Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyūga
Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari
Shino Aburame vs. Kankuro
Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara
Sakura Haruno (Bye/No Opponent)
Inside the Hokage's Conference Room
Kakashi looked at the list in his hands. He didn't particularly care about the matchups themselves; what concerned him was that Orochimaru had failed to appear during the second phase of the Chunin Exams.
This thought caused Kakashi to glance toward Uchiha Itachi, who was standing by on standby.
Is it because Orochimaru hasn't been instantly defeated by Itachi's eyes yet, so he hasn't become obsessed with the Sharingan?
"Hokage-sama?" Itachi asked, sensing Kakashi's gaze and feeling somewhat confused.
"How are the security preparations for the third phase of the exam coming along?" Kakashi asked, breaking his silence.
"Everything is ready," Itachi replied. "The moment Rasa makes a move, Hayama and I will neutralize all enemies immediately."
Kakashi nodded upon hearing this, then scanned the others present in the meeting.
Guy, Hayama, Shizune, and Tenzo—including Itachi, who had just spoken—were all wielders of the Sage Mark.
"Shizune, I'm putting a heavy burden on you this time," Kakashi said.
Hearing Kakashi's words, the now twenty-seven-year-old Shizune shook her head and replied calmly, "This is all for the sake of the Leaf."
Everyone present understood the true purpose of this Chunin Exam. The exam was merely a pretext, a lure to draw out a justification for war. They just hadn't expected Orochimaru to be a participant in the scheme.
As the person publicly responsible for the exam, any "accident" occurring during her first time managing such a large-scale event would leave a permanent stain on Shizune's record. While Shizune didn't mind, Kakashi felt it was necessary to offer her an apology.
"Good. When the time comes, I'll leave the Raikage to you, Guy." Kakashi turned his gaze to Guy on his left.
"Please rest easy! With me there, the Raikage won't be able to stir up any trouble."
Having practiced embroidery for five whole years while the Eight Gates were open, Guy had successfully engraved the Sage Mark. His current strength was unfathomable. Forget a mere Raikage—even if he were facing a Tailed Beast, Guy could beat it to death with his bare fists.
Kakashi's eyes lowered slightly. "The Kazekage, then..."
"Leave him to me," the only woman in the room spoke up.
"Very well." Kakashi nodded to Shizune. Since receiving the Sage Mark, Shizune was no longer just a simple medical ninja.
"In that case, I'll handle Orochimaru," Shirakumo Hayama added coldly.
Kakashi nodded but offered a warning: "When Orochimaru fled the Leaf, he took many Forbidden Jutsu with him. Among them is the Reanimation Jutsu. When the time comes, you and Tenzo will face him together. However, stay flexible; plans often fail to keep pace with changes."
With those final words, Kakashi concluded the brief meeting.
Late at Night
Just as Kakashi's meeting concluded, Orochimaru was already meeting secretly with Rasa.
Rasa had avoided everyone, appearing alone in a remote, desolate forest. A small white snake slithered down from his wrist to the ground. The snake opened its mouth wide, and a sinister figure forced its way out of the tiny body.
It was none other than Orochimaru.
"What is the situation now?" Orochimaru asked, his voice low and wicked.
"Everything is proceeding according to plan. How are the measures you prepared?" Rasa frowned as he looked at the man covered in snake slime.
"Are you still worried about me?" Orochimaru asked with a mocking sneer.
"It's not that. Today, after the second phase ended, I encountered the Leaf's Head of the Medical Department, Shizune. That woman gave me the impression that she is no weaker than I am."
Hearing Rasa's words, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. Shizune?
He had some memory of her—the little girl who used to follow Tsunade around. Had that child grown so much after all these years?
"Besides Shizune, both Jiraiya and Tsunade are in the village. How do we deal with them?" Rasa asked, a hint of unease in his heart.
"Tsunade is of no concern; she won't get involved. As for Jiraiya, I'll have my subordinates stall him when the time comes."
To ensure the success of the Konoha Crush, claim Kakashi's body, and kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru was putting everything on the line. He had brought Kimimaro, Guren, and Kabuto Yakushi with him. While the three of them working together might not be able to kill Jiraiya, stalling him wouldn't be a problem.
"You'd better be sure. The arrow is on the string and must fly. Even with the Raikage's support, I need to know... what exactly is your method for dealing with Kakashi Hatake?"
Upon hearing Rasa's question, Orochimaru broke into a wicked smile. "As I thought, you still don't trust me. But no matter—stabilizing the morale of one's allies is an essential part of war. In that case, I'll let you see for yourself."
As he spoke, Orochimaru began to weave hand signs right in front of Rasa. Rasa watched the sequence, his brow furrowing. Is this... the Summoning Jutsu?
"Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation!"
Orochimaru slammed his palm onto the ground. Five coffins rose abruptly from the earth. As the coffin lids fell away, five figures appeared before Rasa.
"This is..." Rasa's pupils shrunk as he looked at the deathly figure in the middle coffin.
This person... he couldn't be mistaken!
Years ago, during the Second Shinobi World War, when Rasa was just a rookie Genin, he had caught a glimpse of this man by chance. With a single strike of his blade, he had killed the son and daughter-in-law of Elder Chiyo!
The White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake!
"You monster!" Rasa exclaimed. Though he despised and feared Orochimaru's methods, the sight of this man caused his previously anxious heart to instantly settle.
A father and son forced to fight to the death—even someone as iron-willed as the Fifth Hokage couldn't possibly remain calm.
"Allow me to introduce them..." Orochimaru said with a grotesque smile, gesturing toward the five lifeless figures.
"The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."
"The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju."
"The White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake."
"The former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Kakashi's mentor's wife, Kushina Uzumaki."
"And finally, the teammate from Team Minato who deeply loved the Fifth Hokage and willingly died by his hand... Rin Nohara."
"While the Reanimation Jutsu isn't typically suited for direct combat, I've improved it over the years to discard that weakness. To take down the Fifth, I've infused these five vessels with Hashirama Senju's cells."
"The First Hokage possesses nearly 60% of the strength he had in life. While it isn't much, for that man, it is more than enough."
Orochimaru patted Hashirama's coffin. Even as arrogant as he was, he hadn't dared to inject too many cells into the First Hokage's vessel, fearing that things would spiral out of control if the power became too great.
As for Tobirama, Sakumo, and the others, Orochimaru had been more generous. Their strength was closer to 80% of their living peak.
To seize Kakashi's body, Orochimaru had spent a vast amount of time refining the Reanimation Jutsu. He wasn't just attacking the enemy's body; he was attacking their heart.
One could only say that Orochimaru was truly himself.
Rasa looked at the scene before him, the dread he felt toward Orochimaru growing ever stronger. "Orochimaru, in that case, I wish us success."
Suppressing his fear, Rasa's voice drifted into Orochimaru's ears.
"Heh... we each get what we want. I believe we will have a very pleasant collaboration."
Watching Rasa, whose eyes were filled with trepidation, a flicker of imperceptible mockery flashed through Orochimaru's gaze.
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