Watching the wave of Konoha shinobi closing in on them,
the three exchanged a glance, formed seals, and shouted in unison:
"Ninpō: Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hidden Mist Technique)!"
With all three casting at once, a thick fog blanketed the area in a blink and spread outward at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Until the Mist unit arrives, our job is to stall them… or kill them."
A ghostly voice drifted through the haze, followed by a louder cry that rang on all sides:
"Konoha shinobi! Feel the terror of Kirigakure!!"
—
Outside the Chūnin Exams venue.
All the team leaders—and every rookie except Neji and Tenten—had gathered here.
They stared at the Third Hokage trading blows with Orochimaru, and at the Anbu being suppressed by Shukaku.
Shock filled every rookie's face. None of them had experienced war. They couldn't fathom how a calm afternoon had plunged into the chaos of a legendary invasion.
"Kurenai! Lead the genin to safety. Forget the old man for now."
"We have to stop Shukaku first. If he charges the village center, it's going to be a disaster!"
Asuma's tone was heavy as he spoke, flicking a glance at Kakashi.
Kurenai started to object, but Kakashi rubbed his temple and sighed.
"I hate to say it, but the situation's a mess. Protecting genin and attacking a tailed beast are both critical."
"Exactly! They're Konoha's hope!"
Gai nodded, flashing a thumbs-up and a set of gleaming white teeth.
Kurenai swallowed her retort, gave the three men a resigned look, then lowered her eyes to the rookies and said gently,
"Everyone, come with me. We're pulling back for now."
Shikamaru's eyes lit—an out.
But when he noticed Naruto a few steps ahead about to speak, his face changed. He lunged to cover Naruto's mouth.
He'd been faking being caught in genjutsu earlier, only for Naruto to yell him awake. Now that they finally had a chance to leave, Shikamaru refused to let Naruto ruin it.
Too late. Just as Shikamaru's hand was about to clamp down, Naruto's voice hit everyone's ears.
"We're shinobi now, not Academy brats—how can we run away at a time like this?!"
Naruto stared at Kurenai, fired up.
Then his gaze slid to Shukaku clashing with the Anbu, and something trembled deep inside him.
That guy named Gaara… he's like me.
Shikamaru's hand froze midair, then withdrew as he slapped his own face with a smack. He knew—game over.
Sure enough, the line "how can we run away" flipped most of the rookies. Recognition lit their faces.
"Yeah! There's no way I'm running now, right, Akamaru?!"
Kiba shot Naruto a look full of approval.
Akamaru: "Woof! Woof!"
"That one… he's my opponent in the finals, isn't he? 'Retreat without fighting' isn't in my dictionary."
Sasuke lifted his chin toward Shukaku, battle-lust bleeding into his voice.
Seeing the rookies' expressions, Kurenai blinked, then looked up at Kakashi and the others with a helpless face.
Kakashi's brow creased. He drew breath to speak—then his head snapped up toward the front.
Not just Kakashi; Asuma and the others turned their eyes the same way.
Sha-sha.
Measured footsteps approached from ahead.
"We're at a disadvantage, but we'll hold you off."
Kabuto appeared with a mild smile, stepping into view of Kakashi and the rest.
With him were Baki, Temari, Kankuro, and a detachment of Sound and Sand shinobi.
Everyone tensed. Naruto and a few other rookies stared at Kabuto in surprise.
"Why… why are you doing this?"
Naruto's voice shook with confusion and anger.
"Childish." Kabuto cast Naruto a cool glance and said coldly.
"Everyone, you couldn't leave even if you wanted to. You're fighting."
Kurenai turned back to the rookies. Her voice stayed soft, but a singular firmness threaded through it.
"Fine by me!"
Naruto and Sasuke locked eyes and shouted together. Aside from Shikamaru wearing a "what a drag" face and Hinata's worried look, the rest were already itching for a fight.
In contrast to their excitement, Kakashi, Asuma, and the others looked grim.
This wasn't a tournament match. People die in this kind of battle.
—
One explosion after another reached Jiraiya's ears. More than anything, he felt the vast, malevolent force surging where Hiruzen-sensei stood.
The chakra of a tailed beast.
Suna had unleashed a tailed beast inside Konoha!
Cold light flashed through Jiraiya's eyes. He looked over the Suna unit he'd already torn in half and routed.
Time to end this.
"Bunta!"
At Jiraiya's call, Gamabunta understood immediately. He faced the Suna formation and threw his mouth wide.
Katon: Gamayū Endan (Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet)!!
A sea of blazing oil-fire, born from Jiraiya's and Gamabunta's combined jutsu, rolled over the Suna troops like the sky collapsing.
The area of effect was massive; even if they tried to run, there was nowhere to go.
Worse, flames mixed with toad oil couldn't be doused by ordinary Suiton.
Facing that attack, despair washed over every Suna face.
Suiton: Awa no Jutsu (Water Release: Bubble Technique)!
A cool voice brushed every ear.
Countless bubbles drifted in from behind the Suna lines, swelling into a shield made entirely of shimmering spheres.
Scorching oil-fire slammed into the bubbles and detonated in constant bursts.
Each popping bubble shaved away a chunk of the inferno's power, and only after a long moment did Jiraiya's technique gutter out.
Jiraiya lifted his eyes toward the rear of the Suna formation. A man in a water-blue robe stood calmly on a high branch, a flute in hand.
"I thought Suna had some ace up their sleeve. Looks like you're weaker than I expected."
Utakata met Jiraiya's gaze, then looked down at the panicked Suna below with a teasing lilt.
"W-we're saved…"
A Suna shinobi stammered, wiping cold sweat and letting out a shaky breath.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed on the headband at Utakata's brow.
He remembered Kakashi's warning in the office, and a shiver went through him.
Kakashi was right—Konoha's in big trouble.
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