"Huh? What's going on?"
In the arena, Naruto suddenly sensed something. He instinctively turned to look at the participants' building nearby.
For some reason, he felt the Chakra within him beginning to rage uncontrollably.
"What's happening?"
Clutching his stomach, Naruto felt an overwhelming sense of unease.
"Something's wrong."
Jiraiya and the others immediately noticed the anomaly. Naturally, they could feel that intense Chakra.
"It's Shukaku. Could it be that Sunagakure..."
Kakashi paused to sense the situation, then spoke in a low voice. However, Tsunade shook her head.
"Not certain. But with Rasa bringing Shukaku here, it's hard to say he doesn't have his own plans. After all..."
After all, Sunagakure's current situation wasn't optimistic. Their alliance with Konohagakure had led to a significant reduction in funding and aid from the Daimyō of the Land of Wind.
Perhaps no one wanted to see Konohagakure in chaos more than Rasa. Only then could he pressure the Daimyō of the Land of Wind to loosen the purse strings.
"It's likely the Akatsuki who made their move on Shukaku."
Jiraiya quickly gave his assessment. He looked towards the distant high platform and spoke decisively.
"Move out immediately. We've rehearsed for this scenario countless times!"
"What's going on?"
Meanwhile, Deidara looked around in confusion, unsure of what was happening.
"It seems trouble is brewing."
Kitagawa Minamoto, however, remained calm. He knew exactly what was going on.
After all, with a mole inside the Akatsuki, he was well aware of their movements.
Even now, he was merely a clone.
"Take care of yourself. Someone's likely planning to stir up trouble in Konohagakure. I won't have time to babysit you."
Minamoto glanced at the panicked villagers and the shinobi organizing evacuations. He gave a simple warning to Deidara before turning to Karin.
"Head to the medical unit immediately and assist the medics in their preparations."
"Understood, Senior. Please be careful!"
Karin nodded quickly but didn't forget to remind Minamoto to stay safe before rushing off.
Minamoto smiled faintly before shifting his gaze to the high platform.
"My real body should be making a move soon. Time for me to get active as well."
"Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the figure before him in disbelief.
"Where's Danzō?"
"Teacher, your reactions are far too slow."
Orochimaru calmly tore off his disguise, speaking with a composed tone.
"Do you think, with me here, Danzō would still be around?"
"...!"
Realizing something, Hiruzen clenched his fists and growled in a low voice.
"This is your plan? What are you trying to do?"
"It's not about what I want to do, but rather what others are planning to do."
Orochimaru chuckled indifferently. He raised his hand and made a signal.
In an instant, signal flares shot up across Konohagakure, and Shukaku's Chakra surged even more violently.
"It seems this exam has taken an unexpected turn."
Ōnoki raised an eyebrow at the sight, though his tone suggested he wasn't particularly surprised.
"Such a grand event turning into this—it's truly regrettable."
Gengetsu Hōzuki shook his head, while the Fourth Raikage glanced at Orochimaru before turning to Rasa.
"You've been a great help, Kazekage."
"..."
Rasa remained silent, unsure of what to say. Orochimaru, however, laughed.
"Everyone, your relations with Konohagakure aren't exactly amicable, are they? Don't you want to take advantage of this rare opportunity?"
"Orochimaru, you—!"
Hiruzen's expression darkened upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to openly provoke the other Kage into making poor decisions.
Without hesitation, he acted immediately!
"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!"
In an instant, Hiruzen completed his hand seals, unleashing a massive sea of flames.
The flames seemed to engulf everything, dyeing the entire high platform red with their intensity!
"Teacher, such actions aren't very appropriate."
However, Orochimaru seemed to anticipate Hiruzen's moves. Almost simultaneously, he retreated and erected an Earth Style Wall.
When the flames subsided, a coffin appeared in front of Orochimaru.
"Aren't you curious about Danzō's whereabouts?"
"Could it be..."
Hiruzen hesitated for a moment. At that instant, the coffin opened, and Danzō Shimura stepped out slowly!
"Danzō?"
Danzō looked at his old friend for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Hiruzen..."
But before he could say more, a deafening roar erupted. The participants' building collapsed with a thunderous crash.
"I'm finally free!"
Amid the swirling smoke, a grating voice echoed throughout Konohagakure.
A massive figure loomed in the haze, its silhouette resembling a small mountain.
"Damn it, has Shukaku been unleashed?"
Hiruzen's expression turned grim. The emergence of Shukaku was a dire situation!
"Well then, everyone."
Orochimaru licked his lips. Despite the high platform being surrounded by Anbu and shinobi from various factions, he remained as composed as ever.
"What are your thoughts now? After all, opportunities like this are rare!"
Buzz—
At that moment, an immense surge of Chakra erupted within Konohagakure, sweeping across the entire village in an instant.
"Shukaku has been unleashed. It's time for us to move."
Outside the Root base, the Akatsuki members had already assembled.
Nagato, sensing the growing Chakra, spoke in a low voice. However, Itachi Uchiha frowned.
"Shouldn't we wait? That man hasn't returned yet, and Hiruko and Hidan are also absent."
"No need to wait. He'll come on his own."
Nagato shook his head and replied calmly.
"As for Hiruko and Hidan, they have their own tasks. They'll regroup later."
Hiruko, once a member of Konohagakure, was tasked with monitoring Orochimaru and keeping an eye on the village.
As for Hidan...
His incessant chatter annoyed the others, so they simply sent him along with Hiruko.
"Itachi, what's on your mind?"
Kisame suddenly asked with a grin, prompting Itachi to furrow his brows before replying coldly.
"Nothing worth worrying about. That Ōtsutsuki Minamoto is no ordinary individual, but I'm more curious to see if he'll show up."
"I hope he does. I'd like to see if he's as formidable as you all claim."
Nagato shook his head, his focus remaining on Konohagakure. Meanwhile, Kakuzu, feeling the pulse of his Wind Release heart, couldn't help but speak.
"I'm curious too. How does he compare to Kitagawa Minamoto?"
"That?"
Kisame smirked but said nothing. Instead, he looked up at the sky and spoke softly.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Huh?"
The others followed Kisame's gaze, and their eyes widened in shock.
At some point, dark clouds had gathered over Konohagakure's once-clear skies.
A lone figure stood in the heavens, surveying them with a calm gaze.
In the blink of an eye, the figure stepped forward—
And appeared directly before the Akatsuki members!
The man wore a white robe, his silver hair flowing in the wind.
A mask concealed his face, exuding an aura of mystery and terror.
"Is that..."
The Akatsuki members' expressions shifted, even Nagato finding it hard to believe what he was seeing.
He had never imagined someone would act in such a manner, and he could sense an unfathomable power within this individual.
"You must be..."
After a long pause, Nagato finally spoke.
"Ōtsutsuki Minamoto?"
"As expected, your associates must have told you about me."
Kitagawa Minamoto's voice was clear and calm as he gazed at the group before him.
His blue eyes sparkled like stars, radiant and mesmerizing.
Having received intel from Kisame, he had been well-prepared for this moment.
And now, it was time to make his move.
"I've been wondering why I've felt a strange force drawing me here. So this is the reason."
"A force drawing you?"
The Akatsuki members didn't understand what he meant, but Nagato seemed to grasp it.
His face darkened as he stared at Minamoto and spoke in a low voice.
"You mean... the Rinnegan?"
"Correct."
Minamoto nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"These eyes, born from the mutation of the Divine Tree's fruit, hold a certain allure even for me. I never expected to encounter them here.
So, can you hand them over to me?"
"Hand them over?"
Nagato's gaze changed. This wasn't arrogance—this was something far beyond.
Kakuzu and Sasori exchanged glances, stunned by the audacity of this man.
Meanwhile, Itachi and Kisame stood on high alert, their expressions serious.
"You're delusional, just like Orochimaru. If you want them..."
Nagato's voice grew cold, brimming with killing intent.
"Then take them by force!"
Buzz—
In an instant, an overwhelming repulsive force erupted from Nagato's palm, surging towards Minamoto like a tidal wave!
"Hmm?"
Minamoto raised an eyebrow. Perhaps because Nagato was using White Zetsu's prosthetic body, this Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push) was even more powerful than expected.
Under Nagato's control, the repulsive force seemed almost tangible.
The energy distorted the air, creating halos of light under the sunlight breaking through the clouds.
"It seems you've learned nothing from your past mistakes."
Though surprised, Minamoto remained calm.
Feeling the violent force, he slowly raised his right hand.
"I've always wondered why you inferior creatures are so confident. Is it because you've mastered Chakra?"
Before his words even finished, an unimaginable power erupted from Minamoto!
Silver light, like moonlight, enveloped his body.
His blue eyes shone brilliantly as his power surged forth!
"But unfortunately, mastering Chakra doesn't make you worthy to fight me. You're as insignificant as the sky itself..."
Buzz—
A colossal repulsive force materialized, clashing head-on with Nagato's Shinra Tensei!
In an instant, the collision of these two forces distorted the entire space.
Explosions reverberated as the ground beneath them cracked and splintered like a spiderweb.
Moments later, the earth collapsed, forming a massive crater. Trees and rocks were swallowed into the abyss!
Minamoto's power surged forward, overwhelming Nagato.
Caught off guard, Nagato was hurled into the air, and the Akatsuki members behind him were similarly sent flying!
Amid the chaos, Minamoto's voice rang out once more.
"The sky is colorless. It doesn't deceive you—it's your own eyes that deceive you."
"Even with Chakra, you're unworthy to challenge me, you inferior creatures."
(End of Chapter)
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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