The dire situation had taken a drastic turn, and now the outcome of the battle was even more uncertain.
On paper, the Konoha teams held the advantage in numbers. But when it came to actual strength, that balance was still up in the air.
Still, with the arrival of reinforcements, hope flickered. The newcomers fanned out in a practiced arc—Kiba baring his fangs, Akamaru crouched low and ready to pounce, Shino already murmuring quietly to his insects, and Airi flashing a quick, nervous grin at Team Ten before tightening her grip on her kunai and focusing forward.
The two remaining Sound ninja didn't retreat.
If anything, their lips curled, hungry for a new challenge.
"So you called for backup," the taller Sound ninja sneered, sizing up the reinforcements. "Cute. You think a few more bodies will change the outcome?"
"Yeah," Kiba shot back, cracking his knuckles, "it means there's more of us to kick your ass!"
Akamaru barked in agreement, fur bristling with static.
Shino's voice was almost eerily calm. "You had the advantage. Now you don't."
The Sound ninja's eyes darted from the dog to the shifting veil of insects behind Shino. He sneered, but his stance grew a shade warier.
Airi shifted beside Ino, her knuckles white around her kunai. "Are you two okay?" she whispered, not taking her eyes off the enemy.
Ino managed a faint, wry smile. "Better, now that you guys are here."
Chōji just let out a breath he'd been holding for what felt like hours. "Nice timing."
Shikamaru didn't say anything, just nodded at the new arrivals. Relief flickered across his face—gone in a heartbeat, replaced by focus.
He scanned the clearing, mind already working at double speed. More allies meant more options but also more lives to keep safe.
No room for mistakes.
The shorter Sound ninja let out a low, derisive laugh. "You Konoha brats really don't get it, do you? All you've done is give us more toys to break."
Ino's eyes narrowed, her trademark scowl settling back into place. "You talk a lot for someone who just watched his buddy get outplayed."
Kiba grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Bet you won't be so cocky after a faceful of Fang Over Fang!"
Akamaru barked, tail wagging like a war drum.
The taller Sound ninja's lips peeled back in a feral grin. "Let's see you try."
He charged first desperate to reclaim the momentum.
"Now, Akamaru!"
Kiba and his dog spun together, becoming a spiraling blur that tore across the battlefield.
The Sound ninja barely dodged, a chunk of earth exploding where he'd stood.
Kiba and Shino didn't hesitate—they split off to flank the Sound ninja, attacking from both sides to separate him from his teammate but keeping close enough to cover each other if things went south.
--
At the same time, the other Sound ninja lunged at Ino with kunai ready to slit her throat.
Airi moved on instinct.
Her body blurred as she stepped in, her own kunai snapping up as if guided by an unseen hand.
Clang!
The blades collided with a sharp ring. Airi's block stopped the strike dead, forcing the Sound ninja back a step—surprise flickering across his eyes.
Then he noticed.
His gaze swept over them, and a smirk tugged at his lips, confidence returning for reasons only he seemed to understand.
Ino.
Chōji—injured, breathing hard, but still standing.
Shikamaru.
And Airi.
Their formation was rough, uneven… far from perfect.
But in that moment, it was everything they had.
"So you really think teaming up gives you a chance against me?" the Sound ninja sneered. "Against someone who's been blessed?"
He threw his head back and laughed mockingly and utterly unhinged.
Blessed?
What the hell is he talking about? Is he crazy?
Shikamaru and the others didn't voice it, but the same uneasy thought passed through all of them.
Then...
Dark markings suddenly crept across the Sound ninja's face, spreading like living veins as his chakra surged violently outward.
The pressure in the air spiked.
Ino's breath hitched, cold sweat sliding down her temple. "W-What… what the hell is happening to him?"
Chōji swallowed hard nervously. "Some kind of forbidden jutsu?"
His legs trembled slightly—he'd pushed himself way too far already. I really need snacks after this…
"It looks like it," Shikamaru said grimly, eyes locked on the markings as a bad feeling settled deep in his gut.
They glanced at each other and moved at the same time.
Whatever it was, it didn't matter anymore.
They had to face it and win.
--
On the other side...
Using the intelligence gathered by Konoha, Hayate Gekkō quickly confirmed the hotel where the Snow Hidden Village team was staying and rushed over without delay.
Since Hokage-sama had already given him permission, he had to meet her personally and confirm her situation.
Inside the Central Tower.
After successfully clearing the second exam and entering the tower, Karin and the others immediately realized one thing—
They were the first to arrive.
"Heh… looks like we're first," Karin said with a smug grin. She flipped her hair proudly, walked over to a sofa, and lounged down, crossing her legs leisurely. "As expected of me."
Kimimaro glanced around the room briefly. Without a word, he took a seat, closed his eyes, and remained motionless.
Haku and Hinata followed suit, quietly settling down as well.
After a short while, a voice echoed through the hall.
"Oh? Someone else made it through this quickly?"
The Sand team stepped inside.
Kankurō spoke casually at first, but the moment he recognized who was already there, his expression stiffened. He instinctively glanced back.
Gaara stood behind him expressionless but a dark, oppressive aura was already seeping out.
"So it really is them… the Snow Hidden Village," Temari said, her eyes flicking briefly toward the blindfolded girl and her teammates.
The Land of Snow, where Snow Hidden Village was located, was well known in the Land of Wind.
Over the years, they had overcome the issue of wind-driven sand erosion, accepted commissions from the Land of Wind, and even helped construct multiple desert railways across its territory.
At the same time, the Snow team had also noticed the Sand squad.
Karin raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing across her face.
"Heh… didn't expect you to still be alive," she said lightly. "Looks like Hinata-chan really took pity on you."
Hinata fidgeted slightly.
Karin immediately placed a hand on her shoulder and waved it off.
"Relax. I don't care about that kind of thing. Do as you please—that's our motto. Of course," she added calmly, "as long as it doesn't involve certain matters."
Hinata finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She knew Karin wouldn't mind, and the two of them were practically like sisters by now but the thought of disappointing her still made Hinata nervous.
"You…" Gaara spoke in a low voice, his expression twisting as his gaze locked onto Hinata.
How could he forget?
The girl who had humiliated him so effortlessly.
"Gaara," Temari said anxiously.
"Kankurō," she whispered, instinctively trying to stop him—
But before either of them could act—
Kimimaro, who had been sitting silently with his eyes closed, opened them.
The instant he sensed Gaara's killing intent, his gaze shifted toward him.
"…You have five seconds," Kimimaro said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion, "to retract that killing intent."
A crushing pressure flooded the room.
"Killing you isn't ideal," he continued calmly, "but sometimes… death is a mercy."
His killing intent surged outward.
The atmosphere in the tower turned heavy and suffocating.
Even the examiners standing behind them stiffened, their faces draining of color as they stared at Kimimaro in shock.
What kind of monster is this kid…?
The thought flashed through all of their minds at once.
Gaara himself froze for a moment as goosebumps surged through his body.
Anger churned violently inside him but when he met Kimimaro's unwavering gaze, he hesitated.
Then, to everyone's shock, he backed off.
A somewhat awkward silence followed.
Temari and Kankurō both stared, stunned.
They hadn't expected Gaara to back off.
Kimimaro withdrew his attention just as easily, closing his eyes once more.
He knew his lord wanted the Tailed Beast.
Killing the Jinchūriki would mean killing the beast as well—forcing them to wait for its resurrection.
That was not an outcome he wished to cause.
Disappointing his lord was unacceptable.
So while he wouldn't kill Gaara…
If necessary, making him suffer pain beyond anything he'd ever known was still very much on the table.
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