"Even for you, it's too dangerous to face those two alone," Tsunade said, her brows furrowed in concern as she studied Minato.
She had no doubts about his abilities. With mastery over the Flying Thunder God Technique and his remarkable speed, Minato was a shinobi of unparalleled skill. But even he was not invincible. He had just returned from a grueling battle on the Sunagakure front, where he had defeated the Fourth Kazekage and even clashed with the One-Tailed Shukaku. Tsunade couldn't help but worry about him taking on Kumogakure's strongest.
A, the son of the Third Raikage, was a formidable warrior—perhaps even stronger than her or Orochimaru in pure combat. Although still young, A's strength and speed rivaled that of his father, and his partner, Killer B, had already begun mastering the immense power of the Eight-Tails. Together, they were a devastating force.
Orochimaru, leaning against the rock where he had been recovering, stood up slowly. Despite the pain etched across his pale features, his golden, snake-like eyes burned with an intense resolve. "Minato, don't underestimate me. I can still fight," he said, his tone laced with a rare fierceness.
Minato met Orochimaru's gaze and smiled faintly. "Senior Orochimaru, this isn't about underestimating you. It's about protecting our future. Your presence in the coming battles will be invaluable, and we can't risk you sustaining further injuries in this fight."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smirk, but his pride kept him silent. He could see the logic in Minato's words, though it stung his ego to be excluded from the fight.
Minato turned his gaze to Tsunade and Sakumo. "You all know me well enough by now. When have I ever taken unnecessary risks? My proposal isn't born from arrogance; it's based on strategy. I wouldn't suggest it unless I was certain it would succeed."
Sakumo and Tsunade exchanged glances, then nodded in silent agreement. Minato's calm, logical demeanor always inspired confidence. Even Orochimaru, begrudgingly, seemed to accept the plan.
"You've certainly planned this out well," Tsunade said with a wry smile. "It's no wonder they call you a genius."
Sakumo chuckled softly. "Minato's not just a genius; he's a monster in his own right. I trust him to pull this off."
Minato's smile widened slightly, but he remained focused. "Thank you for trusting me. Let's move quickly. Every second counts."
An Hour Later
The tension in the air was palpable. At the edge of the forest bordering the small plain, Kumogakure's surprise attack force emerged like a dark tide, their movements swift and precise. Hundreds of shinobi advanced, their forms blending seamlessly with the terrain as they spread out across the battlefield.
Minato stood atop the cliff, his sharp blue eyes scanning the enemy ranks below. His yellow hair glowed faintly in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the ominous presence of the Cloud Ninja. His calm demeanor masked the storm of calculations running through his mind.
"Boom!"
Without warning, Minato launched his opening attack. Dozens of massive fireballs rained down from the cliff, streaking through the sky like flaming meteors. The flames illuminated the battlefield, their heat palpable even from a distance.
The Cloud Ninja countered with a surge of lightning chakra. Bolts of electricity crackled and roared, colliding with the fireballs in a dazzling display of light and sound. The plain echoed with the chaos of their clash, smoke and sparks filling the air.
In mere moments, the two forces closed the distance, and the battlefield erupted into chaos. Ninjutsu collided with blinding speed, and blades flashed as the shinobi clashed head-on.
At the forefront of the Cloud Ninja ranks stood three figures who radiated raw power. They were tall, muscular, and dark-skinned, their presence commanding the battlefield.
Minato's gaze sharpened as it locked onto two of the figures he knew all too well. A, the future Fourth Raikage, stood with his arms crossed, his domineering aura impossible to ignore. Beside him was Killer B, dressed slightly differently from the other Cloud Ninja. His sunglasses gleamed under the sun, and the tattoo on his right shoulder marked him unmistakably as the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki.
A's eyes narrowed as he spotted Minato. A hint of recognition flashed across his face. "You're Namikaze Minato, aren't you?" he asked, his tone both curious and threatening.
Minato didn't respond, his calm gaze unwavering.
Ai's expression darkened. "A few years ago, it was you who injured C, wasn't it?"
Minato's eyes flickered for a moment before he replied evenly, "I regret not finishing the job."
The words hung in the air like a blade. Minato's tone was calm, but his meaning was clear. In the past, he had shown mercy to preserve the fragile peace between Konoha and Kumogakure. But with the Third Ninja World War raging, such considerations were no longer necessary.
Ai's lips curled into a sneer. "Arrogant brat," he growled. "You were just a kid back then. Do you really think you can handle me now?"
Next to A, Killer B regarded Minato with a mix of curiosity and caution. His usual carefree demeanor seemed subdued as he observed the Konoha shinobi. In his mind, a voice spoke.
"B, be careful of this one," the Eight-Tails warned. "There's something about him… something familiar."
"Familiar? What do you mean, Gyuki?!" Killer B replied internally, his trademark rap slipping into his thoughts.
"I don't know yet," the Eight-Tails admitted, "but don't underestimate him. If you fight him, use my power right from the start."
Killer B frowned but nodded in understanding. His connection with the Eight-Tails allowed him to sense its unease, and that alone was enough to put him on high alert.
Minato, meanwhile, observed the two with his usual calm. His mind was a whirlwind of calculations as he assessed their movements and demeanor. He could feel the weight of their power, but it didn't deter him. Instead, it sharpened his resolve.
"So, the Eight-Tails can sense it too," Minato thought. "Just like the One-Tail. Can they detect my secret? Interesting."
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