Four days later, the tournament was halfway through, and the time agreed upon by Sunagakure and Otogakure was fast approaching.
On the afternoon of the fifth day, at three o'clock, the draw pitted Sasuke against Gaara. The arena erupted in extremely enthusiastic cheers.
A showdown between the top geniuses of two allied villages, both of whom held extraordinary status, was something many spectators were eagerly anticipating, their blood boiling with excitement.
Right in the middle of the fierce battle, the Konoha Military Police Force and Root mobilized their ninja to launch an attack on the infiltrating Suna ninja.
The Otogakure ninja didn't know the exact number of Suna ninja who had infiltrated Konoha, only a small portion.
However, the Police Force and Root, having received secret orders, had been covertly investigating from the very beginning. Using all sorts of reconnaissance techniques, they had identified most of the Suna ninja.
Although a small number of Suna ninja were extremely careful and well-hidden, they couldn't stir up much trouble.
With a well-laid plan against an unsuspecting enemy, the Konoha ninja, fighting on their home turf, held an absolute advantage in terms of location and manpower.
Although there was some commotion, the operation proceeded smoothly overall.
When the agreed-upon time arrived, the Police Force ninja, under the guise of an exercise, evacuated some of the villagers who weren't watching the Chūnin Exams and put on a show with the Otogakure ninja, creating the sounds of battle.
Except for a few who sensed that something was wrong and didn't act according to the plan, the undiscovered Suna ninja all made their move.
The sound of explosions was the signal. The Suna ninja in the arena and those hidden outside the village all sprang into action.
The "Kazekage," Rasa, led by example, flashing behind Kageyama Kogetsu and pressing a sharp kunai to his throat.
At the same time, countless feathers fell from the sky throughout the arena. Following orders, Kabuto Yakushi cast the wide-area Temple of Nirvana Technique, putting ordinary people and some ninja to sleep.
The Suna ninja hidden among the audience attacked the nearest Konoha ninja. However, the Otogakure ninja near them intervened, either blocking or launching sneak attacks.
The quality of the Otogakure ninja was naturally inferior to that of the Suna ninja, but with the power gap not being too large, they wouldn't be instantly defeated.
With the Otogakure ninja causing a disturbance, the Konoha ninja who came to their senses all took action.
Relying on their superior strength and numbers, the situation for the Suna ninja took a sharp downturn. They were either killed or captured.
Baki, Temari, Kankurō, and others were all captured. Only Gaara remained in the arena, fighting against Sasuke and the others.
That's right, Gaara was facing a siege. All the young ninja who hadn't fallen under the genjutsu had joined the attack, and Gaara was being beaten badly.
"Lord Kazekage, why aren't you making a move?"
With his hands held by Kakashi and forced to his knees, Baki felt a sense of despair about the situation. He looked up at the box at the top of the arena and roared at the top of his lungs.
Hearing Baki's voice, the young ninja all distanced themselves from Gaara, their eyes looking towards the box with concern.
"Rasa" released Kageyama Kogetsu. Kageyama Kogetsu waved his hand, signaling the Konoha ninja who had rushed to support him to stand down.
"Rasa" quickly jumped from the box to the bottom of the arena, grabbed his face, and pulled gently, revealing a face with a wicked smile. His voice was hoarse and playful.
"Of course, it's because I'm not Rasa."
"You Sunagakure ninja are truly ambitious wolves. You couldn't even withstand a simple test."
Baki, Temari, Kankurō, and the others stared with wide eyes, their faces filled with disbelief.
"Where is Lord Kazekage? Where is Lord Kazekage?" Gaara's eyes were bloodshot, and he was so agitated that saliva sprayed from his mouth.
"Heh heh... Of course, he was killed by our people. I peeled the skin off Rasa's face with my own hands."
"Speaking of which, both of Sunagakure's Kazekage have died after leaving the village. In the future, your Kazekage should probably not leave the village."
"No, wait. It's not even certain if you'll have a future," Orochimaru said with a wicked smile.
Baki and the others were stunned, their scalps tingling. Then, their faces filled with grief, indignation, and despair.
Temari and Kankurō felt extremely pained, unable to even believe it...
Because Rasa was their father. In their eyes, he was an invincible father who could single-handedly suppress a Tailed Beast!
How could he have died so suddenly?
Gaara's expression also fluctuated, but it wasn't sadness. It was more of a daze, as if a tool had lost its master.
"Gaara, transform into your Tailed Beast form immediately! First, kill the daimyō and nobles from the various countries in the audience, then start bombing randomly! Make Konoha accompany Lord Kazekage and us in death!"
Baki spoke loudly and quickly, like a rapid-fire rap that an ordinary person couldn't understand.
Hearing this, the expressions of the many Konoha ninja changed drastically, and they rushed towards Gaara. The conscious young ninja also rushed towards him.
However, someone was faster than them. Kageyama Kogetsu's figure flickered to Sasuke's side, then flickered again to appear in front of Gaara, reaching out to grab him.
Gaara didn't have time to react, but his sand reacted first, forming a shield. However, under Kageyama Kogetsu's hand, it was like tofu, easily pierced through.
Kageyama Kogetsu grabbed Gaara's throat, and his dōjutsu invaded Shukaku's sealing space through his eyes, manifesting in a physical form.
"Little tanuki, do you want to come out?" Kageyama Kogetsu asked with a half-smile.
Stared at by Kageyama Kogetsu's strange eyes, Shukaku felt an unparalleled pressure, far more terrifying than facing Rasa.
Following its animal instincts, Shukaku obediently lowered its head and said in a low voice, "No, it's quite nice in here. The wind can't reach me, and the rain can't hit me."
"Good. You're a tanuki that knows when to be sensible."
The figure in the sealing space disappeared. Kageyama Kogetsu withdrew his hand, and black formula seals spread from Gaara's neck, restraining his movements.
With Gaara's strength alone, he had no hope of breaking free.
"Lord Hokage!"
The Konoha ninja in the arena all spoke up. Everyone who could move knelt on one knee.
Neji, Sasuke, and Naruto were no exception. Taught by Kageyama Kogetsu, the three of them understood the importance of using official titles during work.
"Rise. Take the Suna ninja to the Torture and Interrogation Department's prison. Except for the Genin who haven't been eliminated, do what needs to be done."
"Don't treat them poorly. They will still participate in the Chūnin Exams tomorrow."
"The Chūnin Exams will not be canceled because of this little incident. They will proceed as scheduled."
Unlike the Police Force's prison, the Torture and Interrogation Department's prison was for holding serious criminals. Invaders were naturally considered serious criminals.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" everyone said in unison.
"Lord Hokage, does the village need our support?" Kakashi asked.
"No need. I have made arrangements both inside and outside the village. The Suna ninja can't stir up any trouble; they will only be utterly defeated."
"After you've escorted the prisoners, come back and help release the audience from the genjutsu," Kageyama Kogetsu said with his hands behind his back, full of confidence.
"Yes."
Kakashi and the others then escorted the prisoners to the Torture and Interrogation Department's prison...
"Apologies for alarming everyone."
"Please go back and rest for now. Today's matches cannot be held. We will continue tomorrow," Kageyama Kogetsu said, turning to the ninja from the other villages with a slight smile.
No one dared to be disrespectful. They quickly replied and then left with their minds full of thoughts.
Something major had happened today!
The Fourth Kazekage was dead, Sunagakure had betrayed its alliance with Konoha, Konoha and Otogakure had joined forces to lure Sunagakure into betrayal, and Sunagakure's Jinchūriki and others had been captured.
Each and every one of these was a major event. Konoha's next move, Sunagakure's next move, and the reactions of all the other powers...
Such a situation could trigger a massive chain reaction. It might even lead to the premature outbreak of the Fourth Great Ninja War!
The stakes were high. They had to return to their quarters, sort things out, and then report back to their villages as quickly as possible so that their villages could prepare!
...
Rewinding time a bit, Jiraiya was sitting in the audience, enjoying the battles of Konoha's younger generation...
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