"What?! Jōnin-level enemies!" Everyone immediately assumed defensive stances.
"Could they just be examinees who happen to be exceptionally strong?" Temari asked.
Karin continued sensing the chakra signatures and shook her head in response. "Unlikely. There are three enemies with Jōnin-level chakra, and five others at Chūnin level. These are definitely not participants in the exam."
"Is it them again?" Kankurō said angrily.
Hmm? Kurotsuchi and her team were puzzled by Kankurō's reaction. Coupled with their earlier hostility toward Konoha ninjas, it seemed like they knew some inside information.
However, with a powerful enemy approaching, there was no time to discuss these matters.
Whoosh!
The sound of rushing wind echoed as air bullets shot toward them from the distance. If it were Deidara, he could have easily swatted them away with a wave of his hand. But for Kurotsuchi's six-person team, who were still relatively inexperienced, this level of attack was quite intimidating.
Thud!
A low, muffled sound rang out as a sand-made barrier materialized in front of the group, blocking the air bullets. The impacts left concave dents in the barrier, but the defense held firm.
"Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel Technique!" Temari unleashed her full power, opening all three stars on her fan and using a powerful Wind Release jutsu.
A fierce storm erupted, mixed with countless tiny wind blades. Not only did it nullify the Fire Release attacks coming from the enemy, but it also surged forward with overwhelming force, targeting the enemies who were gradually revealing themselves.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A broad rock wall appeared, but it was instantly shredded into fragments by Temari's Wind Release. However, it successfully reduced the power of the Great Sickle Weasel Technique, rendering it no longer a significant threat.
"It really is them!" Kankurō no longer held back and summoned all three of his puppets.
"Crow, Black Ant, Salamander. You may have seen them before, but facing them as enemies is a whole new experience, isn't it?"
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
The enemy leader released a high-density wind sphere that created a devastating storm. The power of this Wind Release far exceeded Temari's earlier jutsu, showcasing the difference in strength between them, even with Temari using her fan as an aid.
"Sand Shield!" Gaara extended his right hand, and the sand around him formed a sturdy barrier to protect the group. Although they weren't in a desert, the yellow soil particles in the area could still be used to some extent.
"I'm joining the fight too!" Suigetsu charged at one of the enemy Jōnin with his massive sword. As he approached, his right arm swelled dramatically before he swung the sword down with great force.
However, no matter how powerful the attack looked, it was meaningless if it didn't hit. The enemy Jōnin reacted swiftly, dodging the strike with ease. Suigetsu's wild slash ended up hitting the ground instead.
"Suigetsu, you're too reckless!" Kurotsuchi quickly used a jutsu to support him. "Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique!"
Though it was strange to see someone spitting out concrete, the technique was highly effective. It immediately immobilized an enemy who had let their guard down, giving Suigetsu room to maneuver.
Rustle!
Sand mixed with yellow soil particles crept across the battlefield, grabbing two enemies by their ankles. At the same time, Temari and Kankurō launched their own attacks.
The battle quickly became intense, with both sides locked in a fierce struggle. However, the tide of victory was gradually shifting in favor of Kurotsuchi's team.
Observing from the shadows, Deidara nodded in approval. As expected, these were the most talented shinobi from their respective villages. But Danzo, as always, couldn't resist playing dirty tricks.
Sending shinobi to assassinate participants from other villages during the exam—what a shameless move.
After half a day, Kurotsuchi's team found a hidden spot to rest. Suigetsu looked at Gaara's team and was the first to break the silence.
"You seemed to recognize those enemies earlier, didn't you?"
Although they had won the battle, Gaara's team was visibly downcast. Temari and Kankurō were particularly despondent, unwilling to say a word. Finally, Gaara spoke up.
"Those people were our fellow shinobi from Sunagakure, recently taken by Danzo."
"They've been brainwashed into killing machines and turned against their own comrades."
"Come to think of it, we were attacked by them last night too," Suigetsu said irritably. "That old guy Danzo is really out of line, blatantly cheating in the exam like this."
"But now that you know the truth, haven't you thought about protesting?" Karin asked curiously. "Why not just quit the exam altogether?"
Gaara let out a bitter laugh. "We're nothing more than Danzo's captives right now. What right do we have to refuse?"
"If we try to resist, the lives of countless comrades back in our village will be at risk."
"You don't need to worry. I'll handle this," Deidara said as he stepped out of the shadows.
After everything Danzo had done, this exam had already lost its meaning. Since Orochimaru had already achieved his goal of meeting Sasuke, Deidara saw no reason to waste any more time here.
"Lord Deidara!" Gaara's team looked at him with expressions of surprise and joy.
Of course, Kurotsuchi was the most delighted, though she maintained a façade of annoyance. Crossing her arms and turning slightly away, she only glanced at Deidara from the corner of her eye.
"I told you not to come," she said coldly.
"I was worried about you," Deidara replied with a shrug.
"Who asked for your concern?"
"Hey! If you don't want it, that's fine, but I could really use some of Lord Deidara's care!" Suigetsu joked fearlessly as he approached.
"Suigetsu!"
At Root Headquarters
Representatives from Kusagakure, Hoshigakure, and Takumi Village had gathered. Danzo sat at the head of the room, looking down at them with an air of superiority.
"It's unfortunate that the examinees from your three villages met with such misfortune," Danzo said. Though his words expressed regret, his tone was devoid of any genuine sympathy.
In the center of the room lay a dozen corpses, carelessly discarded. Their faces, frozen in expressions of unwillingness and fear, painted a grim scene.
"How could this happen?! How could this happen?!" the representative from Takumi Village trembled, his hands shaking. Their village had sent their most talented shinobi of this generation to achieve excellent results. Now, with their deaths, Takumi Village faced a severe generational gap—a devastating blow for any shinobi village.
As the representatives of the three small villages were still reeling from their grief, Aburame Ryoma spoke up. "Your village's geniuses are dead, and you, as representatives, will likely bear the blame."
"In that case, why not pledge allegiance to Lord Hokage and join Konoha?"
"Leaving behind your humble small villages to become part of the powerful Konoha…"
"Never!" the representative from Kusagakure shouted, cutting him off.
With a cold smile, he continued, "Don't think I don't know what kind of person you are, Danzo. For all we know, you were the one who orchestrated the deaths of our examinees."
Danzo's eyes flickered briefly before he chuckled. "And what if I did?"
"The fact remains that they're dead, and you'll face consequences when you return to your villages."
"Surrender to me, or foolishly return to face unjust punishment."
"Make your choice."
Though furious, the representatives couldn't help but waver.
Danzo was right. The situation was already set in stone. At this point, it didn't matter who was responsible or how their examinees had died.
Moreover, with their villages facing a generational gap, they were in no position to resist Konoha's might.
"Even if it means dying at the hands of my village, I will never bow to you, you old—"
Shunk!
The representative from Kusagakure was abruptly silenced, his chest pierced through. He turned slowly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Behind him stood the deputy representative of Kusagakure, who muttered, "I'm sorry. You may not fear death, but I do."
The deputy knelt on one knee. "Lord Hokage!"
Seeing this, the others followed suit, kneeling one by one. "Lord Hokage!"
Danzo stood and laughed triumphantly. "Haha! Excellent!"
"I've even prepared a gift for you. Take them away."
After everyone had left, a Root ninja rushed in. "Lord Danzo, Amegakure and Iwagakure have jointly protested against our cheating in the exam. They've already withdrawn from the competition."
"Heh."
"It doesn't matter," Danzo said confidently. "Out of the seven small villages participating, all but Otogakure are now under my control."
"Tell them that tomorrow, we'll hold the alliance talks ahead of schedule."
"Tomorrow! Tomorrow!"
Danzo paced the room, excitement evident in his tone. "Tomorrow is the final step. Once I secure Iwagakure and Akatsuki's representatives…"
He clenched his fist tightly.
"The shinobi world will be in my hands!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
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