While everyone was watching the matches in the arena, the Third Hokage in the main seat and Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, were not idle.
"It's been a long time since I've seen such amazing talent. Konoha truly is a blessed land, overflowing with gifted individuals."
"Lord Third, won't you introduce me to this ninja?" Orochimaru, wearing a conical hat and the ceremonial robes of the Fourth Kazekage, asked.
Natsuki had given him quite a surprise back in the Forest of Death.
At such a young age, he could already exchange blows with him, clearly not even using his full strength.
His power was unfathomable; even Orochimaru, with his vast experience and years traversing the ninja world, couldn't see through it.
"Hahahaha, are you referring to Natsuki, the one who summoned that gigantic beast? He's a good boy with a strong Will of Fire.
"He showed exceptional promise even in the Academy, achieving the top rank.
"However, there are several other promising rookies with similar outstanding talent.
"This clearly demonstrates the remarkable effectiveness of the Will of Fire education I've painstakingly implemented over the years." The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, stroked his beard, conveniently ignoring certain... discrepancies.
Natsuki's brilliant performance from the start had allowed him to greatly gain honour in front of the allied Fourth Kazekage and the many feudal lords.
Although he hadn't figured out why, in recent years, a succession of new generation ninjas had awakened various powerful and unprecedented abilities.
But ultimately, they all appeared within Konoha. Perhaps it truly was the merit of his own literary masterpiece, The Will of Fire: Konoha Ninja Chronicles.
Otherwise, why wouldn't other villages have them? Thinking of the other ninja villages, Hiruzen suddenly felt playful and said jokingly, "Want some of our 'Will of fire'? I'll give your village some free sponsorship. This embodies the culmination of my life's work."
"Perhaps it can help your Sunagakure produce a few more geniuses."
'Of course, if you really want it, I'll sponsor a watered-down version. Spreading our Will of Fire throughout the ninja world isn't a bad idea either.' He thought to himself.
"Hehehe, Lord Kazekage, you worry too much."
"Our Sunagakure also has abundant talent. It's still uncertain who will ultimately triumph in this Chunin Exam." The Fourth Kazekage chuckled, quickly declining the offer.
'This old man is practically in his grave, yet he still won't give up promoting his Will of Fire. Does he want to brainwash Sunagakure too?'
Unfortunately, the real Fourth Kazekage was already dead.
'Soon, Teacher, you'll be able to go down and reminisce with him.' A subtle glint of killing intent flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Akamaru, evolve!"
Just then, a voice, initially faint but growing increasingly louder and resounding, echoed from the arena.
A pillar of light that reached the sky nearly blinded several high-ranking old geezers.
"What is this?" Even the Third Hokage, seated in the main seat, stood up in shock. His right hand, gripping too tightly, pulled out a handful of beard hairs.
Those in Konoha were no strangers to this pillar of light.
It had appeared several times in the past few years.
And that resounding voice that echoed through the heavens.
That mysterious power had appeared again.
The power that the Third Hokage had been thinking about and secretly ordered the ANBU to search for over the years... It had actually appeared at the Chunin Exam arena.
And right under his nose!
Within the towering pillar of light, a figure materialized from visible light and rapidly expanded in size.
Blue-white fur covered its entire body, shimmering with silver luster, clearly indicating a high level of defense.
Razor-sharp blades extending from its shoulders seemed capable of pulverizing anything.
Thick, knotted leg muscles rippled with power.
Its overall form resembled a gigantic dire wolf. But it was vastly different from an ordinary forest wolf, evident from the pale blue foxfire occasionally puffing from its nostrils, Clearly the creature was extraordinary.
Natsuki immediately recognized the form.
Wasn't this Garurumon? Like his own Greymon, it was a Digimon from the Digimon World, not a summoning animal or ninja beast from the ninja world.
"This... what just happened?"
"He shouted 'Evolve,' and the puppy transformed?"
"Am I trapped in a large-scale Genjutsu?"
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
Such a dramatic scene unfolding in the Chunin Exams was simply unbelievable.
Soon, some suspected it was a large-scale Genjutsu.
After all, this was the ninja world, teeming with ninjas who wielded all sorts of strange Ninjutsu and Genjutsu.
Quick-thinking Jonin immediately tried dissipating the genjutsu. However, there was no reaction whatsoever.
Moreover, both the Hokage and the Kazekage were present, and they looked equally surprised.
Could someone's Genjutsu actually ensnare the strongest individuals from both villages?
"Or is this a secret technique of the Inuzuka Clan? But that doesn't seem right either. None of the other Inuzuka members have such a ferocious beast."
"Perhaps it's a newly developed Ninjutsu."
"No, we Konoha residents have seen something like this before."
"This is a miracle! A miracle unique to Konoha that greatly enhances the strength of the new generation of ninjas."
"Regardless, now there's a real fight. That Natsuki is a child of miracles, and now things are even."
After a brief commotion, under the deliberate guidance of the ninjas, the crowd gradually calmed down, their attention returning to the arena.
However, this time, the focus was no longer on Greymon.
All eyes were on Akamaru, who had just completed his evolution, radiating a chilling killing intent and an awe-inspiring presence.
Everyone wanted to see what kind of fighting power the evolved Akamaru possessed.
If it lived up to its appearance and could rival that dinosaur-like summoning beast, it would likely trigger a wave of "evolve!" throughout Konoha, much like the sensation caused by Choji's transformation into Ultraman back then.
Natsuki had made a killing selling toy transformation devices thanks to that craze. This time, the sensation might be even greater.
After all, ninjas from Sunagakure and Otogakure were present, along with feudal lords from neighboring countries.
The resulting trend would probably cause pet cats and dogs to sell out everywhere.
Unlike others who were wondering how to make their pets evolve, Natsuki was thinking about whether he should go to Ryūchi Cave, Mount Myōboku, and other places to capture some snakes and toads for... research purposes.
After all, the Konoha Crush plan was about to commence. Post-disaster reconstruction would burden the ninjas with heavy tasks, and he couldn't bear to see his sister Kurenai risk her life on missions.
"Akamaru, well done!"
"You really did it!" Kiba cried tears of joy, running to his partner's side, wanting to pet him but hesitant to do so.
Even he couldn't quite believe that this was the partner he had raised since childhood.
Akamaru lowered his head and nuzzled Kiba's face, reassuring Kiba that this was indeed his Akamaru.
"Hahaha, that's great!
"Truly wonderful.
"Thank you, Natsuki. If it weren't for your reminder, I wouldn't have known where the problem lay." Kiba thanked Natsuki while joyfully embracing half of Akamaru's head.
"No problem, my Greymon needs a worthy opponent to hone his skills.
"Akamaru right now is just what he needed. isn't that right, Greymon?" Natsuki smiled, patting Greymon's head.
"Roar!!!" Greymon responded with a roar filled with fighting spirit.
"Akamaru, are you confident?" Kiba imitated Natsuki, patting Akamaru's head.
Immediately, the Garurumon-like Akamaru raised his head high and howled towards the sky:
"Awooo..." He was brimming with fighting spirit and eager for battle.
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