"Eh? What are these?"
"Feathers?"
"Why can't I touch them?"
"Huh?"
As the snow-white feathers drifted down, the audience watched with curiosity. But the moment they reached out to touch them, their vision blurred. In just a few seconds...
Inside the Chunin Exam stadium...
Tens of thousands of ordinary spectators fell into a deep slumber.
Even a portion of the Chunin and Genin, who were less proficient in genjutsu or mentally weaker, collapsed into unconsciousness.
'The plan has started!'
Seeing the scene of falling white feathers, the thought immediately surfaced in Menma's mind.
Beside him, Sasuke, Sakura, Lee, and Tenten all wore expressions of shock.
Down in the arena, Naruto looked completely bewildered.
'What is going on here?'
At the same time...
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Baki leaped from the stands, landing directly beside the giant sand sphere that Gaara had become.
Rumble!
Simultaneously...
Explosions erupted all around the stadium.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Dozens of black figures suddenly rushed into the venue from all directions.
"Enemy attack!"
The quickest to react—Kakashi, Guy, and the others—immediately entered combat readiness.
Down in the arena, Genma Shiranui instantly positioned himself in front of the still-confused Naruto, staring warily at Baki opposite him.
"Sand Ninja... are you betraying the alliance and starting a war!?"
His words dripped with fierce intensity.
Meanwhile...
At the highest point of the stadium...
Orochimaru had already taken the "semi-willing" Hiruzen Sarutobi hostage and moved to the roof.
"Four Violet Flames Formation!"
Protected by the Sound Four, a powerful barrier rose from the four corners, completely isolating Orochimaru and Hiruzen from the outside world.
The Hokage's personal ANBU guards arrived just a moment too late.
One of them charged into the barrier and was instantly incinerated to ash.
The remaining members could only stand helplessly outside.
"Orochimaru, are you really going through with this!?"
Looking at Orochimaru, who had shed his disguise, Hiruzen spoke with visible heartbreak.
"Heh, it's not that I want to do this, but that this was destined long ago, Sarutobi-sensei. Today, I will destroy everything in Konoha right here!"
Orochimaru expelled the Sword of Kusanagi from his mouth. His elongated tongue licked the sharp blade, his voice cold and eerie.
"Is that so? It seems there really is no room for discussion between us..."
After a brief silence, Hiruzen raised his eyelids again. His cloudy eyes were now filled with a sharp, piercing light.
"I won't make the same mistake I made years ago, Orochimaru. I will personally correct this error!"
He shed his Hokage robes, revealing his battle attire underneath. His aged body erupted with a powerful aura.
"That depends on whether you have the ability, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Today, I've prepared quite a few surprises for you!"
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes glanced down at Menma in the arena below, a mocking glint hidden deep within his gaze.
"!?"
Just as Hiruzen seemed momentarily stunned...
"Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation!"
Orochimaru clapped his hands together, unleashing his ultimate technique right off the bat.
Just like in the original story, Hiruzen reacted quickly, suppressing the third coffin before the "Fourth Kazekage" (or whoever was inside) could emerge.
Master and student...
Thus began their fiercest battle to the death.
Their duel would inevitably influence the outcome of this war. But beyond that, the most critical factor was Gaara, who had already entered the Tailed Beast transformation phase.
As long as that outer shell wasn't destroyed...
Once the jutsu was complete, Gaara would transform directly into the One-Tail Shukaku. The destructive power that would bring was beyond what ordinary ninja could withstand!
Back in the arena...
Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, and the other Jonin had all entered combat stances.
Shino, Kiba, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, and the others who had come to watch—though still confused—followed their sensei's orders and began protecting the nobles and dignitaries from various countries.
Seeing Baki and the disguised Kabuto guarding Gaara's sand sphere, Kakashi realized—even without knowing the specifics of the Tailed Beast transformation—that this was clearly one of the Sand's key plays.
"Guy, I leave this to you!"
"Oh!"
In that instant...
The Jonin split their duties clearly. One stayed behind to lead the Chunin and Genin in defending against the incoming Sound and Sand ninja...
While the other three flickered down into the arena.
"Betrayal? This so-called alliance was a joke to begin with! Today, we of the Sand will take back everything we lost!"
Baki snarled ferociously at Genma, Kakashi, and Asuma.
"What exactly is going on? Genma-niichan? Kakashi-niichan?"
Naruto, still blocked behind them, looked bewildered. wide-eyed, he questioned the Jonin.
"Naruto, retreat for now! Go back and protect the civilians during the evacuation. Leave this to us!"
Kakashi had already lifted his headband, revealing his three-tomoe Sharingan. It was crimson, fierce, and utterly solemn.
This demeanor was completely different from before.
Even Naruto could easily tell.
He froze for a moment.
Glancing at Baki, the masked and unrecognizable Kabuto, the sand sphere containing Gaara, and the hostile Kankurō and Temari...
It finally clicked for Naruto.
'These people are enemies!'
The thought surfaced in his mind.
"No, Kakashi-niichan! I'm staying here to help you guys! Kiba and the others can handle the rear!"
Naruto shook his head with a serious expression.
He was simple, but not ignorant, and certainly not stupid. He had just been slow to react.
But now, he clearly understood: the enemy was attacking.
He would fight alongside Kakashi and the others here, defeat the enemies, and protect the village!