Troy did not respond immediately to the Cloud ninja's protest regarding Konoha. Instead, he fixed the messenger with a serious gaze and commanded, "Tell me the exact situation, from beginning to end. Don't leave out a single detail."
The reporting ninja, though anxious and nervous, obeyed without hesitation. As he recounted the events from the Forest of Death, Troy listened intently. He learned that Aokawa had managed to simultaneously evade Killer Bee's attacks and execute complex hand seals with a single hand to release Water Release ninjutsu. Even for someone of Troy's experience, this was astonishing.
For a genin to exhibit such skill was almost incomprehensible. Yet Troy knew that sometimes, reality could be stranger than fiction. No impersonation or fabrication could account for such abilities—it had to be real.
"Immediately investigate all intelligence on Hirakawa Aokawa," Troy ordered decisively.
There would be no protest; Konoha had already made its arrangements, and opposition would be futile. Troy never intended to entertain dissent in this matter. Once the Cloud ninja departed, Troy allowed himself a brief moment to consider the potential advantages this incident could bring. Perhaps it could serve as a convenient excuse to cooperate with Sunagakure. His true mission, after all, had never wavered: kidnapping Uzumaki Kushina. The outcome of the Chunin Exams was irrelevant compared to the prize he sought.
However, this incident opened a more appealing possibility. Rather than attempting to abduct Kushina immediately, Troy could employ Sunagakure as an ally in a more strategic operation: the assassination of the newly emerged prodigy, Hirakawa Aokawa.
Though Aokawa had been unknown until recently, the display of his strength made one thing clear: he would inevitably rise to become a formidable force within Konoha, potentially even the next Hokage. Eliminating him now would serve two purposes: it would remove a future threat to Sunagakure and simultaneously divert Konoha's attention away from Kushina, improving the chances of a successful kidnapping.
Meanwhile, in Sunagakure's headquarters, news of the Forest of Death encounter also reached Rasa and Pakura. Rasa's reaction mirrored Troy's initial disbelief—he found it almost impossible to accept. Unlike the Cloud Village, which had no prior knowledge of Aokawa, Sunagakure had specifically prepared for him. Rasa had assigned Maki to a few days of intensive special training, guided personally by Pakura, to ensure that Maki would be strong enough to defeat Aokawa during the Chunin Exams.
The result, however, had been humiliating. Not only had Maki failed to defeat Aokawa, but even with Killer Bee of the Cloud Village assisting him, he had been thoroughly defeated.
"Isn't it natural for someone with Aokawa's strength to do something like that?" Pakura remarked casually, as though it were the most ordinary occurrence in the world. After all, she had personally observed Aokawa's capabilities; it was obvious that no ordinary genin could hope to challenge him.
Rasa, however, was furious. In his eyes, Pakura's reaction was dangerously short-sighted. She knew exactly how powerful Aokawa was, yet she had failed to recognize the opportunity. If he was strong enough to be considered a future Hokage while still only a genin, Sunagakure had an obligation to eliminate him at any cost. Konoha's strength and strategic position in the ninja world were undeniable; even the smallest advantage gained over them could elevate Sunagakure significantly. To squander such an opportunity was, in Rasa's opinion, unforgivable.
He also questioned the judgment of the Third Kazekage. Why had Sunagakure's strongest, Sasori, been excluded from the joint Chunin Exams? With Sasori's unparalleled puppetry and Wind Release expertise, Sunagakure would never have faced such humiliation. Rasa had long believed in Maki's potential, but he also knew the harsh truth: Maki, as talented as he was, was no match for the prodigious Hirakawa Aokawa. Sasori's presence could have turned the tide entirely.
And yet, the Third Kazekage had refused insistently, ignoring even Sasori's own petitions to participate. The reason remained a mystery, though Rasa suspected a deeper political strategy.
---
Near the Central Tower, the scene was tense. Aokawa and Kushina, having defeated both Killer Bee's team and Maki's squad, sprinted at full speed toward their destination. Their goal was simple: be among the first to reach the tower and secure the Heaven and Earth Scrolls.
"Finally… we're here! We should arrive first!" Kushina exclaimed, a mixture of excitement and adrenaline lacing her voice.
But before she could finish speaking, danger struck. Kunai, each wrapped in explosive tags, shot out from the shadows at incredible speed, aimed directly at the pair. A ninja team had arrived early and set up a deadly ambush, and Kushina had inadvertently triggered the trap.
Aokawa, however, remained calm. With practiced ease, he formed a single-hand seal and unleashed Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. The gust of wind tore through the incoming kunai, sending them flying harmlessly aside.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The explosive tags detonated against the surrounding rocks and trees, producing a series of loud bursts, yet neither Aokawa nor Kushina suffered any injury.
Kushina, fully aware of the looming danger, readied herself for combat. The ambushers emerged from the shadows—at first, it appeared as though over twenty ninja had coordinated their attack. Considering that only eighty-nine ninja were participating in this stage of the exam, such a display seemed impossible.
Then Kushina realized the truth: it was a genjutsu. The overwhelming numbers, the apparent trap—they were illusions crafted to unnerve her. Thankfully, she had already mastered the art of dispelling genjutsu. In an instant, the illusion dissipated, revealing a single attacker advancing with lethal intent.
If she had delayed even a moment longer, Kushina would have been struck. But her quick reflexes saved her. The would-be assassin's confidence faltered as she moved.
Bang!
Before the attacker could react further, Kushina's fist struck his abdomen with full force. The impact was devastating—his internal organs felt as if they were being crushed by a wild beast. Blood spurted from his mouth as he flew backward, crashing violently against a nearby tree. Cracks formed in the tree trunk upon impact, a testament to Kushina's raw strength.
Breathing heavily, she straightened, her eyes scanning the battlefield. Aokawa had also dispatched his own attacker with ease, his movements precise and lethal.
Kushina finally identified the ambushers: ninjas from Takigakure. Although a small ninja village, Takigakure was unique among minor villages for possessing a Tailed Beast. Even so, their strength was no match for the combined prowess of Aokawa and Kushina.
The two of them stood side by side, prepared for anything the exam—or other ninja—might throw at them. Despite the danger, their confidence radiated clearly. They had faced both strategy and skill and emerged unscathed, ready to continue their march toward the Central Tower and complete the second stage of the Chunin Exam.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)