"Unbelievable! Is this a unique Taijutsu developed by the Hidden Sound itself?"
Might Guy stared at the massive crater gouged out by a single fist, his face a mask of shock. Although he could achieve such a feat after opening the Eight Inner Gates, the collateral damage such a move inflicted on the user's body was by no means negligible.
"Something's wrong! This kid's strength has definitely reached the level of an Elite Jonin! What exactly is the Sound Village trying to achieve by sending him to the Chunin Exams? And that punch... it feels strangely familiar."
Kakashi lifted his forehead protector to reveal his Sharingan, his entire demeanor shifting into high alert. By observing the flow of Chakra, he could clearly see that the Taijutsu Allen was using was identical to that of the red-haired kunoichi who had attacked him on the Great Naruto Bridge in the Land of Waves.
Combined with the presence of a red-haired girl in the Sound's team, this could not be a mere coincidence.
"Are you suggesting... these Sound ninja are plotting some kind of conspiracy?" Might Guy's thick, bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"In any case, it pays to be cautious," Kakashi replied evasively. He currently only had suspicions without proof, and there was no way to relay this information to the Third Hokage in the heat of the moment.
On the other side, Hanabi was deeply captivated by the magnificent Nintaijutsu Neji was displaying. She asked in an excited tone, "Father! Can I also use this method to enhance the power of my Gentle Fist?"
"Yes. It is possible. However, maintaining two A-Rank Ninjutsu while simultaneously exercising precise Chakra control is not something an ordinary person can do. Neji is truly an absolute genius. Perhaps... he was the one most suited to inherit the Main House." A rare expression of regret flickered across Hiashi's face.
It went without saying that he had always been haunted by the guilt of his twin brother dying in his place all those years ago. Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret; a member of the Branch House branded with the Caged Bird Curse can never become part of the Main House. This was the foundation upon which the Hyuga clan had persisted to this day, and even as the Clan Head, he was powerless to change it.
"Hokage-sama, I didn't expect that after so many years of silence, Konoha would welcome such a bountiful harvest season. That child named Neji likely already possesses the strength of a Jonin," Orochimaru complimented in a feigned, obsequious manner.
"Hahaha! Kazekage-sama, you flatter us. Truthfully, even I didn't expect Neji to have grown to this extent without us realizing it." A happy smile broke out on the Third's face.
However, he quickly shifted the topic. "Compared to Neji, I believe that young man from the Sound is the one truly worth noting. Specifically, the way he utilizes Chakra reminds me of a familiar figure."
"Oh? Are you referring to Princess Tsunade, one of the Sannin?" Orochimaru asked with a faint, knowing smile.
"Indeed! Although there are significant differences, the principle is the same: both concentrate Chakra at the moment of impact and then release it all at once. Such a technique isn't something just anyone can master; it requires extraordinary control. I truly don't understand why the Sound Village would send such talent to the Chunin Exams."
As he spoke, a look of deep doubt and confusion lingered in the Third's eyes. In his experience, minor hidden villages usually hid their geniuses away as much as possible, fearing they might be targeted by hostile major nations and assassinated before they could reach maturity.
"Heh, perhaps they are intentionally flaunting their strength to the outside world."
Having said that, Orochimaru looked up and caught a glimpse of a figure that had suddenly appeared at the back of the stands a few seconds ago. The corners of his mouth curled into a slight smirk.
The figure was none other than the master spy, Kabuto Yakushi. His appearance here meant the Konoha Crush plan was fully prepared and ready to launch at any moment.
Regrettably, the Third Hokage failed to notice anything amiss, his attention still fixed on the arena.
After several minutes of intense hand-to-hand combat, Neji was finally the first to buckle under the massive Chakra consumption. He voluntarily dispelled the two giant hands of fire-attribute Chakra and stood his ground, gasping for air.
After several long seconds, he finally asked, "Is the time here?"
"Yeah. The time has come," Allen replied without hesitation. "Do you need a moment to say goodbye to Guy-sensei, Lee, and Tenten?"
From the moment Kabuto appeared at the back of the stands, Allen had locked onto him, realizing everything was ready. It was time to act.
"No. There's no need. This is my own choice, and my own life."
With those words, Neji pulled a sharp kunai from his hip pouch. Under the watchful eyes of the entire crowd, he drew a horizontal slash across his forehead protector.
Undoubtedly, this standard act of defection triggered a massive shockwave throughout the stadium. Might Guy, the leader of Team 3, rushed forward and bellowed a question at the top of his lungs: "Neji! Have you lost your mind? Do you realize what you're doing?"
"I do! I'm tired of being a bird trapped in a cage. I yearn to leave this prison that binds me; I yearn to fly free like a real bird!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Neji removed the forehead protector that now symbolized his status as a rogue ninja, revealing a smooth forehead, devoid of any marks.
In an instant, Hiashi Hyuga bolted upright from his seat, his voice trembling with disbelief. "The... the Caged Bird Curse has vanished? How is that possible! That is..."
"Father! What's wrong? What happened?" Hanabi asked, completely bewildered.
Unfortunately, no one had the mind to answer her questions. The Third Hokage clenched his fists tightly, unable to believe that another member of the new generation he favored had chosen to defect on such an occasion.
Anger! Confusion! Self-doubt!
He repeatedly asked himself where he had gone wrong, causing Konoha to suffer one defection after another during his reign.
Savoring the spectacular sight of the entire stadium in an uproar, Allen immediately dispelled his transformation, revealing his true appearance. At the same time, he held high the forehead protector that symbolized his status as a Konoha ninja. A sudden burst of flames erupted from his hand, melting the metal into a puddle of glowing red iron.
Once finished, he spread his arms and announced loudly to everyone, including the Third Hokage: "I'm terribly sorry! The final selection of the Chunin Exams may have to end early. But rest assured, what follows will be an even more thrilling and exciting war. Come out! Let the revelry begin!"
"Temple of Nirvana Technique!"
Kabuto immediately launched the A-Rank Genjutsu he had mastered. In the blink of an eye, a deluge of white feathers drifted down from the sky. Countless people who witnessed the sight slumped to the ground, falling into a deep sleep.
The hidden Sand and Sound ninja leaped from their hiding spots, launching their long-premeditated attack on Konoha from every corner.
In an instant, giant Summoning Beasts and wide-range destructive Ninjutsu flooded the area like a tidal wave, overwhelming the guards who were too slow to react.