[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 481 - 485

Chapter 481: Cooperation

“Shhh!”
The scorching magma ball shattered the ground, melting the intricate black lines hidden beneath the surface.

The battlefield, spanning hundreds of meters in radius, now bore dozens of scorched holes of varying sizes, a testament to the fierce clash.

“Ding ding!”
Minato Namikaze weaved through the chaos, locked in an intense battle against Hanzo and Rasa. The three fighters, like streaks of light, darted across the battlefield, their movements too fast for ordinary ninjas to track.

Hanzo had long realized that conventional ninjutsu was ineffective against Minato’s unmatched speed. Only techniques that left no room for evasion could pose a threat.

Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, also refrained from using his signature large-scale attacks. Such techniques lacked the precision required to target Minato, whose reaction speed was unparalleled. Using them risked collateral damage to allies.

Despite lacking the speed of Minato and Hanzo, Rasa’s physical prowess allowed him to keep up with the relentless pace of the battle. As the Kazekage, his combat skills were nothing to scoff at.

Minato noticed that most of the markers he had strategically placed around the battlefield had been erased by Rōshi. It became clear that the three opponents had not only prepared for the fight but had also coordinated a strategy to counter him.

This wasn’t just Minato's idea of a challenge; it was a coordinated effort by the allied forces of the major ninja nations. To them, Minato was the most dangerous adversary, one they were desperate to eliminate—whether because of his overwhelming strength or the countless lives of their comrades he had claimed.

“Earth Style : Golem Technique!”
A thunderous roar, more beast-like than human, echoed across the battlefield, shaking the air itself.

Before Jiraiya stood a towering rock giant, over ten meters tall. Perched on its shoulder, Kitsuchi performed hand seals, commanding the giant.

“Boom!”
The giant’s massive fist crashed into the ground, causing tremors and sending shards of rock flying in every direction.

Jiraiya was flung backward but quickly bit his finger, smearing his blood onto his palm. Forming a series of seals, he pressed his hand against the ground.

“Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu!”

As a plume of smoke billowed forth, the rock giant’s next punch landed squarely into it.

“Boom!”
From the dissipating smoke emerged a massive shadow. A giant toad stretched out its hand, catching the rock giant’s punch mid-strike.

The toad grunted, its strength barely holding back the colossal force. “Jiraiya, every time you summon me, it’s always in the middle of some critical crisis!” Toad Chief Gamabunta complained, his voice tinged with irritation. However, his expression shifted as the punch’s force surged through him. “Ouch! That hurts!”

Gamabunta’s eyes narrowed as he locked onto the rock giant, a hint of cold determination flickering within them. With his free hand, he drew a massive dagger and swung it ferociously at the enemy.

“The summoning beast of Mount Myōboku?” Kitsuchi muttered, unfazed. With a gesture, he commanded the rock giant to intercept the attack.

The dagger embedded itself deep into the giant’s palm, but the attack wasn’t without consequence. Gamabunta’s blade had struck with enough force to cause visible cracks in the giant’s stony hand.

“Thanks for the assist, Gamabunta, but we need to focus on repelling the enemy first!” Jiraiya called out, his voice tinged with both gratitude and urgency. Even as he spoke, his hands were a blur, forming seals for his next technique.

Although Gamabunta grumbled, it was merely to vent his frustration. Without hesitation, he unleashed a torrent of toad oil from his mouth.

“Toad Oil Flame Bomb!”

Jiraiya followed up with a Fire Release Ninjutsu, igniting the oil into a blazing inferno. The flames roared to life, consuming both Kitsuchi and his rock giant in an instant.

Gamabunta leapt back to avoid the heat, but his sharp eyes caught sight of three flashes of light darting past the flames, accompanied by the distinct clash of ninja tools.

"Hanzo of the Salamander!?" Gamabunta exclaimed, his voice laced with shock.

Minato’s voice rang out amid the chaos. “Gamabunta, I apologize for the trouble.”

Gamabunta’s gaze shifted, recognizing Minato as one of the figures locked in combat with Hanzo. He could barely keep track of their movements.

Mount Myōboku had heard of Minato defeating Hanzo, but the toad chief’s expression grew even more serious when his eyes landed on another figure—a man manipulating gold sand.

“The Fourth Kazekage!?”

The realization struck him like a thunderbolt. Minato was battling not only Hanzo but also the Fourth Kazekage!

“Boom!”
The three combatants streaked past Gamabunta in a blur, their clash sending shockwaves through the air. From within the blazing inferno, Kitsuchi’s rock giant emerged, its charred form radiating heat.

Though its body was scorched, the giant showed no signs of retreat. Steam hissed off its surface as it advanced once more, barbs sprouting from its fists—a clear sign of Kitsuchi’s mastery over Earth Release techniques.

“That’s one of Kitsuchi’s best Earth Release techniques,” Jiraiya muttered, his eyes narrowing. “He’s reinforcing his rock giant mid-battle. Impressive for the son of the Third Tsuchikage.”

“Gamabunta, we can’t afford to let up!” Jiraiya’s voice brimmed with determination.

The massive toad chuckled, despite the dire situation. With a sudden burst of speed, Gamabunta leapt backward, putting himself out of the giant’s reach.

“Body-Flicker Technique?” Kitsuchi’s eyes narrowed. While the Body-Flicker was not a rare technique, Gamabunta’s precise use of it—triggered by Jiraiya’s seals—showed an extraordinary level of coordination between the two.

“Water Style: Iron Cannonball!”

Safe from the giant’s reach, Gamabunta unleashed a massive water cannonball from his mouth. The projectile hurtled forward at terrifying speed.

Caught off guard, Kitsuchi had no choice but to command the rock giant to shield itself with its arms.

“Boom!”
The impact forced the giant back, steam hissing as the water clashed with its overheated body.

Jiraiya’s eyes lit up. “Now’s our chance!”

Gamabunta charged forward again, his massive blade gleaming.

Kitsuchi’s hands flew into seals, but he was a step too slow.

“Bang!”
Gamabunta’s short sword cleaved into the giant’s crossed arms, shattering them with ease. The once formidable colossus now showed clear signs of weakness, its defenses crumbling.

Chapter 482: Changes

"Using fire first, then water... Are they planning to weaken the stone giant’s defenses this way?"

Kitsuchi couldn’t help but marvel at Jiraiya’s methodical use of ninjutsu. He hadn’t anticipated that Jiraiya and Gamabunta’s coordination would be this seamless. In this exchange, the advantage undeniably belonged to the duo.

“This kid…”

Hanzo, who was engaged in a fierce clash with Minato, briefly glanced at the battle between Jiraiya and Kitsuchi. Despite being on opposing sides, he couldn’t suppress a flicker of admiration for Jiraiya.

Years ago, it was Hanzo himself who had bestowed the title of "Three Legendary Sannins" upon Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Although his naming carried ulterior motives, it also reflected his acknowledgment of their potential. Over a decade had passed, and as he had predicted, the trio had grown into formidable figures.

However, there was one aspect that left him discontent—the disciple trained by Jiraiya.

For a young ninja like Rasa to serve as the Fourth Kazekage in his twenties was already an extraordinary feat. Yet, Namikaze Minato surpassed even that, defying the expectations of the entire ninja world.

Minato had exceeded his teacher, the Third Hokage, and even Hanzo himself—figures who stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world. Now, Minato was the undisputed leader of a new generation of unparalleled ninjas.

“Boom!”

The clash between the two giants came to a dramatic end. Gamabunta’s blade severed the arms of Kitsuchi’s rock giant in a single devastating blow. The blade struck its chest, and cracks began to spread rapidly throughout the giant’s body.

But Kitsuchi, perched on the giant’s shoulder, remained unfazed. He quickly completed his hand seals and let out a low, commanding shout.

“Earth Style: Mountain Earth Technique!”

“Boom!”

As the rock giant crumbled, the ground around Gamabunta erupted. Two massive hemispheres of rock surged upward, enclosing the toad chief within their crushing grasp.

Kitsuchi clasped his hands together, and the enormous rock hemispheres pressed inward, trapping Gamabunta at the center.

“Boom!”

The sound of the rocks colliding was accompanied by a bone-jarring crunch.

“What tremendous force!” Gamabunta growled, gritting his teeth as his body trembled under the intense pressure. Even with his immense strength, the crushing force left him numb.

"You big pervert, hurry up and get out of here! I can’t hold on much longer!"

Despite his precarious situation, Gamabunta bellowed with his usual gruff humor. Jiraiya’s eyes twitched slightly at the outburst, but he nodded with gratitude. In a flash, Jiraiya leapt onto Gamabunta’s head, then sprang out of the danger zone.

“Bang!”

The summoning technique dissolved, and Gamabunta disappeared in an instant. Jiraiya landed on a nearby rock, locking eyes with Kitsuchi, who stood amidst the crumbled remains of his giant.

Though their recent exchange had been intense, neither fighter showed any signs of exhaustion. On the contrary, their fighting spirits burned even brighter.

Swish!

In an instant, the two shinobi charged at each other, their battle reigniting with ferocity.

While the leaders clashed, the periphery of the battlefield was no less chaotic—a relentless fight of life and death for the participating ninjas.

“Zheng!”

A brilliant flash of a blade tore through the dim, stormy battlefield, illuminating the darkness like a fleeting star.

“Puff!”

A spray of crimson followed as the blade cut across the chest of a Rain Ninja, who collapsed immediately. His eyes, even in death, reflected the graceful figure of his opponent.

Suzuka, her long black hair flowing with the wind, stood with her katana in hand. Her expression was cold and indifferent—a stark contrast to her graceful movements. Though she no longer bore the title of "Anbu Witch," she remained as fearsome as the biting chill of winter.

Her swordsmanship had improved significantly over the years, honed under the tutelage of her husband, Hatake Sakumo—the famed White Fang of Konoha. His reputation as one of the ninja world’s greatest swordsmen was well-earned.

Though fate had decreed that Kakashi’s mother would perish shortly after his birth, history had shifted, granting her a second chance to live—and to fight.

Suzuka wasn’t the only one whose destiny had changed. Kato Dan, Nawaki, and Uchiha Yoruki—each of them had been fated to die before the Third Great Ninja War. Now, all of them fought valiantly on the battlefield.

Minato’s own students—Kakashi, Rin, and Obito—had been brought to the front lines for this war. Their involvement signaled the future of Konoha, even as chaos engulfed the present.

Suzuka, after slaying a Rain Ninja Jonin, surveyed the battlefield. Despite her keen eyes, she couldn’t immediately locate Kakashi amidst the sprawling chaos.

She quickly refocused, knowing all too well that distraction could mean death in such a dangerous setting. Jun steeled herself with the belief that her son wouldn’t fall so easily.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, the clash of ninja tools echoed as sparks flew from a heated confrontation.

“Where did this kid come from? His attacks are relentless!”

A Sand Village Jonin grimaced as he faced a white-haired boy with a short blade—none other than Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi’s sharp gaze remained fixed on his opponent, his movements precise and unyielding. Though his short blade lacked the legendary craftsmanship of his father’s White Fang, it still carried the same fierce determination.

Despite his youth, Kakashi’s Chunin-level skill was undeniable. Having been promoted at the tender age of six, he had already begun to master his father’s swordsmanship.

Though younger than Minato was during the Second Great Ninja War, Kakashi was holding his own against a seasoned opponent—albeit with some difficulty.

The Sand Jonin initially thought that sheer physical prowess would be enough to overpower the boy. However, Kakashi’s swordsmanship proved dangerously sharp, and the Jonin barely escaped injury in their earlier exchanges.

“Taijutsu isn’t enough against this kid…”

Realizing the need for a new approach, the Jonin leapt back and began forming seals.

“Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!”

A series of chakra-compressed air bullets shot from his mouth, hurtling toward Kakashi at high speed.

Kakashi remained unfazed, forming his own seals in response. His dark eyes glinted with resolve, faint arcs of lightning flickering within.

“Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!”

Before the wind bullets could strike, a massive fireball surged forth, colliding with the attack. The resulting explosion of flames and wind created a blinding barrier of heat and smoke.

Kakashi smirked slightly and turned his head toward a familiar figure—a black-haired boy of his age, grinning as he stood not far away.

“Obito, thanks.”

Kakashi murmured the words softly, his grip tightening on his blade as brilliant lightning chakra coursed through it.

Swish!

Kakashi surged forward, plunging into the flames with unrelenting speed. His blade, crackling with electricity, sliced through the fiery veil like a beacon of light.

The Sand Jonin’s eyes widened in disbelief as Kakashi emerged from the flames, his blade glowing with electrified chakra. The air crackled with the roar of thunder as Kakashi unleashed a devastating slash.

“Hatake Sword Technique: Thunder Moon Slash!”

A crescent-shaped arc of lightning erupted from Kakashi’s blade, streaking toward the Sand Jonin with blinding speed and overwhelming power.

Chapter 483: Obito's Sharingan

“Boom!”

In the midst of the blazing firelight, a crescent-shaped arc of lightning streaked through the air, radiating sharp and deadly energy.

Swish!

Kakashi's Thunder Moon Slash carved through the battlefield with precision, but his opponent, a seasoned Sand Ninja Jonin, reacted swiftly, retreating just in time to avoid a fatal blow. However, his speed couldn’t fully escape the attack's reach.

“Bang!”

The lightning arc struck the jonin's chest, sending a surge of electricity coursing through his body. A scream tore from his lips as he staggered back several meters.

Looking down, the jonin saw that the fabric over his right chest was scorched, revealing charred flesh underneath. He grimaced in pain, his breathing uneven.

“It still missed,” Kakashi muttered, his brow furrowed. Though the flames had obscured his opponent’s vision, they had also interfered with his own aim. His Thunder Moon Slash had been slightly off-target. If the attack had landed on the left side of the chest, it would have pierced the heart and ended the fight.

“Damn little devil!”

The Sand Ninja Jonin’s expression twisted into one of rage and pain. His eyes burned with malice as he rapidly formed hand seals, gathering all his remaining chakra into his throat.

At such close range, Kakashi had no time to interrupt the technique.

“Wind Style: Killing Wind Blade!”

Sharp, concentrated blades of wind shot forth from the jonin’s mouth, slicing through the air with deadly precision. The technique, forbidden in the Sand Village due to its destructive nature and the risk of injuring the user’s throat, was now aimed squarely at Kakashi.

The first wind blade closed the distance almost instantly. Kakashi raised his short blade, intercepting the attack.

“Clang!”

The force of the wind blade made Kakashi's eyes widen. The impact pushed him back several steps, his arms trembling from the sheer power.

Before he could recover, the second wind blade was upon him. Kakashi managed to block it, but the blow sent shockwaves through his arm, making his palm feel as though it might split.

The jarring impact loosened his grip on his blade, but Kakashi held firm, refusing to let go.

“Kakashi!”

Not far away, Obito saw his teammate struggling. His expression changed, and he began forming hand seals.

“Little brat, worry about yourself first!”

An enemy ninja lunged at Obito, forcing him to shift his attention.

“Hateful!”

Obito gritted his teeth, his determination unyielding. Minato’s training had transformed him into a more resilient and decisive fighter. Without hesitation, he engaged his attacker.

Meanwhile, Kakashi was forced to contend with a third wind blade. This time, the attack overwhelmed him. His short blade slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.

Kakashi reacted immediately, rolling to the side to avoid the incoming strike.

“Don’t even think about escaping!”

The Sand Ninja Jonin’s hoarse voice rang out, his throat damaged by the sharp wind chakra. He unleashed a fourth wind blade, locking onto Kakashi.

Kakashi looked up, his heart pounding. The attack was too fast—he couldn’t evade in time.

“Kakashi!”

A figure suddenly dashed into the path of the wind blade.

“Rin!”

Rin, who had been observing from the edge of the battlefield as per Tsunade’s instructions for medical ninjas, couldn’t stand by any longer. She had seen Kakashi’s peril and acted on instinct.

Turning her back to the oncoming wind blade, Rin shielded Kakashi with her body.

“Puff!”

The wind blade struck Rin’s back with brutal force, drawing a spray of blood. The impact flung her into Kakashi’s arms.

The two of them tumbled to the ground, rolling several meters before coming to a stop. Kakashi cradled Rin in his arms, his eyes wide with shock and horror.

“Rin!”

For the normally composed Kakashi, this was a moment of uncharacteristic anguish. His voice rang out in a desperate cry.

Nearby, Obito turned at the sound, his battle momentarily forgotten. When his eyes landed on Rin, lying bloodied in Kakashi’s arms, his expression froze.

Time seemed to stand still as rage and sorrow twisted Obito’s features.

“You little brats!”

The Sand Ninja Jonin’s voice dripped with venom as he advanced. Though his chakra reserves were depleted from using the forbidden technique, he still had enough strength to finish Kakashi and Rin.

Obito, locked in combat with his opponent, clenched his fists. A cold fury began to well up within him, a feeling unlike anything he had experienced before.

“You’re dead!”

Obito’s voice, low and chilling, carried an edge of finality.

“You’re seeking death by getting distracted!”

The enemy ninja facing Obito took advantage of the opening, aiming a kunai at the boy’s vitals.

“Puff!”

Blood splattered, but not from Obito.

Before the enemy’s attack could land, Obito had moved faster, driving a kunai deep into his opponent’s chest.

The enemy ninja’s dying gaze reflected a pair of crimson eyes, shining with an eerie intensity.

In Obito’s blood-red eyes, two magatama swirled—his Sharingan had awakened.

The Sand Ninja Jonin, still intent on his prey, charged toward Kakashi and Rin. Kakashi, overcome with grief and guilt, was temporarily paralyzed.

As the jonin closed in, he suddenly found himself blocked by a blur of motion.

“Clang!”

The jonin halted as his attack was intercepted. A powerful kick followed, striking his chest with enough force to send him flying.

“Bang!”

The jonin crashed into the ground, stunned. When he looked up, he saw the source of the attack—Obito.

“What… What’s going on?”

The jonin’s eyes twitched in disbelief. The boy in front of him wasn’t the same hesitant fighter from earlier. Obito’s speed and strength had surged dramatically.

“Kakashi!”

Kakashi, still in shock, looked up at the figure now standing protectively in front of him and Rin.

“Obito?”

Obito turned slightly, his scarlet eyes meeting Kakashi’s gaze.

“Sharingan!?”

Chapter 484: Kill!

After seeing Obito's Sharingan clearly, Kakashi felt an overwhelming presence emanating from his teammate—a presence he had never felt before.

It left Kakashi momentarily dazed.

Is this really the Obito I know?

“Stop spacing out! Take Rin to the medical ninjas for treatment, now!” Obito’s sharp tone snapped Kakashi back to reality.

“Um! Got it!”

Kakashi immediately responded, instinctively obeying. Though he had always regarded Obito as clumsy and naive, something in his comrade’s voice unsettled him—a newfound authority, sharp and commanding.

Without hesitation, Kakashi picked Rin up, her blood staining his arms. His heart wavered as he glanced back at Obito, now radiating hostility.

Who is this person standing there? Kakashi wondered before vanishing into the chaos to ensure Rin’s safety.

As Kakashi disappeared into the fray, Obito stepped forward, his scarlet Sharingan eyes glinting in the dim light. Reaching down, he picked up Kakashi’s fallen blade, its weight balanced perfectly in his hand.

The reflection of his crimson Sharingan in the blade was unrelenting, his gaze locked on the Sand Ninja Jonin standing before him. His voice, cold and devoid of hesitation, cut through the battlefield like a blade itself.

“You dare to lay your hand on Rin, you must die.”

The jonin, already on edge from his injuries, stiffened as he met Obito’s eyes.

“Two magatama Sharingan?” he muttered, his voice betraying a mix of shock and dread.

Obito’s crimson pupils spun with two magatama, an unusual sight for a newly awakened Sharingan. Traditionally, Uchiha awakened their Sharingan with a single magatama, progressing through stages of development. But Obito’s Sharingan had bypassed that entirely, opening with two magatama—a phenomenon unheard of in the history of the Uchiha clan.

The jonin clenched his fists, trying to suppress his unease. He knew he wasn’t in optimal condition, having already been injured in his earlier clash with Kakashi. But he was still a jonin, and this boy was just a genin—albeit an unusual one.

Swish!

Without warning, Obito moved, his body a blur of black light as he rushed toward his opponent.

The jonin’s instincts kicked in. Knowing he couldn’t match Obito’s speed head-on, he turned and darted toward the larger concentration of allied forces.

With over 4,000 ninjas from the three-nation alliance against Konoha’s 2,000, the battlefield was segmented into clusters of intense combat. If he could reach his comrades, he would be safe.

Obito halted mid-charge, his expression growing darker. His hands tightened around the short blade as his Sharingan spun faster. He knew that if the jonin reached the allied forces, killing him would become nearly impossible.

Anyone who hurts Rin must die!

The mantra echoed in his mind, fueling his rage and sharpening his focus.

Obito’s eyes flickered as fragments of his training under Minato resurfaced—his teacher’s movements, the unmatched speed of the Body Flicker Technique, and the principles behind it.

In his rage, Obito’s mind worked at an accelerated pace, piecing together the concepts that had always eluded him.

“Instant Step!”

The words slipped from his lips as his chakra surged. His speed, already impressive, suddenly increased.

Swish!

In an instant, Obito appeared directly in front of the fleeing jonin, cutting off his escape.

The jonin’s eyes widened in disbelief. Obito’s sudden appearance caught him off guard, but the boy’s inability to fully control the technique left him momentarily disoriented.

“Get lost!”

The jonin swung his kunai, aiming for Obito’s vitals.

As the attack closed in, Obito’s Sharingan spun rapidly. Time seemed to slow, and the jonin’s movements became clear, almost predictable.

With precision born of instinct and the Sharingan’s power, Obito struck the joint of the jonin’s elbow, redirecting the kunai’s trajectory. The blade grazed past Obito’s side, barely missing its mark.

Obito’s body moved fluidly. In a single motion, he spun around and drove his foot into the jonin’s chin.

“Bang!”

The jonin stumbled backward, his eyes filled with shock.

How did this kid become so fast?

Obito steadied himself, his breath measured and controlled. He glanced down at his hands, the sensations of his newfound abilities sinking in.

So this is the power of the Sharingan.

His vision had changed. The flow of chakra, the slightest muscle movements of his opponent—everything was visible, giving him an advantage he had never known before.

But there was no time for reflection. Obito’s gaze snapped back to the jonin, who, though shaken, remained dangerous.

“Ding ding!”

The sound of clashing blades filled the air as Obito and the jonin exchanged blows.

Despite his newfound power, Obito’s physical skills were still raw. However, his Sharingan compensated, allowing him to identify weaknesses in his opponent’s attacks and exploit them with increasing precision.

Each clash pushed the jonin further into a corner. Obito’s strikes grew sharper, his confidence building with every exchange.

“Puff!”

The turning point came when Obito spotted a critical opening. His blade cut through the jonin’s shoulder, severing half of the arm that wielded his kunai.

“Ahhh!”

The jonin’s scream echoed across the battlefield as blood poured from the wound.

“Die!”

Obito’s voice, filled with unrelenting fury, signaled the end. His blade moved in a blur, slicing through the jonin’s neck.

Blood sprayed across Obito’s face and weapon, the crimson staining his expression of cold, focused rage.

The jonin’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground, his head rolling a few feet away.

Obito stood over the corpse, his breath heavy but steady. His Sharingan glowed ominously, the spinning magatama reflecting the bloodied battlefield around him.

At that moment, Obito wasn’t just a ninja. He was vengeance incarnate, his emotions fueling his strength in a way that transformed him forever.

Chapter 485: New Technique

As the teacher of Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, Minato had no time to worry about their well-being on the chaotic battlefield. His own situation was dire—he faced three S-ranked opponents simultaneously and was currently at a disadvantage.

“Shhh!”

Rōshi, cloaked in the searing magma of his Lava Release, lunged forward with a devastating punch. The surrounding air shimmered and evaporated under the intense heat.

“Rasengan!”

Minato’s hand blurred as a Rasengan formed in his palm, meeting Rōshi’s magma-coated fist head-on. The resulting collision sent shockwaves rippling outward.

Meanwhile, Hanzo’s blade flashed toward Minato’s vitals. Reacting instantly, Minato raised his kunai to parry the strike. The clash of metal sent sparks flying in all directions.

Behind them, the Fourth Kazekage, slower than the others, took advantage of Minato’s distraction. He formed a series of seals, and the gold sand under his command surged forward, morphing into a deadly spear.

“Swish!”

The golden spear shot through the air with terrifying speed, aimed directly at Minato’s heart.

“Bang!”

In a split second, Minato’s feet shifted mid-air, touching together with precision.

“Boom!”

A barrier materialized before him, intercepting the golden spear. The spear struck the barrier with enough force to dent it but ultimately failed to penetrate.

“You’re using your feet to form seals and create a barrier?” Hanzo’s eyes narrowed slightly, his brow lifting in curiosity.

But his curiosity quickly gave way to a sinister smile. Minato’s maneuver was a clear sign that their strategy was working—he was being pushed into a corner.

Within a radius of several hundred meters, all of Minato’s Flying Thunder God marks had been meticulously destroyed by Rōshi’s Lava Release. Each time Minato attempted to place a new mark, Rōshi would divert his efforts to eliminate it.

While a few marks remained on the distant battlefield, using them would mean teleporting into areas crowded with allied forces from both sides. Such a move could lead to catastrophic losses for Konoha’s forces, a scenario Minato was determined to avoid.

The battlefield’s constraints had effectively cornered him.

This isn’t looking good.

Minato’s sharp gaze flicked toward Jiraiya, who was locked in a fierce battle with Kitsuchi.

“Jiraiya-sensei!”

Jiraiya and Kitsuchi’s attacks clashed once more, forcing both to retreat. Hearing Minato’s call, Jiraiya immediately took stock of the situation. The grim reality of Minato’s predicament was clear.

Without hesitation, Jiraiya formed seals and pressed his hand against his wrist. A hidden seal pattern emerged briefly before fading away, revealing a concealed black mark.

Unknown to their enemies, Minato had planned for this exact scenario. Knowing that the ninja nations would develop strategies to counter the Flying Thunder God Technique, he had prepared a contingency: a hidden mark sealed on Jiraiya’s body.

This mark, undetectable even to Minato himself until unsealed, was his trump card.

As the seal broke, Minato’s body flickered and vanished.

“Swish!”

In an instant, he reappeared next to Jiraiya.

“Minato, this is cutting it close!” Jiraiya said, casting a wary glance at his student.

“I’ll be fine,” Minato replied with a calm smile. His expression shifted slightly as he added, “Sensei, let me show you my new technique.”

“New technique?” Jiraiya echoed, his surprise evident.

Kitsuchi, sensing the danger of facing both Minato and Jiraiya simultaneously, retreated swiftly. Meanwhile, Hanzo, Rōshi, and Rasa closed in, their movements precise and relentless.

Minato’s eyes briefly met Jiraiya’s before he clasped his hands together.

“Bang, bang, bang!”

In an instant, ten shadow clones materialized around him.

Swish!

Three clones disappeared immediately, while the remaining seven launched a barrage of Flying Thunder God kunai at their approaching enemies.

“Lava Release:  Magma Curtain!”

Rōshi, acting swiftly, formed seals and spewed molten lava from his mouth. The magma fanned out like a curtain, incinerating the incoming kunai mid-flight.

“Buzz!”

The intense flames painted the battlefield in a fiery glow. Above the flames, Minato’s seven shadow clones leapt into the air, each one forming a Rasengan in their hands.

“Borrowing your move, Naruto,” Minato thought, a fleeting smile crossing his lips.

“Super Odama Rasengan Barrage!”

The air seemed to tremble as massive spiraling orbs of chakra descended, each one radiating destructive energy.

“Rustle!”

In response, Rasa manipulated his gold sand to create a protective dome around his allies. The shimmering barrier gleamed under the firelight, its density absorbing the brunt of the Rasengan barrage.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

The successive impacts sent shockwaves across the battlefield. The gold sand barrier held momentarily but began to fracture under the relentless assault.

“Earth Release: Rock Dragon Technique!”

Kitsuchi seized the opportunity, clasping his hands together to summon massive rock dragons. The earthen beasts roared as they surged toward Jiraiya and Minato.

“Ninja Art: Wild Lion’s Mane Technique!”

Jiraiya’s hair elongated and whipped forward, intercepting the rock dragons. The two forces clashed, each vying for dominance.

As the dust settled, the cracks in the gold sand barrier expanded until it finally crumbled. A shadow darted out from the remnants of the barrier.

“Iaido Slash!”

Hanzo moved with blinding speed, his blade cutting through Minato’s shadow clones before they could react. The clones dissipated into puffs of smoke, leaving only Minato standing.

Hanzo, Rōshi, and Rasa rushed forward, their combined power bearing down on Minato.

“Looks like it’s time,” Minato muttered, his mind focused.

With a subtle gesture, he dispelled the remaining shadow clones positioned in unknown locations.

“Woosh!”

A surge of energy coursed through Minato’s body. His eyes closed briefly as orange pigmentation appeared around them, and his pupils turned into vertical slits.

“Sage Mode,” Minato whispered, a calm yet powerful presence emanating from him.

Hanzo froze mid-step, his instincts screaming danger.

“No... Not this state again!” Hanzo’s voice trembled, memories of past encounters flooding his mind. The overwhelming aura radiating from Minato was unlike anything he had faced in this battle.