Gaara, you also agreed to hold the second exam in the Desert of Death.
After temporarily appeasing the Konoha group, Gaara convened a high-level meeting of the Village.
The Sunagakure high-ranking officials were all gathered. Facing the Kazekage's accusations, the official in charge of the competition remained very calm.
There are so many Konoha Ninja, you can't kill them all. What's the big deal if a few Konoha Genin die now? Do they dare to violate the alliance and break ties with us? What a joke! That's Konoha Village, the most cowardly Village in the Ninja World!
Gaara's teacher, Baki, quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, trying to save Gaara's face while attempting to gloss over the matter.
"We don't have experience holding such large-scale competitions. The Desert of Death is indeed a bit dangerous for Genin. Konoha Ninja are not good at fighting in this environment, so they have their own problems, but we also bear some responsibility. We can pay compensation to appease Konoha Village's dissatisfaction.
Actually, between ourselves, which Chunin Exams doesn't have deaths? All Genin participating in the second exam signed a consent form beforehand. Ninja from Takigakure Village can die, Ninja from Otogakure can die, so why can't Konoha Ninja die? We are Ninja, and since we chose this path, we should be prepared to face death without fear."
His attitude represented the views of many neutral factions. Konoha has a large family and doesn't want to fight; they won't break ties with us. If we give them some face, the matter will be smoothed over.
Gaara, unsupported, waved his hand wearily, signaling that the matter was concluded.
Out of a Genin team of sixty, the Desert of Death claimed eighteen lives. Only nine people were able to participate in the third exam.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure had twenty-seven people advance.
Upon hearing Sunagakure's advancement numbers, even Ino cursed, "Holy crap!" The meaning of this backdoor operation was too obvious!
"They will pay the price, I guarantee it," Kakashi whispered.
Kakashi was indifferent to the loss of eighteen lives; he had seen too much death. However, he was also very annoyed. These people didn't have to die, but they became sacrifices in Sunagakure's internal struggle.
Ino was influenced by his words and decided to focus on causing trouble. This time, she would definitely give Sunagakure a big surprise!
Sunagakure chose the same date as Konoha last year; the first competition began on July 1st, and on August 1st, the Daimyo, nobles, and wealthy merchants from various countries crossed the sandy sea to observe the third competition in Sunagakure.
Jiraiya, wearing the Hokage's ceremonial robe and a straw hat, came to observe the competition as the Fifth Hokage.
Orochimaru didn't actually need to come, but he seemed to have an unusual enthusiasm for these "Collapse Plans" and strongly insisted on participating. So, Jiraiya had him wear a mask and act as his bodyguard, staying by his side and not allowed to leave for a single step.
Tsunade also came.
"Oh my! You are!..." Ino looked at the very cute blonde loli in front of her, speechless.
It must be said that after evading so many creditors, Tsunade's Transformation Technique was truly excellent.
Tsunade gestured for her to bend down, then quietly asked, "I heard Kakashi is angry? What happened?"
Ino recounted the events of the Desert of Death. Tsunade was extremely angry, clenched her fists, and then asked Ino to identify which Sunagakure high-ranking officials were hostile to Konoha and which were neutral.
Ino had obtained a lot of information from Miss Maki and now pointed them out to Tsunade one by one.
Tsunade's eyes were filled with fierce determination: "They are all cowards who dare not go to the battlefield. Have you found out where Chiyo's residence is?"
Ino nodded: "Chiyo and Ebizo should be in the small oasis north of the Village. Temari said that Gaara once wanted to invite them to watch the Chunin Exams, but Ebizo refused, citing that they no longer involved themselves in worldly affairs."
"Good, you'll come with me in a bit."
"Understood."
The master and disciple spoke in hushed tones, while Jiraiya and Gaara at the high platform also exchanged a few pleasantries.
The age gap between them was too large; one was a grandfather, the other a grandson, so they really had nothing in common to talk about.
Gaara was not eloquent, and Jiraiya was full of worries. Neither wanted to say much, and soon they announced the start of the competition!
Nearly fifty Genin from various Ninja Villages successively entered the arena to fight. In the seventh match, a Sunagakure Genin used a puppet to injure an Otogakure Ninja and was about to deliver a fatal blow when Guren, the supervising Jonin, intervened.
A layer of pale red crystalline substance enveloped the Otogakure Ninja. Guren, with a furious expression, personally stepped into the arena to teach the opposing Sunagakure Ninja an unforgettable lesson.
Realizing that an unexpected situation had occurred, Baki quickly stepped forward to mediate. Both sides argued their points, and the scene began to become chaotic.
Tsunade and Ino exchanged glances. They quietly slipped into an unnoticed corner.
Since they were going to frame Iwagakure, it had to look authentic. They had a Jinchuriki, and their signature Ninjutsu was also indispensable.
Konoha Village had secretly collected many Iwagakure Earth Release Ninjutsu, including the famous "Earth Release: Opening Earth Rising Excavation." Konoha filtered through them, and finally, Ino and Tsunade would perform this Ninjutsu together.
Konoha Ninja knew a lot of Ninjutsu, but not many were truly proficient in a specific one.
Ino's Earth Release Ninjutsu was already top-tier in the Ninja World.
Tsunade, though just barely, also knew Earth Release Ninjutsu, which was perfect for cooperating with her.
In fact, Ino had already learned this Ninjutsu from Kurotsuchi long ago; now she was just learning it again.
"Let's begin!" Tsunade returned to her normal size.
"Alright."
The master and disciple simultaneously formed hand signs.
With Ino as the primary, Tsunade would assist her.
"Sensei, don't rush. Let me find that guy. I should have buried him nearby. Ah, found him!" Ino closed her eyes to sense, and quickly found the Four-Tails Jinchuriki she had buried underground in Sunagakure beforehand.
Tsunade cooperated with her, and together they remotely released the Five Elements Seal on Roshi, the Four-Tails.
Then, their Chakra, like drills, intertwined and rushed downwards.
"Earth Release: Opening Earth!"
"Earth Release: Rising Excavation!"
"Earth Release: Opening Earth Rising Excavation!"
The earth's crust beneath their feet vibrated violently, colliding and battling like two armies, in a stalemate for several seconds. The vibrational energy triggered the underground magma, and when the pressure accumulated to its maximum, it was guided by the Earth Release Chakra and erupted fiercely!
A volcano capable of changing the terrain rose from the ground!
From the scorching magma, a figure burst forth—the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, over fifty meters tall, a rampaging gorilla like a primeval beast!
The Four-Tails had been suppressed for a month, and the Chakra within him was extremely volatile. As soon as the Five Elements Seal was released, and the magma from the Opening Earth Rising Excavation poured over him, he immediately entered a berserk state!
Many Sunagakure Ninja stared blankly at the rampaging Four-Tails Jinchuriki, finding this scene strangely familiar.
I don't know if you can see my reply. Let the chapter name be wrong, it can't be changed.
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