[V2] - Chapter 87. Entering the Battle
---
When Captain Yuto once again stepped out into Konoha, the crowd instantly erupted in cheers. Countless people looked at that figure symbolizing fairness, justice, and righteousness, all recalling that night from long ago…
That rainy night!
A night filled with cheers and sorrow!
Who would have thought, after so many years, they could still see Captain Yuto appear once more?!
Tonight…
It is destined to be a sleepless night!
Although it was already quite late, with the cheers of friends and family and the live stream online, countless people took notice and rushed over.
And those who came to participate in or observe the Chunin Exams also saw it online. Shocked by how lively Konoha's nightlife could be, their curiosity drove them to this spot.
Though the night was dark, and they were by a small river where streetlights couldn't fully light the area, once the gathered spectators voluntarily turned on their car headlights—
The place lit up instantly.
The grassy lawn by the river suddenly transformed into a stage, and countless people began shouting!
"Take him down! Take him down! Take him down!"
"Dance! Dance! Dance!"
"Dance of the Three Princesses of Konoha! Dance of the Three Princesses of Konoha!"
The deafening cheers instantly ignited the whole venue.
"You and Kakashi were like this back in the day?"
"Nonsense!" Hearing Yugito's words beside him, Obito's face darkened. "That never happened! Don't bring it up again! Women will only affect my speed in making hand seals!"
He was young and ignorant back then!
He didn't remember what he did as a kid!
However—
"Hahaha~" Yugito burst out laughing at the flustered and utterly in-denial Obito, patting his shoulder. "Actually, I've already seen it! There's a video online from back then—HD quality too~!"
"…"
Then why did you even ask!?
Obito looked at Yugito with a face full of resentment.
"Don't pout like that~" Yugito chuckled heartily, completely unbothered, and blinked, "It was fun to watch! Really! Quite enjoyable! Hahaha!"
"…"
You're still laughing?
Obito looked at the laughing Yugito and said slowly, "Who uploaded it?"
"Hm? What's wrong? Why are you asking this?"
"I suspect that person may be a spy who infiltrated Konoha. For Konoha's safety, he must be interrogated!"
"…"
Not far away—
Yuto's family, who had come with him, helplessly looked at Yuto standing between the two.
Yuto… is still the same as always!
Even the three kids looked on with sparkling, curious eyes at their cool and heroic dad!
So awesome!
"Go Brother Yuto! You got this!" Konan suddenly shouted joyfully, raising her voice, "Jiraiya-sama! Take him down!"
Who would've thought—
That visiting Konoha would bring such a fun surprise?!
A dance battle between Kumogakure and Konoha!
This was too entertaining!
However—
Just then—
A phone suddenly rang.
Konan glanced at it and answered, "Hello? Nagato? What's up? Yeah! We're not at Brother Yuto's place right now! Where are we? Hmm…" She frowned slightly and looked around, "By the small river inside Konoha. Let me tell you~ there's a dance show going on here, do you want to come—"
Before she could finish—
"Beep—beep—"
She stared in surprise at the now-ended call and muttered, "I didn't even finish talking, why'd he hang up?"
Could it be… he's already rushing over to watch the dance?
Who would've thought—
Nagato was into dancing so much~
After a while—
She gave up thinking about it!
She joined the crowd and resumed cheering, shaking her right fist in rhythm.
Meanwhile—
More and more people gathered.
"This side is…" Yuto's expression turned serious. He raised his left hand and pointed to the left at Killer Bee, "The challenger from Kumogakure! A famous superstar of Kumogakure! The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki—Mr. Killer Bee!"
As the words landed—
"Killer Bee! Killer Bee! Killer Bee!"
The crowd erupted in cheers for Killer Bee, but as Yuto lowered his hand, the venue instantly quieted again.
Next—
Yuto raised his right hand, pointing to Jiraiya on the right. His tone turned solemn once more, "This is… the contestant from Konoha! One of the famous Legendary Sannin of the ninja world, Vice President and lead dancer of the Konoha Square Dance Association, creator of the renowned Toad Dance and Dance of the Three Princesses of Konoha, also known as—" he raised his voice dramatically, "The Toad Sage, Jiraiya-sama!"
After speaking—
"Wow!"
The crowd once again erupted into cheers, shouting Jiraiya's name. And Jiraiya… wore a full smile, waving continuously at the audience like a true superstar.
"Now!" Yuto took a step back and loudly declared again, "The impromptu dance contest held during the Konoha-hosted Ninja World Chunin Exams now officially begins! Let's welcome contestant—Jiraiya to present his dance! Everyone, give him a big round of applause!"
"Clap clap clap~"
Amid the thunderous applause—
Jiraiya came to his senses and realized that he had already accepted the challenge.
Especially with this much applause, under the eyes of so many people, and in Konoha's home ground—he absolutely could not lose!
However—
Facing Killer Bee in front of him, defeating this guy… wasn't going to be easy!
Of course—
At this moment—
Jiraiya was a little dazed inside. He had only come out for some casual exercise, so how did this turn into a competition?
But regardless…
He couldn't back down!
So—
This was the only way!
His expression tightened. He stepped forward, wearing an apologetic look on his face.
[Sorry, Orochimaru!]
For Konoha's sake…
Tonight—
The Dance of the Three Princesses must return to the ninja world!
He took a deep breath, and just as his face showed determination—
His phone suddenly rang.
Jiraiya took out his phone, paused when he saw the caller ID, and quickly answered, laughing awkwardly, "Hahaha~ good evening! Orochimaru! If there's nothing urgent, I'm gonna hang up! I'm kind of busy right now!"
As soon as he finished speaking—
A sinister, threatening voice came from the other end, "If you dare mess around—I'll peel your toad skin and hang it out to dry!"
"How did you know?!" Jiraiya's face froze. Before Orochimaru could say more, he quickly laughed again, "Mess around? Me? How could I mess around? Impossible! No way I'd do that! Must be a misunderstanding, Orochimaru! Ah, can't chat! Bad signal here! That's it, that's it! Catch you next time!"
Without hesitation, he directly turned off the phone!
Then, looking at Killer Bee in front of him, his face twisted a bit, and finally, with a soft sigh… he gave up.
Better not risk making Orochimaru mad again.
If he had secretly used it earlier, maybe it'd have been fine. But if he used it now… Orochimaru really might kill him!
Still—
"As a Konoha ninja, I would never flee without a fight!" Jiraiya stepped forward with a fierce aura, staring directly at Killer Bee and shouted, "Everyone, ready!"
"Yes, sir!"
A loud, unified reply followed.
"Form up!" Jiraiya shouted again, "Cue the music!"
Immediately—
"In the boundless horizon…"
That familiar music began again under everyone's gaze.
As the melody played—
Rows of elders, dressed in red tracksuits and holding dance fans, began to dance solemnly and gracefully!
The Konoha Square Dance Team had entered the battle!