The arena erupted in an uproar.
"How is that possible? That monster was sent flying with just one hit!"
"This kind of strength... it's terrifying!"
"Can a human even reach this level of power?"
The spectators were left in shock as they stared at the massive crater in the wall.
Even Kakashi, Might Guy, and the others widened their eyes in disbelief.
"What insane taijutsu… Just how strong has Sasuke become?"
Kurenai Yuhi gasped, covering her lips with her hand.
"Not only is his genjutsu exceptional, but his physical skills are also this overwhelming..."
"Sasuke, just how much more will you surprise us?"
His sheer talent was beyond anything anyone in Konoha had ever imagined.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Kankuro and the other Suna nin were growing restless.
"This is bad... What if Gaara is killed?"
Gaara was crucial to their invasion plan. The goal had been for him to unleash Shukaku at the exam venue, throwing Konoha into chaos. That alone would deal massive damage to the village, creating the perfect moment for the Konoha Crush Plan to unfold.
But now, Sasuke alone had managed to suppress Gaara?!
A deep rumble filled the air as rubble was sent flying.
Gaara emerged from the debris, looking disheveled. His monstrous, partially transformed body had reverted to normal.
"Damn it... just one punch—"
He clenched his teeth, feeling the lingering pain from Sasuke's strike.
His transformation had been forcefully undone, and more importantly, he was too injured to call upon Shukaku again.
In the stands, Baki and Kankuro immediately recognized the crisis.
"If this keeps up, Gaara will die!"
---
On the main stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the battle unfold with keen interest.
"Good! As expected of the Uchiha... Well done!"
Sasuke's overwhelming power made the Hokage see even greater potential in him. He was now more determined than ever to ensure that Sasuke remained loyal to Konoha.
"Orochimaru..."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with suspicion. Something felt off.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, Orochimaru watched Sasuke with narrowed eyes.
Originally, he had viewed the boy as nothing more than prey—someone to be slowly manipulated. He had planned to lure Sasuke with power, sending the Sound Four to guide him down the path of darkness.
But now…
"This strength… it's dangerous."
For the first time, Orochimaru felt a hint of threat from Sasuke.
"No... I can't wait any longer. After this invasion, I must take him by force!"
A sinister smirk crossed his lips as his mind drifted to another figure—Itachi Uchiha.
Sasuke's talent surpasses even Itachi's... If I let him grow unchecked, he may become something beyond my reach.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed coldly.
Fortunately, including him in this invasion plan was the right decision.
"Now... it begins!"
Suddenly, the arena fell into silence.
Ninjas hidden among the spectators sprang into action, weaving hand signs in unison.
A powerful genjutsu spread across the crowd.
One by one, civilians and lower-ranked shinobi collapsed into unconsciousness.
"What's happening?"
Kakashi and the other jōnin instantly recognized the disturbance.
"It's a large-scale genjutsu. Release it!"
The Konoha shinobi quickly dispelled the illusion for themselves, but the damage had already been done.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted from the Hokage's viewing platform.
Thick white smoke billowed out as Orochimaru made his move—kidnapping Hiruzen Sarutobi!
The entire venue was thrown into chaos.
"The attack has begun!"
Baki and Kankuro wasted no time.
"Sasuke..." Kankuro muttered as he glanced at the battlefield.
He turned to his comrades. "Gaara can't fight in this condition. We need to retreat!"
Baki nodded. "Take him away. We'll abort the transformation plan for now!"
Temari hesitated. "But what about Sasuke? He—"
"Forget about him! Our mission is to keep Gaara alive. Now go!"
With no time to argue, Temari and Kankuro hoisted Gaara up and disappeared into the trees.
Shiranui Genma landed beside Sasuke.
"Sasuke, looks like the Chūnin Exam is over. But with your strength, you're already beyond that level."
He looked in the direction of Gaara's retreating figure.
"But the mission isn't. Go after them. Don't let Gaara escape!"
Sasuke smirked. "No problem."
With a blur of movement, he vanished.
---
Meanwhile, outside Konoha, three massive summoning snakes emerged, slithering toward the village with destructive force.
Across the Chūnin exam venue, Suna and Sound shinobi engaged in full-scale combat against Konoha's forces.
Kakashi sliced through an enemy ninja, then turned his gaze toward the Hokage stand—his eyes widening in shock.
Orochimaru had thrown off his Kazekage disguise.
"So… This whole war was his doing?!"
Before he could react, another wave of enemies closed in.
"Kakashi!"
Might Guy landed beside him, kicking away an attacking Sound ninja.
"How about we make this interesting? Whoever takes out the most enemies wins!"
Kakashi sighed. "You never change..."
On the rooftop above, Orochimaru faced off against Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Sarutobi-sensei… you're far too old to be holding onto power like this."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "You should have known better than to betray Konoha, Orochimaru."
With a swift motion, he pulled off his Hokage robes, revealing his combat gear underneath.
A barrage of Shuriken Shadow Clones flew toward Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru was already prepared.
Slamming his hands into the ground, he activated his jutsu.
"Reanimation Jutsu!"
Two massive coffins rose from the earth.
Hiruzen's face darkened.
"Impossible…!"
The coffin doors creaked open, revealing the figures of the First and Second Hokage.
Orochimaru sneered.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it, sensei?"
---
Outside the village, Sasuke sprinted through the trees, closing in on Gaara's group.
He stopped briefly, forming a hand seal.
With a puff of smoke, a Shadow Clone appeared, transforming into an ordinary Konoha ninja before heading back toward the village.
Meanwhile, the real Sasuke continued forward.
Time for payback.
Ahead, Kankuro glanced back.
"Damn, Sasuke's catching up!"
Temari bit her lip. "Kankuro, you can't fight him! He's—"
"I'll hold him off. You take Gaara and keep moving!"
"But—!"
"Just go!"
With no choice, Temari nodded and hurried ahead.
Kankuro turned to face Sasuke, summoning his puppet, Crow.
"This is as far as you go!"
He launched a barrage of poisoned kunai, but Sasuke barely reacted.
Instead, he smirked and formed a hand sign.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive sphere of flames roared forward, incinerating everything in its path.
The forest shook from the explosion, leaving behind a crater of smoldering ash.
Sasuke stepped forward, his eyes burning with determination.
"Your courage is commendable… but it's not enough."
---
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