When the explosion at the arena occurred and the purple barrier rose, the Otogakure's Ninja who had been pre-positioned near Konoha's streets and various important facilities tore off their final disguises, grinning ferociously as they pressed the switches on the detonators in their hands.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Continuous explosions occurred throughout Konoha, brutally tearing apart the village's tranquility.
Residential windows shattered from the shockwaves, shop signs blazed fiercely, the carefully arranged celebratory decorations on the streets became fuel for the fire, and smoke and flames rose everywhere.
The carefully chosen explosion points not only caused physical destruction but also triggered panic among the civilians.
The ordinary people in the village were stunned by this sudden, comprehensive attack, instantly falling into enormous chaos.
Cries, screams, alarms, explosions, the sounds of buildings collapsing...
In this chaotic prelude, the Land of Stars' Ninja, who had already split up according to plan, silently thrust towards various vital points in Konoha like unsheathed blades.
Sato, Ai, and Shunji, three Jonin who had already emerged as standouts among the Land of Stars' new generation, each led an assault squad of two elite Chunin, racing through the chaotic streets and across rooftops.
Their objective was clear: to create maximum chaos on the outskirts of Konoha's Root base and Anbu base, tying down the defensive forces in Konoha's core area.
Sato's Lightning Blades: Kiba flickered with dangerous blue lightning. Wherever he passed, the occasional Konoha's Ninja would often go limp and fall after a single exchange.
Ai controlled miniature puppets that swarmed like butterflies, drilling into ventilation ducts and concealed corners to install jamming devices and explosive tags.
Shunji acted like a human battering ram, using his Twin Blades: Hiramekarei to directly blast building exterior walls, creating entrances and collapses.
Their assault operations quickly occupied a large number of the defensive Ninja at Konoha's Anbu base and Root base.
Meanwhile, another team led by Toneri and Chino headed straight for Konoha's Hokage Building. Their target was the [Secret Technique Storage Room] hidden deep beneath the building.
At this moment, the defensive forces at the Hokage Building had been largely drawn away due to the emergency at the arena, the invasion at the village entrance, and the explosions everywhere. It was at its most vulnerable moment.
"Found it, on the third underground floor!" Toneri's Byakugan was exceptionally sensitive to perceiving Chakra and barrier fluctuations, easily locating the secret technique storage room protected by layers of barriers.
"Enemy invasion!"
"Stop them!"
"Ugh!"
"We need support!"
Chino's small figure rapidly advanced, her crimson Ketsuryugan flashing red light. No Konoha's Ninja could last a single exchange with her.
Several Star Ninja skilled in breaking seals followed closely behind, easily opening a gap in the barrier and opening the doors to the vault.
They began methodically transporting the various types of scrolls… Ninjutsu, forbidden techniques, Kekkei Genkai research… that Konoha had accumulated over decades...
These were priceless intellectual treasures.
Toneri looked at the shattered barrier and sighed with emotion: "Kushina-sama was right. Konoha doesn't have any decent barrier Ninja. All these years have passed, and they're still using the Uzumaki Clan's barrier techniques, with no improvements."
At the same time, Shisui, leading Kimimaro and Haku, was heading towards the lower reaches of the Naka River, the site of the former Uchiha Clan's Compound.
There lay the past of the Uchiha Clan, and certain things buried as well.
…
The arena.
Atop a high wall, on a flying eaves with a wide view.
Adult Sasuke, wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and a black coat, stood silently.
The shadow of the brim covered most of his face, leaving only his right eye exposed, calmly overlooking the arena below, which had sunk into complete chaos like a destroyed ant nest.
The light of the explosions flickered on his face, now bright, now dim, but unable to stir the slightest ripple in his Mangekyo Sharingan.
He looked at the Four Violet Flames Formation with its rising purple flames, at the vaguely confronting figures of Orochimaru and Hiruzen inside the barrier, at the large swaths of unconscious spectators and scattered pockets of fighting in the stands, at the smoke rising from the streets of Konoha in the distance and the rampaging giant summoned creature...
Everything was so similar to the [Konoha Crush Plan] in his memory, yet with subtle differences.
Orochimaru's ally had changed from Sunagakure to the Land of Stars, and Orochimaru's disguise had changed from the Fourth Kazekage to the Land of Rice Fields' Daimyo, but Orochimaru's obsession with the Third Hokage had not changed.
History seemed like a stubborn painter, even using different pigments, still outlining the same cruel picture.
"Master... Th-This is the [Konoha Crush Plan] from back then?" Boruto, standing beside him, gripped the railing tightly.
Although he had heard about this past event in history books and from his father, the impact of witnessing such a scene firsthand was worlds apart from reading a description.
He saw the unconscious civilians, the Konoha's Ninja resisting desperately but falling one after another, the Otogakure's Ninja rampaging wantonly, and the Ninja wearing Land of Stars' forehead protectors who had suddenly turned on Konoha.
"Shouldn't we... do something? There are still many people down there..."
Boruto's voice carried reluctance and anxiety.
Even knowing this was another Space-Time, he couldn't remain completely indifferent watching innocents suffer and his familiar village being ravaged.
Adult Sasuke's gaze slowly moved away from the chaos below, looking towards the area outside the arena.
His Rinnegan could faintly detect several rapidly moving, powerful Chakra Reactions heading towards the direction of the Uchiha Clan's Compound, one of them exceptionally familiar, belonging to Shisui.
He naturally knew what Shisui was going to do. Although the Naka Shrine had been leveled, there were still things in the underground chamber that the Uchiha Clan must retrieve.
"Don't do anything." Adult Sasuke's voice was calm and unruffled.
"Just watch quietly. Our goal has always been only Otsutsuki Urashiki. I have a feeling that he will definitely come."
He paused, then added: "Besides... Konoha won't fall that easily. The wounds and growth of each era must be endured and completed by the people of that era themselves."
Boruto opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but looking at his master's cold profile, and the Konoha's Ninja below who were indeed beginning to gradually organize counterattacks, he finally swallowed his words.
He clenched his fists and turned his gaze back downward, firmly locking onto the blonde figure on the field, Uzumaki Naruto.
The arena below was now surrounded by chaotic noise and the occasional flying debris from explosions.
What had been the arena as a battlefield of honor had now become an isolated island full of crises.
"Menma-nii! Hinata! Wh-What the hell is going on?!" Naruto stood back-to-back with Menma and Hinata, assuming a vigilant posture. His blue eyes were filled with confusion, anger, and tension in the face of the sudden crisis.
He was hot-blooded, but not stupid. The explosions everywhere in the arena, the unconscious people in the stands, and the Otogakure's Ninja and Star Ninja who had suddenly attacked Konoha's Ninja all pointed to this being a long-premeditated attack!
He just hadn't fully figured out the enemy's objective yet.
Hinata stayed close to Menma's side, maintaining the Gentle Fist's starting stance with her hands, her Byakugan nervously scanning the surroundings.
She was more worried about the direction of the stands. Her gaze quickly found the area where the Hyuga Clan was located.
She saw her father, Hyuga Hiashi, shielding her younger sister Hanabi behind him, surrounded by several Hyuga branch family's Ninja in a defensive formation. There was no immediate danger.
Hanabi also saw her sister, her small face somewhat tense and scared, but she still tried to wave to Hinata.
Hinata's heart ached.
Just then, two figures almost simultaneously landed on opposite sides of the arena.
A tall, sturdy figure landed beside the Iwagakure's team. It was the leading Jonin from Iwagakure, Akatsuchi.
His face was grave. He glanced at the purple barrier in the VIP seating direction, then swept his gaze over the chaotic arena, cursing inwardly.
Before departure, Onoki had indeed mentioned that 'there might be unforeseen circumstances', but he hadn't expected an act of war of this scale!
Moreover, the Land of Stars was also involved, yet had given no warning to Iwagakure, its dependent village. The lack of trust and the dangerous signals this sent made Akatsuchi's back feel cold.
He made an immediate decision, supporting the still trembling and weak Kirara, whose spirit had been injured, and shouted loudly to Deidara and Ku: "Stop staring! Let's go! We're leaving Konoha Village immediately! We can't stay here!"
The proctor, Gekko Hayate, landed beside Menma and his group.
He still had that blade of grass in his mouth, but his face was pale, and he coughed a few times.
"Sudden enemy attack! Match aborted!"
"Don't just stand here, you three! Head to the east stands immediately. I remember Kakashi and Asuma are over there. Find your Jonin Instructor and follow their orders!"
His speech was fast and urgent, and he was slightly out of breath after speaking.
Menma nodded and said briefly to Naruto and Hinata: "Let's go."
The three turned to follow Hayate's guidance to leave this place of trouble.
"Hey! You over there! Your name is Menma, right?"
A voice came from behind, carrying obvious reluctance and a hint of awkward recognition.
Menma didn't stop walking, just slightly turned his head.
Deidara's eyes were fixed intently on Menma's back as he shouted loudly: "I've remembered you! And your art... that fleeting, brilliant explosion... I acknowledge it!"
"Next time! Next time we meet, I'll definitely show you what true, ultimate, eternal explosion art is! Yeah!"
Even at a time like this, Deidara still didn't forget his 'art' declaration, though his tone was more like a different kind of challenge from a paranoid.
Menma didn't respond to Deidara. He just used his peripheral vision to glance at the two artificial humans, Ku and Kirara.
'Mount Myoboku... I've noted this debt.'
In the competitor rest area, the atmosphere was tense as a bowstring.
Young Sasuke's expression was irritable. His crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan swept over the chaotic arena outside and the continuous sounds of explosions, his hands clenched into fists.
"Sai! Shigaraki!" Young Sasuke suddenly turned and growled at his two teammates.
"We can't just wait here doing nothing! They need support out there! Let's go help clear out those Otogakure's Ninja, or go to Hokage-sama's side..."
Sai and Shigaraki were exceptionally silent. They exchanged a glance and silently moved a step closer to Sasuke's side, faintly forming a protective formation.
"Sasuke." Sai's eyes turned cold.
"Our mission is to protect you."
"Until we receive new orders or confirm absolute safety, you cannot participate in any combat. That is an order."
Shigaraki didn't speak, just silently moved half a step forward, forming a tighter angle with Sai, subtly cutting off the routes Sasuke might take to break out.
"You!" Sasuke's chest heaved violently, his eyes burning with anger.
He had long known that these two teammates were 'monitors' placed beside him by the higher-ups, but he hadn't expected that at a critical juncture like this, they would still carry out this ridiculous 'protection' mission!
'What kind of protection was this?'
'House arrest?'
Shikamaru, leading Choji and Ino, gradually moved closer.
Shikamaru glanced at the displeased Sasuke and his two clearly off teammates, inwardly thinking 'trouble', but knew this was obviously not the time to ask questions.
He said in a low voice to Sasuke: "Hey, Sasuke, calm down!"
"We don't know the situation yet. Acting rashly could make things worse. Let's see what happens first..."
Sasuke was about to say something more when several figures appeared in the rest area.
Ao from Kirigakure, leading two Kirigakure's Chunin, quickly came to Suigetsu, Chojuro, and Honoka, whispering a few words rapidly.
Samui from Kumogakure also appeared before Karui, Omoi, and Atsui, her cool face full of gravity.
Then Ao walked towards Samui and said something.
The two teams from Kirigakure and Kumogakure instinctively began to move towards each other, forming a loose temporary alliance.
Faced with a sudden large-scale attack and enemies of unknown identity, temporary cooperation was an instinctive choice.
Then their gazes, almost simultaneously, carried vigilance, doubt, and hidden hostility, turning towards the other side of the rest area, towards the two Land of Stars' Genin Teams that had barely moved since earlier.
Gaara, Karin, and the other six stood there quietly, completely out of place with the surrounding chaos and tension.
Shikamaru's brow was knitted in a knot. He scratched the back of his head with one hand, muttering under his breath: "I knew it... things wouldn't be this simple. The Land of Stars really had no good intentions. Participating in the Chunin Exams was just a cover, right? What a drag."
As if to confirm Shikamaru's jinx, the previously silent Gaara, his eyes calmly sweeping over the dozen or so people opposite him…
The Konoha, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure's Genin and Jonin.
Gaara slowly crossed his arms over his chest and spoke: "Sorry, but until I receive further orders, you cannot leave here for the time being."
"What?!"
"Arrogant!"
"Who do you think you are?!"
This sentence was like lighting a powder keg, instantly stirring up the anger of everyone opposite.
Suigetsu grinned, showing his sharp teeth, hoisting the Nuibari sword, and pointed the tip at Gaara, his tone full of contempt: "Hey hey, red-haired kid, you're pretty cocky, huh? Just you six want to stop all of us? Plus two Jonin?"
He pointed to Ao beside him and Samui on the other side.
The others also showed similar expressions.
These two Land of Stars' teams were indeed very strong, having proven their strength in the previous exams, but now there were four teams of twelve examinees on their side, plus Elite Jonin like Ao and Samui. The balance of power was clearly in their favor.
Where did the other side get the confidence to say such a thing?
Karin put one hand on her hip, the other hand habitually pushing up her glasses. A flicker of amusement appeared in her eyes. She pursed her lips and said to Gaara with a smile: "Hey, Gaara, see? I told you we hid our strength too well before, and now they really look down on us. We should have shown them a thing or two back in the Forest of Death."
Gaara didn't respond to Karin's complaint.
His gaze slowly swept over the face of every person opposite.
The suppressed anger in Young Sasuke's eyes, the gravity on Shikamaru's face, Suigetsu's arrogant expression, Chojuro's nervousness, Karui's defiance, Omoi's worry, the wariness in Ao and Samui's eyes...
"In that case..." Gaara let out a soft breath.
With this exhaled breath, a vast, violent, hatred-filled Chakra suddenly awakened within him, erupting from Gaara as the center!
Woo—!
A stream of dark red Chakra swept out around him like a gale!
The solid stone-brick ground beneath his feet instantly became covered with crack lines like a spider web, then shattered!
Fine gravel and dust were carried along by the furious Chakra, floating in the air, forming a small force field full of oppression.
The giant gourd on Gaara's back opened its mouth automatically, and an endless torrent of yellow sand surged out, swirling around him, emitting a teeth-grating rustling sound of friction.
Just sensing this immense Chakra made one's soul tremble and breathing difficult!
"Th-This is...?!" Ao stepped back sharply, immediately undoing the seal on his right eye. That transplanted Byakugan instantly widened, the veins on his forehead bulging, his voice trembling.
"This Chakra... no doubt about it! It's a Tailed Beast! He's a Jinchuriki!!"