"It can't be!" an Anbu gasped, standing just outside the barrier containing Hiruzen and Orochimaru. "You mean those are..."
"Yes. Those are the First and Second Hokage," another Anbu confirmed.
"Damn it. We've gotta find a way to break that barrier," they worried, their eyes filled with urgency.
Meanwhile, Daniel's clone scanned the battlefield. The enemy ninja were relentless, their attacks coordinated and fierce. Daniel dashed forward, his movements a blur as he formed a V-shaped short blade made of chakra in his hand, swiftly striking the enemies with precision and taking down multiple shinobi.
"Well, would you look at that. He kinda reminds me of Kakashi," Guy thought, watching Daniel not only hold his own but overwhelm the enemy shinobi with sheer force.
Amidst the chaos, assassins blending in with the Leaf shinobi began attacking, disrupting their coordination. "This could get troublesome," Kakashi remarked, taking down a disguised assassin. "Where'd the kid go?" he asked, turning to Guy.
"I thought he was with you," Guy replied.
A loud sound followed, drawing their attention. "What the..." Kakashi said, alarmed.
"Look. Who could do such a thing?" an Anbu pointed at the giant three-headed snake that had collapsed to the ground. Standing on its head, drenched in the snake's blood, was Daniel, a red aura glowing around his body. The Anbu gasped at the sight.
"It seems my clone has entered a little bit too late. Hiruzen has already weaved the Reaper Death Seal signs," Daniel muttered.
Back at the battle between Orochimaru and Hiruzen, a small crack appeared in the barrier. As the crack healed, Orochimaru's gaze shifted from Hiruzen. "You," he hissed.
"So you recognize me even with the mask. Maybe these eyes gave me away," Daniel said, hovering above them.
"Who is this fellow? A shinobi of the Stone, maybe?" Hashirama wondered, seeing Daniel hovering there.
"First off," Daniel said, quickly vanishing and reappearing between the two former Hokage. Grabbing them, he absorbed some of their chakra and their ninjutsu knowledge. "Wood Style and Hashirama's senjutsu as a bonus, not that I needed it," he said as he puffed away.
"Chh. A shadow clone," Orochimaru clicked his tongue, but this was enough time for Hiruzen to approach Hashirama and Tobirama, sealing them away and advancing on Orochimaru with surprise.
Hiruzen reached out to seal Orochimaru, but Orochimaru wasn't going to give up that easily. The two struggled in a tug of war for Orochimaru's soul.
________________________________________________
Confronting Gaara and Temari, Sasuke stood ready, his eyes cold and unfeeling. Gaara's face and hand began to transform into Shukaku's, and Sasuke recalled their battle during the Chunin Exams. This was the same feeling he had when he struck Gaara with a Chidori. He knew he had to strike fast and hard this time as well.
With a burst of speed, he charged at Gaara, his Chidori crackling in his hand. "Chidori!" Sasuke shouted, thrusting his lightning-infused hand towards Gaara. Sasuke's Chidori pierced through, striking Gaara's sand arm. Gaara's expression changed to one of excitement as he grew a sand tail. Gaara lashed out in retaliation, forcing Sasuke to leap back. Gaara's eyes narrowed as he powered through Sasuke's attack, launching a fireball.
"This is not working. I need to use Chidori," Sasuke muttered, channeling chakra into his hand again.
"You... you will feel my pain," Gaara hissed, his voice filled with malice. He lunged at Sasuke, and the two met again in the air, Sasuke once more using Chidori. As they landed, the curse marks on Sasuke had grown. Gaara's sand arm rippled, his real arm bleeding, but Gaara seemed to be growing stronger as he channeled more of Shukaku's power. Sasuke collapsed, and Gaara went on the offensive, ready to end the battle.
"Sasuke!" a voice shouted. Naruto and Sakura had arrived, their faces filled with determination. Naruto met Gaara with his Impact Jutsu, his eyes blazing with resolve. "Leave him alone!" Naruto said, his voice steady.
"Sasuke, are you okay?" Sakura followed behind.
"It would've been great if you could heal him right now," Daniel's voice said from behind Sakura, spooking her a little. "So that's what it looks like. Gotta say, tailed beasts look cooler in real life," he muttered, disregarding how scary they could be.
"When did you get here?" Sakura asked.
"Umm, guys. Who is that guy?" Naruto said, pointing at Gaara. Pakkun pointed out that it was Gaara. Gaara charged again, but Daniel blocked him with his hand, stopping Gaara's punch.
"What! He stopped a punch like that with his bare hand?" Temari gasped, watching the battle.
Daniel absorbed Shukaku's chakra, causing Gaara's transformation to revert a little. Noticing this, Gaara jumped back and continued growing. Naruto took the opportunity to attack, creating shadow clones to overwhelm Gaara.
"Naruto had a great impact on Gaara in their fight. Maybe I should step this one out," Daniel thought as he watched them go at it. Naruto pushed Gaara to the point where he fully turned into Shukaku.
Sasuke, all tattered up and exhausted, watched as Naruto confronted Gaara. The sight of Naruto fighting Gaara made him feel inferior. Naruto's fierce resolve was palpable, and Sasuke couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and frustration. Relief that Naruto was there to help, and frustration that he himself had been pushed to his limits.
"They've arrived already," Daniel murmured, shifting his gaze. "I really want their autographs in my bingo book," he added under his breath.
"A fox?" Sakura and Sasuke gasped in unison as they witnessed Naruto transform Gamabunta into Kurama. The battle raged on both sides, drawing everyone's undivided attention. Back at the arena for the Chunin Exams, the Leaf Jonin watched intently, waiting to see who would emerge victorious between Hiruzen and Orochimaru. Meanwhile, in the forest, Sasuke and Sakura's eyes were glued to the fierce clash between Gaara and Naruto, sensing the fight was nearing its climax. The tension was palpable.
Naruto launched himself at Gaara as Gamabunta transformed as Kurama pinned Shikaku. He's eye glowed Kurama's charka flowed through him. "I'll end this once and for all" with a roar, he broke landed a powerful blow on Gaara's head.
Sure, here's a light novel-style rewrite:
Gaara staggered, his eyes wide with shock as Shikaku's sand body collapsed. "And that's that," Daniel mused, turning on his heel and heading back to Konoha, confident that the battle had ended.
Back in Konoha, the barrier dissipated as Orochimaru made his retreat. The ANBU rushed in, only to be momentarily blocked by Orochimaru's elite guards. As the guards retreated, the ANBU pressed forward, their hearts heavy with anticipation. Upon reaching the battlefield, they found Hiruzen's body lying lifeless on the ground.