Chapter 357: Shocking the Entire Arena

"The Third Hokage, the strongest in Konoha, has even been mobilized…"

"What exactly happened? Could their target be..."

The appearance of hundreds of ANBU Ninjas and the Third Hokage threw all the participating ninjas in the Chunin Exam into a panic. Some quick-reacting ninjas had already caught on, their gazes fixed on Yu, who was surrounded by hundreds of ANBU ninjas but remained calm and composed.

"The Third Hokage's disciple? Could that guy be..."

Upon hearing the conversation between the Third Hokage and Yu, Sand Jonin Baki, who had just arrived, was instantly alarmed, his face changing drastically. "This is bad! That guy is also in Konoha. What about our plan…"

Although Baki had been present when Yu infiltrated Hidden Sand Village to steal the Human Puppet Forbidden Jutsu and Puppet Jutsu, it had been over a decade since then. Yu's appearance and physique had changed significantly, and Baki nearly failed to recognize him.

"All the ninjas participating in this Chunin Exam, move aside!!"

"The battle that might occur next may not be something you Genin can participate in…"

In addition to the hundreds of ANBU ninjas, elite Jonin from Konoha, like Kakashi and Guy, had also come along with the Third Hokage, quickly clearing all the ninjas participating in the Chunin Exam to the side.

"There's only one person on the other side... Konoha has even mobilized the Third Hokage and so many ninjas. Who exactly is that person?!"

All the ninjas from various villages participating in this Konoha Chunin Exam, who were driven aside by Kakashi and Guy and the other Konoha elite Jonin, had their curiosity piqued rather than quenched.

"Yu..."

At the same time, seeing the Third Hokage suddenly surround Yu with so many Konoha ANBU ninjas, Kurenai, caught between her hometown village and the person she admired, could not help but clutch Yu's sleeve tightly.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it…"

Sensing Kurenai's inner worries and concerns, Yu gently patted her shoulder to comfort her, then turned his gaze to the Third Hokage.

"It's been a long time, Sarutobi-sensei…"

Noting the Third Hokage's complex expression, Yu sighed inwardly and said with some emotion. In the short span of just over six years, he noticed that the Third had aged considerably.

What was once gray hair was now completely white. The ninja hero who once shook the ninja world now seemed to have turned into an ordinary, stooped old man. Only the faint aura of his powerful presence and the sharp, wise gleam in his eyes still reflected a hint of his former grandeur.

"I've only just returned…"

"And you've come with so many ninjas to welcome me. I'm quite flattered…"

Even after many years, Yu's tone remained somewhat cynical, but the current circumstances and positions were no longer what they used to be.

"I think the old man had no choice but to act this way…"

"After all, it took us several years to get the village back on its feet after the battle when you left Konoha six years ago…"

As soon as Yu finished speaking, a tall ninja with long white hair slowly emerged from the crowd of Konoha ANBU ninjas, his gaze solemnly fixed on him. "And with the events of you destroying the Hidden Cloud in the Land of Lightning four years ago and invading the Land of Snow, there's probably no one more dangerous in this world than you now, right?"

"You flatter me. I see Jiraiya-san is here as well…"

Seeing Jiraiya step out from the crowd, Yu wasn't surprised, even though the scene was different from what he had expected. Instead, he gave a noncommittal smile and directly addressed him and the Third Hokage. "But with both of you bringing so many ninjas to surround me, it's unlikely that you just want to catch up, right?"

"Yu, I want to know the purpose of your return…"

At this, the Third Hokage fixed a deep gaze on Yu, seemingly trying to discern something from his expression. "You were so determined to leave back then, and now you've suddenly returned… I need to understand your purpose in coming back."

"After all, he is the Third Hokage of Konoha..."

"Everything is prioritized for the benefit of the village, right..."

Seeing the Third Hokage's gaze, which seemed to regard him as a looming threat, Yu displayed a wry smile. "For now, I can only tell you that I've come back to bring my two subordinates to participate in the Chunin Exam..."

"As for other purposes, you don't need to know, because even if you did, it wouldn't change anything."

Yu spoke calmly, but his words conveyed a composure and confidence that made the surrounding Konoha ninjas tense. After all, this man could potentially destroy a ninja village at any moment.

"Yu..."

"I know there are many issues in Konoha, and sometimes I can't stand them either..."

Seeing that Yu was treating both himself and the Third Hokage, as well as all the Konoha ninjas present, as if they were invisible, Jiraiya had no choice but to speak gravely. "But no matter what, Konoha represents the lifelong dedication of past Hokages, the old man, and countless others... If you intend to harm Konoha, we absolutely won't stand by and watch!!"

"Oh? Based on what?"

Hearing Jiraiya's stern threat and seeing the weapons drawn by the ANBU ninjas around him, Yu's lips curled into a deep sneer. "Just you and Sarutobi-sensei? Or... just these useless good-for-nothings?"

Conqueror's Haki!!

As Yu spoke disdainfully, the Third Hokage and Jiraiya immediately sensed something was wrong.

The air around them seemed to vibrate with unease as Yu's eyes suddenly gleamed with a fierce light. His imposing aura surged to its peak, erupting into a black-red lightning-like force that exploded outward from him, engulfing the surroundings!

Years had passed, and Yu had now reached the level of a Super Kage. Although his Conqueror's Haki had not yet fully advanced to the second stage, it was already well-controlled, and its intimidating power had greatly improved!

Thud, thud, thud...

Amid the astonished gazes of everyone present, the hundreds of Konoha ANBU ninjas didn't even react to what was happening before they saw their less capable comrades collapsing like harvested wheat.

Within a radius of several miles, Genin-level ninjas had no chance to even struggle against the terrifying invisible Haki before they simply fell unconscious. Even Chunin and Jonin-level ninjas were severely affected and shaken.

"What... What is this?!"

The ninjas who had come to participate in the Konoha Chunin Exam were mostly already down. Faced with the Conqueror's Haki that surged like a hurricane, Gaara and the other Sand ninjas were left speechless at the sight of so many ninjas being knocked out merely by Yu's intangible aura.

"Is he really... able to knock out so many ninjas just with his presence?!"

"How is this possible... Just how strong has that guy become?!"

As Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura struggled to shield themselves from the flying sand and debris, and watched all the ninjas around them fall, they could hardly believe their eyes.

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