Gaara's recovery ability couldn't compare to Naruto's. Ichibi had been hit by Steam Impurities Explosion three times, which was a huge drain, so there was no time to help him. Gaara could only rely on his own recovery ability to slowly restore his Chakra.
No matter what those Hidden Sand Village Ninja thought before, the current situation was that the Hidden Sand Village Ninja were deceived by Orochimaru. There was only one explanation for this; if you went into more detail, the root of the problem was Orochimaru impersonating the Fourth Kazekage.
Was there a conflict between Sunagakure and Konoha Village? Don't be ridiculous! The two Villages had an unbreakable alliance. All the bad things were done by Orochimaru! Of course, Konoha Village's leniency towards Orochimaru also meant it had to bear some responsibility, roughly to the extent of a symbolic 'three cups of penalty wine'.
Whether in name or in reality, Gaara had to avenge his father.
He was the main force; if he was out of breath and had no strength, how could he get revenge?
Even as a Jinchuriki, restoring Chakra still required time.
Shikaku deliberately slowed down the main force's advance. Heaven and Earth bore witness, this was all for the allies, a selfless act, absolutely not because he wanted to wait for the Third Hokage to die on his own.
Naruto seized the opportunity to chat with Gaara. The two indeed had a lot in common. While their bond wasn't as deep as in the original timeline, they had established a certain foundation of friendship.
Ino called her companions Shikamaru and Choji, and the three quietly left the main force to return to the Chunin Exams site. Whatever else, she absolutely had to see the Dead Demon Consuming Seal for herself.
At the same time, Kidōmaru, one of the Sound Four, released his internal seal and whispered a few words to Orochimaru.
The message was conveyed by Yakushi Kabuto, who had been traveling outside the battlefield but never truly left it.
After hearing the news, Orochimaru's golden pupils were filled with captivating light: "Oh? The timing of those Ninja clans' move is quite clever. Do they not care about Master Sarutobi's old life at all? This grand celebration should be even more lively, hehe..."
He suddenly issued an order: "Dispel the Four Violet Flames Formation."
The Sound Four collectively replied: "Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
The four immediately formed hand signs, and the purple barrier curtain slowly fell, reconnecting the inside and outside.
The Third Hokage was greatly surprised: "Orochimaru, you!?"
He didn't understand why Orochimaru would break the tacit understanding between master and disciple. Orochimaru gave him a sinister smile: "Master Sarutobi, you still don't understand me enough."
Before his words finished, two ANBU Ninja's Kunai flew before his eyes. He raised the Grass Cutter Sword and parried them one by one.
If the Anbu's attacks could reach him, the attacks of the First Hokage, Second Hokage, and Fourth Kazekage could naturally also be launched.
Without the restrictions of the Four Violet Flames Formation, two ANBU Ninja were directly submerged by the Second Hokage's Water Release. Afterward, the surging floodwaters poured down from above towards the Village below.
Civilians who hadn't managed to evacuate from the streets, along with various debris, bricks, and trees, were mixed together. They tumbled with the huge waves, let out two wails, and then fell silent.
The First Hokage clapped his hands, and towering trees shot up from the ground. The orderly streets instantly transformed into a forest. This was his ultimate technique that made him famous in the Ninja World, Wood Release: Descent of the Tree World.
The Fourth Kazekage also stirred up a sky full of yellow sand, and for a moment, the sun's light was obscured.
"Orochimaru!!" The Third Hokage was furious, staring intently at Orochimaru.
The fifty-year-old woman showed no fear, her eyes full of provocation, 'If you have the guts, kill me?'
The Third Hokage used his remaining Chakra to create three Shadow Clones, sending them to deal with the three Edo Tensei Kage. He himself, along with his summoned beast, fiercely attacked Orochimaru, but to little effect. Orochimaru's command to the three Kage was to destroy, to use their powerful techniques indiscriminately, without any specific objective.
Ino was startled when she arrived at the scene; the Four Violet Flames Formation had actually been dispelled.
The ground was covered in floods and giant trees, the sky in yellow sand. This scene didn't resemble Konoha Village, nor a battle between Ninja; it was more like three Marine Admirals who had suddenly stumbled in, having eaten Logia-type Devil Fruits.
The scene had already devolved into utter chaos. Some were attacking Orochimaru with the Third Hokage, some were trying to stop the three Kage, and some Hidden Sand Village Ninja had gathered around the Fourth Kazekage, joining in the killing and arson.
Shikaku's steady plan was thoroughly ruined by this disruption. Even if Gaara usually spoke softly, like a cute boy, it wouldn't matter if he had Yasuo's voice; the scene was too chaotic!
No matter how charismatic he was, could he compare to the Fourth Kazekage, wearing a Kage robe and a straw hat?
You say the Fourth Kazekage is fake? Look at this Magnet Release, this Gold Dust, is this fake?
Ino and her companions didn't rush forward, but instead helped rescue people nearby.
She truly hadn't intended to show off, but seeing the flood about to reach her own flower shop, she really couldn't hold back.
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Her Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave blocked the Second Hokage's Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave. The surging water currents collided, forming a water wall over ten meters high.
The Second Hokage merely glanced at her, then turned and went elsewhere. The Third Hokage's Shadow Clones arrived shortly after, and seeing Ino blocking the flood, he nodded and continued to pursue the Second Hokage.
Many villagers and several injured Ninja rushed into the Yamanaka Flower Shop to take shelter. Ino even saw Sakura among them.
The poor child was covered in dirt and mud, looking like an unearthed artifact.
"Why are you here?" Since they were acquaintances, she reached out and pulled Sakura up to the second floor of the flower shop.
Sakura had long since thrown ladylike demeanor to the wind, lying sprawled on the floor, panting heavily.
How could the Chunin Exams turn out like this? She still couldn't understand.
Originally, she was chasing Sasuke, but Sasuke ran too fast, and they got separated along the way. After that, she vaguely followed the Medical Ninja from Konoha Hospital, transporting the wounded. Three minutes ago, she didn't know what happened, but yellow sand rained down from the sky, endless. Then came the flood. Seeing everyone else running, she ran too.
On the way, she even activated her ultimate technique, the Great Summoning Jutsu: Naruto, but it was useless. If Ino hadn't timely blocked the Second Hokage's Water Release, she might have drowned.
Ino sighed. Sakura's strength was truly too dangerous in this kind of battle. A single residual attack could send her away, and the key was that she wouldn't even know how she died.
"You two, stop chatting, the water is almost here!" Shikamaru reminded her.
The Yamanaka Flower Shop was on higher ground, but only slightly. Now that the Village was covered by floodwaters, the Second Hokage had just been repelled by her, but water from other places would still flow in.
Facing a large number of civilians and injured Ninja, Ino had to step forward.
"Don't be afraid, watch me! Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!" Four earthen walls, carved with Team 10's emblem, rose from the ground, isolating the flood and completely surrounding the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
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