Chapter 61: Unbelievable Development
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"What's this?"
"Feathers?"
"Why can't we touch them?"
"Huh?"
As white feathers floated down from the sky, the audience gazed upward with confusion. Those who reached out to touch them felt their vision blur, and within seconds, nearly all the ordinary spectators at the Chūnin Exams fell into a deep sleep. Even some of the genin, those with weaker mental fortitude or less skill in genjutsu, succumbed to the slumber.
It's starting! Menma thought, watching the scene unfold. The sight of the white feathers drifting down like snow was unmistakable—Feather Illusion Jutsu.
Nearby, Sasuke, Sakura, Rock Lee, and Tenten looked around in shock. Naruto, still in the arena, was equally bewildered.
What the heck is this? Naruto thought, eyes darting around as the feathers continued to fall.
Up in the stands, Baki sprang into action, moving quickly toward the massive sand sphere encasing Gaara.
"Boom!"
Explosions rocked the stadium, sending tremors through the ground. Black-clad shinobi from the Hidden Sound and Sand Villages emerged from the shadows, attacking without hesitation.
"Enemy attack!"
Kakashi, Guy, and the other jōnin reacted instantly, taking up defensive stances. Genma Shiranui, standing near Naruto, moved protectively in front of the confused genin, his gaze locking onto Baki with suspicion.
"Suna-nin, are you betraying the alliance? Is this a declaration of war?" Genma's voice was sharp, filled with both accusation and readiness for battle.
On the highest platform, Orochimaru made his move, seizing the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and pulling him up to the rooftop.
"Four Violet Flames Formation!"
The four Sound ninja formed a barrier, trapping Orochimaru and Hiruzen within, cutting them off from the rest of the arena. The ANBU operatives who attempted to break through the barrier were instantly repelled, their bodies disintegrating on contact.
"Orochimaru... must it come to this?" Hiruzen's voice held a note of sorrow as he faced his former student.
"Hahaha! This was inevitable, Sarutobi-sensei," Orochimaru sneered, his tongue flicking out to lick the blade of the Kusanagi sword he had drawn from his mouth. "Today, I will destroy everything you cherish!"
"Is that so?" Hiruzen's eyes, though aged, hardened with resolve. "I won't repeat the mistakes of the past, Orochimaru. This time, I'll correct my failure with my own hands!"
He cast aside his Hokage robes, revealing his battle armor beneath. Despite his age, Hiruzen's presence radiated power and determination.
"Then let's see if you have the strength to back that up, Sarutobi-sensei. Today, I have a few surprises for you!" Orochimaru grinned wickedly, casting a glance at Menma below. His eyes gleamed with malice.
Hiruzen followed Orochimaru's gaze, confusion flashing across his face for a brief moment.
"Reanimation Jutsu!" Orochimaru declared, clapping his hands together.
From the ground, coffins began to rise. With quick reflexes, Hiruzen managed to suppress the last one, preventing the Fourth Hokage from emerging.
The battle between master and student was about to begin—a fight that would determine Konoha's fate. Meanwhile, Gaara's transformation into Shukaku was nearing completion. Once fully transformed, the destruction would be catastrophic.
Throughout the arena, jōnin like Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai swiftly moved into position. Genin like Shino, Kiba, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Chōji, who had come to watch the matches, were now caught in the crossfire. Under their instructors' guidance, they were tasked with evacuating the nobles and other important spectators.
Kakashi's Sharingan locked onto Baki and the disguised Kabuto Yakushi, both guarding Gaara's sand sphere. Even without fully understanding the situation, Kakashi sensed the danger surrounding Gaara's transformation. It was a key part of the Sand Village's attack.
"Guy, I'll leave this to you!" Kakashi called out.
"Right!" Guy responded, leaping into action.
The jōnin quickly divided the responsibilities. Some remained to fend off the Sound and Sand ninja, while others jumped into the chaos below.
"Betrayal? This alliance was never more than a sham! Today, we of the Hidden Sand will reclaim what's rightfully ours!" Baki snarled, glaring at Genma, Kakashi, and the others approaching.
"What's going on, Genma-sensei? Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked, still bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
"Naruto, fall back and assist with the evacuation. Leave this to us," Kakashi ordered, his Sharingan spinning as it focused on the enemies ahead.
Even Naruto could sense the gravity in Kakashi's voice, something far more serious than anything he'd heard before. For a moment, he hesitated, taking in the sight—Baki, Kabuto, Kankurō, and Temari all wearing hostile expressions. Gaara's sand sphere hovered ominously, and the stadium was descending into chaos.
They're enemies... all of them! Naruto realized.
"No, Kakashi-sensei! I'll help you here! Kiba and the others can handle the evacuation!" Naruto insisted, his face full of determination.
Naruto wasn't the sharpest when it came to details, but he wasn't clueless. Konoha was under attack, and he wasn't about to run away. He would fight alongside his friends, protect his village, and defeat those who threatened it.
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Kakashi was momentarily taken aback by Naruto's words, but after a brief pause, he nodded. Things had changed—this wasn't like before. They were on their own turf now, and Naruto couldn't keep hanging back.
"Alright, but be careful, Naruto," Kakashi said, his gaze serious.
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto responded with a determined nod.
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, Baki and Kabuto Yakushi launched their attack. They both knew that if Gaara completed his transformation into Shukaku, none of the jōnin here could hope to match the power of a tailed beast. Only a Kage-level shinobi would stand a chance against such a force.
"Wind Release: Blade of Wind!" Baki's voice rang out as a razor-sharp gust swept across the battlefield, the air humming with danger.
"Genma, Asuma!" Kakashi barked.
His comrades, Sarutobi Asuma and Shiranui Genma, understood immediately. The three jōnin fanned out, forming a semi-circular formation around their enemies.
The clashing of kunai and weapons echoed in the arena as the jōnin engaged the enemy forces. Not far off, waves of Sand and Sound ninja assaulted the Konoha defenders. This was the heart of the Chūnin Exams arena, but now it had become a critical battleground. Whoever controlled it would hold the advantage in this war.
From his vantage point atop the stands, Menma observed the chaos below. For a moment, he stood still, mirroring the hesitation of Sasuke, Sakura, and Lee. But that brief pause gave Kankurō and Temari, who had been waiting on standby, the chance to rush in and reinforce Baki, shielding Gaara as his transformation progressed.
"Sasuke, Sakura, leave Kakashi-sensei to deal with the heavy hitters. We need to take out the other invaders! There are nobles and dignitaries from all over the world here—we can't let them be harmed!" Menma commanded.
Sasuke and Sakura both nodded, agreeing without question. Lee and Tenten, who had looked uncertain just moments earlier, also fell into line. Their jōnin teachers were busy protecting the unconscious spectators, so they naturally followed Menma's lead.
The group dashed across the arena, taking position near the high platform, preparing to engage the invaders.
"Clang!"
Each of them quickly found their targets and engaged in battle. However, while his teammates were locked in combat, Menma held back, his focus on the fight below—specifically on Kakashi's battle with Baki and the others. That was the key to the Konoha Crush plan.
Time seemed to slow as Menma picked up the growing chakra within Gaara's massive sand cocoon. The chakra fluctuations were becoming dangerously intense.
"Asuma, Genma, Naruto!" Kakashi shouted as he fought.
Asuma clashed with Kabuto, while Kurenai Yuhi fended off multiple Sand and Sound shinobi. Kakashi managed to create a brief opening by engaging Baki and a Suna jōnin leader, their kunai flashing under the sun.
"Now!"
Naruto and Genma leaped into action, charging straight at Gaara's sand sphere.
"Stop them!" Baki's eyes widened in alarm.
He tried to break free, but Kakashi pressed him, not giving an inch. Meanwhile, Kankurō and Temari moved to intercept Naruto and Genma, fully aware that Shiranui Genma was a highly skilled jōnin.
"Naruto, I'll handle these two. Focus on that sand sphere! Remember, this is war. These are our enemies—don't hold back!" Genma urged, drawing Kankurō and Temari away with a swift strike.
"Got it, Genma-sensei!" Naruto's eyes filled with determination.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Dozens of Naruto clones sprang into existence as he gathered chakra in his hand.
"Rasengan!"
The blue orb of energy crackled with power as Naruto leaped high above Gaara's cocoon.
"No!" Baki, Kankurō, and Temari shouted in unison, their faces filled with alarm.
Just as Naruto was about to slam the Rasengan into the sand sphere, a blood-red blur shot toward him with blinding speed.
"What!?" Naruto's eyes widened in shock as he was struck hard in the stomach, his Rasengan fizzling out before he was sent crashing to the ground.
"Thud!"
Dust rose as Naruto hit the ground, groaning in pain. The sudden turn of events drew the attention of everyone nearby. Kakashi, Genma, Asuma, and even the enemy jōnin stopped for a moment, their eyes locked on the figure standing before Gaara.
Naruto, struggling to get up, stared in disbelief at his attacker. His eyes widened as he recognized the figure cloaked in crimson chakra.
"Menma!? Why!?" Naruto's voice was filled with shock and confusion.
Menma, his body shrouded in the malicious chakra of the Nine-Tails, stared coldly at Naruto, his expression void of emotion.
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