At the mention of Akatsuki, everyone shuddered.
"The Chūnin Exam overseers, mobilize as well!"
"The entire forest is under Kazuyama's sensory barrier. The enemy possesses ocular powers, so we must ensure the village is completely enveloped within the detection field!"
"ANBU, deliver my orders to Fugaku—have the Uchiha join the security detail."
"With Sharingan support, efficiency will increase dramatically."
"And one more thing—don't inform Advisor Hiruzen about Akatsuki just yet. I don't want him acting rashly."
Minato's tone shifted at the end, followed by a sigh.
When it came to Akatsuki, if the Uchiha held the deepest grudge, the second would undoubtedly be Hiruzen Sarutobi.
That battle years ago hadn't just devastated the Uchiha; the ANBU had also paid a terrible price.
Shinnosuke Sarutobi and his wife, both ANBU captains at the time, had joined the fight. But even Midori—who pushed her Earth Release to its absolute limit—had no way to resist the enemy's Susanoo. In the end, she died under that eerie weapon, the Spear of Longinus.
The loss struck Hiruzen hard. For the man who had given his life to Konoha, that grief had long since turned into smoldering fury.
"Now—move out!"
Minato gave no further explanation. With a single command, all the ninja scattered toward their respective sectors.
...
Meanwhile, Kazuyama Gekkō stood before Michihito and the others.
His face was dark as thunder. Seeing his father like this, Michihito wisely kept silent. There was no point adding fuel to that fire.
Kazuyama's gaze swept over the slightly disheveled Sand trio. Confirming that none of them were seriously injured, he exhaled quietly in relief.
"Gaara, Temari, Kankurō—you're all alright?"
"Hey, Dad, shouldn't you ask about me first?"
"You? Hmph. Your sister can perform Summoning. What could possibly happen to you?"
Kazuyama gave his son a sharp look, though there was clear concern in his eyes.
He knew all too well how strong their opponent was. His sensory barrier blanketed the entire Forest of Death, yet he couldn't sense the enemy anywhere.
Escaped already, huh? Count yourself lucky.
That thought alone was enough to rekindle his anger.
"Sensei, we're fine," Temari said. "But their target seemed to be Gaara, and their strength was… overwhelming."
"Even Gaara couldn't stand against him."
The memory alone made her uneasy. The opponent's power had been beyond belief—and those eyes still sent a chill down her spine.
"Understandable," Kazuyama said flatly. "His strength isn't below mine. The fact that you held out this long is commendable."
"Looks like you haven't neglected your training. Not bad at all—truly my students."
Since the enemy had withdrawn, there was no need to dwell on it. Everyone was safe—that was what mattered.
Still, Kazuyama was certain now that the real target was Shukaku.
The sealing order hadn't been broken. Capturing the Three-Tails first had likely been a distraction.
That bastard… always scheming.
Muren Uchiha: Damn it, it's just because the Three-Tails was easier!
"Sensei, what's the enemy's goal exactly?"
"Gaara, don't think too much about it. You'll be briefed later. For now, continue the exam. My barrier covers the entire forest. If he dares show himself again—hmph—I'd welcome it."
With that, Kazuyama disappeared once more, leaving only the three Sand siblings and Michihito behind.
"Tch. Every time—starts a sentence, never finishes it, then vanishes. Typical."
"Seriously."
"Karin, they're okay now, right?"
Michihito kicked a nearby rock, venting his frustration.
Karin nodded. "Yeah. They're fine. Senko already healed their injuries."
"Gaara, huh? Well, now that Dad's here, the rest of this exam should go smoothly."
"We're heading off too. I still want a proper match with you. Don't let me down."
Michihito pulled a small bottle from his coat and tossed it toward Gaara, who caught it effortlessly with his sand.
Then he and Karin turned and walked away—they still needed to meet up with Senko.
"Michihito Gekkō… Senko Gekkō…"
"They really are monsters in their own right. As expected of Sensei's children. Gaara, do you think you can beat him?"
Kankurō subtly reached for the medicine bottle, but Temari snatched it first. Watching helplessly, Kankurō could only sigh in defeat.
She was the eldest sister—what could he do?
Gaara kept his gaze fixed on Michihito's retreating figure until it vanished from sight. Then he nodded slightly.
"Against him, I might still have a chance. But Senko Gekkō… I'm not confident."
"I have no solid counter for Sensei's Transparent Escape and Crystal Release."
Oh?
Gaara still had confidence, at least.
Hearing him, Temari and Kankurō exchanged surprised looks.
Did that mean he thought he could defeat Michihito?
Michihito: …I'll be waiting!
...
Back at the central tower, Kazuyama stood atop the highest spire, his gaze sweeping across the Forest of Death.
"Kazuyama, everything's been arranged. The village is now under martial law."
"But do you think he'll show himself again?"
Minato reappeared beside him.
Kazuyama shook his head. "Doubtful. He missed his first strike—he won't act again inside the village."
"I planned to use Gaara as bait to lure him out, but he made the first move instead. Hmph."
He was clearly displeased, but there was nothing more to do. Both sides knew each other too well—this was a game of timing, of who struck first.
This time, the advantage belonged to the other side. Next time would be his turn.
"Didn't check on Naruto's progress?" Minato asked.
"No need. Unless he encounters certain people, I trust his abilities."
"Tch, don't think I don't know you've been giving your son private lessons. You even let him read the Scroll of Seals, didn't you?"
Minato's face stiffened. "Hey, Kazuyama, don't say that out loud!"
"Oh, come on. Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—don't tell me he learned that on his own. We've both read the Scroll of Seals. Stop pretending."
Kazuyama shot him a deadpan look. Even Minato was cutting corners these days. The world really was going downhill.
"Ahem! My good friend—keep that to yourself! Top secret!"
"You think I will?" Kazuyama muttered.