Konoha Shinobi…!!

Orochimaru taunts his old teacher, urging him to surrender and perish since nothing, he claims, can spare Konoha and its people from ruin. The Third fires back, mocking the traitor for never grasping just how capable the village's shinobi truly are. His point is proven all across the Leaf as its seasoned fighters answer the call to arms.

Yūgao Uzuki swears vengeance for Hayate; Hiashi Hyūga cuts down invaders by the dozen; the fathers of Team 10 fight side by side once more after years apart; Shibi Aburame rescues his son Shino from the poison the boy had breathed in; and Tsume and Hana Inuzuka ready themselves alongside their ninken. In the arena, the last two attackers find themselves cornered, while Naruto and Gaara hurl themselves at one another. Vowing to show Orochimaru that raw jutsu is not the true source of strength, the Third invokes the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to lock away his enemy's arms. He gazes upon his wayward pupil a final time and dies with a smile, in the very moment Naruto brings Gaara down.

Konoha's veteran ninja mount a coordinated defence throughout the village. Shibi Aburame saves Shino from poison, and Team 10's fathers reunite in battle. The Third Hokage deploys the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to seal Orochimaru's arms, then dies content. At the same time, Naruto defeats Gaara.

Set during the Konoha Crush arc, this chapter was collected in Volume 16. It first appeared in Weekly Shōnen Jump issue 41 of 2002, dated September 23. Its Japanese title is Konoha no Shinobi…!!, translated by Viz as The Shinobi of Konoha…!!