Chapter 99
After Naruto and his team explained Gaara's terror to Rock Lee and the others, they entered the Central Tower.
Inside the tower, they opened the Heaven and Earth scrolls.
Iruka, summoned through the seals inscribed on the scrolls, expressed praise and congratulations for their early arrival.
He mentioned that if they had opened the scrolls midway, he would have had to make them lose consciousness and eliminate them.
Iruka then began explaining some philosophical concepts, particularly the Chunin insights written by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Finally, he informed them that although they had cleared the second stage the next day, they would have to wait for three more days. The third stage of the exam would begin after the fifth day elapsed.
During these three days, they could stay in the tower, but they needed to gather food and water from the forest themselves.
After conveying all this information, Iruka led the team to the resting area.
...
In the Wind Country.
Hidden Sand Village.
"What!?"
Rasa looked at the scroll handed to him, his face filled with confusion and anger.
"Weren't we supposed to wait until the end of the Chunin Exams, with all the Kages present, to start planning?"
"Why is the plan suddenly advanced?"
Rasa's participation in Orochimaru's plan to disrupt Konoha was to showcase the strength of the Hidden Sand Village to the Kages, gaining more missions and tasks.
It was also aimed at restoring the confidence of the Wind Country Daimyo in them, reversing the village's decline.
Being situated in the desolate desert, the Hidden Sand Village lacked natural resources and conditions compared to the other four villages.
The previous losses in the three wars resulted in the Wind Country Daimyo losing confidence in them, leading to a forced reduction in military expenses.
Many missions were assigned to Konoha, and various expenses for Sand Village ninjas were cut.
This downward spiral left the village impoverished, and the welfare for its ninjas decreased.
Numerous ninjas fled, and education for new ninjas suffered due to financial constraints.
If not for Rasa successfully inheriting the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release, enabling him to extract gold dust from the desert to supplement the village's finances, the Hidden Sand Village would have become a minor village like the Rain or Waterfall.
"Lord Kazekage, the specifics of the plan have all been recorded in the scroll handed to you by Lord Orochimaru."
"As for why the plan is advancing earlier, Lord Orochimaru has his considerations. Whether you go or not is up to you."
"But I must remind you, whether the Kages are present or not, if Konoha is destroyed by the Hidden Sand, the news will spread throughout the ninja world."
Rasa looked deeply at Sakon, then closed the scroll.
"Go back and tell Lord Orochimaru that I will consider it."
Having said that, he waved his hand towards the side.
"Someone, escort the guest."
Two Hidden Sand ANBU appeared, blocking the way in front of Rasa's desk, gesturing for Sakon to leave.
Wind Shadow didn't get upset; instead, he left a parting remark before walking out.
"Time is running out. I hope Lord Kazekage considers the good of the village."
As the sun set, while Rasa was still contemplating whether to continue with the plan or not...
A Hidden Sand ANBU suddenly appeared, handing over an intelligence scroll to Rasa.
After receiving and reading the contents, Rasa's expression became quite vivid.
"It seems Orochimaru's capabilities are not to be underestimated. He actually found a way to make Konoha invite the feudal lords and me for an early observation!"
"Since that's the case, I don't need to hesitate any longer."
Saying that, Rasa stood up and walked towards the exit.
At the same time, he spoke to the ANBU who delivered the intelligence.
"You go and instruct the ANBU squads to gather, then depart for Konoha to meet with Maki!"
Rasa couldn't afford to bring such a large force with him, as it would raise suspicions in Konoha.
He planned to let the main force leave first, while he, accompanied by a few guards, would slowly make his way there.
On the other side, Sakon, who had been guarding outside the Hidden Sand Village, witnessed the assembled teams at the gate and the subsequent arrival of Rasa.
As the gathered teams quickly set off, Rasa, with a few guards, deliberately delayed his departure.
Observing Rasa's direction, Sakon reached for a communication scroll, summoning a snake.
After placing the intelligence inside the snake, he dismissed the summoning.
Simultaneously, in the underground laboratory of the Sound Village's headquarters.
Orochimaru, experimenting with test tubes and unknown liquids, was interrupted by a sudden appearance of a summoned snake.
Seeing Orochimaru, the snake opened its mouth and spat out the intelligence scroll from Lefty.
"It seems there's news from Sakon."
Picking up the scroll and scanning its contents, Orochimaru's face revealed an excited smile.
"A windmill that doesn't turn has no value."
"Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, let him become the initial breeze to set this windmill in motion."
In the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking at the intelligence in his hands, had a difficult expression.
"Danzo invited the Kazekage and feudal lords in Konoha's name for an early observation?"
"What does he want to achieve?"
"Could it be related to Orochimaru?"
Thinking about the lack of any information from the ANBU he had sent to investigate, Sarutobi was becoming increasingly wary of Danzo.
Coupled with Danzo mentioning the Chunin Exams two months ago without a clear reason, he couldn't help but be on guard.
"Is Danzo colluding with Orochimaru, planning to assassinate the feudal lords during the observation, and incite another war?"
Sarutobi knew very well that Danzo wanted to pull him down and take the position of Hokage for himself.
Previously, it was small-scale assassinations and disturbances, but now, it seemed Danzo had suffered heavy losses among her subordinates and bases.
He was now resorting to desperate measures.
For example, having Orochimaru assassinate the feudal lords, then blaming him for inadequate protection.
Subsequently, using the war to force him to rely on him, allowing him to regain control of his Root organization and reestablish his influence.
Maybe he would even use these reasons to pressure him into abdicating, promoting himself, or recommending someone of his choosing!
Similar to when during the Third Great Ninja War, he recommended Orochimaru as Hokage.
Although the plan sounded unwise and unreliable, Sarutobi felt it was in line with Danzo's style.
He tapped the table lightly with his fingers, summoning the ANBU hidden nearby.
"Go inform Koharu and Homura, as well as the high-level ninja who currently have no missions, to gather for a meeting."
"For the upcoming Chunin Exams, I need them to focus on protecting the village."
The ANBU nodded respectfully and vanished on the spot.
"Yes, sir."
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