"Is that the demon fox kid?!"
"Did he save us?"
"It's him. Isn't he just a student?"
"Bastard! I can't believe I was rescued by that troublesome kid!"
"Hey, how did he manage to save us…?"
"That's true. If it weren't for him, we would have been buried alive by that Sunagakure monster just moments ago!"
"When it comes to reliability, isn't Naruto more trustworthy than those monsters?"
"His name is Uzumaki Naruto, correct?"
"That's right."
Despite Naruto's body being engulfed in flames and undergoing a drastic transformation, the villagers immediately recognized him as the demon fox kid they had always despised and resented.
They never anticipated that when the Anbu and Elite Jōnin were rendered helpless and on the brink of being swallowed by the sand, it would be the Genin named Uzumaki Naruto who would come to their rescue.
At this moment, their emotions were incredibly complex, and even those with a hint of compassion felt a twinge of guilt.
When Konoha encountered a big crisis, just like when Nine-Tails ravaged Konoha more than ten years ago, Uzumaki Naruto, like Fourth Hokage at that time, stood up bravely and protected them
Perhaps, Naruto can also be worthy of the title of "Hero"?
"Roar!"
A colossal figure materialized within the training field, its immense body pressing against the auditorium and demolishing the wall. The earthen flow wall previously employed by Naruto was now unable to contain the rapid onslaught of quicksand, causing it to seep out continuously.
"What is that?"
"How can there be a monster like that participating in the exam?"
"A tail, a tailed beast! It's the One-Tails, Sunagakure's tailed beast!"
"What!? Does that mean... it's the same as the Nine-Tails from over ten years ago?"
"It's all over for us. Where is Hokage-sama? Konoha is in grave danger!"
As the individuals who had managed to flee the training field—whether villagers or ninjas—caught sight of Shukaku's emergence, painful memories from the past flooded their minds.
The younger children remained relatively unaffected since they had never experienced such horrors before. However, the older individuals had witnessed the tailed beast firsthand. The Nine-Tails had nearly decimated half of Konoha, and had it not been for the Fourth Hokage's intervention, the village might have been destroyed.
Terrified and pale, they gazed at Shukaku as it roared towards the sky, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. Several of them even collapsed helplessly to the ground, overwhelmed with despair at the sight of the colossal entity.
In their distress, they continued to cry out for the Third Hokage, desperately hoping that he could turn the tide and protect them. For these individuals, the Hokage represented the epitome of power, capable of resolving any crisis that befell Konoha.
Regrettably, at this critical moment, their Hokage was also vulnerable, akin to a mud bodhisattva crossing the river, unable to protect himself. Orochimaru's threat to kill him was not a mere jest.
Furthermore, the Hokage found himself incapable of breaking through the formidable Four Violet Flames Formation, let alone concerning himself with the escape of Shukaku.
*****
"Damn it! The Jinchūriki has truly lost control!" Kakashi landed on the nearby rooftop, his gaze fixed upon the menacing Shukaku looming nearby. As he sensed the overwhelming aura of rage emanating from the tailed beast, profound anger surged within him. He was furious at Sunagakure for allowing this situation to unfold, yet at the same time, he couldn't shake off a deep sense of powerlessness.
A tailed beast is an immensely powerful entity, and it is challenging to find someone who can successfully defeat one without the capabilities of someone like the First Hokage, who possessed incredible strength and skill.
"Kakashi, the situation is dire! What should we do? If all else fails... let me take a shot!" Guy exclaimed, his gaze fixed upon Shukaku, his determination silently solidifying within.
"You would be risking your life, Guy," Kakashi responded gravely.
"However, now is the time to protect Konoha!" Guy said firmly.
"..." Kakashi went silent.
"Uzumaki Naruto! Face me in battle!" Despite being fully transformed into Shukaku, Gaara hadn't utilized the Feigning Sleep Technique yet, which enabled Shukaku to dominate consciousness. As a result, Gaara could still communicate.
"Are you looking for me?" Naruto flashed on top of Shukaku.
"Naruto!" Kakashi shouted.
"Naruto, be careful!!" Guy clenched his fists and looked at Naruto worriedly.
"That... is that the demon fox... um, Naruto?"
"How could he?!"
"Do you think he's going to die?"
A group of villagers stood at a distance, their gazes fixed on the fiery red figure descending upon the fearsome monster they held in the utmost terror.
"Naruto, is there anything you can do?" Kakashi inquired.
"For now, let's relocate the battlefield. Don't worry, leave it to me!" Naruto replied, giving Kakashi a thumbs up. He then placed his palm on top of Shukaku's head.
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Whoosh!
Boom!
A loud noise came from the Forest of Death.
"Kakashi is that the Fourth Hokage's...?" Guy questioned with uncertainty.
"That's correct! It's Sensei's Flying Thunder God ninjutsu!" Kakashi exclaimed. The ability to transfer someone as massive as Shukaku showcased the seemingly limitless depth of Naruto's chakra.
"This scene feels somewhat familiar, hey, Oki, do you still remember?" a middle-aged man asked the mustache man beside him.
"Ah, it's just like that time when the Fourth Hokage suddenly appeared, took away the Nine-Tails, and saved Konoha," Oki responded with emotion.
"I have a feeling that this time, it will be Naruto... that brat we despise so much who will save Konoha."
"That's true, but... How old is he?"
"Twelve years old."
"Haha, at only twelve years old, he's accomplished what the Fourth Hokage did back then. If he declares his ambition to become a Hokage now, I'd gladly support him."
"Why? Don't you hate him too? He's the embodiment of the demon fox."
"Compared to the demon fox, those Sand Shinobi monsters scare me a little more..."
"Hehehe, Sensei, did you see that? That's the Flying Thunder God Technique~" Orochimaru gleefully stuck out his tongue, wearing an expression of delight on his face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned grim and he remained silent, but inside, he was seething with anger.
Why? How could this be happening? Where did Naruto learn so much ninjutsu? Did he also learn the Flying Thunder God Technique and keep it hidden all this time? And why would he choose to reveal it now?!
"Wait, are you suggesting, Orochimaru, that this was all part of your plan with Naruto?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen eyed Orochimaru with suspicion, and the more he pondered, the more it made sense. Why else would Naruto showcase his strength during the Chūnin exams? Was it all orchestrated by Orochimaru to eliminate me? If I were to perish, Naruto would have no more obstacles in his path!
What a cunning plan! Curse you, Orochimaru!
"Hehehe, what do you think?" Orochimaru teased, continuing to form hand seals while pulling out two specially crafted kunai. He swiftly inserted them into the back of the heads of the two individuals before him.
"If these two individuals managed to survive, I would be delighted to provide you with an explanation," Orochimaru said.
"It has been quite some time, Sarutobi," Suddenly a voice sounded from one of the figures.
…