Invading Konoha

At the same moment the tailed beast within Gaara teetered on the verge of losing control, Orochimaru's meticulously laid scheme also began to stir silently.

White feathers drifted down from the sky like snowflakes, carrying a powerful hypnotic Genjutsu. None of the ordinary spectators present escaped; one by one, they sank into deep slumber.

Kankuro and Temari, their hearts tied to Gaara's safety, hurried to the arena alongside their teacher. There they found Gaara already standing on the precipice of berserk rampage—the situation was dire.

Meanwhile, four ninja from Otogakure appeared soundlessly around the Hokage's viewing platform.

East: Sakon

North: Tayuya

West: Kidomaru

South: Jirobo

They swiftly formed hand seals and activated a powerful barrier technique—the Four Violet Flames Formation—enveloping the entire Hokage viewing platform within the barrier.

And Orochimaru, who had been disguised as the Kazekage all along, no longer bothered to hide. He appeared suddenly from behind the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, one hand pressing a Kunai tight against Hiruzen's throat, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. "Teacher, take a look at the surprise I've prepared for you."

On the outskirts of Konoha, a massive Three-Headed Serpent soared into view, unleashing a deafening roar as it launched a violent assault on the village.

At the same time, roughly a hundred Sand Shinobi and some Sound Ninja took advantage of the chaos to break into Konoha's interior, clashing fiercely with the Anbu. The entire village descended into turmoil.

Behind Naruto's sunglasses, six eyes spun rapidly.

Without hesitation, he used a speed akin to instantaneous movement to bring Hinata, Sakura, and the others to Kakashi and Might Guy's side. He said, "Kakashi-sensei, please look after them for now. I'm going to check things out over there." Kakashi started to dissuade him, but remembering Naruto's strength, he finally nodded and cautioned, "Alright. Be careful."

Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and the others watched Naruto with worried expressions. Naruto smiled to reassure them. "Don't worry. I'm invincible." The words had barely left his mouth when his body began to float slowly upward.

This was Naruto's first time showing he could fly. He hadn't wanted to draw too much attention before, but things were already chaotic enough—being flashy or not no longer mattered.

In an instant, Naruto shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring, speeding toward the Hokage's viewing platform.

The moment Kakashi and Might Guy witnessed Naruto rising into the air, both of their eyes flew wide open, filled with disbelief.

In the world of ninja, those who could freely take to the sky were few and far between—almost exclusively limited to the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure alone.

A storm of shock surged through Kakashi's heart. He thought to himself, Naruto... just how much unknown power and how many secrets are you still hiding? This sudden astonishment elevated his estimation of Naruto to yet another new height.

Sakura, Hinata, Ino, and the other genin of the same year were stunned, but soon their eyes sparkled with admiration.

Naruto flying through the sky in that almost godlike manner was not only breathtakingly cool but carried an indescribable sense of impact.

Might Guy, his fists clenched and tears glistening in his eyes, exclaimed in awe, "This is youth! A boy!"

With that, Guy and Kakashi, their blood boiling, joined the battle against the invading ninja.

Naruto flew leisurely above the Hokage's viewing platform, hands in his pockets, his sunglasses low. His gaze, cold and piercing through the lenses, swept over Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru below.

Just then, the Sand Shinobi on the viewing platform raised their Kunai and hurled them like a dense rain of arrows at Naruto in the air.

Yet Naruto didn't move at all. The incoming Kunai, just a few millimeters from his body, suddenly halted midair, suspended as if frozen—a breathtaking sight.

Then, with a flick of his fingertips, he fired several Rasengan with the precision of a pistol. Each one carried devastating destructive power and struck the Sand Shinobi below with unerring accuracy.

These Rasengan were like the scythe of death, instantly reaping the lives of the Sand Shinobi around the Hokage's viewing platform.

When the two men saw Naruto appear in such an overwhelming manner, a flash of shock crossed their faces. But soon, that shock was replaced by very different smiles.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a meaningful smirk, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Naruto-kun, long time no see. You're becoming more and more to my liking."

Naruto raised an eyebrow slightly and replied coolly, "So you're Orochimaru?" During his training with Jiraiya, he had learned some of Konoha's past and the shadow that the name Orochimaru represented. When he described the Effeminate Man's fighting style to Jiraiya, Jiraiya had immediately guessed the man's identity.

Seeing that Naruto recognized him, Orochimaru's smirk widened, a fervent gleam in his eyes. "Naruto-kun, how about considering joining my side? I'll use every means and resource I have to nurture you, to make you stand at the peak of the Ninja World—an unmatched powerhouse!"

But Naruto only cast a cold glance at Orochimaru, as if utterly indifferent to his temptation.