68: Zero Hour! Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!
"The operation has begun!"
Guy and Kakashi look toward the Third Hokage, but the passing ANBU ask them to leave it to the ANBU. The Third asks Kazekage, "What is this?", but begfore an answer is given, the smoken thickens. The ANBU attack the guards of the Kazekage and the Third's guard is hit in the chest with shuriken.
Kakekage grabs the Third, and four sound ninja pop out from the clothes of the ninja the ANBU had attacked. After some discussion, Kakekage orders them to "do it". They respond by errecting a barrier around the Third and Kakekage.
Guy and Kakashi discuss the barrier and the ANBU being outwitted, but before they can leave their location, a ninja disguised as an ANBU confronts them.
Hokage and Kazekage talk of war. The third offers peace. In response to the offer of peace, 'Kazekage' says, "Perhaps the fear of death makes one more cowardly with age, Sarutobi Sensei." The third responds with a frightful "you.."
We cut to two guards on watch on the town wall. They notice an explosion and are attacked by three giant Boas. Several leaf ninja attack the snake and one of them is sent off for help. Before this messenger can get away, he is struck by shuriken. Several Sand ninja are seen on the wall.
Back in the arena, Gaara, injured, is desperate to attack Sasuke. The Sand genin's sensei appears to stop Gaara. Sasuke is repeatedly demanding an explaination of the situation. The Sand genin seem concerned that about Gaara and claim that they need Gaara for their mission.
Back to the wall, Leaf and Sand village battle. One Sand ninja is desperate and getting impatient waiting for Gaara's arrival.
The Sand genin's sensei orders them to retreat to allow Gaara to regain his chakra. Standing next to Sasuke, the administer of the Final Exams, challenges the Sand ninja's plan's chance of success. The Sand ninja yells for his genin to go. Before the battle starts, he proctor asks the Sand ninja if the host of the party is Orochimaru, but the ninja does not know or care. With this, Sasuke and the proctor both shiver. After explaining that the exams are over, the proctor tells Sasuke that he is chunin level and that he must contiue his match. The Sand ninja attempts to stop Sasuke, but the proctor protects him. As Sasuke leaves the stadium, Shino is seen watching the action unfold.
'Kazekage' and the Third talk about the unfolding events. 'Kazekage' speaks of the Third's incompetence, but the Third replies that "nothing is decided until the very end. I taught you that years ago, didn't I? ...Orochimaru." 'Kazekage' pulls off a disguise to reveal that he is in fact Orochimaru. Orochimaru declares that the Third will die here and now.
We cut to the academy where Iruka is hoping that Naruto won. The students and he begin to worry about the unusual signs surrounding them.
At another lookout on the wall, Ibiki and other Leaf ninja discuss Orochimaru. The fact that Orochimaru was a student of the Third is confirmed. Ibiki reveals that he fears Orochimaru. Soon another ninja arrives with news of the Boas. In response, Ibiki takes some ninja to that location.
We see a bird's eye view of the village paning to the Boas. Several Leaf ninja have gathered to fight off the Boas with fire style jutsus. Back in the arena, enemy ninja are prepared to fight Kakashi and Guy. Just before the fighting begins Guy spots Orochimaru. This causes Sakura to panic; she looks for Sasuke because she fears that Orochimaru is after him, but Sasuke has already left. While in thought, Sakura is attacked by an enemy. Kakashi stops the attack with ease. After defeating several ninja each, Kakashi and Guy discuss the fate of the Third. Kakashi reassures Guy that the Third is the Hokage and can handle the situation.
Orochimaru is nearly crying. The Third suggests that it may be from sorrow from contimplating killing his old teacher. Orochimaru raises a kunai and stabs his own hand. He was getting sleepy. Orochimaru explains that he likes to see things in motion. His first step is to crush the Leaf Village.
Guy continues to fight off the enemy while Kakahi tells Sakura to release the genjutsu on Naruto and Shikamaru. Kakashi is sending them on the first A-ranked mission since the Land of Waves.
Previous Episode: Late For the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!
Next Episode: Village in Distress, A New A-Ranked Mission!
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