Chapter 192: Getting Old Makes You Blind to the Truth of Peace, Sarutobi-sensei
Chunin Exams Semi-Finals, First Match: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Gaara of the Sand.
The atmosphere in the arena was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
The sand at Gaara's feet suddenly exploded, forming countless sharp spears that rained down on Naruto!
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
POOF!
Dozens of Narutos instantly dispersed, weaving through the gaps between the sand spears at high speed. A golden flash appeared! The real Naruto materialized behind Gaara, a highly condensed ball of spinning chakra in his hand!
"Rasengan!"
Gaara didn't dodge. A thick shield of sand instantly surged from his body.
"Shield of Sand!"
BOOM—!
Rasengan and Shield of Sand collided violently, a deafening roar echoing through the stadium! The shield shattered, but Gaara immediately reinforced it with new sand.
Dust filled the air. In the smoke, several golden flashes flickered again. Shadow Clones coordinated with the Flying Raijin Jutsu, attacking Gaara from every tricky angle. Yet Gaara merely stood in place, the sand around him automatically forming various defenses, blocking every single attack.
Armor of Sand!Sand Shuriken!Sand Clone!
For a moment, a sandstorm raged in the center of the arena. Golden light and yellow sand clashed fiercely, dazzling the spectators.
Gasps rose from the audience.
"So—so strong!"
"Is this how Jinchuriki fight?!"
"Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!"
After a feint, a high-speed spinning chakra disk appeared in the real Naruto's hand! A piercing shriek tore through the air!
SQUELCH—!
The Rasenshuriken successfully broke through layers of sand defense, cutting a deep gash into Gaara's shoulder! Blood stained the yellow sand red.
"GRAAAAAHHHH—!!!"
The intense pain and unprecedented injury stimulated Gaara's already fragile nerves. The power of Shukaku within him began to spiral out of control.
"ROAAAAAR—!!!"
A raspy, bestial roar erupted from Gaara's mouth. His right arm suddenly expanded and turned into sand, covered in grotesque purple markings. His body size also began to swell ominously! A brutal, tyrannical aura swept through the arena! Indiscriminate waves of sand exploded outwards with him at the center!
"Wh—what is that?!"
"It's a monster!"
The audience instantly fell into panic and chaos. The massive sandstorm and the terrifying sight of the Tailed Beast transformation sent people screaming and fleeing in all directions.
"The monster inside that guy—" Naruto stared at Gaara, whose body was half-transformed, his eyes holding only a pure desire for destruction. He felt a huge impact. "So—this is what it looks like—"
He seemed to see his past self, treated as a demon fox by the villagers, lonely and helpless. A strong resonance and understanding welled up from the bottom of his heart.
"I must… stop him!"
Just as Gaara began his initial Tailed Beast transformation and the chaos in the arena escalated! A sudden change occurred!
Several imperceptible lights flashed from hidden corners around the arena. Immediately after, a strange wave spread out. The noisy, fleeing audience suddenly became sluggish, their eyes unfocused.
Thump, thump—
Large swathes of the audience collapsed as if their souls had been sucked out, falling into a deep sleep.
"Genjutsu?!"
On the high platform, Asuma, Kurenai, Might Guy, and other Jonin reacted instantly. Most Konoha ninja quickly dispelled the genjutsu, but the ordinary civilians were not spared. The Hidden Sand ninja stood expressionless, clearly anticipating this.
"ROAAAR!!!!"
Gaara's body was transforming further into the full Shukaku form. The massive body of sand was about to occupy the entire center of the arena, his roar of pain and violence shaking everyone's souls.
In the chaos, a figure moved like a ghost! Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, instantly pressed a kunai against the neck of Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him!
"Lord Kazekage!" Hiruzen was shocked and angry. "What is the meaning of this?! Do you intend to start a war?!"
"Exactly." The disguised Orochimaru didn't care.
Hiruzen forced himself to calm down. "We should avoid using force and seek a peaceful solution."
In the center of the arena, Naruto was initially shocked by Gaara's transformation. But he quickly realized that Shukaku's massive size would cause more casualties if they stayed here. He took a deep breath and quietly threw a Flying Raijin kunai, embedding it into the gaps of Gaara's massive sand body.
The next instant, Naruto and the nearly fully formed Shukaku vanished from the spot!
At the same time, Minato Namikaze's main body quickly formed seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
POOF!
Dozens of Shadow Clones identical to Minato appeared simultaneously. Then, every Shadow Clone began to use the Flying Raijin Jutsu continuously. Golden light flashed madly throughout the venue. The sleeping audience members were teleported in batches to pre-designated shelters. Anbu and Konoha Military Police Force ninja were already waiting there to receive them. The whole process was extremely fast, fully demonstrating the "Yellow Flash's" terrifying control over a large-scale battlefield.
Just as the evacuation was nearing completion, Minato's face changed drastically. He looked up toward the Forest of Death, the site of the second exam. An immense amount of chakra was approaching Konoha Village at an alarming speed!
"This feeling—enemy attack!"
Minato instantly assessed the situation. He immediately issued a highest-level alert to the entire village through Konoha's internal communication system!
"All combat personnel of Konoha Village, enter Level 1 Combat Readiness immediately!"
"The enemy is attacking! The war has begun!"
Wooooo—!
Hidden defense mechanisms and response systems across the village began to operate at high speed. Anbu, Military Police, Medical Corps, and ninja from all clans responded, rushing to their posts.
In the forest outside Konoha Village.
Gaara, in the form of the giant One-Tailed Shukaku, roared madly, waving his massive arms and destroying large swathes of trees. Opposite him stood Naruto Uzumaki.
Inside Konoha Village.
Piercing alarms echoed through the sky. Countless ninja figures leaped across rooftops, rushing to the front lines, their expressions grim.
And from the distant Forest of Death, a dark shadow surged like a tide. It was a massive swarm of insects! These creatures varied in shape, most fused with slick snake scales and forked tongues, their compound eyes flashing with bloodthirsty red light. Some powerful individuals could even use Kekkei Genkai abilities!
Orochimaru slowly peeled off the Kazekage disguise, revealing his cold golden snake eyes. He looked down at the village thrown into chaos and the faint chakra fluctuations in the distant forest, a smile curling his lips.
"Getting old makes you blind to the truth of peace, Sarutobi-sensei."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a kunai at his throat, narrowed his pupils. "You bastard—"
At this moment, the beacon of war was lit.