Restorer
"Character Talking"
"Character Thinking"
"Demon or Summon"
"Jutsu"
"xxxXXXxxx" Scene Change.
Chapter 10
The sun had gone down hours ago, and Sasuke could feel the darkness settling around him, its weight adding to his exhaustion. He sat cross-legged in the hall of the temple, his gaze fixed on the massive statue towering over him, a symbol of the goddess these monks worshiped with such fervor. A week ago, he and Kakashi had come here with a simple plan to resupply and continue their training, yet they were now entangled in a web of rituals and prophecies. He was trapped in a temple with monks who believed he was some sort of prophet sent by their ancient goddess—Kaguya, a deity supposedly sealed away a thousand years ago.
Sasuke had tried countless times to explain to them that he had no connection to their goddess, that he didn't even understand what they were talking about, but they refused to listen. Now, he found himself sitting here, "meditating" as they called it, in the shadow of the grand statue while the monks circled him and the figure, their voices low and reverent as they moved in unison around him.
Kakashi had quietly reassured him that he was working on finding a way out, but so far, there was no escape. And to make matters worse, the monks had insisted he keep his "Red Eye of Dawn" open at all times, forcing him to maintain the Sharingan in one eye constantly. The strain was significant, draining his chakra and wearing down his focus. *The Sharingan takes so much energy to maintain* he thought, feeling the familiar ache behind his eye, *but I suppose at the very least I'm training my endurance by keeping it active this long.*
Suddenly, the sound of bells echoed through the temple, and Sasuke watched as the monks silently filed out of the hall, closing the door behind them and leaving him alone in the vast, empty space. *It'll take a while for Kakashi to get here* Sasuke thought, finally rising to his feet. He glanced around the hall, his gaze eventually settling on the towering statue of the goddess. For a moment, he found himself lost, the massive figure holding his attention so fully that he forgot everything else around him.
He didn't even notice the door creaking open and shutting quietly behind him. The sharp clash of steel against steel jolted him from his daze.
"Bit of a bad time to fall asleep, Sasuke," came Kakashi's voice. Sasuke spun around to see his sensei holding back three monks, each wielding a blade with deadly intent. His eyes widened as the realization hit him. *They tried to kill me.*
His Sharingan flared to life as he saw a fourth monk rushing toward him, dagger raised. Sasuke dodged swiftly, then countered with a powerful strike, sending the monk sprawling to the ground. He turned back toward Kakashi, who was holding his own against the others.
"Sensei, let's get out of here," Sasuke said, his voice cold with resolve, "even if we have to do it violently." Lightning crackled from his right hand, his Jutsu sparking to life as he prepared to fight his way out.
xxxXXXxxx
Naruto's eyes opened slowly, and he gradually rose from bed. He glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall. *So, it's today* he thought to himself. He swung his legs out of bed and stood, heading over to the window. As he opened it, he felt the cool morning air against his bare skin, refreshing and grounding. He lingered only a moment before moving to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth.
Back in his room, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His body had grown noticeably more muscular, his frame more defined than before. His hair had begun to grow longer, and he almost didn't recognize himself—he looked so much like his father. Even Jiraiya had commented on the resemblance.
Naruto dressed quickly, donning his usual clothes, and headed quietly down the corridor. He passed Jiraiya's room and heard him snoring deeply, undisturbed. In the living room, Naruto poured himself a cup of water, drinking it quietly until he heard the soft footsteps of Haku and Karin making their way down the stairs.
He turned, greeting them with a nod as they entered. Haku wore plain black clothes, while Karin was dressed in a red uniform similar in style to Naruto's—simple and functional, with no frills or embellishments. Her hair, usually a vibrant red, had been dyed pitch black.
"Good morning, Naruto," they both greeted him, and he returned the greeting.
Karin smirked, her tone light and playful. "You ready to win this for our clan, Naruto?"
Naruto smiled slightly. "Nothing would make me happier. But there won't be a winner today… as you both already know." His voice held a hint of seriousness, and they only nodded in response.
His expression grew firm as he looked at them. "Haku, Karin, promise me that once my fight is over, you'll leave the arena immediately."
They exchanged a quick glance and nodded. "We promise," they replied in unison.
"Well, I'll leave now," Naruto said, making his way to the door. "I'll see you both at the stadium."
With a final nod, he stepped outside, ready to face the day.
As the massive doors of the Namikaze mansion opened for Naruto, he spotted Sasuke waiting for him outside.
"Hmm, so you're back… and with Kakashi. I wouldn't have expected you to show up for my fight," Naruto said with a faint smirk.
Sasuke raised a hand to his face, brushing off the comment. "You wouldn't even believe me if I told you the whole story," he replied dryly.
"Is that so?" Naruto replied. "Well, let's get going."
Naruto began leading the way, and Sasuke fell in step beside him. They walked through the bustling streets, filled with people heading toward the arena.
"Looks like it'll be a big crowd today," Sasuke observed, taking in the number of people filing into the stadium.
"Of course," Naruto replied. "There always is, but it seems this year especially has drawn attention. Quite a few promising shinobi have caught people's interest." Naruto glanced at Sasuke from the corner of his eye. "You and that Gaara, in particular, are favorites to win."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked, genuinely confused.
"The people's bets," Naruto explained casually. "You and Gaara are favorites to win this whole thing."
"And how exactly do you know that?" Sasuke asked, raising an eyebrow.
Naruto's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "I opened a betting store at the market for the entire month. You should have seen the profits."
Sasuke let out a rare chuckle. "So then… maybe I shouldn't win, huh?"
"Nah, don't worry," Naruto replied with a smirk. "Nobody placed a bet on me. So when I win, I won't have to give any of that money back."
They shared a laugh as they entered the arena, taking in the sight of spectators filling the stands. It seemed all the genin had made it to the arena—bar Dosu—ready to watch or take part in the tournament.
Naruto and Sasuke fell in line with the rest of the genin, their eyes scanning the growing crowd. Naruto's gaze drifted toward the stands, where he spotted Kakashi and Sakura already seated. Behind them, two familiar figures made their way to their seats—Haku and Karin, settling in right beside Kakashi and Sakura.
It took Sakura a moment, but her eyes soon widened in recognition as she looked at Haku. "You're that girl from the Land of Waves, aren't you?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Haku shifted slightly, visibly uncomfortable. But before she could respond, Kakashi made a quick, subtle gesture to Sakura, signaling her to calm down and not ask any more questions. Haku glanced at him, a hint of relief in her expression, and gave him a grateful nod, to which Kakashi responded with his usual eye smile.
Up in the Kage Box, Hiruzen looked down at the assembled genin, his gaze steady as he took in the young shinobi ready to prove themselves. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his counterpart from the Sand Village. Hiruzen turned, greeting him with a warm smile.
"Ah, welcome, Lord Kazekage, to the village of Konoha," he said, extending a hand in welcome.
The Kazekage inclined his head politely. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"Please, take a seat. You must be tired from the journey," Hiruzen offered, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.
The Kazekage settled into the chair, his gaze shifting over the arena before he spoke again. "I'm glad the Chunin Exams took place in your village this year. A journey to the Sand would be tiring for someone of your… advanced years." His voice was cool, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Do you plan on handing over that hat of yours anytime soon?"
Hiruzen chuckled, unphased. "Come now, Kazekage, you speak as if I were a senile old man. There's still plenty of life in me. They call me the Professor for a reason, after all."
Hiruzen turned to the crowd, his voice projecting over the arena. "Greetings, everyone, and thank you for coming to the village of Konoha! It is now time for the finals of the Chunin Exams to begin. I hope you are all ready and enjoy the spectacle!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, the air buzzing with excitement as they shouted the names of their favorite genin.
Down in the arena, Genma glanced over the assembled genin. "Well, it seems we're missing one, but we'll continue even without him," he announced, casting a quick look around. "Now, the first match will be Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga. The two of you stay here, while the rest of you head to the waiting room."
The other genin left without delay, and soon only Naruto and Neji remained in the arena, facing each other.
"Fate has already declared the winner, Uzumaki," Neji said coolly, his eyes filled with confidence.
Naruto met Neji's gaze with cold, narrowed eyes, remaining silent.
"Is your silence supposed to scare me, Uzumaki?" Neji sneered, but his taunt was cut short as Naruto spoke, his tone biting.
"Shut your mouth, you second-class failure."
A flash of anger ignited in Neji's eyes. "I will destroy you completely," he warned, his voice low and full of venom.
"We'll see," Naruto replied, his voice steady and unflinching as they both fell into their fighting stances, ready to begin the battle.
Ino glanced at Sakura and Kakashi, who were seated beside her. "Well, it seems like your team has made it pretty far, but I'd say Naruto's out once this fight is done," she said, a smirk on her face.
Kakashi looked at her lazily but didn't respond. Sakura, however, returned Ino's smirk with one of her own. "I'd say Naruto wins this one pretty easily."
Ino laughed. "Oh, please. As if Naruto stands a chance!"
"Ready? Begin!" called Genma, stepping back to give the two genin room to fight.
Neji activated his Byakugan, his gaze intense as he watched Naruto. But Naruto stood there, unmoving, not even bothering to adopt a fighting stance, almost as if he were taunting Neji.
"Are you mocking me, Uzumaki?" Neji roared, unable to tolerate the perceived slight. He charged forward at full speed.
A faint smile appeared on Naruto's face as he extended his right arm, and, to Neji's shock, a sword appeared in his hand. Without hesitation, Naruto swung the blade, his killing intent clear.
Neji reacted on instinct, dodging at the last possible second, but the sword's edge came close enough to slice through the fabric of his gray vest. *Damn it… how did I fall for that?* Neji thought, eyeing Naruto with caution.
"What's wrong?" Naruto taunted, his voice cold. "Did fate not warn you about my sword, oh great prophet?"
"Shut up, you demon!" Neji retorted, but Naruto only smirked.
"You should try to be more original, Neji, because this is just pathetic," Naruto shot back, not wasting a second as he moved again.
In a move that left the audience stunned, Naruto began forming one-handed seals.
What? Naruto can do one-handed seals?* Kakashi thought to himself, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Wind Style: Slashing Wind Jutsu!" Naruto called out, sending a fierce gust of slicing wind toward Neji. Neji tried to dodge, but Naruto appeared at his side, sword in hand, poised to strike.
Neji quickly drew a kunai, attempting to block the sword's path, only to see his kunai sliced cleanly in two. He leapt back, his hand trembling, blood trickling from a fresh cut.
Damn it… I need to focus. I can't let this loser defeat me in front of everyone* Neji thought to himself, his teeth clenched in frustration. He glanced up toward the stands and saw Hiashi Hyuga seated beside Hanabi, with the Hyuga elders and other clan members gathered in their reserved section of the arena. The elders watched the fight with displeased expressions, their faces hard and critical.
Neji's gaze returned to the arena, but when he looked back, Naruto was nowhere to be seen. *What? Where did he go?* Neji's eyes darted around frantically, his Byakugan searching every direction—but there was no sign of him.
He barely had a second to react as Naruto burst out of the ground below him, his fist connecting squarely with Neji's jaw. The impact sent Neji flying backward, landing hard on his back. With effort, he managed to stand, though he was clearly struggling.
"Don't get cocky," he muttered, trying to steady himself.
Naruto's expression remained calm, his voice carrying an edge of finality. "While I'd love nothing more than to stay here and humiliate you in front of the entire village, I'm not one to toy with or underestimate my opponent. So, I'll only say this once—give up, Neji Hyuga."
Naruto's words seemed to cut deeper than any blow he'd delivered. Neji's face twisted with anger as he shouted, "I'll destroy you, Naruto Uzumaki! Even if it's the last thing I do, I won't let you take my fate from me!"
Naruto simply watched him, his expression calm. "Tell me something, Neji—who is it that's trapped you in this illusion you call fate? Who has drowned you in fantasies so deeply that you can't see reality?"
Neji faltered, caught off guard. "What are you talking about?" he snapped.
Naruto's gaze remained steady. "Is it your hatred that blinds you? Is it your desire for revenge? For greatness? Or is it the need to be someone you're not that keeps you bound to a level of strength you refuse to surpass?"
For a moment, Neji was left speechless, his anger simmering. "Shut up! You don't know me—you don't know a single thing about me!"
"But I do," Naruto replied, his voice flat and unfeeling. "You're a member of the branch family, a part of the Hyuga clan. Your father, Hizashi, died in the Hyūga Affair as a body double for the head of your clan, Hiashi Hyuga. It's a cruel fate, I'll admit, but your father died a hero. History may forget his name, but your uncle will remember him."
Neji's face twisted with pain, his anger only deepening. "My father died as a sacrifice! I won't let the same fate befall me!"
With a roar, Neji charged forward, moving at full speed, his eyes blazing. But before he could close the distance, Naruto stepped forward, his sword already swinging. In a single, precise motion, Naruto ended the fight.
"Winner of this fight, Naruto Uzumaki," declared Genma, breaking the silence in the arena. The crowd paused for a moment before erupting into applause, the unexpected victory stirring excitement. Naruto looked out at them blankly, surprised by the response, though he welcomed it.
Up in the Kage Box, Hiruzen smiled proudly, feeling a deep satisfaction at the victory of someone he considered family. Standing from his seat, he stepped to the railing, surprising the Kazekage beside him.
Before the next match could begin, Hiruzen raised his voice, making sure it carried across the entire arena. "Before the next match, I'd like to share something with you all about Naruto Uzumaki."
The mention of Naruto's name sent murmurs through the crowd, whispers passing from one spectator to another. But they quieted as Hiruzen continued.
"Naruto Uzumaki is the son of two people who gave everything for the sake of Konoha," he declared. "Naruto Uzumaki is the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki. He is the last heir of these two ancient clans."
A hush fell over the arena, followed by a roar of cheers and stunned gasps as Hiruzen's words sank in.
In the Kage Box, the Kazekage's eyes widened in shock. *That brat is Minato's offspring? No wonder Hiruzen has been so protective of him—and Jiraiya must have known too. How did none of my spies learn of this?* he fumed inwardly.
Kakashi, standing in the stands, hid a small smile. *So Lord Hokage has chosen to reveal his secret.*
Ino's eyes were wide as she stared at Naruto. "Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage? But he was the dead last in the academy!" she exclaimed.
"I… I can't believe it!" Sakura added, disbelief etched across her face. From the corner of her eye, she saw Haku and Karin quietly slipping away from the stands, leaving the arena unnoticed.
So, the legacy of the Fourth Hokage still lives…* Baki, the Sand jonin, thought as he eyed Naruto. *He could be an incredible asset to Suna. Orochimaru's attention may be on the Uchiha, but perhaps I can convince him to shift focus.*
Kankuro nudged his sister. "You know about the Fourth Hokage, right?"
Temari nodded. "Yeah… Dad used to talk about him. He always thought it was unbelievable someone like him could have died." A slight frown creased her brow as she continued to watch Naruto.
Naruto remained calm and collected, absorbing the revelation's impact as he walked toward the waiting room. Dad… Mom… everything will soon fall into place. Rest well, he thought, his heart steady with purpose.
"Next up—Sasuke Uchiha versus Gaara!" Genma called out.
Sasuke wasted no time, leaping over the railing and landing smoothly in the center of the arena. Gaara, meanwhile, descended the stairs slowly, his gaze fixed forward with an eerie calmness. As Naruto made his way back to the waiting room, he crossed paths with Gaara and briefly caught the unsettling, intense look the Jinchuriki gave him. Naruto simply ignored it, paying Gaara's glare no mind.
Entering the waiting room, Naruto saw the rest of the competitors gathered. He walked past them without a word, making his way to the railing to watch the upcoming match. Glancing up at the stands, he noticed Haku and Karin were gone, though Kakashi still sat watching, his eyes scanning the arena. Kakashi met Naruto's gaze, giving him a slight nod, which Naruto returned with equal calm.
"Ready… begin!" Genma declared, stepping back to give space.
Without hesitation, a torrent of sand erupted from the gourd Gaara carried on his back. Sasuke leapt back instantly, assessing the situation. *I have to be careful. This guy's sand is his most dangerous weapon* he reminded himself, but his focus was shaken as he heard Gaara muttering.
"Please, Mother… don't be angry. Once I'm done with him, I'll give you the blood of the Uzumaki," Gaara murmured, his voice unsettling as he seemed to speak to no one in particular.
What… what is this guy talking about?* Sasuke thought, bewildered.
In the stands, Kankuro shifted nervously. "His… conversation has already started. This isn't good," he muttered to Temari.
"I know. This is the first time I've seen Gaara start talking to himself before the fight even begins," she replied, her eyes never leaving her brother.
They were startled by a hand suddenly landing on their shoulders. Both of them nearly turned to attack, only to be met with the calm, smiling face of Naruto Uzumaki.
"What do you want, Namikaze?" Kankuro nearly growled.
"Apologies," Naruto said, holding up his hands with a slight smirk. "I didn't mean to startle you. I was just wondering if you think your brother will win against my teammate, Sasuke Uchiha."
The question left both Sand siblings taken aback. "What…?" Temari stammered, confused.
"Of course he'll win!" Kankuro replied quickly, his tone arrogant but carrying a note of defensiveness.
"Well, that's too bad," Naruto said, shrugging with a faint smile. "Enjoy the fight."
With that, he moved away, leaving Temari and Kankuro exchanging confused glances. *What was that all about?* they both wondered before turning their attention back to the arena below.
Gaara's sand began swirling around him, moving as if it had a life of its own. Without wasting any time, Sasuke launched a barrage of projectiles at him. But before they could make contact, a clone of Gaara materialized from the sand, intercepting each weapon effortlessly. Unfazed, Sasuke sprinted forward, only to see the clone dissolve back into sand as a massive wave surged toward him.
He leapt upward, avoiding the wave, but the sand clone reformed and hurled Sasuke's own projectiles back at him. Sasuke countered mid-air with a fresh set of shuriken, neutralizing the attack, then descended, his momentum allowing him to land a powerful kick that obliterated the sand clone's arms. Touching down on one hand, he spun gracefully back to his feet, pressing his left hand against the clone's throat. With a swift motion of his right, he decapitated the sand clone, which crumbled to the ground.
With the clone dispersed, Sasuke saw a clear path to Gaara, but just as he prepared to close in, a solid wall of sand rose in his way. He smirked, vanishing in a flash of speed, only to reappear behind Gaara. His fist connected squarely with Gaara's face, causing a massive crack to appear on his sand armor.
"So, that's your sand armor, huh?" Sasuke said with a smirk. He took a step back, making a taunting hand gesture. "Well then, come on."
Seeing no response from Gaara, Sasuke launched another offensive. Moving with incredible speed, he closed the distance, assaulting Gaara with a relentless series of strikes. Gaara's sand tried to rise and defend him, but Sasuke's movements were too fast for the sand to keep up. Each blow connected with precision, cracking Gaara's sand armor further and leaving him unable to respond.
The spectators watched in awe, their eyes wide with astonishment as Sasuke moved in a blur, his speed leaving a stunned silence across the arena.
Seeing the tide of the battle turn against him, Gaara quickly formed a single hand seal. The sand he had been controlling gathered around him, forming a dense cocoon that enveloped his entire body. Sasuke, noticing Gaara's tactic, darted forward, aiming to prevent the sand from fully enclosing him. But as he closed in, massive spikes of sand shot out from the cocoon, forcing Sasuke to halt his advance.
Gaara's defense was complete, the cocoon solidifying around him and blocking any further attempts from Sasuke to strike.
Sasuke attempted another strike at Gaara, but once again, sharp spikes of sand emerged from the cocoon, forcing him to retreat. He backed off, taking a moment to assess his options. After a brief pause, a plan formed in his mind.
Moving swiftly, Sasuke sprinted to the arena wall, channeling chakra to his feet to run up its surface. Upon reaching a suitable height, he paused, concentrating as a crackling, powerful current of lightning formed around his hand.
"Chidori!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the arena as he charged down, his hand blazing with electric energy. In one swift motion, he drove his Chidori straight through the sand cocoon, piercing it with explosive force.
A bloodcurdling scream echoed throughout the arena, sending chills through the crowd.
From the corner of his eye, Hiruzen noticed the Kazekage's intense gaze turn his way. Before he could react, smoke grenades detonated around the Kage Box, filling it with thick, billowing clouds. In the chaos, the Kazekage moved behind him, pressing a dagger against Hiruzen's throat with deadly precision.
Down in the stands, Kakashi observed as spectators began to slump over, one by one, drifting into unconsciousness. *So it has begun* Kakashi thought, casting a quick glance toward one of the ANBU stationed nearby. Placing a firm hand on Guy's shoulder, he leaned in. "Let's go."
Meanwhile, Sasuke glanced up at the Hokage Box, his eyes narrowing as the smoke shrouded the scene. *What's going on?* he wondered, but his attention quickly returned to the arena as Gaara's sand cocoon began to dissolve, revealing Gaara clutching his wounded chest, eyes blazing with fury and bloodlust.
In the stands, Temari grabbed Kankuro's arm. "Let's go! We have to get Gaara out of here!" she urged, but as they tried to move, they found themselves frozen in place.
"What the…?" Kankuro muttered, noticing strange symbols glowing red-hot across their clothes. Turning, they found Naruto Namikaze standing behind them, holding a single hand seal, his face serious and resolute.
"What is going on here?" Temari demanded.
Naruto's calm gaze met hers. "Sorry, but I can't let you interfere. So, please, sit this one out," he said, his smile gone, replaced with a hardened expression.
Kankuro's eyes flared with anger. "What did you do to us?"
Naruto's voice was steady. "Isn't it obvious? I placed a seal on you that's constantly draining your chakra, even as we speak."
Temari and Kankuro gasped, realization dawning on them. "When did you…?" Temari stammered.
Naruto thought back, then replied, "When I asked you both if Gaara would win. I placed my hands on your shoulders—that's when I applied the seals."
Their expressions turned to horror as the truth sank in.
Naruto turned, spotting Shino standing nearby. "Shino, please keep an eye on these two, will you?" he requested.
Shino gave a slight nod, and Naruto, without further delay, jumped over the railing, landing gracefully on the arena floor as the chaos around them continued to unfold.
Naruto walked across the arena floor toward Sasuke and Gaara. Spotting him, Sasuke, still catching his breath, called out, "Naruto, what are you doing here? What's going on?"
"I hate to interrupt your battle, but we don't have a choice," Naruto replied calmly. "We're under attack, Sasuke."
"Under attack?" Sasuke muttered, still confused. "By who?"
"The villages of Suna and Otogakure," Naruto answered, his gaze steady. "And Gaara is at the center of their assault on the village. You need to end this fight now—take him down and rid us of the One-Tail."
Up in the Kage Box, the ANBU quickly sprang into action, rushing to aid the Hokage. They moved swiftly to take down the Kazekage's two guards but were taken aback as, instead of falling, the two "guards" split open to reveal four masked figures who stepped out and took up positions at the four corners around the two Kage. The four shinobi swiftly completed a series of hand signs, and a massive barrier formed, enclosing Hiruzen and the Kazekage in a glowing, impenetrable box.
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened as he faced his supposed ally, the Kazekage. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice firm even with the dagger at his throat.
The Kazekage's expression twisted with a sinister smile. "Isn't it obvious, Lord Hokage? We are changing the course of history. From this day forward, history will forget the Village Hidden in the Leaves."
"Are you suggesting you wish to start a war?" Hiruzen asked, his voice calm but steely. "Armed conflict brings nothing but ruin. Reconsider this course of action."
"There is nothing to reconsider," the Kazekage replied coldly.
Hiruzen's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Then, I suppose we'll have to do things the old way… won't we, Orochimaru?"
At his words, the Kazekage's eyes widened in shock, his identity exposed by the aged Hokage.
"How did you know?" Orochimaru snarled at Hiruzen, his voice laced with venom. But the Hokage only looked at him calmly, offering no answer.
Down in the arena stands, Sakura's eyes widened as she saw ninjas from Otogakure emerging, engaging in fierce combat with Konoha shinobi. Guy leaped into action, intercepting and battling the enemy shinobi heading toward the stands.
Meanwhile, Kakashi approached one of the ANBU stationed in the arena. "You there, ANBU—what are you doing here?" he demanded. "Why haven't you engaged the enemy?"
The ANBU turned, his voice flat. "My assignment is to protect and heal the injured guests watching the exam. I have my duty."
Kakashi gave him a brief nod. "I see. Very well, continue with your duty then."
As he turned to leave, he paused. "Oh, there is one more thing," he added, drawing a reaction from the ANBU. But before the masked shinobi could respond, Kakashi spun back around, delivering a powerful kick to his face. The blow shattered the ANBU's mask, revealing Kabuto Yakushi, blood trickling down the right side of his face.
"Why did you do that?" Kabuto demanded, anger flashing in his eyes.
Kakashi tilted his head thoughtfully, mocking him with a half-smile beneath his mask. "Good question. Why did I do it?" he mused. "Could it be because you're Orochimaru's little spy?"
"What… what are you talking about?" Kabuto stammered, attempting to maintain his facade.
"Drop the act, Kabuto Yakushi," Kakashi said, his tone icy. "We know everything about you."
Kabuto's eyes narrowed, a glint of fury and panic flashing in them. "And how did you find that out?"
Kakashi's visible eye seemed to crinkle with amusement, even behind his mask. "Why, you told us yourself. Just as you told us about the invasion of Konoha by Oto and Suna."
Kabuto's face fell, his eyes widening.
Down in the arena, Naruto and Sasuke stood across from Gaara, who wore a crazed, unsettling look. Genma approached them, casting a wary glance at the sand-wielding genin. "So this guy is the centerpiece of their attack on the village?"
"Yeah, he is," Naruto replied curtly.
Genma shook his head in confusion. "Why would a single genin be a trump card? I don't get it."
Naruto's gaze remained fixed on Gaara. "He's no ordinary genin. He's a Jinchuriki."
"A Jinchuriki?" Sasuke questioned, puzzled.
"He contains one of the nine Tailed Beasts," Naruto clarified, "specifically, the One-Tail of Suna."
Suddenly, Baki, Gaara's sensei, appeared in front of his student, his expression tense as he assessed Gaara's condition. *Damn it, he's almost unconscious… I need to get him out of here.* Baki scanned the arena with frustration. *Where are Kankuro and Temari?*
Genma observed Baki, his voice edged with suspicion. "So, you've decided to show your true colors, haven't you?"
Baki gave no reply, focused on supporting Gaara, who was on the verge of collapsing. He lifted Gaara onto his shoulder, but before he could make his escape, Naruto charged forward, his sword appearing in his right hand as he swung at Baki.
Baki countered, summoning his own Wind Release: Blades of Wind, the slicing gusts meeting Naruto's attack head-on.
"Tch," Baki scowled. "I can't afford to take this brat lightly. He's the son of the Fourth Hokage, after all."
Orochimaru withdrew the kunai from Hiruzen's throat, stepping back to put space between them. His eyes narrowed as he spoke, "Alright, tell me—how did you know it was me?"
Hiruzen continued to regard him with a calm, unreadable gaze. "I've known about your plans for nearly a month now."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with a mix of anger and curiosity. "Is that so? And how did you manage that?"
Hiruzen allowed a small, knowing smile. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Without missing a beat, he went through a series of hand signs. "Ninja Art: Tile Shuriken!" he called out as dozens of tiles from the rooftop shot toward Orochimaru at high speed.
"Don't mock me with such basic jutsu, Sarutobi!" Orochimaru sneered, leaping into the air and performing his own hand seals. "Striking Shadow Snake!" he shouted, as his tongue transformed into a snake, lunging forward and sinking its fangs into Hiruzen's neck.
Orochimaru's satisfaction was short-lived; the old Hokage's form melted into mud, revealing a substitution. Hiruzen reappeared beside him, already weaving more hand signs.
"Earth Style: Great Mud River!" he declared, transforming the rooftop beneath Orochimaru into a slick river of mud, causing him to lose his footing and slide down the tiles.
"Is this really all you've got, Sarutobi?" Orochimaru taunted, regaining his balance.
"Far from it," Hiruzen replied, his voice firm. "Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb!"
A massive mud dragon head emerged beside him, unleashing a torrent of mud projectiles aimed directly at Orochimaru. Without a pause, Hiruzen added another set of hand seals. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb!"
A fierce gust of fire erupted from his mouth, merging with the mud projectiles to form a blazing onslaught. The combined attack engulfed Orochimaru, flames searing his robes as he screamed in pain.
From outside the barrier, an ANBU watching the battle muttered in awe, "Incredible… he's combining Fire Style with Earth Style effortlessly."
Hiruzen's gaze was steely as he looked down at Orochimaru, who slowly rose from the ground, seemingly unharmed. "Enough of that pitiful performance, Orochimaru," Hiruzen said, his voice calm but laced with intensity.
Orochimaru dusted himself off, a smirk spreading across his face. "Very well then, Sensei. But isn't it time for you to stop playing around as well? This isn't some academy lesson, and after all, you're up against your own son."
Hiruzen's expression hardened, a serious resolve settling on his face. "You're exactly right… and today, we'll die here together if that's what it takes."
Down in the arena, Naruto continued his relentless assault on Baki, his movements fast and precise. Baki countered each attack with impressive skill, his own blade enhanced with sharp gusts of wind that kept Naruto on his toes. Naruto feinted to the left, then lunged forward, swinging his sword in a sweeping arc, but Baki deflected the blow, twisting out of reach with expert timing.
Just then, Sasuke joined the fray, coming at Baki from behind in a sudden blur of speed. Sasuke charged his fist with the Chidori, aiming a lightning-filled strike at Baki's back. Sensing the attack, Baki summoned a gust of wind, forcing Sasuke to back off momentarily. But Genma, observing the fight, quickly assessed the opportunity and dashed in from the other side, striking at Baki with his own swift series of punches and kicks.
Baki was forced to pivot defensively, now surrounded on all sides. Naruto darted in again, his sword flashing as he slashed down from above. Baki barely managed to dodge, rolling to avoid the blade, but Genma was there to meet him, his fist connecting with Baki's shoulder, staggering him.
Seizing the moment, Naruto and Sasuke closed in, executing coordinated attacks that left Baki with no room to manoeuvre. A quick exchange ensued, with Baki fending off the two genin's attacks as best he could. But Naruto's persistence and speed proved overwhelming.
With a powerful swing, Naruto knocked Baki's weapon aside, forcing him to stumble backward. In that instant, Genma stepped forward, using a swift palm strike to knock Baki off balance. Sasuke followed up with a final kick, driving Baki to the ground. Before he could recover, Naruto stood over him, his sword poised at Baki's throat, eyes burning with intensity.
"You put up a brave fight," Naruto said, his gaze locked onto Baki's, "but this ends now." With a swift, decisive swing of his sword, Naruto ended it, blood splattering across the ground as he sheathed his weapon, which promptly disappeared.
Naruto turned his attention to Gaara's unconscious body. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a paper tag and carefully placed it on Gaara's forehead to immobilize him. He called out to Genma, who had been observing the outcome of the battle. "He's immobilized for now. Take him and put him into captivity. We can't risk him unleashing the One-Tail in the middle of the village."
Genma nodded, but asked, "What about you?"
Naruto paused, his eyes meeting Genma's with a serious look that left the older ninja feeling strangely uneasy. "I'll head to the walls and help defend there. Sasuke," he continued, glancing over his shoulder, "if you want to help, you're free to join."
Naruto glanced briefly at the arena stands, where Kakashi and the other shinobi were locked in fierce combat. *A bloody affair* he thought, taking in the chaos. His gaze shifted upward to the rooftop, where he could make out Hiruzen battling Orochimaru. *Old man…* he thought, a mix of concern and resolve crossing his features.
Without further delay, Naruto dashed toward the village walls, ready to reinforce the defense.
A few moments earlier, Jiraiya stood atop the walls of the village, his hair whipping around in the wind, though his face remained impassive. *Just when I thought things were beginning to look better… and now this* he mused, his expression betraying no hint of his thoughts.
"Jiraiya-sensei," a voice called out from behind him.
Turning, Jiraiya was met by a tall, thin man with sunken, dark eyes, white hair, and dressed in gray robes accented with black and white. A serene smile spread across the man's face, as if all was right in the world.
"Sora Tanshoku," Jiraiya greeted, nodding in acknowledgment. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person."
"Oh, believe me, Legendary Sannin, the honor is all mine," Sora replied, his smile unchanging. "After all, it's not every day one meets a legendary ninja."
Jiraiya eyed him carefully. "Have you done what the Hokage asked of you?"
"Of course," Sora replied smoothly. "If there's one thing the Tanshoku Clan excels at, it's stealth. We've already identified the key enemy targets hidden in the surrounding forests."
To locate the enemy formation so easily, even where the ANBU Black Ops had trouble… he's good* Jiraiya thought, his gaze sharpening.
"Yes, but let's not get ahead of ourselves," Jiraiya cautioned. "This is only the third gate of the village. There are two more."
Sora nodded. "Yes, there are two more gates, but they are not under our watch for the day. The second and main gate is under the watch of the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi Clans, while the first gate is overseen by the Hisame and Mugenjo Clans. But if I were to worry about any of them, it would be the first gate."
"Why is that?" Jiraiya asked, his tone growing sharper.
Sora's smile didn't waver. "Well, Kotaru Hisame is a powerful man, but he lacks a mind for strategy. And Daisuke Mugenjo…" He trailed off, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, Daisuke is… Daisuke."
Jiraiya studied him thoughtfully. "And what about you, Lord Sora Tanshoku? What do you think about yourself?"
Sora's eyes gleamed briefly. "We all have our flaws, Jiraiya. I don't claim to be flawless."
At that moment, a burst of smoke erupted from the roof of the Chunin Exams arena. "There's the signal," Sora murmured, his gaze following the plume. With a single hand seal, his body melted into the wall, vanishing completely.
Jiraiya watched as shinobi from the enemy villages of Suna and Otogakure launched themselves into the air, ready to assault Konoha. His sharp gaze, however, caught something troubling beyond them—a rising column of smoke deep within the forest. *A summoning jutsu* he realized, eyes narrowing, and his suspicion was soon confirmed. From the depths of the trees, a massive three-headed snake emerged, its enormous form barreling toward the village walls, aiming to breach Konoha's defenses.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jiraiya flew through a series of hand seals, leaping from the wall toward the forest. Mid-air, he slammed his hand down in a summoning gesture. In an instant, the immense form of Gamabunta, the Chief Toad, appeared beneath him, cushioning his landing.
"What's going on, Jiraiya?" Gamabunta asked, looking up at him with a grim expression.
"Sorry for the sudden call, but I had no choice," Jiraiya replied, apologizing quickly as his gaze shifted toward the three-headed snake.
Gamabunta's eyes narrowed as he assessed the monstrous creature in front of them. "Snakes… this reeks of Orochimaru's doing, doesn't it?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Jiraiya confirmed, his tone grim.
"Well then, let's take care of it," Gamabunta replied, bracing himself.
Jiraiya nodded, and together, they prepared their attack. "Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Bomb!" Jiraiya called out, spewing a stream of flammable oil as Gamabunta unleashed a powerful blast of fire that ignited the oil in mid-air, creating a fiery torrent that surged forward, merging into a single, devastating strike.
The combined attack roared toward the three-headed snake, striking one of its heads with enough force to completely incinerate it. But to their dismay, the remaining two heads continued to press forward undeterred. One of the heads lunged, sinking its massive fangs into Gamabunta's neck, causing him to cry out in pain.
Gritting his teeth, Jiraiya moved quickly, weaving hand seals. "Wind Style: Great Cutting Whirlwind!" he shouted, releasing a powerful gust that sliced through the head of the attacking snake, severing it cleanly.
But there was no time to rest. The final head reared up, coiling and lunging upward, aiming directly at Jiraiya with deadly precision. The snake's maw opened wide and a massive surge of blood splashed across the wall.
At the second gate of the village, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Chōza Akimichi stood atop the village wall, each observing the situation with deadly focus. When he saw the signal Shikaku's gaze shifted toward the forest.
"So, it has begun," he muttered.
Inoichi nodded. "It seems so."
"They're on the move," Chōza said, pointing toward the forest, where the shinobi of Otogakure and Sunagakure were advancing into view.
"They have us on numbers, but we have the advantage of position," Shikaku said, eyeing a nearby shinobi. "Make sure to release the seal traps on my command."
Inoichi's eyes widened as he noticed massive boulders hurtling toward them from the treeline. "They've set up catapults to breach the walls!"
Without hesitation, Chōza activated his Super Expansion Jutsu, his body enlarging until he towered over the wall. With a booming shout, he raised his now-massive hand, intercepting one of the incoming boulders and using it to knock away several others, smashing the boulders mid-air before they could reach the wall.
Inoichi jumped onto Chōza's shoulder. "Chōza, head toward the forest—we need to locate those catapults! I'll handle the rest once we're close enough."
"Roger that," Chōza replied, his massive form thundering forward as he leaped from the wall, charging toward the forest. As they approached, he spotted over thirty catapults hidden among the trees, launching boulder after boulder toward the walls.
Inoichi quickly formed the hand seal unique to his clan, entering a sleep-like state as he performed his Mind Transfer Jutsu. One of the enemy shinobi manning a catapult froze, then smirked as Inoichi took over his body.
Now in control, Inoichi turned the catapult's aim toward another nearby catapult. He released the payload, sending the massive boulder crashing into the adjacent device, obliterating it in a cloud of dust and splintered wood. The enemy shinobi nearby shouted in confusion, their cries rising as they saw the destruction.
Inoichi remained unfazed, quickly loading another attack and repeating the process, unleashing chaos among the enemy forces, dust and debris scattering as more catapults were destroyed.
Despite the absolute chaos and destruction in the rear of their formation, the shinobi of Otogakure and Sunagakure pressed on, advancing in large numbers toward the walls of Konoha. Atop the village wall stood Shikaku Nara, calm and serious, observing the approaching forces with a calculating gaze.
"Now then… let's give them hell," he muttered, hands moving through a series of seals, echoed by the other shinobi stationed on that section of the wall. When they finished, they pressed their hands to the wall in unison, and to the shock of the approaching enemy, the entire wall began to glow red, revealing strange symbols none of them could understand.
In moments, a massive wave of oil started to leak from the wall, coating the ground in a slick, flammable layer. Shikaku nodded to his shinobi. "Now! Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" they shouted, releasing flames that ignited the oil, creating a massive wall of fire that surged toward the advancing forces. Screams of panic and agony filled the air as the flames engulfed the front lines, silencing them one by one as the blaze raged, the intense heat and destruction reaching deep into the enemy ranks.
As the inferno began to settle, a fresh battalion of Konoha shinobi moved forward, releasing a stream of water jutsu to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby forest.
Shikaku watched the aftermath with grim satisfaction, his mind drifting back to a month earlier.
He remembered being summoned urgently to the interrogation room by the Hokage. Though known for his laid-back nature, Shikaku arrived as quickly as possible. When he entered, he found Hiruzen, Jiraiya of the Sannin, his two trusted friends Chōza and Inoichi, Ibiki Morino, and Naruto Uzumaki all present. Inoichi and Ibiki were standing over an unconscious man with silver hair in a ponytail and circular glasses, strapped to the interrogation pod.
"Lord Hokage, I came as quickly as I could," Shikaku said, bowing slightly in respect. "Has something important happened?"
"We're about to find out from Inoichi," the Hokage replied.
Inoichi turned to face the group, his expression serious. "I'm afraid Naruto was right," he began. "This man, Kabuto Yakushi, is indeed a spy for Orochimaru. He's conspiring with Sunagakure to launch an attack on Konoha—one month from now."
"Does he know how the attack will happen?" Naruto asked, his voice calm yet insistent.
"It appears the attack is set to begin during Sasuke Uchiha's match in the Chunin Exams," Inoichi continued. "They'll initiate with a smoke signal, followed by Orochimaru's assault on Lord Hokage. That's the signal to start the invasion."
"Does he have the number of enemies they're planning to send?" Naruto inquired further.
Inoichi nodded, a grave look in his eyes. "A large force. They're coordinating a full-scale invasion."
"Then we'll need to fortify the walls," Naruto stated firmly, his expression resolute.
"Agreed," Chōza added. "We should also double the Hokage's security."
But before anyone else could speak, Naruto cut in sharply. "Absolutely not. This is our best chance to capture or eliminate Orochimaru. Doubling the Hokage's security will only alert him that we're prepared. And besides, the only real defense strong enough to be added would be Jiraiya himself. But Jiraiya's strength is best used in defending the walls."
The room went silent. Shikaku, Chōza, and Inoichi exchanged glances, momentarily speechless at Naruto's bold, tactical response. Even Ibiki, ever stoic, raised an eyebrow in quiet surprise.
Hiruzen said nothing. "Naruto is right. There is no need to double my security. We will come up with a plan and we will not allow this invasion to destroy anything inside the village."
Naruto Uzumaki, huh? You're a fascinating young man. You're the age of my own son, yet your maturity is comparable to that of a veteran shinobi* Shikaku Nara thought to himself. *This village owes you a great debt.*
And that's it for this chapter hope you enjoyed reading it, as you can see i made quite a lot of changes to the story, one of them being Orochimaru as Hiruzen's son he isn't Hiruzen biological son only adopted but i will expand on this in the future also i am adding a few new clans to this fanfic they are all made up here is a list of their names.
Kazehara Clan
Tanshoku Clan
Hisame Clan
Mugenjo Clan
Hotarubi Clan