"Lady Tsunade, the operation has begun!"
A member of Anbu leaned close to Tsunade's ear and whispered.
Tsunade nodded and immediately contacted Yamanaka Inoichi. "Begin the operation."
Meanwhile, a temporary command force had been formed — Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi were serving as the commanders-in-chief for the Sand invasion response.
At the arena, Kakashi and Guy appeared beside Baki in an instant. Kakashi pressed a kunai to Baki's neck and said coldly, "Don't move."
"What do you think you're doing? Konoha and the Sand Village are allies. Is this how you treat an ally?" Baki asked calmly, showing no hint of panic.
"You and the Sound Village conspired to destroy Konoha. That plan has already failed," Kakashi said flatly. "Surrender peacefully."
Hearing that, Baki's eyes widened. "Impossible!"
Just then, an Anbu appeared beside them and said, "The Sand Village dispatched so many elites… yet now, except for you, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara — they're all dead in Konoha."
He paused for effect, then added, "Oh, and your Fourth Kazekage? He's already dead. As for who killed him, I won't tell you."
Baki froze, his expression collapsing. The plan failed. Everyone… dead? Even the Kazekage…?
It felt like countless blades were stabbing into his heart. This was worse than death.
"What about the Kazekage sitting above?" Kakashi asked. Even through his mask, his voice was sharp.
"An imposter," the Anbu replied. "Kakashi, Guy — Hokage-sama's orders are clear. That person is of high importance. Capture him alive."
Then, the Anbu vanished.
Kakashi sighed. "When did students start giving orders to their teachers?"
He glanced at Guy. "What is this world coming to?"
Elsewhere, Kankuro and Temari were under the watch of Asuma and Kurenai.
"I wonder how things are going elsewhere," Asuma said, his tone wary.
"Don't worry. Lady Hokage has already arranged everything," Kurenai reassured him.
Temari: (ω)!
Kankuro: (ω)!
Their eyes widened. Wait—does that mean… the invasion has already failed?
Just then, the same Anbu appeared again.
"Relax. The crisis has been handled. Aside from the four of you here, everyone else is dead."
Temari: (ΩДΩ)
Kankuro: (ΩДΩ)
Total panic struck them. So fast… Konoha had already seen through everything.
"As expected of Hokage-sama," Asuma said with a smirk.
The Anbu added, "Remember — these two are to be kept alive," before disappearing again.
Temari and Kankuro exhaled in relief, though dread still lingered. Temari looked toward the arena.
Gaara…
On the field, Gaara was surrounded by a hundred of Menma's shadow clones — each holding a giant Rasengan.
Although Gaara reacted swiftly and managed to crush several clones, the rest struck true. He was left battered and bleeding.
"They beat me like this…?" Gaara muttered, trembling with disbelief.
Then he roared, "How can I lose?! I want to win!"
His body began to swell grotesquely.
"Ahhh! A monster!"
"Run!"
The panicked crowd screamed and scattered. The Konoha chunin immediately began evacuating civilians.
Gaara had transformed completely into Shukaku.
"Brother!" Naruto shouted, watching anxiously. He wanted to rush to help, but Sasuke grabbed his arm.
"Idiot! Don't go. You'll only get in Menma's way and become a burden."
Sasuke's words hit home, and Naruto stopped, biting his lip.
Nine-Tails! Help! There's a big one outside! Naruto called inwardly.
Kurama lazily flipped another page of his novel. Relax. It's just that stupid raccoon cat. I'll handle the other one.
Handle it? You're not even going! Naruto thought.
Kurama snorted. Please. Do you think I need to team up for a 2v1 against that sand rat? Not happening.
Back in the arena, a massive red fox with nine tails appeared — Kurama had manifested partially.
"Kurama! Take it to the outskirts of the village. Once it's done, do what you want!" Menma shouted.
"Got it!" Kurama replied with an "OK" gesture, grinning.
Finally, an excuse to beat that smug raccoon senseless.
Kurama leapt forward, grabbed Shukaku, and dragged him out toward the forest.
Gaara, still conscious within, could barely resist.
Menma followed quickly, leaving shadow clones to report back.
"Brother…" Naruto whispered as a shadow clone landed beside him.
The clone smiled and patted his back. "Don't worry. Your brother will be fine. I'll finish up with Shukaku outside and come right back. Be good, alright?"
Naruto nodded earnestly. "Work hard, brother!"
The clone smiled, then vanished.
Another clone appeared before Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, I've moved Shukaku outside the village. I'll handle it from there."
Tsunade nodded approvingly. "Well done. Once this is over, I'll make sure you're rewarded."
"Rewarded?" The clone's eyes gleamed. "Does that include a few billion ryo?"
Tsunade: "…"
"Get lost!" She smashed her fist into him — bam! — the clone popped instantly.
"Several billions? I don't even have that myself!" Tsunade muttered angrily.
At that moment, Orochimaru — still disguised as the Fourth Kazekage — stood up and said, "It seems your village is in chaos. I'll take my leave."
But before he could move, a tall figure appeared in front of him.
He wore a headband marked with the kanji for "oil." His long white hair reached his waist, and red lines ran down his eyes. A red cloak draped over brown clothes, and wooden sandals clacked softly as he stepped forward.
"Orochimaru," the man said, his voice steady but sharp. "You've come back to Konoha — why not reunite with your old friends?"
Orochimaru froze, then gave a cold smile.
"Jiraiya… are we still friends?"
(End of Chapter)
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