Ch 419: Fight The Hokage?
Yellow sand swirled, Gaara manipulated the sand, capturing Yuta across the field.
But Yuta’s movements were incredibly skillful, like an eel wriggling and dodging, impossible to catch.
Sand, it’s much like insects, you see. Lacking independent motive power, its speed isn’t even as fast as insects.
While running, Yuta kept an eye on Gaara’s situation.
Since Orochimaru made arrangements, it means that even though Orochimaru is Hokage, there are still people trying to cause trouble during these Chūnin Exams.
Someone’s still planning to destroy Konoha. Tsk, who did Konoha offend? Even just living their lives peacefully makes them the target of envy!
However, Gaara’s situation remained unchanged; he was still meticulously pursuing Yuta.
In other words, Gaara is unaware of this plan or that plan; he’s simply being used as a pawn.
After a while, feathers suddenly drifted down from the sky.
“Not good!”
Kakashi is proficient in various Ninjutsu. Even if he doesn’t use a technique, he recognizes it.
Genjutsu: Nirvana Rebirth Technique!
“Don’t look directly at the feathers!”
Kakashi’s warning came a little too late; most of the ninjas on the field were hit by this A-rank Ninjutsu and fell to the ground.
Including Gaara and Yuta, who were fighting and escaping, respectively.
After Gaara falls asleep, similar to the False Sleep Technique, Shukaku will emerge from his body.
As for Yuta, he was faking it.
With his current Genjutsu Resistance, even stuffing feathers in his eyes wouldn’t put him to sleep.
“ROAR!!! I’m finally out!!!”
The sand seemed to come alive, surging out of Gaara’s body, coalescing into a monster covered in bluish-purple “stretch marks.”
It was one of the nine Tailed Beasts, the One-Tailed Shukaku!
Shukaku’s original height could reach fifty meters, but it was still sealed; the height squeezed out from Gaara’s drowsiness was less than ten meters.
Even so, Shukaku’s terror should not be underestimated.
“ROAR!!! Kill! Kill! Kill all of you humans who imprisoned me!”
Upon appearing, Shukaku was filled with killing intent. When it was sealed within Funfu, Shukaku and Funfu had already reached a reconciliation.
But Gaara’s character is not comparable to Funfu’s level. Sealed within Gaara, feeling Gaara’s hatred, Shukaku naturally also harbored resentment.
Watching the monstrous Shukaku burst from Gaara’s body, wildly swinging its huge claws, Kakashi knew this wasn’t the time to save people. He had to lure Shukaku elsewhere; otherwise, it would crush the unconscious ninjas!
“Hey! Monster.”
Zzzzip——
Lightning gathered in his palm; half of Kakashi’s body glowed blue. With a slight movement of his feet, he disappeared.
“Over here!”
BOOM!!!
The Lightning Cutter pierced Shukaku’s skin like a sharp blade, but Kakashi underestimated the Tailed Beast’s physical strength.
Even a ten-meter Shukaku couldn’t be countered by a low-quality Lightning Cutter.
A considerable amount of sand was blown away by the Lightning Cutter, creating a large gash, but the depth was insufficient.
“AOOOOW!!!”
But, obviously, Shukaku was enraged. Kakashi’s actions earned the attention of the great Shukaku, who swiped a claw at Kakashi.
“DIE!!!”
Sshhh——
Kakashi didn’t expect Shukaku to be so large and seemingly bloated, yet its speed was not slow; he almost got scratched to death!
Seeing the torn sleeve on his arm, Kakashi frowned.
Ari will be angry…
“Kakashi! I’ll help you! Let’s go!”
Dong——
A crisp striking sound echoed on Shukaku’s head.
Kai was glowing green, having opened the Gate of Rest（Second Gate）. While the Gates are a primary method of boosting Rock Lee’s fighting ability, for Kai, this is normal.
Holding nunchaku, Kai struck Shukaku’s head again and again.
Although the nunchaku seemed minuscule compared to Shukaku, Kai is incredibly strong; even a pinprick would hurt.
Noticing the annoying fly on its head, Shukaku slapped at its head, but Kai jumped off just in time. The result was Shukaku slapping itself and falling down.
BOOM————
“AAAAAH! You’ve angered me! Vacuum Bullet!!!”
Woooom——
As Shukaku’s belly deflated, a massive airflow formed a substantial vortex, sucking everything around it into Shukaku’s belly.
“Run!”
Kakashi had seen the Tailed Beast Ball. Although this move looks like just Wind Release, a giant Wind Release from a ten-meter beast has tremendous destructive power!
BOOM——
The Vacuum Bullet was unleashed, like a tornado, leaving behind only debris and rubble, directly collapsing the outer walls of the exam grounds.
“Wow! Watch me, Might Guy…”
“Guy!”
Kakashi stopped Guy.
“Lure this thing outside!”
At the edge of the gale, Kakashi directed Guy.
Only then did Guy realize that if they let this monster rampage, all the unconscious Chūnin and Genin would be finished.
“Understood, watch this!”
“Shadow Dance Leaves! Konoha Strong Wind! Take this kick!!!”
THUMP——
Guy almost kicked himself into Shukaku’s belly.
A large dent caused Shukaku immense pain, making it roar and stomp towards Guy.
“Good job!”
“We’ll help too!”
As Kakashi cheered, Asuma and Red arrived.
The four worked together, guiding Shukaku out of the exam grounds.
“Aren’t we going to help?”
Kushina asked Minato.
Minato shook his head.
He recognized the monster as a Tailed Beast. Minato feared that Kushina, also a Jinchuriki, getting close to another Tailed Beast might cause unforeseen incidents.
Moreover… the Genjutsu on the field was definitely not cast by the Tailed Beast. Therefore, there are other enemies lurking in the shadows!
Minato believed Kakashi and the others could handle an incomplete Tailed Beast; at least, no one would be killed. But the hidden enemies on the field might be much harder to deal with.
“Fourth Kazekage-sama, please do not interfere with what comes next, Sunagakure.”
A voice echoed from behind the two Kage.
Even with Shukaku’s appearance, Orochimaru and Rasa remained firmly in their seats, neither moving.
Rasa actually wanted to leave, but seeing Orochimaru remain seated, he thought, “I’m a Kage too,” so Rasa stubbornly stayed put.
With that voice, Rasa knew the mysterious person had finally arrived.
“Excellent Transformation Technique, you’ve improved, Mizuki. But I remember, I gave you a chance.”
Orochimaru’s lips curled into a slight smile; without turning his head, he recognized the voice from behind.
The Konoha ninja standing behind Orochimaru slowly transformed into another form, Mizuki!
Only now, Mizuki’s Konoha forehead protector had a scratch across it.
With a cruel smile, Mizuki circled around and walked to Orochimaru.
“Heh… but I won’t give you a chance, Fourth Hokage-sama.”
He pointed towards Shukaku.
“Your capable assistants have all been lured away. Next, it’s a fight between you and me!”
“Since this is a challenge to the Kage, I think it’s time for me to leave, Fourth Hokage. I wish you good luck in handling Konoha’s rebellion.”
Rasa knew it was time to retreat. If he didn’t leave, Sunagakure would be held accountable.
It didn’t matter if he, Rasa, died, but if the already impoverished Sunagakure owed Konoha another debt, it wouldn’t just be a matter of being inferior.
Orochimaru ignored Rasa as he left, instead looking at Mizuki with amusement.
Who gave him the courage, with the status of a mere Chūnin, to challenge the Hokage?
…….
…….
