Nine days remained until the third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams.
In Konoha, the participating Genin each entered the final stage of their preparations.
Under Kakashi's special training, Sasuke Uchiha continued to adapt to the power of his Sharingan. His movements grew faster and faster, lightning from Chidori flashing across the training ground, each thrust carrying a fierce killing intent. Kakashi stood to the side, his gaze grave—he knew Sasuke was growing far faster than expected, but behind that power lurked an unstable factor.
Neji Hyuga stood in the middle of the Hyuga Clan's training ground, his Byakugan fully activated. The wind from his Gentle Fist strikes traced sharp paths through the air. The Caged Bird Seal was still etched into his forehead, but his gaze was firmer than ever.
Shikamaru Nara lay on a rooftop with a blade of grass between his lips, squinting up at the sky. "What a drag..." he sighed, but his fingers unconsciously toyed with several game pieces, simulating possible battle scenarios.
His father, Shikaku, had once said that the Chunin Ninja Exams were not merely a contest of strength, but a test of strategy as well.
Naruto Uzumaki, meanwhile, was sweating it out on the training ground as usual, his Shadow Clones practicing the Rasengan over and over. Jiraiya occasionally offered guidance from the sidelines, but most of the time he simply watched in silence. "This kid is really giving it everything he's got..." He rubbed his chin, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru had already begun to move in secret.
Disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, he had temporarily left Konoha on the pretext of attending to "Sunagakure's affairs." In truth, he had slipped into a secret hideout on the Land of Fire's border, where he prepared to perform Impure World Reincarnation.
"It's time to let a few 'old friends' come out and stretch their legs." He sneered and formed Hand Seals, and a strange formula appeared on the ground. As he chanted the incantation, three coffins slowly rose—
First Hokage Hashirama Senju
Second Hokage Tobirama Senju
And... a certain unexpected figure
"Hehehe... Tsunade and Jiraiya should be in for quite a surprise, shouldn't they?" A sinister light flickered in Orochimaru's serpentine eyes. "That way, they won't have time to interfere with my plans."
Beneath Konoha, Shimura Danzō's Root was also operating in secret. He stood in a dimly lit room, fingers tapping lightly on his cane, his gaze inscrutable. "Third Hokage... it's time for your era to end."
On the surface, Konoha remained as lively as ever.
Nobles, wealthy merchants, and representatives of ninja villages arrived one after another from across the nations, ready to watch the grand Chunin Ninja Exams. Inside the Hokage building, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted the distinguished guests with a smile.
"Lord Hokage, might we have an early look at the list of participants in this examination?" a richly dressed daimyo asked with a smile.
"Of course." The Third Hokage nodded kindly and gestured for the Anbu to bring over the documents. "But the real excitement won't be revealed until the day of the matches."
Nearby, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura spoke in low voices. "The nations are all watching this examination. There must be no mistakes."
The Third Hokage's gaze darkened slightly, but his smile soon returned. He looked out the window at Konoha, a faint unease in his heart.
"I hope... everything goes smoothly."
Half a month earlier...
In the forest, Fū sat on the branch of a large tree, swinging her legs and counting leaves out of sheer boredom. Seven-Tails Chōmei's Chakra floated around her, and the faint sound of insect wings vibrating echoed through the air.
"Aah, I'm so bored!" She tilted her head back and shouted, startling several birds into flight. "Konoha must be really lively right now! Why can't I just go there?"
Just then, several figures appeared among the trees—ninja from Takigakure. A masked Anbu led them. He bowed slightly, his tone respectful but leaving no room for refusal.
"Lady Fū, there you are."
Fū pouted and folded her arms. "What? Have you come to drag me back again?"
"No, we've come to convey the leader's wishes," the Anbu said gravely. "Konoha is holding the Chunin Ninja Exams right now. Ninja from every nation have gathered there, and security is tight. If you go there rashly, you could not only cause unnecessary misunderstandings, but also bring trouble to Takigakure."
Fū frowned and was about to object when another Takigakure ninja added, "Besides, the leader has already made plans. Once the exams are over, he'll personally take you to Konoha on an official visit. Then you can look around however you like."
"Really?" Fū's eyes lit up, but she quickly stared at them suspiciously. "You're not lying to me again, are you?"
"Of course not," the Anbu said earnestly. "You're Takigakure's Jinchūriki. How could we let you put yourself in danger?"
Fū stared at them for a few seconds, then finally sighed and jumped down from the tree. "All right, all right! But if you dare lie to me, I'll turn the village upside down!"
The Takigakure ninja breathed private sighs of relief and quickly escorted her away.
After they left, a figure quietly emerged from the shadows of the trees nearby—Zetsu of the Akatsuki rose slowly from the ground, a strange smile appearing on his black-and-white face.
"Takigakure's Jinchūriki... what an unexpected find."
Inside the tower in Amegakure, Pain's Rinnegan flickered slightly.
"The Seven-Tails' whereabouts have been confirmed. There's no need to act for now." His deep voice echoed through the empty room. "It won't be too late to make our move after the chaos in Konoha begins."
Konan stood beside him, sheets of paper drifting slowly around her. "Orochimaru's plan... will it really succeed?"
Pain fell silent for a moment, then said coldly, "It doesn't matter. Whatever the outcome, it will be an opportunity for us."
Konoha remained a bustling place.
With the Chunin Ninja Exams drawing near, the streets were packed with visitors and merchants from every nation, while ninja busily maintained order. No one noticed that the real storm was approaching.
And in an unknown corner, Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses, a sinister smile curling his lips.
"Soon... in a few more days, everything will change."
Amegakure was forever shrouded in rain. In the meeting room at the top of the tower, the Magic Lantern Body Technique projected several illusory figures.
"The Six-Tails Jinchuriki's Chakra signature was last detected on the border of the Land of Water." Deva Path Pain's icy voice echoed through the stone chamber. "But Kirigakure's Anbu have sealed off every lead."
Kisame's shark-like teeth appeared and disappeared in the darkness. "Need me to go clean up those little fish?"
"No need." Konan's paper flowers drifted down beside Nagato's real body. "The Three-Tails needs another two years to revive. Acting now would only alert the enemy."
In the dim secret chamber, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's Chakra rods pierced deep into Nagato's emaciated back, and a sickly light flickered in his Rinnegan.
"When the Five Great Nations witness this power..." A violent coughing fit interrupted him, blood dripping down his chin onto his Akatsuki cloak. "They'll understand... true peace requires..."
In the Kamui Dimension, Obito Uchiha ran his hand over the rough rock wall. A White Zetsu Clone emerged from the ground. "Tobi~ Finding the Six-Tails might take a little longer—"
"Shut up." The Mitsudomoe in his Sharingan slowly rotated, reflecting countless visions of Rin on the rock wall. He gently touched one of the apparitions, but the girl's smiling face vanished like a bubble.
"Soon... in this false world..."
In a cavern deep underground, a pitch-black body peeled itself away from a mural. Eyes a thousand years old gazed at a relief of Princess Kaguya on the rock wall, and a hoarse whisper flowed through the cracks in the stone:
"Mother... can you see?"
"These foolish pawns are helping us undo the final seal..."
Kakuzu counted the bounty money that had just come in. "So we're not taking any big jobs for the time being?"
Hidan swung his Triple-Bladed Scythe irritably. "Lord Jashin needs more sacrifices!"
Deidara toyed with a Clay Spider in his palm. "Hmm... guess I can only make some small-scale art, yeah."
Sasori's puppet made the sound of turning gears. "I needed time to modify my new work anyway."
Along the borders of the Five Great Nations, countless White Zetsu Clones lurked within the earth. They spread like plant roots, sending a steady stream of intelligence from the Shinobi World back to Amegakure.
Through the curtain of rain, Konan's paper butterfly flew through a tower window and landed on the back of Nagato's withered hand. He looked out at the never-ending downpour, the coming blood-red full moon reflected in his Rinnegan.
"Just two more years... and this world will find true salvation."