Wait, who?
Ryun immediately chose to intervene.
He hadn't expected such a development at all.
Hadn't Rasa already been assassinated by Orochimaru?
But then Ryun realized, Orochimaru was free.
At least for now, Orochimaru was the most formidable enemy Konoha faced, capable of easily assassinating Rasa.
He could also summon the First and Second Hokage, and had subordinates as strong as Kimimaro. He was completely free to do whatever he wanted.
So what made him choose to spare Rasa's life and bring him along to attack Konoha?
A slight twitch appeared at the corner of Ryun's mouth. The reason was most likely himself.
Not long ago, Ryun had nearly sparked a upheaval in the ninja world.
Although it had calmed down now, other villages would certainly strengthen their vigilance because of it. At the very least, this heightened alert wouldn't disappear in the short term.
To counter Konoha's potentially increased defenses, it wasn't surprising that Orochimaru had spared Rasa's life to let him lead the charge.
In fact, Rasa was very suitable for this role.
He could easily suppress a rampaging Shukaku, and his Kekkei Genkai, Magnet Release Gold Dust, was capable of large-scale attacks.
His fighting style could be understood by referencing Gaara, and his actual strength was unlikely to be weaker than Gaara's during the Ninja World War. It's just that at that time, he lacked fighting spirit and was quickly taken out of the picture.
Even if he was a shameful figure among the Kage level, he was still not someone an ordinary Jonin could compare to.
Especially when the Third Hokage was confined by Orochimaru, who else in Konoha could deal with him?
Jiraiya stepping in would definitely work, and Guy opening the Seventh Gate could also do it.
But when one of those two went to deal with Rasa, who would handle Orochimaru's summoned creatures inside Konoha and the Suna-nin and Oto-nin raiding the village?
And that wasn't all.
What if Orochimaru brought Kimimaro?
Kimimaro, in his Cursed Seal Level 2 state, was also a large-scale harvester of lives.
If Konoha lacked appropriate countermeasures, even more people might find themselves in danger this time.
Coupled with the dangerous situation Konoha was already in due to Ryun previously exposing the village's scandals, if the outcome of this war was too unfavorable, then the scenario from the previous simulation where Konoha was directly destroyed would likely repeat itself.
That wouldn't do. In the previous simulation, Ryun could have fled with Yūhi Kurenai and Anko, but now he couldn't very well run away with Moegi, could he?
Wouldn't that mean he'd have to take care of Moegi for ten years like a father? Would it even be convenient for him to make a move then?
Moegi didn't hold any hatred towards Konoha. If her mind was set on avenging Konoha or rebuilding it with determination, she might not be inclined to bear little Moegis for Ryun.
Forget it, strike when it's time to strike.
Since it's a simulation, this time let Ryun be the hero who turns everything around.
Ryun already had a plan in his mind to handle all of this, even to turn Konoha's crisis into an opportunity.
After he input his instructions, the simulation began again.
[Simultaneously with Rasa's assault, Orochimaru's subordinates also took the opportunity to trap the Third Hokage within the Four Violet Flames Formation. Without the Third Hokage to suppress him, Rasa caused numerous casualties in an instant. It wasn't until Guy unleashed the Eight Inner Gates and occupied him that the pressure from Rasa began to lessen.]
Seeing this, Ryun felt a surge of emotion.
This time, the Chunin Exams lacked the classic match between Lee and Gaara, but instead featured a match between Rasa and Guy. Could this be considered an enhanced version of the Lee vs. Gaara fight?
[Yakushi Kabuto activated the Genjutsu: Nirvana Jishu Technique, plunging most of the audience in the venue into unconsciousness. Baki commanded the Suna-nin forces, cooperating with the Oto-nin to launch surprise attacks on Konoha's defensive installations from multiple directions. Orochimaru's three-headed snake summoning beast also began wreaking havoc on Konoha.]
[Jiraiya appeared, summoning Gamabunta to suppress the summoned snake army and protect the civilians during evacuation. Sasuke and others were ordered to pursue the rampaging Gaara. They managed to repel Temari and Kankuro successively but encountered Kimimaro blocking their path.]
Oh ho, trouble.
Seeing this scene, Ryun knew he had to act.
As he expected, because Konoha's alert level had increased, Orochimaru had brought out all his elite subordinates.
If Ryun couldn't resolve the situation quickly, Konoha would undoubtedly suffer massive losses this time, and some people he knew might even die.
But that was okay; Ryun was prepared.
[You hastily crafted a white cloak and donned a pure white mask, appearing on the battlefield. Using sensory techniques, you quickly confirmed the direction of Sasuke and the others and pursued them. Just as you expected, you encountered Kimimaro.]
[Kimimaro blocked everyone's path, protecting Gaara with the aim of allowing him to fully transform into a Tailed Beast. When you appeared, everyone looked at you with puzzled expressions. Kimimaro, however, seemed the most composed. He told you that Orochimaru had warned him to be wary of a mysterious person, and he assumed it was you.]
[You needed a swift victory, so you charged directly at Kimimaro, attacking with Strange Power. Seeing you use Strange Power further confirmed your identity to Kimimaro, who calmly responded using his Shikotsumyaku: Willow Dance.]
[What he didn't expect was that this was merely your tactic. Just as you were about to clash with Kimimaro's bones, you turned your punch into a palm, leaving a Flying Thunder God mark on his back. The next second, both you and Kimimaro vanished. You had taken him to the Land of Earth.]
Seeing this, the corners of Ryun's mouth couldn't help but curl up.
This was the solution he had thought of for a swift victory.
Who said a swift victory necessarily meant instantly killing the enemy?
At least against Kimimaro, Ryun couldn't achieve a complete instant kill; his vitality was too monstrous.
But Ryun could throw Kimimaro over a thousand kilometers away and see what he could do then.
No matter how powerful your Shikotsumyaku is in Cursed Seal Level 2, can a single bone reach back to Konoha?
[Kimimaro recognized your technique and shouted "Flying Thunder God." He wanted to stop you, to prevent you from returning to Konoha and disrupting the situation, but there was nothing he could do. In the blink of an eye, you were back in Konoha, and you began using the Flying Thunder God marks you had previously left in Konoha to rack up points.]
[Amidst the incredulous gazes of countless people, you, with your grey hair, became the new "Konoha's Yellow Flash." The moment your figure appeared, Strange Power would instantly shatter the enemy's formations. You even had time to show off a little in front of a few familiar girls; even with your mask on, they could easily recognize you.]
[After ensuring you had thrown the enemy ninja forces into disarray, you began searching for your next target. Outside the village, the battle between Naruto and Gaara was reaching its conclusion. There was no reason for Naruto, whom you had strengthened, to lose to Gaara, who couldn't fully release Shukaku.]
[After searching for a while, you finally found your target—Danzo. At this moment, Shimura Danzo had finally left his Root and begun a symbolic organization of combat and civilian evacuation. As for the front-line battles, Danzo had no intention of letting his subordinates participate.]
[You used the Body Flicker Technique to appear directly beside Danzo. Your sudden appearance caught him completely off guard. He immediately used Kotoamatsukami on you, but you were prepared and countered it by sacrificing a portion of your mental energy. Then, using the same method, you threw Danzo directly into the Four Violet Flames Formation.]
[It turned out that back in the Forest of Death, when your fist struck Orochimaru, you had conveniently left a Flying Thunder God mark on him as well—it was a good habit you'd developed. Just in case, you had also left multiple Flying Thunder God marks on the rooftop of the venue beforehand, all for this very moment.]
[Completely caught off guard, Danzo looked at Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen beside him and fell into utter confusion. Orochimaru wasn't about to give Danzo a chance to react. Since Danzo was here, he'd kill him too. He had already summoned the First Hokage and Second Hokage; the enemy only had one extra Danzo. The advantage was his!]
Seeing this, Ryun decided that once the simulation ended, he absolutely had to watch this great battle closely.
Especially to see the expressions on the First and Second Hokage's faces when they saw Danzo in that state. That scene would surely be spectacular!
But his simulation self still had things to do now.
Namely, going to show off in front of Yūhi Kurenai as well.
[After dealing with the Danzo problem, you continued sweeping across the entire battlefield. You discovered Yūhi Kurenai engaged in battle. Surrounded by several Oto-nin Jonin, she was not having an easy time. Oto-nin could use sound to release Genjutsu, and almost the entire ninja world lacked a good way to deal with this type of illusion.]
[Enduring the sound-based Genjutsu of the Oto-nin, your punch shattered the very ground. Yūhi Kurenai was also sent flying by the shockwave from your fist. She had already noticed you, this fresh force using the Flying Thunder God, but hadn't dared to guess your identity.]
[Now she was sure. You were Ryun. You caught the falling Kurenai, removed your mask, and asked a question that made her heart flutter: "Sister Kurenai, would you say I'm the hero of your dreams now?"]
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