Chapter 290: Keep the Music Playing, Keep the Dance Going
Zzzz.
Accompanied by a burst of dazzling electric light, Sasuke unleashed his impressive Chidori, charging straight at Shukaku to stop it from destroying Konoha.
“Get lost, insect!”
Shukaku, hearing the commotion behind it, roared impatiently, sweeping a massive tail that brought a fierce gust of wind.
Not good.
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed as he tried to dodge.
But he had already been injured by Deidara earlier, and the gust of wind slowed his movements. Shukaku’s tail instantly struck him.
Bang!
With a dull thud, Sasuke spewed blood and was sent flying backwards like a broken kite.
He crashed into the stands with a loud boom, creating a large hole.
The number one genius of Konoha was taken down in a single blow.
Many spectators were stunned, their faces showing disbelief at this sight.
“Run!”
Once they snapped back to reality, they panicked and fled the stadium.
“Sasuke!”
Ino shouted, leaping onto the front row seats against the crowd rushing towards Sasuke.
Joining her was another pink-haired girl, Sakura.
However.
The first person to reach Sasuke wasn’t Ino or Sakura but his mother, Uchiha Mikoto.
“Sasuke, are you alright?”
Mikoto carefully helped her son out of the rubble, her heart aching as she looked at his pale face.
“Mother, I… I’m useless,” Sasuke struggled to speak, his face full of bitterness. He then tried to stand up and return to his position.
After all, he was the referee for this match.
“Don’t speak, and don’t move. You need to rest now.” Mikoto pressed down on her son’s shoulder, showing a rare display of firmness.
Whoosh.
A figure appeared before the mother and son, saying calmly, “Sasuke, you’ve done enough. Leave the rest to me.”
It was Itachi.
As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared into the arena.
Sizzle.
As Itachi approached Shukaku, a massive amount of orange-red chakra burst from his body, eventually forming a god of war clad in tengu armour, wielding the Yata Mirror and the Totsuka Blade.
“That’s… Susanoo! Lord Uchiha Itachi has joined the fight!”
On the sidelines, the announcer shouted passionately into the microphone.
It must be said Konoha TV’s ace announcer continued his duty even in such dire times, working with his life on the line.
His dedication successfully maintained order, causing many fleeing spectators to stop and turn back to watch.
They saw.
The orange-red Susanoo appeared and slammed into Shukaku, causing it to lose balance and interrupting its Tailed Beast Bomb attack.
“Damn it! Don’t interrupt my fun!”
Shukaku roared in rage, immediately redirecting the Tailed Beast Bomb towards Susanoo, intending to obliterate it.
However, it couldn’t have anticipated that.
Angering Shukaku and baiting it to change its attack target was exactly Itachi’s plan.
He had the Yata Mirror.
This legendary shield could defend against any attack.
Boom. There.
The daimyo from various countries had already fled to the shelters under the protection of their guards.
The Kage from the four great ninja villages also stood up, frowning like Itachi, their expressions either surprised or grave.
Only their uncle—Danzo Uchiha, the Sixth Hokage—remained seated, smiling faintly.
It seemed he had anticipated all of this.
Clap, clap.
Danzo raised his hands, clapping while commenting:
“What an interesting match. Both contestants put on a spectacular performance. The only regret is that Sasuke didn’t perform as expected.”
An interesting… performance?
Hearing Danzo’s evaluation, the Four Kage were all stunned.
Deidara and Gaara had caused such a commotion with Number 18 and the Tailed Beast Bomb, nearly destroying Konoha. Yet, in Danzo’s eyes, it was merely a performance.
“Sixth Hokage, please order the immediate suspension of the Chunin Exams! The Akatsuki surely have more infiltrators in Konoha, and they could launch a second attack at any moment,” Chiyo, the Kazekage, suggested solemnly.
The Fourth Raikage nodded in agreement, “The Chunin Exams are no longer important. The priority is to find and eliminate the Akatsuki to prevent further atrocities.”
The Akatsuki were a terrorist organisation.
This was a consensus among the great ninja villages. Eliminating this cancer from the ninja world could achieve peace and stability.
Even Iwagakure, which had previously hired the Akatsuki in secret, had long since severed ties with them.
Faced with the Kazekage and Raikage’s persuasion, Danzo remained unhurried, not responding immediately. Instead, he turned to Onoki, the Tsuchikage, and asked:
“How is Deidara?”
“Uh…”
Onoki was taken aback, then replied, “Thanks to the Sixth Hokage’s concern, Deidara lost an arm and was severely injured by his own Number 18. His injuries are serious, but thanks to Konoha’s medical ninja team, his life was saved.”
“I see.”
After understanding the situation, Danzo shook his head, “That’s unfortunate. It seems the rematch between Deidara and Sasuke will have to be canceled.”
“…”
The Four Kage were speechless.
At this critical moment, the Sixth Hokage was most concerned about something like this.
Did he enjoy watching matches that much?
Or did the Hokage secretly place a heavy bet on his nephew—Uchiha Sasuke—waiting for the match to start and then win money?
Otherwise, it was hard to explain Danzo’s reaction.
“However…”
Danzo calmly added before the Four Kage could react, “The second semifinal will proceed as scheduled. The Chunin Exams must have a proper conclusion, especially for the ten thousand spectators who bought tickets. Don’t you agree?”
The others exchanged glances, hesitant to speak.
Finally.
Mei Terumi’s eyes flashed, and she stepped forward, saying:
“I support the Sixth Hokage.
“If we stop the Chunin Exams now, it would be a sign of weakness to the enemy, only emboldening the Akatsuki.
“On the contrary, ensuring the Chunin Exams conclude smoothly under the premise of ensuring the audience’s safety would be a significant victory.
“I trust the Uchiha clan and Konoha’s ninja, and I believe the Sixth Hokage will ensure this Chunin Exam ends perfectly.”
Such eloquence.
Danzo admired Mei Terumi, making her inexplicably flustered and causing her to lower her head.
That’s right.
The other three Kage realised.
In the end, what was the Akatsuki? Even if the sky fell, the Uchiha clan would hold it up.
And don’t forget.
The man named Danzo Uchiha had once, eight years ago, killed forty thousand members of the Allied Shinobi Forces with a single punch, causing the entire ninja world to surrender.
To this day, recalling that apocalyptic scene still made the Four Kage tremble uncontrollably.
This man was invincible.
His fists would destroy anyone who opposed him.
With Danzo present, the Akatsuki wouldn’t cause any significant trouble.
Realising this, the Kage gradually relaxed and sat back down.
Then.
Danzo called Kakashi, instructing him to convey his orders.
Soon.
The stadium echoed with the announcer’s enthusiastic voice.
“Good news, everyone!
“All dangers have been eliminated, and the Chunin Exams will continue!
“Due to the previous match ending inconclusively, with one contestant dead and the other severely injured and unable to continue, the winner between Marisa and Hidan will automatically become the champion of this Chunin Exam!
“Now, let’s welcome the two contestants with our loudest cheers and look forward to a more exciting ninja dance!”
As soon as the words ended, passionate music blared from the sound system, resounding throughout the stadium.
Keep the music playing; keep the dance going.
“Damn it, how did this happen!”
In the stands, Tsunade clenched her fists, lamenting.
She had bet heavily on Deidara winning the championship, but who would’ve thought his opponent would be an Akatsuki member and a One-Tailed Jinchuriki, nearly killed by his own explosive clay.
Poor Deidara was lucky to escape with his life.
Who knows, maybe he was cursed by Tsunade’s bad luck…
(End of this chapter)
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