[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 551 - 555

Chapter 551: Into the Darkness

"Buzz."

Waves of shock radiated within the barrier, expanding outward with violent force. But no matter how fierce the explosion, the black lines etched into the barrier swallowed the energy whole. The destructive force, which could have easily leveled the surrounding forest, was consumed completely upon contact with Minato’s Space Barrier.

The explosion raged for over a minute before it finally subsided, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Minato exhaled deeply, his muscles relaxing as he dispelled the barrier.

With the protective seal lifted, thick smoke began to pour into the clearing, masking the area in dense, choking fog.

But amidst the swirling smoke, there was something unusual—a specific area remained untouched, as if an invisible wall kept the dust and debris at bay. This was the spot where the space had distorted earlier.

Minato’s sharp blue eyes flickered, narrowing as he observed the anomaly. The distortion in that space was smaller than before, but still stubbornly persistent.

Slowly, the warped space began to stabilize, returning to its natural state. Minato’s golden brows relaxed slightly, a subtle sign of relief.

Over the past few days, he had repeated these experiments, each time pushing his chakra reserves to their absolute limit. Without the Nine-Tails’ chakra as his fallback, Minato knew it would have taken him months—if not years—to master this technique.

His preparations for this moment had spanned nearly a decade.

This was uncharted territory. No one in the history of the shinobi world had ever touched this level of power. Even with his natural talent, Minato recognized how much luck had played a role in his progress.

Not even the Sage of Six Paths, the fabled ancestor of all shinobi, had crossed through time and space in this way.

This power… was beyond the realm of traditional ninjutsu.

And with it, Minato was confident that no defense—no matter how formidable—could withstand his technique.

"I’m almost there."

He murmured to himself, his voice low but filled with determination. This special ninjutsu was nearly perfected. The process of executing it was still complex, and while it wasn’t quite ready for real combat, especially against someone like the Third Raikage, Minato had completed the hardest part.

Now, it was just a matter of refining the technique.

Forming a hand seal, Minato activated Sage Mode again. The orange markings appeared at the corners of his eyes as he gathered natural energy.

He raised his palm, and a new seal began to materialize, its color growing brighter with each passing second.

There was no time to rest.

Minato had to master this technique—and fast. The war wouldn’t wait.

In the Humid Cave…

"Rustle."

The faint sound of footsteps echoed off the damp stone walls. Kakashi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

A Kirigakure ANBU appeared before him, their face hidden behind a strange mask. Without a word, the ANBU reached down and untied the gag from Kakashi’s mouth.

Before Kakashi could react, the shinobi shoved a few military ration pills into his mouth and forced water down his throat. The gag was replaced just as quickly.

Kakashi didn’t resist.

"He’s cooperative… a smart kid," the ANBU thought, their gaze lingering on Kakashi for a moment longer than necessary.

They knew better than to underestimate a child on the battlefield. Anyone who had survived this long—especially in a war as brutal as this one—was far from naïve.

To an outsider, Kakashi’s compliance might look like weakness, like he’d lost his resolve as a shinobi. But in truth, it took far more courage to remain calm and survive than to lash out recklessly in a hopeless situation.

Without another word, the ANBU turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Kakashi closed his eyes again, his mind racing.

Why did they capture me… but not interrogate me?

The typical reason for taking prisoners was to extract information. Yet, Kakashi had been left alone—no questions, no threats, just isolation.

And why was he being guarded by Kirigakure ANBU?

ANBU were directly under the Mizukage’s command. No one else could control them—not even high-ranking jonin.

Kakashi’s mind spun. He was strong, but not that important. His skills alone wouldn’t warrant attention from the Third Mizukage.

Unless…

It’s because of my father…

Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, was a legendary figure. But even then, would that be enough?

Or maybe… it’s because of Minato-sensei.

The Yellow Flash was famous across the shinobi world, feared and respected in equal measure. But how could Kirigakure have known Kakashi’s connection to him?

If they did know, wouldn’t they have interrogated him by now or used him as a bargaining chip?

And if that was the case… where was Rin?

Are they interrogating us separately? But if they knew who I was, wouldn’t I be more valuable than Rin?

The contradictions piled up, and despite his sharp intellect, Kakashi couldn’t piece together the puzzle.

Elsewhere in the Underground Hideout…

"Ahem."

Madara’s coughing echoed through the cave, each rasping breath a reminder of his frailty. His body was failing, but his mind remained sharp.

As his breathing steadied, he opened his eyes, meeting the gaze of White Zetsu.

"My time is running out," Madara whispered, his voice hollow but resolute. "The seal is complete. Imprison Kakashi and the girl—Rin—together."

He paused, a thin smile creeping across his lips.

"As for guarding them, leave it to her—."

White Zetsu tilted his head, a grin spreading across his face. "her? Interesting choice."

Madara chuckled softly, a dark glint in his eye.

"Once she learns who they are, she won’t see them as enemies. After all… their teacher is her savior."

Back to Kakashi…

Kakashi’s world was shrouded in darkness. A blindfold covered his eyes, and his ears were plugged, muting the sounds around him.

But he didn’t need his sight to sense where he was. The dampness against his skin, the faint scent of salt in the air—it all pointed to one conclusion.

I’m on an island… somewhere in the Land of Water.

Guided roughly through the cavern’s winding passages, Kakashi felt himself being led into another cave.

Shortly after, he heard soft footsteps approaching.

Rin…

Though he couldn’t see her, Kakashi recognized the faint, familiar sound of her steps. They were slower, heavier than usual, as if she were exhausted or injured.

He strained to listen as Rin was brought into the same cave, but something else caught his attention—a new presence.

A Mist ANBU was waiting at the entrance, their face hidden behind a strange mask. But their slender frame and long brown hair betrayed their identity.

A female ANBU.

In Kirigakure, female ANBU were rare—especially within the elite ranks directly under the Third Mizukage.

"Move, brat!"

The shinobi escorting Rin shoved her forward roughly. She stumbled, falling to the ground with a soft cry.

The contents of her ninja tool pouch spilled across the stone floor, metal clinking against the rock.

"Pathetic," the guard sneered, yanking on the rope binding her wrists.

But something strange happened.

The female ANBU glanced down at the scattered tools, her eyes narrowing behind the mask.

For a split second, her emerald-green eyes gleamed with recognition.

Among the fallen tools, a single kunai stood out.

It was different from the rest—its shape unique, with black patterns etched into the handle.

Chapter 552: The Decisive Battle

"Then I'll leave these two brats in your care."

After roughly yanking Rin to her feet, the Kirigakure shinobi addressed the female ANBU standing silently nearby.

"Mm."

The woman’s response was indifferent, her voice barely more than a whisper. Yet, her eyes were glued to the ground where Rin’s spilled ninja tools lay scattered. Among them was a kunai unlike any other—its distinct shape and black engravings unmistakable.

The Kirigakure shinobi, satisfied with the curt reply, turned on his heel and left the cave, his footsteps echoing into silence.

Swish!

As soon as she was certain he had left, the female ANBU moved in a blur, reappearing in front of the scattered tools. She bent down and picked up the unique kunai, turning it over in her gloved hands.

Beneath the mask, her composed expression wavered.

"This is his kunai… there's no doubt about it."

Her heart, usually cold and steady from years of ANBU service, fluttered with emotion. Memories she thought long buried began to surface.

Staring at the kunai in her palm, her emerald-green eyes softened. Reflected in its polished surface was a face from her past—youthful, with dazzling blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

But what she remembered most vividly was his smile.

It had an infectious warmth, capable of easing even the most turbulent of hearts. That smile had once calmed her own storm, back when life had been simpler, before the shadows of war consumed them all.

"Minato..."

It had been ten years since they last crossed paths. The boy she once saw had grown into a formidable figure, a legend whose name echoed across the shinobi world.

Though she served Kirigakure and Minato fought for Konoha, she couldn’t bring herself to harbor any hatred toward him. If anything, she felt a strange sense of pride in his accomplishments.

Her gaze shifted from the kunai to Rin, who sat quietly nearby.

She didn’t know the girl’s connection to Minato, but the presence of this special kunai spoke volumes.

With a soft sigh, the ANBU woman moved to Rin’s side. Gently, she placed her hands on the girl's shoulders, offering support.

Rin flinched at the unexpected kindness. Bound and gagged, with her senses dulled, she couldn’t comprehend the sudden change in treatment.

The ANBU helped Rin sit down across from Kakashi, who was still blindfolded and gagged, his posture rigid even in captivity.

For a brief moment, the woman hesitated. Then, as if making a silent decision, she removed the blindfolds and gags from both of them.

Blinking against the dim light, Kakashi and Rin stared at each other in disbelief.

"Rin?!" Kakashi gasped.

"Kakashi, is that you?!" Rin’s voice trembled, relief and fear mingling in her tone.

The familiar sound of each other's voices filled the cave, cutting through the oppressive darkness.

Kakashi’s sharp eyes darted to Rin’s pale face, reading the exhaustion and fear etched into her features. Despite her brave front, the terror of their situation weighed heavily on her.

Turning his attention to the female ANBU standing nearby, Kakashi met her gaze briefly. But her mask revealed nothing.

He shifted back to Rin, his voice soft but steady. "Don’t worry, Rin. I’ll protect you."

Rin managed a weak smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yeah…"

Though their situation was dire, having Kakashi by her side gave Rin a renewed sense of hope.

The ANBU woman watched their exchange in silence, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth beneath the mask.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the cave, leaving the two children alone. She made no move to restrain them again.

Her intentions were clear—she wanted to observe their interactions, perhaps to gather information. But Kakashi and Rin, both sharp in their own ways, revealed nothing beyond their names.

Outside the cave, the ANBU woman stood still, the kunai still clutched in her hand.

"Kakashi and Rin…"

Though the names were unfamiliar, she was certain that with time, she could uncover their significance.

"Minato-senpai, if these two are important to you… let me help you, just this once."

At the Border of the Moon Country, Konoha Camp

Inside the command tent, the air was thick with tension. The senior Konoha shinobi gathered around the central table, their faces grim.

Hatake Sakumo’s expression was particularly severe. He could sense the shift in the battlefield—Cloud Ninja forces were becoming increasingly restless.

"It seems the Third Raikage can’t sit still any longer," one of the jonin remarked, breaking the heavy silence.

Suzuka, standing beside Sakumo, nodded thoughtfully. "Of course. Over in the Land of Grass, the Iwagakure defenses have been steadily collapsing. Uchiha Yoruki nearly took out the Four-Tails Jinchuriki in the last battle."

A faint smile touched her lips. She and Sakumo had known Yoruki since their youth, back when he and Minato were just promising young shinobi. Now, they were the village’s strongest pillars.

"Yeah," Sakumo agreed, his tone measured. "And on the Sand Ninja front, Chiyo’s forces are struggling against Tsunade. Age is catching up with her, and Tsunade’s in her prime."

With Konoha gaining ground on both fronts, the Cloud Ninja were under immense pressure. If they didn’t act soon, they risked losing the war by default once their allies fell.

Given the Third Raikage’s fierce reputation, it was no surprise that Cloud forces were amassing for one final, decisive strike.

"This attack will be different," Sakumo said quietly. "They’re going all in. This will decide the war."

The room fell silent again, each shinobi lost in their own thoughts.

"Where’s Minato?" one jonin muttered under his breath.

Though the words were spoken softly, they echoed in the tense room.

Minato was the heart of Konoha’s war effort. His absence weighed heavily on everyone’s minds. With the Cloud Ninja preparing to unleash their full force, only his presence could instill the confidence they needed.

Swish!

As if summoned by their thoughts, a familiar flash of yellow light filled the tent.

Minato appeared in the center of the room, his blond hair slightly tousled, his blue eyes calm but sharp.

The moment they saw him, the tension in the room eased. Every shinobi turned to him, relief flooding their faces.

Minato glanced around, reading the atmosphere instantly. A faint smile played on his lips.

"It seems," he said softly, "the time has come to decide the outcome of the Third Shinobi World War."

Chapter 553: Another Battle with the Raikage

"I'm really sorry for everything."

Minato’s voice was calm but sincere as he addressed the assembled shinobi. For the past several days, he had left the management of the camp entirely to Hatake Sakumo while focusing on mastering his new power.

But no one in the room showed a hint of complaint or blame.

Instead, every eye reflected the same thing—expectation.

Even Sakumo couldn’t suppress the flicker of surprise that crossed his face as he said, "It seems you already have a solution."

Minato’s gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of his comrades and subordinates. He gave a firm nod.

The tent fell silent, the weight of anticipation settling like a heavy blanket. Then Minato’s expression hardened, his voice rising with determination.

"Everyone," he began, "since Lord Hokage and Lady Tsunade have shown their resolve to secure victory, how can we remain passive?"

Though he’d been absent from the frontlines, Minato had kept abreast of the battle reports. He knew Konoha was pressing the advantage on multiple fronts. Now was the time to strike decisively.

"Of course!"

His words ignited a spark in the room. The confidence in Minato’s voice was contagious, infusing every shinobi present with renewed strength.

Their trust in him was absolute.

Throughout this war, Minato’s actions had proven that he possessed not only the skill but the foresight to lead Konoha through the darkest times. Under his guidance, they had withstood the combined might of four nations. Today, they stood on the brink of turning the tide completely in their favor.

It could be said that Minato had single-handedly led Konoha towards victory.

"Gather everyone," Minato ordered, his voice steady. "This will be the final battle on the border of the Moon Country!"

"Yes!"

The jonin and commanders responded in unison, their voices echoing through the tent before they rushed out to mobilize the troops.

When only Minato and Sakumo remained, the White Fang turned to his friend, his expression serious.

"How sure are you?"

Minato’s blue eyes softened for a moment. A faint, almost wistful smile played on his lips as he replied, "I’m not sure."

Sakumo blinked in surprise, but before he could speak, Minato continued, his voice firm.

"But I must succeed. I won’t fail this time."

Sakumo chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "It’s rare to hear that from you."

He knew Minato well—calm, calculated, never one to gamble. For him to admit uncertainty meant the stakes were higher than ever. But if there was anyone who could turn the impossible into reality, it was Minato.

"You’re the only one who can say that and make it sound like a guarantee," Sakumo added with a grin.

For a brief moment, a shadow of sadness flickered in Minato’s eyes. But it vanished just as quickly as it had come. His gaze hardened, his resolve unshakable.

"Obito… just watch. Your teacher will fulfill your dream."

Outside the camp, beneath the towering mountains that marked the border of the Moon Country, the Konoha forces stood ready.

But unlike before, there was no fear or hesitation in their eyes.

Swish!

Two figures materialized at the front of the formation, and every eye immediately turned to the blond-haired shinobi leading them.

Minato.

Seeing the anticipation and trust in their gazes, Minato felt a warmth spread through his chest. He turned to Sakumo, who stood beside him.

Their eyes met briefly, and without words, they both clenched their fists, their silent vow understood.

Sakumo’s gaze flicked toward the crowd, settling on Suzuka. She met his eyes with a gentle nod, her smile as bright as it had been in their youth.

"Let’s go."

Minato’s voice rang out with authority, and in the next instant, his body blurred into a streak of yellow light, shooting forward like a lightning bolt.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The entire Konoha army surged forward, the roar of their movement cutting through the air like thunder.

Across the battlefield, the Cloud Ninja forces stirred. The impending clash was unavoidable.

The border of the Moon Country was a treacherous landscape of mountains and valleys, and as the two armies converged in a vast valley, the ground trembled under the weight of countless shinobi.

The valley grew silent for a brief, tense moment as the two forces came face to face.

At the front of the Cloud Ninja formation stood the Third Raikage, flanked by A, Killer B, and C

Their eyes locked with Minato’s, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a kunai.

No words were exchanged.

But the air vibrated with the sheer force of the chakra radiating from both sides.

Shhh!

The sound of crackling lightning echoed through the valley as the Raikage and his men activated their lightning armor. Minato formed a quick series of hand seals, the orange markings of Sage Mode appearing at the corners of his eyes.

Killer B’s tailed beast chakra surged, coating him in a bright red cloak, while lightning danced along Sakumo’s blade, transforming it into a brilliant Lightning Blade.

Minato exchanged a final glance with Sakumo, then growled, "Move!"

In a blur of motion, Minato launched himself at the Third Raikage, moving faster than the eye could follow. Chakra swirled in his palm, condensing into a massive sphere.

"Super Odama Rasengan!"

The chakra sphere expanded rapidly, its power radiating through the battlefield.

But the Third Raikage’s eyes gleamed with dark lightning. He raised his right hand, curling three fingers and extending two, forming his infamous Hell Stab: Second Kante.

There was no hesitation.

Bang!

The two attacks collided with a deafening explosion. For a split second, they seemed evenly matched, but then the Super Odama Rasengan shattered under the sheer force of the Raikage’s lightning spear.

The Raikage lunged forward, his fingers aimed directly at Minato’s heart.

But Minato vanished in an instant, reappearing several meters away, his expression unshaken.

Meanwhile, A, the fastest of the Cloud Ninja, had pushed his speed to the limit, circling around to flank Minato.

On the other side, Killer B charged forward, but before he could close the distance, Sakumo appeared in front of him, his Lightning Blade slashing down with lethal precision.

Killer B reacted instantly, drawing his blade and channeling both lightning and tailed beast chakra into the strike.

Clang!

The two blades collided, sending sparks and shockwaves rippling through the air.

C, a step behind Killer B, joined the fray, forcing Sakumo onto the defensive. Outnumbered, he had no choice but to retreat strategically, buying time for Minato.

But Minato wasn’t worried.

Facing only the Third Raikage and Yotsuki A, he had the advantage. Sakumo’s role was crucial—keeping Killer B occupied meant Minato could focus on executing his new technique.

Flipping his palm mid-battle, Minato summoned a special mark, his eyes gleaming with determination.

This was it.

The moment he’d been preparing for.

Chapter 554: Tailed Beast Mode!      

Not far ahead of Minato, the Third Raikage and A exchanged quick glances, their eyes flickering toward Killer B, who was locked in fierce combat with Hatake Sakumo.

Their expressions darkened, the realization setting in—they couldn’t win against Minato with just the two of them.

Meanwhile, the mark on Minato’s palm continued to glow, its brilliance intensifying with each passing second.

"Brother, watch out! That guy's gathering his chakra!"

Killer B’s warning echoed across the battlefield. His heightened sensory abilities easily detected the vast chakra Minato was channeling into the special Flying Thunder God mark.

At his words, A and the Third Raikage locked eyes. The elder Raikage’s lips curled into a cold, knowing smile as he turned his gaze back to Minato.

"So," the Third Raikage muttered, "you’ve been preparing too."

"Too?"

Minato’s eyes narrowed, catching the implication in the Raikage’s words. But before he could press further, the Third Raikage barked out a command.

"B! Now!"

Minato felt it immediately—a surge of overwhelming chakra pouring out of Killer B, far beyond what he had sensed earlier.

Pink, octopus-like tentacles erupted from Killer B’s back, unfurling toward the sky. Sakumo, sensing the change, quickly retreated, giving himself space.

"No way..."

Minato’s heart pounded as he watched Killer B leap into the air. The tentacles coiled around his body, and with a thunderous roar—

BOOM!

The ground trembled violently as a colossal figure materialized, spanning the width of the valley. A massive shadow engulfed the battlefield, blotting out the sun.

Sakumo’s breath hitched. The shinobi he had been battling just moments ago had now transformed into a monstrous beast.

A bull-like head crowned the creature’s upper body, with two thick arms rippling with raw power. Its lower half twisted into eight enormous tentacles, each one capable of crushing boulders with ease.

"The Eight-Tails..."

Minato’s voice was barely a whisper, but his eyes gleamed with recognition. He could feel the monstrous chakra radiating from Killer B’s transformed state.

In his previous life, Minato had fought Killer B and A around this very time. But back then, Killer B had only partially transformed into his tailed beast form. He hadn’t yet achieved full transformation.

"So this is what the Third Raikage meant by 'preparing'..."

Swish!

Without wasting another second, the Third Raikage and A launched themselves toward Minato, their speed reaching its zenith.

"Now!" the Third Raikage roared, pushing his Lightning Release Armor to the limit.

On the other side, C reengaged Sakumo, forcing him back into battle, while the newly transformed Eight-Tails lumbered toward the Konoha forces.

ROAR!

The Eight-Tails let out a deafening roar, its voice reverberating through the valley like a shockwave. The very air trembled under the force of its power.

Minato’s eyes sharpened. He could feel it—the chakra of the Eight-Tails was significantly stronger than the One-Tail or even the Four-Tails.

It was second only to the Nine-Tails.

Then, the Eight-Tails moved.

Minato’s heart clenched as the beast raised its massive head and opened its gaping maw. He could see the terrifying chakra gathering, coalescing into a dark, pulsating orb.

"A Tailed Beast Ball..."

Even the calm, composed voice of the older Minato within him faltered in shock.

Minato had personally witnessed the destructive power of the Tailed Beast Ball when the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha. Without his mastery of the Flying Thunder God technique, the entire village would’ve been obliterated.

And now, that same catastrophic power was aimed at Konoha’s advancing army.

If the Eight-Tails unleashed that attack, the entire Konoha force stationed at the Moon Country’s border would be annihilated.

This was Cloud Village’s trump card—the power that had allowed the Four Great Ninja Nations to challenge Konoha in the Third Shinobi World War.

If the Konoha army fell here, not even Minato and Sakumo could stop the Cloud Ninjas alone.

Minato gritted his teeth. Killer B’s ability to fully transform and use the Tailed Beast Ball at this stage was a deviation from everything he remembered.

The timeline had changed.

Swish! Swish!

The Third Raikage and Yotsuki A’s attacks grew more ferocious, their movements blindingly fast. The Raikage sneered as he pressed Minato harder.

"I know you’re a master of space-time ninjutsu," the Third Raikage taunted. "I know you can deflect a Tailed Beast Ball. But you can’t escape now!"

His gaze flicked toward Sakumo, still battling against overwhelming odds.

"If you leave to protect the Konoha army, Sakumo will die. But if you stay here, your precious army will be wiped out."

The Raikage’s trap was clear. Either Minato abandoned Sakumo to save the army, or he stayed and risked Konoha’s complete annihilation.

But Minato’s expression didn’t falter.

Slowly, a calm smile spread across his face as the mark in his palm glowed brighter—radiating like white jade.

The Third Raikage’s smirk wavered.

"Where is his confidence coming from?"

In front of the Eight-Tails, the Tailed Beast Ball continued to grow, its chakra pulsating with destructive energy.

Sakumo, locked in combat with C, felt the overwhelming pressure from the Eight-Tails’ attack. His heart raced as he realized the imminent threat to the Konoha forces.

"Minato!"

His shout echoed across the battlefield.

But Minato’s response was calm, almost serene.

"Senior Sakumo," he called back, "stick to the plan."

Sakumo’s eyes widened, but he didn’t question Minato. He knew better. If Minato said to trust him, then there was a plan in motion.

The mark in Minato’s palm blazed brighter, illuminating the valley.

"Killer B hasn’t mastered this yet," Minato thought, analyzing the situation. "The speed at which he’s forming the Tailed Beast Ball is too slow compared to the Nine-Tails. He’s still inexperienced."

But the Third Raikage sneered.

"So what? Even if you don’t care about your comrades’ lives, I’d love to see how Sarutobi Hiruzen punishes you—the pride of Konoha!"

The Tailed Beast Ball was now fully formed.

ROAR!

With a feral cry, the Eight-Tails fired the massive sphere of chakra, launching it directly toward the Konoha army.

The black orb soared through the sky, its destructive power humming with lethal energy.

Chapter 555: Fierce Fight

Bang!

The Tailed Beast Ball shot out with terrifying force, the sheer volume of chakra propelling it like a hurricane. As it tore through the valley, rocks shattered, trees splintered, and the very ground trembled beneath its might.

"This chakra…!"

Hatake Sakumo’s expression darkened as he struggled against the storm's force. The energy within the Tailed Beast Ball was so dense, it had practically solidified, causing devastation with every inch it traveled.

Such overwhelming power was enough to annihilate the entire Konoha army.

Turning his head sharply, Sakumo’s gaze darted toward Minato, still locked in battle with the Third Raikage and A.

What else can he do?

Meanwhile, on one side of the valley, the Konoha forces—more than a thousand strong—came to an abrupt halt.

All eyes turned skyward, staring in horror at the monstrous energy sphere barreling toward them. A wave of sheer terror surged through the ranks, leaving even seasoned shinobi paralyzed.

They were powerless against this.

Thousands of ninjas, yet not a single one dared to resist.

This wasn’t just an attack—it was a force of nature.

Amid the frozen crowd, Suzuka’s face was pale, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her sensory abilities made her acutely aware of the Tailed Beast Ball’s devastating chakra, far beyond anything they could defend against.

Yet, as the monstrous sphere drew closer, a strange calm washed over her.

Her gaze flicked to a Konoha shinobi nearby, gripping a special kunai tightly. She wasn’t the only one who felt it—an unspoken hope coursed through the camp.

In Konoha today, there was only one person capable of handling such a threat.

In this moment of impending doom, the Konoha shinobi shared a singular thought.

Minato.

Whoooosh!

The Tailed Beast Ball roared closer, the sheer pressure causing weaker shinobi to buckle under the force.

The deafening sound, the oppressive heat, the suffocating presence of death—it was overwhelming.

Swish!

Then, just as the attack was about to crash down, a figure flickered into existence before the Konoha army.

A flash of yellow light streaked across the battlefield.

"Space Barrier!"

As the Tailed Beast Ball descended, black lines suddenly materialized in the air beneath it. The lines expanded rapidly, forming an intricate barrier of swirling energy.

Bang!

The massive energy sphere collided with the barrier, sending shockwaves rippling through the valley. But there was no explosion.

Instead, the Tailed Beast Ball was absorbed into the barrier, its destructive energy swallowed whole as if vanishing into another dimension.

Behind the barrier, it felt as though a gateway to another world had opened.

Every Konoha shinobi stared in stunned silence.

At the top of the valley stood a lone figure, his blond hair catching the light, his presence commanding.

Minato.

In that desperate moment, the sight of him standing there—unwavering, unyielding—ignited something within the Konoha army.

Gratitude. Awe. Hope.

Thousands of shinobi, powerless against the might of a tailed beast, watched as one man effortlessly deflected what would have been their annihilation.

Yet, no one was surprised.

Since the beginning of the Third Shinobi World War, Minato had turned impossibilities into reality. This was just another miracle in a long line of feats.

Across the battlefield, the Third Raikage, A, and their comrades stared in disbelief.

Their confident smirks had vanished, replaced by grim, calculating expressions.

From their vantage point, they could just make out the faint black barrier that had neutralized the Tailed Beast Ball.

Almost in unison, their eyes shifted back to Minato, still standing before them, unfazed.

How…?

He’d been fighting them the entire time. How could he possibly defend the Konoha camp from such a distance?

But Minato’s face revealed nothing. His calm, steady gaze betrayed none of the effort behind his actions.

The figure that had appeared in front of the Konoha camp was a Sage Clone—a creation of Minato’s, imbued with natural energy.

Though it was only a clone, it had enough power to erect the Space Barrier and deflect the Tailed Beast Ball.

With Minato’s current chakra reserves, even his clones were far stronger than his former self.

Within seconds, the barrier had fully consumed the Tailed Beast Ball. The black lines shimmered briefly before dissolving into nothingness.

BOOM!

Far above the sea, the Tailed Beast Ball reappeared, its unstable energy detonating in a massive explosion. The blast sent towering waves crashing across the ocean’s surface, but it posed no threat to anyone now.

Back on the battlefield, Killer B—still in his full tailed beast form—stared in shock.

He hadn’t mastered this state yet, and his ability to produce Tailed Beast Balls was both slow and limited.

But he wasn’t about to stop.

Opening the Eight-Tails' massive maw, Killer B began gathering chakra once more, determined to unleash another devastating attack.

Minato’s eyes narrowed.

Though he could rely on his Sage Clone to deflect a few more Tailed Beast Balls, there was no telling how many Killer B could fire off.

It was time to act.

Minato’s expression hardened as he focused on the glowing mark in his palm.

Swish!

He flipped his hand, gripping a special kunai infused with wind chakra. The blade shimmered, a razor-sharp wind edge dancing along its surface.

In a flash, Minato vanished, reappearing directly in front of the Third Raikage and A. Without hesitation, he swung the kunai in a swift, precise arc toward A.

The two Cloud shinobi reacted instantly. Even with Minato’s blinding speed, they were seasoned veterans.

Rage flared in A’s eyes as he realized Minato was targeting him. The Yellow Flash couldn’t pierce the Third Raikage’s defenses—so he’d set his sights on him instead.

But A wasn’t about to back down.

With a furious roar, he threw a punch toward Minato’s kunai, his lightning armor crackling with destructive energy. The sheer force of his strike sent shockwaves through the air.

Bang!

The two attacks collided, the sound echoing across the battlefield. The wind blade on Minato’s kunai shattered, but the blade itself sliced through Yotsuki A’s lightning armor, breaking his defense.

However, the kunai’s chakra dissipated after piercing the armor, leaving Yotsuki A unharmed beneath it.

Before Minato could react, the Third Raikage closed in from the side, his fingers curled into his infamous Hell Stab.

Dark lightning danced in his eyes as he thrust forward, aiming straight for Minato’s heart.

BOOM!

Not far from their clash, the Eight-Tails completed another Tailed Beast Ball and launched it toward the Konoha forces once again. The valley quaked under the pressure, the ground splitting apart as the massive sphere tore through the air.