The moment Asuka saw the flash of gold, his expression darkened slightly.
Why is he here?
There were very few people in this world who could make him instinctively prepare for a life-or-death battle. The man standing before him was one of them.
It was Minato Namikaze.
Minato also noticed Asuka's squad approaching. He raised a hand, signaling his team to halt, then turned calmly to face them.
The two sides stood opposite one another, neither willing to make the first move.
Minato broke the silence with a polite smile.
"So you must be the famed Kaguya Asuka. I've heard quite a bit about you."
True to his reputation as the "Little Sun," he remained courteous—even toward an enemy.
Asuka was slightly surprised.
I'm that well-known already? Even Minato has heard of me?
Aloud, he replied coolly, "It seems my name has traveled far. Even ninja from distant Konoha recognize it."
Minato chuckled lightly. "After the losses you've caused us, it would be strange if we didn't."
"As expected," Asuka said flatly. "I'm honored."
Their eyes met.
Then—without another word—they charged.
---
As he moved, Minato reached into his pouch and flung several specially marked kunai forward. The blades scattered across the battlefield—not all aimed at Asuka. Some embedded themselves into nearby trees and the ground.
Asuka immediately understood the threat.
He raised his hand and fired bone bullets from his fingertips, knocking several kunai off course.
Neither of them slowed.
They clashed head-on.
Bone blade met special kunai in a shower of sparks. Their gazes locked at close range.
Within seconds, Minato was forced backward.
Asuka's physical strength—enhanced by his variant abilities—far surpassed Minato's raw power. Each collision drove Minato further back.
The intelligence reports didn't mention strength at this level, Minato thought, retreating. Was he hiding it—or did we misjudge him entirely?
Before the thought fully formed, Asuka pressed forward again. His bone blade slashed in a relentless barrage, afterimages layering over one another.
Minato's figure flickered, barely evading each strike.
Seeing an opening, Asuka activated another ability. Sharp bone spikes erupted outward in all directions at point-blank range.
An ordinary ninja would have been skewered instantly.
But just as the spikes were about to pierce him—
Minato vanished.
A split second later, he reappeared beside one of the previously thrown kunai.
Asuka narrowed his eyes.
As expected. The Flying Thunder God Technique is truly troublesome.
Space–time teleportation on the battlefield was nothing short of unfair.
Minato immediately formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter!"
A massive blade of compressed wind roared toward Asuka.
He didn't dodge.
The wind blade tore across his chest, slicing deep enough to expose bone.
Minato's eyes widened—
As the wound visibly regenerated, flesh knitting together in seconds until no trace remained.
"So the reports about your regeneration weren't exaggerated," Minato said quietly.
"And your escape just now," Asuka replied, "wasn't a simple Body Flicker. That was space–time ninjutsu. I sensed your chakra shift instantly to that kunai."
Minato's heart skipped a beat.
Few opponents identified the nature of his technique so quickly.
The man before him possessed not only overwhelming physical power—but sharp combat insight.
Both grew more cautious.
Minato lacked large-scale destructive techniques. His mobility allowed him to strike—but not to decisively eliminate someone with monstrous regeneration.
Asuka, meanwhile, understood the true danger of the Flying Thunder God. Minato could plant teleportation marks mid-battle. Once marked, the effect was permanent.
That meant assassination at any moment—during battle, at camp, even while sleeping.
What a troublesome opponent, both thought at the same time.
Even as they fought, their squads clashed behind them.
Minato had brought only a small unit. On Asuka's side, Mei Terumi, Hōzuki Mangetsu, and Minazuki Murasaki quickly tipped the scales. The Konoha team began to falter.
Minato's expression sharpened.
This couldn't continue.
He bit his finger, smeared blood across his palm, and slammed it against the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
Smoke exploded outward in a thunderous burst.
When it cleared, a towering toad stood in the center of the battlefield, a pipe in its mouth and a massive katana strapped to its waist.
It was none other than Gamabunta, chief of Mount Myōboku's toads.
"Hmm? Little Minato?" Gamabunta rumbled. "Why'd you drag me out here so suddenly?"
Minato leapt onto the toad's head.
"Boss Gamabunta, sorry for the abrupt summons. Please help me hold off the Hidden Mist ninja."
Asuka clicked his tongue.
High-tier setup indeed. A summon like this compensates perfectly for Minato's lack of large-scale firepower.
Gamabunta surveyed the battlefield—the injured Konoha ninja, the advancing Hidden Mist squad.
If Minato had summoned him, then the opponent must be formidable.
Without another word, Gamabunta drew his massive katana and swung.
Even a casual slash from his enormous frame sent shockwaves through the battlefield. The sheer size and weight of the blade forced the Hidden Mist ninja to scatter frantically to avoid being crushed.
The tide of battle shifted once more.