There's Something We Need Your Cooperation With

Konoha, Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed drastically as he looked at the crystal ball that had turned completely blue.

How is that possible?

The vibrant blue light made it impossible for Hiruzen Sarutobi to see Miya's figure anymore.

Immediately, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked out the window, and his pupils contracted.

"Was that something Miya did?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi deeply, staring in the direction of the Forest of Death, utterly stunned.

At this moment, the Forest of Death seemed to be illuminated by a dazzling aurora borealis; its beauty was palpable simply by looking at it.

In the world, only one color remained.

Extreme blue, dangerous blue.

A dozen seconds later, the brilliant azure light dissipated, the sky returned to its normal color, Miya, who had been suspended in mid-air, also fell from the sky due to exhaustion of Chakra and deactivation of his Limit Mode.

"You're not dead, are you!"

Orochimaru- sensei!

Miya tried his best to control his body and land safely.

Call out.

Just as Miya was about to make intimate contact with the ground, a white-haired figure swept by and caught the falling Miya.

He glanced at the person who caught him.

That was the right look in your eyes!

Miya then stopped resisting his instincts and fell into a deep coma.

As Jiraiya landed, cradling Miya's body, he frowned. He could see Miya's condition: not only was he seriously injured, but his Chakra was completely depleted.

Orochimaru, come out!

Standing at the edge of the pit, Jiraiya stared at the bottom and spoke slowly.

As Jiraiya's voice fell, the soil at the bottom of the pit instantly cracked open, and Orochimaru, who resembled a snake, suddenly sprang out, revealing half of his disheveled and wounded body.

"He almost died, Jiraiya!"

Ninja: Snake Slough.

Orochimaru's battered upper body opened its mouth wide, and an Orochimaru, seemingly unharmed but covered in slime, crawled out.

Orochimaru was still shaken by the experience of almost being killed.

If...

If Miya's Nuclear Release: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan had been a little more powerful, and the crater had sunk another two meters, Orochimaru would have been basically done for.

At that moment, the Nuclear Release: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan exploded with a dazzling azure light, carrying a devastating torrent that swept everything away.

The hundred-meter-long serpent ball offered no resistance and instantly dissolved, completely annihilated into the world.

At that moment, Orochimaru sensed intense danger as the explosion was about to occur. Orochimaru snake-like eyes turned into vertical pupils, and his scalp tingled with fear.

Without the slightest hesitation, Orochimaru didn't even have time to worry about the consumption of Chakra, and his hands suddenly Hand Seals.

Orochi Style: Earth-Dwelling Technique.

Almost simultaneously, Orochimaru narrowly escaped the explosion and disappeared from the spot.

"Boom--"

A terrifyingly loud noise exploded like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

For example, when they saw Miya floating in mid-air and sensed danger, Pakura and Sato turned and ran, almost having their eardrums ruptured by the huge explosion.

"It's hard to believe that such a small body could contain so much energy."

Looking down at the unconscious Miya in his arms, Jiraiya praised him highly.

"Will you be the chosen one?"

"However, he is already Orochimaru's disciple."

Without a single match, Jiraiya recalled the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku.

"My disciple is naturally no less capable than yours."

Covered in slime, Orochimaru landed right next to Jiraiya.

"Is there something you need?"

"The old man told me to inform you that this year's Chunin Ninja Exams have been cancelled; all the remaining candidates have withdrawn."

Orochimaru was surprised upon hearing the news, but not entirely unexpected. He simply looked at Miya in Jiraiya and gave a wicked smile.

"I see..."

Shortly after, Miya was taken to Konoha Hospital by Jiraiya, while Orochimaru headed towards the Central Tower of the Forest of Death.

At this time, all the Genin who failed the first exam were summoned to the original exam hall, and they faced the same examiner from the first exam Yūhi Shinku.

"What's going on? Weren't we eliminated? Why are we being called back?"

"Exactly! Do you mean we have to retake the exam?"

Faced with the questions from the Genin examinees, Yūhi Shinku said with a sly smile:

"I've summoned you all here because I need your cooperation on something..."

As soon as Yūhi Shinku finished speaking, a Konoha Anbu Ninja wearing an animal mask appeared in each of the four corners of the examination room.

"Hey, what does Konoha want to do?"

A Sunagakure Genin, seeing the Konoha Anbu suddenly appear, sensed something was wrong and hurriedly shouted.

At the same time, all the Genin who had participated in the second exam and survived, as well as the Jonin in the inspection room, gathered in the lobby on the first floor of the Central Tower under the supervision of Konoha Anbu Ninja.

Even the Snow Village Jonin who were not present at the time were brought over under surveillance.

Pakura and Sato Jonin went over to their instructor, a Jonin, upon seeing him.

"Teacher, we..."

The Sand Village Jonin interrupted Sato with a look, then addressed Pakura and Sato:

"The teacher already knows about the matter at Gansanji."

"Don't worry! Leave this to the teachers and the village."

Immediately, the Sand Village Jonin was horrified to see Hiruzen Sarutobi reappear, followed by several Konoha Anbu members.

"Anbu!"

Glancing around at the Konoha ANBU members who stood surrounding them, the Sand Village Jonin stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a grim expression and demanded sharply:

"Third Hokage, what does Konoha mean by this?"

The other Jonin from other Jonin grim expressions. Under such circumstances, if Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered them to be killed, they wouldn't be able to cause any trouble at all.

Whether they were Genin from Konoha or Genin other villages, everyone could feel the tense atmosphere. Their eyes were filled with unease and a hint of avoidance.

Facing the stern questioning from the Sand Village Jonin, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed oblivious to the many gloomy faces before him.

"Rest assured, Konoha will not do anything to harm you. We invited you here simply because we hope you can cooperate with us on one matter."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was piercing. Known as the Hero of the Shinobi, his aura seemed to have reached its peak, locking onto all the ninjas from other villages present.

"Konoha doesn't want you to take some of your memories from this year 'Chunin Ninja Exams out with you, so we hope you can understand."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi was determined to bury the entire process of Miya's participation in the Chunin Ninja Exams and absolutely prevent these people from leaving Konoha.