The Jonin present were all seasoned veterans who had survived countless life-and-death battles. The moment the abnormality appeared, they reacted without hesitation.
They were ready for war.
Meanwhile, numerous ninja squads from the Hidden Sand Village and Otogakure had already infiltrated Konoha. The invasion unfolded both from within and outside the village walls. Explosions shattered the gates, and enemy forces surged forward like a tide, sweeping into the streets.
Their target was clear.
The Chunin Exams arena.
Inside the stadium, chaos erupted.
Kakashi and the other Jonin immediately engaged the invaders in fierce combat. Steel clashed against steel. Ninjutsu burst into life in brilliant flashes. The smell of smoke and blood quickly filled the air.
Temari and Kankuro were equally shocked by the sudden turn of events.
However, as elite shinobi trained for coordination missions, both quickly dispelled the genjutsu that had blanketed the arena. Their chakra flared briefly as they freed themselves.
Naruto reacted just as fast.
The moment he noticed the falling feathers, his instincts screamed danger.
"Genjutsu…"
"Release!"
The illusion shattered.
Around them, ordinary spectators remained asleep, unaware of the disaster unfolding. The Jonin had already engaged the attackers, their expressions grave as they realized the scale of the assault.
"Kakashi-sensei! Bushy Brow-sensei! Asuma-sensei!"
"W-What's happening?!"
Temari and Kankuro exchanged a sharp glance before shouting angrily:
"Enough of this! Bring Gaara back to us immediately!"
Naruto might be naïve at times, but he wasn't stupid.
Something was terribly wrong.
And he would not hand Gaara over so easily.
"You scoundrels! Are you trying to break the alliance between the Hidden Sand and Konoha?!"
Temari and Kankuro didn't waste time arguing. They lunged forward together, launching a coordinated attack.
Naruto had already fought Gaara and even faced Shukaku's power earlier. His chakra reserves were nearly depleted.
But—
He would never allow the enemy to succeed.
"If you want Gaara back, stop your own men first!"
Despite their combined assault, Naruto stood his ground and rapidly formed hand signs.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful gust erupted outward, sweeping across the arena like a miniature storm. The roaring wind forced both Temari and Kankuro backward, buying Naruto precious seconds.
At the same time, Kakashi shouted from across the battlefield:
"Sasuke! Hinata! Go help Naruto!"
He analyzed the situation instantly.
"He's using Gaara as a bargaining chip against the Hidden Sand. That's the right move. Support him immediately!"
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei!"
"Understood!"
Sasuke and Hinata leapt down into the arena without hesitation.
"Hinata! Sasuke!"
Naruto's face lit up briefly.
"Naruto-kun, are you alright?!" Hinata asked urgently.
"I'm fine!"
"Now's not the time for small talk," Sasuke interrupted coldly.
He assessed Temari and Kankuro with sharp eyes.
"Hinata and I will hold them off."
"Take Gaara and leave. He's the Kazekage's son—and the One-Tail's Jinchuriki. The Hidden Sand won't give up easily."
Naruto nodded firmly.
"I understand!"
Hinata stepped forward, Byakugan activating.
"Naruto-kun, don't worry. We'll be fine."
"Thanks!"
Without further delay, Naruto lifted the unconscious Gaara onto his back and sprinted out of the arena.
Temari and Kankuro tried to pursue him—
—but Sasuke and Hinata intercepted them.
"You bastards! What are you trying to do?!" Temari roared.
"Release Gaara immediately!"
Sasuke's voice turned icy.
"The Hidden Sand broke the alliance and launched a surprise attack on Konoha. And now you still expect us to return that monster?"
Kankuro gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Temari! Stop talking. Kill them and chase Gaara!"
"Fine!"
They attacked again.
But Sasuke's Sharingan spun rapidly, predicting movements with precision. Hinata's Gentle Fist strikes targeted chakra points with deadly accuracy.
Though Temari and Kankuro fought desperately, they found themselves suppressed.
The battle intensified.
Elsewhere in the arena—
The true mastermind revealed himself.
"...Kazekage-sama," Hiruzen Sarutobi said coldly. "What is the meaning of this?!"
The Kazekage licked the corner of his lips in a disturbingly familiar manner. His eyes gleamed with serpentine malice.
"What do you think, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen's heart skipped.
That tongue.
That gaze.
That voice.
"You're not the Kazekage…"
His pupils constricted.
"You're Orochimaru!"
In that instant, the disguise shattered.
Orochimaru threw off the Kazekage's hat and revealed his true face. Before Hiruzen could fully react, a kunai pressed against his throat.
Leaning close, Orochimaru hissed:
"It's been a long time… Sarutobi-sensei."
The ANBU nearby turned pale.
"It's Orochimaru!"
"Protect Hokage-sama!"
But the Kazekage's so-called guards revealed themselves as Otogakure shinobi and blocked the ANBU's advance.
Hiruzen remained calm despite the blade at his throat.
"So that's why the Kazekage seemed so composed…"
"You've been acting from the beginning."
"Where is the real Kazekage?"
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
"Who knows?"
"He's probably rotting by now."
Hiruzen's face darkened with fury.
"You dared to kill him… even your so-called ally?"
"Hidden Sand… Otogakure… Kazekage…" Orochimaru sneered. "They're merely pawns to achieve my goals."
"Their lives mean nothing to me."
"Goals?" Hiruzen demanded. "What are your goals?!"
Orochimaru withdrew the kunai slightly and ran his tongue along its blade, even piercing it until blood trickled down.
"My goal?"
He smiled.
"This ninja world has stagnated for far too long."
"Konoha as well."
"It's like a windmill that no longer turns. Watching it stand still is… boring."
"So I decided to use the wind of Konoha's destruction… to make it spin again."
Hiruzen's expression hardened.
"You would destroy an entire village for such a trivial reason?!"
Orochimaru laughed softly.
"Isn't it beautiful, Sarutobi-sensei?"
In one fluid motion, he seized Hiruzen and leapt onto the highest rooftop.
Simultaneously, four Otogakure ninja landed at the roof's corners.
They formed hand seals in perfect synchronization.
"Four Violet Flames Formation!"
A massive purple barrier erupted upward, forming a blazing cube that sealed Orochimaru and Hiruzen inside.
ANBU attempting to enter were instantly repelled. Flames ignited upon contact.
Inside the barrier—
Orochimaru's voice echoed.
"Back then, you were too soft-hearted to kill me."
"You must regret that now."
"It's time to settle everything between us."
"No one will disturb us here."
Hiruzen inhaled deeply.
"Yes… it's time to finish this."
"Orochimaru."
Across Konoha, battle raged without pause.
Explosions shook the streets. Ninjutsu roared through the sky. Steel clashed endlessly. Screams and cries echoed in every direction.
Caught off guard by the coordinated assault from both Hidden Sand and Otogakure, Konoha fell into chaos.
Worse—
The Hokage had been isolated.
Without leadership, confusion spread across the battlefield.
Meanwhile—
Naruto ran through smoke-filled streets, Gaara slung over his back.
The once-peaceful village was now engulfed in flames and destruction.
His fists clenched.
"Damn it…"
"This is Orochimaru's doing!"
"Is he collaborating with the Hidden Sand all along?!"
Suddenly—
A figure blocked his path.
Baki.
In a cold voice, he said:
"Uzumaki Naruto. Hand over Gaara."
Naruto glared at him.
"You invaded Konoha—and you still expect me to give him back?!"
"If you want him—surrender!"
Baki sneered.
"What an ignorant brat."
"Then I'll kill you first."
Before Naruto stood a true Jonin of the Hidden Sand.
But Naruto did not retreat.
His eyes burned with determination.
"Come on!"
"Let's see if you can do it!"
Thus—
An unprecedented battle began.
A Genin…
Versus a Jonin.
And the fate of the battlefield would shift accordingly.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)