Kakashi had become the last hope for Konohagakure.
Even Guy, who had known him for years, had no idea how much Kakashi had grown in the past month.
But he did know one thing—Kakashi never did anything he wasn't sure of.
If Kakashi had made his decision, that meant he was already prepared to face the Third Hokage, Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and the others.
Meanwhile, in the waters of the Land of Water, a merchant ship sailed peacefully across the sea.
Shanks sat at the bow, bored out of his mind, while the director enthusiastically shared his next movie idea with the crew.
"Shanks, what do you think of this movie title? *The Grand Adventure of Princess Storm: The Legend of the Red-Haired Pirate*."
"It's about Princess Storm meeting a powerful red-haired pirate during her adventure. They journey together, and along the way, feelings start to develop between them."
"As the final movie in the *Princess Storm* series, I think this would be a great ending."
Shanks had no idea what kind of audience these movies were meant for.
And seriously—was this director just making up the story as he went along?
"Old man, why don't you just go with *The Grand Adventure of Princess Storm and Prince Storm*? There's no way a princess would fall in love with a pirate! Have you never been in a relationship before?"
Shanks couldn't help but complain. Wasn't this just one of those ridiculous romance dramas from his past life? A naïve girl meeting a rich and handsome guy—basically just a daydream.
"Hmph, Shanks, are you looking down on me?"
"I could just make the pirate a fallen prince from a destroyed kingdom. Wouldn't that make it more reasonable?"
Director Okamura grinned proudly.
He had no script, no confirmed cast, but he had a feeling—this movie was going to be a huge hit.
"Hmph, I'm not watching a movie like that."
"You just don't understand art, pirate."
Okamura rolled his eyes at Shanks, looking down on someone who didn't appreciate the art of film.
Shanks didn't mind. He had already learned about Okamura's travel plans.
Once Okamura and his group reached the next town, it would be time for Shanks to set sail. His great adventure was about to begin.
"I wonder what's waiting for me at the next port? Just thinking about it gets me excited. My story is about to spread across the seas."
A big, carefree smile appeared on Shanks' face.
No matter what was ahead, his life as a pirate was going to be full of fun and excitement.
As long as it wasn't the Marines waiting for him at the port, of course.
Either way, now that he was finally setting sail, Shanks was filled with anticipation for his pirate life. He was eager to see the great figures of the pirate world with his own eyes.
Meanwhile, at the Chunin Exams in Konohagakure, everyone had fallen into a Genjutsu.
A massive barrier had sealed off the entire exam site.
Elsewhere in the village, Zobei and Kotarou ran into Kabuto.
Konohagakure was in complete chaos. The barrier at the Chunin Exam site couldn't be broken anytime soon, and not far from the village, an even more powerful enemy was gathering.
Danzo and the others could only pin their hopes on the Third Hokage, hoping he could break through the barrier and join the fight.
As for the rest of them, they were already leading the remaining Konoha forces to the battlefield.
While the village was in utter turmoil, Kabuto finally made his way to Ichiraku Ramen, only to find Zobei and Kotarou still sitting there, eating.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Uh… eating ramen?"
Zobei and Kotarou looked confused—wasn't it obvious?
But then, Kotarou suddenly realized something.
"Sir, we're preparing for the Chunin Exams, making sure we have enough energy for the battles ahead."
By some ridiculous stroke of luck, these two had made it all the way to the final round of the Chunin Exams, despite having barely above-genin-level strength.
They were here for one reason—to become Chunin.
"Have you forgotten the mission Orochimaru-sama gave you?"
Kabuto dragged them outside.
How could they still be thinking about the Chunin Exams at a time like this?
"Hahaha, of course we haven't forgotten! But we still have an exam to finish."
"That's right, Kabuto, sir! If we miss this Chunin Exam, we'll have to wait forever for the next one."
"You two…"
Kabuto was completely speechless.
The worst part was that Orochimaru had only taught the seal-breaking technique for Madara to these two idiots.
This meant they were the only ones who could complete the task.
"Fine. Go to the Uchiha Clan's district and get the Poneglyph. I'll take care of your Chunin certification."
Kabuto rubbed his forehead in frustration.
Of all times, why were these two still thinking about becoming Chunin?
But when Kotarou and Zobei heard his words, their eyes lit up.
As expected of Kabuto! After so many years of working in the shadows of Konoha, his influence was incredible.
He could even pull strings to get them officially promoted to Chunin.
As for Kabuto, he couldn't believe that in the middle of all this chaos, he was actually going to sneak into the Hokage's office… just to register these two idiots as Chunin.
"We'll leave it to you, Kabuto, sir!"
"We will definitely get our hands on the Uchiha clan's Poneglyph."
With Kabuto's promise secured, Zobei and Kotarou excitedly made their way straight to the abandoned Uchiha district without any hesitation.
At this moment, not only was Konoha in chaos, but in the surrounding areas as well. With the Konoha Crush plan in motion, Gaara and the others had already started fighting Sasuke and Naruto.
Inside the barrier, Orochimaru, having dropped his disguise, stood face-to-face with the Third Hokage. Beside him were two resurrected figures—Konoha's First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
"Orochimaru, you actually dared to use this forbidden jutsu?!"
Seeing the First and Second Hokage brought back through Edo Tensei, the Third Hokage was furious.
This was a technique that forcibly summoned the dead back to the world of the living. How could Orochimaru dare to use it—especially on the First and Second Hokage of Konoha?
"Sensei, don't you know me by now? Besides, Edo Tensei wasn't my creation. It was developed by the Second Hokage himself."
"But there's no need for you to be so angry. The First and Second Hokage's minds are still asleep. They can't see what Konoha has turned into under your leadership."
A mocking smile appeared on Orochimaru's pale face.
He didn't know exactly what was happening in Konoha at the moment, but it was clear that someone else had made a move as well.
"What's wrong? Are you afraid of them seeing Konoha's current state? Or do you really think I've insulted their bodies?"
"Orochimaru!!"
Hearing his words, the Third Hokage's rage boiled over.
He had never betrayed his teachers. As Hokage, he had given everything for Konoha. He had no regrets.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"
Despite his age, the Third Hokage's hand seals were still fast. The moment he completed the jutsu, a river of mud surged forward, rushing toward Orochimaru.
The First and Second Hokage immediately leaped away, forming their own hand seals, while Orochimaru, standing between them, had already finished his own.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"
Seeing this, the Third Hokage, already preparing his next attack, felt a deep sorrow in his heart.
Now, he wasn't just fighting his former student—he was facing his own teachers, the very men who had built Konoha.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The Second Hokage's Water Dragon Bullet roared toward the Third, while the First Hokage's Wood Release filled the barrier with towering trees, crowding the battlefield.
The moment the Water Dragon Bullet hit, the Third's body turned to smoke—just a clone. His real self appeared over ten meters away.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Pressing his palm to the ground, a web of sealing symbols spread out. A second later, Enma, the Monkey King, appeared beside him.
The battle had no unnecessary words, no hesitation—only relentless, sorrowful combat.
Orochimaru's face was twisted with madness, while the Third Hokage's wrinkled face carried a deep sadness.
Enma transformed into the Adamantine Staff, which the Third immediately hurled forward.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The staff smashed through several massive trees before reaching the First Hokage, interrupting his hand seals.
"Monkey King's Hand!"
A hand extended from the staff, slapping several explosive tags onto the First Hokage's body.
"Boom!!"
With a loud explosion, the First Hokage's figure fell from midair.
Below, the Third Hokage had already finished forming his hand seals.
"Combined Ninjutsu: Earth Dragon Flame Stream!!"
A massive earth dragon head emerged beside him, its wide-open mouth gathering a powerful chakra sphere.
The next moment—
Boom!!
The air around them twisted instantly as a massive wave of fire erupted from the Third Hokage and the earth dragon, blasting forward with terrifying force.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
The Second Hokage spewed out a torrent of water, forming a spinning water wall that completely engulfed the Third Hokage's attack.
At the same time, Orochimaru launched an attack from the side.
"Sensei, is this the Konohagakure you speak of? Is this the Will of Fire you believe in?"
"You… still don't understand what's happening?"
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Countless shuriken flew from Orochimaru's hands, leaving white streaks in the air. The Third Hokage quickly retreated to dodge.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A massive earth wall rose to block Orochimaru's attack, but in the next instant, a white water blade sliced right through the thick wall.
The Third Hokage ducked to evade, but he was still a bit too slow. The high-pressure water strike left a gash on his forehead protector—splitting the Konohagakure symbol in half.
The Third Hokage's forehead protector now bore the mark of a rogue ninja, carved by none other than the Second Hokage himself.
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