Chapter 106: The War Begins
Inside the dueling arena,
a Kusagakure ninja bowed respectfully and looked up at the godlike figure looming in the sky. "Honorable Mr. Fang Yi, may I withdraw from the game event?"
"Of course you can. The Samsara Game is entirely voluntary. Players may withdraw at any time, even mid-event."
"However, as a penalty for passive participation, one piece of your equipment, skill, or item will be randomly confiscated."
Fang Yi chuckled inwardly.
He hadn't expected Orochimaru to be so quick-witted, actually thinking to use the Samsara Game to carry out his plans.
The entry fees had already been collected and reward points secured.
Even if all the players withdrew, Fang Yi wouldn't lose anything.
"Thank you for your leniency."
Orochimaru smiled and rolled his die.
A ferocious-looking skeletal cavalry appeared, its bony steed neighing as it swung a blade toward Orochimaru.
Level 9, Skeletal Cavalry.
Orochimaru, a Level 15 Necromancer, controlled a Level 15 Plague Ghoul. Killing such a creature would have been effortless.
But instead, he spread his arms wide.
Slash.
The skeletal cavalry's blade cleaved through Orochimaru's neck.
He didn't even activate his signature escape technique, Orochimaru Substitution Flow. A flash of white light appeared—he was dead and eliminated from the duel arena.
[You have been penalized for passive participation. Skill [Living Corpse Reincarnation] has been removed.]
"Terrifying…"
Orochimaru could clearly feel his memories of the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique growing faint—until they were completely erased.
Though it pained him, he sighed in relief. "Luckily, it didn't take White Scale Serpent or the Plague Ghoul I spent so long nurturing."
Summoning Technique: Giant Serpent.
A burst of smoke exploded, drawing everyone's attention.
A giant snake from the Ryūchi Cave slithered into view, flicking its tongue and lashing its tail. The nearby eliminated players retreated in fear.
"Orochimaru!"
Jiraiya roared as he saw the familiar figure standing atop the serpent's head.
"Don't act rashly—there's a Violet Flame Barrier!"
Hiruzen grabbed the furious Jiraiya, his attention focused solely on the enemies inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
His heart sank.
None of these foes would be easy to deal with—and they were outnumbered.
"Jiraiya, don't forget what I taught you. In battle, never lose focus—keep your eyes on the enemy!"
"I understand, old man."
Inside the arena,
Temari looked worried. "Kankuro, should we withdraw from the game too?"
"No, we'll continue."
After watching the video, Kankuro's face was heavy with emotion. "Since Father was ambushed by Orochimaru, this war has nothing to do with Sunagakure. Baki will make the right choice."
Besides, they still had a Resurrection Coin.
As long as Gaara was willing, they could bring Rasa back to life. Sunagakure wouldn't fall into chaos.
"Take this Resurrection Coin, Kankuro."
Gaara's expression turned bloodthirsty. His entire body had trembled when he saw Rasa die.
What followed was endless emptiness.
The man he hated most was dead—Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, the one who sealed the monster inside him, who sent assassins to kill him, who had tormented him—was now slain by someone even more evil, Orochimaru.
Shouldn't he be happy?
It had to be because he didn't kill him with his own hands.
Yes. That was it. He would bring him back… and kill him himself.
Kankuro took the Resurrection Coin, stunned.
He'd expected to argue to get it, but Gaara offered it up willingly.
Gaara's face twisted. "If my only value lies in killing, then only by killing the strongest can I prove my worth, right?"
Kankuro remained silent.
His little brother was sinking deeper into obsession and madness.
He tried to place a hand on Gaara's shoulder—but was stopped by a sudden rush of sand.
He had been marked as an enemy.
The sand acted on its own, not by Gaara's will.
It was infused with their mother's chakra and willpower before she died, meant to protect him.
Any time Gaara felt danger or fear, the sand would defend him.
Even we are seen as enemies?
Kankuro's heart sank as he turned the Resurrection Coin in his hand.
[Select a target to revive. Strength cannot exceed Tier One.]
"The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa."
There was no dazzling effect—just scattered white light as Rasa reappeared, looking dazed and still bearing the expression he wore in his final moments.
Before he could react—
Kankuro's fist smashed into his face, driving him into the ground.
"Father, that was for Gaara."
…
At the Hyuga compound,
"Neji-sama got eliminated right at the start? That's a shame. He's so strong—it must've been bad luck!"
A gentle-looking branch family girl offered comfort to Neji.
"Actually, it was quite lucky."
Neji spoke mysteriously, then knelt in the center of the training ground, closing his eyes in quiet meditation.
"That's not true at all, Neji-sama! With your strength, you could've easily won the title of Ninja God in the Chūnin Exams! The Hyuga name would've echoed across the ninja world!"
She babbled excitedly.
Neji opened his eyes. "Rin, do you have a reason to fight?"
"A reason to fight?"
Hyuga Rin looked confused, unsure why Neji was asking that, but answered instinctively, "To fight for the main house. Protecting them is our reason—even if it costs us everything."
She admired Neji's achievements.
Soon, she would prove herself too. As a player in the Samsara Game, she'd earned many contributions for the Hyuga clan. The clan head and elders had all noticed.
"I see… in that case, I can't take you with me."
Neji's words had barely faded—
when suddenly, a blinding white light exploded across the sky, mixing with dragons of fire and water and eruptions of lightning.
Giant snakes raised their heads. Toads brandished their blades…
Chaotic chakra filled Konoha. Buildings crumbled, the ground caved in.
Boom.
Shouts and battle cries surged into the air.
One by one, veins bulged around the eyes of several newcomers to the training ground. They knelt beside Neji, and the leader said softly, "Neji-sama, enemy elite forces are on the move. We can escape now."
"Escape?"
Neji looked puzzled, then raised his head to the Hokage Rock.
Anyone in Konoha could see the towering cliff face, carved with the faces of those who had inherited the Will of Fire.
One by one, spheres of focused energy formed, orbiting him like satellites.
Neji smiled—an expression rare for any Hyuga. "Konoha is our home. Why run? We just need to sweep away the filth and start anew."
Hyuga Rin's expression changed, as if realizing something.
And then she saw them—the Hyuga branch members following Neji's lead, tearing off their forehead protectors to reveal bare, unmarked skin.
"Neji-sama… you betrayed the clan?!"
Her voice trembled in disbelief.
The kind, courteous Neji, always willing to help others grow, the Hyuga clan's pride…
had removed his cursed seal and turned against the clan.
"We all admired you… wanted to become strong like you… to protect the main house… but why?"
"Sorry to disappoint you. Admiration is the farthest thing from understanding."
A sphere of violent energy shot forward, piercing Rin's chest.
"When we were hunting corrupted monsters, I told you to trade for a healing set. With those effects, you'll be back on your feet by tomorrow."
"Let's go. For those willing to resist—
it's time to tear the cage apart!"
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