Outside Konoha, a group of Otogakure ninja were closing in.
The ninja forces inside Konohagakure had already begun enforcing a state of emergency. Of course, the patrol units on the outer walls were excluded. Those unlucky souls had been abandoned to distract the enemy, and still had no idea that Konoha might soon face a crisis.
"Ah! Another beautiful day!"
Ninja A said. The sun shone brightly in the sky, and white clouds drifted lazily overhead. Even his mood had grown lazy.
"Yeah, the weather's especially nice today. Too bad we can't go enjoy the excitement of the Chunin Ninja Exams in the village."
Ninja B looked toward a certain part of Konohagakure, imagining all the excitement there.
Suddenly, a thunderous crash sounded, and a gigantic Giant Snake appeared beside the wall.
The Giant Snake smashed straight through Konoha's walls. The tall walls crumbled like paper, and the enormous Giant Snake rampaged through the village like a monster charging into a land of tiny people. The Kunai, Shuriken, and even Explosive Tags the ninja threw at it couldn't hurt it at all. Instead, the Giant Snake slaughtered them in droves, while Otogakure and Sunagakure ninja poured in behind it. Countless patrol ninja perished.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was still peeping on girls taking a bath...
At the Chunin Ninja Exams, Naruto had once again caused an upset by defeating Neji. Shikamaru had gone easy on his wife, and Sasuke was now locked in a bloody battle with Gaara.
Suddenly, white feathers drifted down from the sky, and all the spectators fell asleep.
The Kazekage's guards also began their attack. The Kazekage even affectionately put an arm around the Third Hokage's neck and leaped onto the roof to enjoy the view.
Next, the Sound Four set up the Four Violet Flames Formation on the roof. A purple, cubic barrier appeared, protecting the "date" between the Kazekage and the Third Hokage.
"I'm going to save Hokage-sama!"
Qinglong shouted as he leaped onto the rooftop and charged toward the Hokage. As soon as he arrived, he saw an Anbu Ninja crash into the Four Violet Flames Formation and fall away, burned.
The three remaining Anbu Ninja knelt before the Four Violet Flames Formation, their expressions grave.
"A barrier?"
Then they simply crouched there and watched.
Qinglong arrived and crouched down to watch, too. Several Anbu Ninja nearby glanced over at him, and the two sides exchanged looks. They both looked a little strange, then silently turned their attention back to the Third Hokage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
"Go, Hokage-sama!"
Qinglong raised an arm and shouted, cheering on the Third Hokage.
The Kazekage looked at the Third Hokage and said with a smile,
"Teacher Hiruzen, you really do have quite a reputation in Konoha! You must have fooled plenty of people with the Will of Fire."
The Kazekage had already admitted that he was Orochimaru, and was now openly mocking the Third Hokage.
"I've devoted my entire life to Konoha!"
The Third Hokage said with a cold snort.
Orochimaru laughed at that. He understood the Third Hokage all too well, and he knew Konoha's leaders, too—those people he both loved and hated!
Orochimaru revealed his true face and stabbed himself hard. He had let the Third Hokage go. The blood streaming from his hand showed his resolve to fight the Third Hokage with all his might!
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was still peeping on girls taking a bath...
All right, Jiraiya had already realized something was wrong. Even the girls had been frightened into going inside to get dressed.
"What kind of bastard dares to ruin my fun!"
Jiraiya stood up in a fury. Looking at the distant Giant Snake, he couldn't help thinking of his former teammate—Orochimaru. His brow furrowed, and he charged toward the Giant Snake.
The three Anbu Ninja saw Qinglong cheering on the Third Hokage. They hesitated for a moment, then raised their hands and shouted, too.
"Go, Hokage-sama!"
"Go, Hokage-sama!"
"Ahahaha!"
Orochimaru tossed aside the Kazekage's hat, and his long, silky hair spilled down. What a Snake Aunt vibe!
"Cheering for the Hokage, are you? Then let's have a true battle between teacher and student!"
"Hmm!"
The Third Hokage gave a cold laugh and quickly formed Hand Seals.
"Ninja Art: Shuriken!"
"Heh, Shadow Snake Hand!"
Orochimaru began to fight back, and the two clashed fiercely inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
Outside the Four Violet Flames Formation, Qinglong watched with great interest. A close-up, risk-free, 3D view of a Kage Level battle in the ninja world—who could pass that up?
If only someone would put a frame around the Four Violet Flames Formation, it'd be just like a giant TV! Too bad there weren't any sunflower seeds.
The Anbu Captain gave Qinglong a strange look. Qinglong quickly wiped the snack-eating expression off his face, glared back with a stern expression, then raised his hand and shouted again.
"Go, Third Hokage-sama! Ganbatte!"
The Anbu Captain wordlessly turned back to the Third Hokage's battle.
As the fight went on, both of them removed their ninja robes, entering their optimal combat state. A powerful aura erupted from them, and the tiles beneath their feet cracked. Countless tile fragments rose into the air!
Holy crap! These two could actually use a basic power-up!
Qinglong's eyes widened. It was rare to see such an incredible battle up close!
Too bad there weren't any sunflower seeds...
The Anbu Captain looked at Qinglong, opening and closing his mouth as if he wanted to say something. In the end, he swallowed his words.
Before you continue