Chapter 258: The Plan Begins
"So... so amazing! Was that the Body Flicker Technique?!"
"Too fast! Couldn't see his movements at all!"
"Damn it... I never thought Konoha's genin would be this strong. If I'd known, I should've bet heavily on him!"
In the stands, despite Gaara having revealed his inhuman, terrifying form, the battle situation hadn't reversed as everyone expected. That golden figure still controlled the match with overwhelming dominance.
Merchants and nobles from various nations erupted in enthusiastic amazement, lavishing praise. In their view, Naruto had simply deployed an extremely fast Body Flicker Technique—so fast it exceeded the limits of visual tracking.
However, in some others' eyes, what this scene represented went far beyond mere "speed."
"This... this spatial fluctuation... there's no mistake..."
Guy looked in confusion at Kakashi, who had suddenly stood up from his seat, Sharingan locked onto that golden flash in the arena. "It really is the Flying Thunder God Technique! Sensei..."
That elusive, logic-defying spatial movement method brought not just tremendous shock, but also stirred surging bitterness and deep nostalgia in Kakashi's heart.
Not just Kakashi—many veteran Konoha jonin and chunin in the stands showed similar expressions of shock and realization.
Though Naruto's identity had never been officially disclosed, speculation about his blonde hair, blue eyes, status as the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, and that special surname had circulated in the village for years. And now, the Flying Thunder God Technique's reappearance was like the final puzzle piece, completely confirming that long-buried truth—this child named Naruto Uzumaki was none other than the biological son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze!
Silent shock spread among the knowing Konoha ninja, an atmosphere beginning to permeate mixed with guilt and nostalgia.
However, for another group in the audience stands, this realization was far from reassuring news. The ninja representatives sent by various nations' faces instantly became extremely grave.
Several Hidden Cloud ninja stared in disbelief at that golden figure in the arena, their eyes filled with shock, wariness, and barely concealed panic.
They immediately stood without hesitation, swiftly and discreetly leaving the noisy stands—they had to immediately relay this critically important intelligence back to the Hidden Cloud Village and report to Lord Raikage! The Fourth Hokage of Konoha had actually left behind such a terrifying heir!
The Hidden Rock representatives reacted similarly, forcing themselves to stay calm, but their clenched fists and rapid breathing betrayed their inner turmoil.
The Flying Thunder God Technique's reappearance meant Konoha might once again possess a strategic ninja capable of single-handedly turning the tide of battle... not to mention one who was also a jinchuriki!
So then, what was Naruto thinking right now in the arena, looking at Gaara lying motionless on the ground, temporarily incapacitated—as the "instigator" of this commotion?
His thoughts had already drifted elsewhere...
Flying Thunder God Second Strike... Naruto inwardly savored the technique he'd just used. The name is way too plain, right? It completely doesn't match its cool effect at all.
Having just successfully replicated his father's signature tactic, while marveling at how awesome this move looked in actual combat, he also felt deep confusion and disdain for its plain naming.
Such an amazing technique—how could it have such an ordinary name? His mind immediately began ordinary creative reconstruction.
Flowing Light Instant Shadow: Double Execution Flash Step Second Stage Spatial Leap Zero Form.
...Mm! Now that's a name with proper presence. Naruto nodded with satisfaction, unilaterally deciding on this new name, righteously thinking that since he had inheritance rights anyway, changing a name wasn't excessive, right?
Naruto didn't care at all that by legitimately using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he'd automatically landed on certain forces' lists of "must pay special attention to" or even "eliminate at any cost."
Of course, if those guys really were foolish enough to come looking for trouble... he wouldn't mind switching identities and having Menma have a nice "exchange" with them.
"Lord Kazekage..." The Third Hokage's voice was low. He turned his head, staring at the figure wearing the conical hat beside him. "Don't you think you need to give me a reasonable explanation? That Sand child—if I'm not mistaken—should be the One-Tail's jinchuriki, correct?"
Disguising a jinchuriki as a genin to infiltrate another ninja village was tantamount to transporting a strategic-level weapon of mass destruction directly into enemy territory—an act that could be considered a declaration of war.
Even though the Third already knew the true intentions and identity of the person before him, he still needed this questioning—both as a warning and as a final ultimatum.
However, the "Kazekage"—or rather, Orochimaru beneath the disguise—completely ignored the Third's questioning. All his attention was locked onto that golden figure in the arena as if drawn by a magnet.
His heart was churning violently with fanatical discovery: The Uzumaki clan's vast life force... spatial-temporal jutsu talent far surpassing the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze... and most critically, the secret to perfectly controlling Tailed Beast power!
Though Gaara had failed to draw out the Nine-Tails from within Naruto, just these displayed traits alone were enough to bring Orochimaru's thirst for knowledge and desire for possession to a boiling point.
However, it seems... gentle methods won't work, he coldly assessed. I'll have to use force.
Orochimaru glanced with the corner of his eye at a figure in the audience stands disguised as ANBU. The appointed time had arrived, but the scheduled signal still showed no movement.
However, he didn't believe Kabuto Yakushi would betray him. So the only explanation was... "Has the plan... been exposed?" he murmured almost inaudibly.
At that moment, the Third Hokage's voice rang out again, carrying weariness and final admonishment. "...Orochimaru, so it really is you. Stand down. If your target isn't Naruto, we still have room to negotiate."
BANG!
As the words fell, sudden change erupted! A dense smoke bomb exploded without warning between the two "Kages'" seats! Acrid smoke instantly swallowed their figures!
"BOOM—!!!"
Almost simultaneously, massive explosions and the roar of shattering structures came from different directions in the venue! The entire arena shook violently!
"What's happening?!"
"What's going on?!"
The audience stands immediately descended into panic, screams ringing out everywhere.
The next moment, as people looked up in horrified alarm, several massive serpents with scales gleaming with cold light were summoned from nothing by the Summoning Jutsu!
They twisted their terrifying bodies, coiling on the venue's ceiling and walls, emitting bone-chilling hisses, their cold vertical pupils looking down on the panicked crowds below like ants.