The Chūnin Exams Finally Came to an End!

Uchiha Shunichi stepped forward to assess the situation and found that although Gaara had not passed out, he was not much better off.

Simply put, while he was not asleep, he had lost the ability to think. He could be described as staring blankly into space or being dazed.

"Wait, even though we're enemies now, but..." At that moment, worried about Gaara, Temari disregarded her injuries and her own safety as she struggled over to stand before him.

"Don't worry. We won't kill him for the time being. But as a Jinchūriki who has come to another shinobi village, you should know what that means," Uchiha Shunichi said coldly.

He was not one of those protagonists who would release an enormous threat just because a woman pleaded for him. They were still enemies, after all.

Despair surfaced on Temari's face at those words. Although she had known this would be the outcome, she still stepped forward.

After all, he was still her younger brother.

Kankuro, who had been hiding in the shadows for a long time, also emerged and silently stood beside Temari.

Gaara lay on the ground, powerless. He heard the conversation between Temari and Uchiha Shunichi, and he saw Kankuro step forward as well.

At that moment, he could not quite understand why the two people he had always feared would stand up to protect him now.

"Why..." Gaara was confused, yet he also felt a hint of warmth.

However, his voice was too weak for anyone to hear. Still, Kankuro noticed that Gaara had regained consciousness.

"Since you've already guessed Gaara's identity, you should understand what he represents. If he dies here, Sunagakure will launch a war at any cost," Kankuro threatened, though he had no confidence behind his words.

Despite saying that, Kankuro had no real faith in it. The Tailed Beasts were indeed important to Sunagakure, but they were not truly indispensable.

After all, Sunagakure's environment was far too barren. Even without Tailed Beasts, few would covet it.

As for the purpose of the Tailed Beasts, they served more to give Sunagakure the confidence to launch attacks outward. Once that confidence was lost, Sunagakure would be confined to where it was.

"That will be for Sunagakure to decide. But I doubt Konoha needs the One-Tail's power." Uchiha Shunichi would not let them go so easily.

Even if Gaara might lose control now, it was a risk Uchiha Shunichi could bear.

In the end, Uchiha Shunichi did not imprison them, but neither could they escape so easily. Under his watch, they headed toward Konoha.

This was the best result after both sides discussed it. The situation was still unclear, and this matter concerned an entire shinobi village, so no one could make a decision lightly.

"Uchiha Shunichi, you..."

After the group had walked toward the village for a while, they ran into Gekko Hayate. Seeing them traveling together, Gekko Hayate was somewhat bewildered.

"How are things now? Tell me anything, whether it's information on the Sand Shinobi or Konoha's situation." Uchiha Shunichi had no interest in explaining himself to Gekko Hayate and directly asked his question.

Gekko Hayate glanced at Gaara before saying, "The fighting has stopped. Orochimaru used the Sand Shinobi and has now begun fleeing as a traitor. As for Sunagakure, they have stopped their assault and surrendered."

Uchiha Shunichi did not learn whether Sarutobi Hiruzen was dead or alive from Gekko Hayate. Perhaps because the Sunagakure people were present, he had not said it aloud.

"Good, I understand. I'll leave them to you. If they return to Konoha with us, there's no need to act. But if they try to flee, strike immediately. Kill as many as you can!" Uchiha Shunichi said bluntly, paying no heed to Gaara beside him.

Then Uchiha Shunichi sprinted directly toward Konoha.

Whether Sarutobi Hiruzen was alive or dead was an important question. If he was dead, then everything would be wiped clean. If he was not...

Even Uchiha Shunichi did not know what would happen.

Along the way, Uchiha Shunichi found that although some buildings in the village had been damaged, the attack had not dealt Konoha much harm. Many civilians had already emerged from their shelters.

It looked as if the war had already ended.

When Uchiha Shunichi arrived at the Chūnin Exams arena, it had already become ruins, with some people still clearing away the debris.

Judging from the result, the battle was over. As for whether this battle had been affected by his actions, Uchiha Shunichi did not know.

"Where is the Hokage? I have an urgent matter to report to him." Uchiha Shunichi casually stopped a shinobi and asked.

From the sorrowful expression on his face, Uchiha Shunichi already understood everything. But at this moment, he had to pretend he knew nothing.

"Lord Hokage... Lord Hokage, he..." The shinobi Uchiha Shunichi had questioned was deeply grief-stricken.

After serving as village leader for decades, Sarutobi Hiruzen had held a very high reputation within the village.

"Hurry up and tell me. I have an urgent report." A trace of impatience flashed through Uchiha Shunichi's eyes.

At that moment, a white-haired figure came to stand beside Uchiha Shunichi and said, "For now... whatever you need to report, tell me. The Third Hokage has already fallen."

"Pervy Sage, you..." Uchiha Shunichi looked at Jiraiya in confusion, as if he knew nothing.

Jiraiya did not suspect him and said, "Orochimaru did it. Sensei gave everything he had, but still..."

"I see... I understand." Uchiha Shunichi fell silent for an appropriate moment before saying, "Just now, outside the village, I encountered the One-Tail's Jinchūriki. He should be considered captured now. How should we deal with them?"

As Uchiha Shunichi spoke, blood began to flow from his eyes. It was a rather frightening sight...

"What happened to you?" Jiraiya did not immediately concern himself with the One-Tail. Instead, he stared at the blood on Uchiha Shunichi's face in surprise.

Uchiha Shunichi casually wiped the blood from his face and said, "Just a side effect of the Mangekyō Sharingan. I'll deal with it later. The One-Tail is the most urgent matter right now."

"I understand. I'll send people to handle it. You should tend to your body first." Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Shunichi with a complicated expression.

Upon hearing that response, Uchiha Shunichi displayed just the right amount of exhaustion.