Konoha Hospital
Gekko Hayate was wrapped in bandages, his right arm and right leg gone. Although the medical-nin's treatment had brought him out of mortal danger, he remained in a deep coma.
Kotetsu Hagane and Inoichi Yamanaka stood beside his bed. Inoichi had his eyes closed and his right hand resting on Hayate's head, his mind already extending into Hayate's brain to search for the cause of his coma.
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered through the door, and Kotetsu instantly went on guard.
Hiruzen said, "Don't worry. I'm a Shadow Clone."
Kotetsu said, "Lord Hokage, Mr. Inoichi has already begun looking into what happened. We should have results soon."
Hiruzen said, "Mm. I'm afraid something is going to happen during these Chunin Ninja Exams."
Kotetsu said, "Lord Hokage, even Orochimaru probably couldn't cause much trouble on his own. All of Konoha's Jonin have suspended their missions and returned to the village to await orders. Besides, Lord Jiraiya, who's on the same level as Orochimaru, is also in the village right now."
Hiruzen nodded. "Only those who have lived through war can recognize the calm before it."
The two waited a while before Inoichi withdrew his hand and opened his eyes. "Lord Hokage! Orochimaru and Otogakure have allied with Sunagakure. They intend to carry out the Konoha Crush Plan during the Chunin Ninja Exams."
Kotetsu said, "What! Even Sunagakure is involved?"
Inoichi's expression was grave. "Lord Hokage, that boy named Gaara is the One-Tail Jinchuriki."
Hiruzen remained very calm. "This doesn't bode well. Kotetsu, pass down the order immediately. Move all noncombatants somewhere safe."
"Yes!" Upon receiving the order, Kotetsu immediately left using the Body Flicker Technique.
Inoichi continued, "Orochimaru's goal isn't merely to breach Konoha. He's also here for four of the village's Genin. So far, I only know of Sasuke Uchiha and Kira Hongshi. I don't know who the other two are."
Hiruzen thought for a moment. "Mm, understood. Immediately use Sensory Ninjutsu to notify every Jonin and the Anbu. Prepare for battle."
"Yes!"
Poof! Hiruzen also dispelled his Shadow Clone, returning its memories to his original body.
The arena
The battle between Sasuke and Sakura gradually heated up. After a month of special training, Sasuke's strength had risen a level, but he still couldn't defeat her-or even hurt her at all.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Boom! A vast cloud of mist enveloped the entire arena.
The Kazekage said to Hiruzen, "This ninja named Sakura Haruno can actually create water directly from chakra. She has quite an ample supply!"
At that moment, Hiruzen's body jolted as his Shadow Clone's memories returned to him, but he quickly recovered. He gave the Kazekage a long look. "Yes, she'll be another major fighting force for Konoha in the future."
Danzo, seated in the stands, seemed to have learned something as well. He looked up at Hiruzen, and their eyes met. Then he rose and left the arena.
At that moment, Inoichi's voice rang out in the minds of every Jonin present. "All Konoha Jonin and Anbu, there are large numbers of enemies in Konoha's arena. Confirm one another's positions. Don't act rashly. Prepare for battle."
Kakashi exchanged a look with Guy. "Well, this is a real headache."
Guy said, "Yeah!"
With that, the two slowly moved toward Hongshi and the others. The Jonin and Anbu in the arena also made the confirmation gesture-crossing their arms over their chests. Only then did they discover that at least thirty Anbu present hadn't made the gesture. They were all impostors.
Hiruzen said, "The Sound Ninja have infiltrated us this thoroughly!"
On the surface, however, he remained composed, exchanging occasional remarks with the Kazekage.
Within the mist, Sasuke constantly shifted positions. He reached into his ninja tool pouch and found it empty. "Tch, out of shuriken? Then, Sharingan!"
His eyes changed to Mitsudomoe, immediately locking onto Sakura's position through the mist and predicting her movements. "Sorry, Sakura! Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Rolling flames surrounded Sakura from every direction, gradually closing in and leaving her nowhere to escape.
In the stands, Ino grew nervous. "Damn it, why does Sasuke have to be so serious even against a girl!"
Hongshi woke up just then, watching Sakura and Sasuke through the mist. "Tch! Sakura, stop playing around! Beat his ass!"
Hearing Hongshi's voice, Sakura's lips curled upward. "Hehe, okay! Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Roar! A great volume of water gushed from her mouth, forming a water dragon that broke through the Dragon Fire Technique and rushed straight at Sasuke.
"What! She even knows Water Dragon Bullet!" Sasuke's Sharingan predicted the Water Dragon Bullet in advance. He leaped backward, chakra clinging to the soles of his feet as he stood on the arena wall.
Boom! The water dragon struck the ground, but instead of dispersing, it continued its pursuit under Sakura's control.
"I've got no choice. I have to use that technique!" Sasuke seemed to make up his mind. "Rat-Horse-Monkey-Horse-Hare. Lightning Release: Chidori!"
"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."
Lord God said, "(≖_≖) That's fucking chicken clucking!"
A mass of white lightning-release chakra appeared in his left hand, condensing into a tangible form and emitting fierce electrical crackles, like a thousand birds chirping.
Hongshi said, "Ohohoho, there it is! Show-off Release-oh, no, little Chidori! Sakura, you can use that technique now! Finish him!!!"
Beside him, Ino asked, "Hongshi-kun, can Sakura really beat Sasuke-kun?"
Hongshi said, "Sakura got a lot stronger after a month of training. If you really want to know, beating Sasuke's ass is no problem. ╮(•́ω•̀)╭"
Ino said, "She's that strong! How did she do it?"
Hongshi's eyes were as deep as the starry sky as he looked at Ino. "(͡°͜ʖ͡°)✧ Ino, do you crave the power to beat Sasuke's ass?"
Ino said, "??? I... I do."
Hongshi slowly extended his right hand. "Then... give me some face and become my underling."
Ino said, "???"
"Hah!" Sasuke locked his eyes onto Sakura, gathered chakra beneath his feet, and leaped straight off the wall, evading another attack from the Water Dragon Bullet. He charged toward Sakura at tremendous speed. "You can't get away!"
Genma Shiranui, watching from the sidelines, broke into a sweat. "Hey, hey, hey, are these really just Genin? Why do I feel like even standing nearby is a little smile? Anyway... what's with this Uchiha Clan brat? Is he trying to kill Sakura Haruno?"
Watching Sasuke's assault, Genma was already preparing to step in and save Sakura.
Yet Sakura showed no intention of dodging. She clasped her hands together. "Against the Sharingan, I still have to wait for you to walk right into my trap, Sasuke-kun. Wood Release: Cherry Blossom Impact Fist!"
Bang! The ground in front of Sakura split open, and a wooden fist the size of a person shot out to meet Sasuke.
"What! Wood Release!" Sasuke had never seen Wood Release before. Even though his Sharingan had seen through the hand seals and chakra, he hadn't imagined Sakura could actually use Wood Release. It was already impossible to dodge. He could only charge with all his might, hoping Chidori could break through.
Crack! Chidori pierced the wooden fist...
Crunch! But it only punched a hole through it. His left arm sank into the wooden fist, while his entire body slammed hard into it! The sound of bones breaking rang out.
"Gah!"
Hongshi held his head. "I can feel your pain. Sakura's Wood Release gives up bodily enhancement to focus on hardness and growth. It's about as hard as steel, and you actually crashed straight into it, Sasuke. Impressive, impressive!"
Sasuke spat out a mouthful of blood. "You! You actually know Wood Release!" With that, his vision went black, and he passed out.
Genma had been planning to save Sakura, only for Sasuke to end up seriously injured instead. "Medical team!"
Three medical-nin carried Sasuke out of the arena. Hongshi covered his mouth and chuckled. "The mission to beat Sasuke's ass is one-twelfth complete."
Lord God said, "So, from this incident, we've learned the dangers of speeding (͡°͜ʖ͡°)✧."
"Of all the countless roads, safety comes first; drive improperly, and your loved ones will shed tears."
Hongshi said, "????"