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In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage quickly received Anko's report concerning Orochimaru. The news of Orochimaru's appearance didn't surprise him, as Itachi had already tipped him off earlier.
What truly alarmed the Third was another report that came along with this one.
The One-Tail had rampage!
"What's going on?"
The Third slammed his hand on the desk, stood up, and spoke to the Anbu operative before him.
"Are you certain the One-Tail has rampage?"
The Anbu operative immediately responded. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Upon detecting it, I rushed here immediately."
The Third frowned. He didn't understand exactly what had transpired, but since the One-Tail was on a rampage now, there was no time for contemplation. He spoke decisively.
"Notify Kakashi and the others. Activate the plan ahead of schedule! The target changes from Orochimaru to the One-Tail! Additionally, send someone to urge the Fourth Kazekage, who is on his way, to hurry to Konoha to assist in suppressing the One-Tail."
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu operative acknowledged the order and vanished from the spot.
After learning of Orochimaru's planned invasion of Konoha, the Third had secretly devised a response plan with Kakashi and others. Many Jonin would remain on high alert throughout the Chunin Exams. Once Orochimaru showed himself, a large-scale encirclement and suppression operation would immediately be launched against him.
However, what the Third hadn't anticipated was that before Orochimaru made his move, the One-Tail had suddenly jumped out to cause trouble. In that case, the forces prepared earlier would have to be used to deal with the One-Tail instead.
The Third clasped his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth in his office, feeling deeply unsettled.
"Could the One-Tail's rampage be Orochimaru's doing?"
This was a very real possibility. If Orochimaru intended to attack Konoha, utilizing every available resource was standard procedure for him.
But why? It was too early. The current Chunin Exams had only just reached the second stage. Logically, while this stage was somewhat suitable for action, the most opportune time was undoubtedly the upcoming third stage. At that time, most of Konoha's ninja would be gathered in one place, and everyone would be focused on the matches, their guard relatively lowered. Acting then would allow for a complete sweep, leaving Konoha no chance to react.
No matter how you looked at it, the third exam was the best time to strike. If the One-Tail's rampage was Orochimaru's handiwork, why would he move prematurely?
Had the information leaked? That was the only possibility the Third could think of—that Konoha's discovery of Orochimaru's planned invasion had somehow reached Orochimaru himself. In that case, Orochimaru striking early to catch Konoha off guard would make sense.
"Unlikely."
However, the very next second, the Third dismissed this speculation. The information about Orochimaru's invasion was known only among Konoha's top few leaders. Despite their internal conflicts, they all genuinely cared for Konoha and would not divulge this information to Orochimaru.
After pondering for a long time without reaching a conclusion, the Third remained deeply uneasy. He decided he needed to go to the scene himself!
Itachi, wearing an Akatsuki robe and a woven sedge hat, walked through the streets, turning his head in surprise towards the direction of the Forest of Death.
From that direction, an immense surge of chakra was emanating.
"That is..."
Itachi pressed down on his hat and quickened his pace, heading towards the Forest of Death.
This colossal amount of chakra, this inexplicable uneasy feeling... Itachi had experienced a similar sensation once before. And the name of that event was—the Nine-Tails Attack.
It seemed a tailed beast had rampage!
'Could it be that Kagaya and the others have taken action? But the current timing shouldn't be the optimal moment for action.'
Itachi shared the same doubt as the Third. If one intended to invade Konoha, the third stage of the exams, when all parties were gathered together, was undoubtedly the best time. That would allow for a complete sweep, drastically weakening Konoha's strength from the outset.
'I hope the Third Hokage can handle this properly.'
Itachi understood that this premature move by Orochimaru and Kagaya would also catch the Third off guard. However, Itachi could no longer assist the Third openly. No matter how much he helped Konoha in the shadows, on the surface, Itachi was Konoha's enemy and could not openly aid them.
Itachi's purpose in going to the Forest of Death now was not to stop Kagaya and Orochimaru, nor was it to help them. Itachi's true objective was to protect Sasuke.
Faced with a colossal entity like a tailed beast, the current Sasuke appeared far too weak. If he were accidentally caught in a tailed beast's battle, it would mean certain death.
Inside the Forest of Death...
Obito stared with a dark expression at the Five Elements Seal on Naruto's stomach. Because of this additional seal, Obito couldn't possibly fully release the Nine-Tails in a short time.
If things dragged on, once Konoha's forces arrived, Obito would lose his chance.
"Damn Konoha!" Obito cursed under his breath.
He couldn't fully unleash the beast, but he didn't need a total release to achieve his goal. He focused his ocular power, exerting his will over the fox's chakra within the boy. Since he couldn't shatter the seal, he would simply bypass it by agitating the Nine-Tails' spirit, forcing it to flood Naruto's system with its toxic, red energy. He carefully manipulated the flow, widening the gaps in the existing seal just enough to allow a massive overflow.
Fully releasing the Nine-Tails was impossible. However, inducing Naruto's rampage was something Obito could still accomplish.
A short while later...
Obito stood up, let out a cold laugh, and vanished from the spot accompanied by a swirling vortex.
If Kagaya were to display the ability to release the Nine-Tails, how would Konoha react? They would undoubtedly go all out to exterminate Kagaya!
Indeed, Obito had no intention of claiming "credit" for this release of the Nine-Tails. Just like during the previous Nine-Tails Attack, the "credit" for releasing the Nine-Tails was attributed to the Uchiha clan, accelerating their downfall.
This time, the "credit" would be given to Kagaya, making Konoha and Kagaya fight to the death.
After Obito left, massive amounts of red chakra surged from Naruto's body, gradually enveloping him.
Elsewhere in the Forest of Death...
Kagaya's group and Orochimaru were leisurely making their way towards the forest's exit when suddenly, a pillar of red light erupted into the sky from behind them, incredibly bright and eye-catching.
All of them stopped in their tracks simultaneously. Such terrifying chakra was impossible to miss.
Kagaya and Orochimaru turned around at the same time. Both their expressions turned grim.
Kagaya looked at Orochimaru. "Your doing?"
Orochimaru immediately denied it. "How could it be? Even if I wanted to utilize a tailed beast's power, I would at most borrow the One-Tail's. I wouldn't touch a tailed beast as powerful as the Nine-Tails. Besides, I just reinforced the Nine-Tails' seal with a Five Elements Seal moments ago."
Kagaya couldn't help but frown. Based on his limited memories, a Nine-Tails rampage should only occur when Naruto was under extreme stress.
But logically, even if he did rampage, it shouldn't reach the level of producing such a towering pillar of light. During this period, the seal on the Nine-Tails was still very strong. Coupled with Orochimaru's recent reinforcement, even if Naruto did rampage, at most he might manifest a tailed beast cloak. It was utterly impossible to produce such an enormous amount of chakra.
Unless...
Kagaya's frown deepened.
Unless Naruto's rampage was deliberately orchestrated by someone—artificially weakening the seal and then using some method to draw out the Nine-Tails' chakra, forcing Naruto into a rampage.