https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-575-The-Dramatic-Changes-in-the-Land-of-Waves-/12943273/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-577-Uchiha-Shizuka-s-Realization/12943275/
Chapter 576: Kirov-class Airship! Konoha!
Chapter 576: Kirov-class Airship! Konoha!
"Finally, we're back!" Naruto exclaimed, stretching leisurely on the bustling streets, his tone relaxed.
Only after leaving Konoha did Naruto realize how good it was. It's no wonder he felt this way.
Because outside, whether it was food or accommodation, everything was terrible.
For example, Konoha was like a big city, while the Wave Country was equivalent to a remote area without even basic electricity.
"Hmm, why are there so many people?" Sakura noticed something amiss.
Crowded!
Although Konoha usually had a bustling population, today was exceptionally crowded, and there were many ninjas from other villages among them.
In the sky, a messenger hawk circled, sending out a summons signal.
Indeed, the long-awaited Chuunin Exam, which Tang Ping had been anticipating, was about to begin.
However, this Chuunin Exam would undoubtedly catch everyone off guard.
Orochimaru had already taken action.
Although his movements were secretive, knowing in advance that the other party was up to something, they could naturally keep a close eye on them.
There was something they needed the other party to do.
Kill the Fourth Kazekage, Raikage Rasa! The Heavenly Castle had been waiting for this opportunity for an unknown amount of time.
If the other party didn't die, Haya would have no chance to rise to power.
From the time she joined the Heavenly Castle until now, she had never forgotten her desire to return to Sunagakure.
It was only because of Raikage Rasa's presence that she couldn't take a step further.
But once the other party died, the situation would be different.
Although she couldn't return to the village, she had been continuously cultivating ninjas from the Wind Country with the support of the Heavenly Castle's vast resources. Haya's forces, consisting of ninjas from the Wind Country, now numbered over a thousand.
Additionally, she had been bribing and threatening the powers in the Wind Country, preparing for her rise to power.
The Sand Ninjas were not unaware of her actions.
However, they were helpless because Haya had the backing of the Heavenly Castle, with money, people, and influence, making them no match for the Sand Ninjas.
It was only because of Raikage Rasa's presence that she had always been cautious, not daring to make any bold moves.
Once the other party died, she could immediately compete for the Kazekage position like a tiger released from its cage, and without any opponents.
She was indeed qualified for this! Initially, she was only 'stationed' at the Heavenly Castle and had not been removed from the Sand Ninjas.
This was a deliberately left loophole.
At the same time, the Heavenly Castle would also intervene in this Konoha Collapse Plan, turning it into a truly 'collapsed' state, rather than Orochimaru's plan, which precisely removed the 'rotten flesh' and allowed it to become a windmill with new wind.
This was Tang Ping's previous arrangement.
If he had used Hetenshin and Heaven's Sealing Seal to modify his personality and memory at the beginning, he might not have initiated this plan to let his teacher leave 'gracefully' and also help Konoha, thus setting this plan in motion.
In the original plot, this plan only resulted in some building damage and the death of a few ninjas, with no other losses for Konoha. Instead, it gained significant benefits.
Not only did it allow Hiruzen Sarutobi to leave gracefully, but it also allowed him to sacrifice himself as the 'protector of Konoha,' inspiring countless new generations.
More importantly, it weakened the Sand Ninjas, who were regaining their strength, forcing them to follow Konoha obediently.
In the original plot, after the Konoha Collapse Plan, the Sand Ninjas helped rescue Sasuke and later requested Konoha's aid for Gaara, which hinted at their eventual fate.
It can be said that Konoha gained the most significant benefits from the Konoha Collapse Plan.
However, if the Heavenly Castle intervened, the situation would be hard to predict.
Tang Ping just wanted to see how the Six Paths would help this time.
It couldn't be that Nagato would come to the Chuunin Exam and then directly use 'Samsara of Heavenly Life,' could it?...
At this moment, in the Hokage's office, a group of leading Chunin and Jonin gathered.
"Everyone, for this joint Chuunin Exam, who wants to recommend their disciples to participate?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, exhaling smoke.
Normally, promotion from Genin to Chunin takes a considerable amount of time.
But there is a shortcut!
That shortcut is the Chuunin Exam.
As long as one performs exceptionally, they can be directly promoted to Chunin.
This time, it was a joint Chuunin Exam between the Sand and Konoha, unlike the one held over a decade ago, which was jointly organized by the Sand, Konoha, and the Rock.
For genin to participate, they must have a recommendation from their squad leader; otherwise, they wouldn't stand a chance.
"On behalf of Special Jonin Konohamaru Sarutobi, I recommend Team 8..."
Konohamaru spoke up, not having left yet, and was helping her three students before her departure.
"On behalf of Jonin Asama Sarutobi, I recommend Team 10..."
Asama, dressed in a white robe and exuding a gentle aura, also spoke.
"On behalf of Jonin Kakashi..."
Kakashi lazily recommended his team.
"As expected of my lifelong rival, I also recommend Team 3 on behalf of Jonin Might Guy..."
A voice that disrupted the atmosphere spoke up.
With thick eyebrows, a pot-like head, and dressed in a green bodysuit, a Jonin with intense eyes looked at Kakashi and spoke.
Might Guy! He was also present in the Hokage's office.
"Very well, let these new sprouts of Konoha prove the village's future to the shinobi world!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, agreeing to the recommendations of the squad leaders.
At this moment, a massive group arrived in Konoha.
However, they didn't come from the ground.
Numerous massive airships broke through the clouds, descending towards the distant Air Tower area of Konoha.
Air Tower!
It was a product of the emergence of the Flying Squadron and airships.
A dedicated structure for their landing.
Konoha would never allow airships or the Flying Squadron to approach the village; otherwise, it would be troublesome if they caused trouble, so the Air Tower was located several kilometers away from the village.
If not for convenience, they would have preferred an even greater distance.
Such a close distance made them feel insecure.
Even though they were separated by several kilometers, the massive airships, as large as mountains, still chilled them to the bone.
The airships at the Heavenly Castle were peculiar.
They were not only wrapped in a layer of metal framework but also painted with a shark-like design.
Yes, this design was originally sketched by Lord Tangping when he first created the airships.
However, these were 'military-grade' models.
Transport-grade airships were different, focusing more on carrying capacity.
These military-grade airships excelled in agility, maneuverability, and speed, and their defense was also robust. Their only drawbacks were their high cost and lower transport capacity compared to regular airships.
But this visit wasn't for trade; it was the arrival of the Heavenly Castle's upper echelon in Konoha.
Ordinary upper echelon members wouldn't make such a grand entrance.
But since it was the 'Queen of Flame and Lightning,' the ruler of the Heavenly Castle, such a display wasn't surprising.
A full ten Kirov-class airships!
Kirov-class!
The name was written on the design drawings, though the Heavenly Castle itself didn't know why their leader chose this name.
Various powers had airships!
After all, the Heavenly Castle had been selling them, and some powers might have even created their own.
But compared to the Kirov-class, they were like toys.
Many Konoha villagers stopped and silently observed the distant massive airships.
Although they were used to seeing airships, they hadn't seen this type, let alone ten of them arriving simultaneously, which was truly intimidating.
If these were transport airships, Konoha had a considerable number, totaling over a dozen.
But they didn't have any military-grade ones.
They also couldn't afford them due to their exorbitant prices.
Note that these Kirov-class airships served as airborne carriers!
The Flying Squadron could directly take off from them without any assistance.
However, they didn't bring the Flying Squadron this time.
If they had, Konoha would have been on high alert.
The commotion outside was naturally visible to those inside the Hokage Tower.
"It's a busy season indeed!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples with a slight headache.
He didn't consider the sudden visit after so many years to watch the joint Chuunin Exam a good thing.
(End of Chapter)
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