At the highest viewing platform of the Chūnin Exam arena.
The Third Hokage had just received a report from the Anbu.
After listening, the old man's eyes widened in shock.
"Are you sure Kakashi told you this? That what Shinju said is true?!"
As he spoke, the Third Hokage turned his head slightly toward the Kazekage sitting not far from him.
The Anbu nodded. "Yes."
...
On both sides of the arena stands, one of the Anbu suddenly formed hand seals.
The next moment, Naruto noticed feathers drifting down in front of him...
Countless feathers fell in waves, filling him with overwhelming drowsiness until he finally collapsed into sleep.
Around him, the spectators followed suit, one after another falling unconscious to the ground.
In an instant, the once-noisy stadium turned utterly silent!
Shinju immediately sensed that something was wrong. He quickly raised his head, looking toward the high platform where the Hokage and Kazekage sat!
On the platform, the Hokage—having received the Anbu's warning—formed hand seals and launched a sudden attack against the Kazekage!
Just as the Third's jutsu was about to be unleashed, the Kazekage pulled off his hat and said:
"Sensei, so you did notice after all."
Beneath the hat, the Kazekage's face shifted, revealing the features of Orochimaru!
The next moment, one of Orochimaru's attendants hurled down a smoke bomb.
A thick cloud of smoke rose, obscuring everything in sight!
Within the haze, Orochimaru and his subordinates flickered upward, landing atop the massive roof of the exam arena!
"This time, you won't escape!"
The Hokage and several Anbu immediately gave chase.
...
On the rooftop.
As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived, the four bodyguards by Orochimaru's side formed hand seals in unison!
The four quickly took positions at the corners, slapping their hands onto the ground and shouting:
"Four Violet Flames Formation!!!"
"Fwoosh!"
A wall of violet light shot out from their bodies, expanding until it formed a rectangular barrier. The Hokage, Orochimaru, and the four subordinates were sealed inside!
The Third Hokage drew in a deep breath when he saw the Four Violet Flames Formation take shape.
He knew this barrier could only be broken from within—those outside had no way of interfering!
The Hokage fixed his eyes on Orochimaru. "So this was your plan all along."
"Of course, my dear teacher. To deal with you, I spared no effort."
Orochimaru finished speaking, then struck first, forming hand seals.
The Hokage refused to back down, his own hands moving rapidly.
"Roof Tile Shuriken!"
"Clatter, clatter!!"
The tiles of the rooftop lifted as if by unseen force, spinning like shuriken and flying straight at Orochimaru!
"As expected of the man hailed as the Professor of Ninjutsu—turning mere tiles into deadly weapons!"
Orochimaru's hoarse voice rang out as he performed a Summoning Jutsu.
Both his hands slammed down against the rooftop.
The next instant, two coffins slowly rose from the roof, shielding him from the Hokage's attack!
"You dare use the Edo Tensei developed by the Second Hokage... how dare you defile the dead, Orochimaru!!"
"Rather than worry about that, Sensei, perhaps you should first take a look at who's inside."
Orochimaru spoke with a twisted smile.
The coffin lids creaked open—revealing the figures within...
The Third Hokage froze in place.
...
At the very same time chaos erupted in the exam arena, countless ninja outside Konoha also moved into action!
One squad unfurled a massive summoning scroll!
"Fwoosh!!"
A giant three-headed serpent, dozens of meters tall, appeared outside Konoha's eastern gate!
The monstrous snake barreled forward, crushing the defenses of Konoha's shinobi with its colossal body!
...
At the Ninja Academy.
The students were outside for activities when a snot-nosed boy suddenly pointed toward the arena and shouted:
"Look! There's a huge cloud of smoke over there!"
His words instantly drew the attention of every child, including Konohamaru.
Today was the day his niichan Shinju was taking the Chūnin Exams—he desperately wanted to watch.
Now, with such a huge plume of smoke rising from the arena, his curiosity burned even stronger.
Konohamaru and his two friends began whispering a plan to sneak past Iruka-sensei and head to the arena to see for themselves.
But Iruka, after spotting the smoke, immediately sensed something was wrong.
"All students, head inside for self-study. Now!"
...
Back in the exam arena.
As chaos broke out, Gaara dispelled the protective sand sphere surrounding him, revealing his body.
Just as Shinju was debating whether to rush to the Third Hokage's aid, a furious roar came from Gaara.
"I'll kill you!!!"
Sand surged around Gaara, shaping into a monstrous giant hand.
But before it could strike, Temari and Kankurō leapt to his side, holding him back.
"Have you forgotten the mission we were given?!"
"Snap out of it, Gaara!!"
Their jōnin sensei, Baki, jumped into the arena as well, his gaze toward Shinju full of killing intent.
"You're one of Konoha's rare geniuses. Killing you would be like snuffing out a spark of Konoha's future!"
At that moment, Shinju finally understood—this was a full-scale war launched by Sunagakure, in alliance with Orochimaru, against Konoha!
Shinju gripped his kunai tightly.
Truthfully, it was his first time facing a battle of this scale.
"You three go on ahead. I'll follow after I kill this brat."
Baki spoke to Temari behind him.
"You Suna shinobi betrayed your alliance with Konoha, and now you think you can just walk away?"
Shinju's voice dripped with fury.
His hands flashed through seals before slamming to the ground.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!!"
Unfortunately, although Shinju's seals were fast, Baki was no fool.
The moment he saw Shinju forming seals, he pulled the three siblings back to retreat!
But Shinju remained calm, his hands already moving again.
"Lightning Release! Beast Tracking Fang!!"
"Crack!!"
Lightning burst from Shinju's hands, taking the shape of a four-legged wolf that raced across the air, charging straight at the Suna shinobi!
This time, the four had no way to dodge!
At the last moment, however, Gaara's gourd erupted with sand, forming a wall that blocked the lightning beast.
By the time Shinju's technique faded, the three siblings had already fled.
Meanwhile, countless Suna shinobi who had initiated the invasion began converging on the arena!
At the same time, numerous Konoha shinobi landed beside Shinju, facing off against the invaders!
Kakashi appeared at Shinju's side, warning him:
"Shinju, this is a joint invasion by Suna and Oto against Konoha!"
"That means you don't have to hold back anymore—use your full strength."
Shinju's eyes lit up. "Really, Kakashi-sensei?!"
He knew exactly what Kakashi was referring to—his Wood Release.
Kakashi nodded.
"Yes. Fight with everything you have—for the sake of protecting Konoha!"
At that moment, the training grounds were swept by a sudden wind.
The gust carried countless leaves through the air.
Amid the storm of leaves, Shinju adjusted his forehead protector.
"Got it!"
...
(This chapter was posted for your review, thank you. For each review I post +1 chapter)