---
Suddenly, the sun above his head was blocked. Ye Dou looked up and saw a stranger dressed like a ninja standing in front of him.
"Does this customer need anything in particular?" the man asked.
Ye Dou nodded.
"Then please let me know what you're looking for. Our store is the largest ninja tool shop in Konoha, fully stocked with top-quality gear!"
Seeing a potential customer, the shopkeeper's expression instantly brightened as he welcomed him enthusiastically.
Ye Dou spoke directly: "Shuriken, senbon, kunai, windmill shuriken, explosive tags, flash bombs, smoke bombs."
The shopkeeper quickly jotted everything down, nodding as Ye Dou listed each item. These were all standard tools for shinobi and readily available in his store.
"Understood. How much of each would you like? If you're buying in bulk, I can offer you a discount."
Ye Dou looked at him and calmly said, "All of them."
"...All?"
The shopkeeper blinked, unsure if he had misheard. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
"All."
Ye Dou didn't waste another word. He raised his hand and produced a thick stack of silver ryo notes.
He didn't know the exact amount, but it was enough to buy out the entire store's stock of weapons and tools. This was the cash he had taken from Gato — the infamous shipping magnate he had recently eliminated. A conservative estimate put it at around two billion ryo. He still had plenty of other valuables to sell later.
"Right away, sir! Please give me a moment!" the shopkeeper said, his eyes widening at the sight of the money. Greed and excitement overtook him as he rushed to prepare Ye Dou's order.
His efficiency was impressive. In no time, he had packed everything into multiple sealing scrolls and even gave Ye Dou a generous 20% discount.
After doing a quick mental calculation, he realized this sale might have just equaled an entire year's revenue. Naturally, he was in a good mood.
"That will be four hundred thousand ryo in total. Would you like to see our specialty items? We also have chakra-forged ninja blades crafted by renowned swordsmiths."
"No need," Ye Dou replied.
After paying, he took the scrolls and walked out of the store without a second glance.
---
Meanwhile, at the Chūnin Exam arena…
The final round had entered its climax.
Following the match between Neji Hyuga and Naruto Uzumaki, several other battles had taken place — including Nara Shikamaru vs. Temari and Hanabi Hyuga vs. Kankuro. The promotion candidates were slowly being determined.
In the waiting lounge, only Ye Dou's shadow clone remained.
Naruto had pulled off an upset victory against Neji, proving the potential of perseverance and unpredictability. Shikamaru had forfeited despite having the upper hand, revealing his tactical brilliance but lack of interest in unnecessary effort. Hanabi had lost, shaken after seeing her older sister Hinata gravely injured earlier.
In the arena, Sasuke Uchiha had just arrived — fashionably late — to confront Gaara of the Sand.
"Is this your 'Absolute Defense'?" Sasuke taunted, staring at the dome of sand that had encased Gaara. "You've turned into a turtle hiding in its shell. Let me crack it open!"
He leapt to the edge of the arena wall, formed hand seals, and channeled chakra into his left hand.
Chirp chirp chirp! A thousand bird-like cries echoed as electricity sparked violently in his palm — the chakra becoming visible, dense, and deadly.
"Lightning Style: Chidori!"
With a roar, Sasuke dashed toward Gaara. Though his feet barely touched the ground, the sheer force of the technique carved a scar across the earth.
CRACK!
Gaara's sand shield shattered as Chidori pierced straight through. The spectators gasped, astonished at the destructive force of the jutsu.
Sasuke was about to follow up, but then he felt something seize his arm.
He yanked back — only to find himself holding a grotesque, half-transformed limb.
It wasn't human.
Elsewhere, a disguised ANBU operative quickly formed hand signs.
Suddenly, without warning, white feathers began drifting down from the sky — soft, gentle, and hypnotic.
"Genjutsu!" someone cried. "Everyone, stay alert!"
From the main VIP box, Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, turned to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, eyes gleaming with madness.
"It begins!"
Smoke bombs exploded. Panic spread as the signal was given.
---
The Konoha Crush Plan: In Motion
Outside Konoha's walls…
"It's the signal."
"Commence the assault. Objective: Cripple Konoha!"
From hidden positions around the village, shinobi from Sunagakure and Otogakure moved in unison. Clad in camouflage, they emerged like wolves from the trees, their movements swift and coordinated.
Within moments, the alarm blared throughout the Hidden Leaf.
"Enemy attack! All shinobi, to battle stations!"
The barrier squad, responsible for protecting the perimeter of the village, immediately sprang into action. Their chakra sensors had already picked up hostile signatures breaching the outer limits.
The Konoha Crush had begun.
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