Shikamaru's worldview had shattered as thoroughly as the bear's corpse on the ground.
He had only one thought left: whoever wanted to take the Chūnin Exams could take them. He was done with this.
Being stuck in the same exam site as these monsters was practically asking to die.
Just as Iwagakure had fallen into "internal conflict" because a bit of blood smell had contaminated the barbecue.
On the other side of the Forest of Death, a true feast of slaughter was unfolding.
"Sandstorm Funeral!"
A hoarse, icy roar devoid of any human emotion exploded through the forest.
"Rumble—"
A terrifying sandstorm rose from the ground like a yellow beast crawling out of hell!
Three genin wearing Amegakure forehead protectors did not even have time to scream.
They were instantly enveloped and swallowed by the sand that filled the sky!
"Crack! Crack!"
The bone-grinding sound of skeletons being crushed came from within the sphere of sand.
The next second, the sand dispersed.
Three desiccated corpses twisted like pretzels fell from the air, smashing into the ground and kicking up dust.
"Still... not enough... Mother's blood... not enough..."
A red-haired boy carrying an enormous gourd floated in midair.
Gaara.
His eyes, ringed by heavy dark circles, gleamed with bloodthirsty madness.
The crimson "love" character on his forehead looked as vicious as a bleeding scar.
The thick stench of blood released when the giant bear had been ground into mist had completely stimulated the monster sleeping within him.
One-Tail Shukaku had awakened.
"Gaara! Stop!"
On a nearby tree trunk, Temari and Kankurō had gone pale with terror, their legs trembling uncontrollably.
They stared at their younger brother, who had already partially transformed into a Tailed Beast and no longer recognized anyone, their eyes filled with fear.
"So noisy."
Gaara slowly turned his