Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 152: One-Tail, Shukaku!

With the grand opening of the Chunin Exam's third and final stage, Konoha welcomed its most distinguished guest—Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage of the Hidden Sand.

"Lord Kazekage, this way."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, dressed in his ceremonial robes, personally came to receive Rasa, inviting him to walk alongside him to the highest spectator stand of the arena.

"Thank you."

Rasa lifted his head, his face cold and expressionless beneath his Kazekage hat. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he followed Sarutobi's lead.

"It is truly an honor to have you visit Konoha, Lord Kazekage..."

Sarutobi made small talk while leading the way, subtly observing Rasa's expression, hoping to discern his true intentions.

However, Rasa remained largely silent. He merely followed Sarutobi step by step onto the viewing platform, taking his designated seat as his sharp gaze swept over the arena.

There was no denying it.

The scale of the third exam was impressive.

The VIP seats were already filled with feudal lords and nobles from various nations.

Konoha's high-ranking officials were also present without exception. Even the long-retired former Hokage advisor, Danzo Shimura, sat alongside his two old allies.

Among the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya and Tsunade positioned themselves at a high vantage point, overseeing the entire stadium. Both remained on high alert for the possible appearance of Orochimaru.

As Konoha's honored guest, Shigen had also been invited to attend.

Or rather, it was Naruto Uzumaki who insisted that he come to watch, finally convincing this man—who always preferred to dedicate his time to medical research—to make an appearance.

However...

Shigen's seat was beside Tsunade.

After all, from that spot, he had the best view of the entire arena.

"Naruto is up first, huh..."

Jiraiya rubbed his chin as he watched Naruto step into the arena, following the referee's instructions.

"Shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Is that so?"

Tsunade, standing next to Jiraiya, waved her hand lazily.

"I heard you gave that kid plenty of extra lessons..."

"Heh heh..."

Jiraiya chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head.

While they exchanged casual banter, the match had already begun—

Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga!

As a prodigy of the Hyuga Clan—

And with Might Guy, Konoha's strongest taijutsu master, as his mentor, Neji had a clear advantage over Naruto in close combat.

However, to Jiraiya and Tsunade, the fight held little significance beyond being a spectacle.

Their attention quickly drifted back to a far more pressing matter—Orochimaru.

"Any word on him?"

Tsunade scanned the entire stadium but found nothing suspicious.

"Nothing."

Jiraiya's expression grew serious as he surveyed the crowd.

"There are too many visitors in the village right now. We've investigated every possible lead but came up with nothing. It seems like he might have already left..."

"But..."

"I doubt he'd give up so easily."

"If he and Obito Uchiha are plotting something, today would be the day to act."

Indeed.

Today was the grandest day of the Chunin Exams.

If Orochimaru made his move in front of so many dignitaries, it would trigger an event that would shake the entire ninja world!

Unfortunately...

Orochimaru was too well-hidden.

Jiraiya had found no trace of him.

"I've already warned the Jonin in the village."

Jiraiya's gaze shifted toward the front rows of the audience, where several Jonin were stationed.

"I told them to be on high alert today...."

"The ANBU are also searching for him inside the stadium."

"The village perimeter..."

"Has been placed on high alert."

Jiraiya finished his briefing, then glanced at Tsunade before continuing.

"If that bastard dares to make a move today..."

To put it bluntly—

He wouldn't be leaving alive.

Every ounce of Konoha's military power was concentrated within the village.

Unless Orochimaru and Obito could immediately unleash the Nine-Tails within Naruto—

It was unlikely they'd be able to cause too much damage.

Besides...

Naruto was a competitor in the exam.

With Jiraiya and Tsunade present, Orochimaru wouldn't be able to get anywhere near him.

And as for Obito...

That man was always unpredictable, but Kakashi had personally taken it upon himself to deal with him.

If Obito dared to show himself—

Kakashi wouldn't let him get anywhere near Naruto.

"Besides Orochimaru..."

"The Rain ninja are also a problem."

Jiraiya's eyes locked onto a specific Rain team in the stands.

"...I wonder if they'll try anything today."

Something was off.

When Jiraiya's gaze met Zero and White Tiger—the two masked Rain shinobi—

They seemed to sense his attention and looked directly back at him.

"...There's something strangely familiar about them."

Jiraiya's face darkened slightly.

He chalked it up to having seen them somewhere during his travels, but a deep feeling of unease settled in his chest.

He could only hope...

That they'd recognize reality—

That his and Tsunade's presence would dissuade them from trying anything reckless.

As Jiraiya worried about the external threats, the first match came to an end.

Naruto, determined to avenge Hinata Hyuga, defeated Neji with Rasengan!

The second match—

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara.

Naruto had barely stepped off the battlefield when his expression twisted in frustration.

He wanted to beat Sasuke.

But he also wanted to beat Gaara.

This was so unfair!

Why were there so many opponents he wanted to defeat?!

Sasuke was the rival he had always wanted to surpass.

But Gaara was a mission from Shigen.

He had to win against Gaara—

And tell him the truth about his mother.

But...

The referee wouldn't wait for his inner struggle to resolve.

As soon as Naruto stepped down—

Sasuke and Gaara entered the arena.

Compared to Naruto's battle with Neji—

Sasuke vs. Gaara was on a whole different level!

Sasuke's speed had improved dramatically.

Throughout the Chunin Exams, he had been relentlessly studying and adapting—

Learning from everyone he encountered.

For example—

He had learned taijutsu from Rock Lee!

And being a true genius, Sasuke had rapidly refined his technique over the past month.

Even Rock Lee, watching from the stands, was stunned by his progress!

But—

Taijutsu alone wasn't enough.

No matter how many times Sasuke attacked—

No matter how many layers of Gaara's sand he broke through—

He couldn't completely destroy Gaara's defense.

The sand stood between them like an impenetrable wall.

Fortunately—

Sasuke had other powerful jutsu!

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

A massive wave of flames erupted toward Gaara!

The intense heat clashed against the dense sand—

Explosions echoed throughout the stadium!

The audience erupted into thunderous applause!

But—

The real killing move... was still hidden.

Because aside from fire—

Sasuke had also learned lightning.

From Kakashi Hatake.

A jutsu even stronger than Jiraiya's fire techniques—

"Chidori!"

Sasuke vanished in a blur of speed, lightning crackling in his palm—

A flash of blue light cut through the sandstorm, piercing straight through Gaara's shoulder!

Blood.

For the first time in his life—

Gaara bled.

And in that moment...

His sanity shattered.

A dark chakra surged from his body.

Half of his face transformed—

A monstrous, tanuki-like visage emerged.

The air grew thick with something unnatural.

Even Naruto, watching from the stands, felt it immediately.

Because—

They were the same.

Gaara was about to lose control.

Just like Naruto had...

That night he first felt the Nine-Tails' power.

The One-Tail was awakening.

Naruto's pupils shrank.

He could feel it.

The chakra radiating from Gaara...

It was just like his own.

Gaara was losing control—just like he had nearly lost himself to the Nine-Tails.

"No..."

Naruto clenched his fists.

He had to stop this before it was too late!

He turned and ran toward Jiraiya and Shigen.

"Kakashi-sensei isn't enough! I need to find Jiraiya-sensei!"

Naruto sprinted up the stairs of the spectators' stands, ignoring the shocked gazes of the audience.

"Jiraiya-sensei!"

He didn't even have time to greet Shigen—he just shouted in urgency.

"That guy... he's not like everyone else! He—"

"He's a Jinchuriki."

Naruto froze.

Shigen had answered before he could even finish.

Shigen's gaze remained calm as he looked down at the battlefield.

"The One-Tail's Jinchuriki."

Shukaku.

That name...

Jiraiya and Tsunade both recognized it immediately.

"What?!"

Sand Village had used Shukaku's power many times in past wars. It was no secret that they had a Jinchuriki.

But the fact that Gaara was the host...

That changed everything.

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Down on the battlefield—

Gaara twitched, his breath ragged.

A dark, twisted grin spread across his face.

His fingers curled as his nails elongated into claws.

"I will... kill you."

He lifted his head, staring at Sasuke.

The killing intent made Sasuke take a step back.

This... wasn't human.

Gaara's eyes closed.

For a brief moment—

There was silence.

Then—

A violent gust of wind tore through the stadium.

Boom!

A massive, hulking figure burst forth from Gaara's body.

A giant tanuki, bloated and grotesque, with deep black markings covering its face and tail.

It laughed maniacally, its voice shaking the air—

"FINALLY..."

"I'M FREE AGAIN!!!"

Shukaku had awakened.

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