Hanzo, who was trying to escape, was pulled toward them. He watched in terror as he was lifted into the air, the world around him slipping away.
"Bang!"
Deva Path Pain kicked Hanzo to the ground. He crashed through a wall, fell, and spat out a mouthful of blood.
By then, the other Paths of Pain had arrived, following behind Deva Path Pain.
Looking at the group of figures radiating a terrifying aura, Hanzo remembered that the brat from Konoha had said someone would come to kill him. He couldn't remember what he'd done to incur the wrath of such terrifying people. Unwilling to accept it, he demanded, "Who are you people? Why have you invaded my Amegakure?!"
Deva Path Pain stared coldly at Hanzo, the man whose face was seared into his painful memories.
"What, have you already forgotten this face?"
Hanzo looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before him. His pupils suddenly contracted, then his eyes widened.
"H-How is this possible?! You're still alive! I saw you die with my own eyes..."
Hanzo couldn't believe it. He had watched this man die—killed as part of a conspiracy he'd plotted with Danzo of Konoha. How could he possibly have come back to life?
Deva Path Pain looked at the terrified Hanzo and spoke coldly.
"Minato is dead! Now, I'm called Pain!"
He planted a foot on Hanzo. Pain and grief wracked his heart; he mourned Yahiko's death and the injustice of it all.
"Minato actually died at the hands of someone like you. How despicable! Damn it!"
"Then I'll use your blood to bury Yahiko! Hanzo, feel pain!"
"How many floors can you carry a bag of rice up?"
"Ah!!"
A scream rang out through the buildings of Amegakure.
From that day on, Amegakure changed. Years of chaos and war came to an end, and the oppressive yet peaceful era of Pain's rule began.
Meanwhile, in Konohagakure.
The preliminary matches for the third exam had begun. Gekko Hayate, looking ill, was explaining what the third exam entailed.
"Since so many people passed the second exam, there will be a preliminary round. Teams taking part in the Chunin Ninja Exams will compete in one-on-one matches here to determine the strongest. The finalists will then compete in front of the Daimyo and the Kage."
As he spoke, Gekko Hayate coughed several times, looking like he was suffering from severe kidney deficiency. Qinglong watched him onstage and couldn't help worrying.
"Qinglong, this time, I hope I get to fight you!"
Sasuke came over, wincing from the pain in his shoulder. Ignoring Sakura's protests, he spoke to Qinglong.
"What?! Sakura's so worried about you, and you still want to fight?"
Naruto was furious. But Sasuke turned to him as well.
"Naruto, I want to fight you, too!"
Sasuke's mouth curled into a confident smile. It was a sign of respect for Naruto, and of confidence in himself. He wasn't going to back down from a chance to fight a strong opponent!
"Sure! I won't go easy on you if we end up matched!"
Qinglong laughed. Sasuke was always acting like the toughest guy around, only to take the hardest beatings! If they got matched, Qinglong was definitely going to beat him up!
"Me too! Me too! I want to fight you all!"
Naruto joined in.
"Sure!"
Qinglong wasn't afraid of anyone. He wouldn't stop until he knocked that fox tail out of you!
"How could I miss an event like this? The Blue Beast of Konoha, Rock Lee, wants to fight you all, too! This is the very spirit of youthful passion!"
Rock Lee squeezed his way over and struck a pose, his eyes practically blazing with passion.
"If it's Qinglong, count me in, too!"
Neji, usually handsome and reserved, spoke up from the side. If he couldn't escape fate, then he would at least make the most of life within his cage.
Shikamaru came over with Choji, who was engrossed in eating potato chips. Watching this group of battle-hungry people, he shook his head helplessly.
"What is wrong with these people? What a drag."
Hinata and Ino had been a little nervous about the matches, but seeing the boys' camaraderie, they couldn't help smiling.
"Let the matches begin!"
Gekko Hayate announced from the stage. Sasuke's name appeared on the electronic screen.
"Sasuke vs. Akado Yoroi!"
"Don't lose!"
Qinglong called to Sasuke, then turned and headed for the viewing stands.
"I won't lose!" Sasuke said confidently, the corner of his mouth lifting.
On the viewing stand, Qinglong watched the three from Iwagakure approach: Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
The two sides stopped and looked each other in the eye.
"Gaara, I'm looking forward to fighting you!"
After a brief silence, Qinglong spoke.
"Do you want to die?"
Gaara's eyes, ringed by dark circles, blazed with murderous intent as he stared at Qinglong.
That guy had a lot of killing intent, like little Nezha.
"Depends on what you can do. I've been wanting to test out the real Gaara and see just how much stronger he is."
Qinglong couldn't help remembering the knockoff Sand Burial he'd encountered in the Land of Birds. He'd wanted to test the real Gaara's strength for a long time.
"Heh! If you want to fight Gaara, you'll have to get past me first!"
Kankuro stepped forward. He cared about his younger brother, and there was no way he'd stand by while someone challenged Gaara!
"Kankuro, right? You'd better hope you don't get matched against me!"
Qinglong said, looking toward Gaara.
His attitude infuriated Kankuro.
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