Half a month ter, Hokage's Office

  "Anbu corpses have been discovered near Kikyo Castle," Mitokado Homura said, his expression stern as he examined a report scroll.

  "That Orochimaru again," Koharu Utatatered with a frown. "He hates the vilge and is targeting both Link and the st Uchiha."

  She added, "He even decred in front of Anko that he intends to destroy the vilge."

  "Could another allied nation be involved?" one of the jōni asked.

  Mitokado Homura replied, "Sihe start of the in Exams, Anbu teams have been patrolling the borders. So far, there has been no unusual activity."

  "If Orochimaru is colluding with allied nations, shouldn't we immediately halt the exams?" another proposed.

  "No," the Third Hokage finally spoke, his tone firm. "The in Exams are a gathering of allied nations. If we act recklessly and sow mistrust, it might be exactly what the enemy wants."

  "We’ve already dispatched Anbu to gather intelligence from our allies," Koharu Utatane added. "Until we know more, I urge everyoo proceed with caution."

  With the discussion cluded, the Third Hokage decred, "That’s enough for now. Meeting adjourned."

  The jōni one by one, but Koharu turned bad asked, "What about the prote of Link and Sasuke Uchiha?"

  Removing his hat, the Third Hokage revealed his graying hair ahered face. "I’ve already assigned Yamato to guard them i. Even against Orochimaru, he should be able to buy time."

  He smiled faintly and added, "And don’t uimate Link—he’s much strohan you imagine."

  "Let’s hope so," Koharu said, leaving it at that.

  Mitokado Homura, however, remained deeply ed, muttering, "I have a bad feeling about this."

  As the date for the in Exam finals drew closer, everythi like the calm before the storm. Despite revealing himself on the first day, Orochimaru had made no further moves, leaving an uling tension in the air.

  The deaths of Anbu operatives were like surface wounds—who could say how much deeper the rot weh the skin?

  "Have faith in everyohe Third Hokage said as he stood, taking a deep breath and feeling the weight of his age. "Even in the face of a crisis—"

  …

  Land of Wind, Sunagakure, Kazekage’s Office

  "We’ve mapped out all defensive positions near Konoha's borders," Baki reported, seated on a cushion. Presenting a scroll, he added, "As pnned with Orochimaru and the Otogakure, Gaara has successfully advao the finals."

  The Fourth Kazekage studied the scroll, his face cealed by a hat and mask, his gaze calm.

  "You’ve done well, Baki," he said, opening the scroll.

  Baki remained silent, waiting for further instrus.

  "If this pn fails," the Fourth Kazekage began, his toill light.

  Baki’s expression grew heavy. This was his greatest —if the pn failed, Sunagakure might lose even the ce to resist. The vilge’s prolonged weakness had left them struggling with scarce missions and insuffit funds, f a redu in ninja numbers. Even smaller nations like the Land of Rain dared to pete with them for resources.

  While Baki supported taking bold a, the Konoha Crush pn was excessively risky, especially with both Gaara and the Kazekage putting their lives on the line. A single misstep could spell disaster.

  Orochimaru’s injury at the hands of a Konoha child only deepened his unease.

  "With our current forces, the disparity between us and Konoha is stark," the Kazekage said, reading the scroll without looking up. "Even with Orochimaru and the Otogakure, our ces of success aren’t high."

  "Baki, we ck absolute certainty, and Gaara—"

  He paused, closing the scroll.

  "If this pn fails, I’ll die in Konoha. When that happens, you are to immediately surreo them."

  Looking out at the unusually clear and sunny sky, a rare sight in the desert try, the Kazekage added, "Even if they defeat us, Konoha won’t escape unscathed. As the Kazekage, I’ll bear the sequences. After that, the future is in your hands."

  "Uood." Baki bowed deeply, hiding the sorrow in his eyes.

  This is the way of the ninja—tools of war. Even Kages must be prepared to sacrifice themselves for the vilge.

  …

  Konoha, Training Ground Seven

  "Boom!"

  Iris was sent flying, rolling several times before Link caught him and helped him to his feet. Holding his reddened left eye, he g Sasuke, who had just sent Ami flying as well.

  "This guy... the speed of his growth is insane."

  In just over a month, Sasuke had gone from barely holding his own with the Sharingan, to nearly matg Iris’s physical strength, to pletely overp him with taijutsu alone.

  "Boom!" Ami hit the ground, uo rise.

  After giving Iris a quick healing and using his Delicate Illness Extra Jutsu on Ami, Link turo Sasuke.

  "Ha..." Sasuke approached, only slightly out of breath. Sinlog his three-tomoe Sharingan, his growth had accelerated expoially.

  Thanks to his advanced vision, he didn’t o worry about rea times, fog solely on improving his physical abilities. With Link’s intervention, Sasuke’s progress was even faster than in the manga, where he’d matched Rock Lee’s speed in just one month.

  Driven by sheer determination, his efforts always yielded results, especially with fatigue no longer being an issue. In just over two weeks, Sasuke’s taijutsu skills alone were enough to defeat in-level oppos like Iris and Ami.

  "Yo!" Kakashi suddenly appeared. "I hope I’m not interrupting your training."

  Link looked up. "What do you need?"

  "The Third Hokage wants to see you," Kakashi said before adding, "And I’d like to borrow Sasuke for a bit."

  Borrow? That phrasing was odd.

  Sasuke also turo Kakashi. After just over two weeks, he felt a slight sense of estra from his mentor. Knowing more now, he instinctively doubted those who had kept secrets from him.

  "I uand," Link said, standing up. "That’s enough for today. Dismissed."

  With that, he vanished using the Body Flicker Jutsu.

  "Well, Sasuke," Kakashi asked casually, "care for a one-on-one chat?"

  Bleam