Chapter 104

On the outskirts of Konoha Village.

Observing the ninja fighting a giant snake in the distance.

A figure in a auspicious cloud-patterned robe, carrying a bandaged large sword on his back, and sporting a shark-like face.

Kisame!

With a mouth full of sharp teeth, he grinned and spoke to his companion.

"Itachi-san, looks like our timing isn't the best; things seem quite troublesome here."

Itachi, also dressed in the auspicious cloud robe, gazed into the distance with a complex expression.

After a while, he pressed down the brim of his hat and calmly remarked.

"Our mission is to gather intelligence on the Nine-Tails."

"With chaos erupting, it conveniently provides us with an opportunity to infiltrate."

At this stage, the Akatsuki organization had started dispatching members to collect information on various tailed beasts, laying the groundwork for their upcoming capturing plans.

Itachi and Kisame's original task was to investigate other tailed beasts.

However, ever since Itachi intercepted the Root's coded message regarding Sasuke, he took on the mission to investigate the Nine-Tails and came to Konoha.

After all, Sasuke was his only concern and the sole motivation driving him to live.

"That's true." Although Kisame's face bore a smile, his small eyes lacked amusement.

He couldn't shake off the feeling that Itachi had used a genjutsu on him not long ago. Also, Itachi's sudden change of mission, following Kisame sensing the genjutsu, raised suspicions.

Kisame had to figure out what was really going on.

While the two conversed, a squad of Konoha ninjas, reinforcing from within the village, noticed them.

"Who are you?"

"Are you also with those invaders?"

Before they could finish their words, their lifeless bodies dropped to the ground, pierced by several kunai. Their eyes stared blankly ahead.

Witnessing this, Kisame, with his small eyes, contracted pupils.

"Didn't expect you to act so decisively. Quite a change from before. Is it due to hatred against your birthplace?"

Itachi, retracting his Sharingan after throwing the kunai, paid no attention to Kisame's words and simply said.

"No more unnecessary talk, let's go."

On another note.

Inside the sealing space.

The Nine-Tails, lying on the ground with lifeless eyes, suddenly perked up.

Grinning widely, it turned to look at the adjacent Kaze.

"Hey, the shadow clones linked to my chakra have started moving."

"Konoha seems to be in chaos, just as you mentioned."

"Looks like your little friend Naruto is in for some trouble again!"

The Nine-Tails' face expressed sheer delight, seemingly finding joy in Naruto's misfortune.

"Has it finally begun?"

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Kaze opened his eyes and gazed at Naruto outside.

Although he planned to save Sarutobi this time, it served the purpose to make his life more miserable.

That old man will wish for death.

For instance, discovering that the Sarutobi Clan's base had been raided, losing a significant portion of their assets and intel.

And regarding the Hidden Star Village, he was prepared to formally challenge Konoha.

With two Yang Nine-Tails as backup batteries, Konoha in its current state would be easily overwhelmed.

Moreover, he didn't bother cleaning up the corpses left behind. He specifically left them for Sarutobi and Danzo to find later.

After the incident, they would extract information from the brains of the deceased.

Surely, their expressions would be priceless and their heart filled with shock and terror seeing Minato, Madara and Kushina, right?

...

Outside.

In the Death Forest, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were on guard, facing Gaara and others blocking their way.

"You passed the exam. Why are you stopping us?"

"And who are those people next to you?"

As Naruto asked, an explosion occurred at the central tower in the distance.

Soon, the noisy sounds of battle erupted from all directions.

"Be careful. If the exam goes wrong, this place might be attacked by enemies, just like when Orochimaru attacked!"

Combining the obstruction by Gaara and others ahead and the Sand ninja who didn't seem like exam participants, Sasuke immediately grasped the current situation.

As if confirming Sasuke's words, Gaara, blocking their way, raised his hand with a fierce intent and jealousy.

"Naruto Uzumaki, you're a monster just like me."

"I can finally, finally kill you with my own hands and have a reason to live again."

Sand gushed out rapidly from the gourd, creating a massive sand screen in moments.

Simultaneously, cracks started appearing on Gaara's face.

The sand carried Shukaku's chakra, swelling out.

"Gaara is about to start. Move away quickly, and don't let others disturb him!"

Seeing Gaara directly using Shukaku's power, Temari and Kankuro immediately led the Sand ninja behind them to retreat.

At the same time, they summoned the puppet crow and iron fan, attacking Sasuke and Sakura.

"This isn't our battlefield. Go to another place!"

Ignoring the warning, Sasuke remained motionless, and terrifying crimson chakra surged from his body!

Two enormous tails appeared, and ripples of air waves spread from him.

The massive winds lifted the surrounding trees, making them rustle.

The iron fan and puppet crow that approached were sent flying backward before reaching Sasuke!

"This is impossible!"

"Another Jinchuriki!?"

Those who hadn't seen Sasuke take action, like Temari and others, were instantly stunned.

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, moving closer to Sasuke.

But in the next moment, Sasuke's expression suddenly changed, becoming fierce and terrifying.

Following the malicious perception's guidance, he turned his head.

In the distance, two figures stood on treetops, wearing straw hats.

"Itachi!!!"

The familiar face made Sasuke lose all rationality in an instant.

Stepping on the ground, he rushed towards Itachi and Kisame in the distance like a missile!

"Sasuke!?"

Seeing Sasuke suddenly change like this, Naruto and Sakura were bewildered.

Naruto was about to chase after him when the blood-scented sand from Gaara arrived.

In mid-air, it transformed into terrifying giant hands, squeezing towards them!

"Sakura, I'll stop him!"

Knowing how powerful Gaara's sand was, Naruto immediately erupted with crimson Nine-Tails chakra.

Swinging his tail, he swept away all the sand!

Sakura nodded and quickly followed the departing Sasuke.

Onlookers like Temari and others wanted to follow, but the fox tails behind Naruto gently swept, blocking their way.

"Your opponent is now me!"

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