Boom!
The thick stone wall around the Arena.
A violent explosion blasted a huge breach through it.
Chunks of stone and shattered tiles swept into the stands amid billowing black smoke.
"Ptoo! Ptoo! Ptoo!"
Naruto had barely climbed out of the muddy water when the dust hit him, filling his mouth with a scorched stench.
He covered his ears. They rang incessantly, and he even felt a trickle of warm liquid flow out.
Blood.
The explosion had partially ruptured his eardrums.
"Naruto! Sasuke! Are you all right?"
Sakura screamed nearby, her pink hair coated in lime dust.
Flying stones had torn a large hole in her red cheongsam, and her thighs were smeared with black mud.
The ordinary spectators and Genin in the stands scattered in panic, screaming and crying after the sudden explosion.
Trampling. Shoving.
Tomatoes rolled across the ground from a woman's crushed shopping basket.
Spilled egg yolks smeared across the lime-covered ground, giving off a sickening, eggy smell.
"They're attacking! The Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja are attacking!"
"Run!"
Inside the hall, sparks from clashing metal flickered in the sickly green firelight.
But up on the highest platform, where the Hokage watched the proceedings.
An even more shocking turn of events unfolded.
The "Fourth Kazekage," who had been sitting beside Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Suddenly struck the instant the smoke burst outward.
His right hand shot out, holding a specially crafted, razor-sharp kunai.
It was already pressed firmly against the old Third Hokage's neck.
"Lord Kazekage."
The old Third Hokage was forced to lean back slightly, the blade cutting into the skin of his neck.
A thin line of blood trickled down his neck and into his black collar.
Yet his age-spotted face showed little panic.
"What... is the meaning of this?"
"Heh heh heh..."
The Kazekage