SHINOBI EXAM

["You guys!" The Second Mizukage immediately expressed his dissatisfaction with his old rival, the Second Tsuchikage, stating, "What you're saying is far too despicable!"]

[The Third Raikage nodded in agreement, accusing him alongside the Second Mizukage. "Exactly! You're utterly shameless!"]

"That's right! That's unacceptable!"

"Yeah! Are you already dividing the spoils?"

"Those Rock Shinobi are always so treacherous!"

The ninjas from the various villages watching the broadcast erupted into anger and criticism.

Senju Tobirama, standing among the other Edo Tensei-revived Kage, noticed the intentions of the Second Tsuchikage 'Wu' almost immediately. However, he merely curled his lips and refrained from further comments.

[In the video, the Third Tsuchikage, 'Wu's disciple, immediately countered his master's accusation: "Master Wu, we have no such plans this time." During the Five Kage meeting, Gaara's insightful question, "When did we lose our sense of unity?" had reminded them of their purpose.]

[Wu's voice carried a note of relief. "Good, I'm glad to see you haven't turned into a stubborn old fool. That's reassuring."]

[His old rival, Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki, laughed mockingly. "Always worrying about nothing, huh?"]

Second Hokage Tobirama smirked. "That guy 'Wu' hasn't changed a bit."

"This is very much like you, Tobirama-sensei," observed Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

Utatane Koharu nodded. "Yes, I've heard the Second Tsuchikage was also a brilliant mind in developing jutsu."

Tobirama scowled, his students' teasing bringing a faint twitch of irritation to his face. Meanwhile, his younger brother Itama, who had been hiding behind him, peered out curiously at the elderly Kage.

'So Tobirama-nii's students are all so old now… Does that mean Hashirama-nii's students are all gone?' Itama thought, his mind wandering.

[In the video, after the banter between the legendary Kage, the action began! The battle of the strong against the strong unfolded dramatically.]

[Fifth Kazekage Gaara's sand gourd released torrents of sand, while his father, Fourth Kazekage Rasa, manipulated streams of gold dust. The two forces collided like tidal waves, fiercely pushing against each other.]

---

Sunagakure, Land of Wind

Elder Chiyo's eyes widened in amazement. "To think Gaara could reach this level… Incredible."

[In the video, Gaara's sand began to shift. Shukaku-like claws emerged, clutching the golden dust before pressing down forcefully.]

[Gaara shouted, "Sand Grain!"]

[The sand split into countless bullet-like fragments, scattering across the battlefield like a hailstorm.]

[The Fourth Kazekage countered swiftly. "I see, the attack was a distraction!" he exclaimed, noticing quicksand forming beneath their feet. The true trap had been laid.]

[The battlefield shifted as the quicksand engulfed not only the Fourth Kazekage but also the Third Raikage, Second Mizukage, and Second Tsuchikage, immobilizing them completely.]

---

Sunagakure

Granny Chiyo's disbelief grew as the image showed the quicksand forming into the figure of a woman, her arms wrapping protectively around Gaara and holding his enemies in place.

"It's no wonder," Chiyo murmured, "No wonder the answer is… her."

---

The timeline shifted back to the earlier quiz event that had caused chaos in Sunagakure.

A Sand Shinobi Jōnin named Luna had been killed in a gruesome display, leaving her body mangled in front of the entire village. With two chances left to answer, the tension in the room was palpable.

Granny Chiyo analyzed the situation and deduced that the Third Kazekage had been killed by Sasori of the Red Sand, who turned him into a human puppet. Determined to retrieve the puppet of the Third Kazekage, the village strategized carefully.

---

Outside the Village

"Could the monster of absolute defense…" A Sand Shinobi hesitated, then corrected himself. "I mean, Gaara-sama's power, be the answer?"

Chiyo nodded. "Yes, Gaara possesses a unique absolute defense."

Despite being skilled sand manipulators, no other Sunagakure ninja had ever displayed such a passive and impenetrable defense. But why had the answer been judged incorrect?

"If it's not Gaara's ability, could it be Shukaku's power?" someone suggested hesitantly.

"That's possible," Chiyo replied thoughtfully. "As the container of Shukaku, Gaara's death would lead to Shukaku's demise too. Even if it were revived, it would take years."

The crowd murmured in agreement. If not Gaara's power, it must be Shukaku protecting its host.

---

Amidst the discussions, an ordinary Chūnin hesitated to voice his thoughts.

He had a theory that the power protecting Gaara came from another source. But as a minor figure in the village, his opinion carried little weight, and the pressure of his peers silenced him.

He thought of his daughter, barely older than Gaara. He pitied Gaara for the isolation he endured but dared not approach him. Offending Gaara or the Kazekage could jeopardize his family's safety and livelihood.

Thus, he remained silent, a decision he would come to regret deeply.

---

[In the video, the sand woman continued to shield Gaara, her presence exuding maternal love and unwavering resolve. She was no ordinary defense; she was a manifestation of Karura, Gaara's mother, who had given her life to protect him even after death.]

[As the truth unfolded, Gaara's expression softened, his light green eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and gratitude. The source of his ultimate defense wasn't Shukaku. It was his mother's love.]

---

Sunagakure

Granny Chiyo's voice trembled. "So that's it… It wasn't Shukaku or Gaara's power. The answer was her all along."

The Sand Shinobi fell silent, the revelation sinking in. Luna, an aspiring ninja who had once admired Gaara, had died for nothing. Their misjudgment had cost them dearly.

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