"H-he's so strong! Is that the Body Flicker Technique?!"
"Too fast! I can't even see his movements clearly!"
"Damn it… I didn't expect a Konoha Genin to be this powerful. I should've bet heavily on him!"
In the stands, even though Gaara had revealed his terrifying, inhuman form, the tide of battle didn't turn as everyone expected. The golden figure still dominated the match with overwhelming power.
Merchants and nobles from various countries erupted in enthusiastic praise, showering him with compliments. In their eyes, Naruto had merely used an incredibly fast Body Flicker Technique, so fast it exceeded the limits of human perception.
However, in the eyes of some others, the significance of this scene went far beyond the word "fast."
"This… this spatial fluctuation… there's no mistake…"
Might Guy looked in confusion as Kakashi suddenly stood up from his seat, his Sharingan fixed on the golden flash in the arena. "It really is the Flying Thunder God Technique! Sensei…"
That elusive, unscientific method of spatial movement, besides bringing immense shock, stirred a surging pang of sorrow and deep nostalgia in Kakashi's heart.
Not just Kakashi, but many experienced Konoha Jonin and Chunin in the audience showed similar expressions—shock and sudden realization.
Even Shiranui Genma, serving as the referee, lost his composure for a moment. He knew more than anyone the symbolic meaning of this Ninjutsu, because, in a sense, he had also received guidance from that person and barely touched the threshold of this Ninjutsu.
Although the child's identity had never been officially revealed, speculations about his blonde hair, blue eyes, status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and that special surname had circulated in the village for years. And now, the reappearance of the Flying Thunder God Technique was like the final piece of a puzzle, completely confirming the long-buried truth—this child named Uzumaki Naruto was none other than the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze's, biological son!
A silent shock spread among the informed Konoha Ninja, and an atmosphere mixed with guilt and nostalgia began to permeate.
However, for another group of people in the audience, this realization was far from reassuring news. The Ninja representatives sent by various countries instantly turned incredibly solemn.
Several Kumogakure Ninja stared incredulously at the golden figure in the arena, their eyes filled with shock, apprehension, and unconcealed panic.
They immediately rose without hesitation, quickly and discreetly leaving the noisy stands—they had to immediately relay this crucial intelligence back to Kumogakure and report to Raikage! Konoha's Fourth Hokage had actually left behind such a terrifying offspring!
Iwagakure's representatives reacted similarly. They feigned composure, but their clenched fists and hurried breathing betrayed their inner turmoil.
The reappearance of the Flying Thunder God Technique meant that Konoha might once again have a strategic Ninja capable of turning the tide of battle single-handedly… not to mention he was also a Jinchuriki!
So, what was Naruto, currently in the arena, thinking as he looked at Gaara, who was lying on the ground, temporarily incapacitated, the "instigator" of this commotion?
His thoughts had already drifted elsewhere… Flying Thunder God Stage Two… Naruto savored the move he had just used, thinking, "The name is too simple, isn't it? It doesn't match its cool effects at all."
Having just successfully mimicked his father's signature tactic, while marveling at how cool the move was in actual combat, he also felt a deep confusion and disdain for its unpretentious naming.
How could such an amazing move have such an ordinary name? His mind immediately began a creative reinterpretation.
"Flowing Light Instant Shadow · Double Kill Instant Flash Stage Two Spatial Leap Zero Style"
…Hmm! This name is much more impressive, Naruto nodded in satisfaction, unilaterally deciding on the new name, and thought righteously, "Since I have the right of inheritance, changing a name isn't going too far, right?"
Naruto didn't care in the slightest that, in order to legitimately use the Flying Thunder God Technique, he had automatically landed on certain factions' lists of those who "must be closely watched" or even "eliminated at all costs."
Of course, if those guys really came knocking, oblivious to what's good for them… he wouldn't mind switching identities and letting Menma "communicate" with them properly.
"Kazekage-dono…" The Third Hokage's voice was low. He turned his head, staring at the figure wearing a straw hat beside him. "Don't you think you owe me a reasonable explanation? That Sunagakure child, if I'm not mistaken, should be the Ichibi's Jinchuriki, correct?"
Disguising a Jinchuriki as a Genin and infiltrating another country's Ninja village was tantamount to directly transporting a strategic, destructive weapon into the opponent's heartland, an act that could be considered a declaration of war.
Even though the Third Hokage already knew the true intentions and identity of the person before him, he still needed to ask this question, both as a warning and an ultimatum.
However, the "Kazekage"—or rather, Orochimaru in disguise—completely ignored the Third Hokage's questioning. All his attention was magnetically drawn and fixed on the golden figure in the arena.
His heart was churning with fervent discovery: 'The Uzumaki Clan's immense vitality… temporal-spatial Ninjutsu talent far exceeding the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze's… and most critically, the secret to perfectly controlling Tailed Beast power!'
Although Gaara failed to force the Nine-Tailed out of Naruto's body, these revealed traits alone were enough to make Orochimaru's thirst for knowledge and possessiveness boil to their peak.
But it seems… gentle methods won't work, he coldly assessed. I'll have to use force.
Orochimaru glanced out of the corner of his eye at a figure disguised as an Anbu in the audience. The agreed-upon time had arrived, but the predetermined signal had yet to appear.
However, he didn't believe Yakushi Kabuto would betray him. So, the only explanation was… "The plan… has been exposed?" he whispered almost inaudibly.
Just then, the Third Hokage's voice sounded again, tinged with weariness and a final plea. "…Orochimaru, it truly is you. Stop this. If your target isn't Naruto, we still have room for negotiation."
"Bang!"
As soon as his words fell, an unexpected change occurred! A thick smoke bomb exploded between the seats of the two "Kage" without warning! The pungent smoke instantly engulfed their figures!
"Boom—!!!"
Almost simultaneously, huge explosions and the roar of crumbling buildings came from different directions of the arena! The entire venue shook violently!
"What happened?!"
"What's going on?!"
Panic immediately gripped the audience, and screams erupted.
The next moment, as people looked up in terror, several gigantic snakes with scales gleaming with cold light were summoned out of thin air by a Summoning Jutsu!
They writhed their horrifying bodies, coiling on the ceiling and walls of the arena, emitting chilling hisses, their cold vertical pupils looking down at the panicked crowd below, who were like ants.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"