"Word is, this guy's a son-in-law who married into the Hyūga clan. Loves picking on easy targets," someone in the crowd whispered, kicking off the gossip.
"Oh yeah? He's probably got Sanada Kazama pegged as a soft persimmon since he hasn't made a move yet," another chimed in.
"I heard he's been married into the Hyūga for a while but still hasn't… you know, *sealed the deal*," someone else snickered.
"Haha! What a waste of a son-in-law gig!"
The crowd was buzzing with chatter when Kazama stepped onto the arena stage.
He was practically itching for a fight when he saw someone willing to challenge him.
"Sanada Kazama, at your service. Let's have a good match!"
"Good match? Pfft, save it! The Hyūga clan doesn't waste time teaching punks like you. Let's see how fast I can thrash you!"
Hyūga Heppei clearly thought Kazama was an easy mark, launching into a flurry of rapid attacks right off the bat.
"Whoa, damn! No wonder he's still a bachelor—look at that hand speed!"
The crowd below erupted in laughter.
"Boring," Kazama muttered.
Hyūga Heppei seemed to only know how to throw kunai and shuriken, with no real ninjutsu to back it up. Kazama was done wasting time.
Plus, this guy had mouthed off earlier, so Kazama figured he'd teach him a lesson.
In a flash, he used *Shunshin no Jutsu* to zip behind Heppei. Before the guy could even react, Kazama hit him with a *Thousand Years of Death*, sending him flying out of the arena.
After that little spectacle, the crowd couldn't help but notice Kazama seemed even stronger than before. They were all quietly relieved they weren't the ones who'd faced him.
But just then, chaos broke out. Up in the stands, the Fourth Kazekage suddenly took the Third Hokage hostage.
At the same moment, a blood-curdling roar echoed from outside the exam grounds.
With that terrifying sound, the massive form of Shukaku, the One-Tail, loomed into view.
"Orochimaru's making his move early!"
Seeing Shukaku appear and the Third Hokage held captive, Kazama knew this was Orochimaru's plan—teaming up with Sunagakure to destroy Konoha.
The "Kazekage" holding the Third wasn't the real deal—it was Orochimaru in disguise.
If things played out like in the manga, the Third Hokage would die after using the forbidden *Shiki Fūjin* technique in this battle.
But with Kazama here, there was no way he'd let the Third go down.
"Orochimaru!"
Kazama activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, ready to unleash *Amaterasu* on the snake bastard.
But Orochimaru, as slippery as ever, had anticipated this and quickly positioned the Third Hokage as a shield.
"I knew that old geezer Danzō couldn't take you out, Kazama. Go ahead, try hitting me! Let's see who goes down first—me or the Third!"
"Damn it!"
Seeing Orochimaru use the Third as a human shield, Kazama halted his *Amaterasu*.
The Third, calm as ever, called out to him, "Forget about me! Stop Shukaku from destroying Konoha!"
"Fine!"
Kazama knew Orochimaru wouldn't kill the Third right away. So, he decided to deal with Shukaku first, then come back to help the Third take down Orochimaru.
"This is exactly what you wanted, isn't it, Orochimaru?"
After Kazama left, the Third shot a cold glare at his former student.
"You know me too well, don't you, Sensei Sarutobi? Honestly, that monster Kazama's a bit much for me to handle. But now that he's gone, your time's up."
"*Ninpō: Shishi Enjin!*"
At that moment, Orochimaru's four lackeys sprang into action, casting the *Four Violet Flames Formation* to trap the Third Hokage.