At the same time —
Orange Blossom Mountain Fortress.
"Horn Break!!!"
Han had fully transformed.
The Five-Tails' complete form towered like a moving hill. Steam burst from its body as it charged forward like a runaway locomotive, unstoppable.
If that impact connected—
The entire fortress wall would collapse.
"Minato!"
Shikaku Nara called out instinctively, his face grave.
If the fortress fell, their five hundred defenders would lose all terrain advantage.
Three thousand enemy shinobi would flood in like a tidal wave.
He didn't know whether Minato could stop this—
But for some reason, Shikaku trusted him.
As if no matter the problem—
Minato could solve it.
"Understood. It's still theoretical… but this is as good a place as any to test it."
Golden light flickered in Minato Namikaze's eyes as his hands formed seals.
"Flying Thunder God Barrier — Second Stage…"
Black sealing formulae spiraled across the fortress wall in enormous circular arrays.
Han's massive horn smashed into the symbols—
But instead of impact—
His head sank straight through the wall.
Simultaneously—
Above the Three-Village Alliance's assault force—
Another ring of black markings appeared in midair.
Han's enormous head emerged from it.
His eyes widened.
Even cleared slightly.
Then—
An ominous premonition surged in his heart.
"Flying Thunder God Barrier — Second Stage:
Ultra-Dimensional Flash — Utsusemi Severance."
Minato's calm, faintly dramatic voice fell.
The formula on the fortress wall rotated—
And snapped shut.
Slice.
Han's colossal head dropped from the sky—
Landing directly among his own assault troops.
His mountainous body—
Remained behind beneath the fortress wall.
Blood erupted like a tidal surge.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Everyone who witnessed it froze.
A Perfect Jinchūriki.
A genuine Kage-level powerhouse.
Dead.
In one move.
Shikaku swallowed audibly.
Minato turned toward him with a radiant smile.
"'Utsusemi' is a double meaning — illusion and present reality. It implies cutting through space like an empty cicada shell… a blade that severs even the intangible."
"The deadliest blade is the one you cannot see. When a cicada's wing brushes your throat… you don't even feel pain before death arrives."
"...What?" Shikaku blinked.
Minato scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"That's the meaning behind the name."
"And the 'Ultra-Dimensional Flash' part?"
Shikaku asked reflexively.
Minato answered earnestly,
"Well, that emphasizes the modifier."
Shikaku: "…"
There are moments in life when you genuinely have no words.
This was one of them.
Then—
The battlefield exploded.
On Konoha's side—
Cheers.
Roars.
Morale surged like wildfire.
On the Alliance's side—
Shock.
Fear.
Disbelief.
A Perfect Jinchūriki—
Instantly slain.
Terrifying.
"Idiot… running headfirst into the enemy's blade."
Rasa muttered after recovering from the initial shock.
The technique was powerful—
But clearly incomplete.
It required the enemy to collide into it.
And Han had done exactly that.
Across shinobi history—
From Warring States to the village era—
How many fighters relied on headbutts as primary offense?
Maybe just him.
Truly iron-headed.
Worse—
He died in full view of everyone.
Morale impact?
Devastating.
"Calm yourselves!"
Chiyo stepped forward first, voice sharp and commanding.
"Han was careless. Follow the original plan! Victory will still be ours!"
Her presence stabilized the troops.
"Leave the Yellow Flash to me. Continue the assault!"
That single declaration reignited their will.
The greatest source of fear was Minato himself.
If someone could stall him—
The terror lessened.
Under Chiyo and Rasa's leadership, the three thousand shinobi surged forward again.
Battle resumed in brutal close combat.
"Minato—"
Shikaku began issuing another command.
"I know. Chiyo and the Fourth Kazekage are mine."
Minato cut him off, ready to engage.
But Shikaku shook his head.
"No."
"Let Kushina stall Chiyo and Rasa."
"You—"
"Go slaughter their rank-and-file."
"However you do it is up to you. My only demand is this—"
"Crush their morale. As fast as possible."
Minato paused—
Then nodded.
"Understood."
In the next instant—
He vanished.
Golden flashes tore through the Alliance formation.
Each flicker of light—
Claimed several lives.
Chiyo and Rasa attempted pursuit—
But Minato refused engagement.
They couldn't match his tempo.
The two exchanged glances—
And instead charged toward the fortress.
If they couldn't catch him—
They would force him to come.
By targeting—
Kushina Uzumaki.
Except—
Before they could even search—
Kushina herself appeared before them in a single leap.
Blocking their path.
Shikaku stood atop the fortress wall—
But his gaze no longer rested on the battle below.
He was looking into the distance.
Now—
It depended on Orochimaru.
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