Orochimaru watched the two people battling on the field with a face full of surprise.
He truly hadn't expected that the Anbu sent by Yami was actually the former Suna hero, Scorch Release user—Pakura.
Even after seeing her use Scorch Release, Orochimaru had merely assumed Yami had passed the technique on to a talented subordinate.
Unexpectedly, it was the original Pakura, the one who made Scorch Release known throughout the shinobi world.
Scorch Release fireballs bombarded Rasa one after another, forcing him to focus entirely on defense. Pakura's strength had undoubtedly reached the level of a Kage.
But what Orochimaru feared most wasn't Pakura's terrifying offensive power, but the information revealed during her brief exchange with Rasa just moments earlier.
Yami had saved Pakura ten years ago, and had kept her hidden all this time.
Back then, that kid was already so deeply scheming?
He didn't fear strong fools, but he did fear those who were strong and cunning.
For a moment, Orochimaru's fear of Yami rose to a new level.
No matter what he was thinking internally, Orochimaru knew now wasn't the time to dwell on it and began actively suppressing Rasa.
Rasa and Pakura were both long-range ninjutsu types. Compared to their powerful jutsu, their taijutsu was significantly weaker.
With Orochimaru's constant interference, Rasa's situation became increasingly dangerous. His gold dust was being continuously consumed by the Scorch Release attacks, and he had to remain alert for Orochimaru's potential ambush from underground.
He knew he couldn't afford to delay and had to find a way to escape.
In desperation, Rasa consumed a large amount of chakra to extract even more gold dust from the ground and launched a large-scale jutsu.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial!"
The gold dust surged like waves, each wave taller than the last, engulfing the figures of Pakura and Orochimaru. The detonating tags hidden within triggered a massive explosion.
"Did I get them?"
Rasa didn't see Pakura or Orochimaru and didn't care whether they had died or not. He turned and fled toward Sunagakure.
He had to expose Orochimaru's conspiracy and halt this plan.
As for Pakura, he would demand an explanation from Konoha once everything settled.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
A transparent conical barrier pierced through Rasa's chest from behind, blasting open a large hole. He struggled to turn his head.
Pakura hovered in the air and slowly lowered her hand.
Much of her anger over being betrayed had faded, and her expression softened.
Seeing that Rasa was still clinging to life, she smiled faintly. "Rasa, go in peace. After you die, I'll personally deal with the old men who betrayed me."
"The grudge between you and me ends here."
Plop!
Rasa collapsed to the ground and died with his eyes wide open.
A giant snake slithered out of the sand and opened its mouth. Orochimaru crawled out once again, casting a wary look at Pakura.
"Dust Release... Yami-kun really trusts you, Scorch Release Pakura."
Pakura wasn't interested in talking to him. "According to the agreement, Rasa's body is yours."
With that, she put her Root mask back on and flew off. After a short flight, she found Hikari hiding nearby and watching the fight unfold.
Hikari had a strange expression. "That was the Kazekage? He didn't seem very strong."
"Do you think everyone is like your Uchiha clan?" Pakura said, annoyed. "Rasa's level is already very high for ordinary shinobi."
She lightly knocked Hikari on the head.
If it had been just her, Rasa might have escaped even if he couldn't defeat her. It was Orochimaru's interference that forced Rasa into a desperate situation, giving her the chance she needed.
Hikari stuck out her tongue but didn't dare refute her. At home, Pakura was like an older sister. She and Uzumaki Misa took care of the household matters, and Hikari had long since accepted her authority.
The two didn't linger in the desert and returned to Konoha as quickly as possible.
The moment Yami saw Pakura's expression, he knew the outcome without needing to ask. Yugao and Kurenai also offered their congratulations.
Uzuki Yugao felt a bit envious, but her chance for revenge would come soon, so she wasn't too impatient.
Recently, two incidents had occurred in Konoha.
The examiner for the second round of the Chūnin Exams, Hayate Gekko, was dead. And the only Otogakure genin to advance to the third round, had also died.
The scenes had been carefully cleaned, and Anbu hadn't identified the murderer. However, they began constant surveillance of the Suna and Iwa teams, nearly exposing themselves.
Baki had lodged a complaint in protest, but Yami responded kindly with a "Get lost." Baki returned to the hotel with a dark expression and stayed inside.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't stupid, just old. He had already guessed that Iwa and Suna were plotting something.
But the arrow was already nocked, and it had to be released.
This year's Chūnin Exam had been building momentum for a long time. Many nobles and political figures were paying close attention. Konoha couldn't afford to cancel it.
Otherwise, they'd become the laughingstock of the ninja world, and the Fire Daimyō's military budget might be cut.
So, Hiruzen had no choice but to remain still and brace for whatever storm came.
In this sense, Orochimaru had done Konoha a favor. Killing a Kage in advance meant Suna no longer had the means to retaliate even if the plan succeeded.
—
"Huff…"
On the last day before the third round, Sasuke still failed to achieve Yami's ultimate goal—unlocking the Three Tomoe Sharingan.
He sat on the ground, panting heavily, covered in sweat.
Uchiha Shisui sheathed his kunai and handed Sasuke two soldier pills.
"That's enough for today. I've taught you everything I could. Rest well tonight and give it your all tomorrow."
Sasuke accepted the pills and smiled. "Thank you, Shun-senpai."
To anyone who helped him grow stronger, Sasuke showed genuine respect.
This past month, Shun-senpai had been both his teacher and sparring partner.
But no matter how much he improved, Shun still felt like an insurmountable abyss. He couldn't touch him at all.
There probably weren't many shinobi like him even in Konoha. Let alone someone willing to train personally with a Genin for a whole month.
So Sasuke was grateful to both Shun and Yami for the opportunity.
He knew how far he had come and how his understanding of the Sharingan had evolved.
After resting briefly, Sasuke stood up. Seeing Shisui leave the training grounds, he followed.
"Shun-senpai, can you tell me about your relationship with Uchiha Itachi?"
Shisui glanced at Sasuke but kept walking. "There's nothing to say. I had many friends in the Uchiha clan. He killed them. So, he must pay."
"If you can't kill him, I will."
Sasuke clenched his fists. "I'll kill him with my own hands. He can only die by my blade!"
"Then keep working hard." Shisui replied calmly. "Perhaps dying by your hand is the best end for him. Otherwise, he'll face Yami."
And several dozen more Uchiha.
Shisui silently added in his heart.
There wasn't a single Uchiha in Yukigakure who didn't want to kill Uchiha Itachi personally—even if it was just to carve off a piece of flesh.
Sasuke frowned and finally voiced the question that had been bugging him for days. "Shun-senpai, are you really not an Uchiha?"
—
"Here, half is for you."
In another part of the village, Jiraiya broke a popsicle and handed a piece to Naruto.
"Thanks, Pervy Sage!"
Naruto slurped it happily while sitting on a bench.
"It's finally over."
Jiraiya let out a long sigh.
This past month had been exhausting. Naruto had seemingly infinite energy, training non-stop.
And with Yami breathing down his neck, Jiraiya could only grit his teeth and push through from morning to night.
After Naruto mastered Rasengan, he hit a wall with the Summoning Technique.
He had trouble controlling the chakra output.
In the end, a life-or-death moment forced him to "collect rent" from the Nine Tails for the first time, and he managed to summon Gamabunta.
For the record, even Jiraiya was usually on the losing end when dealing with Bunta. It had taken a lot of coaxing to calm him down.
In short, this month had been more intense than an entire year before.
But during this time, Jiraiya also saw Naruto's shining qualities.
Like the protagonist in Tales of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi, Naruto had unwavering determination and a refusal to give up.
In that sense, Naruto even surpassed Minato.
Watching Naruto happily eat the popsicle, Jiraiya ruffled his hair and joked, "You little brat. If you lose tomorrow, see how I deal with you."
"I won't lose to Hyūga Neji!"
After thinking for a moment, Naruto finally remembered his first opponent and said with determination, "As long as I summon the Toad Boss, Sasuke will be stunned! Hehehe…"
Jiraiya smacked him on the head. "Idiot! Don't summon Bunta for something like this. Win with your own strength!"
Naruto covered his head. "Oww! Got it!"
"Rasengan is the Fourth Hokage's proud jutsu. You don't want to shame its name." Jiraiya reminded him.
Naruto's eyes lit up, then he changed the subject.
"Pervy Sage, you always brag about how strong you are. So, who's stronger, you or Yami-nii?"
"It's me, obviously."
—
Yami tossed the cards in his hand. "We don't even need our cute Hikari-chan to deal with a Five Tails."
The Mind's Eye of the Kagura had detected an Iwa and Suna ambush. There weren't many of them, just a few hundred, but all were above Chūnin level.
The largest chakra signature among them had already surpassed that of the aging Hiruzen. There was no doubt—it was Iwa's Five Tails Jinchūriki, the Steam Ninja Han.
Hikari had volunteered to deal with him this time.
The Mangekyō Sharingan was the natural enemy of tailed beasts. Capturing the Five Tails would be simple for her.
But Yami refused. He wanted to form a bond between the Five Tails and One Tail himself. If Hikari controlled them, what bond would be left to forge?
Not getting the answer she wanted, Hikari angrily stomped on Yami's foot, but he didn't mind and picked the cards back up with a grin.
"Cards are boring. Let's change the punishment. Whoever loses takes off one piece of clothing. How about it?"
Pakura and Hikari exchanged glances and blushed.
(To be continued.)