"Hokage-sama, shouldn't we deal with the traitor of the village first? With all due respect, Uchiha Itachi is no less dangerous than Orochimaru."
To be able to massacre his entire clan overnight, and it was the strongest Uchiha clan, Kakashi believed Uchiha Itachi's strength was absolutely extraordinary.
But...
For some reason, this Third Hokage seemed to deliberately overlook the other party.
"What happened back then with Itachi has very deep circumstances. For now, let's just tell the outside that we're protecting the village first," Realizing Kakashi and the others could no longer help him against Orochimaru, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only choose to temporarily stabilize the situation with Uchiha Itachi.
"Hokage-sama, is this true? Back then, the Uchiha Clan's extermination... had hidden truths?"
Although Orochimaru had really appeared and even seemed to be controlling Sunagakure...
The twist with Uchiha Itachi was even more shocking.
Before Kakashi could speak, the Konoha ninjas behind him had all fallen into shock.
"The situation is urgent. Put Uchiha Itachi's matter aside for now. You all hurry and support the other ninjas, protect Konoha!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want to say any more.
"Yes..."
Kakashi took a deep breath, then looked with a complicated expression at Sarutobi Hiruzen in front of him, and at Uchiha Itachi not far away.
In the end, he still pulled Might Guy beside him, and led most of the ninjas away from the eaves, heading toward the central grounds below where the chaos was occurring.
"Wait, Kakashi, letting the Hokage-sama face those troublesome guys alone, isn't that a bit...", Might Guy hesitated a little.
Although the appearance of Uchiha Itachi and Orochimaru had also thrown him into some confusion, he still felt that they should leave some people behind to protect the Hokage.
"Trust the Third. He is our Konoha's Hokage after all."
Kakashi signaled Guy not to worry.
To deal with Orochimaru, he believed that Sarutobi Hiruzen, as Hokage, wouldn't lose.
"True."
Convinced, Might Guy didn't hesitate anymore, and quickly rushed with Kakashi to the battlefield below.
———
"Jinchuriki? That guy is one too?"
No wonder he felt that guy had that same annoying and similar aura.
Naruto looked at Gaara not far away, already helped up by Temari and Kankuro.
"Fine, treat it as a continuation of the Chunin Exams."
The sudden interruption of the Chunin Exams left Neji somewhat displeased.
"Be careful. If the tailed beast inside the Jinchuriki gets released, it'll be a disaster."
Uchiha Kage looked at the remaining Konoha Genin among the examinees.
Because Gaara was disqualified, Lee was still among them.
"Lee, carry Sasuke and follow them. Once Sasuke wakes up, join the battle with him. You must bring Gaara back."
"Yes!"
"Then where are you going?"
Naruto asked quickly when he saw Uchiha Kage assigning tasks but not planning to go with them.
"I'll clear the way for you so you can reach Gaara smoothly."
Because of Maki's interference, there were quite a few Sunagakure ninjas nearby eyeing them covetously.
And most of these hostile ninjas were Chunin or Jounin level.
This time, Sunagakure had really gone all in to invade Konoha.
"No matter how strong you are, how can one person handle so many enemies..."
Looking at the mass of Sunagakure ninjas standing between their side and Gaara's group, cold sweat subtly seeped from Neji's forehead.
From what he observed with his Byakugan, the chakra of these Sunagakure ninjas was not to be underestimated.
"Need help?"
Similarly, Terumi Mei, standing beside Uchiha Kage, had realized these Sunagakure ninjas were not ordinary.
And there were so many of them, it was likely premeditated.
'What the heck are Konoha and Sunagakure up to...'
"Terumi Mei-sama, the situation is unclear now, we'd better not get involved...", Beside her, the guard Ao reminded Terumi Mei again.
In sudden incidents like this, how could they casually help?
If it caused conflict with Sunagakure later, Kirigakure would be troubled again.
"Chojuro, take Ao ahead to scout the path. Don't let him bother me!"
"Yes."
"Terumi Mei-sama... &"
In no time, the talkative Ao was dragged away by the loyal Chojuro.
"Thanks for your good intention, but there's no need to go to such trouble."
Uchiha Kage handed kunai engraved with Flying Thunder God seals to Naruto, Neji, and the others.
"Later, just throw these kunai forward and run toward them. Don't worry about anything else, I'll handle the enemies."
"Are you joking? Just throwing kunai can't possibly deal with that many enemies!"
Neji was the first to express doubt.
Although the kunai in his hand did look different from ordinary ones, it was still just a kunai.
"Just do as I say. I'm still your examiner right now, are you planning to disobey orders?"
"You..."
"Relax. Kage definitely wouldn't send us to die for nothing at a time like this. If he says this, he must have a reason."
Naruto looked at the kunai in his hand, then let out a "heh" and forcefully threw it forward.
"Alright then..."
Still suspicious, Neji could only choose to trust.
———
"What are these Konoha brats trying to do?"
"Throwing kunai to deal with us? Are they playing house?"
The Sunagakure ninjas easily dodged the incoming kunai and laughed mockingly at the Genin from Konoha ahead.
"Wait, the Kirigakure people are still there. Just in case, try not to involve them."
Maki stopped his subordinate ninjas who wanted to rush forward.
Then he frowned deeply at the Uchiha youth who had previously shown a 'Body Flicker Technique.'
And the blue-clad kunoichi standing behind that Uchiha youth.
It was that blue-clad woman who had repelled Gaara just now. She seemed to be Kirigakure's acting Mizukage. They couldn't act rashly now.
"But... Captain Maki, they seem to be charging at us!"
"They're just a bunch of brats, and they dare to charge at us? They must have a death wish!"
"If they want to die so badly, let's send them on their way!"
Seeing that Terumi Mei and Uchiha Kage weren't moving, but those Konoha Genin were charging first, Maki no longer hesitated and immediately gave the combat order.
"Yes!"
Scoffing at the Konoha brats' overestimation of themselves, the Sunagakure ninjas charged forward with savage faces.
"Let's teach these cocky Konoha Genin a good lesson today!"
———
"Are we really running over?"
Even though the kunai had been thrown, they didn't hit anyone. Looking at the many ferocious Sunagakure ninjas ahead, Neji still felt that charging like this was a bit reckless.
But seeing Naruto already running forward without hesitation, Neji had no choice but to start sprinting as well, unwilling to be outdone.
'Damn it, this dead-last Naruto...'
'Is he really that bold?'
"This really is youth! If Guy-sensei were here, he'd praise Naruto."
Likewise, not hesitating anymore, Lee, carrying Sasuke on his back, rushed into the Sunagakure ninja crowd.
However, just as he was tensing up, ready to use taijutsu to defend against attacks from the Sunagakure ninjas, a bizarre scene suddenly occurred—
Whether it was the Sunagakure ninja near him, or those in front of Naruto, any enemy who tried to attack them fell to the ground like wheat being cut down.
The only sounds heard were those of blades slicing through flesh, and the only sights seen were fleeting flashes of white blade light and blue lightning streaking by.
And the spurting blood from enemy necks.
"W-What the hell happened?"
Lee blinked his round eyes, utterly confused.
He couldn't see who was helping them eliminate the enemies.
"A ghost, it's a ghost!"
The Sunagakure ninjas, also at a loss, stared as their comrades bled from the necks.
They didn't even see a shadow, only a slicing blade flashing through the crowd, reaping their comrades' lives.
"Retreat! Scatter!"
'What was that...'
Standing at the back, Maki barely saw a hint of the enemy's outline.
That person was cloaked in lightning, holding a sharp ninja blade, wherever he appeared, Sunagakure ninjas with forehead protectors would fall.
And he moved at unbelievable speed...
Such a terrifying enemy, he'd only heard of this in stories about Konoha's White Fang and the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato.
'No, he is even faster than the legendary White Fang and Yellow Flash...'
'Is it him?'
'That Uchiha youth who stood beside the Kirigakure female Mizukage earlier?'
Because the enemy was too fast to see clearly, Maki could only infer the enemy's identity by the vanishing figures.
"Scatter, don't go near those Konoha brats!"
Although he still didn't know what jutsu the enemy used...
Right now, he could only rely on instinct to command the remaining Sunagakure comrades.
Facing such an enemy was simply a disaster for them.
"Gaara... Protect Gaara quickly!"
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