The 50th episode of Naruto pushes Rock Lee to open a fifth inner gate against Gaara, and even in triumph the cost of that gamble threatens to end his career as a ninja for good.
Summary
Lee's blistering speed overwhelms Gaara, whose sand can no longer raise a shield quickly enough to matter. Opening the Fifth Gate, Lee unleashes his strongest move, the Reverse Lotus. Gaara survives only because he cushions his landing by collapsing his gourd into sand, then uses that sand to crush Lee's left arm and leg. As Gaara moves the sand in for the kill, Might Guy leaps between them to shield his student.
Key Events
Though knocked out by the agony, Lee somehow rises again, his sheer will to win dragging his shattered body upright. Moved to tears by that devotion, Guy has him carried off for treatment. The medical ninja deliver crushing news: Lee's wounds run too deep to fully mend, and he may never fight as a shinobi again. Guy is left regretting that he ever taught the boy such punishing techniques.
Notes
The episode is part of the Chunin Exams arc and adapts chapters 85 through 87 of the manga. It first aired in Japan on September 17, 2003. With the match settled, Guy steps out of the arena to make way for the final preliminary bout between Choji Akimichi and Dosu Kinuta.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fifth Gate in Naruto?
The Fifth Gate is the inner chakra gate Rock Lee opens in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born to unleash his strongest technique, the Reverse Lotus, against Gaara.
What episode is Rock Lee vs Gaara in Naruto?
The climax of the Rock Lee vs Gaara fight airs in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born, episode 50 of the original Naruto anime in the Chunin Exams arc.
How does Gaara survive Rock Lee's Reverse Lotus in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born?
Gaara survives the Reverse Lotus in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born by collapsing his sand gourd to cushion his landing, then uses that same sand to crush Lee's left arm and leg.
Who saves Rock Lee from Gaara in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born?
Might Guy leaps between Gaara and his fallen student in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born, shielding Rock Lee from Gaara's sand as it closes in for the kill.
What happens to Rock Lee's ninja career in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born?
Medical ninja reveal in The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born that Rock Lee's wounds run too deep to fully heal, meaning he may never fight as a shinobi again, leaving Might Guy regretting having taught him such punishing techniques.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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