Watching the Wood Human swing its iron fists and thrash the arrogant Tailed Beast into submission, images from legends involuntarily surfaced in the minds of the Konoha ninja.
"Lord First Hokage... was this how he subdued the Nine Tailed Beasts with Wood Release back then...?"
"Is this Wood Release?"
"It's terrifying!"
"It's simply in a different dimension compared to our power!"
Kakashi and the others muttered to themselves, their eyes filled with shock.
When their generation was born, the God of Shinobi had long since passed away.
Stories of Senju Hashirama capturing the Tailed Beasts were mostly just hearsay.
But witnessing the battle between Yao and Shukaku now, the picture became vividly clear.
They truly understood how the God of Shinobi had suppressed the Tailed Beasts.
The Third Hokage's emotions were in turmoil, complex and hard to describe.
He was both excited and worried.
Wood Release!
True Wood Release had bloomed again in Konoha after decades!
And it was so powerful that it could suppress the One-Tail Shukaku head-on!
This meant... Konoha would once again possess a strategic-level power to counter Tailed Beasts and deter other nations!
For Konoha, which had just suffered a series of blows—the Nine-Tails' attack, the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice, and the Uchiha Clan massacre—this was like a shot of adrenaline.
But the problem was, the one controlling this power was an Uchiha!
A clan born with evil, actually mastering the power of Wood Release.
Was this a blessing or a curse for Konoha?
If Uchiha Yao obeyed the village's arrangements, it would undoubtedly be a good thing.
But if he had other ideas, he would absolutely be a huge hidden danger!
Just like Uchiha Madara back then, who was undoubtedly a disaster for the village.
At this moment, the situation in the center of the battlefield changed again.
As the vines continued to drain chakra, Shukaku's roars grew weaker and weaker. Its massive body began to shrink and shrivel rapidly.
The sand that made up its body, losing the chakra that sustained it, peeled off and dissipated in large chunks.
The suffocating Tailed Beast chakra receded like the tide.
In just a few breaths, the mountain-like terrifying beast vanished.
It turned back into Gaara.
His face was as pale as paper, his breathing extremely weak, and he was unconscious.
The battle was over!
It ended with the defeat of the One-Tail Shukaku and its reversion to its Jinchuriki form!
The entire arena was dead silent.
Everyone looked in unison at Uchiha Yao, who was standing on the Wood Human's shoulder.
Shock! Awe! Fear! Disbelief! Incredulity!
Uchiha Yao!
A kid who was only twelve years old!
A Genin brat who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy not long ago!
He actually... suppressed the One-Tail all by himself!
In the distance on the stands.
Naruto, still shaken, watched this scene. His mouth opened and closed, and finally, he jumped up, shouting excitedly:
"That was amazing! Did you see that?! I said Yao was the strongest! He even beat that big monster!"
Sakura and Ino were equally full of shock and admiration. Hinata's small face was flushed red, her eyes shining.
Their admiration and happiness were pure; they didn't understand the implications behind this victory!
But the Third Hokage, Kakashi, Guy, and the others understood.
Shukaku, as one of the Tailed Beasts, was a weapon of war capable of overturning small countries and striking fear into great ninja villages!
It was also the strategic cornerstone of the Sand Village used to deter other nations!
And now.
This weapon of war had been suppressed by a twelve-year-old boy!
What did this mean?
It meant that this boy already possessed the terrifying combat power to fight against, and even suppress, a Tailed Beast alone.
In a great ninja village, this was enough to rival a Kage head-on!
"This... is too terrifying... Uchiha Yao..."
Unknown which Konoha Jonin muttered this absently, voicing the chill in many people's hearts.
Yes, terrifying!
Looking across all of Konoha, who could guarantee they could suppress the Hokage?
No one dared to guarantee it!
Perhaps aside from the legendary Sannin, no one had that strength.
But Yao did it!
The Jonin felt conflicted. They didn't know if Yao's emergence meant good or bad for the village.
But they understood one thing: the power structure within the village would inevitably change.
Yao noticed everyone's gazes, but he didn't care.
Since he dared to reveal Wood Release, he was prepared for everything.
Whether it was fear from others, covetousness from some, or wariness and suppression from the village higher-ups.
Yao wasn't afraid!
With Flying Thunder God + Sage's Body + Perfect Wood Release, at this point in the timeline, Yao didn't know how he could lose.
Unless Nagato came personally, he might be able to suppress Yao slightly, but that would be limited to suppression. Killing him?
Simply a pipe dream!
Seeing the unconscious Gaara, Yao knew the battle was over, so he withdrew his chakra.
The massive Wood Human disintegrated, and the wildly grown forest slowly sank back into the ground, leaving only a messy battlefield behind.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The Third Hokage, Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai, and other Konoha Jonin arrived at the center of the ruined arena.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the other rookies followed closely behind.
Temari and Kankuro rushed to Gaara's side, checking him anxiously.
Confirming that Gaara had only exhausted his chakra and fallen into a deep coma, the two of them heaved a huge sigh of relief. One on the left and one on the right, they struggled to prop the unconscious Gaara up.
The atmosphere in the arena became subtle.
The Third Hokage took a deep look at Yao, then turned to the Sand's leading Jonin, Baki. His eyes grew sharp.
"Jonin Baki, regarding your village's One-Tail Jinchuriki fully transforming into a Tailed Beast during our Konoha Chunin Exams..."
"Shouldn't the Sand give Konoha a reasonable explanation?"
The Third's tone was calm, but anyone could hear the interrogation and implied anger in his words.
This was a serious violation of the trust and rules between allied nations and could absolutely be seen as a provocation!
If it were a more radical Hokage, this would be enough of an excuse to declare war on the Sand.
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Baki's forehead, and he groaned inwardly.
With such a huge deviation in the plan, the Sand had instantly gone from the potential aggressor to the party in the wrong for provocation. Turning against Konoha right now would result in zero chance of victory.
Baki braced himself, forcing an apologetic expression onto his face.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Hokage! This was purely an accident!"
"Gaara... his condition has always been unstable. Intense emotional fluctuations caused the seal to loosen!"
"This was due to our poor supervision! The Sand Village is willing to bear all losses caused by this incident!"
"I guarantee that he will be kept under strict supervision, and an incident like this will never happen again!"
"On behalf of the Sand Village, I offer my sincerest apologies for the disturbance and damage caused to your village!"
Baki's posture was extremely low; now was not the time to tear up the treaty.
Even their original plan needed to be re-evaluated because of Uchiha Yao's terrifying performance.
Baki just wanted to get away as soon as possible and report everything that happened here to the Fourth Kazekage.
The Third Hokage remained silent.
He naturally didn't believe it was purely an accident, but right now, the Sand's attitude was sincere and humble.
Although Konoha held the moral high ground, it wasn't wise to press the issue immediately.
The Chunin Exams were not over yet, and a complete fallout would benefit neither side.
"I hope so."
The lines on the Third's face softened slightly. "Jonin Baki, take your people back to rest for now."
"During the Chunin Exams, please ensure the One-Tail Jinchuriki is strictly supervised."
"What Konoha hopes to see is the exchange and growth of young ninja, not a rampant Tailed Beast and destruction."
"Thank you for your tolerance, Lord Hokage! We will strictly control him! I guarantee nothing like this will happen again!"
Baki felt like he had been granted amnesty. He bowed hurriedly, then shot a glance at Temari and Kankuro.
The two understood immediately. They supported Gaara and quickly left the area.
After the Sand ninja left.
The Third Hokage looked around at the devastated central tower area.
The main tower had collapsed, and the arena was completely destroyed. The preliminaries obviously couldn't continue here.
The Third Hokage sighed. "Everyone, due to the sudden incident today, the preliminary rounds are forced to be suspended."
"Tomorrow, we will switch to a backup venue, and the matches will continue! Now, everyone is dismissed!"
"Uchiha Yao, come with me."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Yao nodded and followed Sarutobi Hiruzen, leaving the area.
Naruto wanted to follow but was held back by Kakashi, who placed a hand on his shoulder.
Sasuke pursed his lips, watching his brother's retreating figure with a complex gaze.