"Clang—" After another brief clash, Baki and the Toothpick Man separated. Shiranui Genma glanced over at Naruto's side and said proudly, "It seems our Konoha Ninja are gaining the upper hand."
"Hmph." Baki didn't speak, but he charged forward again, brandishing a Wind Blade. Shiranui Genma also drew the beginner magic sword he had redeemed during the internet café's event.
"This is my first time using a magic sword to perform the Nine Swords of Dugu... Don't die on me so quickly."
"Hmph, don't underestimate me!"
...The few remaining Ninja in the stands were not only fending off the invading Ninja but also paying close attention to the changes on the field.
Sakura, the only conscious Genin, watched the field with worry.
"Sakura!" Hearing Kakashi's shout, Sakura looked back and saw two Otogakure rushing toward her. Just as they were about to hit her, Sakura suddenly ducked, dodging their straight punches, grabbed her staff with both hands, and swept it, knocking both of them flying.
At the same time, she pointed the staff at the two flying figures, and a Flame Curse appeared, burning them both to death instantly.
Seeing that Sakura was safe, Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sakura, hurry and dispel the Genjutsu! Wake up Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Kiba, and Hinata!"
"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've done an Advanced mission."
While Kakashi was speaking, he killed another sneaking Ninja.
"This is an A-rank mission—Defend Konoha!"
Sakura's expression tightened, but she quickly returned to normal.
After helping Ino and the others dispel the Genjutsu, Sakura asked, "How do we execute this mission?"
She glanced at Naruto, who was fighting in the arena.
"Should we go help Naruto?"
"No way!" Shikamaru said decisively.
"The gap between us and Naruto is too large. Rushing in would only become a burden to him!"
Shikamaru observed his surroundings.
"Direct confrontation is not advantageous for us. Let's leave here first!"
Shikamaru led the team out through the broken hole.
Hinata, the last to leave, looked back at Naruto.
"Naruto! You can do it!"
..."Rasengan!" After repelling Gaara with the Rasengan once more, Naruto felt things were extremely difficult watching Gaara instantly recover.
"What should I do? I can't knock him out, or it will be even harder if Shukaku emerges!"
"You bastard—!" Gaara's eyes narrowed, and he screamed maniacally: "Hooowoooooo!"
"Boom—!"
As the smoke dissipated, a gigantic figure was revealed. It was Shukaku!
"Finally came out, huh?" Gaara in this state was undeniably powerful, and Naruto didn't have absolute confidence in winning.
But whether he could win or not, he wouldn't know until he fought.
However, this was the arena, and the battlefield couldn't be chosen here. Otherwise, Gaara in this state might kill countless unconscious spectators.
"I can't let it stay in the arena any longer. If we start fighting, these people won't survive." Naruto decided to expand the battlefield!
"The full transformation is finally out?" Baki looked at Gaara in his Shukaku state with satisfaction, then was the first to leave the battlefield, running toward the outside of the arena. If he didn't run now, he would likely be caught in the crossfire.
"That's the Sand Shukaku!" Kakashi and Guy looked at its body in shock.
"The Sand Ninja actually brought their Jinchuriki too! This is unforgivable!" The Third Hokage was rarely this angry!
"Sarutobi-sensei! You actually have time to look outside right now!" Orochimaru laughed viciously.
"I'll deal with these small fry first!"
With a "Tsing," Orochimaru sprang out like a coiled spring, spat a sword from his mouth, and stabbed toward the charging Anbu!
The Anbu neither dodged nor flinched, performing hand signs right where he stood.
"Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!" His hair instantly grew explosively, wrapping around the charging Orochimaru!
"What?" Seeing the hair rushing toward him, Orochimaru's pupils contracted. He spun around, avoiding the hair, and stopped moving.
"That Ninjutsu... you're Jiraiya!"
"Yo, Orochimaru, long time no see!"
Seeing that Orochimaru had recognized him, Jiraiya dispelled his Transformation Jutsu!
"No wonder the Old Man was so calm; you were standing by." Orochimaru looked displeased, which was rare. "But shouldn't my subordinates have lured you away? Why are you here?
"Orochimaru, you underestimate me. Did you think you could lure me away with just two beautiful women? I'm telling you, that's impossible."
"Oh? It seems you're not as perverted as I thought..."
Orochimaru looked Jiraiya over again in surprise. He was about to praise the Guy, but before he could finish his sentence, Jiraiya interrupted him.
"If you want to lure me, you need to arrange at least five beautiful women! Only arranging two—who are you looking down on?"
(A grumpy face emoji/symbol)
"Fine, you're still the idiot I know."
After speaking, Orochimaru ignored Jiraiya and turned to look at Shukaku outside, his eyes shining with excitement: "Look! Konoha Village will soon be history! The windmill is about to start turning!"
"Tch—!" Jiraiya scoffed at his words, but his heart was filled with worry.
"Everyone, Konoha depends on you!"
While everyone was fighting desperately, Ge Liang and Haku remained seated in their original spots in the arena. Even stranger, not a single Ninja had come to challenge them.
"How boring. I was actually hoping to stretch my legs."
"Heh heh, Boss, are you trying to lure them out?"
Shaking his head and watching Naruto try to lead Shukaku away, Ge Liang didn't want to stay here anymore. What if Hiruzen Sarutobi asked him for help?
Saving him would go against his original intention.
Regardless, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still the Hokage. If Ge Liang didn't help, he might face hostility from some Konoha Ninja.
Therefore, to avoid this dilemma, he decided to leave with Haku.
"Haku, get on."
The Flying Sword was drawn. To watch the entire spectacle unfold, the sky was definitely an excellent choice.
"Up we go!"
Leaving aside Ge Liang and Haku watching the show from above, the scene now returns to Naruto.
"With a body that huge, I don't know if I can drag it away or not. No choice, I'll have to borrow the Nine-Tailed's power!" Naruto glanced at Shukaku, stepped onto his Flying Sword, and flew toward the outside of the arena.
Perhaps flying in the air made him conspicuous, as Gaara in his Shukaku state instantly spotted Naruto, reaching a hand toward him. "Sand Burial Coffin!" Sand dust in the air quickly enveloped Naruto.
"Dodge!" Controlling the Flying Sword, Naruto struggled to evade the sand attack.
Looking back at Shukaku, Naruto called out internally, "Kurama! Get ready, I'm going to use Summoning Jutsu on you!"
It turns out that during the time he spent Cultivating with Jiraiya, Naruto not only learned the Rasengan from him but also learned Summoning Jutsu.
.