Orochimaru leaned against a massive rock, his usually pale skin now marred by charred wounds and signs of fatigue. His breathing was steady but labored, and the faint hiss of a slug-like creature could be heard as it worked to heal his injuries. The creature—Tsunade's summoned slug from the Shikkotsu Forest—moved with practiced precision, its chakra knitting together damaged tissues and soothing the effects of his injuries.
"It's the son of the Third Raikage and his brother, Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki," Sakumo Hatake said grimly, his brow furrowed with concern as he addressed Minato.
Minato's sharp blue eyes shifted from Orochimaru to Sakumo, then back to Orochimaru, who managed a faint smirk despite his condition. "I've really embarrassed myself this time," Orochimaru said, his tone tinged with self-mockery.
Minato's expression softened, though his resolve remained firm. "Senior Orochimaru, there's no shame in being wounded while protecting the village. A warrior who fights on the battlefield deserves respect, no matter the outcome."
Orochimaru's golden eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion, but he said nothing. He had never been one to form close bonds with his fellow shinobi, and Minato's kindness caught him off guard. Still, the younger man's sincerity was hard to dismiss.
The burn marks and scorched fabric of Orochimaru's clothing told a grim story. The unmistakable signs of Lightning Chakra were etched into his body—marks of an encounter with two of Kumogakure's most formidable warriors. The son of the Third Raikage, destined to become the Fourth Raikage, was a fearsome opponent in his own right. Paired with Killer B, the Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails, their teamwork was near-unparalleled.
Minato's mind raced as he assessed the situation. The combination of speed and brute force from the two made them nearly unstoppable. Their reputation had been cemented during the latter stages of the Second Shinobi World War, where their synergy had shattered enemy lines and left a trail of devastation in their wake.
"I was temporarily held back by C" Sakumo explained, referring to the Third Raikage's brother. "Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Tsunade faced the other two. A's speed countered Orochimaru's fighting style, making it difficult for him to land an effective blow."
Minato nodded. He knew firsthand the overwhelming advantage the Lightning Armor granted its user. The speed and resilience it provided were formidable, especially against close-range fighters like Orochimaru. Even for someone as experienced as Tsunade, who had spent much of her time building Konoha's medical infrastructure, facing Killer B was a daunting task. The loss was understandable.
"What are our casualties?" Minato asked, his voice steady but tinged with concern.
Tsunade stepped out from behind a nearby boulder, her expression calm but somber. "Of the 120 shinobi we brought, 11 were killed. The rest suffered minor injuries, except for Orochimaru. I've already healed the others."
Minato's gaze lingered on her for a moment, admiring her composure in the face of such losses. Over the years, Tsunade had matured into a leader who could shoulder the heavy burdens of war without faltering. Gone was the fiery temper of her youth; in its place stood a calm determination that was every bit as formidable.
"As you can see, we lost this battle," Tsunade said, her tone measured. "But it's not surprising. Konoha is at a disadvantage in this war. Losses are inevitable."
She glanced at Minato and offered a wry smile. "You're quite the anomaly, though. Ending the battle on the River Country front so quickly—it's almost inhuman."
Minato chuckled softly, his eyes scanning the horizon. "The Cloud Ninja's surprise attack force should be in that forest at the edge of the plain," he said, pointing to the dense tree line.
Sakumo nodded. "We clashed with them about an hour ago. Although we were outmatched, they didn't press their advantage. Instead, they retreated, likely regrouping and preparing for another strike."
Minato's expression turned serious. "They'll attack again soon. A surprise attack loses its effectiveness if delayed too long. Their strategy relies on speed and momentum."
Sakumo sighed. "If you hadn't arrived, we'd have had no choice but to retreat. We were preparing to move the battle line closer to the Fire Country border. But that would risk dragging the Land of Hot Springs into the conflict."
"The Land of Hot Springs' leaders must already be feeling the pressure," Minato said. "The town of Izumi is nearby. I'm sure they're monitoring our movements closely."
"Half an hour ago, I met with Yugimoto Kawahiko, the leader of Yugakure," Sakumo explained. "I assured him we'd withdraw before tonight. The last thing we want is to involve the Land of Hot Springs in this war."
Minato nodded thoughtfully. The Land of Hot Springs was a neutral ally, and forcing it into the conflict would only complicate matters. "We need to finish this quickly. The longer this drags on, the harder it will be to maintain stability."
Sakumo hesitated before speaking. "I had planned for a full retreat, leaving behind a small force to buy time. Once the Cloud Ninja's surprise attack force overextended itself, we'd strike at their vulnerable rear."
Minato shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's a sound strategy, but it's no longer necessary. With me here, we can take a more direct approach."
Both Sakumo and Tsunade looked at him, curiosity and caution in their eyes. "What are you suggesting?" Tsunade asked.
Minato's gaze sharpened. "Sakumo and Tsunade, if the two of you combine your strengths, you should be able to neutralize C quickly."
Sakumo frowned. "And the other two? A and Killer B are an entirely different challenge."
Minato's smile widened, and his tone carried quiet confidence. "Leave them to me."
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