The Konoha Collapse Plan Begins!

Outside of Kikyo Castle, Uzuki Yugao and Anko sat by the river, eating the freshly grilled fish made by Furen. At the same time, they raised wooden cups and took big gulps of the ice water created by Furen's Ice Release technique, looking extremely comfortable and relaxed.

After eating their fill, the round-faced Anko finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked again, "Furen, are you really not planning to participate in the Chunin Exams? Tomorrow is the exam day, and today those Sand Ninjas who are taking part have already left for Konoha."

Uzuki Yugao also looked at Furen with curiosity. Logically speaking, Furen was supposed to be participating in this Kikyo Castle mission to train himself, but after completing the mission and sending a carrier pigeon to the Hokage to report the task's conclusion, Furen hadn't returned to Konoha immediately.

Furen raised his head with a smile, then stared at Kikyo Castle and said, "I plan to head back after I see the Fourth Kazekage heading to Konoha. I have a feeling the Sand Ninjas are plotting something."

Hearing Furen say this, Uzuki and Anko both fell silent. Hayate Gekko's death was indeed suspicious. Why would the Sand Ninjas target someone from Konoha? This was something that had been on their minds for a long time.

"Well, that's fine too. This way, we can see what the Sand Ninjas are really up to," Uzuki Yugao nodded in agreement.

Furen smiled slightly but didn't reveal his real reason for not rushing back to Konoha. A few days ago, Tayuya had finally summoned and told Furen about Orochimaru's whereabouts. As expected, Orochimaru was planning to have the Sound Four assassinate the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and then use Rasa's identity to enter Konoha to execute the Konoha Crush plan.

"By now, the Third Hokage should have already discovered all of the Sound Ninja bases outlined in the Konoha Crush plan. It's no surprise that he would send Jiraiya to those bases to find Orochimaru. If not for the advanced information, who could have predicted that the Scorpion of the Red Sand would collude with the Sand Ninjas at such a time?" Furen's eyes showed deep thought as he gazed towards the vast desert of the Wind Country not far from Kikyo Castle. According to Tayuya's report, Rasa should already be dead by now.

In Konoha Village, the Third Hokage stood on the roof of the Hokage building, watching as the Sand Ninja team, along with the palanquin they were carrying, slowly approached the village gates and entered Konoha.

"They've arrived, Fourth Kazekage Rasa... It's finally about to begin," the Third Hokage murmured.

Turning to the two Anbu by his side, he instructed, "Tell Jiraiya to take action."

"Yes!" The two Anbu responded in unison before disappearing.

The Third Hokage planned to assign Jiraiya and the Anbu to eliminate all of the Sound Ninja bases near Konoha and hunt down Orochimaru. As for the Fourth Kazekage and the One-Tails Jinchuriki, Gaara, he would personally take responsibility. Up until now, the Third Hokage had not shared the Konoha Crush plan with Danzo or the other two advisors.

"If Danzo were to learn of this and attempt to capture both the One-Tails and the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, it could spark the Fourth Great Ninja War," thought the Third Hokage, a cautious expression appearing on his face. He did not want to see another Ninja World War break out.

In the special arena for the Chunin Exams, the Third Hokage sat at the center of the viewing platform, awaiting the arrival of the Fourth Kazekage.

With a face covered in burn scars, Baki quietly approached the Third Hokage from behind and whispered, "Lord Third Hokage, currently the Konoha ninjas participating in the Chunin Exams include Uchiha Sasuke and Tsukiyo Furen, both of whom have not yet arrived."

"I see," the Third Hokage said with a smile, then turned his gaze to the slowly approaching Fourth Kazekage, whose face was hidden under a cloth.

"Welcome, Lord Kazekage!" the Third Hokage greeted.

The Fourth Kazekage only nodded without speaking and took his seat beside the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage continued with pleasantries, "The journey from the Wind Country to Konoha must have been exhausting for you…"

The Fourth Kazekage responded coldly, "It's better to hold the exam here. If it were held in the Wind Country… Though you are still young, Lord Third Hokage, you might not fare well with such a long journey. It would be best to appoint the next Hokage as soon as possible."

The Fourth Kazekage's words were full of hostility, causing the nearby Baki to furrow his brow tightly.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, didn't seem to mind, laughing heartily. "Hahaha, don't treat me like an old man just yet… I still plan to stick around for five more years!"

The Third Hokage then stood up and announced loudly, "Now, let the final selection stage of the Chunin Exams begin! I hope everyone enjoys the competition!"

The arena filled with excitement as the first match was announced: "First match, Uzumaki Naruto vs. Hyuga Neji."

Just as in the original timeline, one exciting battle followed another, leading up to the highly anticipated match between Uchiha Sasuke and Gaara.

At the very moment Sasuke, who had been training with Kakashi to perfect his Chidori, finally appeared and pierced Gaara's defense, injuring his shoulder.

Suddenly, feathers began to fall across the arena, signaling a large-scale genjutsu had been activated!

At the same time, all over Konoha Village, loud explosions rang out as massive snake-like summoned creatures appeared, wreaking havoc, and hidden Sound and Sand Ninjas began to rampage through the village.

"Let's begin," the Fourth Kazekage whispered, suddenly flashing behind the Third Hokage and pressing a kunai against his neck.

At that moment, the Sound Four revealed themselves, forming the Four Violet Flames Formation around the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage, creating an impenetrable barrier that would incinerate anyone who tried to enter.

Throughout this, the Third Hokage remained calm, having anticipated the Sand Ninja's betrayal for a long time.

"Take action," the Third Hokage commanded his subordinates outside the barrier. Konoha's hidden Anbu swiftly appeared across the village, dispelling the genjutsu and engaging the Sound Ninjas in fierce combat.

A large-scale riot that could have resulted in mass casualties was swiftly suppressed.

The Third Hokage turned to the Fourth Kazekage, who was still pressing a kunai against him, and calmly asked, "So, is it war that you want, Fourth Kazekage?"

The Fourth Kazekage suddenly ripped off his mask, revealing not Rasa, but Orochimaru himself!

"As expected, the old are always the wisest... Sarutobi-sensei," Orochimaru said with a wicked smile.

The Third Hokage's expression changed dramatically. The person standing in front of him, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage… was none other than Orochimaru!

-----------------

T/N:

Get 40 advanced chapters at p@treon.com/Ashborn69. Your support helps me so much Thank you!