates, Neji and Tenten, were slow to accept him.
The sensei compliments Lee in the flashback, calling him a “genius of hard work.” Lee’s goal of proving that he can become a great ninja without Genjutsu or Ninjutsu will be wasted if he gives up too early.
Within the following two chapters, Lee prepares to use the Reverse Lotus technique. A technique that requires Lee to open up his inner gates, also known as limiters that must be released in preparation for the technique. Despite his young age, Lee is able to open up to the fifth out of eight potential gates.
Kakashi shows disapproval of Guy teaching Lee the technique. It could potentially end the boy’s life, as the power granted temporarily exceeds that of Hokage. Lee then successfully opens the third gate which necessitates using the lotus technique.
The technique launches Gaara into the air, slamming him down with tremendous force. Gaara was able to use the gourd of sand to save him from death at the last possible moment. In an act of mixed desperation and frustration, Gaara used The Crushing of Coffin Sand technique on Lee.
The coffin technique grabs on to Lee’s leg, breaking it instantly. Before the remainder of the sand can finish Lee off, Guy sensei steps in and ends the fight.
So that’s the answer. Rock Lee had to lose to Gaara because the sand ninja used a technique that broke Lee’s leg. Lee was slow to dodge the attack after putting a strain on his body following a high-speed taijutsu technique.