291-295

*Chapter 291: Shinji, Become the Hokage!*

If this fleeting opportunity could be seized!

If everything could proceed as Minato imagined!

If the son of the daimyo, Ryuuzouji Sugaya, and the barrier formed by the alliance with Kirigakure in the Land of Water are indeed real...

Then this move would undoubtedly rewrite the global power structure!

After a moment of silence, Shinji raised his head and stared blankly at Minato.

"You're not brainwashed by Danzo. Is this why you wanted to eliminate the daimyo of the Land of Lightning?"

"To turn the son of the Land of Lightning's daimyo against him and form an alliance with Kirigakure? Did you abandon Kakashi and hide here alone to scheme these two things?"

"Yes!"

Namikaze Minato nodded, offering Shinji a warm smile, as gentle as the sun in June yet as melancholic as the sunset fading into dusk.

"For this, I am willing to become a treasonous man!"

Shinji fell silent again. After taking a few deep breaths, he raised his head once more, his gaze locking onto Minato's. His expression twisted as he gritted his teeth.

Then, with a furious voice, he demanded:

"After killing the daimyo, Konoha will no longer tolerate you. Your dream of becoming Hokage will shatter into pieces. Even so, you're still determined to do this?"

"If you become a rogue ninja, what about Kushina? As someone closely connected to you, a rogue ninja, she will still be seen as a replaceable jinchūriki, a vessel for a tailed beast! A miserable existence like that!"

"Have you even thought about Kushina at all?"

Hearing this, Minato's smile vanished.

He remained silent, a hint of guilt appearing on his face.

But beyond that, what Shinji truly wanted to ask was:

If you do all this, what about your unborn son?  

*The savior destined to be this world's last hope?!

What the hell!*

Could it be that in the future, the Akatsuki organization and Naruto will actually emerge?!  

For a long time, silence lingered between the two.

Finally, Minato took a deep breath.

Then, he raised both hands and placed them firmly on Shinji's shoulders. Smiling with difficulty as if entrusting his last will, he said:

"This is exactly what brings me joy."

"At a time like this, in this foreign land, I somehow got to see you again!"

"With the achievements in Hell Valley, the merits of what I am about to do, and Lord Orochimaru’s favor toward you..."

"In the soon-to-be turbulent Konoha,"

"Facing the fury of the daimyo from various nations and the imminent Four Nations Coalition War..."

"To take up the charge in the face of defeat and to fulfill a mission amidst peril—"

Minato spoke each word solemnly and decisively:

"Shinji, become the Hokage!"

"Do it for me, for Kushina, and to complete the dreams we never achieved!"

As Minato finished speaking, Shinji immediately looked up in shock, his mind completely frozen upon hearing such absurd words.

Me? Become the Hokage?  

The moment the word "Hokage" entered his mind, Shinji shivered instinctively.

The first images that came to his mind weren’t scenes of wearing the Hokage cloak and receiving cheers from the crowd or heroically standing on a telephone pole with a kunai, facing a terrifying beast.

Instead—

Overwhelming piles of paperwork he couldn’t finish even if he worked himself to exhaustion, the miserable reality of being unable to go home, forcing fake smiles at people he despised, and...

The wrinkled, sour faces of the Konoha Elder Council—the infamous “F4” of Konoha—hovering over him like a nightmare.

Are you kidding me? You want me to do this?  

I’d rather go in your place and take down the daimyo of the Land of Lightning myself!  

Instinctively, Shinji wanted to refuse. But before he could even open his mouth—

Thud, thud, thud...  

Rapid footsteps echoed from outside the door.

Bang!  

The door to the room was forcefully pushed open by a delicate, fair hand!

"Konoha, there's an urgent message!"

A voice that felt familiar to Shinji echoed into the room. Clear, crisp, slightly breathless, and with a decisive tone.

Shinji instinctively turned his head.

In the next instant—

He saw a young girl standing at the doorway, dressed in a blue strapless qipao with a black waist sash, draped in a dark cloak.

At that moment, she removed her bamboo hat. Her auburn hair flowed freely in the air, and her emerald green eyes slightly contracted with surprise as she met his gaze.

It was a face of shock.

The girl was none other than Mei Terumi, the same person who had recently saved Hidan, stormed the execution ground during the day, and caused the subsequent collapse of the Tenseiga Tower and its fallout!

Shinji was slightly stunned.

So, the Kirigakure member Minato contacted was her!?  

*"You."*

*"You."*

Seeing each other, both froze for a moment, neither expecting to meet here. They each wanted to say something but hesitated when the words reached their lips.

At that moment, Minato noticed Mei Terumi and the swordsman behind her, Mangetsu Hozuki, approaching. A hint of joy appeared in his eyes.

"You’ve arrived!"

He quickly nudged Shinji, standing beside him.

"Ji, let me introduce you. This is the envoy from the Land of Water who’s been in contact with me, representing the Mist Elder Council."

Cough, cough! Shinji glanced at Mei Terumi standing in the doorway, with Mangetsu Hozuki behind her carrying a massive sword and eyeing him warily. Ji cleared his throat, masking a trace of unease on his face.

"There’s no need for introductions—we already know each other!"

"Oh? Really? Well, that makes things easier!"

Minato looked at the two with mild confusion, sensing an odd tension between them. While he didn’t know what had happened, Mei Terumi, the prodigy from the Mist Village, seemed to have a hint of melancholy in her gaze toward Ji. It somewhat resembled the way Kushina sometimes looked at him.

However, there were more pressing matters at hand.

Minato immediately turned to Mei Terumi and asked urgently, "Envoy of the Mist, what’s the emergency that brought you here in such haste?"

Mei glanced at Shinji, whose eyes remained shut, a faint heaviness settling in her chest. Yet, she understood this wasn’t the time for reminiscing. Taking a deep breath, she said:

"There are two pieces of news—one good, one bad."

She first looked at Shinji, hesitating before speaking with difficulty:

"The bad news is that Hidan, whom I found and kept protected, has gone missing!"

Hearing the first part of her statement, Shinji froze in surprise.

So, after searching everywhere without luck, it turns out Hidan was in Mei Terumi’s hands? He thought. Talk about a twist of fate. Like a flood washing into a temple, family not recognizing family!

However, when the second part of her statement sank in, his expression changed.

"Missing? How could that happen?"

Mei’s expression darkened slightly, and she frowned as she replied, "Yes, he vanished under the close watch of four Mist guards. There were no signs of a struggle."

"It happened this afternoon, just before we set out for the inner city to verify the information provided by Minato."

At this point, Mei paused, and Minato turned to Shinji, explaining the content of her words with a hint of confusion.

"This information came from Fugaku—it’s what I mentioned earlier, the channel for contacting the son of the Land of Lightning’s Daimyo."

"Only a clan like the Uchiha, with ties to the Daimyo predating the formation of the Hidden Villages, would have the influence and connections to reach the upper echelons of the Land of Lightning."

Shinji nodded in understanding.

Minato’s explanation made sense. It tied directly to the Hell Valley watch duty, a mission assigned to the Uchiha clan by the Land of Lightning’s Daimyo long before the Hidden Village era.

The Uchiha, as an ancient ninja clan, were highly sought-after mercenaries during the Warring States period.

What Fugaku had provided was likely this piece of intelligence. Nothing more—he wouldn’t dare overstep.

This matter had been sanctioned by the upper echelons of Konoha, with Minato shouldering all responsibility and consequences. It was precisely this assurance that led Fugaku to agree to help Minato.

After delivering the bad news, Mei turned to Minato, her expression turning serious as she spoke solemnly.

"As for the other matter, which could be considered good news—"

"Minato Namikaze, the channel you provided works!"

"We’ve successfully contacted Ryuuzoji Sugu, the Daimyo’s son, and he has agreed to our terms."

"Now, follow me—"

"This distinguished individual wishes to meet with you immediately!"

(Chapter End)

Chapter 292: The Sword of the Thunder God, Futsunomitama!

The heavy clouds in the sky shifted from white to crimson, and soon, the red glow faded into darkness.

As the city of Yunming fell into the embrace of night, the skies grew vast and silent. A lone bird flapped its wings, perching atop a power line pole. Tilting its head, it gazed at the desolate streets below.

And upon those streets—rushing by like the wind—a group of four moved swiftly:

Shinji, Namikaze Minato, Terumi Mei, and Hozuki Mangetsu.

In this stifling, silent, and somewhat oppressive atmosphere, it felt as though the night wind carried the heat of an unquenchable fire.

In the face of long-awaited reunions, the reappearance of bitter enemies, moments of life and death, and the weight of impending decisions—

No one spoke. Everyone wanted to.

But they were shinobi, warriors who carried their own notions of "greater good."

And shinobi were taught to suppress their emotions.

Even Shinji couldn’t help but admire the performance. Shimura Danzo had orchestrated a perfect tragedy.

Even with his eyes closed, through his Mind’s Eye, he could clearly see—

To his side, Hozuki Mangetsu, his single purple eye glinting with battle lust, bared his sharp fangs. His hand caressed the broad blade of the Hiramekarei like an old man yearning to unveil the charms of a beautiful woman. Mangetsu’s battle intent and killing aura surged, ready to burst forth!

On his other side, the once-carefree beauty beside him now seemed a shadow of her former self. Terumi Mei kept glancing back, her worried eyes lingering on Shinji’s closed ones. Her delicate face betrayed an unspoken concern, a heartbreaking look of hesitation and worry.

Seeing someone who had unknowingly crept into his heart so deeply showing such distress, Shinji wanted nothing more than to stop. To hold her close, open his eyes, and in the most nonchalant tone, reassure her: "I’m fine. Look, aren’t these eyes beautiful?"  

But he couldn’t.

Because of Kakashi, these eyes now carried a deadly ocular jutsu, one that activated upon opening.

And compared to fighting, talking, or baring their hearts to each other, their most pressing task now—

Was to stop the man ahead of them, the one smiling bitterly, masking his anguish with a facade of calm, from making a meaningless sacrifice.

In this silent night, heavy with emotion,

Everyone said nothing, and yet, it felt as though countless words were exchanged.

Finally—

*“Crunch.”*

The sound of footsteps breaking loose gravel echoed as the four landed before a towering peak, not far from the inner city.

A massive vermilion gate loomed before them, slightly ajar. Two giant stone statues of divine guardians, one wielding a spear and the other a great sword, loomed ominously at the entrance.

Soon—

A voice, young yet authoritative, confident yet faintly wavering, floated out:

“Are you the ones who have come to seek an audience?”

“If so, let the envoys from Konoha step forward first.”

“I wish to meet you personally!”

Upon hearing this voice, Namikaze Minato’s face instantly turned serious. He took a deep breath, his expression like that of a martyr prepared to sacrifice himself.

Resolute, he stepped forward toward the grand inner courtyard.

Shinobi exist to protect.

This was Namikaze Minato’s “greater good.”  

Danzo’s manipulations had merely opened a door for him. The choice, however, was entirely his own.

He understood that as long as the shinobi system persisted, true peace would remain a distant dream.

At the root of the system was its structure as a mercenary institution.

This structure confined shinobi, reducing them to mere tools of power, cold and emotionless instruments of death.

And how could weapons of destruction ever give birth to love?

The endless cycle of hatred, forging unbreakable chains, was the inevitable fate of their world.

Now, Namikaze Minato would act on his conviction. Through the unexpected opportunity Shinji had created, he would become the first to sacrifice himself for the reformation of the shinobi system.

He would assassinate the daimyo—not just the man in that position, but also the power, prestige, and privilege it represented.

He would pave the way for Shinji, his trusted friend, who could clearly see the root of the problem. Minato sought to make him the one standing in the light—

To accept his legacy, protect Kushina, safeguard the village, mend the rift between the Uchiha and the village, and unify their collective strength into an unbreakable force!

Ultimately, Minato hoped Shinji would become Hokage—

To build an era truly belonging to the shinobi.

An era of freedom!

And as for Namikaze Minato? He would remain a guardian in the shadows, silently protecting it all.

Of course, it would be a bonus if Kushina didn’t call him an idiot afterward!

As these thoughts swirled in Minato’s mind, he unknowingly stepped through the grand gate.

But then—

“Shinji, why are you following me?”

Minato was surprised to see Shinji right behind him.

“Are you an old man? Why so many questions?”

Shinji raised an eyebrow, snorted lightly, and replied curtly,

“Can’t I at least see you off?”

Upon hearing this, Minato felt a warm sensation in his heart and smiled faintly.

The question he asked earlier stemmed from concern—he was wary that the son of the Daimyo, whom he had never met before, might have laid an ambush here.

For himself, Minato didn’t feel much fear, but as for Uchiha Shinji, who had lost both his Sharingan and tailed beast, he was no longer as formidable as he once was.

Still, after some thought, Minato decided to let Uchiha Shinji tag along. He had confidence in his Flying Thunder God Technique; even if faced with a powerful foe like the Third Raikage, he was certain he could ensure both his and Uchiha Shinji's safety.

Passing through the vermillion gates and walking past the waterside pavilion, the two resolute figures pressed forward into the night breeze. They soon arrived at a palace-like structure.

At that moment, a young man with pale skin and a hint of fear in his eyes sat at the head of the hall. This was none other than Ryozōji Sugo, the son of the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, also known as the "Young Lord."

To his left and right stood rows of samurai, their hands resting on their sword hilts as they eyed the two newcomers warily.

Uchiha Shinji frowned slightly. With his sensory abilities enhanced by the "Mind's Eye," he could sense that behind the sheer curtains draped over the beams of the palace, several hidden figures were lying in wait. Each of them radiated chakra.

From this, it became apparent: this Young Lord of the Land of Lightning seemed to be someone severely lacking in confidence.

Neither side spoke as Minato and Uchiha Shinji approached. It wasn’t until they were closer that Ryozōji Sugo, seated on the high throne, began to scrutinize them carefully.

His gaze quickly dismissed Uchiha Shinji, who, despite being handsome, had ordinary black hair, was shorter than Minato, and seemed blind—an unassuming follower at first glance.

Instead, his focus locked onto the striking figure of Minato Namikaze. Upon seeing Minato's iconic golden hair, Ryozōji Sugo appeared to breathe a sigh of relief. He then asked curiously:

"Are you Minato Namikaze, the one they call the ‘Yellow Flash’?"

Faced with this high-ranking individual from a foreign nation, Minato remained composed and respectful. He bowed slightly and replied, "Yes, my lord."

Ryozōji Sugo’s expression brightened with excitement. He continued, "I have been informed of your terms for contacting me. I have no objections to them."

"But, I have heard that you are very strong. How strong are you?"

What was odd, however, was that this Young Lord of the Land of Lightning seemed more interested in Minato's strength than in the audacious terms he had proposed. Shockingly, Ryozōji Sugo had no qualms, even if Minato’s mission required him to kill his own father, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning. He showed no sign of displeasure at this notion.

Noticing this, Uchiha Shinji began piecing things together: the Young Lord’s lack of confidence, the increased security in the palace, and the string of terrifying incidents that had occurred in Yunming City earlier that day.

Suddenly, Uchiha Shinji understood why the Daimyo’s son had chosen to meet Minato at this exact moment.

When asked such a direct question about his strength, Minato had initially intended to respond humbly. But before he could, Uchiha Shinji interrupted in a calm, indifferent tone:

"He is very strong. Strong enough to keep you safe, even when everyone outside these walls wants you dead."

"Ji..."

Although what Uchiha Shinji said was true, Minato couldn’t help but shoot him a reproachful glance. As expected, the samurai guarding Ryozōji Sugo scowled. One of them shouted angrily, "How dare you speak so rudely before the Young Lord!"

But before the samurai could finish his outburst, Ryozōji Sugo stood up from his throne, visibly elated. "Good! Excellent! Fantastic!"

It was as if he were gazing at a legendary artifact, his bloodshot eyes fixated on Minato. Hearing Uchiha Shinji’s blunt and audacious response didn’t anger him—instead, it filled him with excitement.

Ryozōji Sugo raised his hands animatedly and addressed Minato with deep emotion:

"Lord Minato!"

"I already know your intentions!"

"And I must tell you—I have long harbored the same thoughts!"

With that, the Daimyo’s son tilted his head back and let out a hearty, almost maniacal laugh. "Excellent! Excellent! This is perfect!"

"Ryozōji Shin, you heartless coward. You abandoned your wife and child, and in the face of danger, you fled alone to the Hidden Cloud Village. You left me to face countless assassins on my own!"

When his laughter subsided, his face twisted into a terrifying scowl, his fists clenched tightly. With a loud crash, he kicked over the table in front of him.

"Such cowardice! Such treachery! He is unworthy to be king!"

"Even if he is my father—the ruler of this land—he must be overthrown!"

Minato furrowed his brow slightly as he watched Ryozōji Sugo’s erratic behavior. This Young Lord’s anxious and unstable demeanor made Minato question whether their planned conspiracy could truly succeed under his leadership.

Noticing Minato’s hesitation, Ryozōji Sugo panicked. It seemed he was terrified that this formidable ninja might leave him behind. He quickly waved his hand and called out to his subordinates:

"Bring me the national treasure of the Land of Lightning!"

"I wish to present it to Lord Minato!"

"The legendary artifact—"

"The Thunder God Sword: Futsunomitama!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 293: The Moment the Madman Opens His Eyes!

When everyone eagerly awaits a person's demise,

it only means that person truly deserves to die.

However, when people hold high hopes for him to meet an absurd, grotesque end—preferably riddled with eight bullets, stabbed 81 times, and finally hanging himself—

that person happens to be none other than the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning.

And this Daimyō? He was well aware of his situation.

The moment the first assassination attempt surfaced, sensing something amiss, he fled overnight. He sought refuge in the Village Hidden in the Clouds, enjoying the ultimate protection under the formidable chest of the Third Raikage—a man whose mere presence exuded safety.

But as for his abandoned son, the young master of the Land of Lightning, Ryūzōji Sugaya,

on that very day, he witnessed something unimaginable:

The Iwagakure ninja Rōshi stormed into the castle’s keep and transformed into a terrifying, jet-black monstrosity, swaying four tails behind him!

Before his very eyes, Rōshi crushed his mother, his father’s concubines, and a host of mighty nobles—uncles and cousins whose wealth rivaled nations.

Mountains of gold, symbols of power and influence, seals, priceless insignias of status—

At that moment,

in the face of the monk-robed, seemingly compassionate ninja,

they were nothing more than scraps of paper!

The nobles, each gasping for air like fish on a chopping board, found themselves thrown into the furnace.

Of course, this was merely Ryūzōji Sugaya’s imagination, a way to describe what he thought.

In truth, he didn’t enter the castle’s keep at all—something inexplicable held him back.

After all, the entire keep had become a literal furnace.

In the end,

everyone was reduced to eerily lifelike “grilled fish,”

and all the chilling truths were buried beneath the collapsed ruins.

That monk-robed, seemingly benevolent ninja turned to face him, leapt out, and solemnly reassured him:

“Your Highness, fear not! I have driven away the assailant!”

He even smiled as he wiped his bloodied beard clean!

Hahaha... hahaha…

Such absurdity was beyond belief!

At that moment, Ryūzōji Sugaya felt as though he’d plunged into an icy abyss, his body freezing, and suddenly, he understood. He awakened to a harsh truth:

*Power is the reason one can claim the throne!*

Without power, his attempt to command these awe-inspiring ninjas, who could obliterate him in an instant and erase the last witness of the truth,

was nothing more than playing with fire on the edge of a blade.

Sugaya also knew he had a chance to escape. With the covert forces protecting the Daimyō’s palace, he could abandon everything and flee.

But to discard all that he had gained, the authority he had enjoyed for over 20 years, and live as a lowly laborer—

carrying the burdens of minor nobles he once despised, struggling for scraps that wouldn’t even cover the taxes—

he couldn’t let it go. He couldn’t accept it.

So, when a letter from the famed “Yellow Flash,” Namikaze Minato, arrived, offering him power,

Sugaya didn’t hesitate to agree!

Even if the power was borrowed, came at a price, or required him to kill his father in exchange—

it was still power!

And now, the most critical thing for him was—

*Survive tonight!*

---

“This is the sacred sword passed down through generations in the Land of Lightning. In the ancient chronicles, this blade was said to be carried by Takemikazuchi no Mikoto when he vanquished the Kumano god and supported Emperor Jinmu in his conquest of the land, banishing evil and chaos!

It is a divine artifact, one of the Three Sacred Swords alongside the Totsuka Blade and the Ame-no-Murakumo Sword!

Today, I offer this blade to Lord Minato!

May Lord Minato restore its glory and embody the spirit of Takemikazuchi, aiding me in ascending to the throne of the Land of Lightning!”

Struggling to lift the ornate sword box containing the sacred blade, Ryūzōji Sugaya presented it before Namikaze Minato.

Then,

this once-proud noble bowed deeply, head lowered, his voice trembling as he cried out,

“Lord Minato, I entrust my fate to you!”

Through his [Sharingan], Shinji watched the scene before him, his expression growing somewhat peculiar.

Sugaya’s words were indeed rousing, and his act of entrusting such a treasure to a mere ninja with such sincerity and vulnerability was rare among those in power.

If not for the fact that the recipient was Namikaze Minato—the man intent on upending the entire shinobi system—this act of faith might have genuinely inspired loyalty.

What’s more, Sugaya’s historical references were spot on.

Yet, given his surname’s connection to the Ryūzōji clan—known as the “Bear of Hizen”—and the blade’s history of slaying the Kumano god, whose name also featured “bear,”

it all felt strangely ironic.

It was as if Sugaya was handing over a sword designed to slay himself, pleading allegiance to someone who would gladly hang him from a streetlamp to revolutionize the world!

This? This was mythology bleeding into reality!

Pushing aside these absurd thoughts, Shinji turned his gaze to the opened sword box in Sugaya’s hands.

Inside lay a remarkably long, single-edged straight blade. The blade stretched seven feet and four inches, exuding an aura of authority distinct from ordinary swords.

The hilt, wrapped in golden-hued straw, was adorned with a ring in its middle. Its guard was asymmetrical—longer on the left and shorter on the right. The blade itself was slender, the spine no wider than two fingers, and the edge tapered to a width of just one and a half fingers near the tip.

From Shinji’s perspective, it was...

If this sword were to be judged as a weapon for slashing, it would clearly be unqualified, falling far short of the Grasscutter Sword that Orochimaru had gifted. It was more akin to an artifact meant for a museum, designed to awe spectators with its majestic appearance.

And yet—

Gazing at this majestic blade before him, Shinji felt a strange tremor in his heart.

This sword seemed to resonate faintly with a power that lay dormant within him, a power that bore the name—

The Third Force: Susano'o!

At this moment—

Minato Namikaze, staring at the divine blade offered by the son of the Daimyō, hesitated.

It wasn’t that he was a saint, immune to the allure of such treasures. After all, the term "divine artifact" alone made it clear how valuable this item was.

However, his straightforward nature led his thoughts elsewhere.

How much is this thing worth?

He was about to embark on the path of a rogue ninja, drifting across the shinobi world. Even though he could return home anytime using the Flying Thunder God technique, he would no longer have Konoha's mission system to rely on for making a living.

As he eyed the sword, his instinctive thought was whether Konoha’s antique merchants might buy it. Would the money be enough to buy a house for Kushina in the heart of Konoha before he left? He didn’t mind enduring hardships himself, but Kushina must not suffer.

However—

Just as these thoughts passed through his mind, a hand suddenly reached out from the side, plunging directly into the sword case and grasping the revered blade.

Clang!  

Shinji decisively unsheathed the sword, flicking it with his finger to produce a resonant hum that echoed throughout the hall. His face lit up with a hint of amazement.

At the very moment he grasped the blade, a line of text appeared before his eyes:

*[You have acquired a special item: Raijin’s Blade - Futsunomitama (Spirit Sword, compatible with Susano’o equipment slot, Quality: Divine Artifact).]*

The warriors in the hall were enraged at the sight of this.

For a mere attendant to seize a blade presented by the heir of the Land of Lightning in front of the entire court—and without permission—was utterly audacious!

One of them could not bear it any longer. He stepped forward and bellowed:

"You insolent fool! To insult the lord in the royal court—do you know no manners at all? Kneel before His Highness immediately and beg for forgiveness!"

And then, he added,

"Remember, you must kneel as a lowly servant should!"

However—

Hearing the angry rebuke from behind, Shinji let out a derisive laugh. Without even turning his head, he glanced slightly over his shoulder, his indifferent gaze landing on the now-frozen Ryuzoji Sugo. Calmly, he asked:

"Oh? Do you have a problem with that?"

Witnessing this scene, hearing such arrogant words, and facing this young brat who seemed to have no concept of respect, Ryuzoji Sugo’s eyes briefly flashed with malice. But he quickly hid it, replacing it with a forced smile.

"Not at all, not at all."

"As long as you’re pleased, sir."

Shinji ignored him and turned back to Minato.

At this moment, Minato, seeing Shinji’s delight in wielding the sword, smiled warmly. If Shinji liked it that much, perhaps the house could wait.

"Do you really like this sword, Shinji?"

Shinji shook his head. Gripping the sword, which measured an imposing 2.7 meters—longer than most people—he casually twirled it, creating a dazzling flourish.

"It’s not about whether I like it or not."

He looked up, meeting Minato’s gaze, and asked calmly:

"Minato—"

"Do you know about the Uchiha clan’s secret S-rank forbidden swordsmanship technique—"

Hearing this, Minato couldn’t help but pause.

An S-rank forbidden swordsmanship technique with such a long and flashy name? It certainly appealed to his aesthetic sense. Could this be the move Shinji had used in Hell Valley to single-handedly face three Kage-level opponents? Or perhaps it was the technique he had used during the Nine-Tails’ rampage, summoning that hundred-meter-tall sword that pierced the heavens?

But just as Minato was lost in thought—

Shinji’s expression turned icy. He suddenly swung the Raijin Blade - Futsunomitama directly at Minato’s face!

The enormous straight blade, 2.7 meters long, cleaved downward with immense force, slicing through the air and creating a sonic boom!

Whoosh!  

The cold gleam of the blade lit up the hall.

No one in the chamber had anticipated that Shinji, who seemed to be Minato’s subordinate, would suddenly attack him! For a moment, the hall fell silent, the tension palpable.

Even Minato was caught off guard. He never imagined that Shinji would strike at him.

However, his sharp reflexes kicked in instantly. In a flash, he drew a Flying Thunder God kunai from his waist, sidestepping and attempting to parry the incoming strike.

But in that instant—

Before Minato could question Shinji’s intentions, he saw his reflection in the gleaming blade.

In the mirrored surface of the sword, a pair of crimson eyes stared back at him—

Eyes adorned with three tomoe circling a black, cross-shaped Mangekyō Sharingan, spinning with relentless intensity.

(To be continued...)  

*Chapter 294: The Bond Battle That Ends in a Second – Dojutsu: Blood Dragon Nine Seals!*

At this moment,

cold decisiveness and perplexed astonishment collided in their gazes.

Their eyes met, converging on this revered sword.

The scene in Minato Namikaze's eyes immediately began to distort. His blood surged uncontrollably, causing his chakra to waver slightly, signaling a loss of control.

This was the basic ability of Shinji’s dojutsu,

*Composite Kekkei Genkai: Human Blood Manipulation!*

It hadn’t truly reached the level of Kekkei Tōta but combined the powers of two Kekkei Genkai – genjutsu manipulation and blood vibration. This allowed the user to affect both the enemy's body and consciousness simultaneously, significantly slowing their senses.

Moreover, Shinji’s way of integrating genjutsu into swordsmanship made him confident that Minato Namikaze hadn’t seen this technique before, making it easy to overlook.

After all, just a few months ago, when they fought side-by-side in the Land of Rain against Konoha's enemies, Shinji had not yet mastered this ability.

But Minato Namikaze was still Minato Namikaze.

Even when caught off guard, his reaction was astonishingly fast.

Before the dojutsu could fully affect him, his mind showed no hesitation. Almost instantaneously – in less than half a second – he made the best decision.

He formed a single-handed seal for the Summoning Jutsu, invoking the power of Mount Myōboku.

Minato could perform seals with just one hand,

and this choice effectively avoided the difficulties caused by blood disturbances affecting hand seals.

Simultaneously, Minato attempted to relocate himself using the Flying Raijin Jutsu without seals, planning to remove the genjutsu with the help of his summoned partner before returning to the battlefield.

However,

Shinji, having initiated this ambush, had already considered this possibility.

Both were individuals with unparalleled clarity in their combat strategies.

What Minato could anticipate, Shinji, who was aware of his opponent’s capabilities, could predict as well. This included how Minato would fight back after escaping this predicament.

Even now, without fully mastering all his new abilities, Shinji admitted there was a high chance he couldn’t defeat Minato Namikaze in a head-on confrontation.

Even if he went all out, fully unleashing the Susano’o to the point of nearly blinding himself, or even forcefully activating its third stage at great cost,

he would still find it difficult to best Minato Namikaze.

Currently, Minato, having completed the advanced form of the Rasengan and mastering the Flying Raijin Jutsu, was undoubtedly the strongest existence in Yunming City!

But Shinji had more than just the foundational powers of his dojutsu.

He had a brand-new ability that created an information gap, one that Minato knew nothing about.

This was the dojutsu he refrained from using to subdue Kakashi when Minato arrived at their earlier encounter. He deliberately hid this ability,

not because he foresaw a confrontation with Minato.

Rather, it was because his battle instincts made no distinction between friend and foe.

Under such instincts, everyone – including Minato, Orochimaru, and even Uchiha Setsuna – was someone to be wary of.

When Minato appeared suddenly, like a ghost, Shinji’s combat instincts, deeply etched into his muscle memory, prompted him to hold back this trump card.

And now,

this trump card, tied to the powers of his dojutsu, was unleashed in an instant!

Shinji swiftly pulled the hilt of his sword back with his right hand, twisting the blade to reflect its light onto Minato. At the same time, he closed his right eye and abruptly covered his left eye with his left hand.

Dense, erratic blood vessels surged wildly in the white of his left eye!

And then—

*Kekkei Tōta: Dojutsu: Blood Dragon Nine Seals!*

It activated in a flash!

Tears of blood streamed down from the corner of his eye.

Seeing this, Minato Namikaze’s heart sank.

Though he didn’t understand why Shinji had turned against him, the overwhelming sense of danger enveloped him.

"Is he using the same senjutsu-genjutsu he once employed to restrain the Nine-Tails?"

"No, that’s not it. This is the Sharingan's White Pulse Eye without senjutsu infusion!"

Fixating on Shinji’s movements while avoiding direct eye contact, Minato's mind raced. He calculated the angles of the sword's light reflections, trying to avoid being caught by the bizarre genjutsu-infused swordsmanship again.

Additionally, Shinji, in Sage Mode, had a 360-degree field of vision. Although Minato hadn’t yet seen any signs of Shinji activating Sage Mode, he mentally prepared himself.

If Shinji showed any indication of using Sage Mode, Minato planned to immediately shut his eyes to avoid its effects.

Because Minato knew that if he succumbed to Shinji’s dojutsu, the White Pulse Eye’s ability would leave him temporarily unconscious and unable to use the Flying Raijin Jutsu.

In a battle between speedsters like them, even a delay of 0.1 seconds

could determine life or death!

As for why Shinji wasn’t using senjutsu, it was simple: after losing the Zero-Tails and the Heaven’s Curse Mark, he could only rely on his altered eyes to accumulate natural energy for senjutsu chakra.

(The Heaven’s Curse Mark disappeared after Orochimaru and the White Snake Sage were sealed away by Itachi’s Totsuka Blade, as seen in the original story when Sasuke’s curse mark vanished.)

Once in Sage Mode, the blood vessel-like markings around his eyes would resemble those of the Byakugan, making it too obvious. If Minato noticed, he would immediately use the Flying Raijin Jutsu to escape and re-engage.

Once Minato entered "Home Base Mode," Shinji would be left helpless.

After all, that technique was the meta T0 of the current era.

Moreover, Shinji couldn’t confirm if Minato had left a Flying Raijin mark on him when he patted his shoulder earlier.

Thus, he couldn’t afford to take any risks.

---

If you want to save Minato, there’s only one way—

In this battle between speedsters,

In this long yet fleeting second filled with calculated moves,

You must knock him down and ensure he can’t get back up!

Damn it, Minato, take my righteous punch of friendship straight to the face!!

At this moment—

Just as Minato is about to stabilize his slightly out-of-control chakra and teleport away with the Flying Thunder God technique in a fraction of a second,

In his line of sight,

From the direction of Shinji's eyes, specifically from those peculiar Sharingan—

A strange, blood-red arc suddenly streaks out!

It directly connects him and Shinji.

In the next instant, the bloodline violently shatters, scattering into a rain of blood!

And from that rain of blood, a sinister, blood-red dragon head emerges, swaying and rising!

With its head held high, it roars furiously and surges straight toward Minato!

Upon seeing this blood dragon, Minato instantly realizes something is wrong.

“How did he do that? How did I fall for a genjutsu again!?”

He was sure he hadn’t looked into Shinji’s eyes, nor had he locked eyes with the refracted sword light from him.

But then, what kind of technique is this?

Minato had read the intelligence from Sunagakure and Kumogakure, which exposed Shinji’s abilities.

The description of this ocular technique was clear—it appears just like this:

A blood dragon emerges, and then, within an unimaginably short timeframe, it devours a dragon pearl, unleashing the "White Blast Technique," which subjects the target to a hard crowd-control effect.

In other words, the moment he saw this blood dragon,

Minato knew he was probably caught in Shinji’s genjutsu again.

If that’s the case, he’s in serious danger!

At this critical moment, under unprecedented pressure and danger, Minato’s spine felt as though it was electrified, a current shooting straight from his crown to his soles, sending a shiver through his entire body.

It was as if a switch had been flipped.

Suddenly, his awareness sharpened, and his reactions became even faster!

Minato somehow managed, in this life-or-death crisis, to complete a sit-up within 0.1 seconds!

Just like when Shinji faced Kakuzu’s composite ninjutsu—an almost certain death scenario—and forcibly elevated his combat instincts to the next level (Chapter 49),

Minato’s innate superhuman reflexes, which were instrumental in mastering the Flying Thunder God technique,

Had leveled up in that moment!

Even Shinji, witnessing this all-too-familiar scene, couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his eyes and feel the urge to curse.

Damn it, this guy really is the father of the original protagonist!

But—

It was useless!

Because Shinji wasn’t relying on reflexes to go toe-to-toe with Minato this time.

He was relying on deception!

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 295: The Era of Daimyo Has Ended!*

*Dojutsu: Blood Dragon Nine Seals!*

This is a brand-new dojutsu obtained by Shinji after fusing his Sharingan and Blood Dragon Eye.

Of course, the fusion of a mere three-tomoe Sharingan with an ordinary Blood Dragon Eye wouldn’t awaken a dojutsu as overpowered as a Mangekyo ability.

Instead, this is a derivative dojutsu based on the innate abilities of the Blood Dragon Eye.

Its effect is the creation of a blood dragon using yin-based dojutsu. This dragon inherits the Blood Dragon Eye's ability to control blood dragons, possesses a physical form, and can execute physical attacks. It’s akin to a short-lived, miniature mecha.

When the blood dragon successfully attacks an enemy, it activates another ability of the Blood Dragon Eye—

*Blood Manipulation!*

It allows the user to control the enemy's blood, obstructing its circulation. If no one can dispel the dojutsu, the victim will begin experiencing arterial blood flow blockage within 30 minutes, leading to cellular necrosis and eventual death.

Admittedly, this aspect is a bit redundant. The blood dragon itself is massive and exerts tremendous impact force.

If an opponent lacks defensive measures and is struck by the dragon, it’s no different from being hit by a 180 km/h dump truck.

Aside from its initial charge, its core ability lies in its follow-up effect:

If the blood dragon lands a hit, the caster can manipulate the target’s blood to seal their chakra, rendering them defenseless and effectively turning them into—uh, let’s say—“blood slaves.”

On paper, this dojutsu is immensely powerful. In practice, it indeed lives up to its reputation.

However, like all sealing techniques, it has a critical flaw:

*It needs to hit the target.*

Ninjas aren’t stationary targets; they can move. Even an average Jonin can evade the dragon’s straightforward charge with a simple L-shaped movement.

Stronger and more extreme individuals might even stop the dragon barehanded.

Fortunately, this technique has a unique feature that synergizes with another of Shinji’s dojutsu.

That feature is its deceptive appearance!

The blood dragon closely resembles the red dragon summoned by the dojutsu "Sage Art: Sharingan – White Surge Eye." As the creator of the blood dragon, Shinji can further disguise it to resemble the red dragon from the White Surge technique.

Unless someone has repeatedly faced Shinji’s combo attacks, it’s nearly impossible to distinguish between the two techniques.

*Dojutsu: Blood Dragon Nine Seals!*

*Sage Art: Sharingan – White Surge Eye!*

One is real, the other is fake. One is tangible, the other is illusory. Together, they create the current scenario.

When Minato saw the blood dragon, his instincts deceived him into thinking he was caught in Shinji’s other dojutsu, Sage Art: Sharingan – White Surge Eye.

But that wasn’t the case.

At this moment,

Minato was utterly bewildered. In the span of a second, his mental "CPU" nearly overheated as he struggled to comprehend when he had fallen victim to Shinji’s genjutsu.

And why was Shinji attacking him at all?

He couldn’t figure it out. He really couldn’t.

Then—

*"Roar!!"*

Under the control of Shinji’s wide-open left eye, the surging blood dragon whipped up a fierce wind and let out an enraged roar as it lunged at Minato.

It slammed him to the ground with incredible force, dragging him backward and carving a ten-meter-long trench into the earth.

*Bang!*

The ground was instantly cracked into a dense web of fractures.

Finally, as the dust settled, Shinji exhaled in relief.

In mere moments,

the once-revered "Yellow Flash," admired by everyone present, lay defeated. He had been ambushed by none other than the unassuming, short follower standing behind him.

The sudden turn of events hit like a tornado. The assembled crowd barely had time to react to what had happened.

All they felt was the gust of wind, the flash of red light, and then—calmness returned.

The only difference now was:

The radiant, blond-haired youth had somehow collapsed in the corner of the great hall.

The wall behind him wobbled precariously, gray stones crumbling and cascading down. A network of cracks spread across the entire surface.

At this moment,

Ryuuzouji Sugiya, who had closed his eyes due to the gusting wind, finally opened them—

Only to see that the most powerful ninja he had placed his hopes on, Namikaze Minato, was slumped against the wall.

Minato’s bloodied lips moved as if he wanted to question something, staring wide-eyed in Sugiya’s direction.

But then, with an expression of utter disbelief, he tilted his head and collapsed.

And the one responsible for all of this—

Was this black-haired, seemingly blind brat who looked like a mere attendant!?

Wait a minute, did he regain his eyesight?

Did he really kill the "Yellow Flash" Namikaze Minato!?

*"You—"*

Ryuuzouji Sugiya swallowed nervously, his face pale with horror.

He raised his head to look at the figure standing in the center of the hall.

In one hand, the figure held the two-meter-long Thunder God Sword, Bakuya. With the other, he lowered it from his face, revealing a cold and resolute expression.

It was Shinji.

As he stared at the young man who had killed without hesitation, a chill ran down Sugiya’s spine.

For over twenty years of peace, he had never witnessed such brutal ninja combat.

But today, from morning to night, he had finally understood:

What kind of cold-blooded and ruthless beings ninjas truly were.

And how precarious the lives of nobles like him were when riding atop these volatile beings!

At this moment—

Uchiha Shinji exhaled deeply, his gaze turning cold as he glanced indifferently toward Ryuuzouji Sugaya, who stood not far away.

From the moment he first laid eyes on the man and observed his series of actions, Uchiha Shinji could roughly deduce what kind of person he was and, more importantly, what he desired.

Without a doubt, this was a greedy and oblivious fool—cowardly when it came to his own life but willing to risk it recklessly.

Currently, in Yunming City, after the destruction of the castle keep by Roshi and the exposure of the feigned identity of the daimyo, the most esteemed person in this city had shifted from the Land of Lightning's daimyo to the person before him—the daimyo’s son, the young lord of the Land of Lightning.

As for the ninjas plotting against the Land of Lightning's daimyo to achieve their own objectives, their target had now shifted from the elusive true daimyo to this unfortunate man.

Unsurprisingly, by tonight, every conspiracy, false accusation, kidnapping, and extortion centered around the Land of Lightning's daimyo would fall squarely on this unlucky soul's shoulders.

The daimyo of the Land of Lightning cared little for his son's life, just as he had shown no concern for the relatives who perished when the castle keep collapsed. To this day, he had not shown himself.

Knowing that danger was imminent and with no escape in sight, Ryuuzouji Sugaya had no choice but to agree to Minato’s terms.

To put it plainly, to survive tonight, he had no other choice but to cooperate with Minato.

And what he sought was simple—just two words: "to live."

To achieve this, he was willing to abandon everything: his noble status as the daimyo's son, the reverence of his father's name, his father's life, his own dignity, and even the treasured national sword held in Uchiha Shinji’s hand.

From this perspective, could he be considered a smart man?

As this thought crossed his mind, Uchiha Shinji narrowed his eyes slightly and began to step toward Ryuuzouji Sugaya.

*Tap. Tap.*

The sound of footsteps echoed clearly in Sugaya’s ears, sending a chill down his spine. As the boy in front of him drew closer, each step seemed to press harder on his heart.

*Creak. Creak.*

He could almost hear his own heart straining under the pressure, twisting and pounding in a state of overwhelming fear and unease.

"Stop! Stop! Don’t—don’t you dare come any closer!"

"Get away! No, leave! Just leave me alone, you little bastard!"

Sugaya, drenched in sweat, stared at the steadily approaching boy. His face turned deathly pale as he stammered, trembling, "W-who… who are you!?"

"Me?"

Uchiha Shinji smirked, his gaze dark and piercing. "Look into these eyes. I’m sure you’ve heard my name."

At those words, Sugaya instinctively lifted his head and looked into those eyes.

Those crimson Sharingan eyes, glowing blood-red in the dim hall, were far more sinister, more intense, and more chilling than ordinary Sharingan—yet at the same time, strangely mesmerizing.

"Those eyes… You’re from the Uchiha clan?"

"The Uchiha who appeared in the Land of Lightning!?"

As if struck by a horrifying realization, Sugaya’s eyes widened in shock. He lifted his head in terror, his mouth dry, and his breathing labored, as if an invisible hand were choking him.

Finally, he blurted out the name that sent shivers down his spine:

"Uchiha Shinji!"

He was the Uchiha who had appeared in Yunming City, the leader of the Immortal Heretics, the one who had launched an assassination attempt against the Land of Lightning’s daimyo to halt the war.

He was also the Uchiha who had singlehandedly fought three Kage-level opponents in Hell Valley, killing one, severely injuring another Jinchuriki of the Hidden Cloud, and even wounding the Third Raikage in the process.

Uchiha Shinji!

But wasn’t he supposed to be a fraud!?

Why, then, was the real Uchiha Shinji standing before him?

Were the rumors true or false?

At this moment, Sugaya stood frozen, his expression blank and filled with confusion. The figure before him seemed to blur and overlap in his vision.

Who was this? Uchiha Shinji? But wasn’t the boy who had tried to assassinate his father a different, smaller kid?

Which was real, and which was fake?

What on earth was going on?

Unable to discern the truth, Sugaya felt utterly lost.

Seeing the increasingly terrified and dazed expression of the young lord, Uchiha Shinji calmly strode past him, not even sparing Sugaya a single glance.

However, as they brushed shoulders, Shinji slowed his steps slightly and spoke in a cold, indifferent tone:

"The era of the daimyo is over."

He paused briefly, as if for effect, before adding, "You’re a smart man. You should know what to do for me."

"If you still want to live."

After Uchiha Shinji passed, the suffocating pressure around Sugaya suddenly lifted. He gasped for breath, his body trembling. Turning back in a daze, he stared at Shinji.

"I… I…"

He wanted to say something, to prove something, to offer something. But just then—

"HOW DARE YOU!!"

A furious shout exploded from Sugaya’s side, making him jump. His pupils constricted as he saw a look of doom flash in his eyes.

"Insolence!"

"Threatening the young lord and committing murder in the hall!"

"Do you think we don’t exist, you brat!?"

*Shing!*

A flash of cold steel lit up the air. A samurai clad in gray and white armor, his hair styled in a shaved chonmage, stepped out of the crowd, his face seething with rage.

Leaping high into the air, one hand pressed against the scabbard at his waist while the other gripped the hilt of his sword.

In that fleeting moment, the blade gleamed like a blooming flower of death, its deadly beauty resolute and unyielding.

This strike, honed to perfection, was called—

*Secret Sword: Iaijutsu!*

(End of Chapter)