Overwhelming Force, Danzo's Wariness

The final arena was ablaze with ninjutsu.

Once the free-for-all began, the entire venue became a battlefield.

With no rules to bind them and no mercy shown, the geniuses of the major ninja villages brought out their hidden trump cards in their fight for Chunin slots. Explosions of ninjutsu, clashes of fists and kicks, low shouts, and muffled groans rang out without end.

Dust filled the sky, chakra fluctuations spilled everywhere, and the scene was utter chaos.

Naruto's countless Shadow Clones spread across the arena, rushing everywhere to support their companions. Relying on sheer numbers to suppress their opponents, he was brimming with energy and utterly fearless.

Sasuke's Sharingan flickered in his eyes as he perceived every movement and opening across the field. He moved like a ghost, seamlessly combining Fire Release and taijutsu. Every strike was precise and ruthless, without the slightest hesitation.

Relying on her monstrous strength, Sakura charged through the field. Every punch and kick carried the force to split mountains and shatter rocks. Her former frailty was nowhere to be seen, intimidating many ill-intentioned ninja from other villages.

The Hidden Sand Village trio worked together flawlessly. Temari swept the battlefield with wide-range Wind Release, Kankuro's puppets launched covert attacks, and although Gaara had regained his senses, sand still guarded him from all sides. He stood coldly in one corner, and no one dared provoke him lightly.

The most conspicuous group on the field was undoubtedly the Four Sound Ninja, who moved as a unit.

All four had activated their Curse Mark states. Black aura coiled around them, their chakra was violent and savage, and both their bodies and presences had visibly changed.

Empowered by the Curse Marks, their speed, strength, and ninjutsu power had all surged to the level of elite jonin.

"Don't split up. Join forces and clear the field!"

Tayuya spoke coldly. Her flute carried hidden genjutsu that spread invisibly, disrupting the minds of many genin in the arena.

Sakon and Ukon moved in an eerie manner and could split apart, ready at any moment to launch sneak attacks or entangle their foes.

Kidomaru used sound to bind his opponents, while Jirobo's body swelled in size, his strength as heavy as a mountain as he bulldozed forward and suppressed everyone head-on.

The four had worked together for years, and with the Curse Mark enhancement, even ordinary jonin might not have been able to withstand them when they joined forces.

Along the way, many weaker genin and talented outsiders simply could not resist the Four Sound Ninja's combined assault. They were severely injured and eliminated one after another, leaving a brutal scene in their wake.

"These Sound ninja are way too ruthless! Every move is meant to kill!"

"They can even transform to boost their strength? What kind of bizarre secret technique is that?"

"That's too overbearing. With all four working together, no one dares challenge them alone!"

Discussion swept through the stands. The way everyone looked at the Four Sound Ninja now held more than a trace of wariness and disgust.

Yet the Four Sound Ninja did not care in the slightest. Their eyes held only cold indifference.

They had never come to compete for Chunin slots. They were merely using the free-for-all to wreak havoc, weaken Konoha's younger generation, and secretly observe the situation while waiting for the right moment for the Konoha Crush Plan.

Cause casualties as quickly as possible and distract Konoha's experts.

As long as we endure this free-for-all until the plan begins tonight, Konoha will surely descend into chaos.

The only one we need to fear is that Uchiha ANBU on the rooftop...

From time to time, the four glanced toward the rooftop from the corners of their eyes. A heavy weight hung over their hearts as they feared that terrifying young powerhouse might suddenly make a move.

In the shadows of a pavilion, Danzo silently watched the Four Sound Ninja's dominant performance below, his expression shifting uncertainly.

"Orochimaru's Curse Mark experiments truly have something unique about them."

"Four chunin, all possessing the combat power of elite jonin. Together, they are enough to throw the entire final round into disorder."

But whenever he thought of Uchiha Mu on the rooftop, Danzo felt another wave of alarm.

No matter how strong the Four Sound Ninja were, they were only powerful by mortal standards.

Compared to that Uchiha youth, who could manipulate space-time, suppress the One-Tail's rampage, and reach the middle stage of the Kage level at such a young age, they were not worth mentioning at all.

"With Uchiha Mu here, Orochimaru's pawns cannot stir up much trouble."

"If he is not eliminated, my future plans to seize the Uchiha's ocular techniques and take control of Konoha will be obstructed."

Danzo's fingertips slowly curled into a fist. A trace of viciousness flashed through his eyes, but he still forcibly suppressed the urge to act.

It was not time yet. He had to endure.

On the rooftop, Uchiha Mu had already taken in everything below.

Watching the Four Sound Ninja rely on their Curse Marks to slaughter freely and throw the arena into chaos without the slightest restraint, the indifference in his eyes gradually turned cold.

"Relying on Orochimaru's forces to infiltrate the exam grounds, killing wantonly and disrupting order..."

"Do you really think Konoha has no one who can stop you from doing as you please?"

Mu stopped watching. With a slight movement, faint ripples spread through the space around him.

There was no need to leap or use Flash Step. The space beneath his feet twisted slightly, and his entire body seemed to turn intangible as he drifted down from the rooftop, walking through the air and descending step by step into the center of the arena.

Dressed in a fitted black ANBU uniform, his face hidden behind a mask, his scarlet Sharingan swept the surroundings coldly. An invisible Kage-level pressure burst forth, instantly blanketing the entire final arena.

In an instant, every fight and slaughter within the arena stopped instinctively.

Everyone halted at once, their gazes fixed tightly on the figure slowly landing before them. Their hearts trembled, and they unconsciously softened their breathing.

That terrifying pressure, which stood above everyone in the arena, filled them with awe and fear from the depths of their hearts.

The Four Sound Ninja stiffened instantly, as though they had fallen into an icy abyss. Their faces turned deathly pale.

He was here...

He had still come down!

Their hearts pounded wildly. The savage confidence brought by their Curse Marks vanished in that instant, leaving behind only bone-deep chill and panic.

Uchiha Mu's gaze fell lightly upon the four. His voice was not loud, yet it reached every ear with perfect clarity.

"In the Chunin Exams, competing through strength is fine. Even fighting ruthlessly is acceptable."

"But using the free-for-all to slaughter wantonly and disrupt Konoha's exam grounds... you have gone too far."

Tayuya forced down the fear in her heart and spoke coldly through gritted teeth. "We're just fighting normally in the competition. What right does Konoha's ANBU have to interfere?"

"Fighting normally?"

A cold curve touched Mu's lips.

"Striking to kill at every turn, deliberately creating chaos, harboring ulterior motives... you call that a normal competition?"

"Orochimaru's pawns dare run wild on Konoha's soil?"

With that single sentence, he exposed their true nature. The Four Sound Ninja's expressions changed drastically, and panic completely seized their hearts.

He had seen through their identities and purpose at a glance!

"Since you refuse to behave, there is no need for you to remain in the arena."

Mu could not be bothered to waste any more words. His figure suddenly moved.

He activated the initial mastery of the Eight Gates. His physical speed erupted to its limit, then overlapped with Spacetime Flash Step. In an instant, he became a black shadow, weaving between the four before they could react.

There was no flashy ninjutsu, nor any strange ocular technique.

Using only pure taijutsu, coupled with the terrifying explosive power of all Eight Gates opened, every raised hand carried fierce palm force, while leg shadows flashed through the air.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Four muffled impacts rang out almost simultaneously.

The Four Sound Ninja did not even have a chance to form hand seals or use their Curse Mark secret techniques before Mu precisely struck their chakra pathways, scattering their chakra. The strength throughout their bodies was instantly sealed, and their Curse Mark states forcibly collapsed.

Like kites with cut strings, the four were sent flying together and crashed heavily at the edge of the arena. Their bodies were wracked with pain, their chakra was in disarray, and they could no longer muster even a shred of combat power.

One move. Just one move.

All four Curse Mark Sound ninja, each with the combat power of an elite jonin, had been instantly defeated without any ability to fight back.

The entire arena fell silent.

Everyone stared with wide eyes, their faces blank. No words could describe the shock in their hearts.

Was this the true strength of that ANBU powerhouse?

Even his taijutsu was this terrifying. He utterly crushed those of the same level and crushed every genius present!

Naruto's mouth hung open, his eyes filled with shock and admiration.

Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply, while the competitive fire and gravity in his heart grew even stronger.

Inside the pavilion, Danzo's lone eye stared fixedly at the figure in the arena. Stormy waves surged within his heart, and his wariness rose to its peak.