431. Having Enough Senior Brothers is Just Fine

"If everyone likes to call for reinforcements, then our Konoha is not without resources either."

Shimura Kabuto's lips curled into a smirk, and in an instant, an icy, bone-chilling wind swept across the battlefield.

"What's this…?"

Many people looked down in surprise, only to find that the ground had already been covered with a layer of white frost, though no one had noticed when it started.

Not only that, but a squad from Iwagakure had already been silently frozen by the ice.

"Ice Release: Winter Wind Assault."

Haku's figure slowly emerged from the forest. Flakes of frost flew past his temples, making him look like a deity stepping out of an icy mountain.

Along with him came Kimimaro and Jugo.

The former, like a phantom, charged into the crowd frozen by Haku, wielding a bone spear.

As screams erupted, the Iwagakure squad, still frozen, was swiftly dispatched by Kimimaro's bone spear before they could even react.

Bright red blood sprayed from their bodies. If it weren't for Danzo's preference to avoid killing, they would likely have already been sent to the afterlife.

Of course, even if they were spared, they had undoubtedly lost the ability to continue participating in the exam.

They could only be judged as "eliminated" by the hidden proctors around them.

Sure enough, a broadcast loud enough to echo throughout the Forest of Death soon announced the arrival of this new Konoha squad.

"It's the Kekkei Genkai of the Kaguya clan from Kirigakure—Shikotsumyaku!"

Seeing the eerie white bones in Kimimaro's hands, some sharp-eyed individuals quickly recognized his identity.

After all, the fighting characteristics of the Kaguya clan were quite distinctive, and anyone with a bit of knowledge could easily identify them.

"But why is he wearing Konoha's forehead protector, and why is he representing Konoha in the broadcast?"

Someone raised this question.

It was well known that Shikotsumyaku was a Kekkei Genkai of Kirigakure, so how could he be fighting for Konoha?

Unless…

The people present quickly began to speculate.

In the audience seats, Mei Terumī also cast a scrutinizing gaze at Namikaze Minato, who was sitting in the central seat.

"Lord Hokage, I would like to know what is going on here?"

Kekkei Genkai had always been one of the most important resources of every ninja village, and no village could tolerate the loss of their own Kekkei Genkai.

Of course, Kirigakure during the Blood Mist era was an exception.

They practically wished for those Kekkei Genkai clans to die out.

But regardless, now that Mei Terumī was in power, she naturally wanted an explanation for why a Konoha squad included members with Kirigakure's Kekkei Genkai.

Moreover, it wasn't just the Kaguya clan—the "girl" who had used Ice Release earlier also seemed like a descendant of Kirigakure's Yuki Clan.

If she could bring these two back, nurture them, and even rebuild their clans, it would be a great boon for Kirigakure and the Land of Water!

Facing Mei Terumī's questioning, Minato clasped his hands together and responded with a gentle smile:

"Lady Mei, I believe you are well aware of what happened in the Land of Water before, aren't you?"

"Konoha simply took in some children from Kirigakure out of humanitarian concern."

"And Kimimaro and Haku, with their exceptional talents, admired Elder Danzo's charisma, so they were taken in as his personal disciples."

"Is there any problem with that?"

"This…"

Mei Terumī instinctively wanted to refute, but after some thought, she couldn't find any valid points to argue.

Yes, it was Kirigakure's decision to exterminate the Yuki Clan and the Kaguya clan.

Konoha had merely taken in some orphans from the Land of Water, and on the surface, there was nothing to criticize.

Not to mention, Danzo had even taken them in as his personal disciples, which was far better than what Kirigakure had done…

Even so, Mei Terumī still wanted to make one last attempt to reclaim these two talented individuals.

"Regarding this matter, it was indeed our mishandling within Kirigakure, but could I have the opportunity to meet these two children?"

Facing this request, Minato did not immediately agree. Instead, he said:

"Now that they are Elder Danzo's disciples, whether you can meet them is not up to me to decide."

"Perhaps Acting Lady Mizukage could ask Elder Danzo after the exam?"

Hearing this, Mei Terumī could only nod lightly, her emotions mixed.

Meanwhile, the Raikage beside her sneered:

"I never expected that Konoha, which always prides itself on being a righteous nation, would also resort to seizing Kekkei Genkai through force."

To this, Minato calmly replied:

"Whether it's force or not, Lord Raikage, you'll see from their performance."

As soon as Minato finished speaking, the situation on the battlefield changed once again.

Kimimaro, who had just arrived, exchanged a nod with Kabuto and then raised his bone spear, sweeping his gaze across the field with an air of superiority.

"Hand over your scrolls now, and you'll suffer less."

Such arrogance and dominance left everyone momentarily stunned.

Was this guy not from the Kaguya clan, but perhaps from the Uchiha clan?

Of course, the muscle-headed Kumo-nin couldn't tolerate such provocation.

As soon as Kimimaro finished speaking, a well-built Kumo genin charged at him.

"So what if you're from a legendary battle clan? Let's see how you handle my Ninja Taijutsu!"

His bronze muscles shimmered with arcs of electricity, as the Lightning Release chakra within him stimulated his cells, granting him speed and strength far beyond that of an ordinary ninja.

Facing this sudden attack, Kimimaro didn't immediately retaliate. Instead, he stood still, as if he hadn't noticed.

Just as everyone was puzzled, Jugo, who had suddenly burst onto the scene, gave them the answer.

"Don't you dare hurt Kimimaro!"

Jugo's orange hair flared as his body underwent a transformation.

His arms entered a "Cursed Seal" state, swelling and distorting violently, with numerous "exhaust ports" appearing at his elbows.

In the next moment, these ports released massive amounts of chakra.

With a roar, the chakra propelled Jugo's arm, unleashing an astonishing force.

Like a war god descending from the heavens, he slammed his fist into the Kumo-nin, smashing him into the ground!

"Boom!!"

The explosive sound nearly shattered everyone's eardrums. The ground beneath them had completely crumbled from the force of the punch, and the Kumo-nin lay in the crater, his condition unknown.

"What kind of monster is this…?"

Everyone stared in shock at Jugo and his beast-like, ash-white arm.

It was hard to imagine that his relatively small frame could unleash such terrifying power.

While others were amazed, Chino, perched on white bird's back, immediately turned starry-eyed.

She pouted her little mouth and said proudly:

"Even if I don't have much chakra, having enough senior brothers is just fine."