With Sasuke's arrival, the Chunin Exams finally entered the stage everyone had been anticipating.
Gaara, who had been waiting eagerly, immediately exuded a fighting spirit. Without exchanging a word, the two launched into battle, their intense clash drawing loud cheers from the audience.
Using his Sharingan, Sasuke replicated Rock Lee's Taijutsu techniques, quickly gaining the upper hand.
"He's come a long way in just a month," Sasori remarked. "It seems Kakashi's intensive training paid off. Still, relying solely on Taijutsu won't be enough to defeat Gaara."
Anya nodded. "Of course. Kakashi didn't stop at just Taijutsu."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Sasuke shot up to the highest point of the battlefield, starting to weave Hand Seals to channel chakra.
As he completed the seals, thick arcs of Lightning Release chakra surged into his palm, crackling with raw energy.
The crackling Chidori emitted a piercing shriek, like the cries of a thousand birds.
"This is it—Chidori."
Recognizing Kakashi's signature Ninjutsu, Sasori naturally understood its power. Now that Sasuke had mastered it, Gaara was in real danger.
From above, Sasuke dove at Gaara, lightning chakra blazing. He tore through Gaara's sand sphere, blood splattering across the ground.
At that moment, white feathers began drifting down from the sky. The previously enthusiastic spectators fell silent, turning the lively arena into complete stillness.
"Oh, it's starting already?"
Anya said to Sasori, "Then go ahead and give the order—let Gaara use [Feigning Sleep Technique]."
"Alright."
Sasori leaped down from the spectator stand directly into the center of the battlefield.
Genma, the examiner, immediately blocked Sasori's path and shouted angrily, "What are you doing?"
"It's none of your concern." Without holding back, Sasori unleashed his overwhelming presence. Instantly, both Genma and Sasuke froze, feeling as if even the slightest movement would mean instant death in the next moment.
"That's impossible," Sasuke exclaimed, disbelief flickering in his eyes. "This pressure—it's even stronger than Orochimaru's during the Death Forest!"
"Just who exactly are you?" Activating his Sharingan, Sasuke's voice was filled with frustration as he struggled to move again, once more lighting his hand with lightning chakra.
Glancing slightly, Sasori remarked, "Even Kakashi's Chidori doesn't scare me. As for who I am, you might find out someday. For now, focus on saving yourself."
"Hmph! Save myself? Don't talk big in front of me. Die!"
Forcibly breaking free from the oppressive aura, Sasuke rushed at Sasori with Chidori raised.
Without even looking, Sasori simply placed one hand on the sand shielding Gaara.
Instantly, a giant sand claw shot out rapidly from within the sand, slamming directly into Sasuke's body. He was flung dozens of meters away, crashing into the wall of the battlefield and collapsing unconscious.
"Begin the plan. Use that jutsu."
Gaara stared at Sasuke, bloodshot eyes brimming with fury, seemingly not having heard Sasori's command at all.
Sasori's eyes narrowed. Immediately, powerful chakra surged into the sand.
The so-called impenetrable sand sphere lasted less than a second before shattering apart. Worse still, Gaara was pressured down to his knees.
"You're disobeying orders?"
"Believe it or not, I can still release the One-Tail even after killing you," Sasori sneered.
"Please stop, Lord Red Spider!" Temari and Kankuro cried out in unison as they rushed toward him.
Thinking quickly, Temari shouted, "Gaara, take action now! Remember Uncle Yashamaru—you know he'll be angry if you disobey again!"
At the mention of that name, Gaara immediately regained his senses. A flicker of relief crossed his face. The black rings around his eyes faded, and forming hand seals with both hands, he announced, "[Feigning Sleep Technique]!"
Gaara finally fell into a deep sleep upon activating this ninjutsu.
Suddenly, the ground beneath the battlefield began to shake—as though an earthquake were approaching. Fierce winds rose up, followed by a shrill screech reminiscent of a tanuki's cry that echoed throughout Konoha.
"Hahaha, I'm finally free!"
The Shukaku of the Sand made a dazzling appearance, its violet-colored patterns gleaming across its body. Its dark yellow eyes burned with excitement and resentment.
"I will kill you all—every single one of you! No one can cage me anymore!"
Seeing Shukaku reappear, Anya remained indifferent, almost amused. She muttered under her breath, "It's been so long since last time. With such intense hatred building up inside... Don't push Guy over the edge."
Above them, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned pale with shock. Before he could react, smoke bombs exploded across the area.
"Lord Kazekage, are you truly declaring war on Konoha?"
From the moment Shukaku appeared, Hiruzen had already figured everything out, desperately attempting one final appeal.
But the Kazekage remained silent. Instead, he swiftly lunged forward, grabbing for Hiruzen's throat, pulling out a kunai and aiming straight for a vital point. Several quick leaps later, he landed atop a rooftop.
Hidden Anbu agents rushed forward to rescue their leader, but halfway there they were blocked by the Sound Four. Soon, four purple pillars took shape on the roof, sealing off Hiruzen completely within a barrier.
One Anbu member charged ahead in desperation, only to be swallowed up by flames from the barrier and reduced to ashes.
Frustrated and helpless outside the barrier, an Anbu agent exclaimed, "What… is this thing a barrier?"
Meanwhile, Kabuto—who was responsible for Orochimaru's plans—watched as Shukaku suddenly appeared on the battlefield. He murmured to himself while smiling, "Never expected Sunagakure to go this far. If things keep going like this, none of those down there will survive."
"Didn't expect the enemy would disguise themselves as Anbu. Was it also this guy who used genjutsu?" Might Guy and Kakashi stood before Kabuto.
Kakashi nodded, confirming, "It's him."
"You two have bigger problems to worry about right now," Kabuto chuckled lightly, disappearing openly in front of the two men.
"Cursed..." Just as Guy tried to chase after him, Kakashi reached out, stopping him. "He's right. If we don't stop Shukaku first, everyone here will die."
Regaining freedom, Shukaku inflated its large belly and casually launched an attack in one direction: "[Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet]".
"Not good—here it comes!"
"[Water Release: Water Encampment Wall]."
Anbu rushed forward alongside Kakashi, using Water Release to defend. They barely managed to block the first wave of the attack. The chakra-infused gale from Shukaku twisted the water technique into countless whips, savagely lashing across the sky. The battlefield roared with surging torrents and deafening thunder as rain lashed and mist filled the air.
"This is like a raging hurricane!" Sakura shivered as she released herself from the genjutsu.
"We can't go on like this. Now it's my turn — the Blue Beast of Konoha makes his move."
Guy stepped forward. With silent determination, he threw open the Eight Gates right on the spot, blue steam erupting from his body. Within moments, his aura surged dramatically, and the ground beneath his feet collapsed.
Kakashi looked at Guy with concern and said, "Don't force yourself, Guy."
Guy gave Kakashi a big thumbs-up and grinned, saying, "Watch closely, Kakashi."
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