"Hokage-sama, I didn't call you out here for a reunion."
Orochimaru's face twisted with malice as he spoke.
The moment he finished, the First and Second Hokage's pupils went dull.
They had clearly lost their self-awareness, reduced to mere puppets under Orochimaru's control.
Immediately after, the two former Hokage unleashed their overwhelming power!
First, the First Hokage clasped his hands together and summoned an endless forest, filling the entire Four Violet Flames Formation.
Then, the Second Hokage unleashed his signature Water Style, launching an attack straight at Hiruzen Sarutobi!
At the same time, Orochimaru didn't remain idle—he opened his mouth, a snake slithering out. The snake opened its jaws again, spitting out a razor-sharp sword!
The Kusanagi Blade—an incomparably sharp and powerful weapon!
Outside the Four Violet Flames Formation, the Anbu grew frantic as they saw Orochimaru and the First and Second Hokage attacking Hiruzen at once.
"What do we do? Facing the attacks of three people at once, the Third Hokage-sama won't last long," one of the Anbu said anxiously.
"We have to find a way to break this barrier."
"But the Four Violet Flames Formation burns anyone who touches it in raging fire. It can only be broken from inside…"
As the Anbu fretted, a figure with red hair and a Sage mask painted across his face appeared—Shinju.
"Let me try."
Shinju's expression remained calm as he spoke.
...
A few minutes earlier.
Shinju had been fighting off invading enemy ninja with his overwhelming taijutsu, protecting the unconscious spectators.
At that moment, Konohamaru barged into the Chunin Exam arena.
If Shinju hadn't noticed in time, Konohamaru and his two friends would have been killed instantly by the Oto-nin.
Confused by the chaos, Konohamaru looked around in shock.
"Shinju-niichan, why is everything such a mess here? Are the Chunin Exams always this hard?"
Konohamaru asked.
"No. The village is under attack."
Shinju replied.
Though Konohamaru was just a child, the village was in danger—he deserved to know.
Hearing Shinju's words, Konohamaru panicked.
"Then what about Grandpa?! Where's Grandpa right now?!"
In response, Shinju pointed at the Four Violet Flames Formation on the rooftop.
Konohamaru froze.
"Grandpa's trapped in there… he's not going to die, is he?!"
"No, Konohamaru. The Hokage is the strongest person in all of Konoha."
Kakashi suddenly appeared, reassuring him.
"But he's locked in there all alone… it must feel so helpless!"
Konohamaru burst into tears.
Even though he always said he wanted to surpass his grandfather… even though he had once tried sneaking up with a Rasengan that nearly threw out the old man's back…
When Hiruzen was truly in danger, Konohamaru couldn't help but worry for him.
"And the enemy is Orochimaru—that ruthless monster."
"Grandpa always said, if Orochimaru ever caused trouble in Konoha again, he'd drag him down to hell, even if it cost his own life!"
Growing more frantic, Konohamaru suddenly bolted toward the rooftop and the Four Violet Flames Formation.
He didn't know how dangerous it was ahead, but right now, all he wanted was to protect his beloved grandfather!
"Hey, this isn't a place where you can just rush in!"
Kakashi grabbed Konohamaru by the collar, looking annoyed.
"Konoha's in a crisis right now, kid. You should be finding somewhere safe to hide!"
"I don't care, I don't care! I want to save my Grandpa!"
Konohamaru thrashed wildly in Kakashi's grip.
Shinju looked up at the massive Four Violet Flames Formation. After a moment of hesitation, he said to Konohamaru,
"Konohamaru, you should head back. I'll protect your grandfather."
Konohamaru stopped struggling, wiped his tears, and asked pitifully,
"Shinju-niichan… really?"
"Really. Your Shinju-niichan has never lied to you."
Shinju smiled as he promised.
Kakashi then set Konohamaru down.
Without a second thought, Konohamaru dropped to his knees, bowing down fully:
"Please, Shinju-niichan!!"
Shinju replied, "Go to the nearest defense shelter and hide. Protecting you will just get in the way."
Konohamaru nodded and obediently left the arena.
Inside, Shinju resolved to keep his promise to Konohamaru—he would go and rescue the Third Hokage trapped within the Four Violet Flames Formation!
"This isn't the time to be reckless. The Four Violet Flames Formation is dangerous—it burns anything it touches. Even with Wood Style, it's not easy to handle."
Kakashi warned Shinju.
"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei."
Shinju said, his back facing Kakashi.
"I feel like… I'm actually pretty strong…"
As he turned his head slightly, Kakashi froze on the spot!
The Sage mask!!
When Shinju showed his side profile, the Sage mask became visible!
"This kid… he always manages to surprise me!"
...
At the Four Violet Flames Formation.
The Anbu stared in shock at red-haired Shinju. They were no strangers to Sage Arts!
"You…"
One of the Anbu stammered, unable to finish his sentence.
Finally, Shinju spoke first: "Get back. I don't want to accidentally hit you."
If it were any other kid his age saying that, the Anbu would have laughed it off.
But this was Shinju.
The boy who had created countless miracles.
The boy who had mastered Sage Arts at just twelve years old!
So, the Anbu obediently retreated.
When they reached the corner of the rooftop, they asked, "Is this far enough?"
"Farther."
Shinju replied without expression.
The Anbu did as told.
Only once they had completely evacuated the Chunin Exam hall did Shinju finally nod.
In the next instant, Shinju grew solemn, forming hand seals and slamming his palms together.
Clap!
"Sage Art!"
"Wood Style!"
"True Several Thousand Hands!!!"
The entire floor of the Chunin Exam arena began to shake violently!
Rumble…
A colossal Guanyin statue, hundreds of meters tall, rose from the ground!
Around the statue swirled thousands of enormous wooden hands!
The True Thousand-Armed Kannon!
The massive wooden Buddha lifted the entire Chunin Exam hall skyward!!
At that moment, everyone in the arena snapped awake—then immediately fled in terror!
Kakashi smacked his forehead: "This guy… he still can't control the scale of his jutsu. Summoning a Wood Style Guanyin this huge—what, is he trying to destroy all of Konoha?!"
Nearby jonin: ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!,!!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ,┌(.Д.)┐!!
"Kakashi, you've really raised a fine student!"
"Kakashi, why wasn't it me who got to teach Shinju's team?!"
"The jutsu Shinju just unleashed—it's exactly the same as the one used by the God of Shinobi himself!!"
Kakashi: "Why is everyone saying I have a good student? Shouldn't it be that Shinju has a good teacher? -(￢∀￢)σ"
Might Guy: "Kakashi! Though you are my eternal rival and lifelong friend, I must admit—raising a child like him must have used up all your luck for the future!"