The Third Hokage's reaction was peculiar. He remained unmoved when faced with the Nirvana Temple Technique. Even when the Special Jonin Raido Namiashi beside him was attacked and stabbed three times with kunai, he didn't intervene. He remained utterly composed as the Sound Four erected the Four Violet Flames Formation. Only after the barrier was fully established did he calmly ask the "Fourth Kazekage" what was happening.
Then, the fifty-year-old woman hugged the seventy-year-old man and began whispering secrets no outsider should hear.
The woman yawned, claiming she was a bit sleepy.
The man boasted that he had an extendable Adamantine Staff of Wishes and asked if she wanted to see it.
Seeing them discuss matters of length and depth, the Sound Four—clearly aware of their role as mere tools—wisely created smaller barriers within the Four Violet Flames Formation, desperate to avoid hearing such perilous talk.
Taking advantage of the Chunin Exams, Sunagakure and Otogakure had infiltrated the village with numerous ninjas disguised as civilians and merchants. Now, they shed their disguises and launched attacks from within the village. Simultaneously, a combined ninja force from both villages gathered outside.
With internal and external coordination, the once-peaceful Hidden Leaf Village was instantly engulfed in chaos. Patrol routes, hidden sentries, and other intelligence had long been leaked by Kabuto, allowing the invading forces outside to break through the village's defenses one after another. Critical locations like the Ninja Academy and the Konoha Hospital hurriedly organized evacuations.
Kakashi had taken many Anbu ninjas away, while Guy and Rock Lee were off training. Asuma and Kurenai had gone to watch a movie. The Jonin and Special Jonin at the tournament site attempted to rescue the Third Hokage but were intercepted by Suna and Sound ninjas.
Baki, a Jonin from Sunagakure, proved exceptionally fierce, single-handedly holding off two Anbu ninjas.
Most Chunin and Genin had been affected by the Nirvana Temple Technique, and the majority of Jonin were absent from the scene. As a result, Konoha's command structure descended into utter disarray.
With a deafening roar, the One-Tail Shukaku unleashed its savage chakra across the battlefield. The Third Hokage's voice then echoed from within the Four Violet Flames Formation:
"Don't worry about me. Focus on evacuating civilians and foreign dignitaries."
The few remaining Special Jonin trembled at the sight of Shukaku.
Fear was inevitable, but they had no choice but to act. After all, hadn't countless ninjas thrown themselves at the Nine-Tails back then? Konoha ninjas were always willing to sacrifice themselves—that much was certain.
The real problem was the timing. There were far too many civilians present.
Some argued for prioritizing Konoha's citizens, while others insisted on rescuing foreign officials first.
With no clear leadership, the scene descended into chaos.
Regardless of personal feelings, Shiranui Genma, as a referee, had no choice but to confront the Tailed Beast.
He was the closest—if not him, then who?
He tried to lure Shukaku out of the village, attacking it with everything he had.
Ino had no idea how things had spiraled so out of control. Her meddling seemed to have made the situation even worse than the original Konoha Crush Plan. In the original timeline, Shukaku hadn't appeared in the village center—this was practically a weakened version of the Nine-Tails' rampage.
Watching Naruto, Sasuke, and Shiranui Genma prepare to face Shukaku, she chose to retreat for now.
Unlike Naruto and Sasuke, who had no parents, no friends, no wives, and no children, she had a whole family to consider.
Faced with the choice between charging headfirst at the One-Tail or protecting her family, she would undoubtedly choose the latter.
Two ninjas from the Sound Village lunged at her viciously, but Ino sliced them into four pieces with a single Water Severing Wave. Without even sparing them a glance, she grabbed Hinata's hand and ran.
Along the way, she handed Hinata over to her father, Hiashi Hyuga, then ruffled Hanabi's little head. Everyone moved with silent understanding—nodding briefly before swiftly evacuating the scene.
Ino soon reunited with Inoichi and Rino.
Unlike Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto, both of whom were Jonin, Yamanaka Rino was merely a Chunin—and one who hadn't fought in over a decade.
The family of three had already taken down more than ten enemies by the time they regrouped with a large number of ninjas from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clans. From there, they quietly made their way to the Nara Family's medicinal herb base outside the village.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Formation gathered in full force, first ensuring the safety of the elderly, women, and children.
Rino, Shikamaru's mother, and Choji's mother all took shelter in the Nara Family's underground refuge. There were hidden escape routes below—if the village fell, they could flee without issue.
While the village had its own protective measures, the ninja clans had their own arrangements. At a time like this, they trusted their own abilities more.
Ino, who had just been pummeling a Jinchuriki into the ground, clearly didn't fit into the "elderly, women, and children" category.
After a few words of caution from Rino, she followed Inoichi to attend the meeting. Shikamaru gave her a nod, and before long, Choji arrived as well.
For these ninja clans, family came first—the village was only secondary.
Shikaku had the strongest sense of loyalty to the village, but even he couldn't ignore his clan's interests.
Rushing out recklessly to fight the enemy to the death? Don't be ridiculous! Protecting their own families was the priority—everything else could wait.
The Hyuga, Inuzuka, Aburame, and even the Sarutobi Clans were all doing the same. The elderly, women, and children had to be safeguarded—they were the foundation of the clans.
The heads of the three clans conferred in low voices. Ino, completely unconcerned with maintaining her "village flower" image, sat drinking by herself. Shikamaru yawned, still groggy from being abruptly woken up. Seeing Ino drinking without reprimand, Choji's small eyes darted around before he pulled out a bag of chips and started munching loudly.
Ninjas from the three clans continuously gathered and relayed information.
"Clan Head, the Third Hokage has not summoned the ninja clans to battle."
"Clan Head, neither the Anbu nor Root ninjas are participating in large numbers. The two advisors and Lord Danzo have yet to appear."
"Clan Head, the Hyuga Clan has gathered at the main family's estate for defense."
While chaos raged outside, the Nara estate remained eerily calm.
The three clan heads listened to reports from their seats of authority, while Ino and the other two youngsters could only sit below, awaiting orders—under the guise of "learning."
Even Shikamaru and Ino had little say in this setting, let alone young master Choji.
The attack routes of Sunagakure and the Sound Village were clear—they weren't targeting the ninja clans at all. Not even the major shops or banks were touched. All their forces were concentrated on the arena—a clear decapitation strike.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Formation had resolved to continue supporting the Third Hokage, but they couldn't act immediately.
Shikaku understood the principle that timely help is better than unnecessary additions.
Moreover, the Sarutobi clan's ninjas hadn't even been deployed—why should the Ino-Shika-Cho Formation be the ones taking the front lines? That made no sense.
"Wait a little longer." Some of the Nara Family's ninjas, brainwashed by the Will of Fire, were eager to fight. He gave the order directly—they would wait.