Orochimaru

The scorching sun baked the golden sands, the air shimmering and warping from the intense heat.

A nondescript procession was currently traversing this vast desert.

This group was none other than the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, who had just finished negotiations with the Feudal Lord, along with his entourage.

Rasa sat upright within his palanquin, his brows slightly furrowed as if lost in thought.

On the small table before him lay a letter from the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He was weighing whether or not to accept the proposal to co-host the Chunin Exams with Konoha.

Would this exam truly bring value to his village?

"Sigh." Rasa let out a breath, ultimately deciding to write a letter of polite refusal.

However, he remained unaware that a lethal crisis was already closing in.

As the procession reached a massive sandstone canyon, a sudden change occurred!

From both sides of the canyon, countless kunai affixed with explosive tags rained down upon the center of the group like a storm.

"Enemy attack! Protect the Kazekage!"

The accompanying Anbu members reacted with lightning speed, immediately forming hand seals to cast Wind Release or brandishing their weapons to deflect the assault.

With the sound of explosions and the billowing smoke, the scene descended into chaos.

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was the first to charge out.

"Hmph, cowards who hide their heads and tails." Rasa, clad in his Kazekage robes, stood atop a platform of Gold Dust. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, scanned the surroundings.

But as three figures emerged above the canyon, the Fourth Kazekage's pupils couldn't help but constrict.

The leader among them wore a black and yellow robe; his face was pale, marked by distinctive golden slit pupils and purple eyeshadow, giving him a cold and venomous appearance.

This man was none other than...

"Orochimaru! You dare!!!"

"Heh heh... long time no see, Lord Kazekage."

Orochimaru extended his long tongue to lick his lips, his voice raspy and dripping with malice.

"I shall take your life and your identity."

"Summoning Jutsu!"

No sooner had he spoken than he bit his finger and slammed his hand onto the ground.

Poof!

A massive purple python appeared in everyone's field of vision.

It lunged rapidly toward the Sunagakure group, and Rasa hurriedly gathered his Gold Dust to block the python's initial strike.

With a loud crash, Rasa was sent flying back along with his Gold Dust.

Fortunately, he was unharmed, but he could no longer worry about his subordinates; he chose to gather his Gold Dust once more and retreat.

Yet, at that very moment, a voice rang out right beside his ear.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Countless venomous snakes erupted from Orochimaru's sleeves with astonishing speed, instantly binding Rasa's body and sinking their fangs deep into his flesh.

The poison took effect instantly, causing him to tumble from the air.

"Orochimaru, you...! Ah...!"

Rasa struggled to stand, but before he could finish his sentence, Orochimaru pierced his chest with a blade.

Meanwhile, the Anbu were being systematically eliminated by Yakushi Kabuto and Kimimaro.

"Lord Orochimaru, everyone in the vicinity has been cleared."

Yakushi Kabuto and Kimimaro knelt on one knee to report.

"Very good. Now, all that remains is to peel off his face."

"Yes." Yakushi Kabuto drew a scalpel and began to cut into Rasa's face.

Before long, a complete layer of skin was presented before Orochimaru.

"Shōshagan no Jutsu."

Orochimaru applied the skin to his own face. After weaving a few hand seals, the blood-stained mask seemed to come alive, automatically adhering to Orochimaru's originally pale features.

A moment later, the new Fourth Kazekage walked out of the canyon.

He adjusted the Fourth Kazekage robes on his body, looked at the Third Hokage's letter in his hand, and smiled.

"Konoha Crush Plan... step one, complete." The Kazekage whispered to himself, looking toward the direction of Konoha.