Yuichi's words filled Hiashi with deep gratitude.
To receive help at such a moment… it is truly a great kindness to the Hyūga clan.
Asuma looked a little conflicted, but after glancing at Hiashi, it was clear the man also wanted Yuichi to protect Hinata.
Asuma sighed. "Then I'll leave it to you, Nagano Yuichi."
Yuichi smiled back at him. "Don't worry. Leave it to me."
Yuichi's strength was obvious to everyone. Although Asuma still felt uneasy, there were also plenty of Konoha ninjas present, as well as many Anbu.
Hiashi and Hinata should be fine.
With that thought, Asuma leapt away, preparing to pursue Hinata's kidnappers.
But before he could give chase, Kimimaro raised his hand and launched a bone bullet to block his path.
Bang! Bang!
The projectiles burst from his fingertips, whistling toward Asuma.
But then—
The sound of rushing water echoed, a sudden current surging to Asuma's side, completely intercepting Kimimaro's bone bullets.
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes. "So it's you I have to deal with first."
He stared directly at Yuichi.
With a sharp crack, long bone spurs sprouted from both his palms, his gaze fixed on Yuichi without wavering.
The air grew heavy, the atmosphere taut with killing intent.
Shikamaru and the others exchanged looks.
"We can't just stand by and watch," Shikamaru said. "Everyone, get ready. We'll handle the Sand Shinobi."
Chōji clenched his fists. "Right! Let's show them what Konoha's Genin can do."
Tenten and the others nodded—just then, an Anbu dropped down in front of them.
"The Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans have been attacked. Several members from the major families were abducted by Sand Shinobi!"
The news stunned the Konoha shinobi surrounding the remaining enemy forces.
"What!?"
"What are the Sand Shinobi after?"
"Their target is the secret arts of Konoha's clans!"
Shikamaru's sharp mind worked instantly.
So that's it… The Chūnin Exam was supposed to gather many Konoha shinobi in one place, preventing Sand raids. But their true aim was never the exam—it was the secret techniques of our families!
It was a clever strategy.
"Move quickly!" an Anbu squad leader ordered. "All units—pursue and rescue the abducted! This is an A-rank mission. Genin, Chūnin, Jōnin—it doesn't matter. Everyone must act!"
No one objected.
If even one or two clan members revealed their family's secret arts under duress, it would be a devastating blow to Konoha.
In the shinobi world, the essence of power lies not just in the ninja themselves, but in the techniques they wield. Ninjutsu is a shinobi's blade.
Konoha was strong because its ninja were strong—and their strength came from relentless training and mastery of powerful jutsu.
Without ninjutsu, effort alone meant nothing.
"Damn it—they kidnapped someone from my clan!" Chōji shouted, ready to charge off.
But Shikamaru grabbed his arm. "Calm down. We're a team—we move together."
Konoha's forces quickly divided pursuit targets, while the remaining Sand and Sound shinobi were left to be handled by the Anbu. The battle still raged across the field.
High above, on the roof, the Third Hokage turned to face Orochimaru, whose mask had been cast aside.
"So this was your true goal?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes glistened as though with tears. "Teacher, you know me well. I am not someone driven merely by hatred."
"Then what is it you seek?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked coldly.
A twisted smile spread across Orochimaru's lips. "To set the windmill turning, of course."
He raised his arms wide. "My original plan was different. But since you suddenly strengthened Konoha's defenses, I had to… adjust."
The Konoha Crush plan, in Orochimaru's eyes, was merely one way to set the wheel of destiny in motion. But destroying the village wasn't the only way.
By ordering the Sand Shinobi to abduct members of Konoha's great clans, he had created another avenue.
Those people carried the secrets of their family's arts. If captured, Konoha would never stand idly by.
War would be inevitable.
The Third Hokage's expression darkened. He had prepared himself for a battle against the Kazekage—but standing before him was his own disciple.
"I didn't think I'd live to fight like this again."
With a sharp motion, Hiruzen tore away his Hokage robes, revealing the battle armor beneath.
"Orochimaru… Your strength hasn't dulled over the years, has it?"
Orochimaru flicked his long tongue and smirked. "Teacher, are you so uncertain of me?"
Boom!!
An explosion erupted from below.
Orochimaru glanced down.
A massive blast tore through part of the auditorium outside the Four Violet Flames Barrier. Two figures clashed violently within the smoke.
Boom!
Weird Strength against Dead Bone Pulse.
Yuichi's fists crackled with chakra, every blow carrying cannon-like force.
But Kimimaro's kekkei genkai hardened his bones into armor, shielding him even in close quarters. He did not falter before Yuichi's strength.
The first impact between them unleashed a shockwave that blasted outward like a tangible wall, scattering dust and debris across the exam hall.
Rubble rained down.
Kimimaro rose from the wreckage.
On the other side, Yuichi stepped calmly from the smoke, his body still immaculate.
Kimimaro, though unhurt, looked slightly disheveled. His brows furrowed.
My hand bone… fractured?
As their eyes met, Yuichi's thoughts sharpened.
So this is the one who once fought Rock Lee and Gaara in the original timeline. If not for his illness, both of them would have fallen to him. The Dead Bone Pulse… truly formidable.
All the more reason—your head will be mine.
Killing original figures like Kimimaro brought system rewards. That was why Yuichi had insisted on handling him personally.
Otherwise, by now, he'd already be heading for the rooftop.