Chapter 312: Sudden Change
Chapter 312: Sudden Change
With Tonari completing the construction of the final arena, the third phase of the Chunin Exams officially began.
As the Hokage, Mizukage, and Kazekage, Tonari, Yagura, and Rasa sat at the highest viewing platform, watching the battles unfold below.
However, many of those present found it hard to focus on the matches. Whether they had seen Tonari's Wood Release before or not, his recent display left a deep impression.
Standing behind Tonari, Minato quietly gave him a thumbs-up, acknowledging the calculated move. It wasn't just about providing an arena—it was about showcasing power.
The Chunin Exams showcasing the talents of the younger generation was one thing, but that only hinted at future potential. What truly mattered to the other villages was Konoha's present strength, and Tonari's colossal, rapidly constructed arena sent a clear message: Konoha's strength remained formidable and unshakable as long as Tonari was around.
This tactic was something Tonari and the upper echelons had discussed beforehand—giving a deliberate show of power to deter the other villages from any reckless moves. The ability to rebuild the entire village within minutes proved Konoha's resilience and strength.
Sitting among the audience, Tutai from the Cloud Village was still catching his breath, his chakra reserves depleted after barely escaping from being trapped by the Wood Release. Tonari had ensured the arena-building process subtly targeted him, forcing him to exert effort to avoid being engulfed.
Down below, the Genin who made it to the third phase had finally gathered and prepared for their matches. Shikaku Nara, as the exam proctor and main examiner, explained the rules before officially starting the tournament-style combat.
At the viewing platform, Yagura sat alongside his bodyguards, Ao and Sasaki (Tonari's Wood Clone), who maintained their vigilance while observing the ongoing matches.
"Hey, Sasaki-kun," Mei Terumi leaned over, her face still flushed from the earlier display of Wood Release.
"What do you think of the Hokage's Wood Release just now?"
Tonari glanced at her, his face calm as usual.
"It's powerful—both in terms of chakra volume and quality. The control is also impressive, far surpassing most people here. Additionally, the absorption properties of the Wood Release are evident. Just look at Tutai—he still hasn't fully recovered."
Mei's eyes lit up.
"I didn't expect you to notice that much, Sasaki-kun. What about you? If you fought him, how much of a chance would you have?"
Tonari turned to look at her directly, noticing her earnest expression.
"And you? How much of a chance do you think you'd have?"
Mei pondered for a moment, then reluctantly admitted,
"If it were me... probably none. I can't see a way to win against that."
But then her eyes brightened again, her gaze fixed on Tonari.
"But you, Sasaki-kun... You might have a chance, right?"
Tonari raised an eyebrow.
"Are you flattering me on purpose? Don't just consider his Wood Release. That eye of his—if I'm not mistaken, it's a Sharingan. Not just any Sharingan either—it's a Mangekyō. You should account for that too."
Mei looked thoughtful before raising two fingers.
"Two chances out of ten—if it's you. And if it's the Mizukage-sama, maybe four out of ten. Even if there's a gap, it shouldn't be too significant."
Tonari couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Sure, let's go with that."
Mei didn't notice Tonari's amusement and seemed to take his silence as an acknowledgment of her guess. Her impression of Sasaki grew even higher, as she thought he might be hiding even greater strength than he let on.
Down on the arena floor, the battles continued. One of the most intriguing matches was between a Sand Village puppet master and the white-clad, blind Genin from River Village.
The puppet master constantly attacked with his puppet, launching a series of rapid strikes and traps. The River ninja, however, seemed to dodge them just in time every time—appearing both skilled and lucky.
Tonari's eyes narrowed.
"That River ninja... there's something off about him."
Mei glanced down as well.
"He seems to be reacting on pure instinct. Is it really luck?"
"No," Tonari replied calmly. "It's not just luck. His movements are getting more coordinated and precise as the battle progresses. It's as if he's using this fight to gain experience."
Mei's eyes widened.
"You mean... he's using the Chunin Exam to train himself? Is he that talented?"
"Possibly. More likely, he's already strong but lacks practical combat experience. This way, he learns by fighting—and his base strength is enough to sustain him through these fights."
She was speechless, trying to process the implications.
"What kind of monster just shows up to use the Chunin Exams as a training ground?"
Tonari gave a small shrug.
"Someone confident enough in his base strength. That's why he dared to come here."
As the battles continued, Tonari's attention remained divided between the ongoing matches and his own thoughts about the political situation with other villages.
However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a sudden explosion in the distance—directly in the center of Konoha.
Boom!
The ground trembled, and everyone on the viewing platform immediately turned their attention to the smoke rising from the village center.
Tonari shot to his feet, his chakra surging to the point where the wooden platform beneath him cracked and splintered under the pressure. His eyes scanned the crowd, lingering on the leaders from other villages.
His oppressive chakra washed over everyone present, making even those farthest from him break out in cold sweat. The closest ones—like Minato and Rasa—felt their breath catch in their throats.
Standing at the ready, Tonari's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What's going on...?"
The sudden explosion shattered the tense but calm atmosphere that had been maintained throughout the exams.
Tonari's instincts screamed danger as his mind raced to assess the situation. Behind him, Minato gripped his kunai tightly, prepared to move at a moment's notice.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the other villages exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether the explosion was an attack, a sabotage, or an accident.
"Secure the area! Activate the barrier!" Minato commanded, and Konoha's Anbu quickly dispersed to secure the perimeter.
Tonari's gaze remained sharp as he observed the panic spreading among the spectators.
"This... is not a coincidence."
In his mind, thoughts of possible enemies flashed through—Akatsuki? Cloud Village sabotage? Or something even more insidious?
One thing was clear—whoever orchestrated this wasn't simply aiming to disrupt the Chunin Exams. There was something far more sinister at play.
As more explosions erupted from different parts of the village, Tonari's eyes hardened.
"Time to move. We're under attack."
The political maneuvering and planned negotiations would have to wait. Right now, Konoha needed its Hokage.
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