"What… was that thing?"
The One-Tail had come suddenly—and vanished just as suddenly.
All that remained was a vast stretch of yellow sand… and the enormous wooden tree formed by the expanding vines.
Everyone watching froze.
That monstrous tailed beast—huge as a mountain—
had simply collapsed?
For Konoha's ninja, excitement erupted immediately.
Without the One-Tail, the most terrifying threat had disappeared.
But for the Sand, Sound, and the ninja from other villages—
the scene was simply too shocking.
"Was that… Wood Release?!"
Inside the arena, Deidara had already led the Iwagakure ninja to retreat.
By coincidence they ended up beside the Cloud Village team.
Neither Konoha, Sand, nor Sound ninja were bothering them, which allowed them to observe everything clearly.
"Deidara-senpai… what just happened?"
Kurotsuchi stared blankly.
Her mind was buzzing.
Darui watched silently.
Finally, he spoke.
"That was Wood Release."
"The First Hokage's Wood Release."
"Legend says it's the best technique for suppressing tailed beasts."
"I used to think that was exaggerated…"
He stopped speaking.
Because what he had just witnessed—
was a tailed beast erased in an instant.
Even if the One-Tail was the weakest of the tailed beasts—
that still wasn't something a normal person could accomplish.
"Damn… how is that guy so terrifying?"
On the other side of the arena, the Mist Village ninja were gathering as well.
They were equally stunned.
Suigetsu Hōzuki stared at the sand where Shukaku had vanished.
His brain had gone blank until Chōjūrō nudged him.
Even then, his eyes remained fixed on the man walking across the wooden vines toward the main platform.
Ren.
He shuddered.
That guy… doesn't even look much older than me…
"Enough."
A calm voice interrupted them.
Mei Terumi stepped forward.
"No one really knows how strong he is."
"Back then, even the Three-Tails suffered badly at his hands."
Her gaze lingered on Ren.
That memory would never disappear.
Not for her.
Not for Kisame, not for Zabuza, nor anyone else who had witnessed those events.
Why did someone like him belong to Konoha?
The thought annoyed her slightly.
But now wasn't the time for such distractions.
Ren had offered the Mist Village a deal they couldn't refuse.
So now—
it was time to act.
"All Mist ninja, listen carefully."
"The Chūnin Exams are over."
"But your test isn't."
"This time we will assist Konoha."
"Except for the exam participants, the rest of our forces have already coordinated with Konoha beforehand."
"You will now join the battlefield under assigned captains."
"Understood?"
"Yes!"
Mist ninja discipline remained among the best in the world.
Even Suigetsu straightened up and shouted.
"Good."
"Move out!"
Suigetsu immediately tried to slip away.
He really didn't want to stay with Mei.
She had a habit of beating him.
He preferred working with Kisame.
"Suigetsu."
Mei raised an eyebrow.
"You're staying with me."
"I know you want to find Zabuza and Kisame."
"But they have other assignments."
"You and Chōjūrō are under my command."
Suigetsu's face collapsed.
"…Worst day ever."
At the same time, Konoha had entered full emergency response.
Civilians were being evacuated rapidly.
Among them—
Pakura.
Inside the guest residence, the door opened.
An ANBU with purple hair stepped inside.
"Pakura-dono."
"The situation is urgent. Please evacuate with me."
But Pakura had already changed into combat gear.
She turned and smiled.
"So Ren really takes good care of me."
"Sending the person closest to him."
"What an honor."
The ANBU was Yūgao Uzuki.
Pakura recognized her instantly.
"I heard you're now an ANBU captain."
"Coming here personally… aren't you worried?"
Yūgao shook her head.
"You're Ren's friend."
"And we've fought together before."
"I'm the most suitable escort."
"So please come with us."
Pakura tightened her hair ribbon.
During her stay in Konoha, she had kept her hair down.
Because a certain idiot once told her it looked better that way.
She sighed.
"Yes… that idiot has a terrible personality."
"But he's still my friend."
"And now…"
"It's time for me to make my stance clear."
She stepped forward—
then suddenly moved in front of Yūgao.
Her voice rose.
"You once came secretly and asked me to do something for the Sand Village."
"Now I'll give you my answer."
"The Sand Village's problems were never external."
"They come from inside."
"From the Kazekage's office."
"I will never serve a Kazekage who drags the village into war for his own ambitions."
"Nor someone who betrays his own heroes."
"Come out, Baki."
"You've heard my answer."
A figure appeared at the window.
Baki stepped inside slowly.
He looked at Pakura with a complicated expression.
"…Then we have no choice."
"We must fight."
Meanwhile inside the arena.
Naruto and Karin rushed in.
"Sasuke! Are you okay?!"
Sasuke had been blasted away earlier when Gaara began transforming.
Fortunately his body was tough.
Years of brutal training had hardened him.
But he ignored Naruto.
His eyes were fixed on the man stepping onto the platform.
The monster that had appeared moments earlier—
the One-Tail—
had exuded an aura that felt like death itself.
And yet—
Ren had erased it in a single moment.
Sasuke whispered:
"…What kind of power is that?"
Naruto waved his hand in front of his face.
"Hey! Earth to Sasuke!"
Karin sighed.
"Let him calm down."
"We have work to do."
She pointed forward.
Temari and Kankurō had grabbed Gaara and were fleeing.
"This is war now."
"We may only be genin…"
"But we still have responsibilities."
Naruto swallowed.
"…What do we do?"
Karin narrowed her eyes.
"We capture him."
She meant Gaara.
After spending time around Ren, she understood exactly what Gaara was.
A jinchūriki.
She wasn't letting that opportunity escape.
"I'm coming too."
Sasuke stood up.
"He's my opponent."
"I won't let him escape."
"Fine."
Karin turned and chased after them.
Naruto followed.
Before leaving—
Sasuke glanced once more at Ren.
His heart burned with longing.
On the platform.
Ren arrived as the wooden vines lifted him upward.
He looked at the scene calmly.
Hiruzen
Tsunade
Gengetsu
Rasa
Orochimaru
Two coffins stood beside Orochimaru.
Ren chuckled.
"Quite lively here."
Rasa glared.
"You hypocrite."
Ren shrugged.
"As an ally, this behavior is disappointing."
"Are you trying to start a war?"
Rasa sneered.
"Don't pretend innocence."
"You think I don't know your plans?"
"Keeping Pakura here… trying to control the Sand Village."
Ren interrupted him.
"Have you considered…"
"That I simply like beautiful women?"
Rasa nearly exploded.
"You bastard!"
Hiruzen sighed.
"Ren, don't underestimate them."
Then—
Orochimaru laughed.
"Indeed."
"After all…"
Two figures stepped out of the coffins.
Hashirama Senju
Tobirama Senju
Even Tsunade froze.
ANBU behind them went pale.
The founders of Konoha—
had returned.
Hashirama blinked in confusion.
"Where am I?"
"Wood… Konoha?"
Tobirama looked furious.
"Brother… that idiot revived you too?!"
They quickly realized the truth.
Edo Tensei.
Then Tobirama saw Hiruzen.
"…Monkey."
"You got old."
Hashirama laughed.
"Time sure flies."
Then Orochimaru casually dropped a bomb.
"The Uchiha clan was massacred."
"The Senju clan is nearly gone."
"And the Uzumaki clan has already fallen."
Hashirama's eyes widened.
"…What?"
Ren sighed.
"We can discuss history later."
"But fighting here would destroy Konoha."
"So…"
"Let's change locations."
Space suddenly twisted.
Moments later—
everyone found themselves outside Konoha.
Battles erupted instantly.
Hiruzen vs Rasa.
Tsunade vs Kakuzu and Hidan.
Yūgao's forces vs the invaders.
Hikari activated a towering Susanoo against Pain's summoned beasts.
Meanwhile—
Ren faced the two Hokage.
Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Two forests collided.
Soon after—
two gigantic Wood Golems rose from the earth.
The battlefield trembled.
Even Tobirama realized something.
This fight—
was beyond him.
Hashirama grinned with excitement.
"You're amazing, kid."
Then he noticed the massive red Susanoo in the distance.
"…An Uchiha?"
He looked at Ren.
"You remind me of someone."
Ren nodded.
"She's my closest friend."
"And someone who will always stand beside me."
Hashirama smiled warmly.
But suddenly—
his expression changed.
The smile faded.
And he sighed quietly.
"…I envy you."
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