Chapter 129: Sudden Change — The Plan Begins

Elsewhere.

A Konoha shinobi with several scars running across the left side of his face stood at the entrance to the stairs.

As Karin walked up, her heart stirred.

Pretending not to notice him, she was about to walk straight past.

But Raidō Namiashi, who was guarding the stairs, stretched out his hand and stopped her.

"Karin, stop."

Karin frowned slightly.

"What?"

Namiashi Raidō said,

"If it’s convenient, there are a few things I’d like to ask you about."

Hearing this, Karin answered without hesitation,

"It’s not convenient!"

She finished speaking and tried to walk around him.

Raidō blocked her again.

"I’m only asking you a few questions. Come with me."

He reached out as though he intended to take her away.

The irritable Karin suddenly threw a punch!

Chakra Enhanced Strength!

Raidō’s pupils contracted.

He immediately retreated!

BOOM!

The entire staircase collapsed under Karin’s punch!

Cold sweat appeared on Raidō’s forehead as he stared at Karin.

If that punch had landed directly, he would have been seriously injured at the very least, if not killed.

He never would have imagined that a Genin from the Sound Village would actually dare attack him inside Konoha.

And with such force!

Suddenly, a gust of wind came from behind.

Raidō swiftly leaped to the side while turning his head.

BOOM!

Suigetsu’s arm, swollen to several times its normal size, smashed into the wall, causing cracks to spread across it.

Raidō’s face was filled with disbelief.

Her companions actually dared to attack as well?

Suddenly, another gust of wind came from the side.

Raidō’s heart sank while he was still in midair.

He turned his head sharply.

A savage fist was already heading straight for his abdomen.

What kind of monster is this?!

Unable to borrow any force in midair, Raidō could see that he wouldn’t be able to dodge.

Asuma, who had already noticed something was wrong, rapidly appeared beside Jūgo.

The chakra blade of his Flying Swallow flashed as he swung his fist toward Jūgo.

Facing the Flying Swallow that was about to slash across his head, Jūgo showed no fear.

Worried about the Sound Ninja team, Kimimaro, who had followed Asuma out, suddenly kicked forward!

BAM!

Asuma was sent flying!

The next moment, Jūgo’s savage fist slammed into Raidō’s abdomen.

"Pfft!"

Blood sprayed from Raidō’s mouth as he was sent flying backward.

Kakashi, who had also rushed out, quickly caught the airborne Raidō.

Asuma recovered and moved to Kakashi’s side, warily staring at Kimimaro.

"Kimimaro, you attacked our Konoha shinobi. Does the Sound Village intend to wage war against Konoha?"

"Heh."

Suigetsu, who was hiding behind Kimimaro, let out a disdainful laugh.

Then he said,

"Blaming the victim? You Konoha people really are something."

Asuma frowned and glanced at Raidō.

Kakashi frowned as well and turned toward him.

"Raidō, what happened?"

This was the staircase leading to the candidate waiting room.

Apart from the candidates and their supervising jōnin, nobody else should have been able to appear here.

Clearly, the problem had started with Raidō.

Thinking of how Raidō had been following the Hokage earlier, Kakashi already had a vague suspicion.

Raidō wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and subtly gestured toward Karin, who had already moved behind Kimimaro.

Kakashi and Asuma exchanged a glance.

Their suspicions had been confirmed.

Kakashi then looked at the expressionless Kimimaro, his heart growing heavy.

When the staircase had begun shaking, Karin had been the first to rush out.

Worried that something had gone wrong, Asuma followed the Sound Ninja.

Kimimaro had then followed Asuma.

And Kakashi had followed Kimimaro.

But Kakashi hadn’t been able to keep up with Kimimaro’s speed.

Kimimaro, however, had managed to kick Asuma away before Asuma could even make a move.

This Kimimaro was far from ordinary.

Suddenly!

Smoke rose from the platform where Hiruzen was sitting.

"The Hokage is under attack!"

Kakashi and Asuma’s pupils contracted.

They immediately exchanged a glance.

There was no time to concern themselves with the Sound Ninja anymore.

Both instantly disappeared from the spot.

The plan has begun!

Seeing the smoke rising from the Hokage’s platform, Kimimaro, Suigetsu, Jūgo, and Karin all reacted at once.

Their gazes shifted toward Raidō, who had yet to leave.

You’re staying here? Looking for death?

Kimimaro instantly appeared in front of Raidō.

So fast! What is he trying to do?!

Raidō’s heart sank.

A bone blade suddenly shot out from Kimimaro’s hand!

Stab!

The bone blade pierced directly through Raidō’s heart.

Kimimaro violently pulled it back.

A jet of blood sprayed from the wound.

Kimimaro turned toward the Sound Ninja team and said,

"Go!"

Elsewhere.

"Ahhh! Blood... my blood!"

A miserable roar suddenly came from inside the sand sphere.

A monstrous hand suddenly burst out from the sand sphere and reached toward Sasuke.

Is this the One-Tail?

Sasuke’s heart stirred, and he quickly leaped backward.

The monstrous hand missed.

It immediately withdrew back inside.

On the second-floor waiting area.

"Damn it! Gaara’s been injured!"

Cold sweat appeared on Kankurō’s forehead.

"Damn it! He acted on his own!"

Sand Ninja captain Baki suddenly stood up, staring fixedly at the monstrous hand extending from the sand sphere.

The One-Tail’s power was meant to destroy Konoha and deal with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

It absolutely could not be allowed to rampage here.

Otherwise, there would be no time to relocate it!

The sand sphere at the center of the arena suddenly cracked.

It then collapsed into a pile of loose sand, allowing Gaara’s body to slide down.

Gaara was panting heavily, his right hand covering the wound on his left shoulder.

Blood seeped between his fingers.

Elsewhere.

Hidden among the spectators, Yakushi Kabuto formed a series of hand seals.

"Nirvana Temple Jutsu!"

Feathers slowly drifted down from the sky.

The spectators sitting in the stands gradually felt a wave of drowsiness overcome them.

Their bodies began swaying.

Before long, one after another, they fell asleep.

On the viewing platform, Hiruzen noticed the abnormality.

He couldn’t help turning toward the Kazekage in confusion.

Suddenly—

BOOM!

A smoke bomb exploded.

White smoke engulfed the entire platform.

Hiruzen stared solemnly at the Kazekage beside him.

"Kazekage-sama, what are you trying to do?"

The ANBU who had noticed something was wrong immediately rushed toward the platform.

Inside the second-floor waiting room.

The operation has begun!

Seeing the smoke rising from the platform, Baki, Kankurō, and Temari all reacted.

They quickly jumped down from the second floor and landed beside Gaara.

Gaara was clutching his head, glaring at Sasuke with a twisted expression.

"I’ll kill him!"

Genma Shiranui still hadn’t figured out what was happening.

Worried that they might attack Sasuke, he immediately appeared in front of him.

Baki turned toward Gaara and shouted,

"Go! Gaara, don’t interfere with the Kazekage-sama’s plan. Temari, Kankurō, take Gaara away!"

Kankurō and Temari immediately helped Gaara to his feet and quickly led him away.

Hearing this, Genma’s pupils contracted.

He was just about to stop them when Baki swiftly stepped in front of him.

Inside the second-floor waiting room.

Naruto looked at Gaara, who was on the verge of losing control but was being dragged away.

Then he looked at the platform where the white smoke was rising.

Then at the enormous cloud of smoke outside Konoha created by the summoning technique.

The corners of Naruto’s mouth curled upward.

He stood up.

The plan had begun.

Beside him, Hinata looked at Naruto.

Deep within her eyes, a trace of worry quietly appeared.

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