The Third Hokage: First Move Send Danzō to Prison

She saw light in the mire.

That was exactly how Kasumi felt at this moment.

Her life had been nothing but hardship from the start. After years of struggling just to survive, she had finally reached adulthood and earned the title of a Grass Village Genin. She thought perhaps things might start looking up but the moment the exam began, her teammates abandoned her.

They took all the supplies and scrolls, leaving her with nothing. For others, this exam was a test. For her, it was a fight to survive.

Having never undergone proper training, she couldn't even defend herself against the wild beasts in the forest. She was about to die in the jaws of a bear…

When a black-haired Konoha ninja descended from the sky and saved her.

A handsome one, at that. He dispatched the massive bear with a few kicks, looked her up and down, then said casually, "What a coincidence. Looks like I found you early."

Found me? Me?

Soon after, his teammate arrived a blond boy who introduced himself as Uzumaki Naruto. He handed her a letter from the Hokage.

So I'm actually from the Hidden Leaf? I can finally leave that place? They're inviting me to study at the Ninja Academy? Konoha even gives a living stipend…

Was her luck finally turning around?

Naruto explained enthusiastically, "That's how it is! We're actually from the same clan, believe it! If life's been tough out here, why not come back to Konoha?"

"I accept!!!" Kasumi agreed on the spot. Life in the Grass Village had been far too painful.

"Mission complete!" Naruto grinned and bumped his fists together. "Let's keep heading for the tower. Once this exam is over, I'll use my mission reward to treat everyone to Ichiraku Ramen!"

Team 7 temporarily became a team of three plus one. But just as the group was about to continue toward the tower, they heard the thunderous roar of battle in the distance.

...

Sandstorm Rain!

Countless sand bullets rained down like a storm. The fight was unavoidable. Lee's pupils contracted as he dropped the weights from his waist.

"Neji!"

"You take the left, I'll go right!"

Neji's Byakugan activated, veins bulging around his eyes. His near-360-degree field of vision locked onto every incoming sand projectile. Chakra spiraled into his palms, resonating with the surge of power radiating from Lee. Cracks spread beneath Lee's feet as steam burst from his pores.

The First Gate: Gate of Opening activated!

Behind them were the wounded members of Team 8. With no way to dodge, the two could only face the assault head-on.

Two very different chakra auras Lee's vibrant green and Neji's cool blue intertwined into a spiraling shield that deflected the torrential sand.

"Impossible..." Kankuro's eyes widened. The chakra strings controlling his puppet Crow nearly snapped. "They're using taijutsu… against Gaara?"

"Focus!" Temari snapped, already unfolding her fan. "These two aren't like the others!"

Before she finished, Lee's figure vanished. Sonic booms echoed through the air as he shattered the incoming waves of sand, covering their wounded teammates and buying Neji an opening.

Neji abandoned defense and charged straight at Gaara. If he could just get into range for Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, even the strongest shinobi would be rendered powerless once their chakra points were sealed.

Too bad for Gaara he was from the Sand Village.

Their teamwork was flawless. From above, Tenten hurled her scrolls into the air, releasing a storm of ninja tools to scatter the Sand siblings.

The battlefield fragmented.

At the same time, Team Asuma charged in. Choji completed a set of hand signs just as a hail of sand needles fell. His chakra-infused body fat glowed with an orange sheen, transforming into a four-meter-wide rolling shield.

Shikamaru's shadow slipped through the chaos, creeping toward Temari's ankles. At that exact moment, Ino unleashed her Mind Body Switch Technique. Her spiritual energy surged like a spear aimed straight at Kankuro's brow.

The tide of battle was turning.

As Neji's chakra-filled palms closed in to seal Gaara's tenketsu, the entire Forest of Death trembled. A massive arm of sand burst from the earth and slammed Lee into the ground.

"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"

Neji's Gentle Fist rained down like a storm, striking each chakra point on Gaara's body with precision.

Once the tenketsu were sealed, no matter how many tricks the enemy had, they were useless. The battle should have ended here. Gentle Fist was invincible!

But 

Every strike sank in without resistance, like fists into mud.

No effect.

No damage. No breakthrough. No weakness.

Gaara's Sand Armor absorbed it all.

"This chakra… it's not human!"

Neji's face twisted. His white eyes reflected the monstrous form twisting within Gaara's body. For the first time in his life, Neji felt fear that seeped through his very bloodline.

The sand coiled up Neji's arm. The closer he got to Gaara, the stronger the chakra in the sand became. Normal attacks were now useless. With no choice, he spun.

"Rotation!"

Blue chakra whirled violently, smashing away the sand that had nearly bound his whole body. Neji was blown back, retreating instantly.

The rapid chakra output left his breathing ragged. His stance shifted toward defense as sweat dripped down his chin.

Meanwhile, Lee had broken free from the sand's grasp and crouched on the ground, battered. But his burning spirit wouldn't let him stop. Chakra flared around him. He turned to Neji and shouted, "Neji, my turn to lead the charge!"

This was what Guy-sensei meant by youth burning brightly.

Bones cracked. Blood surged. Green chakra burst into flames.

The Fourth Gate Gate of Pain opened!

"Konoha scum…" Gaara's voice twisted. His eyes were ringed in black, cursed markings creeping up his face. His grin stretched into something monstrous. "You see it now, don't you? This… this is the real me!"

The battlefield fell into sudden silence, like time itself had paused.

Shikamaru's shadow missed its mark. Ino's Mind Transfer Technique struck a sand wall at the last second. Choji's massive body was pinned by Gaara's sand hands, his chakra draining rapidly.

Lee's fists, blazing with green light, charged forward toward the enemy who no longer looked like a human being, but a demon.

"Playtime is over."

Crimson chakra etched across Gaara's forehead as the sand around him boiled.

"Fake Sleep Technique!"

A monstrous form of sand erupted.

Shukaku of the Sand fully awakened.

...

"Playtime is over. Lord Hokage no, Sensei."

It happened without warning.

One moment, they were talking about the Chunin Exams and the Will of Fire.

The next, the Kazekage's kunai was at the Third Hokage's throat.

Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly took a puff of his pipe, unfazed. "Orochimaru. So you've made your move. A bit earlier than I expected."

Poof.

Smoke burst forth. The Kazekage's bodyguards were replaced by their true forms the Sound Four: Jirobo, Kidomaru, Sakon and Ukon, and Tayuya.

"Four Violet Flames Formation!"

They formed hand seals simultaneously, erecting a purple chakra barrier that sealed off the space.

The Konoha ANBU tried to rush in, but were blocked outside the formation.

The kunai stabbed forward without hesitation.

"Shadow Clone," the Third said calmly. "You've always been foolish, my student."

At the same time, chaos erupted within the village.

Sand and Sound ninja launched a surprise attack.

Giant snakes tore through buildings. Massive toads brawled with them. The three factions clashed in an all-out war.

The Chunin Exam was over.

Now began the true battle a joint invasion by the Sand and Sound against the Hidden Leaf.

But the Third Hokage had planned for this all along.

This wasn't just a conspiracy by the Sand and Sound. It was also a carefully laid trap by the cunning Sarutobi Hiruzen, designed to ensnare both the traitorous Orochimaru and the Sand.

A bolt of lightning took out two Sound ninja in an instant. Twin nunchaku bashed a Sand ninja's head in with ease.

"Is the Hokage alright?" yelled Might Guy, faithful to the end, as he battled fiercely.

"Relax," Kakashi replied, deadpan behind his lazy eyes. "He's the strongest Hokage. And Jiraiya's around too."

Sorry, Guy. My best friend… is Obito.