Chapter 187: The Times Have Changed! Gatling-Gun Zaku vs. Temari!
Chunin Exams Finals Arena.
The sun beat down, and the audience was already buzzing with excitement. The highly anticipated finals were finally underway.
In the VIP box high above, Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, sat next to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. The atmosphere appeared peaceful on the surface, but dark currents swirled beneath.
The opening pleasantries were over.
"Lord Hokage," the disguised Orochimaru asked, "I heard the Fourth has resurrected and returned to the village. Do you not plan to return the burden of leadership to him?"
A faint, indifferent smile appeared on Hiruzen's aged face. "Heh heh, Minato is still young. This old man feels he can still serve Konoha for another five years. When Minato matures a bit more, this burden will naturally fall to him."
Orochimaru said no more, turning his gaze to the arena below.
Genma Shiranui's voice echoed throughout the stadium: "The first match of the Chunin Selection Exams finals!"
"Temari of the Hidden Sand!"
"VS."
"Zaku Abumi of the Hidden Sound!"
In the center of the arena, two figures faced off. Temari stood tall and heroic, her giant iron fan in hand, radiating unquestionable confidence in her strength. Opposite her, Zaku of the Hidden Sound wore a confident smile.
He looked at Temari and spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly audible to her. "Miss from the Hidden Sand. If your village wishes to improve its ninja tool technology in the future, you might consider making a deal with us in the Hidden Sound. As long as you are willing to pay the corresponding 'price'."
Temari sneered dismissively. "Cut the crap! Let's see how much weight your Hidden Sound actually carries!"
"Match begin!"
At the proctor's command, Temari attacked first! She swung her giant fan violently, releasing a powerful surge of chakra!
"Ninja Art: Sickle Weasel!"
Several highly condensed vacuum blades screamed through the air, whipping up a fierce wind as they tore toward Zaku! She intended to use the Hidden Sand's pride, Wind Style, to crush this arrogant loudmouth fair and square!
Facing this fierce assault, Zaku appeared unhurried. He didn't even take a step back. He simply raised his left arm, which was equipped with the "Chakra Capacitor Ninja Tool."
VMM!
The device emitted a low hum, and a ghostly blue light flashed. The next moment, a translucent energy shield instantly unfolded in front of Zaku!
The screaming wind blades slammed heavily into the energy shield, creating ripples, but failing to penetrate the seemingly thin defense! The shield also seemed to possess a strange absorption and deflection property, skillfully diverting some of the wind's impact to the side.
"What?!" Temari's pupils contracted sharply. She had seen him use this tool to cast various jutsu in the preliminaries, but she hadn't expected it to block her full-power attack so easily.
Gasps erupted from the audience. "What is that thing?" "It blocked such a powerful Wind Style!"
Temari's expression grew serious, her mind racing to find a weakness in the strange tool.
Just then! A sudden change!
A piercing red light lit up in the center of the special goggles Zaku was wearing!
Zzzzt!
An energy laser beam, imbued with terrifying penetrating power, shot rapidly from the emitter on the goggles, aimed straight at Temari!
"Too fast!" Temari was horrified. With no time to think, she relied on her battle-hardened instincts and Wind Style assistance. Chakra exploded under her feet as she leaped backward violently. At the same time, she swung her fan, creating a small whirlwind to slightly alter her trajectory. Even so, the laser beam passed dangerously close, grazing the hem of her clothes and the tips of her hair, leaving a deep, scorched black mark on the ground.
Temari's attack rhythm was completely disrupted, cold sweat beading on her forehead. She hadn't expected to be put on the defensive right from the start.
"Heh, warm-up's over, Princess of the Sand!" Zaku chuckled, looking at the slightly disheveled Temari. "Now, I'll show you the Hidden Sound's true hospitality!"
Before his words faded, he suddenly pulled a heavy-looking square metal case from his back.
Click-clack!
The metal case rapidly unfolded in his hands. A menacing weapon with six barrels appeared in Zaku's grip!
It was a Gatling gun!
This heavy weapon, completely outside the scope of ninja common sense, brought an indescribable visual impact and psychological pressure to Temari and everyone watching!
"Th-that… what is that?!"
"Another new ninja tool?!"
"Is this the Hidden Sound's—"
Temari's face turned deathly pale. She smelled death from those cold, metallic barrels.
"Better dodge fast, Princess!" Zaku grinned savagely and pulled the trigger!
WHIRRRRR—!!!
The six barrels of the Gatling gun began to spin at high speed, emitting a piercing whine!
The next instant!
RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT—!!!!
Countless chakra energy bullets, flashing with various colors, poured madly from the muzzle! The crackle of Lightning Style! The heaviness of Earth Style! And various other elemental chakra bullets! An airtight, terrifying barrage instantly covered the entire area where Temari stood!
"Damn it!" Temari gritted her teeth, dancing her fan into a blur, pouring out her chakra without reserve!
"Wind Style: Great Sickle Weasel!"
"Wind Style: Sea Dragon!"
She tried to use her strongest Wind Style jutsu to blow away the energy bullets and buy herself a moment of respite. The wind howled, blades cutting! Initially, Temari managed to hold on with her exquisite skill and powerful Wind Style. Countless energy bullets were swept away by the wind or detonated in mid-air by sharp wind blades.
But some of these bullets contained Lightning and Earth chakra. In the face of this unreasonable firepower saturation, all of Temari's skills and tactics seemed pale and powerless.
Finally. A chakra bullet screamed past Temari's cheek, leaving a bloody gash.
The gunfire stopped. The smoke and dust slowly cleared.
In the center of the arena, Temari was in a wretched state. Her clothes were torn in multiple places, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She knelt on one knee, her giant fan lying weakly on the ground beside her. Her once sharp and bright eyes were now filled with deep unwillingness and humiliation.
Zaku walked forward triumphantly, carrying the Gatling gun on his shoulder, which was still radiating heat and emitting wisps of smoke. "Well then, I look forward to future transactions with your Hidden Sand Village!"
The proctor took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and announced loudly: "Winner—Hidden Sound, Zaku Abumi!"
After a brief silence, an even more violent uproar erupted.
Zaku scanned the entire arena, his gaze lingering deliberately on the section where representatives from minor nations were seated. He suddenly raised the Gatling gun high and shouted in a highly inflammatory tone:
"Do you see?! Everyone!"
"This is the latest achievement of the Hidden Sound Village Equipment Development Department!"
"Small villages who have long suffered under the bullying of the Five Great Nations, who crave power but have no way out! What are you waiting for?!"
"If you also desire power capable of overturning the battlefield!"
"If you also want to protect your important people!"
"If you can pay the corresponding 'price'!"
"Then come to the Hidden Sound for a trade!"
"We possess the most advanced technology in the ninja world! The strongest weapons!!"
This naked sales pitch made the atmosphere in the entire venue extremely subtle.
In the Sand Village seating area, team leader Baki's face was dark enough to drip water. The Hidden Sound was using their cooperation with the Sand to shamelessly promote their "products" to the world right in front of them!
The disguised Orochimaru remained calm and breezy.
In the Konoha seating area, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his eyes grave. The Hidden Sound's style of action, and the speed of technological development they displayed, far exceeded his expectations, causing him deep unease.
However, in the special VIP box. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire and other "wise and martial" Daimyo looked as if they had just watched a spectacular fireworks show.
"Ooh! This is good! This is fun!"
"Such power! Much more interesting than watching those ninjas fight!"
"Hmm, our Land of Fire should also import some of these weapons. That way, we ordinary people won't be so helpless against troublesome ninjas."
They discussed it excitedly, eyes shining with greed and desire.
As for the representatives of other small nations, reactions varied. Some showed fear and worry, as if already envisioning their villages being razed by such terrifying weapons. Others had flickering eyes, exchanging quiet glances with those around them, seemingly seriously considering Zaku's tempting proposal.
The end of a battle might herald the beginning of a chaotic new era in the ninja world.
Genma Shiranui walked forward again to announce:
"Next up, the second match of the Chunin Selection Exams!"
"Hidden Sound, Dosu Kinuta!"
"VS."
"Hidden Sand, Kankuro!"