Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

The side effects of being unable to reassemble one's chakra and temporarily being unable to absorb natural energy immediately became apparent after Sage Mode was forcibly deactivated!

Naruto has now become a pure medium for releasing the Nine-Tails' chakra.

Only the Nine-Tails' chakra remained in his body.

Having lost control of his body, Kotoamatsukami's power slowly increased again.

This plunged Naruto into an endless dream.

Meanwhile, the Nine-Tails' chakra continued to pump out and expand!

The sheer amount of Nine-Tails chakra's aura knocked down a large area of ​​trees in the dense forest.

Then--

"Roar--!"

With a furious roar that echoed through the sky.

A gigantic monster appeared between heaven and earth.

It has an orange fox body and nine tails that are incredibly destructive when they are just swung.

After twelve years, the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon has descended upon the world once more!

Chapter 60 Change

The final venue for the Chunin Selection Exams: Konoha's Duel Arena.

The center of the competition venue.

"What exactly is going on?"

Sasuke looked at Genma Shiranui, the chief examiner of the finals who had suddenly stood in front of him, and questioned him.

Genma Shiranui was not facing Gaara, who was originally fighting Sasuke, but rather the Jonin leading Gaara's team—Baki from Sunagakure.

"Look around you, the war has already begun."

After giving Sasuke a reminder, Genma Shiranui focused all his attention on Maki, who was confronting him.

Sasuke hadn't been able to concentrate fully during his previous battle with Gaara, which is why he hadn't noticed anything unusual about the arena.

After being reminded by Genma Shiranui, Sasuke realized that the dueling arena was in complete chaos.

The battle is no longer confined to the competition arena!

On the high stands of the dueling arena, ninjas from Konoha, Otogakure, and Sunagakure were engaged in a true life-or-death battle.

If you let your guard down even slightly, you'll be killed on the spot!

"Where are your students going?"

Genma Shiranui suddenly spoke, drawing Sasuke's attention back.

While Sasuke was observing the surrounding situation, Maki, who was standing in front of Gaara, had already given the order to Temari and Kankuro to move the weakened Gaara.

"You should be more concerned about whether you can survive my clutches."

Maki had no intention of answering Genma Shiranui's question.

"Uchiha Sasuke, I'm issuing you an urgent order. Your match with Gaara just now proved that you are capable of fighting Gaara. Catch up with Gaara, subdue him, or kill him—letting that guy go will only cause trouble somewhere in Konoha!"

Genma Shiranui never imagined he could get the answer from Maki.

The answers you find yourself are the ones you're most convinced of.

……

The players' viewing platform.

Attracted by the sudden explosion, Sakura saw a huge purple square barrier erected on the roof of the main stands where the Hokage and Kazekage were located.

"A barrier? What happened?"

Sakura was puzzled.

The Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!

Neji Hyuga, a fellow finalist with Sakura, suddenly appeared in front of her. His high-speed Gentle Fist, combined with his Byakugan's ability to see through chakra pathways, knocked down the Sound Ninja who was about to ambush Sakura.

"In this situation, do you still have the mind to daydream?!"

Neji turned his head and glared at Sakura. The bulging veins around his eyes were continuously supplying chakra to his Byakugan, allowing Neji to immediately track the enemy's movements.

"I'm...I'm sorry...I'll help you right away!"

Sakura rallied her spirits, stopped looking around, and got into battle mode.

"No need, Neji, Shino, and I can handle things here—you should go help Sasuke!"

Tenten said, her hands moving non-stop, using scrolls to release a large number of ninja tools to deal with the enemies in front of her!

Meanwhile, Shino Aburame had countless parasitic insects infest the enemies behind Tenten. Although the two did not belong to the same ninja team, they cooperated well in their first battle.

"The Hidden Sound Village and the Hidden Sand Village suddenly launched an attack. The Jonin are also engaged in battle and have no time to attend to us. Let's adapt to the situation based on our own circumstances."

Shino Aburame had been observing the surroundings the whole time, and even when faced with a sudden battle, his tone remained calm: "The three from Sunagakure have left the arena, and Sasuke just went after them alone. You and Sasuke are both in Team 7, so it's the most appropriate choice for you to provide support since you know Sasuke well."

"When those two Sand Village guys left the viewing platform just now, I left a bug on that Sand Village ninja named Kankuro to track him. Take this bug and follow him."

A tiny flying insect detached from Shino and landed on Sakura's palm.

Upon hearing Shino Aburame's words, Sakura realized that Sasuke, who had been on the field, had disappeared.

"I see!"

Sakura gathered chakra beneath her feet and immediately leaped over the viewing platform, following the insect's instructions to chase after Sasuke.

……

Spectator stands.

"Konoha!"

"whirlwind!"

With just one taijutsu kick, the Sound Ninja lost their ability to fight.

"Li! Before Kakashi finishes explaining the mission to Team 10, make sure the enemy doesn't get close to them!"

"Leave it to me, Mr. Kai!"

Beside Kay was Rock Lee, dressed exactly like him.

The master and apprentice used only physical techniques to block the enemy's attack, creating time for Kakashi to talk.

"Isn't Naruto here?"

Kakashi looked at the three members of Team 10 and asked.

"He was just here a moment ago, but Naruto suddenly turned into smoke and disappeared."

Ino gave a reply.

"That should be Naruto's shadow clone... Judging from the way the shadow clone suddenly disappeared, it doesn't seem like it was actively dispelled. Naruto's real body must have encountered danger."

Shikamaru, in Ino's place, supplemented Kakashi with information.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he received the answer from Ino and Shikamaru.

"Troublesome issues always seem to come in clusters like this."

Even Kakashi couldn't help but complain, but he quickly composed himself.

"I am now giving you orders. The situation is urgent. The Jonin are unable to spare the main force to deal with the enemy, so we can only entrust the task to Team 10, who inherit the name of 'Ino-Shika-Cho' and have the best team spirit among their peers. Sasuke and Sakura just went to chase after Gaara from Sunagakure. Your mission, Team 10, is to find them and stop their actions. That Sunagakure ninja, the chakra he showed in the match just now was very strange. It would be too dangerous for Sasuke and Sakura to confront him rashly."

This is the judgment of Kakashi Hatake, an elite among Jonin.

Although he described the situation in a light-hearted manner, the consequences he mentioned were serious enough.

"But how do we track them down? The only one in Team 10 with the ability to detect is Ino, who possesses Asuka using the Mind Transfer Technique. However, Ino herself becomes unable to move after using the Mind Transfer Technique and needs Choji and me to protect her. Team 10 cannot detect and move at the same time."

Shikamaru pointed out the shortcomings of Team 10 in their current tracking mission.

"The three of you do not need to be responsible for the reconnaissance work."

Kakashi said that he formed a summoning hand seal, and a brown pug appeared in front of Team 10.

“Pakkun is a tracking ninja dog. I used it to remember the scents of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. It will be responsible for detection and tracking.”

"Nice to meet you three."

Parker spoke in human language through his dog mouth, greeting the three members of Class 10.

"Then there's no problem. Let's go stop Sakura and Sasuke now."

Shikamaru answered.

"Then I'll leave it to you... Although I'm worried about my three troublesome subordinates, you may encounter a difficult battle ahead. If that happens, the three of you should prioritize your own survival; I'll allow you to abandon the mission midway."

Kakashi gave the three members of Team 10 a deep look.

Class 3, Class 7, Class 8, Class 10.

The Jonin leading the four ninja teams had a good relationship and often got together in their spare time. Kakashi was naturally very clear about the strength of the other teams.

Team 10's strength is not actually weak, but their methods of direct confrontation are still inferior to their respective fathers—the current "Ino-Shika-Cho," who are different from the three members of Team 10 who are the successors of "Ino-Shika-Cho."

But there aren't many options at this point.

"Since you've decided to entrust the task to us, then trust us."

Shikamaru abandoned his usual averse to trouble and became unusually serious.

Chapter 61 Kushina

Naruto Uzumaki was not dreaming.

He felt as if he were in complete darkness.

And he was falling into this darkness.

The endless fall symbolizes that Naruto will never obtain the sense of security he desires.