Just as the sheets of white feathers drifted down and the spectators in the stands collapsed into sleep in waves—
"Enemy attack! It's a large-scale Genjutsu!"
"Move according to the plan!"
Accompanied by several sharp, urgent shouts, the Konoha Anbu and Root ninjas who had long been lying in wait in the shadows appeared at once.
Moving swiftly, they immediately dispelled the effects of the Genjutsu on themselves.
The Anbu captain at the front issued orders at a rapid pace. "First squad, follow me to the Central Tower and protect Lord Hokage! Root, you are responsible for ensuring the safety of the Daimyo and the nobles of every nation. There must be no mistakes!"
At the command, the shadows on site immediately split into two groups.
On the Anbu side—
Several of the strongest Anbu leapt up without hesitation, shooting straight toward the highest viewing tower.
However, the moment they took to the air, the two Sunagakure guards who had been standing behind the "Fourth Kazekage" moved as well.
They attempted to intercept them midair.
But their movements were far too slow before Konoha's elite Anbu. With a flash of cold light, the two Sunagakure guards did not even have time to scream.
They fell from the air like puppets with their strings cut, devoid of life.
Meanwhile, another group of Root ninjas whom Mitokado Homura had secretly deployed beforehand surged toward the viewing seats of the nobles and the Daimyo.
They swiftly placed the sleeping Daimyo of the Land of Fire and the other nobles under layers of protection, warily watching the chaos around them without taking any further action.
Only seconds before the Genjutsu was activated and the Anbu and Root ninjas appeared to take action, a drastic change had also occurred atop the highest Central Tower.
The