Konoha's Rebellion

Naruto changed his clothes and returned to the spectator seats.

The gazes of the surrounding participants were involuntarily drawn to him, mixed with awe.

This battle far surpassed the level of Genin to Chunin. The visual impact of their fists colliding hard made them resolve to stay far away, never wanting to get close.

Only Gaara's eyes, widened like his brain was convulsing, stared intently at Naruto, despite walking towards the entrance tunnel.

Sasuke felt the distance widen again. After learning Chidori, he thought he had closed the gap, but witnessing this battle made it stretch even further.

His own vision felt like it was retreating into shadows, while Naruto stood bathed in light.

"Try harder to catch up to me."

He watched Naruto walk towards him. Each step felt like it was landing on his chest, making his breathing heavy, even involuntarily wanting to activate his Sharingan.

Yakushi Kabuto still smiled brightly and praised sincerely, "Naruto, you're truly amazing. Fortunately, you weren't scheduled next; otherwise, I think I would have had to forfeit directly."

Hearing the word "forfeit," Sasuke's gaze grew even darker. So, he wouldn't forfeit against him? Was this person truly as strong as Naruto said?

The fourth match began: Gaara versus Shino Aburame.

A battle of bugs and sand. Gaara won without suspense. However, with Naruto's brilliant performance preceding it, his dominant victory seemed rather bland.

Finally, it was the last match of the first round. Yakushi Kabuto invited Sasuke to walk the same passage into the arena, saying he hoped Sasuke would go easy on him and give him a chance to surrender.

But after Naruto's reminder, Sasuke directly jumped off the platform, running down the field by stepping on the high wall, his posture quite dashing.

The two stood facing each other under Gekko Hayate. Yakushi Kabuto looked like a friendly older brother, while Sasuke had already activated his Sharingan.

As the last genius descendant of the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke was highly anticipated. His fame had spread to surrounding countries, and with deliberate promotion, many came specifically to watch.

Almost all the dignitaries bet on Sasuke to win. Even before Naruto's battle, most people believed he could win the championship.

At this moment, as the battle began, Sasuke unexpectedly sprinted rapidly in the opposite direction, from the center to the edge of the field, and even climbed the high wall again.

Chakra condensed in his hand into a visible substance, crackling with electricity.

Then, he swooped down from above. Where he passed, the wall beneath his feet was like plowed earth, leaving a long scar.

The sound of electricity was dense, like the chirping of a flock of birds.

This was Kakashi's original technique, used for "assassination"—Chidori!

It was named for the loud noise it made when activated, resembling the chirping of plovers.

It was also called Raikiri because Kakashi was rumored to have once used it to cut through lightning.

Yakushi Kabuto seemed stunned, not moving from his spot.

Just before contact, Yakushi Kabuto moved, but instead of dodging, he spread his arms and lunged at Sasuke, meeting Chidori with his side.

Shing!

Sasuke's right hand, overflowing with blue lightning, touched his flesh. It pierced through clothes and skin, passing through Yakushi Kabuto with almost no resistance.

The audience immediately erupted in cheers.

"The Uchiha brat is indeed strong!"

"Maybe that Naruto guy isn't a match for the Uchiha either!"

The cheers hadn't lasted when a sudden change occurred. The flesh and blood on Yakushi Kabuto's pierced side rapidly grew back, and his left hand tightly gripped Sasuke's forearm.

His right hand swung quickly, and a sharp chakra surgical knife instantly severed the gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon in Sasuke's lower legs, making it impossible for him to perform tiptoe movements.

Then, he made a horizontal cut at the knee. Sasuke immediately knelt, unable to stand.

Yakushi Kabuto said, with blood in his mouth, "Very impressive, Sasuke. Truly a genius."

Although the flesh and blood on his entire right side were mangled, no vital organs were damaged. Furthermore, he had planned the injured area beforehand and used the medical ninjutsu "Yin Healing Wound Destruction" to treat it in advance.

Although a lot of chakra was consumed, he had ultimately gained control of Sasuke.

The audience booed.

"What a useless Uchiha brat, making me expect so much for nothing."

The Daimyo shouted, "Give us our money back! This is rigged!"

The participant handbook clearly stated that Yakushi Kabuto was an older participant who had repeatedly failed the Chunin Exams.

Now he had instantly defeated Sasuke, clearly indicating that Konoha's data was falsified, manipulating the bets to swindle their money!

Listening to the curses, Sasuke was overcome with pain at his defeat.

But his pain couldn't change the facts. He couldn't move, and the despair of being unable to resist enveloped him deeply. He could only watch everything happen.

At this moment, feathers began to fall from the sky, drifting gently.

The crowd, which had been agitated moments before, began to sway their heads and fall asleep in rows, fainting.

Even the Genin were not spared. Yamanaka Ino and Kiba Inuzuka, among others, fell into a deep sleep without any resistance.

Only Haruno Sakura noticed the Genjutsu. She formed the "Tiger" hand seal, "Release!"

In the arena, Yakushi Kabuto carried Sasuke, preparing to leave the competitive area.

The proctor, Gekko Hayate, naturally wouldn't allow it, drawing his sword to block.

However, as a swirl of sand kicked up, a man with a patterned face, a bandana covering half his face, appeared before him. It was Baki, the Jonin leading the Sunagakure team.

"I'll handle things here." Yakushi Kabuto continued to run outside.

Baki nodded, looking down at Gekko Hayate with arrogance.

After all, the other party was merely a special Jonin talented in only one aspect, while he was a genuine Jonin who met all the requirements.

The promotion of every Jonin required the personal approval of the Kage.

In the spectator stands, Kakashi and Might Guy were about to intervene.

Those who were initially thought to be Konoha Anbu ambushing them actually removed their masks and tore off their black robes, revealing Sound Ninja headbands. Over fifty of them surrounded them.

But Kakashi suddenly exploded into a log; it was a Substitution Technique that had been set up long ago.

His true body emerged from behind a tree in the arena, stepping in front of Baki.

"Thanks to Naruto's reminder, I was able to confirm my target." Kakashi pulled his hands out of his pockets, grabbed a kunai, and pulled down his mask. His three-tomoe Sharingan slowly spun. "Hayate, save Sasuke."

"Understood." Gekko Hayate decisively pursued Yakushi Kabuto, who was carrying Sasuke.

On the grand, multi-layered roof of the arena, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Lord Kazekage, what is the meaning of this?"

Before he could finish speaking, the large flat roof filled with smoke. The guards behind his chair were instantly impaled through the face by four shuriken.

The Kazekage circled around and appeared behind him, holding a shuriken to Hiruzen Sarutobi's neck. "Master, you have indeed grown old."

Four Anbu leaped onto the four corners of the flat roof—east, south, west, and north. "Ninja Art: Four Violet Flames Formation!"

A transparent purple flame barrier rose, forming a barrier.

"So it was you, Orochimaru."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. He had been prepared ever since he learned of Orochimaru's whereabouts, having deployed a large number of personnel both inside and outside the village.

He had never expected the other party to disguise himself as the Kazekage.

"Where is the real Lord Kazekage?"

Orochimaru pulled off the mask and skin together, his sinister face contorted in an ecstatic expression. "Of course, he's leading Sunagakure in an attack on Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and sighed. "I'm afraid he has already met his demise."

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and chuckled. "Teacher, you know me best. Isn't it more convenient to kill someone and replace them than to persuade them?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes sharpened, shattering his Hokage Robe to reveal the samurai armor and helmet from his youth. He turned and spat a stream of fire towards Orochimaru's face.

But it only melted a clump of yellow mud.

A battle between Kage-level shinobi was about to erupt.

Naruto, who had been waiting amidst the chaos for the full picture to unfold, also found his long-awaited opponent—Gaara.