#11

The stronger the Sand Ninja, the greater the threat to Konoha, making the planned attack all the more effective.

With the conclusion of the battle between Ino and Choji, the Chunin Exam qualifiers officially came to an end. The selected ten ninjas were given a month to rest and train for the finals. During this period, daimyo from various nations would arrive in Konoha to witness the battles, using the performances to assess the strength of each village's shinobi.

As the break period began, Kabuto, having been exposed, failed to carry out his mission and fled after revealing his identity. Meanwhile, Kakashi entrusted Naruto's training to Ebisu, a special jonin, while he personally took Sasuke for specialized training.

Naruto, in typical fashion, got into a scuffle with Ebisu, which led them to accidentally stumble upon the hot spring. There, they encountered Jiraiya, marking the beginning of Naruto's training under one of the legendary Sannin.

Meanwhile, at the Sand Ninja's lodging, Baki gathered Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro to discuss their secret mission.

Temari frowned. "We're still allied with Konoha. Why are we planning an attack?"

Kankuro smirked. "Isn't it a good thing to bring Konoha down a notch?"

Temari's expression darkened. "Konoha is stronger than us. A war will mean casualties."

Baki remained firm. "Sacrifices are a part of being a shinobi. Sand Village has suffered long enough. This plan is our chance to change that."

The three siblings turned to Gaara, the strongest among them, their pillar.

Gaara simply responded, "We'll ask Mufasa-sensei."

Baki nodded. "Then I will report back to Lord Kazekage."

After witnessing Kabuto eliminate Hayate Gekko, Baki returned to the village, while Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro remained in Konoha, knowing that Mufasa was also in the village.

At a busy market street, Mufasa was selling ninja tools when he spotted the three approaching. He grinned and turned to the crowd.

"Alright, that's it for today! We're closing up. Come back next time!" he called out, packing up his stall.

Thanks to Mufasa's reputation for high-quality ninja tools, his shop had become well-known even in Konoha. His business was thriving, attracting a steady flow of customers.

That evening, they gathered at an izakaya near their hotel. Mufasa poured himself a cup of sake, downing it in one go. "Ahh, Konoha's sake really hits the spot."

Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro refrained from drinking. Alcohol was a luxury few in the Sand Village could afford.

Mufasa glanced at them with a smirk. "So, how has your stay in Konoha been?"

Temari smiled. "The air is nice, and my skin feels better already."

Mufasa laughed. "Good to hear!"

Kankuro, however, got straight to the point. "Boss, Kazekage-sama is planning to ally with Oto to attack Konoha during the finals. What do you think?"

The three siblings watched Mufasa intently.

Mufasa swirled his drink before responding, "Kazekage is making a gamble. But he's destined to lose."

Kankuro scoffed. "Boss, these Konoha ninjas hardly feel like real shinobi. They don't even have a killer instinct."

Mufasa raised an eyebrow. "You're basing that on the genin you've met?"

Kankuro nodded. "Yeah. They're like kids raised in a sheltered greenhouse."

Temari hesitated before agreeing. Gaara remained silent but didn't disagree.

Mufasa's expression darkened. "Have you three let a few victories get to your heads?"

The trio immediately stiffened. "Boss, we didn't mean—"

Mufasa cut them off. "Do you know who you're up against? You think Konoha is weak? The Aburame Clan controls insects that can drain chakra. The Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara Clans work together in perfect unison. The Hyuga possess the Byakugan, a kekkei genkai beyond anything we have in the Sand. Konoha isn't standing at the top because of luck."

The room fell silent.

Mufasa leaned forward. "Do you really think Sand and Oto can defeat Konoha? You think a sneak attack is enough? If it were that easy, the other villages would have already torn Konoha apart. Even if the first strike succeeds, what happens when Konoha retaliates?"

Kankuro looked uncertain. "Then… should we try to convince Kazekage-sama?"

Mufasa scoffed. "Do you think he'll listen?"

Kankuro and Temari exchanged defeated looks. Their father was as unyielding as the desert itself.

Temari sighed. "Then what do we do?"

Mufasa's tone grew serious. "During the attack, the finals will be interrupted. That's your chance. The three of you need to get out of the village. Head straight for the border between Fire and Wind Country."

He glanced at Gaara. "If you encounter any pursuers, deal with them. Capture Konoha ninjas if necessary. The more leverage we have, the stronger our hand in negotiations."

The three of them exchanged looks, realizing the weight of his words. The future of the Sand Village could be determined by what they chose to do next.

Gaara simply replied, "Sensei, I will not fail."

Temari glanced at Mufasa. "So, what's your plan, boss?"

Mufasa leaned back, crossing his arms. "I'm going to meet an old friend. After that, I'll find you, and we'll clean up the mess together."

That "friend" was none other than Orochimaru, the infamous rogue ninja and a scientific mastermind.

For years, Mufasa had been trying to create a long-range communication device—something akin to a mobile phone. But every attempt had failed. He strongly suspected that the chakra-infused energy of ninjas was interfering with the signals.

Perhaps, he theorized, using the moon as a signal hub could establish a network spanning the entire ninja world.

If it worked, the world of shinobi would step into the digital age.

Of course, this was just a theory. Whether it could be achieved or not was something for the future.

Gaara nodded. "Understood. I will capture any Konoha ninjas who try to track us."

Mufasa chuckled. "That's the spirit. Just don't overdo it—no unnecessary killing."

There was an inherent ruthlessness in Sand ninja. If Gaara got too carried away and ended up killing someone like Naruto, it would cause a massive problem.

The three siblings agreed and left, remaining in Konoha until the start of the final Chunin Exam.

Meanwhile, back in the Sand Village, Baki rushed into the Kazekage's chambers.

The room was dimly lit, shadows flickering against the gauze curtains that separated the Kazekage from his subordinates. Two elite guards stood on either side of the throne, their faces unreadable.

Baki knelt. "Lord Kazekage, I bring an update on the Chunin Exams. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro have advanced to the final round."

A brief pause. Then, a single word: "Good."

The voice, though muffled through the layers of veil and curtain, carried an air of detachment.

Baki continued, "I have confirmed with Oto. Their forces are in place. The attack will commence during the exam. I suggest we concentrate our remaining troops at the border. Once the invasion begins, we can push deeper into the Land of Fire."

It was a sound strategy. Once Konoha's core was under attack, its outlying forces would be thrown into disarray. A well-timed assault could yield a major victory for the Sand Village.

Unfortunately, the Kazekage before him was no longer Rasa—it was Orochimaru in disguise.

Orochimaru had little interest in leading an army. His true goal was Sasuke, and if he could eliminate the Third Hokage along the way, even better.

The rest? Irrelevant.

He had no intention of wasting time commanding troops.

"No need," Orochimaru said coolly.

Baki froze, eyes widening slightly.

The order made no sense. He looked toward the silhouette behind the curtain, as if searching for answers.

Through the veil and gauze, Orochimaru's expression remained hidden, his voice eerily calm. "Focus on your assigned task. That is all."

Baki hesitated but had no choice but to bow and retreat.

Frustration burned inside him.

Why would Kazekage-sama reject such a solid plan?

Could the forces of Sand and Sound alone truly topple Konoha?

No.

Baki clenched his fists. He didn't believe it was possible.

He walked on the deserted road of Sand Ninja Village and looked back at the oval Kazekage Building.

Is that really Kazekage-sama in there?

No.

'If all else fail, then my top priority will be to protect Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.'

Baki's inner goal changed.