23.

The Beginning of the End

It started with whispers.

Lee could hear them before he even stepped into the marketplace.

Soft voices. Hidden glances. The kind of silence that only grows when something terrible is about to happen.

The civilians had always ignored him before.

Now, they watched.

A woman pulled her child closer as he passed. A merchant, who had once sold him rice balls after long training days, turned his back.

Lee did not react.

Not outwardly.

But inside, he felt it.

The shift.

The change.

His greatest victory had become his curse.

And Konoha was making it clear—he was no longer welcome.

The Genin Cut Ties

Lee had been searching for Guy.

Instead, he found Kiba.

The Inuzuka stood at the edge of the training field, arms crossed, Akamaru growling softly at his feet. His usual cocky grin was gone.

Lee slowed to a stop.

Kiba's eyes met his. "You should've stayed weak."

Lee blinked. "Excuse me?"

Kiba took a step forward. His chakra flared—not in aggression, but in something colder.

Distance.

"You're not one of us anymore."

Lee said nothing.

Because what was there to say?

A week ago, Kiba would have laughed about sparring with him. A week ago, they would have eaten ramen together. A week ago, they had all been part of the same village.

Now, they were strangers.

And Kiba was just the first.

Shikamaru avoided his gaze.

Hinata tried to approach him—but Neji grabbed her wrist and shook his head.

Shino did not even acknowledge his presence.

Even Naruto hesitated.

Lee could see it in his friend's eyes—uncertainty.

Not fear.

But something worse.

Doubt.

And that was when Lee knew.

He had already been cast out.

The Hokage's Orders

Might Guy stood in the Hokage's office, fists clenched at his sides.

He had not sat down.

He had not moved.

Because if he did, if he let himself breathe for even a second—he might not be able to hold himself back.

Sarutobi exhaled slowly. "You know why I've called you here."

Guy's voice was sharp. "Then say it."

The Hokage's gaze did not waver. "You are not to interfere."

Silence.

Then—the room cracked.

Guy's fist had shattered the wooden floor beneath him.

His teeth clenched, his entire body vibrating with anger, with disbelief.

"He has done nothing wrong."

Homura Mitokado, one of the elders, spoke coldly. "That is not the issue."

Guy turned on him. "Then what is?"

Koharu Utatane met his gaze. "The issue is that we do not know what he is anymore."

Guy's breath caught.

Sarutobi's voice was heavy. "Rock Lee has surpassed the limits of a shinobi. And the world does not tolerate what it cannot control."

The words were final.

Absolute.

And Guy knew—this was not a discussion.

It was a death sentence.

The Second Assassination Attempt

Lee felt them before they arrived.

Four ANBU.

They moved in silence, perfectly coordinated, striking from the rooftops. No hesitation.

No warning.

Kill orders.

Lee did not run.

Instead—he moved forward.

The first one died instantly.

A single step—too fast for the eye to follow.

Lee's foot connected with the ANBU's ribs—and his body folded inward, crushed by sheer force.

The second hesitated.

A mistake.

Lee's hand shot out—a blur of motion, precise, final.

The kunai meant for his throat never reached him.

Because Lee caught it mid-air.

And then—he shattered it between his fingers.

The last two turned to flee.

Lee let them.

Because he wanted them to carry a message.

This village no longer had the power to stop him.

Sasuke's Final Words

Sasuke found him near the training grounds, standing beneath the same tree where they had first fought.

The Uchiha did not waste time.

"You're leaving."

It was not a question.

Lee turned his head slightly. "And you are not stopping me?"

Sasuke scoffed. "Why would I?"

He stepped closer, his voice quieter. "We don't belong here."

Lee didn't argue.

Because he already knew.

Sasuke's expression was unreadable. "I thought I was the only one."

Lee met his gaze.

"You were never alone."

Sasuke exhaled sharply, looking away.

Then he turned.

"I leave tonight."

A pause.

Then—

"Are you coming with me?"

Lee did not answer.

Not yet.

Naruto's Desperation

Lee stood at the village gates, staring at the walls he had once dreamed of protecting.

He did not feel regret.

Only finality.

Then—a voice behind him.

"Lee, don't."

He did not turn.

But Naruto stood there, breathless, eyes filled with something between anger and heartbreak.

"We can fix this," Naruto said, voice raw. "You don't have to go. We can fight this, together—"

Lee shook his head.

"No."

Naruto stepped forward. "You belong here!"

Lee finally turned.

And Naruto froze.

Because this was not the same Lee he had known.

This was not the same boy who had once smiled and cheered and called him a rival.

This was someone else.

Someone colder.

Someone who had already made his choice.

"I was never meant to stay here," Lee said quietly.

Naruto shook his head, teeth clenched.

"Then I'll stop you."

Lee did not move.

Naruto charged.

Lee took one step.

And suddenly—Naruto was on his knees, gasping for air.

He hadn't even seen it happen.

Lee had not hit him.

Had not touched him.

But the pressure of his presence alone had crushed him into the dirt.

Naruto looked up, eyes wide with disbelief.

Lee's voice was soft.

"You were always stronger than me."

He turned away.

"But not anymore."

And then—

He walked forward.

Leaving Naruto behind.

The Final Goodbye

Guy arrived too late.

He saw his student's back, saw the village gates swinging open, saw the path that led away from everything he had ever known.

"Lee."

Lee stopped.

A silence stretched between them.

Then—

"If you walk away now," Guy said softly, "there is no coming back."

Lee did not turn around.

He did not hesitate.

"I was never meant to come back."

And then—

He was gone.

Orochimaru's Welcome

The forest was quiet.

The air felt different beyond the walls of Konoha.

Freer.

And then—

A voice from the darkness.

"You made the right choice."

Lee did not flinch.

Orochimaru stepped forward, smiling.

"Come," he said, extending a hand. "Let us begin."

Lee stared at the offered hand for a moment.

Then—

He took it.

And just like that, Rock Lee, the shinobi who once dedicated his life to Konoha—

Became its greatest enemy.