With the sudden and massive invasion by Sunagakure and Iwagakure, the pressure on Konoha's side increased manifold, and the atmosphere in the frontline camp grew increasingly solemn.
How about we let Minato take to the battlefield?
Inside the command center, Tsunade's brow was furrowed, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation: The number of wounded on the front lines is increasing by the hour. With Minato there, he should be able to relieve a lot of the pressure. He has inherited my Medical Ninjutsu and possesses the Flying Thunder God Technique; no one should be able to harm him easily.
I agree with Tsunade's proposal.
Jiraiya nodded his head in support. If you're worried about Minato's safety, I can operate alongside him as his protector.
Homura Mitokado ignored them both, his eyes fixed on the map of the combat zone. He suddenly asked, Minato's Clones can also use the Flying Thunder God, right?
They can, but the speed of a Clone isn't quite as fast as the main body, and their sensory range is much more limited.
Tsunade thought for a moment before continuing. But for support and rescue missions, it should be more than sufficient.
Recently, it seems Sunagakure and Iwagakure are intentionally using their numerical advantage to attack our mission squads.
Homura Mitokado lightly tapped his fingertips on the table in a rhythmic pattern. I suspect this is very likely a trap aimed at targeting Minato specifically.
Could we be overthinking it? Since they chose to form an alliance, it's only natural for them to exploit their numerical superiority.
Jiraiya hesitated, looking at the older advisor. Besides, such a massive investment of troops is essentially piling up lives—Minato is just a child after all. Surely they wouldn't go to such lengths just for him?
Why wouldn't they?
Homura Mitokado shook his head slightly. Among the younger generation, even Tsunade, the First Hokage's own granddaughter, didn't fully understand the deterrent power of Wood Release.
But people of his generation understood it all too well!
Did they really think the peace during the First Hokage's era was gained simply by begging for it?
Anyone who heard of a formidable individual capturing almost all the Tailed Beasts single-handedly would surely weigh their options carefully: peace or certain death!
One must know that the Hidden Cloud Village once used the strength of their entire village to try and capture the Nine-Tails, and ultimately failed.
Yet, in the hands of the First Hokage, catching a Tailed Beast was like catching a little chick.
When such a powerful figure sincerely tells you they want peace instead of war, you'd better love peace even more than he does.
If Minato hadn't shown enough talent, it would be one thing; after all, everyone knows that the strength of a Ninjutsu depends on the user.
But with the talent Minato has displayed so far, he might very well become another Senju Hashirama in the future.
And a Senju Hashirama who has mastered the Flying Thunder God at that!
This is bad!
While Homura Mitokado was deep in thought, the face of a Ninja from the Yamanaka Clan responsible for sensing suddenly changed. A Sunagakure squad is rapidly moving toward the Northern Battlefield. They are very fast, suspected of possessing Flight Ninjutsu.
Their target direction is the retreat route of the Northern Forces.
I'll go!
Jiraiya stood up without any hesitation.
No, you stay here. Call Minato here instead.
Homura Mitokado shook his head. Soon, Minato arrived inside the tent.
Minato, you must immediately send out a Clone to the Northern Battlefield to support Sakumo Hatake. Your main body will remain hidden within the camp for now.
Homura Mitokado said the words sternly.
Yes!
Minato nodded and created a Wood Clone.
In the next instant, the Clone abruptly vanished from the room.
Using the Flying Thunder God Mark he had left while searching for Nagato, the Clone quickly appeared on the Northern Battlefield.
At this moment, the battlefield was filled with thick smoke, and corpses and severed limbs were visible everywhere.
The heavy scent of blood and the scorched smell from Exploding Tags lingered in the damp air.
Sakumo Hatake held his White Fang Short Sword, his figure darting through the enemy ranks like lightning. Every time the blade flashed, a Sunagakure or Iwagakure Ninja was sure to fall.
However, as time passed, his breathing had clearly become labored, and sweat trickled down his forehead.
The Third Kazekage stood on Iron Sand, suspended in mid-air, with three members of the Kazekage Guard standing behind him.
On the other end of the battlefield, the Iwagakure Ninjas seemed endless, constantly pouring into the fray like a tide.
This is trouble...
Looking at the Third Kazekage blocking the retreat route, Sakumo Hatake's expression was grave.
On this battlefield, if there was one opponent he least wanted to encounter, it was definitely the Third Kazekage.
Sakumo Hatake was a swordsman, while the Third Kazekage mastered Magnet Release!
This made his proud swordsmanship almost entirely useless.
Konoha's White Fang—
The Third Kazekage crossed his arms as the Iron Sand gathered behind him. The losses of our vanguard can be partly credited to you.
I'm just an accomplice!
Sakumo Hatake's expression turned serious. If I apologize, can you let us through?
You're quite humorous.
The Third Kazekage sneered. With a wave of his hand, the Iron Sand converged and shot toward the Konoha forces like a torrential rain.
Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!
On the Konoha side, several Earth Release Ninjas quickly formed Hand Seals and erected a high wall.
The Iron Sand pelted the Earth Flow Wall like bullets, creating a series of dense thuds.
Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!
From the direction of the Iwagakure forces, several earth dragons lunged toward the Konoha Ninjas.
Sakumo drew his short sword. With a flash of the blade, an earth dragon was instantly decapitated.
Simultaneously, he spun around and spat a scorching fireball at another earth dragon.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Boom—
Under the impact of the fireball, the earth dragon crumbled into fine pieces of earth, scattering in the air.
However, due to the disparity in numbers, compared to Iwagakure's dense offensive, the Ninjutsu released by the Konoha forces was like a drop in the bucket, unable to fully withstand the Iwagakure assault.
Just as an earth dragon was about to crash into the crowd, a three-pronged Kunai suddenly whistled through the air and embedded itself in the ground.
Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!
Boom! The earth trembled as a $100$-meter-long wood dragon rose from the ground, opening its massive maw to bite through the earth dragon, then continuing its momentum to block all the incoming Ninjutsu from the Iwagakure side!
It's Wood Release!
Seeing the young blond boy at the front of the crowd, the Konoha Ninjas showed looks of pure joy.
It's Minato-kun!
The news of Minato wiping out the Sunagakure frontline forces had already spread throughout the Ninja World, and the Ninjas in the frontline camp spoke of it with great relish.
Thus, although only Minato's Clone had arrived, he provided a significant sense of security to the Konoha crowd.
Seeing Minato's figure, Sakumo Hatake also felt a slight sense of relief.
He knew all too well just how exaggerated the strength of this seemingly non-threatening kid really was.
Oh? Is that Minato Namikaze?
On the other side of the battlefield, the Third Kazekage looked at Minato's back, his tone complex. A truly young Genius, what a pity—
""
At this point, he chuckled inwardly and cast a brief glance in a certain direction.
In the next instant, a dazzling white light suddenly lit up from the edge of the battlefield!
The white light came so swiftly, appearing before the smiles of the Konoha Ninjas could even fade, as if it had been long planned, instantly engulfing Minato!
Chhh—
As the white light flashed past, a massive, clearly defined trench appeared where Minato had been standing, but Minato's figure had vanished entirely.
Seeing this scene, Sakumo Hatake's pupils suddenly constricted in horror.
This is—Dust Release!
That's right, Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique—
From the direction of Iwagakure, a small figure slowly floated into the air.
Onoki stood with his hands behind his back, sighing with relief. That amount of Chakra, there's no mistake—what a pity, such a Genius, and yet he couldn't escape the fate of an early death.
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