Naruto's talent wasn't bad.
Especially since Naruto grew up under Uzumaki Kushina's iron fist, he had Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, and the reformed Ninja Academy laying a much stronger foundation than in the original story.
Sarutobi Asuma taught him Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, and he had mastered it before the Chunin Exams officially began.
After all, he had already mastered the Rasengan and Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation.
However.
Given Naruto's current situation, he could only use it perfectly in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
But he couldn't use Nine-Tails Chakra Mode casually right now.
This was really frustrating!
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, the Chunin Exams began.
Sarutobi Asuma didn't pay much attention.
One day.
Sarutobi Asuma, who was training with Yūhi Kurenai under the Sage Tree, suddenly opened his eyes.
Yūhi Kurenai, who was beside him, opened her eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"
Sarutobi Asuma stood up and smiled, "Let's go watch a good show."
As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, and the water curtain rippled, reflecting a scene.
Yūhi Kurenai gazed at it and said, "It's the Fourth Kazekage!"
"He's here for the final part of the Chunin Exams."
The Kazekage and the Daimyos wouldn't attend the first three stages of the Chunin Exams; they would only appear to watch the final, performance-like stage.
Sarutobi Asuma nodded and was about to speak when, within the water curtain, a fierce battle suddenly erupted.
"The Kazekage is under attack!"
Yūhi Kurenai exclaimed involuntarily.
In the water curtain, they clearly saw that the Kazekage's escort team was eliminated the moment they were attacked.
Fast, ruthless, and precise!
"It's Sasori of the Red Sand from the Akatsuki Organization!"
Yūhi Kurenai recognized one of them.
It was too obvious.
The puppet being controlled was the Third Kazekage, using Iron Sand against the Fourth Kazekage's Gold Dust.
"That's the Shikotsumyaku from Kirigakure!"
Yūhi Kurenai was startled again by the sudden appearance of bone spikes everywhere, then focused on one of the attackers of the Fourth Kazekage: "It's Orochimaru!"
She had heard Sarutobi Asuma mention the destruction of the Kaguya Clan before.
"It's them!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded.
Watching the battle in the water curtain, Yūhi Kurenai frowned, "The Fourth Kazekage is completely outmatched..."
"Asuma, are we just going to watch?"
"After all, Sunagakure is currently our ally, and we invited the Kazekage here."
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head, "With the Fourth Kazekage here, it's not conducive to our relationship with Sunagakure."
"Besides, although Orochimaru is my spy, he didn't tell me he was going to attack the Fourth Kazekage."
Yūhi Kurenai understood immediately and nodded.
The battle ended quickly.
Orochimaru, Kimimaro, and Sasori of the Red Sand joined forces. With two Kage-level shinobi and one elite jonin, and with them acting with premeditation against an unsuspecting target, and not being in the desert, the Fourth Kazekage had no chance to escape.
And in the end, even the Fourth Kazekage's corpse was taken away.
Yūhi Kurenai frowned, "That Sasori fellow is definitely going to make a puppet out of the Fourth Kazekage's corpse too!"
"If Teacher Sakumo had also..."
She didn't finish, but Sarutobi Asuma knew what she meant and nodded, "He won't live much longer!"
Dispelling the water curtain, Sarutobi Asuma sent a message to Namikaze Minato.
The Fourth Kazekage was dead, and Orochimaru and his group would soon impersonate the Fourth Kazekage to enter Konoha.
Once the Chunin Exams ended, the One-Tail capture plan would begin.
In the original story, it should have been the Konoha Crush plan.
The wheels of destiny have veered off course!
"Asuma, if we're going to deal with Sasori of the Red Sand, let me join you!" Yuhi Kurenai said.
Sarutobi Asuma hesitated slightly.
After all, Yuhi Kurenai hadn't been a mother for long.
"Don't worry, I've fully recovered now," Yuhi Kurenai quickly added. "Besides, I'm a genjutsu-type ninja, I won't be the main attacker."
"Alright!"
Sarutobi Asuma nodded.
In any case, the plan would definitely have Kakashi taking the lead.
Noon.
Shizune returned and told Sarutobi Asuma about the situation in the third round of the Chunin Exams.
This round was one-on-one combat.
"The most exciting match was between Might Guy's student, Rock Lee, and the One-Tails Jinchuriki."
Shizune said excitedly, "The level of that battle definitely surpassed that of a Chunin."
"I never expected that Might Guy, with his dense personality, would teach a disciple like Rock Lee."
"The Eight Inner Gates is indeed a profound secret technique, but it's a shame such techniques put too much strain on the body," Shizune said with a hint of regret toward the end.
Tsunade added, "The Eight Inner Gates seems to have no entry requirements, but physical condition and the willpower to train are the real barriers."
Sarutobi Asuma nodded. "That's true. Currently, there are quite a few people in Konoha and also in the South Sage Continent who practice this secret technique, but very few can reach Rock Lee's level, let alone compare to Might Guy."
Yuhi Kurenai couldn't help but laugh. "Might Guy has been training for over a decade!"
That was true!
Sarutobi Asuma's mind drifted.
He hadn't realized so many years had passed.
It was now year 60 of Konoha, and their generation was mostly 27 years old, approaching thirty.
Time really flew by!
Sarutobi Asuma lamented inwardly, looking at Tsunade, Yuhi Kurenai, and Shizune, he felt incredibly happy.
He decided he would host a mahjong night that evening!
The next day.
Yuhi Kurenai was with Tsunade at the Senju Ancestral Home, taking care of the children, while Shizune went to the Konoha Hospital.
Only Sarutobi Asuma remained under the Sage Tree.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and saw a figure approaching.
"I didn't expect Konoha to change so much!" the newcomer said.
Sarutobi Asuma smiled and replied, "Senior Orochimaru, why don't you come back?"
"I think both Big Brother Minato and everyone else would welcome you."
Orochimaru, with a changed face, smiled and changed the subject. "Asuma, I'm very curious, what level have you reached now?"
He stared intently at Sarutobi Asuma.
At this moment, Sarutobi Asuma was suspended in the air, cross-legged.
Even Orochimaru, who had researched the Cursed Seal, could sense the extraordinary nature of the giant tree behind Sarutobi Asuma.
"Wood Release..." Orochimaru mused inwardly.
Facing Orochimaru's question, Sarutobi Asuma smiled. "That's probably hard to answer, as there are no longer any benchmarks."
No benchmarks!
Orochimaru was startled.
Was he invincible in the Ninja World?
Even Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan...
He had witnessed Pain's abilities and was extremely wary. Therefore, despite his obsession with the Rinnegan, he hadn't made a move.
In his previous estimation, Nagato with the Rinnegan was likely the strongest in the Ninja World, followed by Asuma.
"You're still as confident as ever."
Orochimaru chuckled, "However, I'm really looking forward to it!"
"Since Senior Orochimaru is so curious, I can fulfill that now."
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled lightly.
Then, without waiting for Orochimaru's response, he suddenly appeared in front of Orochimaru and placed a palm on his chest.
The next moment.
A light form within Orochimaru's body was forcefully expelled by Sarutobi Asuma.
"What's going on?"
Orochimaru's soul was incomparably terrified.
He looked at his condition and quickly understood, "This is my soul's consciousness..."
Looking up again at Sarutobi Asuma, who wore a gentle smile, Orochimaru felt unprecedented fear mixed with his shock.
Yes, fear!
Just like he had feared death all those years ago!
He had originally thought his resources were quite substantial and that even facing opponents like Sarutobi Asuma or Nagato, while perhaps not an equal match, he would be able to ensure his survival.
But now he realized he had been too optimistic!
This method of forcefully expelling his soul from his body completely overturned his current understanding.
He now had no power to resist whatsoever.
Most importantly.
If his soul were completely erased.
Then even all the contingency plans he had made would be rendered useless.
"How did this guy do it?"
Orochimaru's soul trembled.
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