Tejima Shinichi stood motionless, eyes fixed on the patch of ground where Orochimaru had vanished; the shadows seemed to retain the Sannin's lingering presence.
'See you very soon?' he sneered inwardly. 'So, even after this setback, you still intend to carry out that so-called Konoha Crush?'
The thought flashed past, yet Shinichi's gaze remained utterly calm.
'Dare to lay a hand on my Konoha…?' he mused indifferently. 'Then when we meet again, I'll rewrite that plan's name—and its ending—once and for all.'
'Konoha Crush!?'
'Perhaps calling it the Orochimaru Crush… would be more fitting!'
Shinichi's eyes gleamed darkly; a scheme was already taking shape in his mind.
Moments later, the forest rang with the whistle of rapid movement as several figures landed in the center of the devastated battlefield.
Leading them, battle-cloak fluttering, came Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, trailed by an elite squad of Anbu.
…Hiruzen's gaze swept the surroundings.
Toppled trees, furrowed earth, scorched marks, and that conspicuous dune.
He spotted the figure seated on the dune—the red-haired boy, Gaara, head lowered, staring vacantly at the ground.
At that, Hiruzen's brows relaxed a fraction.
It seemed the Tailed Beast crisis… had been averted!
He then turned his attention to Shinichi, who stood at the group's center.
"Shinichi."
Hiruzen stepped forward, quickly closing the distance, scrutinizing the disciple he held in such high regard.
"Are you all right? How bad are your injuries?"
Shinichi gave a slight shake of his head. "Chakra exhaustion—just exhausted. Nothing serious."
Hiruzen nodded, relieved inwardly, though his expression remained grave.
Surveying the utterly transformed battlefield, he said solemnly,
"Shukaku… you defeated it and returned it to its Jinchuriki?"
"Yes."
The Third Hokage fell silent, momentarily lost for words.
Even though the preliminary report from the Anbu had prepared him, hearing Shinichi confirm it still struck him like a blow.
He knew Shinichi's talent and the rapid progress the boy had made under the sealed scroll and his own tutelage these past three months, yet to single-handedly quell a rampaging Tailed Beast… the speed of this growth had surpassed his original estimate.
He needed time to digest the fact.
After all, the strength Shinichi had displayed… had reached a critical threshold.
"…Well done," the Third Hokage finally said. "You've prevented a great calamity."
At that moment, an Anbu squad leader stepped forward.
"Lord Hokage," the captain reported, "we've confirmed that S-rank rogue ninja Orochimaru appeared here and attacked Tejima Shinichi. Shinichi repelled the assault; Orochimaru then fled via a Body Replacement Technique. We've organized pursuit, but his trail is well concealed—success probability is low."
Listening, Hiruzen's face iced over.
"Dispatch additional tracking squads and widen the search perimeter. Simultaneously, tighten the Forest of Death's outer cordon to ensure the safety of the other candidates… we absolutely cannot allow him such freedom again!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Anbu captain accepted the order and vanished instantly to execute it.
The instant he left, more footsteps approached.
This year's Chunin Exams proctor, Anko Mitarashi, arrived with a cluster of candidates whose expressions varied widely.
Some were injured and bedraggled, others spotless… after all, the second exam hadn't even finished its first day!
Those still mobile and close by had been shepherded here by the Anbu; nearly all who could move had gathered.
At once Temari spotted the curled-up figure on the dune and burst from the crowd, throwing herself to Gaara's side.
"Gaara!" She gripped his shoulders. "Are you okay?!"
Kankuro followed, standing guard beside them.
To their surprise, Gaara slowly lifted his head.
The pale-green eyes no longer held their usual savagery or madness—only exhaustion remained.
Looking at his sister and brother, voice hoarse, he said,
"…I'm fine."
Gaara paused, eyelids drooping as heavy drowsiness swept over him.
"Just… a little sleepy. I want to rest."
Yes, at this moment Gaara felt an unprecedented drowsiness.
Physical weakness, mental fatigue, and something long held taut inside him seemed finally to slacken.
Yet the surrounding clamor and the stares directed his way forced him to suppress both his bodily and mental sleepiness.
He only wanted a quiet place, before people he could trust, to close his eyes and sink into a deep, deep slumber.
He felt that, perhaps, this sleep would be utterly sound and peaceful.
Kankuro and Temari froze at his words.
Never before had they heard such… vulnerability from Gaara's lips!
The two exchanged a glance, each seeing disbelief—and a spark of joy—in the other's eyes.
Temari drew a steadying breath, reining in every outward emotion as she hugged Gaara tighter.
"All right, sleep if you want to. It's fine." She paused, then added with firm gentleness, "Rest easy—Sis is here!"
Those words seemed to drain the last bit of strength Gaara had been forcing himself to hold.
His tensed body fully relaxed, his perpetually furrowed brow smoothed, and his eyelids slid shut.
Almost instantly, steady, deep breathing rose.
Leaning against Temari's shoulder, Gaara sank into dreamless sleep.
Kankuro swallowed hard, saying nothing, and simply stepped forward to stand with Temari, using their bodies to block most of the curious stares and carve out a small pocket of quiet for their little brother.