Deep underground in Konoha, at the Root base.
Countless display screens flickered with a dim light, providing a full view of the chaos unfolding on the surface.
Leaning on his cane, Danzo's single eye was filled with cold mockery.
"Hmph, Hiruzen, that useless fool."
He looked at his old partner trapped in the barrier on the screen, a contemptuous arc curling at the corner of his mouth.
"As the Hokage, to be trapped so easily by Orochimaru—he really has gone senile."
On the screen, Konoha Shinobi were fighting desperately, villagers were fleeing, and giant summoned snakes were running amok.
But Danzo had no intention of intervening.
In his view, now was the perfect opportunity to purge the weak elements of Konoha.
He would wait until Hiruzen and Orochimaru fought to a stalemate, and until Konoha fell into despair—
Then he would appear as a savior to turn the tide.
That would be the perfect script.
"Furthermore—"
Danzo's gaze shifted to another screen, locking onto Naruto.
"It is just as I expected."
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is a massive liability, and he has long harbored a rebellious heart."
"It seems the previous surveillance and assessment of him were correct."
Danzo watched as Naruto instantly defeated Genma and suppressed Kakashi.
Instead of panicking, he showed a smile of total control.
The more dangerous a weapon is, the greater its value for utilization.
As long as he used Kotoamatsukami to control him afterward, this would be his sharpest blade.
Just as he intended to continue watching the struggle from the sidelines, the smile on Danzo's face froze.
On the screen, Naruto neither launched a large-scale massacre against the Konoha Shinobi nor went to help Orochimaru attack the Hokage.
Instead, he walked straight toward the highest and most ornately decorated area of the stands.
That was the exclusive seating for the Daimyo of various countries, high-ranking officials, and top nobles.
"Wait—what is he doing?"
Danzo suddenly leaned closer to the screen, his pupils contracting violently.
When he saw the kunai in Naruto's hand pointed at those richly dressed VIPs, Danzo felt a chill rush straight to the top of his skull.
"Is he insane?! Those are the Daimyo and nobles responsible for funding Konoha!"
If these financiers were all killed during an exam hosted by Konoha—
Even without an invasion from other countries, Konoha's economic system would collapse almost overnight.
To Danzo, who was dedicated to becoming the Hokage and ruling Konoha, this was even more unacceptable than half the village being destroyed.
"This rule-breaking lunatic!"
Danzo could no longer remain calm and roared in anger.
"Everyone! Move out immediately! Stop Uzumaki Naruto!"
Without any hesitation, the elites of Root assembled instantly.
Danzo took the lead, rushing toward the base's main gate with overwhelming fury.
However.
Just as the heavy iron door opened and sunlight pierced into the dim passage, the figure of a blonde youth was sitting leisurely on the corpse of a guard at the entrance.
It was as if he had been waiting for a long time.
It was one of Naruto's Shadow Clones.
He looked at the Root forces rushing out and gave a bright smile.
"This is too slow; I've been waiting for you guys for ages."
An ominous premonition suddenly rose in Danzo's heart.
"What—"
"To celebrate everyone coming out, I've prepared a grand firework show for you."
The Shadow Clone formed a hand seal and activated the Multi-Explosion Tags Jutsu.
In the next moment.
BOOM—!!!
Terrifying flames engulfed everything.
The continuous sound of explosions made the earth tremble.
Even at the Chunin Exam arena several kilometers away, the violent vibration could be felt underfoot.
[Ding!]
[Mission: Grand Fireworks, completed]
[Obtained B-rank Treasure Chest x1]
At the arena high platform.
Feeling the tremors beneath his feet and hearing the muffled thunder from afar, the corners of Naruto's mouth curled up slightly.
"Rats should stay in their rat holes."
He casually tossed a richly dressed, obese corpse from the stands like a piece of trash.
The body tumbled down the steps like a sack of rags, eventually landing with a dull thud.
By now, he was standing before the noble seating area.
Sitting here were the most powerful people in the Ninja World.
Relatives of the Land of Fire's Daimyo, political figures from various countries, and wealthy merchants.
At this moment, they were all under a genjutsu, completely unaware of their impending deaths.
Naruto looked at these ugly faces and frowned slightly.
"I feel like something is missing."
He rubbed his chin.
"What is missing—"
"Right—"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Letting you die in a beautiful dream is far too easy for you."
An execution only has meaning if the sentence is pronounced.
Thus, he formed a hand seal and released the genjutsu for this group of nobles.
"Hmm? What's going on—"
"Was that an earthquake?"
"Guards! Where are the guards!"
The awakened nobles screamed in panic, their plump bodies wriggling in their seats.
They found they couldn't stand up at all; several chakra chains had already silently coiled around their ankles.
They looked up and saw the youth before them wearing glasses, with a gentle smile on his face, yet covered in blood splatters.
"Nice to meet you, My Lords."
Naruto pulled a list out of his robes that Orochimaru had investigated and began to read in a calm tone.
"According to my investigation—"
"The Finance Minister of the Land of Tea, embezzled relief funds, causing a large number of refugees to starve to death."
"I pronounce: Death penalty! Immediate execution!"
The fat man didn't even have time to beg for mercy.
A chain nimbly wrapped around his neck and hoisted him into the air.
"Next."
"A relative of the Land of Rice Fields' Daimyo, involved in human trafficking."
"I pronounce: Death penalty! Immediate execution!"
"Stop! I'll give you as much money as you want!"
A chain wrapped around him without mercy and lifted him up.
His body was left to struggle in mid-air until it gradually went limp.
Naruto then began reading the next name.
Within the Four Violet Flames Formation nearby.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was being pinned down by Orochimaru, watched this scene with eyes nearly bursting from their sockets.
He swung his Adamantine Staff frantically, trying to break out of the barrier.
But Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword was always there to block him.
"Hehehe, this is truly magnificent—"
Orochimaru's eyes were full of playfulness.
"Sarutobi-sensei, you really have raised an excellent... successor to the Will of Fire."
Just as Naruto was calling out names from the list one by one.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Four masked Anbu finally broke free from the entanglement below and appeared on the stands using Body Flicker.
This was the exclusive noble guard squad.
"We're saved!"
The few remaining nobles recognized the identity of the newcomers and almost wept with joy.
"Uzumaki Naruto! Surrender immediately!"
The Anbu squad leader drew his long sword, his killing intent locking onto Naruto.
Yet he didn't dare to attack rashly for fear of the hostages.
Naruto stopped his actions and turned his head.
"In the way."
Black patterns instantly crawled across half of his face.
Cursed Seal Level One, activated.
The four chains on his back instantly split and multiplied, turning into a full eight chains.
Moreover, these chains were no longer simple and smooth; they grew hideous barbs.
Black cursed seal runes spread onto the golden chains, like thorns from hell.
"This is—"
Those Anbu didn't even have time to form seals.
Puchi puchi puchi puchi!
A series of sounds of blades entering flesh rang out.
There was no suspense.
Golden light flashed, and blood blossoms bloomed in the air.
The four Anbu elites were pierced through the chest almost instantly.
They were hung in mid-air like meat on a skewer, and then violently thrown away.
The power levels of the two sides were not in the same league at all.
"When you were monitoring me, I endured it for a long time."
Naruto expressionlessly shook the blood off the chains and then continued toward another shivering noble.