At the examination venue, the sudden outbreak of violence shocked many spectators, but the Konoha shinobi were well prepared.
Faced with the attacking Sand and Sound ninja, the Konoha shinobi rushed forward without hesitation. The arena instantly erupted into brutal combat.
Simultaneously, Sand ninja who had been hiding outside the venue stormed in after eliminating the Konoha guards.
The shinobi patrolling outside Konoha immediately noticed the disturbance at the arena. However, their mission wasn't to rescue those at the venue, but to defend Konoha's outer perimeter against enemy raids.
"Sniff sniff..."
"The signal is here! Charge!"
Large numbers of Sand and Sound ninja gathered outside Konoha and launched a coordinated assault on the village.
Meanwhile, in a secluded forest, several Sand ninja bit into summoning scrolls while rapidly forming hand seals.
The summoning formation expanded instantly, its lines entangling and intertwining. A massive summoning array formed in the blink of an eye and began to emit a brilliant light.
"Hissss..."
"BOOM!!!"
Without warning, explosions of smoke erupted at three locations in the forest outside Konoha. Three enormous three-headed snakes emerged, hissing as they rose up. Their massive bodies crushed trees as they slithered toward Konoha.
Along with the giant snakes' sudden attack, swarms of Sand ninja appeared, brandishing their weapons with gleeful expressions.
In an instant, Konoha was caught in a pincer attack from both inside and outside its walls.
More worryingly, even the safety of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was now in question.
"What we feared most has happened. The Sand ninja have torn up the peace treaty and started a war," Nara Shikaku said grimly.
He narrowed his eyes, watching the three-headed giant snake rushing toward him. The enormous reptile left a visible path of destruction in its wake.
"Lord Shikaku, three-headed snakes have appeared at the east, west, and north gates. Large numbers of Sand and Sound ninja are attacking those entrances. No enemies have been spotted at the south gate yet!" reported a messenger.
"What about Hokage-sama?"
"There's no confirmed information yet, but the Third Hokage is believed to be confronting the Fourth Kazekage!"
"In that case..." Shikaku glanced at the three-headed giant snake and issued decisive orders. "The situation remains unclear. Guards at the south gate must maintain their positions and are not permitted to leave until new orders are issued."
"Yes, sir!"
"Guards at the east, west, and north gates are to launch an immediate counterattack and coordinate with ANBU members to stop the giant snakes. We cannot allow the enemy or these summons to enter the village."
"Understood!"
"Where is Naraku?"
"We haven't found any trace of Lord Naraku yet!"
Nara Shikaku was stunned. Why hadn't he appeared at such a critical moment? "Notify the shinobi escorting civilians to the shelters. Tell them to speed up the evacuation!"
"Yes, sir!"
The examination venue was filled with elite Jōnin led by Kakashi. The Third Hokage wouldn't be easily captured, so there was no immediate cause for concern.
Shikaku's mind raced as he focused on preventing enemy forces from entering Konoha.
According to their previously prepared battle plan, his and Shihouin Naraku's mission was to defend Konoha's outer perimeter while protecting civilians and preventing enemy infiltration.
But where had Naraku gone?
"Sniff sniff..."
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
ANBU members stood before the three-headed giant snakes, launching kunai with explosive tags that embedded themselves in the snakes' bodies and detonated instantly.
But these explosions caused no visible harm to the giant reptiles.
Instead, the attacks only enraged the three-headed snakes, causing them to roar wildly. One opened its enormous jaws and swallowed several Konoha ANBU in a single gulp!
"This isn't right. These aren't ordinary summons."
The experienced ANBU operatives immediately realized something was wrong. The three-headed snakes before them had obviously been enhanced through some special technique.
"Keep attacking! Don't stop!"
"Look out!"
Several powerful Sand ninja suddenly appeared and attacked the Konoha ANBU who were targeting the giant snakes.
Under assault from both sides, the ANBU found it difficult to focus their full strength on the summons!
"Damn it! These Sand ninja are doing this deliberately. They're preventing us from killing the snakes!"
Yamanaka Inoichi stepped forward and directed the counterattack. "The rest of you continue attacking the snakes. Squad Three will work with me to eliminate these interfering Sand ninja first!"
"Hold on, everyone! Reinforcements will arrive soon!"
"Yes, sir!"
Jutsu and kunai filled the air as flames and lightning flashed across the sky. The battle instantly escalated to fever pitch.
Inoichi glanced around worriedly. Where had Lord Naraku gone?
...
Where was Shihouin Naraku?
Before the Konoha invasion plan had even begun, Shihouin Naraku had already infiltrated the Root organization's base.
Within the Root headquarters, Shimura Danzō was waiting—waiting for news of his old friend's death, after which he would emerge as a hero and become the new Hokage amid public acclaim.
Who in Konoha was more suitable to be the Fifth Hokage than Shimura Danzō?
No one!
What did a samurai know? What did Hatake Kakashi understand?
They knew nothing of politics!
What good was combat prowess? Fighting alone solved nothing!
According to Danzō, the only obstacle to his becoming the Fifth Hokage was Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In that case, the only solution was for Hiruzen to die!
"Boom boom boom..."
Thunderous roars echoed from outside, and the constant tremors caused the base to shake slightly.
Shimura Danzō opened his eyes and looked upward, but remained motionless.
The next second—
"Shing!"
A cold flash of steel suddenly appeared, instantly illuminating the dim headquarters!
Danzō's instincts screamed danger, his hair standing on end. He fell backward, toppling with his chair, then rolled away with surprising agility for an elderly man, narrowly avoiding the sudden attack.
"Swish! Swish!"
Two figures appeared before Danzō in an instant, then several Root ninja leapt forward, aiming their weapons at the figure slowly emerging from the shadows.
"Danzō-sama's reaction in dodging that attack was quite impressive," a mocking voice observed.
Shihouin Naraku walked forward slowly, a black straight-bladed sword in his hand, looking at Shimura Danzō with a smile.
"Shihouin Naraku? Konoha is in crisis. As a high-ranking official, why are you sneaking into Root headquarters instead of leading our forces against the invasion?"
Shimura Danzō frowned as he spoke, quickly lifting his black and gray robe to reveal his right arm, sealed with special markings.
Shihouin Naraku seemed not to notice Danzō's movements as he continued his approach. "I am here by order of the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen to execute Shimura Danzō!"
"You're lying!"
Even though he had arranged for Sarutobi Hiruzen to be assassinated, Danzō couldn't believe that his old friend would order his death. It was impossible.
They shared a friendship spanning decades!
They were comrades!
Danzō still believed that no matter what he did, no matter how severe his transgressions, Hiruzen would forgive him. At worst, he might be dismissed from his position, but his life would be spared.
"Bang..."
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