belamy20

236-240

Added 2025-03-24 20:04:28 +0000 UTC

Chapter 236: Ninja Art—Crushing the Street Vendors Technique!

The intricate seals extended into the sky, covering half of the visible heavens, and solidified instantly!

*Bang!*

A massive plume of white smoke erupted. As the winds in the valley swept it away, a colossal, menacing purple-black beast emerged from behind the mist.

It was none other than Manda, the giant snake summoned from Ryūchi Cave, contracted by Uchiha Shinji!

The moment Manda appeared, he had a bald rat the size of a human in his mouth. Still disoriented, he realized he was rapidly falling.

“Hiss!”

Manda was instantly alarmed and turned his head, only to see the one who summoned him yet again was that detestable little brat!

His serpentine eyes narrowed as he roared ferociously:

“You little brat! This time, I’ll definitely eat y—”

However, before Manda could finish his threat, Uchiha Shinji, standing on the cliff edge, suddenly raised his head.

The instant their eyes met, Uchiha Shinji’s Sharingan gleamed crimson, veins bulging violently around his eye. His pupil contracted sharply, transforming into a mesmerizing and surreal crimson serpent’s eye.

He closed his right eye and widened his left!

The blood vessels in his sclera instantly burst, filling the whites with dense crimson threads, as blood tears streamed from the corner of his eye.

“Senjutsu: Sharingan—Blazing Eye of Purity!”

(Posed as illustrated in the accompanying image.)

From the crimson serpent eye, a fiery red dragon emerged, its fangs and claws wildly thrashing.

In the realm of genjutsu, the massive Manda was ensnared, tightly entwined by the dragon. It locked him in place and then opened its mouth to swallow a glowing orb.

A dazzling white light erupted, sending waves of excruciating pain surging through Manda’s very soul.

In an instant that felt eternal, Manda’s spirit was shaken to its core, nearly losing control of his hormones. He barely broke free of this powerful Senjutsu eye technique.

When he did, he saw Uchiha Shinji standing at the cliff's edge, his left eye shut, and his right Sharingan now opened in its regular state.

“Genjutsu: Sharingan!”

“You little piece of $#%@!”

Before Manda could finish cursing, the power of the Sharingan’s hypnotic technique subdued him.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

This was Uchiha Shinji’s self-developed technique, designed as the Ryūchi Cave counterpart to Mount Myōboku’s creations—

*Ninja Art: Crushing the Street Vendors Technique!*

*Boom!!*

Manda, plummeting rapidly, crashed into Hell Valley with a thunderous impact. The colossal yellow-green pit viper, stretching dozens of meters long, sent shockwaves through the valley floor.

Dust, plants, and boulders erupted into chaos, generating a storm even more terrifying than the earlier disturbance caused by the Blood Pool Clan.

The raging storm whipped through the valley, lifting the hair of the two men standing on the cliff.

Aburame Ryōma stared at Uchiha Shinji in shock, baffled by what he had just witnessed.

Still, he had to admit—the result was impressive.

The rampaging Blood Pool Clan was immediately silenced.

“You—” Aburame Ryōma smoothed his thinning, middle-aged hair and started to ask, only to be interrupted by Uchiha Shinji.

“Don’t overthink it. It’s just a self-created ninja art.”

Uchiha Shinji shook his head, gesturing for Ryōma to follow him as he waved his hand dismissively.

“Let’s go. Someone will handle the Blood Pool Clan. We’re not needed here!”

With that, Uchiha Shinji turned and leaped down toward the Uchiha Clan’s encampment below the cliff.

Aburame Ryōma glanced at the smoking Hell Valley below, momentarily speechless. Still, he knew the situation was urgent.

He wasn’t stupid, after all.

Given the current state of things, paired with intel about the recent movements of the Hidden Cloud Village and their mobilized troops, it was clear—

The Blood Pool Clan had likely joined forces with the Hidden Cloud Village!

Their riot was a signal—the Hidden Cloud’s plans had begun!

The people in the camp below probably had no idea about this yet. He had to deliver this information immediately and prepare for a defensive strategy.

However, Ryōma was still puzzled.

How did Uchiha Shinji figure this out so quickly and respond immediately?

This kid was usually dumb as a brick—so why was he suddenly so sharp in this critical moment?

And what did he mean by “someone will handle the Blood Pool Clan”?

Was he talking about Minato Namikaze? Uchiha Shinji had indeed planted a Flying Thunder God kunai earlier.

But even the Yellow Flash would need significant time to travel from the Hidden Leaf Village to here!

As his thoughts raced, Ryōma shook his head and rushed to catch up with Uchiha Shinji.

At this point, it was better to ask the person involved directly.

Before long, after exerting his full speed, Ryōma caught up to Uchiha Shinji. Concerned, he asked:

“With the Blood Dragon Eye’s genjutsu, Manda can’t hold off the Blood Pool Clan for long. Minato Namikaze won’t arrive that quickly, either. And with the Hidden Cloud’s movements—Ci, what exactly are you planning?”

At this moment, Uchiha Shinji was leaping through the tree branches while forming the hand seals for the Summoning Jutsu between his hands.

Shaking his head, he grew increasingly calm under the influence of his battle instincts, especially during such critical moments.

In response to Aburame Ryoma's inquiry, he replied calmly:

"No problem. I used the Sharingan’s genjutsu to hypnotize Manda in advance. With my genjutsu in place, even the Blood Pool Clan won’t be able to control that snake in a short amount of time. They’ll have no choice but to fight it head-on."

"That should be enough to keep them busy for a while."

After all, that snake was a ruthless, scheming creature with no loyalties. If thrown into the fray, it would just end up being controlled by the Blood Dragon Eye’s genjutsu. To save trouble, Uchiha Shinji decided to strike first!

This play?

It’s simple—if I hypnotize the snake first,

Hey~ can you guess who it’ll bite first?

Hearing this, Aburame Ryoma frowned slightly.

Although Uchiha Shinji offered an explanation, Ryoma wasn’t so easily convinced.

After all, as a member of another prominent clan skilled in genjutsu and dojutsu, he knew that the Sharingan’s genjutsu was only about equal to the Blood Dragon Eye. Breaking it wouldn’t be that difficult.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but voice his concerns:

"But—"

Uchiha Shinji immediately cut him off.

"No ‘buts.’ Trust me. Let’s keep moving!"

As for the Blood Pool Clan’s interference, Uchiha Shinji wasn’t worried in the slightest.

Because he alone knew what lay beneath the Valley of Hell.

There was someone down there—a madman who defied all logic and reason. That person had been waiting for this very moment!

However, since this knowledge was exclusive to him, and only he could know it, Uchiha Shinji couldn’t explain the source of his intel to Aburame Ryoma. He had no choice but to brush him off.

What he truly worried about, in his view—

Was Kumogakure!

After all, the trump card Kumogakure prepared this time might just be that unparalleled warrior.

As this thought crossed his mind, Uchiha Shinji finished forming the seals for the Summoning Jutsu. He immediately pressed his hand against the back of the other hand and summoned a small white-scaled snake onto his arm.

It was Orochimaru’s communication snake.

The small snake coiled around his arm, raising its head to look at Uchiha Shinji while flicking its tongue.

Uchiha Shinji nodded at it, then quickly tore off the inner white lining of his Uchiha battle attire. Using the blood from his hand, which he had bitten earlier for the Summoning Jutsu, he swiftly wrote down the current situation and his speculations.

Finally, he added five bold characters:

“Disciple in danger, help immediately!”

He pried open the little snake’s mouth, stuffed the white cloth inside, and slapped it closed.

In urgent situations, rules could be bent. Technically, information for communication snakes should be written on specially-made waterproof and acid-resistant scrolls, but clearly, there was no time for that now.

"Don’t swallow it! If you digest even a bit of it, you’ll be commemorated as snake stew this time next year!"

"Got it?!"

Tapping the snake’s head, Uchiha Shinji threatened it with an ominous tone.

Hearing such inhuman words, the little snake shuddered, shrinking back slightly. After glaring at Uchiha Shinji resentfully, it straightened its neck.

The next moment, it vanished into thin air with a puff of white smoke.

"Please, make it in time."

Raising his head, Uchiha Shinji stared at the camp not far away, rapidly drawing closer as he ran.

He could only repeat this silent prayer in his heart.

All he hoped for—

Was that what lay ahead wasn’t the hellish scene he dreaded the most!

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 237: The Rift, The Clash of Wills*

The temperature in June had already begun to carry a hint of oppressive heat.

A breeze, tinged with a faint sense of agitation, brushed past, carrying the atmosphere of urgency.

Everything in motion around him blurred into elongated streaks as he dashed forward, swiftly passing through a dense forest.

Before long, the camp constructed by the Uchiha clan appeared within his sight.

The camp was as lively as ever, with a faintly chaotic atmosphere. Voices of argument could be heard, carried faintly on the wind:

"The Hyūga clan is the strongest!"

"Nonsense! The Uchiha reign supreme!"

"Oh yeah? Then how will you counter this move?"

"Hiss!!"

"Don't stop me! I swear I'm going to smack this guy today! Don't think I didn't see him just activate the Byakugan during the card game!"

As it turned out, Hyūga Kenshi, one of Hyūga Hizashi's subordinates, was once again arguing with an Uchiha member in the camp. The Hyūga and Uchiha clans had always been rivals, constantly competing for the title of the strongest clan in Konoha.

The source of today's quarrel seemed to be Hyūga Kenshi's attempt to cheat during a card game by secretly activating his Byakugan to peek at the cards.

Hearing the commotion, Uchiha Shinji let out a small sigh of relief, feeling a weight lifted from his heart.

But just as he was about to land at the camp’s entrance, a figure beside him, Aburame Ryōma, suddenly stiffened.

“Wait. Something’s not right!” Ryōma's voice carried a tone of urgency as he extended an arm to stop Shinji.

“My insects stationed on the northern stone flats detected an unusual chakra fluctuation!”

“The north?” Shinji froze for a moment before stopping abruptly and gazing toward the north. His eyes fell on the barren, stony area slightly above the surrounding forests.

The northern side of Hell Valley was an area of intense volcanic activity. In fact, it was a major volcanic eruption that had initially formed Hell Valley. Now, the region served as a critical source of hot spring water for much of the Land of Hot Water. The area boasted over a dozen hot springs with various therapeutic properties, effective in treating conditions such as high blood pressure, skin ailments, and neurological issues.

Having visited the area a few times to relax after intense training, Shinji was quite familiar with it.

However, this was the time when most of the Konoha shinobi in the camp were either preparing dinner or resting, aside from the patrol team led by Ryōma.

So then…

Who could possibly be there?

And what could they be planning to do?

---

*At that moment, north of Hell Valley*

Amid the steaming mist of the hot springs, two figures slowly emerged.

One was tall and imposing, with dark skin. He wore the white uniform of Kumogakure, sported sunglasses, and carried seven swords strapped to his back, the handles wrapped with fresh red silk ribbons.

This man was none other than Killer B, the Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, who had previously launched an assault on Uchiha Shinji.

“B-senpai,”

“Do you really think I can control this kind of power?”

Standing beside him was a young girl, no older than seven or eight. She had long, tea-colored hair tied into a ponytail that reached her waist. Her delicate face held a trace of determination, though her tender age gave her an endearing quality.

Killer B fell silent for a moment, unsure of how to answer the girl's anxious question.

Compared to himself, this girl, named Yugito Nii, had become a Jinchūriki at an even younger age.

At just two years old, the Two-Tails had been sealed within her body. Since then, she had endured grueling training under the scornful gazes of those around her.

All of this,

For the sake of Kumogakure. For this very moment.

However,

To send a mere seven-year-old child to the battlefield of the Third Great Ninja War—an endless river of blood—

To turn her into a weapon of war, a merciless executioner, the creator of countless horrors…

All for the sake of proving her worth to the village, to demonstrate her capacity and earn the recognition she longed for, to escape the scornful gazes that had followed her all her life.

Killer B's heart grew heavy.

He didn’t know how to comfort her. He didn’t know how to guide this young successor of his.

The Two-Tails' jinchūriki was different. Unlike him, she didn’t establish a bond of brotherhood with her mentor before becoming a jinchūriki. She didn’t conquer her inner demons through the deep love of that bond. Nor did she move the Eight-Tails with her emotions to reach an understanding and become what they call the "perfect jinchūriki."

She had no love. All she had was hatred and an urgent need to prove herself.

In her childhood eyes, there was nothing but a blazing anger—an inferno of rage against injustice.

The mist of the hot springs gently swayed around her, drifting through the hollowed-out water-eroded rocks. It emitted a mournful wail, forming countless ghostly faces of despair in midair.

Killer B turned around, crouching in front of the girl. He placed his hands on her shoulders, gazing into the blue flames burning in her eyes.

After a moment of silence, without his usual playful tone, he spoke gravely:

"Yugito—"

"Right here and now, give it everything you’ve got."

"After all, you are the proud and courageous kunoichi, the vessel of the demon cat! Just like you’ve always strived to be!"

With that, Killer B stood up, his gaze fixed on the forested valley of Hell Gorge. His eyes locked onto the Uchiha clan’s encampment built within the woods, searching for the hidden disciples of Orochimaru.

In his own eyes, too, a deep and burning fury ignited.

"And I shall repay this blood debt in kind!"

"I understand!" Yugito nodded, her young face resolute. Then, clenching her teeth, she unleashed the immense chakra flowing within her, summoning the terrifying force that threatened to devour her sanity.

Her teeth silently sharpened into fangs, and a tail wreathed in blue flames emerged, swaying behind her.

Next, blue markings of demonic chakra spread across her skin. Her eyes turned a ghostly white, and her carefully braided ponytail unraveled, wildly dancing in the air.

The ground trembled as a surge of terrifying chakra shot skyward, shaking the earth beneath her.

—Boom!!

In an instant, a towering, fearsome figure of the Two-Tails appeared, with two blazing tails of blue fire swaying behind it.

Killer B smirked, nodding in approval before speaking in a steady tone:

"Not bad!"

"Yugito, focus on keeping your mind clear!"

"Remember what I taught you!"

Struggling to maintain full control of her transformed state, Yugito gritted her teeth and replied in a trembling voice:

"Understood, senpai."

"I must not engage directly with that brat named Uchiha Shinji!"

"From here, I’ll maintain distance and obliterate them with my strongest Tailed Beast Bomb!"

She etched her last trace of clear thought into her tailed beast form. Controlling the massive body of the Two-Tails, she slammed her paws into the earth, sending geysers of hot spring water shooting into the air. The swirling mist of the springs was instantly dispersed, revealing her awe-inspiring true form.

She stood tall, raised her head to the heavens, and let out a deafening roar:

"—ROAR!!"

A dense, blue-black sphere of compressed chakra began forming, condensed at a ratio of 2:8 yin to yang chakra, radiating an aura of overwhelming destruction.

"That’s it!"

"That’s the way!" Killer B shouted, clenching his fist and pounding it against his chest in fiery determination.

He raised his hand, forming a "six" gesture with his thumb and index finger, and shouted passionately:

"The battle begins now!"

"Let’s press forward with all our might!"

Eight massive tentacles sprouted from his back, writhing and spreading, coiling around him. In an instant, another colossal beast rose to its full height, surging with destructive chakra.

The two giant beasts roared to the heavens in unison!

A storm erupted from their mouths, the shockwave pulverizing the ground beneath their feet. In the barren northern expanse of Hell Gorge, they faced the distant primitive forest where the small encampment lay.

The next moment, two terrifyingly powerful Tailed Beast Bombs, emanating an overwhelming aura of annihilation, blasted forth—

With an earth-shaking roar, they shot toward the enemy encampment!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 238: Celestial Technique: Super Massive Darkness Tailed Beast Orb Spiraling Sphere!

"To the north—wait, isn't that where...?"

As Uchiha Shinji's words trailed off, a sudden, chilling sensation ran down his spine, making his hair stand on end.

He snapped his head upward, and in the next instant, he saw—

Massive clouds of white smoke billowing into the sky!

From that direction, two monstrous silhouettes burst through the haze, towering above the earth.

The ever-shifting mist of Hell Valley's northern hot springs, which had lingered day and night, was torn apart in an instant!

Two pitch-black, ominous orbs, brimming with a terrifying aura of annihilation, ripped through the mist, the ground, the air, and the ancient forest along their trajectory!

In a flash,

they carved a massive, straight trench over 300 meters long!

The two Tailed Beast Orbs hurtled toward the camp, aimed directly at Uchiha Shinji's face!

Witnessing this, Uchiha Shinji's pupils constricted sharply.

The blood vessels around his eyes bulged violently as his emotions surged!

In that split second of chaos, the seasoned Aburame Ryoma was the first to snap out of it.

He raised his head, his dazed eyes locking onto the incoming Tailed Beast Orbs, before abruptly regaining his composure.

Without hesitation, he unleashed every parasitic insect at his disposal, forming a barrier of insects in front of them—a secret technique he hoped could buy them a moment's time.

Then he grabbed Uchiha Shinji's arm, urging him to dodge to the side.

His voice, tinged with anguish, rang out:

"Ci, come with me! Hurry!"

The enemy didn’t yet know their exact location, so the Tailed Beast Orbs were aimed broadly at the camp.

Even though Aburame Ryoma knew that Uchiha Shinji possessed the power of a Tailed Beast and could unleash those devastating "Phantom Dog Cannons,"

this—

this was a true Tailed Beast’s power, far beyond the reach of Shinji’s own abilities!

They were only on the edge of the blast radius, and at their speed, they could still escape in time!

However—

When Aburame Ryoma tried to pull him, it was like yanking on a steel pillar set in stone!

The young man before him stood unmoving, as if paralyzed.

"You’re telling me—"

At that moment, Uchiha Shinji’s eyes widened as he fixated on the two Tailed Beast Orbs barreling toward them,

his gaze so intense that blood vessels erupted across the whites of his eyes.

"You’re telling me to run away now?!"

If it were only Kakuzu left in the camp, he wouldn’t hesitate to turn and flee.

But—

Old Man Uchiha Setsuna was still back there!

Along with a group of innocent Konoha shinobi, other Uchiha clan members, and even Elder Chen, who had guided him in the past.

Uchiha Shinji’s entire body trembled as he muttered to himself,

"If I leave... what about them?!"

With that thought—

"Get out of my way!"

His face twisted with ferocity as the cursed markings of the Heaven Seal spread rapidly across his entire body!

Clenching his fist, he threw off Aburame Ryoma’s grip with the force of a rampaging truck, moving with an unmatched, destructive power.

Then, he abruptly turned, grabbed the collar of Ryoma’s black cloak, and hurled him backward!

Without holding anything back,

Uchiha Shinji began stacking buffs without hesitation!

First, he activated the full-body form of the Cursed Seal,

followed by the serpentine Sharingan,

then struck his chest to ignite his inner flame and unleashed the Zero-Tails sealed within him,

donning the artificial Tailed Beast cloak.

He engaged the forbidden technique Corporeal Rebirth at full power.

This sequence of actions was second nature to him by now!

Faced with the two incoming Tailed Beast Orbs, which threatened to obliterate everything he had finally realized he wanted to protect—

Uchiha Shinji had no choice but to fight with everything he had!

Then—

He raised his ferocious gaze, his left hand gripping his right wrist, fingers spread wide.

In his palm,

a blue chakra sphere suddenly appeared,

expanding rapidly, darkening, and spinning violently.

The once sky-blue orb deepened into a shade as dark as the abyss, swelling larger and larger!

Amplified by Sage Art chakra, the swirling, violent dark chakra orb grew even more destructive as terrifying amounts of chakra surged into it!

His "Phantom Dog Cannon" couldn’t match the true power of a Tailed Beast Orb—

But—!

*Senjutsu: Super Massive Dark Tailed Beast Ball Expanding Rasengan!*

This should work!

Struggling to hold the terrifying power in his hand as it started spiraling out of control and expanding rapidly, Uchiha Shinji’s face contorted in a ferocious grimace. His eyes widened as he stared intently at the Tailed Beast Ball hurtling toward the camp, ready to obliterate everything into ash and dust.

He began to move forward,

One step, two steps, countless steps,

Until he broke into a sprint!

In the twilight, a whirlwind of sand trailed behind him as he dashed forward like a black streak of death heading straight to hell.

The violent winds stirred by the force in his palm whipped Uchiha Shinji’s hairline. His menacing gaze brimmed with wrath, which had reached its peak and transformed into pure murderous intent.

*“You want to take everything from me?”*

*“Then come on—”*

*“Kill me first!!!”*

In an instant, his rapid acceleration propelled him across the forest, through the camp, like a cannonball fired at full speed.

Finally, as the Tailed Beast Ball closed in on the camp with a deafening roar, Uchiha Shinji raised the monstrous power in his palm high above his head!

It was a black sphere that had swelled from a mere 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter to nearly 100 feet (30 meters) in just five seconds, and it was still expanding rapidly!

With a determined thrust of his fingers, he twisted the force and slammed it down in one powerful motion!

---

*Meanwhile, in Konoha Village.*

The evening wind swept through, rustling the flowing clouds and pulling streaks of sunset light through the narrow gaps in the sky. The golden rays fell on the inpatient wing of Konoha Hospital’s main building.

The sunlight streamed into the hospital room,

Illuminating Namikaze Minato’s golden hair, making it shine even brighter as he lay in bed.

But inexplicably,

Minato felt that this twilight light carried a certain melancholy.

Just then—

*“Creak~”*

The door to the hospital room opened with a soft creaking sound.

Minato didn’t need to look. He already knew.

It was Kushina.

*“Minato, I’m here to see you~!”*

As expected, Kushina entered the room in a summer dress and a new pair of sandals she’d bought for the warm season. Her footsteps echoed as she walked over, placing a bag of fruit gently on the bedside cabinet.

*“What were you looking at?”*

Kushina leaned in curiously, glancing at Minato, who was gazing out the window.

The only thing in Minato’s view was a single blade of grass growing precariously in the gap of the windowsill, swaying in the evening breeze.

*“It’s nothing.”* Minato snapped out of his thoughts and scratched his head with a sheepish smile.

*“I just suddenly remembered that Shinji went to Hell Valley for his mission. It’s been a long time since he left.”*

*“I wonder how he’s doing.”*

*“Seriously!”* Kushina puffed her cheeks in frustration.

*“It’s been over a month and a half since he left the village.”*

*“I wanted to thank him properly with you back then, let him try my cooking, but the next day, he was already gone!”*

Kushina added earnestly, *“I really wanted to make him my little brother!”*

Hearing this, Minato couldn’t help but cough awkwardly, his gaze shifting away.

Was that gratitude?

Considering Kushina’s current cooking skills, the food she made might actually be...

*“Hey, Minato, what’s with that look~!”*

Kushina immediately caught on to Minato’s expression, realizing what he was thinking. Flustered and annoyed, she exclaimed,

*“I’ve been practicing seriously!”*

*“It won’t be like last time.”*

However, before Kushina could finish her sentence—

*“Bang! Bang! Bang!”*

A sudden pounding noise erupted from the cabinet beside the bed!

Hearing this, Minato turned his head sharply, his expression instantly changing as if he had just realized something. He quickly bent forward and pulled open the cabinet door.

Inside the cabinet was a specially designed Flying Thunder God kunai.

At that moment, the words “Sword of Love” engraved on the handle of the kunai glowed with a dazzling golden light!

Seeing this, Namikaze Minato’s pupils contracted sharply as he exclaimed in alarm,

*“This is bad! Shinji is in danger!”*

*(End of Chapter)*

Chapter 239: The Curtain Rises, Hell's Eve!

“Tsuki? Are you talking about Uchiha Tsuki?!”

Inside the hospital room, Kushina froze momentarily upon hearing Minato’s exclamation. A wave of tension swept over her, as if a cold snake had slithered down her spine.

Her mind involuntarily conjured up the image of that silly yet earnest young man. His face flickered before her eyes. In Konoha, aside from Minato, he was the only person willing to risk his life to save her.

She vividly remembered his decisive actions during the Nine-Tails’ rampage, the moment he threw that colossal sword despite his arm being crushed, and the awe-inspiring combination technique that defeated the Nine-Tails alongside two others.

These moments remained deeply etched in her memory, painting vivid, rainbow-like hues over the bleak and monotonous life she had endured as a jinchūriki forced to live in anonymity.

She genuinely wanted to recognize this boy as her younger brother.

“That’s right,” Minato said grimly. “The Flying Thunder God kunai I entrusted to Uchiha Tsuki has been activated!”

“This is the Flying Thunder God Reverse Transmission technique I mentioned to you before. For now, it can only transmit a signal through the Flying Thunder God marker.”

With a serious expression, Minato grabbed the Flying Thunder God kunai from the cabinet and immediately moved to get out of bed. He reached for the blue inner shirt and green Jōnin vest hanging on the wall.

“There’s no time to hesitate. I have to help him right now!”

“Kushina, I’ll leave it to you to explain this to the Third Hokage!”

“Wait!”

At that moment, Kushina grabbed Minato’s shoulder and, with a slight exertion of strength, firmly pressed him back onto the hospital bed.

“Kushina, I have to—”

Minato struggled for a moment, only to be stunned when he realized her grip was unbelievably strong. It felt like the weight of ten bulls was holding him down, making it impossible to break free.

“Minato!”

Kushina called out firmly, her eyebrows furrowing with a faint hint of agitation. She locked eyes with him.

“Listen, you’re not the only one who cares about that kid!”

“I’m worried about him too!”

“But if Tsuki needs help despite his strength, then in your current condition, how much help can you really offer him?”

Her gaze dropped to Minato’s abdomen, which was tightly bound with layers of bandages. His vigorous movements had already caused faint traces of blood to seep through.

Tsunade had warned that it would take three months for him to recover. Yet, here he was, barely a month and a half into his recovery. Clearly, he wasn’t fully healed.

At that moment, Minato fell silent, his face reflecting a mix of hesitation and determination. Then, resolutely, he said:

“I promised him I wouldn’t be late again.”

“I know!” Kushina nodded, then added, “That’s exactly why I’m going to hold you back. And...”

As she spoke, she closed her eyes. A faint red chakra began to emanate from her body, wrapping around her and forming a tail-like cloak that flowed behind her.

It was a unique and strikingly stylish tailed beast cloak resembling a windbreaker.

“Thanks to you and Tsuki, I’m able to do this!”

“Although it’s not perfect yet, for this one time, it should be enough!”

The next moment, she clasped Minato’s hand, interlocking their fingers. With a tender but determined look, she channeled her chakra, infusing it with her love, and linked it to him.

A faint red tailed beast cloak enveloped Minato’s body.

Opening her eyes, Kushina said gravely, “Take my strength with you. Bring that stubborn brat back!”

Seeing her now, radiating a fierce and captivating aura, Minato couldn’t help but smile gently, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Alright,” he replied warmly. “I’ll bring him back for sure!”

He slipped on the blue shirt, donned the Jōnin vest, and gripped the kunai tightly.

His eyes became sharp and focused.

Behind him, the massive Hokage Rock cast its shadow, with his head perfectly aligning with the yet-to-be-carved Fourth Hokage’s visage.

In the next instant, the fastest man in the ninja world—carrying the weight of promises and trust—leaped out of the window, toward the horizon where sky and earth met.

He became a streak of golden-red light, rushing toward the most perilous battlefield of the ongoing ninja war!

---

At the border between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Frost, near a hilly terrain, a young, white-haired girl clutched a document-filled backpack. She stood nervously next to Motoi, a Chūnin with a square face and spiky hair, who was focusing on his sensory technique.

“They’re here!”

“I can sense Killer B and the Two-Tails’ chakra!”

“They’ve successfully reached the northern part of the Valley of Hell and, as planned, have launched the Tailed Beast Bomb!”

Hearing the report, Mabui took a deep breath and quickly asked, “Check again—did they follow the strategy precisely?”

Motoi did not dare delay. He immediately formed hand seals to sense the situation and relayed updates in real-time.

"No problems detected!"

"Kirābī has completed full Tailed Beast transformation as well. The second Tailed Beast Bomb has been fired according to plan!"

Mabui patted her chest in relief, exhaling softly.

"With this, half of the plan is a success! Next, we need to confirm the enemy's casualties and then prepare for the next round of bombardment."

"And finally, we retrieve the Tailed Beast!"

"I hope this round blows all those dangerous red-eyed freaks from Konoha to pieces!"

It wasn’t hard to deduce from the secretary of the future Raikage’s words that Kumogakure’s operation in Hell Valley was a meticulously calculated plan, based on the intelligence Kirābī gathered during his last reconnaissance.

*Step One:*

Notify the Clan of the Blood Pool, who had previously forged a brotherhood pact with the Raikage’s son, to incite a rebellion.

*Step Two:*

From the northern part of Hell Valley, closer to Kumogakure’s forces, deploy two of Kumogakure’s Jinchūriki in full Tailed Beast transformation. They would use Tailed Beast Bombs to launch a devastating long-range attack on Konoha's defensive camp.

*Step Three:*

Strike and retreat, constantly changing positions. The goal was to maintain distance while annihilating the enemy from afar.

The reason for such a strategy stemmed from critical intelligence Kirābī had brought back during the last mission:

Konoha’s second Jinchūriki, Uchiha Shinji, appeared to possess an ability at close range that could inflict severe damage to Tailed Beasts.

To avoid unnecessary losses, this plan was put into action.

In the final phase, an elite team would move in to retrieve the Tailed Beasts while eliminating all remaining defenders in Hell Valley.

For the follow-up operation to strike into the core of the Land of Fire from Hell Valley to succeed, no survivors would be left behind.

Notably, the retrieval of the Tailed Beasts was focused on the younger Jinchūriki who still could not achieve perfect control over the Two-Tails.

Privately, Mabui had her own reservations about this plan.

In her view, Kumogakure possessed Turtle Island, a resource for training perfect Jinchūriki, and Yugito, who had started training on the island long before Kirābī became a Jinchūriki, was highly talented.

The reason Yugito couldn’t achieve harmony with the Two-Tails, Mabui thought, was purely because:

“Cats are just impossible to deal with!”

These plans and her private musings passed through Mabui’s mind in an instant, as Motoi’s report continued.

Mabui quickly collected herself, focusing intently on the updates.

"The plan is going smoothly!"

"Both Tailed Beast Bombs hit Konoha's camp with precision!"

"They’re doomed!"

Seeing this unfold, Motoi couldn’t help but smile, thrilled at the prospect of his friend’s impending success.

However, the next moment, that smile froze on his face.

"What is that?!"

Motoi’s eyes widened in shock as he turned toward the southern side of Hell Valley, his gaze filled with disbelief. He shouted in alarm:

"Someone is charging toward the Tailed Beast Bombs!"

Hearing this, Mabui’s expression changed instantly. She urgently asked, "What did you say? What’s happening there?!"

"Damn it!" Motoi couldn’t suppress a shiver as he swallowed hard and slowly replied:

"That guy—"

"He just crushed two Tailed Beast Bombs with one hand!!"

"Not good!"

"That guy is heading straight for the Two-Tails!"

Motoi continued sensing the situation for a few moments, but then he suddenly fell silent.

After a long pause, he stammered:

"T-The Two-Tails... it's gone berserk!"

The more Mabui listened, the more it felt like she was hearing a tale of supernatural fantasy. She stood frozen in disbelief.

Her thoughts were in complete disarray, much like the carefully constructed plan that had just unraveled.

In her dazed state, she instinctively brought her hands together, forming a "Ram" hand seal with her index and middle fingers raised.

It was the initial seal of the secret technique: *Heavenly Transfer Jutsu.*

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 240: The Ninja War Begins, The Snake Devours Thunderclouds!*

At the same time—

*Land of Lightning*

Towering mountains pierce the clouds, echoing with deafening thunder. Surrounding the village are winding rivers carved by the streams flowing from the central mountain range.

Hidden among these peaks lies the Village Hidden in the Clouds, *Kumogakure*, a bastion of ninja who value bonds of brotherhood and uphold the art of swordsmanship and taijutsu.

*Inside the Raikage's Office*

The golden-red glow of the setting sun filters through the grid-like windows of a serene, ancient chamber.

Sitting cross-legged atop a massive, ochre-colored urn is a towering man with a muscular build. His skin is dark, his face fierce, framed by white hair and a white beard. A cloud-patterned headband crowns his head, and a lightning-shaped scar marks his chest.

With one hand supporting his face, he appears to be either meditating or awaiting some news.

Suddenly—

A bolt of lightning connects the sky to the mountain peaks, streaking toward the chamber with the speed of light!

Moments later, hurried footsteps, accompanied by the rolling thunder, echo through the corridor.

Inside the chamber, the man abruptly opens his fierce eyes, brimming with intensity.

*Bang!*

The chamber doors burst open, and a man in a gray coat with dark skin rushes in, clutching documents and a specially crafted scroll.

“Third Raikage-sama!”

“My daughter has sent back a message—”

It is then revealed that the man seated within the chamber is none other than *A*, the Third Raikage of Kumogakure!

This is the man renowned for battling the Eight-Tails in hand-to-hand combat, standing against thousands single-handedly. He possesses the ultimate defense, the "Strongest Lightning Armor," and the ultimate offense, the "Hell Stab: One-Finger Assault."

His very presence is the embodiment of strength!

At this moment—

A speaks calmly, “Open it.”

The gray-coated man, though initially panicked, inexplicably feels his anxiety subside in the Raikage’s presence.

“Yes!” he responds, unfurling the latest intelligence scroll sent back via Mabui’s "Heavenly Transfer Technique."

Four bold words are written on the scroll:

*Plan Failed!*

Upon reading these words, A’s brows furrow sharply. His muscles ripple in response to his increasingly heavy breathing.

The gray-coated man gulps audibly, clearly uneasy.

The plan to ambush Hell Valley had been in preparation for over a month. Young A, the Fourth Raikage’s son, had meticulously handled intelligence gathering and coordination. All that remained was the straightforward task of overpowering the opposition.

Every aspect of the plan, including the Jinchūriki’s full transformation into a Tailed Beast, had undergone at least three rigorous tests before finalization.

But now—

“Raikage-sama, this is my failure. I... I...”

The gray-coated man drops to one knee before A, bowing deeply. Teeth clenched, he prepares to accept punishment.

“Gebuui,” A says calmly, “I don’t blame anyone.”

His gaze falls on Gebuui as he continues,

“The only mistake in this mission was underestimating the Uchiha.”

“Especially an Uchiha capable of wielding Tailed Beast power!”

Contrary to his fierce exterior, the Third Raikage reveals a surprising warmth and wisdom.

“It’s their first time executing such a major mission. Some mistakes are understandable.”

“Young ones lack experience. That’s why we elders exist—to bear the cost of their errors, resolve the problems, and guide them forward.”

“Only then can one generation surpass the previous.”

With those words, A stands, leaping down from the ochre urn and effortlessly hoisting it onto his back. Turning to Gebuui, he speaks in a steady tone:

“Gebuui, use the Heavenly Transfer Technique to send me to Hell Valley.”

Startled, Gebuui looks up at the Third Raikage, his face full of shock.

“That’s... the Sage of Six Paths’ treasure, the Amber Purifying Pot!”

“Wait, what did you just say!?”

A’s expression remains calm as he meets Gebuui’s gaze.

“Send me to Hell Valley now!”

Gebuui’s face pales. “Impossible! The Heavenly Transfer Technique is only meant for objects. No human has ever survived being transferred—it would tear the body apart at such extreme speeds. Even you, Raikage-sama—”

Gebuui had assumed the Third Raikage intended to send the Amber Purifying Pot, a legendary artifact once used to seal the Eight-Tails. Its ability to suppress Tailed Beasts and Jinchūriki made it an invaluable weapon.

But what he hadn’t anticipated was—

The Third Raikage, A, astonishingly ordered him to transport both the Amber Purifying Pot and himself together.

This was unprecedented—just as he said earlier, no one had ever succeeded in such an attempt before!

Before Cee (Gabui) could finish trying to dissuade him, A decisively declared:

"Trust me!"

"I will succeed!"

"If I fail... let the next generation of A take the position of the Fourth Raikage."

"Cee, you must understand what it means for Kumogakure to lose two Tailed Beasts in Hell Valley, don’t you?"

Cee fell silent, unable to respond.

Because he understood exactly what it meant:

Kumogakure would lose its two ultimate trump cards. Its military strength would be greatly diminished, and Iwagakure, Kirigakure, or even Konohagakure—currently being besieged by the Four Nations—could seize the opportunity to turn on Kumogakure instead!

The carefully planned "Four Nations Campaign Against Fire" would collapse in an instant.

A, as the Third Raikage, understood this better than anyone else.

For the sake of the village's future, this was the moment to stake his very life.

If the two Jinchuriki couldn’t secure victory in Hell Valley, sending just the Amber Purifying Pot would be no more than a futile, last-ditch effort.

But if he himself went...

The outcome would be entirely different.

“I understand!”

Cee’s gaze turned heavy, filled with awe and pain as he looked at the elder before him.

He took a deep breath, trembling as he stood. His eyes grew moist without him realizing it.

Forming hand signs with his fingers—index and middle fingers upright together—he activated the technique.

As the seals took effect, a brilliant white light enveloped the elder with his white hair and beard.

Cee’s voice cracked slightly, and a single tear rolled down his cheek. At this moment of farewell, all he could do was offer his final blessing to this elder as a brother:

“Lord Third Raikage!”

“I wish you great success in battle!”

The next moment—

The Heavenly Transfer Technique activated!

A flash of lightning pierced through the Raikage’s office in an instant, transforming into a beam of light that carried his will across vast distances, all the way to the gates of Hell Valley!

Becoming one with lightning, the Raikage shattered through Hell!

The Third Raikage, A, was about to make his grand entrance!

At that moment—

Countless people in Kumogakure looked up, gazing at the flash of lightning that streaked across the sky.

They didn’t know what this lightning represented, nor did they understand the monumental sacrifice behind it.

After a fleeting glance, they returned to their everyday lives as though nothing had changed.

Ironically—

An outsider to Kumogakure understood it all.

In the shadow of Kumogakure's towering peaks,

A figure wearing a black hood looked up with interest, watching the disappearing lightning. Their gaze lingered for a long time.

"Heh heh heh~ Things are getting interesting!"

The figure chuckled hoarsely, raising a hand to remove their hood. They dispelled the Transformation Technique hiding their identity.