Konoha: The Honored One

Asuma stood nearby, two chakra blades in hand, a cigarette dangling from his mouth as he watched Gojo effortlessly wipe out a group of enemy shinobi. He took a long drag, puffing out smoke as if he were trying to make sense of the surreal scene unfolding before him.

"Man, Gojo's even faster than before," he muttered, glancing at Kurenai across the field. He knew he'd never stand a chance with her—not when the guy she had eyes for could teleport around like some kind of ghost.

"Childhood crush versus walking demigod? Not exactly a fair fight," he sighed.

Nearby, Might Guy flashed his trademark thumbs-up, his teeth practically glowing. "Truly, Gojo is an inspiration! To surpass him is the definition of youth!" Guy's enthusiasm was unshakeable, even after countless losses to Gojo in what had become one of the most legendary rivalries no one cared about.

As they all turned toward the Hokage building, now surrounded by the Four Purple Flame Formation, Asuma squinted through the barrier at the Third Hokage, who was clearly struggling.

"Are we just gonna sit here and watch?" he grumbled, tapping his cigarette in frustration.

"Got any ideas, Anbu?" Guy asked, turning to one of the masked ninjas standing guard.

"The barrier is almost impenetrable from the outside," the Anbu ninja said, his tone flat and hopeless. "Unless someone shuts it off from the inside, we can't get through."

"Come on, Lord Hokage, hang in there!" Guy shouted, cracking open the Fourth Gate in a burst of blue steam. He kicked the barrier with everything he had. The building shook, but the barrier remained completely intact.

Elsewhere, the chaos of the Chūnin Exam venue was winding down. Baki, the elite Jōnin from the Sand, was having an existential crisis. Orochimaru had tricked them into attacking Konoha, and now their forces were being decimated for no reason. Gripping his teeth, he barked orders at his remaining troops.

"All Sand shinobi! Fall back immediately! This invasion is a sham!"

Before Baki could even process what was happening, Gojo appeared right in front of him, as if he'd just stepped out of thin air. He tilted his head, raising an eyebrow.

"What's with all the yelling?" Gojo asked, feigning disinterest as he casually dug a finger into his ear.

"Gojo!" Baki took a step back, sweat pooling on his forehead. "Where are my comrades? Did you…?"

Gojo rolled his eyes, waving dismissively. "Oh, who knows? Maybe they got lost on their way to the afterlife. Hard to keep track when they just keep running in, y'know?"

Baki felt his pulse spike. "We were tricked by Orochimaru—don't you think this is going a little far?"

"Tricked by Orochimaru? So what?" Gojo popped a lollipop into his mouth, watching Baki as if he were the most boring sideshow act he'd ever seen. "You guys trashed my favorite meatball shop on the way in. Don't act like you're the victims here."

"Meatballs?! You took out two hundred of my comrades over some… meatballs?" Baki's chakra flared, his hands forming a rapid series of seals.

"Hey, I don't ask you for your grocery list, do I?" Gojo's voice dripped with sarcasm. "I just respond accordingly."

As Baki launched his Wind Blade jutsu, Gojo barely moved. The chakra blade whizzed toward him, only to freeze mid-air, suspended in place, like a bad magic trick.

"Let me break it down for you," Gojo said with mock seriousness. "I'm stronger than you. Do I need another reason?"

Baki's expression twisted in a mix of anger and despair. "You're insane—"

"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red." Gojo raised two fingers, and an ominous dark-red energy swirled around his fingertips before it shot forward, piercing Baki's chest like a bullet.

Baki collapsed to the ground with a thud, gasping as he clutched his wound. "H-how…?"

"Honestly," Gojo muttered, glancing down at him, "couldn't you guys just run for once? Saves me the trouble of dealing with this mess."

As Baki's life slipped away, Gojo stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, that's enough work for one day," he said, looking toward the clear blue sky as if nothing had happened.

Back at the Hokage building, Asuma shook his head. "Yep, there he goes. That's Gojo for you."

Might Guy, undeterred, slapped a hand on Asuma's shoulder. "Don't worry, Asuma-san! With rivals like Gojo, we'll all reach greater heights one day! That's the spirit of youth!"

Asuma glanced at the chaos left in Gojo's wake, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Right. Just… maybe not that high."