The sudden appearance of Yuichi made the Anbu glance back.
But they didn't pay much attention to him, their eyes remained fixed on the Third Hokage inside the Four Purple Flame Formation.
Yet, the Third Hokage turned and said to Yuichi,
"You've improved very quickly. This time, your performance has been outstanding. Yuichi, you are Konoha's pride."
Straight away, it felt like a wave of brainwashing.
Yuichi smiled faintly and nodded, Right, right… just what I told you.
For a moment, even he almost believed it.
I never even wanted to take the Chūnin Exams in the first place, and now he says this?
The Hokage's words even surprised the Anbu a little—none of them had expected the Third Hokage to value this Genin so highly.
"Teacher, you still have the mood to confuse a Genin? It seems you're not under enough pressure yet."
Orochimaru's cold voice cut through the air.
The next second, the Third Hokage suddenly turned, raised his hand, and hurled a dart, quickly forming seals with the other.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
In an instant, countless shuriken filled the air.
Orochimaru also began forming seals. His hand movements made Sarutobi frown.
This is… the Summoning Technique? Are you trying to call forth a beast to block my attack?
"Summoning Technique: Impure World Reincarnation!"
Boom! Boom!!
Two enormous wooden coffins slowly rose from the ground.
"One…"
"Two…"
They stood ominously before Orochimaru.
Thud thud thud thud…
The barrage of shuriken struck the coffins, embedding deeply, but Orochimaru stood safely behind them, completely unscathed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned grim as he looked at the coffins.
Orochimaru… you actually learned this forbidden jutsu. To toy with the souls of the dead… unforgivable!
Creak…
The coffin lids opened slowly.
Two figures stepped out, stunning the watching Anbu.
The First Hokage. The Second Hokage.
As their eyes opened, they looked at the old, wrinkled Sarutobi.
"Monkey? You've grown old too."
"Impure World Reincarnation… I didn't think I'd be summoned by the very technique I created."
Both smiled faintly.
Behind them, Orochimaru let out a strange laugh, his long tongue flicking.
But before he could speak, Yuichi suddenly stepped forward.
He passed through the Anbu ranks, walking step by step toward the barrier of purple flames.
The three Anbu blocking him tensed.
"Yuichi! Don't get close to that barrier. You'll be burned alive!"
Their warning made Orochimaru glance at Yuichi curiously from inside the barrier.
Though Yuichi's expression seemed calm and determined, Orochimaru saw something else in his eyes—something colder.
A deep, chilling gaze.
Even Orochimaru wasn't sure if he was imagining it or not.
This harmless-looking brat… is giving off such a terrifying aura.
"While the Third Hokage is fighting, are we supposed to just stand here and do nothing?" Yuichi suddenly asked, his voice sharp.
The Anbu froze.
Of course they wanted to help, but…
This barrier wasn't something they could break.
"Hmph! Boy, don't get conceited just because you have talent. With the strength we have, it's impossible to break this barrier. Do you think we don't want to help the Third Hokage?"
"Have you tried?"
"…!"
They hadn't. But they didn't need to try to know—it was impossible.
Only a Kage-level shinobi might be able to break through. And the Third Hokage was already trapped inside, facing Orochimaru. There was no way.
"We don't need to try. Unless the Third Hokage has enough time, there's no second person in Konoha who can break this barrier!"
Yuichi only smiled faintly.
Sometimes, it's better not to speak so absolutely.
Impossible to break?
Might Guy's Eight Gates could break it.
Kakashi's Kamui could break it.
To say no one but the Hokage could do it was laughable.
Yuichi's smile made the three Anbu shift uncomfortably beneath their masks.
"What are you laughing at, brat? Do you think you can break this barrier? Hmph! If you can…"
Inside, the Hokage grew even more anxious than the Anbu. Yuichi's determination was pleasing, but this wasn't the time…
"Yuichi, calm yourself. Leave this to me!"
The First and Second Hokage also looked at Yuichi.
First Hokage: "Boy, you must trust in the Hokage. The Hokage is Konoha's strongest ninja. There's no need to worry."
Second Hokage: "Your heart is admirable. It shows Konoha is thriving. Sarutobi choosing you as a successor seems to have been a wise decision."
Yuichi almost choked on his words at that.
Konoha's current state is thanks to Sarutobi?
If not for the Third Hokage, there would be plenty in Konoha right now who could break this barrier—Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Obito, Itachi… one after another.
A "wise decision"? Please.
"Although the Hokage is the strongest shinobi in the village, when someone tries to destroy Konoha, every Konoha ninja must stand up to protect it!"
His firm gaze and bright smile carried through the arena as his voice echoed loudly.
Every Konoha shinobi raised their head, eyes drawn to the rooftop.
Countless stares gathered, watching Yuichi as he stood before the barrier, opposite the First and Second Hokage.
The First Hokage chuckled.
"Monkey, this kid is impressive."
The Second Hokage nodded.
"Yes. It's because of shinobi like him that Konoha can endure."
Sarutobi's face darkened.
Those words… they would make it far harder to erase Yuichi in the future.
That thought gnawed at him.
Suddenly—
Hhhh~~
Chakra spun violently, blooming into dazzling light.
It shone like the stars.
The thin figure raised his hands high, and in his palms a brilliant sphere of chakra flared—like a radiant moon!