When the muffled explosion sounded from the VIP viewing stand and billowing smoke rose in an instant, it was like a prearranged signal. The Otogakure's Ninja lurking in the audience seats across the various levels of the circular arena simultaneously tore off their disguises.
Over a dozen Otogakure's Ninja scattered throughout the venue, whether disguised as merchants, travelers, or ordinary villagers, simultaneously formed hand seals.
Their Chakra resonated at a specific frequency, transforming into a vast Genjutsu force field that rapidly spread throughout the entire arena.
"Ninja Art: Temple of Nirvana Technique!"
As they silently completed the incantation, countless pure white, light, faintly glowing illusory feathers materialized without warning, like the first snow of winter, beginning to drift down over the audience seats.
The feathers swirled and fell, carrying a serene yet eerie rhythm, refracting a hazy halo under the sunlight. Beautiful enough to enchant the heart, yet dangerous enough to suffocate.
"Hmm? Is it snowing?"
"What beautiful feathers..."
"What's going on..."
Countless ordinary citizens, minor nobles and merchants who had come to watch, and even most of the less capable Chunin and Genin, upon looking up and seeing these falling feathers, had their eyes rapidly grow confused and vacant.
An intense drowsiness swept over them like a tide, their eyelids becoming unbearably heavy.
Exclamations and discussions died down and disappeared as quickly as a snapped string.
People collapsed like dominoes, slumping down in large patches, collapsing in their seats or sliding directly to the ground, sinking into a deep and unnatural slumber.
In just a few seconds, the once noisy and thunderous stands became completely silent, with only a few strong-willed or more powerful Ninja still standing.
"Ugh... so dizzy..."
"These feathers... something's wrong..."
"It's a Genjutsu! Everyone, don't look at the feathers!"
In the middle tier of the stands, in the area where Kiba, Shino, Sakura, Tenten, Lee, and others were, they were also affected.
Kiba, along with Akamaru on his head, collapsed the moment he saw the feathers.
Sakura felt her vision blur, the world spinning, and she began to slump softly to the side.
Tenten, leaning on a cane and already in poor condition, was now teetering on the verge of collapse.
"Damn it!" Lee's hot-bloodedness surged, trying to shout away the drowsiness, but his voice grew weaker and his eyelids began to droop.
"Tenten! Sakura! Kiba, Shino! Lee! Wake up! Don't look at those feathers!"
Yakumo's anxious, clear voice rang in their ears.
This girl with a special constitution, who had year-round struggled against the illusions brought on by her own Kekkei Genkai, had an extraordinary resistance to this type of large-scale hypnotic Genjutsu.
She forcibly endured the mental discomfort, vigorously shaking her companions' arms and calling their names, trying to pull them back from the Genjutsu.
However, the moment she was distracted caring for her companions, a cold killing intent suddenly struck from her side!
"Hmph, there's still one brat who hasn't fallen? How annoying!"
A figure wearing a Konoha's Anbu animal mask and an Anbu cloak lunged from the side, a kunai in hand gleaming with a cold, bleak light, thrusting straight at the defenseless Yakumo!
The movement was ruthless and swift, clearly intending to kill in one blow and eliminate this unexpected variable.
Yakumo felt the hair on her back stand on end. The shadow of death instantly enveloped her, but her body was somewhat sluggish due to her previous resistance and mental exhaustion. It seemed too late to dodge!
Clang—!
The piercing sound of metal striking metal exploded beside Yakumo's ear!
A kunai blocked the fatal strike in front of Yakumo, sparks flying!
Kurenai's figure appeared in front of Yakumo, shielding her completely behind her.
Her red eyes were now as sharp as knives, fixed intently on this Anbu in front of her, her voice angry: "You're not Anbu! Anbu wouldn't attack Genin from their own village! Who are you?!"
The Otogakure's Ninja disguised as Anbu, having missed his strike, did not linger. He stepped back two paces, his eyes behind the mask scanning Kurenai and then warily looking around.
He did not answer Kurenai's interrogation, only silently pulling out another kunai with his left hand, clearly looking for another opportunity or waiting for companions.
"Anbu operations don't need to be explained to you, do they?" The Otogakure's Ninja said in a hoarse voice, trying to confuse the issue.
"Yes, they do."
A calm male voice took over the conversation.
Asuma's figure had appeared on the Otogakure's Ninja's flank without anyone knowing. On his hands, the pale blue Wind Release Chakra on his pair of knuckle-duster-like Chakra Blades slowly flowed, emitting a faint hum.
He held an unlit cigarette in his mouth, but his eyes were cold: "You don't smell like Konoha."
The Otogakure's Ninja's heart tightened, knowing his disguise had been completely seen through.
He stopped wasting words and let out a sharp, piercing whistle!
Before the whistle faded, two spectators who had been slumbering in their seats suddenly sprung up!
They tore off their outer robes, revealing the Otogakure's Ninja uniforms underneath. Armed with kunai and short swords, one on the left and one on the right, they pincered Asuma and Kurenai!
Their movements were swift and ruthless, their coordination tacit, clearly a rigorously trained combat squad.
However, Konoha's Jonin were not to be trifled with.
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
The Otogakure's Ninja on the left had just leaped up when a green figure descended like a cannonball from above!
Guy had somehow teleported from the high wall railing. His right leg raised high, with a tearing explosion, he brought down a powerful axe kick, like a battle axe, viciously smashing down on the Otogakure's Ninja's head!
Bang!
The dull sound of impact was mixed with the teeth-shattering sound of bones cracking.
The Otogakure's Ninja didn't even have time to scream before Guy's heavy blow crushed him into the metal seat below!
The sturdy seat back instantly twisted and deformed. The Otogakure's Ninja spat blood from his mouth and nose, his head twisted at an unnatural angle, dying on the spot.
Almost simultaneously, the Otogakure's Ninja on the right saw a flash of silver hair before his eyes.
Kakashi casually raised his right foot and stamped it on the wrist joint of the hand holding the knife, gently grinding.
Crack!
The crisp sound of wrist bones shattering was clear and audible.
The Otogakure's Ninja groaned in pain, the short sword falling from his hand.
Kakashi's actions were fluid. The force in his foot not yet dissipated, he stepped forward, hooking his foot and kicking the other's chin like kicking a ball.
"Ungh!"
The second Otogakure's Ninja was kicked into flipping half a turn in the air, face down, heavily crashing to the ground. His nose bridge broken, teeth mixed with blood spraying out, he also lost consciousness instantly.
From the Otogakure's Ninja's sudden ambush to being instantly dealt with by Guy and Kakashi, the entire process took less than two seconds.
Clean and neat, without any muddling along, it demonstrated the top-tier Taijutsu skill and combat proficiency of Konoha's Elite Jonin.
The sole remaining Otogakure's Ninja, disguised as Anbu, had cold sweat seeping from his forehead beneath his mask.
He hadn't expected his squad to be so easily crushed, nor had he expected that these Konoha's Jonin seemed completely unaffected by the Temple of Nirvana Technique.
He subconsciously stepped back half a pace, his gaze glancing towards the VIP seating area where the Land of Stars' delegation was located, a hint of urgency flashing in his eyes.
"Friends from the Land of Stars!" The Otogakure's Ninja suddenly raised his voice, shouting in that direction, his tone carrying urgency and panic.
"Are you still not going to act now?!"
"What?!" Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy's expressions changed simultaneously upon hearing this!
'The Land of Stars?'
'Was the Land of Stars also involved in this attack?!'
Kakashi's right eye narrowed slightly, his gaze extremely grave.
He had noticed earlier that over on the Land of Stars delegation seats, that group led by Shisui had quietly disappeared shortly after the explosion and Genjutsu were deployed.
The ominous premonition in his heart was now confirmed.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Three figures leaped down from the high platform railing above the audience seats, landing steadily beside the Otogakure's Ninja.
They were Yukimi, Yusuke, and Neji.
After landing, Yukimi flicked her medium-length brown hair. The freckles on her face still gave her a somewhat girlish liveliness.
She first glanced somewhat displeased at the panicked Otogakure's Ninja beside her, then pursed her lips, her tone carrying obvious dissatisfaction: "Hey there, Otogakure's Ninja, watch your tone. Our Land of Stars and you are just taking what we need from each other... we're not your subordinates. Don't act like you can order us around."
Her words were both a warning to the Otogakure's Ninja and an indirect confirmation to Konoha of the Land of Stars' position in this matter.
Yusuke said nothing, silently stepping half a pace forward, his right hand slowly reaching behind his back to grip the hilt of a sword wrapped in bandages.
As he poured his Chakra into it, the bandages cracked inch by inch, revealing the ferocious, broad blade beneath!
He lifted the Kubikiribocho easily with one hand, angling it towards the ground, exuding a heavy, sharp sense of oppression.
Neji, who had activated his Byakugan, stood on the other side.
The veins bulged around his pure white pupils, his field of vision instantly covering the entire venue.
He slightly turned his body, assuming the most classic starting stance of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist, his palms facing each other, Chakra coalescing at his fingertips and palms, his posture calm.
The appearance of the three from the Land of Stars instantly dropped the temperature here to freezing point.
Asuma slowly inhaled, taking the unlit cigarette from his mouth and pinching it between his fingers.
His gaze swept gravely over Yukimi and the other two, finally settling on Yukimi's face, who seemed to be the leader. He asked in a deep voice: "So, is your Land of Stars behind this attack on Konoha?"
His voice carried suppressed anger. He had strongly opposed the Land of Stars sending people to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams, believing there was some conspiracy behind it. But the old man had told him diplomacy could avoid war. Now it seemed, they had invited the wolf into the house.
Kakashi's gaze was firmly locked on Yukimi, this once lively girl who had shared a deep bond of friendship with him and Yamato during his low period.
"Yukimi, why? Why has the Land of Stars chosen this time, in this way, to launch an invasion against Konoha? What does your Shura intend to do?"
Faced with Asuma's interrogation and Kakashi's sharp gaze, the lively expression on Yukimi's face faded, replaced by a solemnity.
She sighed softly and explained: "Kakashi, first, please allow me to clarify one point. The ones attacking Konoha today are not our Land of Stars, but Orochimaru."
She paused, her gaze sweeping towards the direction of the VIP viewing stand not far away, where the smoke and dust had not yet completely dissipated.
"Our Land of Stars' goal is not to invade Konoha or create meaningless killing either." Yukimi's voice was clear, ensuring every word could be heard by the other party.
"Our main purpose in coming here is to assist the Uchiha Clan in taking back the heritage that rightfully belongs to them but was left behind in Konoha due to historical reasons."
"Orochimaru?!" Kurenai exclaimed in shock, her red pupils trembling slightly, filled with disbelief.
'That legendary Missing-Nin, one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, was the mastermind behind this attack?'
Kakashi and Asuma's expressions also became extremely grave.
The title of Sannin Orochimaru had resonated throughout the Second Great Ninja War before they were even born.
They knew better than anyone the threat posed by Orochimaru.
If Orochimaru was truly behind this, then the danger of this attack would far exceed their estimates.
And the phrase 'retrieving the Uchiha's heritage' from Yukimi's mouth touched Konoha's most sensitive nerve.
"The Uchiha's... heritage?" Asuma frowned deeply.
"Yes." Yukimi nodded affirmatively, without further explanation of what the 'heritage' was, but her attitude made it clear that this matter was not open for discussion.
"So, I'm sorry, Kakashi. Today, we each serve our own masters and have our own missions." As her voice faded, a faint, barely perceptible wisp of smoke began to emanate from Yukimi's body.
Yusuke slightly raised the Kubikiribocho in his hand, the blade edge pointing diagonally forward.
Neji's Byakugan locked onto the nearest Kakashi and Guy.
The battle was about to break out!
…
At the same time, on the VIP viewing stand.
When Yamato, leading an elite Anbu squad, broke through the chaotic crowd and scattered resistance from Otogakure's Ninja and arrived at the main viewing platform, what he saw was a scene of chaos.
The Special Jonin responsible for close protection of the Hokage, Namiashi Raido and Shiranui Genma, were covered in blood, pinned to the wall by several kunai, their condition unknown.
And the seat of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was empty.
"Medical Corps! Quickly! Rescue Raido and Genma!" Yamato ordered sharply, and two accompanying Medical-Nin immediately stepped forward.
He looked up sharply towards the rooftop direction.
There, on the golden glazed tile roof, several figures stood.
"They're on the roof! Follow me!" Yamato did not hesitate, leaping onto the railing first, and in one bound, he rushed onto the sloping roof.
Several elite Anbu followed closely behind.
On the roof, the scene was clearer.
Orochimaru, disguised as the Land of Rice Fields Daimyo, Shigen Yamamoto, had already retreated to a position slightly behind the center of the roof, holding a kunai to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen's face was ashen, clearly furious and humiliated by the sudden change in situation and being subdued.
And beside Orochimaru, the four attendants who had been following him had also torn off their luxurious envoy outer robes, revealing their true forms.
They were Orochimaru's most capable subordinates, the Sound Four: Sakon and Ukon, Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo!
The four of them had now scattered to the four corners of the roof, each occupying a position, forming hand seals.
"Ninja Art: Four Violet Flames Formation!"
As the four chanted in unison, purple Chakra, like burning flames, surged from their bodies, rapidly extending upward and connecting, instantly forming a square prism-shaped purple barrier that completely enveloped the entire central area of the roof!
On the barrier walls, purple flames burned silently, emitting terrifying heat and Chakra Fluctuations, completely isolating the inside from the outside!
"Hokage-sama!" Yamato rushed to the edge of the barrier, anxious and frantic.
An Anbu who had charged too quickly tried to touch the edge of the barrier with his hand, attempting to find a weakness.
Crackle—!!
"Aaagghh—!!"
The purple flames instantly entangled that Anbu's arm!
The terrifying heat and corrosive Chakra made him let out a piteous scream. His entire arm instantly turned black and charred, the skin split open!
"Don't move! Fall back!" Yamato's pupils contracted sharply, and he shouted sharply, stopping other Anbu who wanted to step forward.
He stared intently at the burning purple barrier: "It's the Four Violet Flames Formation!"
This barrier Ninjutsu required four Ninja with similar Chakra Natures and tacit coordination to deploy. It had extremely strong defensive power and counterattack characteristics. Forcibly impacting it would only result in being burned or even devoured by the barrier flames!
The most important thing now was to stabilize the situation, control the chaos, and seek support.
"First squad, stand by with me, monitor the movements inside the barrier, and prepare to rescue Hokage-sama!"
"Second and third squads, immediately clear all enemies in the venue and protect the safety of the spectators!"
"Communications squad! Immediately send the highest emergency distress signal to all village defense units, the barrier squad, the medical squad, and the Jonin squad! Notify the heads of each clan to activate the emergency response plan! Quickly!"
Yamato issued a series of orders rapidly, demonstrating the quality expected of the Anbu Commander.
The Anbu immediately split up, several figures carrying communication equipment shooting towards various parts of the arena.
But Yamato's heart sank.
The Four Violet Flames Formation was already in place. The other party had clearly come prepared. Breaking it from the outside in a short time was almost impossible.
And inside the barrier...
Inside the barrier, the atmosphere was strange.
"You are not Shigen Yamamoto." Hiruzen, with a kunai to his neck, spoke slowly.
"The Daimyo is weak, he would never have eyes and skills like yours."
"Heh heh heh heh..." The 'Shigen Yamamoto' holding him let out a low, pleased chuckle, the laughter gradually turning cold and hoarse, returning to his original voice.
"Sarutobi-sensei, you really have a short memory. You can't even recognize your own most prized student?"
The blade of the kunai turned slightly, the cold touch becoming clearer.
At the same time, 'Yamamoto's' free left hand slowly rose, fumbling around his face, then suddenly tore!
Rip!
A finely crafted human skin mask was torn off, revealing the pale, effeminate face beneath, golden snake eyes flashing with cold pleasure, Orochimaru!
Seeing this face, so familiar it couldn't be more familiar, and hearing that 'Sensei', Hiruzen's body trembled.
Although he had suspected it in his heart, having it confirmed still brought a chill to the bone and a pang of heartache.
"So, the mastermind behind the Otogakure really is you..." Hiruzen's voice grew even more hoarse. He did not look back, his gaze penetrating the purple barrier, casting towards the chaotic arena below, and the smoke rising from the direction of Konoha's main gate in the distance, along with the sounds of explosions.
"So, is the Land of Stars also your ally?" Hiruzen thought of the suddenness of the Land of Stars' participation in this Joint Chunin Exam, and Shisui's arrival, his heart sinking.
Orochimaru's power alone was far from enough to threaten Konoha. But if the Land of Stars was also involved...
"Sensei is still so perceptive." Orochimaru released the kunai pressed against Hiruzen's back, even stepping back two paces, not caring if the other might counterattack.
He leisurely adjusted his collar, which had become slightly disheveled from tearing off the mask. His long tongue extended, licking the blade of the kunai in his hand, his movement eerie.
"However, you're only half right, Sensei." Orochimaru's golden snake eyes swept over the scene below, pausing for a moment on the direction where the Land of Stars' delegation's seats had been, the corner of his mouth curving into a meaningful arc.
"The Otogakure is indeed my toy. As for the Land of Stars? Heh, we do have some cooperation, but it's just taking what we need from each other."
He spread his hands, as if displaying his 'masterpiece'.
The gradually escalating explosions and sounds of fighting in the arena below, the large patches of unconscious civilians in the spectator stands, the faint alarms and commotion coming from various parts of the village in the distance.
"You see, Sensei, this great tree of Konoha, on the outside it still looks lush and thriving, but at its roots, it has long been hollowed out, crawling with snakes, insects, rats, and ants."
"And you, you've been sitting at the top of the tree for too long, so long that you can no longer see the rot at the roots, nor hear the wailing inside the trunk."
Orochimaru's voice carried an incantation-like, eerie rhythm, full of mockery.
"I advised you long ago to choose the Fifth Hokage early, to let someone more dynamic and better at reform take over. But you?"
"You'd rather watch Konoha gradually lose its edge in your hands, becoming bloated, sluggish, filled with revolting hypocrisy and darkness."
He walked forward a few steps, standing shoulder to shoulder with Hiruzen, overlooking Konoha as it sank into chaos, like admiring a work of art about to be completed.
"So, Sensei, I'm here." Orochimaru turned his head, his golden vertical pupils firmly locked onto Hiruzen's aged profile.
"I've come to help you... make a break, to put a decent end to your long and glorious term!"
"Right here, right now, in front of the 'future' you once placed such high hopes in, under the watchful eyes of everyone in Konoha..."
"Let your proudest student see you off on your final journey!"
As his voice faded, a wave of cold, sticky killing intent and Chakra burst from Orochimaru's body!
The purple barrier flames seemed to tremble at it.
The eyes of the Otogakure's Ninja Four were fervent.
Hiruzen slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
When he opened them again, the fatigue, heartache, hesitation, and other emotions in his aged eyes had been suppressed, leaving only the firmness and resolve of the Hokage, forged through countless battles of blood and fire, to protect the village.
He unbuttoned the top button of the Hokage's robe, revealing the battle flak jacket underneath.
Memories of sparing Orochimaru in the past welled up in his mind.
"Orochimaru..." Hiruzen's voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly within the barrier, carrying a sense of vicissitude and deep regret.
"It seems, in the end, I was still too soft-hearted back then."
"However, correcting a mistake is never too late."
"Today, let me, your Sensei, give you your final lesson. What the true Will of Fire really is!"
As the Hokage's robe fluttered, a surge of powerful Chakra, like a dormant volcano, began to slowly awaken and roar within this aged Hokage's body.
The purple Four Violet Flames Formation, like an ornate coffin, completely isolated this life-and-death duel between master and student, between ideals, between past and future, from the outside world.
And outside the formation, the collapse and flames of war had already spread across Konoha.