"Clang!"
The three-pronged kunai spun with a sharp, resonating hum, enveloped in razor-sharp wind blades as it tore through the air, aiming directly at A and Killer B. Their reaction was swift, but Minato Namikaze's precision had left them with no time to turn around or properly defend.
From the outset, Minato's target wasn't merely A. He had anticipated their every move.
As the kunai's deadly arc closed in on the two shinobi, several massive tentacles erupted from behind Killer B, moving at a speed that rivaled Minato's legendary swiftness.
Minato's sharp eyes flickered. These weren't ordinary defenses. The tentacles belonged to the Eight-Tails, the tailed beast sealed within Killer B.
Only a Jinchūriki with complete control over their tailed beast could execute such a maneuver—manifesting portions of the beast's body for attack or defense. Killer B had essentially grown several extra limbs, turning his defense into an impenetrable fortress.
"Impressive," Minato muttered under his breath, his mind racing.
It was clear that Killer B had anticipated his movements, and the Eight-Tails' intervention wasn't a spur-of-the-moment reaction. From the very start, the beast had been wary of Minato, sensing the threat he posed.
Even the coordination between A and Killer B showcased preparation. While A had charged headlong into the fray, Killer B had immediately activated the power of his six-tailed transformation to complement his brother's attack.
These actions spoke volumes. Before the battle had even begun, the Eight-Tails had undoubtedly warned Killer B about Minato's extraordinary abilities.
"It's not just Killer B's instincts," Minato thought. "The Eight-Tails itself is pulling the strings."
Despite the tentacles blocking his attack, Minato's three-pronged kunai still managed to sever their tips with its deadly wind blade. A faint mist of chakra dissipated into the air as the wind blade grazed both A and Killer B, though the buffer created by the tentacles, combined with their Lightning Release Armor and Tailed Beast Coat, left them unharmed.
Minato wasn't disappointed; this was all part of his plan.
As the dust settled and the three combatants disengaged for a brief moment, the battlefield grew eerily still. Tension crackled like static electricity.
A and Killer B turned back, their movements guided by the momentum of their dodge. In Minato's hand, however, was a handful of three-pronged kunai, each gleaming with the faint charge of Lightning Chakra. He twirled them effortlessly between his fingers, his expression calm but calculating.
"Shhh!"
The kunai were released with blinding speed, each one spinning as it shot towards the Cloud Ninja camp.
Killer B and A froze momentarily, their gazes flickering between Minato and the kunai. But their attention was drawn to something else entirely—a sense of dread radiating from Minato himself.
"Gyuki, thanks!" Killer B thought, his gratitude directed toward the Eight-Tails.
If not for the tailed beast's quick reaction earlier, he and A would have been gravely injured. Minato's attack had cut through the Eight-Tails' tentacles as if they were paper; it was a terrifying reminder of the blond man's power.
In the distance, at the forefront of the Cloud Ninja camp, a tall, dark-skinned man radiating powerful chakra stood. This was C, the commander of the Cloud forces, his Lightning Release Armor thicker and more refined than A's.
C's sharp eyes tracked the kunai, his body already moving into a defensive stance.
But before he could react further, a flash of white light streaked across the battlefield. The gleam of a chakra blade sliced through the chaos, heading straight for C.
"Lightning Moon Slash!"
The attack came from Sakumo Hatake, the famed White Fang of Konoha. His azure blade shimmered with lightning chakra, forming an arc of raw power that resembled a crescent moon.
C didn't hesitate. His fist, enveloped in crackling lightning, surged forward to meet the attack.
"Bang!"
The clash sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield, the ground beneath them shattering under the sheer force of their strikes.
Minato's kunai, however, continued their trajectory, slicing through the air toward the Cloud Ninja camp. Elite Cloud ninjas reacted swiftly, knocking the projectiles away with their weapons, each clang echoing like a symphony of impending battle.
"Sorry, B, I was too impulsive just now. Are you okay?"
A's voice broke the tension as he addressed his brother. Though known for his aggression, A wasn't reckless. The brief exchange with Minato had made one thing abundantly clear—he couldn't face the Yellow Flash alone.
Killer B shook his head, his gaze locked on Minato. He didn't dare look away.
Even with the protection of the Tailed Beast Coat, he felt exposed. The man standing before them wasn't just fast; he was beyond comprehension. His speed, combined with the ability to manipulate time and space, made him nearly untouchable.
A and Killer B exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Their years of fighting together allowed them to communicate without words.
"I hate to admit it, but he's faster than me," A thought, his eyes narrowing. "And with that teleportation jutsu, even if we attack from both sides, he'll just slip away."
Killer B, meanwhile, was listening intently to the Eight-Tails. The beast had been tracking Minato's every move, attempting to predict his teleportation patterns.
"It's troublesome," Killer B muttered under his breath.
Minato had already demonstrated his ability to teleport vast distances, appearing momentarily on the distant cliffs where Konoha's forces were stationed. If they attacked recklessly, Minato could simply retreat, leaving them vulnerable.
But Killer B had an idea. His gaze shifted to the Konoha forces nearby, and A followed his line of sight.
They locked eyes, and A understood instantly. His expression darkened as he surveyed the enemy troops.
"To stop him from teleporting," A thought, "we'll have to force him to stay here."
Normally, A would scoff at using underhanded tactics, but against a foe like Minato, all bets were off. He turned to Killer B, his decision made.
"We'll use Plan D," A said, his voice low but firm.
"Got it, big brother," Killer B replied.
Without hesitation, Killer B charged toward Minato, his twin daggers drawn and crackling with energy. Each blade seemed like a predator's fang, aiming to tear through the Yellow Flash.
At the same time, A dashed toward the Konoha troops, his speed a blur.
Minato's eyes followed their movements, his lips curving into a faint smile.
"As expected of the strongest combination in the ninja world," he thought.
==============================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
=============================================