Starting as a working person from Naruto

Chapter 500 The Konoha Crush Plan Begins!

Konoha Village.

The third round of the Chunin Exams arrived as scheduled.

A month after the Chunin Exams' extra rounds, the final Chunin Exams finally began, much like a grand ceremony that everyone had been eagerly anticipating.

Whether it was the candidates who were fortunate enough to enter the third exam, the nobles and daimyo of the ninja world, the ordinary people in Konoha Village, or even the schemers hiding in the shadows, everyone had been longing for the arrival of this exam.

This time…

Uchiha Sasuke was not late.

There will always be regrets in a young person's heart.

Back in the real world, it was a pity, or perhaps a stroke of luck, that the boy didn't participate in the Chunin Exams due to Akihara Kagura's interference.

Sasuke Uchiha was very clear about the opponent he would face, who would inevitably be Gaara, the killing weapon of Sunagakure and also the Jinchuriki of the One-Tailed Beast... Sasuke Uchiha believed that Kagura Akihara had refused to let him participate in the Chunin Exams because she was worried that he would die in the exam.

It doesn't matter.

This time, I won't lose.

No matter what power Gaara can unleash, it makes no difference to Sasuke Uchiha; the more ferocious that guy becomes during the Chunin Exams, the better…

Ideally, he should act like a wild beast that only knows how to destroy, so that his opponent can become a hero who stops the Tailed Beasts in this Chunin Exams and make a grand entrance as a hero!

The identity of a hero…

But it has so many advantages!

In the real world, wasn't Akihara Kagura a hero who was truly trusted because she stopped Uchiha Itachi from controlling the Three-Tails to cause a Tailed Beast rampage in Konoha?

Unfortunately…

Only eight genin candidates remain in this exam.

However, the arena was filled with spectators watching the eight genin examinees, including the most esteemed daimyo of the Land of Fire and the most ordinary villagers of Konoha.

"The lottery results..."

The examiner for the third round, Genma Shiranui, with a toothpick dangling from his mouth, flipped through the slips of paper in his hand and announced the opponents to all the examinees: "Neji Hyuga VS Naruto Uzumaki, Kankuro VS Shino Aburame, Temari VS Shikamaru Nara... Sasuke Uchiha VS Gaara!"

"!!!"

A fighting spirit appeared in Naruto's eyes.

Because he witnessed the battle between Hyuga Neji and Hyuga Hinata in the tiebreaker a month ago, he was determined to defeat Hyuga Neji and prove him wrong!

"..."

Neji Hyuga's eyes remained calm and undisturbed, barely even glancing at Naruto Uzumaki; his gaze remained fixed solely on Sasuke Uchiha.

Without him.

Only Uchiha Sasuke is the strongest here.

Even Temari, who always knew the extent of her younger brother Gaara's power, felt a little worried about him after hearing about Sasuke Uchiha from Maki, a Jonin from Sunagakure, after the second exam...

"Gaara".

Temari's gaze held a hint of worry; she knew her younger brother's character all too well: "Master Maki mentioned that the little black-haired fellow is very strong, but he also possesses quite a few powerful techniques. Perhaps we should be a little careful..."

"I know."

Gaara didn't even lift his eyes.

It didn't matter how strong the opponent was. He hadn't witnessed the power of Susanoo firsthand; he had only heard Maki mention that Uchiha Sasuke had mastered many extremely powerful techniques and was a terrifying brat whose age couldn't be judged at all...

fear?

Is there anyone in the ninja world more terrifying than myself?

Gaara had dark circles under his eyes. He could clearly feel the beast sealed within him. Once he released the beast's power, everyone would understand who the most terrifying being was!

just…

The higher-ups of Sunagakure have given him permission to use the power of the beast within him during this exam, allowing him to create unprecedented chaos in Konoha!

just…

First, use that beast to kill a genius from Konoha!

Let everyone here know who deserves the most respect in the examination room!

"Um?"

Sasuke Uchiha seemed to notice Gaara's gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips as he casually spoke first, "Congratulations..."

"Um?"

Gaara looked at the black-haired boy in front of him with surprise.

"I drew the worst possible lot..."

Sasuke Uchiha walked towards the nearby preparation area with a mocking smile on his face without looking back, leaving Gaara with a throbbing forehead.

"asshole…"

A cross appeared on Gaara's forehead, and yellow sand floated around him. He wished he could kill Uchiha Sasuke on the spot!

pity.

The examiner, Genma Shiranui, rejected him.

Fortunately, Gaara didn't have to wait too long, because the previous exams ended quickly. In the first round, Naruto Uzumaki declared that he never believed in the so-called fate that Neji Hyuga spoke of, and defeated the previous year's champion with a poor score!

The defeated Hyuga Neji…

I was completely impressed by Naruto Uzumaki's indomitable spirit.

As a member of the Hyuga clan's branch family, Hyuga Neji believed his father was a scapegoat who died in place of the main family member, and that he himself was just a weak member of the branch family. However, he saw hope for breaking free from his fate in Naruto Uzumaki, who defeated him...

"idiot…"

"They actually believed it..."

Sasuke Uchiha felt like he was looking at two idiots. His gaze only occasionally drifted to Hiashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga clan, on the stage. Hoping that Naruto Uzumaki would change the Hyuga clan's situation was less reliable than hoping for something from him...

"What's wrong?"

Nara Shikamaru glanced at Uchiha Sasuke curiously, then asked somewhat strangely, "Naruto...wasn't he doing pretty well?"

"snort…"

Sasuke Uchiha snorted in dissatisfaction and continued, "I heard that idiot trained with Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, for a month, but it turns out that idiot is still only at this level..."

"..."

Nara Shikamaru's forehead was covered in black lines.

It's only been a month of training...

You're not expecting Naruto to be able to stand up to a Jonin, are you? At least being able to beat Neji Hyuga, that top student from the previous year, would be good enough!

"It's my turn to go on stage."

Shino Aburame walked past them.

"Huh?"

When Naruto returned to the preparation area looking disheveled, he looked at Shino Aburame with some curiosity: "Did Shino also make it to the third main match?"

"..."

Aburame Shino froze.

however…

Before Shino Aburame could even make his appearance and begin his glorious battle under the watchful eyes of the entire Hidden Leaf Village, he quickly received news that Kankuro had forfeited and withdrawn from the tournament, thus advancing to the next round without a fight!

"Your turn, Shikamaru!"

Naruto Uzumaki waved his fist loudly to cheer on Shikamaru Nara.

"Okay, okay..."

Nara Shikamaru picked at his ear, stood on the competition stage with a nonchalant expression, looking like he had no interest in the exam at all.

but…

However, he displayed superb combat skills.

Whether it was the weather, the terrain, or even his family's secret techniques, this twelve-year-old Nara clan descendant utilized every factor in the battle, turning them all into advantages for himself, showcasing his talent...

Only…

After having completely secured the victory, this guy chose to forfeit and concede, leaving his opponent Temari somewhat bewildered.

"I give up."

Nara Shikamaru dispelled his jutsu and said nonchalantly, "For me, as long as I fight one battle that's good enough for the examiners to approve me for promotion to Chunin, that's enough. I have no interest in the battles that follow..."

"And this image I've built up is something I've worked so hard to achieve..."

Nara Shikamaru glanced slightly at Uchiha Sasuke in the preparation area and spoke his true feelings: "If I want to advance, I'll have to fight that Sasuke guy. I bet everyone will see me getting beaten to a pulp by Sasuke in the arena..."

"snort!"

Temari followed Nara Shikamaru's gaze to Uchiha Sasuke, shouting loudly, "Don't forget his opponent is Gaara! Do you think he can defeat Gaara?!"

"You seem to have a lot of confidence in your younger brother..."

As Nara Shikamaru waved his hand and stepped off the stage, he slowly replied, "I hope your little brother won't be crying in front of his older sister later..."

"The fourth match!"

"Uchiha Sasuke VS Gaara!"

Genma Shiranui's voice echoed throughout the arena.

Amidst thunderous cheers from the crowd, Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara stepped onto the field, and everyone was excitedly discussing their opponents.

Especially…

The high-ranking officials in those villages.

At the highest point of this arena.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, looked down at the two youngsters in the examination hall, discussing the two strongest genin in this exam.

"Lord Rosa, who do you think is the victor?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in hand, slowly exhaled a smoke ring: "I heard that little guy named Gaara is Lord Rasa's son. He performed exceptionally well in this Chunin Exams, possessing power on a completely different level from the other examinees..."

What do you think?

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, wearing a Kazekage hat and a veil covering his face, chuckled and said something that surprised Hiruzen Sarutobi: "If nothing unexpected happens, the winner should be your village's Uchiha Sasuke, right?"

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a second, then a slight smile appeared on his face as he humbly said, "That's not necessarily true. I have high hopes for this little guy from Sunagakure..."

"Lord Hokage, there's no need for such polite words..."

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, directly exposed Hiruzen Sarutobi's hypocrisy, coldly saying, "The power of the Mangekyou Sharingan... even you and I might not be a match for that brat. That brat might just be the second Madara Uchiha in the ninja world?"

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned grim.

Uchiha Madara…

Konoha's first rogue ninja...

Even with his good temper, Hiruzen Sarutobi could tell that Rasa was trying to provoke him into dealing with Sasuke Uchiha. The Kazekage was clearly trying to incite him, the Hokage, to deal with Sasuke Uchiha!

but…

How could I possibly handle this myself?

Regardless of Sasuke Uchiha's identity or power, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't possibly handle that kid. He could only hope that his teacher, Kakashi Hatake, could guide Sasuke onto the right path. In any case, that kid seemed very obedient and valued his comrades. As long as there were bonds, he could become an excellent ninja who could inherit the Will of Fire...

Inside the venue.

Gaara's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

The red-haired boy made no attempt to hide his murderous intent towards Uchiha Sasuke; he was still fueled by his anger at Sasuke's previous provocation!

"I'll return that sentence to you..."

Gaara raised his palm, and a cloud of yellow sand floated up under his control. His voice was cold as he said, "You... you're the one who drew the worst possible lot!"

next moment!

The yellow sand suddenly flew towards Uchiha Sasuke!

"Just because of this?"

However, Sasuke Uchiha responded to the cloud of yellow sand by simply raising his arm and swatting it away with a single palm strike, as if he had only brushed away a wisp of dust!

"I kill you!"

Gaara's face instantly contorted with rage, half of his face transforming into a terrifying monster in a split second, and his chakra surged within him!

"Sand-bound coffin!"

Gaara manipulated the yellow sand to instantly envelop Sasuke Uchiha's body, sealing him tightly like a cocoon!

"Sandfall Funeral!"

Gaara raised his hand, clenching it into a fist, intending to manipulate the sand to crush Sasuke Uchiha's body to death!

However, after being squeezed desperately, the clump of yellow sand revealed a burst of lightning!

The defensive power of Lightning Release Chakra Mode is quite astonishing. Uchiha Sasuke stood calmly in place, as if nothing had happened!

"How is that possible!"

Kankuro, who was in the Sunagakure village's preparation area, was startled.

"That move..."

Temari looked at the unharmed Uchiha Sasuke with some shock, recalling the horror of that move: "That was Gaara's most cruel move when he killed people..."

however…

The battle within the arena has already changed.

Sasuke Uchiha's Lightning Release chakra surged forth, instantly wrapping around his body. He moved with lightning speed, rushing towards Gaara!

"Go to hell!"

Yellow sand churns!

Clumps of yellow sand, controlled by Gaara, attempted to stop the oncoming Uchiha Sasuke, but were smashed to pieces by Uchiha Sasuke as if they were shoddy construction projects!

Bang!

The fist slammed directly into Gaara's chin!

The once proud red-haired boy was sent flying backwards, and the sand armor wrapped around his body shattered instantly, making his body look like a broken porcelain doll!

A battle between two people...

They're not even in the same league!

A look of horror appeared in Gaara's eyes. He had never seen an opponent so fast and so strong that even the yellow sand that had been protecting him since birth could not defend against it!

even…

Even its own yellow sand couldn't keep up with the opponent's speed!

Gaara raised his hands, and yellow sand spread and gathered, forming a solid spherical shield around him, hoping to block Sasuke Uchiha's attack!

however…

The sand sphere shattered instantly!

Uchiha Sasuke's figure rushed forward, tearing through the solid sand ball as if it were paper, his lightning chakra crackling with arcs of electricity between his fingers!

"It seems it can't protect you..."

Lightning crackled at Sasuke's fingertips, his eyes cold and contemptuous: "Is that all you've got? You don't actually think our fight is some kind of childish game everyone else plays with, do you?"

The azure lightning instantly became dazzling!

Gaara manipulated the sand to completely destroy the defensive nest he had prepared for himself, and the red-haired boy let out a painful howl amidst the lightning!

Just as the examiner for the third round, Genma Shiranui, was about to step forward to stop Gaara, fearing that Sasuke Uchiha would kill him, the situation took another turn!

A giant claw stretched out!

The claw was incredibly fast, grabbing directly at Uchiha Sasuke, as if it wanted to crush the black-haired boy in front of it!

"I'm finally out!"

An angry voice echoed in the examination room!

As the sound appeared, a huge creature appeared in the examination room. It looked like a fat raccoon, but its face had a fierce physique that was completely different from that of a raccoon!

"That's... Shukaku!"

The ninjas present stared in shock at the giant tailed beast that had appeared!

As a village that had experienced the tragic night of the Nine-Tails' rampage, nothing could terrify them more than the appearance of a tailed beast. Everyone stood up in panic, as if they were reliving that night many years ago when every family was crying!

One-tailed Shukaku!

The weapons of war from Sunagakure!

Even though this tailed beast has the lowest chakra level among all tailed beasts, the terror of tailed beasts is deeply ingrained in people's minds. Not everyone can remain calm and composed when a ferocious tailed beast appears in front of them!

however…

What makes the situation even more chaotic is that someone is launching a surprise attack from the shadows!

After the One-Tailed Shukaku appeared in the arena, the ninjas from Otogakure and Sunagakure immediately launched a surprise attack on the Konoha ninjas, and the two sides clashed instantly!

On the highest stand of this arena.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, remained calmly seated, slowly exhaling a smoke ring, seemingly unconcerned about the kunai that had appeared at his neck.

While everyone was shocked by the appearance of Shukaku, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, appeared behind Hiruzen Sarutobi without anyone noticing. He held a kunai in his hand and placed it on Hiruzen Sarutobi's neck.

"Lord Kazekage..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face remained calm, as always, as if everything was still under his control: "If you abandon all your plans now and put down your kunai, I can choose to let bygones be bygones. The power of the One-Tail can't change anything..."

"You don't even recognize me anymore, teacher?"

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, removed his veil, revealing a cold and handsome face. He extended his long tongue like a snake and licked his lips: "The One-Tail can't change anything, it can't even decide the outcome of the battle..."

Orochimaru!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression slowly turned cold.

I guessed Orochimaru would appear!

I never expected Orochimaru to appear in this way!

"teacher…"

"I experienced the Nine-Tails' rampage..."

Orochimaru smirked coldly: "If nothing unexpected happens, the One-Tailed Beast will just be that Uchiha brat's toy..."

"but…"

"I have some fun things in my hands..."

Orochimaru raised his kunai, pierced his own palm, and said with a grin, "Whether it's crushing Konoha or dealing with that Uchiha genius brat, it's more than enough for them..."

"after all…"

"They're the best at dealing with the Uchiha..."

"and…"

"They know Konoha best..."

(End of this chapter)