Death of the Kazekage

Back then, Uchiha Sasuke walked with both hands in his pockets, looking casual while carefully observing every ninja who passed by.

"Don't be fooled by appearances. These people are all our competitors, and they might even become our enemies."

His words made Naruto and Sakura Haruno fall silent for a moment.

Indeed, beneath the surface prosperity, undercurrents were already stirring.

Though the ninja of various nations exchanged polite greetings, their eyes concealed scrutiny and calculation.

Behind the merchants' enthusiastic hospitality lay the gathering and selling of intelligence.

Even Konoha's ordinary villagers carried a trace of vigilance amid their curiosity.

"Don't be so serious."

Kakashi patted Sasuke's shoulder. "This is also a great chance for Konoha to display its strength."

"Look over there." Following Kakashi's gaze, they saw the Third Hokage standing on the balcony of the Hokage Building, looking down over the entire village.

Behind him, ANBU ninja stood quietly at attention. Konoha's security had clearly been strengthened, and Chūnin patrol squads could be seen from time to time in the streets.

"As one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Konoha has both the ability and the responsibility to host such a grand event."

Kakashi's voice carried a note of pride.

"You three had better perform well!"

Naruto puffed out his chest.

"Of course! I'll let everyone see how amazing Konoha ninja are!"

"Big White Whip!"

Just then, a commotion came from the end of the street. A group of strangely dressed ninja was slowly approaching.

They wore Mist Village forehead protectors. They were tall and powerfully built, their eyes glinting with wildness.

"People from the Mist Village," Sasuke murmured.

"I heard they're skilled in Water Release and swordsmanship?"

The leading Mist Village ninja seemed to sense their stares and swept a sharp glance toward them.

The instant his gaze met Sasuke's, invisible sparks seemed to burst through the air. Sakura unconsciously took half a step back.

"Hmph!"

"What a powerful sense of oppression!"

Naruto, however, waved excitedly. "Hey, are you here to take the exams too?"

The Mist Village ninja froze for a moment, then revealed a wild grin.

"Konoha brats, I hope you won't cry during the exams!"

"What did you say?"

Naruto rolled up his sleeves and was about to rush forward, but Kakashi grabbed him.

"Save your energy. The exams haven't even started yet."

Kakashi spoke helplessly, then nodded politely to the Mist Village team leader.

"Welcome to Konoha!"

The Mist Village ninja left with laughter, drawing even more curious looks.

As the sun climbed higher, both Konoha's temperature and liveliness rose. The training grounds were packed with genin warming up. Some practiced shuriken techniques, some formed hand seals and used ninjutsu, while others sparred in taijutsu.

"We should go register first."

Sakura said with a smile.

The three headed toward the Chūnin Exams registration area. Along the way, they passed through Konoha's central plaza, where a temporary stage had been built. Performers were presenting a traditional ninja play about the First Hokage founding Konoha.

Ninja from every country sat among the audience. Some watched attentively, some looked on with disdain, and others observed in secret.

A long line stood outside the registration area. There were Sand Village puppet masters, Mist Village Water Release specialists, and Stone Village Earth Release experts. Every one of them wore an expression of confidence, as though victory were already in hand.

"Names."

The registering chūnin asked without raising his head.

"Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura."

Only then did the chūnin look up at the three. "Oh, Kakashi's team? Good luck."

After registering, the three walked back toward the training grounds.

Naruto suddenly stopped and looked around. Every street in Konoha was packed with people. Different languages intertwined with the sounds of ninja tools clashing, merchants calling out their wares, and ninja talking among themselves.

"Hey, Sasuke!"

"Sakura!"

Naruto grew unusually serious.

"Our Konoha really is amazing, isn't it?"

Sasuke gave a soft snort but did not argue.

Sakura smiled and nodded. "Of course it is. Being born and growing up here is truly wonderful."

At the distant Hokage Building, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, held an old pipe between his teeth as he looked over the vibrant ninja capital. Beside him, Hokage advisor Koharu Utatane said quietly, "Every side has sent out their elite for these exams. Sand Village's Kazekage has also accepted the invitation."

"He will come personally to watch. Konoha will show the dignity it deserves."

The Third Hokage spoke calmly. "Let the world see what a true great ninja village is."

The scorching sun of the Death Desert baked every grain of sand. Dust storms swept through the region year-round. Kazekage Rasa and his guards were traveling through this land on their way to Konoha to observe the Chūnin Exams.

Fei Yun and Orochimaru stood within a concealed barrier, seemingly waiting for something.

"Fei Yun, are you really not going to make a move?"

"Taking down the Kazekage is an important part of the Konoha Crush Plan."

Orochimaru asked again, puzzled.

He could not understand it. Hadn't Fei Yun always loved fighting?

How could he pass up such a rare opportunity to fight the Kazekage?

"Not interested!"

Though Fei Yun said that, his face was full of anticipation.

He was not making a move simply because he was curious about how the Fourth Kazekage had died.

It was an unsolved mystery.

Yakushi Kabuto pushed up his glasses, their lenses flashing with cold light.

"The four are ready."

"Kimimaro, how are things on your end?"

A muffled reply came from beneath the sand.

"I can strike at any time."

Orochimaru's eyes suddenly narrowed.

"The prey is here!"

When Rasa led his guards into the canyon, a purple curtain of light shot into the sky. At the same time, the Sand Village guards instantly collapsed. It was a truly efficient cleanup.

Orochimaru emerged from the shadows, his golden pupils fixed on the wary Rasa. Gold Dust had already formed a swirling vortex around the Kazekage.

"Orochimaru, what is the meaning of this?"

Rasa's gaze was icy. He knew clearly that Orochimaru truly intended to carry out the plan to destroy Konoha, which was why he had trusted him and chosen to cooperate.

To ensure the joint plan went smoothly, Rasa had even truthfully revealed his itinerary. Yet he could not understand why Orochimaru, who shared both an enemy and a goal with him, had turned against him and betrayed Sand Village.

"You no longer intend to attack Konoha?"

Orochimaru chuckled. "The Konoha Crush Plan will proceed as scheduled. Root and Sand Village will continue working together, but all of you must obey my orders."

Rasa's eyes turned cold. "You think you can kill me by yourself?"

Orochimaru showed an amused smile. "You underestimate me too much!"

"Summoning Jutsu: Edo Tensei!" Two coffins rose from the ground, and their lids flew open with a boom.

"Karura! Kankurō!"

Rasa's once-calm expression changed drastically, as though he had seen the most unbelievable thing in the world.

They were his wife and child, dead for many years. Kabuto keenly noticed that Rasa's Gold Dust defense had stalled for an instant. That was enough for a top-tier ninja to spot an opening.

"Karura... Kankurō..." Rasa repeated in a trembling voice.

This iron-blooded Kazekage now looked like a lost child. Kabuto had silently moved into the best position.

His hands gathered chakra, and the Chakra Scalpel slashed down. Rasa dodged in a flash.

"As expected of the Kazekage."

"It really won't be that easy!"

However, beneath the sand, Kimimaro's chakra began to stir. Countless massive bone spikes burst forth and surrounded Rasa, forcing him to hastily mobilize Gold Dust for defense.

But in a battle between top experts, even a brief instant could decide victory or defeat.

That momentary lapse had already caused Rasa to lose the initiative. The giant bone spikes drove him into danger, and Kabuto seized the chance to sever two muscle tendons on his body.

"Dad, run!"

Edo Tensei Kankurō let out a sorrowful cry and launched Wind Release, while his mother Karura released a Sand Binding Coffin through tearful eyes.

Rasa's Gold Dust defense visibly hesitated. He dodged his son's attack without the heart to strike them, exposing an opening at his rear right.

"Now!"

At Kabuto's command, the sand suddenly exploded.

Kimimaro shot out like a white bolt of lightning, the bones all over his body protruding outward to form a savage suit of armor.

"Dance of the Young Ferns!" Countless bone spikes erupted from the ground, forcing Rasa into the air. At the same instant, Kabuto leaped up, his Chakra Scalpel precisely cutting toward the chakra pathways in Rasa's wrist.

Rasa grunted, and the chakra flow in his right hand visibly slowed. But he was still the Kazekage. With a sweep of his left hand, Gold Dust surged like a tidal wave toward the terrifying humanoid killing machine.

"Kimimaro, Earth Release!" Kabuto quickly formed hand seals to defend, shouting to Kimimaro at the same time.

It was obvious that Kimimaro was the main force in this battle.

Kimimaro did not answer. His skin had already begun to redden as the Blood Disease flared up.

Yet he continued launching attacks in his strongest form without hesitation.

"Bracken Dance!"

Massive bone pillars rose from the ground and temporarily trapped Rasa.

At the same time, Edo Tensei Karura and Kankurō attacked again, forcing Rasa to divide his attention.

Whenever Rasa faced attacks from his wife and child, he fell into disarray. The high-concentration Gold Dust Gourd at his waist had already been taken by his wife. It was both his strongest weapon and his strongest defense.

"Kimimaro, your condition..." Kabuto frowned as he looked at the blood seeping from his companion's lips.

"It doesn't matter."

Kimimaro wiped away the blood, his long white hair whipping wildly in the wind.

"For Lord Orochimaru." Kimimaro pressed his hands together, veins bulging across his forehead as he remained in Stage Two and his strongest Bloodline Limit state.

But Kabuto knew that every use of this form only accelerated Kimimaro's death.

"Go!" Kabuto injected a prepared cardiotonic into Kimimaro's neck.

Kimimaro launched forward like a cannonball, his bone wings tearing through the air with a shriek.

Rasa had only just escaped the bone prison when a barrage of bone spears came at him head-on.

"Magnet Release!"

"Gold Dust!" Gold Dust surged into a thick wall, but Kimimaro's bone spears pierced through it inch by inch.

"Useless!"

Kimimaro's voice twisted with pain.

"My bones are harder than diamonds!"

"Damn it!"

"If not for my Gold Dust Gourd being taken away..." Rasa had no choice but to devote more chakra to maintaining his defense, falling straight into the trap.

Edo Tensei Karura launched Sand Binding Coffin from behind, temporarily restraining the Kazekage's movements.

"Now!"

"Good job!"

Orochimaru watched the hunt from the side with enjoyment.

Forming a seal with two fingers, he commanded Edo Tensei Kankurō to pounce on Rasa at once.

Rasa erupted with powerful chakra, shaking off Karura's Sand Binding Coffin.

Yet his Gold Dust halted its attack because his son was standing before him.

Kimimaro seized that fleeting chance.

"Ten-Finger Bullet!" Ten finger bones shot out like bullets, piercing through Rasa's limbs.

Kazekage Rasa staggered, but did not fall.

Kimimaro panted, blood constantly spilling from the corner of his mouth.

He had already reached his limit, but the fervor in his eyes had not diminished in the slightest.

"The final blow, for Lord Orochimaru!"

He pulled out his own spine and turned it into a pale spear.

"Dead Bone Pulse: Clematis Dance!"

The spear pierced through Rasa's chest, but the Kazekage twisted aside at the last moment and avoided his heart.

Gold Dust wrapped around Kimimaro's body like a living creature and began crushing his ribs. The sound of bones breaking was clearly audible, yet he actually smiled. "You fell for it!"

Kabuto's Chakra Scalpel stabbed upward from underground, precisely severing Rasa's ankle.

"Your swordsmanship."

The instant the Kazekage fell to his knees, Orochimaru finally moved. His Kusanagi Sword shot from his mouth like a venomous snake, striking straight for Rasa's heart.

At the critical moment, Rasa's eyes sharpened. Gold Dust formed a thin wall to block it, but Kimimaro used his last bit of strength to drive the bone blade of his arm through a gap in the Gold Dust defense.

When the blade pierced Rasa's heart, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes in delight. Rasa's pupils contracted, but his gaze remained fixed on his controlled wife and child.

"Orochimaru, we have no grudge between us. Why... why would you do something like this?"