The sun rose, generously pouring its light over Konoha. The clamor of voices drifted from the Central Arena, surging like boiling waves. The feudal lords and nobles of various nations had already taken their seats, while ordinary villagers packed the stands. The air brimmed with festive excitement and anticipation.
Ling carefully tucked a specially made Kunai engraved with the Flying Thunder God Formula into the inner pocket of Naruto's clothes, then ruffled his blond hair. "Stick with Kakashi. Don't go running off, understand?"
Naruto nodded vigorously, his blue eyes shining. "Don't worry, big brother! I'll definitely win! Just watch what all my training has done!"
Ling looked at his energetic younger brother, the corner of his mouth lifting almost imperceptibly. Then he turned and headed toward the competitors' entrance, his silhouette stretching long in the sunlight.
The atmosphere inside the arena was electric. Gekko Hayate stood in the center of the field and announced the first match:
Uzumaki Naruto vs. Hyuga Neji
At the highest point of the stands, the Third Hokage sat beside the Kazekage (Orochimaru in disguise), chatting amiably. Ling sat in the designated special observation seat near the field, with an unobstructed view. His calm gaze swept across the arena as his senses spread silently like an invisible web. He "saw" the Sunagakure and Sound Ninja hidden among the spectators, the Dawn Wind members quietly taking their places throughout the stands, and even sensed the cold, secretive chakra of Danzo deep underground.
Everything was in place.
Down on the field, the battle had already begun. Neji's Byakugan locked onto Naruto, and his Gentle Fist stance radiated a chilling pressure. He discoursed on so-called "destiny" and "failures," each word like a sharp blade.
At first, Naruto was completely unable to fight back. His chakra points were blocked, and he was in a sorry state. But he kept getting back up, his gaze stubborn.
"Quit going on and on like you know everything!" Naruto wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shouted, "You keep saying destiny can't be changed... I don't believe that! Because someone told me I'm a man who can become Hokage!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly across the arena. Ling, watching from the stands, shifted his gaze slightly.
The battle suddenly turned around. Naruto used Shadow Clones to feint, while his real self launched a surprise attack from underground, landing a powerful uppercut on Neji's chin!
Neji fell to the ground. As he looked up at Naruto, battered but bright-eyed, the boy's words about a "failure" defeating a genius echoed in his ears. For the first time, cracks appeared in the rigid worldview that had been bound by the Caged Bird.
"The winner is Uzumaki Naruto!"
The entire arena erupted in astonished cries, followed by thunderous applause. Naruto raised both arms, savoring his moment.
Ling watched the small figure in the arena, who seemed to shine, and felt something quietly settle in his heart. That was Naruto—always capable of creating miracles.
The next few matches passed without incident. Temari easily defeated Shikamaru with her fan and his overconfidence; Kankuro won by default when his opponent forfeited. Shikamaru's battle against Kin Tsuchi of the Sound Ninja was a contest of wits. In the end, Shikamaru won through sheer intelligence, but withdrew from the next round after running out of chakra. Aburame Shino also defeated his opponent with ease.
At last, the electronic screen stopped on the most anticipated—and most unsettling—match:
Uchiha Sasuke vs. Gaara
But as one minute after another passed, Sasuke still hadn't appeared. The crowd began to stir, and the grumbling grew louder.
Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, let out a low, mocking laugh. "It seems Konoha's ninja aren't much to speak of after all. Can't even arrive on time?"
The Third Hokage's expression darkened.
Just as Gekko Hayate was about to declare Sasuke's forfeit—
"Whoosh!"
A streak of blue lightning tore across the sky above the arena! Accompanied by the piercing, chirping roar of Chidori, Uchiha Sasuke landed squarely in the center of the field with dazzling force!
He wore a black, high-collared short-sleeved shirt, and his gaze was sharper than ever. A restrained power seemed ready to explode from within him. Kakashi stood at the edge of the stands, his expression complicated beneath his mask.
The match began!
Sasuke was astonishingly fast! He had copied Rock Lee's Taijutsu with his Sharingan, his movements leaving afterimages as he unleashed a storm of attacks that immediately overwhelmed Gaara! Even the sand's absolute defense struggled to keep up with his speed!
"So fast!"
"Is this the power of the Uchiha?"
Cries of astonishment rose from every side.
Ling's gaze grew slightly more serious. He could see more clearly: Sasuke's chakra was churning abnormally, and the Cursed Seal on his neck flickered into view. He was pushing himself too hard, forcing his power to surge.
Gaara was driven back again and again, his Armor of Sand repeatedly shattered. Kankuro and Temari watched anxiously from the stands.
"Enough... enough!" Gaara clutched his head and let out a pained howl. Shukaku's chakra began leaking out of control, mixing with the sand in dark red streaks. A terrifying presence began to spread.
Now!
A triumphant, sinister grin flashed across Orochimaru's eyes as he stood abruptly, still disguised as the Kazekage!
Almost simultaneously, countless colorful feathers drifted down throughout the stands—Temple of Nirvana Technique! Ordinary spectators and some Genin instantly fell asleep!
"Move!" Orochimaru (the Kazekage) ordered!
"BOOM!!!"
The Four Violet Flames Formation sprang up, trapping the Third Hokage and Orochimaru inside the barrier on the rooftop!
The Sunagakure and Sound Ninja who had been lying in wait tore off their disguises and charged toward the Konoha Ninja around them, shouting. The enormous summoning beast Manda and Rasa, formed from a vast quantity of sand, appeared at the edge of the village and began wreaking havoc!
The Konoha Crush Plan had officially begun!
The arena erupted into chaos! Baki led the Sunagakure elite straight toward the center of the field, targeting Gaara, who was on the verge of losing control, and Uchiha Sasuke!
"Protect the Jinchūriki!"
"Stop them!"
Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and the other Konoha Jonin rushed to meet them!
But Baki had a clear objective. He bypassed Kakashi and sent a wind blade straight at Sasuke, who was trying to hold Gaara back!
At that critical moment—
"Shikotsumyaku: Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"
A barrage of bone bullets flew in like a downpour, intercepting Baki's wind blade with pinpoint accuracy and scattering it!
A white figure appeared at the edge of the field like a ghost, standing between Baki and Sasuke. Kimimaro's eyes were cold, and a chilling aura of murderous intent radiated from him.
"Your opponent is me," he said calmly.
Baki's pupils contracted. "The Kaguya Clan?!"
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Shukaku could no longer be suppressed inside Gaara. Sand poured out wildly, forming a gigantic Shukaku head that let out a deafening roar! Terrifying Tailed Beast Chakra swept across the entire arena!
"Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"
Countless ice mirrors formed in an instant, surrounding Shukaku and slowing the flow of sand. Haku's figure darted among the mirrors as he formed Hand Seals, his expression grave.
Chaos, slaughter, the roar of a Tailed Beast... In an instant, all of Konoha had become a hell of blood and fire.
Ling slowly rose from his special observation seat, the chaos reflected in his dark eyes. He casually rolled his wrists.
It was his turn to enter the fray.
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