Rumble—!!!
A world-shaking explosion completely shattered the long-standing peace of Konoha.
Massive clouds of dust and smoke billowed into the sky, blotting out the midday sun.
Within that rolling thick smoke, three mountain-sized giant snakes roared, smashing through the towering walls and beginning to wreak havoc on the streets.
At the same time, above the arena.
"What's that?"
"Feathers...?"
As Yakushi Kabuto's A-rank genjutsu, Temple of Nirvana, was activated, white feathers drifted down from the sky like snowflakes.
In the spectator stands, vast numbers of civilians and low-ranking ninja felt their eyes grow glazed.
They subsequently fell like rows of harvested wheat, sinking into a death-like slumber.
"Ugh-aaaaah!!"
Suddenly, a wretched scream rang out from the viewing platform.
Gaara clutched his head tightly, his face contorted.
Tan-colored sand coalesced frantically on the surface of his body, rapidly transforming into a hideous half-body Tailed Beast cloak, as a violent and murderous beastly eye snapped open.
This wasn't the full Tailed Beast transformation originally planned, but an induced semi-transformation.
Long before the match, Yakushi Kabuto—following Naruto's instructions—had secretly tampered with Gaara's suppression medicine.
At this moment, Shukaku's power was completely out of control, rampaging through his body like an unchecked flood.
Beside him, Temari and Kankurō turned pale with fright.
"Wasn't the plan to wait for the signal before the full release?"
"Why is Gaara going berserk now?"
Kankurō swallowed hard as he looked at his monster-like brother.
"And... this chakra is completely out of control! Is he going to kill us too?"
"Blood... I want blood..."
The mindless Gaara let out a roar, and with a sweep of his sand tail, he smashed right through the arena wall.
Then, like an out-of-control beast, he bolted toward the forest outside Konoha.
"Damn it, follow him! We can't let him die here!"
Temari gritted her teeth and pulled Kankurō along in pursuit.
Meanwhile, outside the gates of Konoha.
Two travel-worn figures had just arrived.
"I really didn't expect you to actually forget such an important day."
Uchiha Sasuke's face was covered in dark lines as he complained through gritted teeth while rushing along.
"If you hadn't insisted on drinking that 'famous sake' and ended up passed out drunk, we would have been here ages ago!"
"If I miss the match with Naruto..."
"Now, now, calm down, Sasuke."
Jiraiya scratched his head, playing dumb with a hungover look.
"That was for research! Research, do you understand?!"
"Do you know how many men's happiness lies in my hands?"
"Besides, so-called big shots always make their entrance at the last possible moment..."
Before he could finish his sentence...
Boom—!
The sound of an explosion in the distance and the tremors in the ground interrupted the master and disciple's conversation.
The playful grin on Jiraiya's face vanished instantly without a trace, replaced by the solemnity and killing intent of a Sannin.
He snapped his head up, his sharp gaze piercing through the smoke to lock onto the three rampaging summoned giant snakes.
"Are those... Orochimaru's summoned beasts?"
"It seems this isn't just a simple disturbance."
Jiraiya grabbed Sasuke, who was about to rush over, and said in a low voice:
"Sasuke, you go support the arena!"
"Leave monsters of this size to me. We can't let them enter the residential areas!"
"Tch, don't order me around."
Although Sasuke sounded annoyed, his body was honest, and he turned to sprint toward the competition venue.
However, just as he was nearing the arena, several leaping figures in the woods caught his attention.
It was Temari and Kankurō from the Hidden Sand, escorting a monster emitting an ominous aura as they fled.
"Are those... the guys from the Sand?"
Sasuke stopped and looked at the strangely shaped figures.
Then, Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Aburame Shino, Tenten, and Rock Lee also chased out from the direction of the arena.
"Sasuke-kun?!"
Sakura cried out in surprise.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"Don't go to the arena! Kakashi-sensei ordered us to pursue Gaara of the Hidden Sand! It's an A-rank mission!"
Shikamaru explained rapidly.
"Gaara's state is very wrong; he's gone mad like a monster..."
"A monster..."
Sasuke glanced at the smoke-filled exam arena, which was already in total chaos.
Then he looked at Gaara, who was fleeing the village while emitting a terrifying chakra.
That was a prey more powerful than anyone inside the arena.
"Naruto's match has probably been canceled too."
Tomoe gradually appeared in Sasuke's eyes.
"Tch."
Sasuke gritted his teeth and turned to join the pursuit squad.
"Lead the way. That Sand guy... is my prey!"
...
In the exam arena, a chaotic battle had fully erupted.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
In the stands, Might Guy kicked away two Sound ninja attempting a sneak attack, his expression growing increasingly solemn.
He looked toward the direction Gaara had fled, and then toward the distress signal rising in the distance.
An ominous foreboding swirled in his heart, frantically stimulating his beast-like keen intuition.
If he didn't go there, he might encounter a regret that could never be undone.
After a moment's hesitation, he could no longer restrain himself.
"Kakashi! I'm leaving this to you! I have urgent business to attend to!"
Guy shouted to Kakashi, who was not far away.
Then, transforming into a green whirlwind, he left the core battle zone without looking back and gave chase toward the outskirts of the village.
Upon the high platform, an anomaly also occurred.
The moment the chaos began, the "Kazekage," who had been sitting calmly, suddenly struck.
The kunai in his hand was instantly pressed against the Third Hokage's throat, and then the two of them leapt together onto the roof tiles.
"Lord Kazekage, what is the meaning of this?"
The Third Hokage did not panic; his eyes were merely cold.
"Hehehehe..."
The "Kazekage" first let out a cold laugh, then ripped away his disguise, revealing the face underneath.
"Orochimaru!"
The Third Hokage's pupils constricted.
Before the Anbu could provide support, the Sound Four, who had been lying in wait, took their positions at the four corners.
"Ninja Art: Four Violet Flames Formation!"
A purple transparent barrier rose into the sky, trapping the Third Hokage and Orochimaru inside.
Several Anbu who tried to touch the barrier were instantly incinerated to ashes by the intense flames.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Standing within the barrier, Orochimaru casually summoned several giant snakes, forcing back Sarutobi Hiruzen, who wanted to break through.
"Orochimaru! Do you really intend to destroy Konoha?"
The Third Hokage roared at Orochimaru.
"Hehehe... Destroy Konoha?"
Orochimaru halted his attacks and stood at the other end, giving Sarutobi Hiruzen a mocking smile.
"That's right."
"Originally, I intended to kill you with my own hands here and then destroy Konoha."
"But now, I've changed my mind."
Orochimaru licked his lips, a strange light glinting in his slitted snake-like pupils.
"Just watch closely from this front-row seat."
"Enjoy a... specially prepared for you, and for this decaying village..."
"Grand finale."