The Chunin Ninja Exams Were Finally Over!

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

Put simply, he was not asleep, but he had lost the ability to think. He could be described as staring blankly into space or being completely dazed.

"Wait, even though we're enemies now, but..." Worried about Gaara, Temari disregarded her injuries and her own safety as she struggled over to stand in front of him.

"Don't worry, I won't kill him for now. But as a Jinchūriki, coming to another ninja village means something. You should know what that is," Uchiha Shunichi said coldly.

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

A trace of despair appeared on Temari's face at those words. Though she had already known this would be the outcome, she had still stepped forward.

After all, he was still her younger brother.

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

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

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, but he also felt a hint of warmth.

His voice was too weak for anyone to hear, but Kankuro noticed that Gaara had awakened.

"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 without any confidence.

Even as he said that, Kankuro had no real faith in it. The Tailed Beasts were indeed important to Sunagakure, but they were not truly indispensable.

Sunagakure's environment was simply too barren. Even without the Tailed Beasts, there would not be many people coveting it.

As for the Tailed Beasts' purpose, they mainly gave Sunagakure the confidence to attack outward. Once that confidence was gone, Sunagakure would be confined in place.

"That is a decision for Sunagakure to make. But I doubt Konoha needs the One-Tail's power." Uchiha Shunichi had no intention of letting them go so easily.

Even if Gaara still had a chance of losing control, it was a risk Uchiha Shunichi could afford to take.

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 outcome after discussion between both sides. The situation was still unclear, and this matter concerned an entire ninja 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 looked thoroughly bewildered.

"What's the situation now? Tell me anything, whether it's intelligence on the Sand Shinobi or Konoha's situation." Uchiha Shunichi had no interest in explaining anything to Gekko Hayate and asked directly.

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 attack and surrendered."

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

"Good, I understand. Leave them to you. If they return to Konoha with you, there's no need to act. If they try to escape, strike immediately. Kill as many as you can!" Uchiha Shunichi said without any regard for Gaara beside him.

Then Uchiha Shunichi immediately dashed toward Konoha.

Whether Sarutobi Hiruzen was alive or dead was a very important question. If he was dead, then everything would be written off. If he was not...

Even Uchiha Shunichi did not know what would happen.

Along the way, Uchiha Shunichi saw that although some buildings in the village had been damaged, the attack had not harmed Konoha too badly. Many civilians had already emerged from the shelters.

It looked as if the war had ended.

When Uchiha Shunichi arrived at the Chunin Ninja Exams arena, it had already become a ruin, with some people still clearing away the debris.

Judging by the outcome, the battle had ended. As for whether his actions had affected that battle, Uchiha Shunichi did not know.

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

From the sorrowful expression on the man's face, Uchiha Shunichi already understood everything. But at this moment, he had to maintain the appearance of knowing nothing.

"The Hokage... the Hokage, he..." The ninja Uchiha Shunichi had questioned was deeply grieved.

After serving as the village leader for decades, Sarutobi Hiruzen had held great prestige within the village.

"Speak quickly. I have an urgent matter to report." A flash of impatience passed through Uchiha Shunichi's eyes.

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

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

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

"Is that so... 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 looked at the blood on Uchiha Shunichi's face in surprise.

Uchiha Shunichi casually wiped away the blood and said, "It's only 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. Take care of your condition first." Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Shunichi with a complicated expression.

Hearing that reply, Uchiha Shunichi displayed the proper amount of exhaustion.