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[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 521 - 525
🕑 Added 2025-02-07 01:00:02 +0000 UTCChapter 521: Hell Thrust!
“Swish!”
The Third Raikage extended the five fingers of his right hand, his movements precise and deliberate. Slowly, he bent his thumb inward, allowing the dark lightning enveloping his hand to grow denser, almost taking on a physical form.
The lightning around the remaining four fingers sharpened, transforming into spear-like extensions of his hand. The sheer intensity of the chakra condensed in the lightning made it appear darker, more dangerous, as it crackled with raw energy.
“Three o’clock!”
Killer B, standing beside the Third Raikage, sensed a subtle shift in the battlefield. His keen perception, honed by years of experience and his connection to the Eight-Tails, picked up on Minato’s movement.
Hearing his warning, the Third Raikage slightly adjusted his direction before launching himself forward with explosive speed.
“Boom!”
The air seemed to shatter as the Raikage collided with something invisible. The force of the impact reverberated through the area, a loud bang echoing through the narrow mountain path. The dark lightning on his hand flickered briefly before piercing through the unseen barrier.
It was Minato’s Frog Kumite attack, a technique invisible to the naked eye but potent in its impact. Yet, against the sheer destructive power of the Raikage’s Hell Thrust, it was obliterated.
“Is this the so-called Hell Thrust?” Minato thought as he observed the Raikage’s terrifying display of strength.
The Frog Kumite’s greatest advantage lay in its invisibility, an attack that struck with unexpected force. However, against the Raikage’s spear-like fingers, its power seemed almost insignificant.
The Third Raikage’s ability to break through Minato’s technique so effortlessly only reinforced his reputation as a warrior capable of battling the Eight-Tails in hand-to-hand combat. His defense and offense were monstrous, making him a walking juggernaut.
Before Minato could react further, A and Killer B charged at him from opposite sides, their movements swift and synchronized. It was clear their strategy aimed to corner him. After all, even the most powerful attacks were meaningless if they couldn’t hit their target.
Minato’s mind worked quickly, his sharp instincts assessing the situation. With three opponents attacking in unison, even he couldn’t take them all head-on.
Beside him, Hatake Sakumo caught Minato’s glance. The experienced warrior nodded silently and withdrew, understanding Minato’s unspoken plan.
As A and Killer B closed in, Minato’s body moved with blinding speed.
“Instant Step!”
Minato’s already impressive speed increased to an astonishing level, amplified further by his Sage Mode. To the Third Raikage and his allies, Minato’s movements were almost imperceptible, leaving only a faint afterimage in his wake.
The real Minato appeared beside A in an instant, his hands already forming a jutsu.
“Senjutsu: Odama Rasengan!”
A radiant blue orb of chakra began forming in Minato’s hand, its size rapidly expanding. The energy it radiated was immense, filling the air with an oppressive pressure.
A’s reflexes, honed by years of combat, kicked in. He instinctively leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the attack. As he retreated, the Rasengan expanded further, its diameter growing to several meters in an instant.
However, the Third Raikage wasn’t idle. His Hell Thrust, now focused through four fingers, shot forward with devastating speed.
“Bang!”
The two attacks collided, the enormous Rasengan pressing against the concentrated lightning spear. The resulting clash sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.
The Rasengan’s energy enveloped A and Killer B, forcing them to retreat further. Yet, the Third Raikage remained unfazed. With a subtle motion, he bent his pinky finger inward, leaving only three fingers extended. The Hell Thrust’s power intensified as the chakra condensed further.
“Bang!”
The Third Raikage’s three-fingered spear pierced through the massive Rasengan like a hot knife through butter. The once-mighty jutsu collapsed, its energy dissipating into countless azure fragments that rained down like a gentle storm.
Minato’s sharp eyes caught every detail of the Raikage’s technique. He could feel the destructive potential behind each movement. The man wasn’t just strong—he was methodical, refining his technique to adapt to every situation.
Before Minato could regroup, A and Killer B launched their coordinated attack. Their arms, glowing with lightning, swung toward Minato’s head with incredible force.
“Lightning Release: Double Lariat!”
The infamous technique had claimed countless lives during the Second Ninja World War, and its destructive power was well-known. Minato recognized the danger immediately.
At the same time, the Third Raikage thrust his hand forward once more, aiming to corner Minato completely.
But Minato was already one step ahead. His figure vanished just as the three attacks converged, leaving his opponents striking only empty air.
Several meters away, Minato reappeared beside a specially crafted kunai lodged in the ground. His breathing was steady, but his mind remained sharp, calculating his next move.
“What incredible speed!” the Third Raikage muttered, his deep voice tinged with grudging admiration.
The kunai, which hadn’t been there moments ago, had clearly been thrown by Minato during his earlier clash. It was a testament to his unparalleled ability to multitask, executing precise actions even in the heat of battle.
As skilled combatants, the Cloud Ninjas understood the importance of seizing the initiative. Yet, Minato had managed to stay one step ahead, outmaneuvering even their most coordinated efforts.
“We can’t give him any time to breathe!” the Third Raikage barked, his voice echoing with authority.
Without hesitation, the three Cloud Ninjas charged at Minato again, their combined speed leaving streaks of lightning in their wake.
Minato stood his ground, his hands forming seals at a speed so fast it was almost invisible. As his attackers closed in, the air around him began to shift.
“Senjutsu: Flying Thunder God Stage 3!”
Brilliant azure chakra erupted from Minato’s body, spreading out like a cascading rain of light. Each droplet seemed to carry a trace of his presence, forming intricate black patterns on the ground where they fell.
The light was both mesmerizing and foreboding. A, Killer B, and the Third Raikage stopped abruptly, their instincts warning them of the danger.
Minato, now surrounded by the glowing rain, disappeared once more. His mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique had reached its pinnacle, allowing him to manipulate the battlefield with unparalleled precision.
The Third Raikage’s expression darkened as he surveyed the strange markings on the ground. Despite his strength, he couldn’t ignore the growing sense of unease.
Chapter 522: One Strike
"You can actually control chakra to this extent," the Third Raikage muttered, his thunderous voice tinged with astonishment. He and his companions—A and Killer B—stood in a loose formation, their attention fixed on Minato Namikaze.
The intricate web of Flying Thunder God marks that Minato had scattered across the battlefield had not escaped their keen eyes. As masters of the Lightning Style Armor, which demanded precision in chakra control, they could appreciate the skill required to execute such a feat. Minato's mastery of chakra form change was evident, surpassing anything they had encountered before.
Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique was an evolution beyond simple teleportation. He had turned the battlefield into his domain, where he could vanish and reappear at will. The realization dawned on them with chilling clarity: as long as those marks remained, Minato was untouchable.
Hatake Sakumo, locked in a fierce exchange with C nearby, caught a glimpse of Minato’s performance. His heart clenched with bittersweet pride. It had been years since they had first fought side by side, the once-young shinobi he had mentored now a legend in his own right. Watching Minato now, weaving his technique with such precision, Sakumo felt the weight of his own obsolescence. The student had long surpassed the master.
Even the formidable A, renowned for his speed and pride, was forced to admit the truth.
“He can move infinitely in this area. We can’t catch him,” he growled, frustration evident in his tone.
The battles they had fought with Minato so far had left him shaken. For the first time in his life, he felt a gnawing sense of helplessness.
The Third Raikage’s sharp eyes darted over the battlefield, taking in the layout of Minato’s marks.
“If we can’t catch him, then we destroy this area,” he declared. His commanding voice cut through the air like a blade.
Killer B nodded in agreement, his usually lighthearted demeanor replaced by grim focus. He stepped forward, the red chakra of the Eight-Tails cloaking him like a malevolent aura.
Massive octopus-like tentacles unfurled from his back, writhing and stretching far beyond his body. The transformation was fluid and controlled, a testament to Killer B’s mastery over his bijuu.
As the tentacles enveloped him, Killer B glanced at his comrades. The Third Raikage and A moved to cover him, their intent clear. No longer would they waste energy on futile attacks; now, they would focus on dismantling Minato’s carefully constructed field of advantage.
Minato’s sharp blue eyes tracked Killer B’s movements. He noted the synchronization between the three, their seamless coordination belying years of teamwork. As the Eight-Tails’ tentacles spun into a tight vortex around Killer B, Minato’s analytical mind pieced together their strategy.
“Tailed Beast Roll!” Killer B roared, his voice echoing like thunder.
The massive pink whirlwind that erupted from his spinning form was cataclysmic. Rocks and debris were ripped from the ground, caught in the gale’s merciless grip. The sheer force of the winds flattened the terrain, tearing apart anything in their path.
Minato leaped back in a flash of yellow light, narrowly avoiding the destructive vortex. Even Sakumo and his opponent, Yozuki Hoshi, were forced to retreat as the whirlwind carved a path of destruction through the battlefield.
When the winds finally subsided, the ground where the attack had struck was unrecognizable.
The once rugged battlefield had been transformed into a barren, flattened expanse. Minato’s Flying Thunder God marks, painstakingly placed throughout the area, had been obliterated.
Minato observed the aftermath, his expression contemplative.
“To wield the power of a tailed beast with such precision… Killer B truly lives up to his reputation,” he muttered. Though the devastation was impressive, Minato remained unfazed. His quick thinking and teleportation had kept him untouched.
Within his mind, the Nine-Tailed Fox stirred. “Humans,” it scoffed. “To think they can bend such power to their will…”
Minato couldn’t help but smile at the Kyuubi’s grumbling. “You’ve been awfully vocal lately. Are you starting to enjoy our partnership?”
A cold snort was the only reply.
As the battlefield quieted momentarily, the Third Raikage and A sprang into action. With the area cleared of Minato’s marks, the opportunity to strike had finally come.
Sharp bursts of lightning chakra crackled around them as they surged forward. A formed a sequence of hand seals mid-dash, releasing a torrent of lightning from his mouth. The bolts condensed into serpentine shapes, each crackling python writhing toward Minato from all directions.
Minato’s eyes narrowed as he calculated the incoming trajectories. A’s attack wasn’t just an assault; it was a ploy to restrict his movements and set up the real strike.
Sure enough, the Third Raikage followed close behind, his two-fingered lightning spear primed for a decisive blow. The aura of destruction surrounding the technique was palpable—it was an attack meant to end the battle.
Minato’s mind raced. He had already prepared for this.
“Flying Thunder God: Mutual Instant Turn Technique!”
In a flash, Minato vanished, leaving behind an afterimage that dissipated as the lightning pythons collided. The battlefield resonated with the high-pitched whine of clashing energy, but Minato was already in motion. His earlier maneuvers had concealed a shadow clone, and his real body now emerged with his signature attack prepared.
“Senjutsu: Wind Style Rasengan Shuriken!”
The spiraling shuriken in his hand hummed with concentrated power, the wind chakra honed to an edge so fine it seemed to blur reality itself. Minato’s speed reached its apex as he appeared directly before the Third Raikage.
With no time to dodge, the Third Raikage braced himself, his lightning armor surging to its maximum. The Rasengan Shuriken collided with his chest, unleashing a storm of wind blades that tore into his armor. The impact sent the Raikage hurtling backward.
"boom!" After dragging it nearly ten meters, the Rasengan Shuriken suddenly exploded, and then formed a giant wind field with a diameter of more than ten meters! There were countless tiny wind blades, attacking the Third Raikage at a frequency that was difficult to detect!
Chapter 523: Terrifying Defense
“Boom!”
The colossal Wind Style field with a diameter exceeding ten meters unleashed chaos upon the battlefield. The powerful winds shredded everything within their reach, tearing rocks and earth apart with relentless fury. The devastation extended for dozens of meters, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
Hatake Sakumo, who had witnessed Minato’s technique in action before, felt a rush of both awe and pride. He couldn’t help but recall the final battle of the Second Ninja World War. Back then, Minato’s mastery of this very technique had been instrumental in defeating Sunae steel puppet and securing Konoha’s victory.
Watching Minato now, unleashing that same overwhelming power against the legendary Third Raikage, Sakumo couldn’t suppress the flicker of hope and exhilaration rising within him.
Among the five chakra natures, Wind Style was the natural counter to Lightning Style. And Minato’s Rasengan Shuriken was not just any Wind Style technique—it was the most devastating wind-based jutsu Sakumo had ever seen.
Surely, even the Third Raikage, clad in his famed Lightning Style Armor, couldn’t remain unscathed after taking such a direct hit. At the very least, he should have been gravely injured, if not incapacitated entirely.
As Sakumo processed the situation, Minato had already repositioned himself, effortlessly evading A’s multiple Thunder Pythons. His sharp gaze locked onto A, who stood motionless, his expression cold and filled with murderous intent.
A’s body tensed, his bright lightning armor crackling with energy. Yet, he held himself back, his sharp eyes fixed on Minato with a mix of frustration and resolve.
“Why isn’t he attacking?” Minato wondered, his brow furrowing slightly. A wasn’t the type to hesitate or overthink in battle, especially not when angered.
“Brother,” Killer B’s voice cut through the tension as he moved to A’s side, his crimson tailed beast cloak rippling with energy.
“Now!” A commanded without hesitation. His voice was sharp, his tone unyielding.
Minato’s instincts flared. Something was wrong. He had fought A and Killer B many times before and knew their capabilities well. They weren’t reckless warriors. Charging at him now, knowing full well that even together they couldn’t match him in Sage Mode, didn’t align with their usual strategies.
“What are they planning?” Minato thought, his eyes narrowing. His perception expanded as he probed the battlefield for answers.
Then he felt it.
The chakra of the Third Raikage, the man who had just taken the full force of his Rasengan Shuriken, hadn’t diminished. In fact, it was as strong and unyielding as ever.
“What…?” Minato’s heart skipped a beat.
The devastating Wind Style field began to dissipate, and the battlefield slowly came into view. Amid the cleared space stood the towering figure of the Third Raikage. His once-dispersed Lightning Style Armor had reformed around him, crackling ominously. His body, shockingly, bore no visible injuries.
“What!?” Minato’s pupils contracted in disbelief.
Even Sakumo, who had turned toward the commotion, froze. The sight of the unharmed Raikage sent a chill down his spine.
“You brat!” the Third Raikage roared, his voice a thunderous boom that echoed across the battlefield. His dark lightning armor pulsed with renewed intensity as he stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury.
“How…?” Minato whispered under his breath, struggling to comprehend. The Rasengan Shuriken was his most powerful offensive technique, an S-ranked Wind Style jutsu infused with Sage Chakra for maximum impact. Yet, it hadn’t even left a scratch on the Raikage’s body.
The weight of the realization sank in—this was no ordinary opponent.
“Shhh!”
The crackling sound of lightning shattered Minato’s thoughts as C, surrounded by his own Lightning Style Armor, launched a swift attack on Sakumo.
“Raging Thunder Blade!”
C’s hand, engulfed in blinding lightning, swung down toward Sakumo’s head like a blade.
“Boom!”
Sakumo’s pure white short sword met the strike, blocking the attack with precision. Sparks flew as the clash of lightning and steel echoed through the air.
“You really thought our Raikage could be defeated so easily?” C sneered, his voice dripping with condescension.
Sakumo’s expression darkened. The truth was undeniable—the Third Raikage’s defense was beyond anything he had ever seen.
“Unbelievable…” Minato muttered as he watched the Third Raikage advance. His eyelids twitched slightly.
The Third Raikage’s strength wasn’t just legendary; it was unparalleled. His Hell Thrust technique was already feared as one of the strongest offensive jutsu in the ninja world. But his defense—capable of withstanding the full force of the Rasengan Shuriken—was nothing short of monstrous.
It was no wonder he had been able to fight the Eight-Tails to a standstill. This level of power, both offensive and defensive, placed him in a class of his own.
The Third Raikage bent the four fingers of his right hand, leaving only his index finger extended. Dark lightning surged to its tip, condensing into a terrifyingly sharp spear of energy.
“Bang!”
The air itself seemed to explode as the condensed chakra released a shockwave. The sheer concentration of power was palpable, making the very ground tremble.
“That’s…” Minato’s breath caught. He recognized the technique immediately.
The Third Raikage’s ultimate move—Hell Thrust: One-Finger Nukite.
“Attack!” the Raikage bellowed, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority.
In perfect unison, A and Killer B charged from opposite sides, forming a triangle formation with the Raikage at its apex. Their synchronization was flawless, their movements precise.
Minato’s expression darkened. He was no stranger to fighting overwhelming odds, but this combination of raw power and strategy left him with few options.
His mind raced. His strongest technique had failed to harm the Raikage, leaving him with no clear way to gain the upper hand. Winning this battle would require more than brute strength.
“Could I try that?” Minato wondered, his thoughts turning to a forbidden idea.
But a voice in his mind stopped him.
“No, that technique is incomplete. Even if you manage to pull it off, the cost will be unbearable.”
Minato clenched his fists. The stakes had never been higher, and the pressure was mounting. Yet, amidst the chaos, he couldn’t afford to lose his composure.
Chapter 524: Flaw
Minato’s voice echoed in his own mind, calm but decisive, as the battlefield erupted around him. Facing the coordinated assault of the Third Raikage, A, and Killer B, he formed seals with practiced precision. Chakra gathered in his palms, condensing into tangible, shimmering energy.
With a swift motion, Minato swung his hands, and the chakra radiated outward as streaks of brilliant light. These rays shot across the battlefield, creating new Flying Thunder God marks that sparkled with the vibrant energy of sage chakra.
“Swoosh!”
The marks, scattered in key positions, were meant to give Minato his signature mobility. But Killer B was ready. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth, releasing a torrent of thick black ink. The ink sprayed across the battlefield, splattering over Minato’s marks. It clung to them like a dark shroud, designed to suppress chakra and neutralize their effectiveness.
Killer B smirked, confident in his countermeasure, but Minato’s chuckle cut through the tension like a knife.
“Do you really think that’s enough?” Minato murmured, his tone light yet laced with challenge.
The ink might have obscured the marks visually, but they were infused with natural energy—sage chakra. As the dark ink spread, a faint blue glow began to shimmer beneath its surface, resisting the suppression.
In an instant, Minato vanished in a burst of yellow light, reappearing at one of his marks. His movements were so fast that even A, famed for his speed, couldn’t track him.
Minato’s sudden retreat from their encirclement caused the three attackers to pause briefly, recalibrating their strategy. Killer B’s brow furrowed as the voice of the Eight-Tails rumbled within his mind.
“His chakra contains natural energy,” the bijuu explained, its tone grudgingly impressed. “Your current mastery over my power isn’t enough to suppress something like that.”
“Got it,” Killer B replied, his tone tinged with frustration. He quickly shared this information with A and the Third Raikage.
“I can’t stop his marks without more time to charge. We’ll need to take him down directly.”
The Third Raikage’s expression turned grim. He and A nodded, their movements tense and precise. Their coordination was flawless, a testament to their years of fighting together.
Minato, meanwhile, remained calm, his sharp mind processing the situation. He thought back to his previous battles, comparing strategies and strengths.
His experience fighting other jinchūriki, like Rōshi with the Four-Tails, crossed his mind. Rōshi had been able to destroy his Flying Thunder God marks by using the molten abilities of the Four-Tails—an advantage rooted in unique elemental properties.
But here, the Eight-Tails’ ink couldn’t achieve the same effect, despite Killer B’s impressive control. It was a small but critical difference, one that Minato intended to exploit. His analytical mind continued to turn as his gaze settled on the Third Raikage.
Though Minato’s earlier Senjutsu-enhanced Rasengan Shuriken had failed to cause significant damage, it had torn the Raikage’s clothing slightly. Beneath the rip in his lightning armor, Minato caught a glimpse of a scar—a wound that seemed out of place on someone of the Raikage’s unparalleled defensive prowess.
“What’s the story behind that scar?” Minato murmured to himself, his curiosity piqued. The Third Raikage’s body was legendary, described as the ultimate shield. To see such a wound raised questions. Who—or what—could have pierced his seemingly impenetrable defense?
Minato filtered through every piece of information he had about the Raikage. The most likely candidate seemed to be the Eight-Tails, as the Raikage had famously fought the beast to a draw on multiple occasions. But upon closer inspection, the wound didn’t align with the Eight-Tails’ methods of attack. It wasn’t a scratch or a tear from tentacles, nor the result of a Tailed Beast Ball.
“This wound… it’s a clean puncture,” Minato realized. The size and shape of the scar suggested something sharp and precise, not the brute force typically associated with a bijuu.
As the pieces began to fall into place, Minato’s eyes widened slightly. “Could it be… he wounded himself?”
The thought seemed absurd, but the logic was undeniable. The Raikage’s ultimate offense—his lightning-charged spear—was likely the only force in the world capable of penetrating his own armor. If that was true, it presented a dangerous but exploitable flaw.
Minato’s musings were interrupted as the Raikage, A, and Killer B launched their renewed assault. The battlefield trembled beneath the Third Raikage’s raw power as he charged forward, his index finger extended in a deadly spear.
The air itself seemed to shatter around the attack, explosions of sound and force rippling outward with each strike.
“Bang, bang, bang!”
Minato’s mind raced. The Raikage’s ferocity was unmatched, but his newfound hypothesis lit a spark of hope. If he could confirm the self-inflicted wound theory, he might stand a chance.
Without hesitation, Minato formed seals, summoning two sage clones. They moved with blinding speed, intercepting A and Killer B, their purpose clear—to buy Minato a few critical seconds. Though A and Killer B lashed out with fury, the clones’ skill and natural energy-infused strength held them at bay.
The real Minato darted toward the Third Raikage, Rasengan already forming in his palm. His heart pounded, but his resolve was unwavering. This was his gamble.
“Senjutsu: Rasengan!” he cried, the spinning orb of energy crackling with power.
The Third Raikage’s eyes narrowed as Minato approached, his spearhand already poised. The sheer intensity of the Raikage’s attack made the air around Minato’s face prickle painfully. But in the final moments, Minato twisted his body, narrowly dodging the strike. His Rasengan collided with the Raikage’s elbow joint instead.
“Boom!”
The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but as expected, the Rasengan alone couldn’t break the Raikage’s defenses. Yet, Minato had been watching carefully. As the Raikage shifted to counter, Minato saw it—a momentary weakness. The Raikage’s left hand moved to brace his right arm, his own strength working against him.
“It’s true,” Minato thought, his pulse quickening. “He’s vulnerable to his own attack.”
But before he could act further, the Third Raikage’s left hand transformed into a four-fingered lightning spear, lashing out in a blindingly fast counterstrike. Minato barely had time to react as the sharp spear surged toward him
Chapter 525: The Army Arrives
Swish!
The Third Raikage’s lightning-infused spearhand shot forward in a deadly thrust, the sheer force of the attack causing the air to ripple and explode. Yet, in the blink of an eye, Minato Namikaze vanished from his range, leaving nothing but a faint shimmer of golden light behind.
He reappeared moments later on the narrow mountain path, standing atop one of the Flying Thunder God marks he had laid out earlier.
“Bang! Bang!”
Elsewhere on the battlefield, A and Killer B were equally relentless. With precise strikes and overwhelming force, they managed to defeat Minato’s two sage clones.
The clones dissolved into faint wisps of chakra, their energy scattering into the wind. The three Cloud Ninja regrouped, their sharp eyes turning toward the golden-haired shinobi standing calmly in the distance. Their gazes burned with intensity, their pride and frustration mounting.
Minato’s mind, however, was elsewhere, piecing together the puzzle of his opponent’s unusual vulnerability. “The wound on his chest… it really was caused by himself.” The realization struck with absolute clarity. Despite the Raikage’s formidable strength and defenses, the very weapon that made him nearly invincible—his lightning spear—was also his greatest flaw.
The Third Raikage’s expression tightened as he assessed Minato’s calculating gaze. He could sense the shift in his opponent’s demeanor and knew that his secret had been uncovered. For a moment, unease flickered in his steely resolve.
“This brat... he deduced my weakness just by looking at me. What terrifying analytical ability.”
Even as he acknowledged Minato’s prowess, the Third Raikage’s pride remained unshaken. He clenched his fists, the faintest hint of anger flashing in his eyes. “
This man... to use my own strength against me would be the ultimate insult.”
Minato, too, understood the gravity of the situation. While he had discovered the Raikage’s weakness, exploiting it would not be easy.
The Third Raikage was painfully aware of his own vulnerabilities and had long since taken steps to guard against them. This level of self-awareness, combined with his raw power, made him one of the most dangerous opponents Minato had ever faced.
The two warriors stood at an impasse, their battle momentarily paused. Minato’s mind raced as he calculated his options. The Rasengan Shuriken had nearly broken through the Raikage’s defenses, collapsing his formidable Lightning Style Armor. H
owever, the sheer amount of chakra required to rebuild the armor indicated that the Raikage was not invincible to sustained attacks.
“If I could land just one more Rasengan Shuriken... or perhaps two...” Minato mused, but even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew how unlikely it was.
He recalled the legendary tale of the Third Raikage fighting ten thousand shinobi over three days and nights, sacrificing himself to ensure his comrades’ escape.
Such stamina and resilience bordered on the inhuman. In the present, only a few techniques in the ninja world might match his overwhelming defense—Hanzo’s poison, the Dust Release of the Third Tsuchikage, or perhaps the devastating attacks of the tailed beasts.
“Even with this knowledge, breaking through his defenses a second time is next to impossible.” The weight of the challenge pressed heavily on Minato’s mind. A faint thought flickered at the edge of his consciousness, an idea he had dismissed earlier. This time, however, it returned with greater clarity.
“Perhaps that technique... perhaps it could work,” Minato thought, his resolve sharpening. A name surfaced unbidden in his mind—Uchiha Yoruki.
The Mangekyō Sharingan’s Rekka-No Ken the ability of Yoruki’s left eye, was unlike any other. Its single devastating strike had proven unstoppable so far, cutting through every defense and obliterating the target in one blow.
Minato’s Rasengan Shuriken had failed to penetrate the Third Raikage’s armor because it lacked the pinpoint precision needed to exploit his vulnerability. But Yoruki’s Rekka-No Ken could deliver the decisive attack.
For a moment, Minato’s thoughts lingered on Yoruki’s location—far away, on Konoha’s front line against the Iwagakure forces in the Land of Grass. But there was no time to dwell on distant possibilities. His attention snapped back to the battlefield as the Third Raikage, A, and Killer B began their approach once more.
Swish, swish, swish!
The three warriors moved with blinding speed, their coordinated assault forcing Minato back into the fray. In an instant, the clashing of their attacks echoed across the mountain, the relentless exchange of blows blurring into a chaotic storm of lightning, chakra, and raw power.
Both sides fought with incredible intensity, but it was clear the battle could not remain isolated for much longer. The rumble of approaching footsteps and the faint flicker of distant chakra signatures heralded the arrival of reinforcements.
Ninja forces from both sides poured into the area, their presence adding to the tension as they positioned themselves along the battlefield’s edges.
Minato, sensing their presence, glanced briefly in his direction. The moment passed quickly, but the recognition between tthem was unmistakable. Around them, murmurs rippled through the Cloud Ninja forces. Many stared at Minato in a mixture of awe and dread.
“That’s Konoha’s Yellow Flash…” whispered one Cloud Ninja, his voice tinged with fear.
In the Cloud Village, power was revered above all else, and the Raikage was seen as the pinnacle of strength. For these shinobi to see their Raikage, along with A and Killer B, fail to decisively defeat a single opponent was both shocking and humbling. Whispers of Minato’s reputation had reached them before, but witnessing his brilliance firsthand was another matter entirely.
Even A, who prided himself on his strength, felt a growing sense of frustration. As he regrouped with the Third Raikage and Killer B, he turned to his father, his voice tight with suppressed emotion.
“Lord Raikage, should we call for reinforcements?”
The Third Raikage’s gaze remained locked on Minato, his expression unreadable. The battlefield had grown chaotic, the terrain ravaged by Killer B’s earlier attacks, leaving little room for large-scale maneuvers. Yet, despite the odds, the Third Raikage’s will remained unshaken.
“No,” he said finally, his voice low and resolute. “This battle is ours to finish.”
Still, a flicker of annoyance crossed his features as his thoughts turned to the Third Mizukage. Originally, the plan had been for the four great nations to unite against Konoha, overwhelming them with sheer numbers and force. Yet the Third Mizukage’s refusal to commit fully to the alliance had thrown their strategy into disarray.
“Damn the Third Mizukage,” the Raikage muttered under his breath, his frustration palpable. “If he had done his part, Konoha would have been crushed already.”
Thinking of this, the Third Raikage couldn't help but feel annoyed. Originally, the four families were dispatched together, and even now that Konoha's power was strong enough, it would be extremely difficult to deal with three Kages at the same time. However, although the Kirigakure side responded, the Third Mizukage had no intention of taking action. The Third Raikage's thunderous attack was intended to catch Konoha off guard, but he really couldn't imagine that even if he, Killer B, and A joined forces, they would still not be able to defeat Minato.
