[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 546 - 550

Chapter 546: Minato's Unyielding Resolve

Land of Fire Coastline, Konoha Camp.

The atmosphere inside the large tent was tense, weighed down by a heavy silence. Fugaku's expression was grim, his brows furrowed deeply.

"You don’t need to feel embarrassed. I disobeyed your orders, and this is the consequence," Nawaki's voice finally cut through the oppressive air, though his own face mirrored the somber mood.

While Nawaki didn't regret his actions, he was fully aware that he had violated Fugaku's commands. For a shinobi, disobeying battlefield orders was a grave offense—one not taken lightly.

Fugaku's sharp eyes flicked toward Nawaki, while Kato Dan and Hyuga Tenki exchanged glances, as if wanting to intervene.

"Enough," Fugaku sighed, waving his hand dismissively.

"I don't blame you."

His unexpected words hung in the air, causing Nawaki's tense posture to slacken slightly. But Fugaku wasn’t finished.

"Our priority now is figuring out how the enemy managed to make several Hyuga shinobi vanish without a trace and abduct our comrades from right under our noses."

At these words, everyone in the tent stiffened, their expressions turning grave.

"Also," Fugaku added, his voice resolute, "send word to the Hokage and all fronts about this incident immediately."

The events on the Kirigakure battlefield soon rippled across all Konoha’s battlefronts.

At the Border of the Land of the Moon, Konoha Camp.

For half a month, Konoha and the Cloud Ninja had been locked in a tense standoff. Ever since Minato's clash with the Third Raikage and his forces, the Cloud had refrained from launching another attack.

Though Minato hadn’t inflicted serious harm on the Third Raikage, their battle had left a lasting impression. The name "Yellow Flash" was not spoken lightly—it carried weight.

As Minato read through the latest frontline report, his usually composed demeanor cracked. His deep blue eyes, often calm and calculating, now blazed with fury.

His hands clenched involuntarily, and a palpable tension filled the tent. The sheer intensity of his presence was suffocating.

"Obito…" Minato murmured, his voice barely audible yet heavy with emotion.

Memories surged like a flood. In his previous life, during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, he had arrived moments too late to save Obito. Later, on another mission, Kakashi and Rin had been captured by Kirigakure. Though they managed to escape, Minato’s delayed arrival meant he couldn’t prevent Rin’s tragic death.

After his rebirth, he had managed to change the destinies of many—Uchiha Yoruki, Nawaki, Kato Dan, and Hatake Sakumo among them. Yet, despite his efforts, the students who shared his dreams continued to fall to fate’s cruel hand.

As his emotions surged, faint crimson specks flickered in Minato’s azure eyes, and a fierce, oppressive aura radiated from him. It wasn’t his own—it was the Nine-Tails stirring within.

Just as the scarlet hue began to spread, a powerful force surged from within, suppressing the malevolent chakra.

"Calm down."

The voice echoed in Minato’s mind—his own voice, but deeper, more controlled. It mirrored his turmoil but anchored him, pulling him back from the edge.

With a shuddering breath, Minato regained clarity, his gaze shifting to Hatake Sakumo standing beside him.

Sakumo's face was pale, his body slightly trembling. The murderous intent that had briefly flared from Minato, combined with the sinister aura that followed, had shaken even the White Fang of Konoha.

"What happened?" Sakumo asked, his voice low and steady, though his eyes betrayed his concern.

Minato hesitated, his lips parting but no words coming out at first. Finally, he spoke, his voice strained.

"Kakashi and Rin were captured by Kirigakure during a recent battle."

Sakumo’s expression changed instantly. The stoic shinobi staggered back a step, his usually unshakable composure crumbling under the weight of the news.

"Sakumo-senpai," Minato murmured softly. He understood the depth of a parent’s love. Even though he had never gotten the chance to raise Naruto, his love for his son was boundless.

Sakumo's body trembled, but years of discipline allowed him to wrest control over his emotions.

"Does Kirigakure still possess such strength?" Sakumo’s voice was cold, his eyes narrowing sharply. A flicker of realization crossed his face. "Could it be… the Third Mizukage has personally joined the battlefield?"

Sakumo knew his son’s abilities well. While Kakashi might not be the strongest among Konoha's shinobi, it would take more than an average jonin to subdue him. Given Konoha’s numerical advantage, only the direct intervention of a powerhouse like the Third Mizukage could explain such a feat.

Minato shook his head. "According to our intelligence, the Third Mizukage hasn’t made a move. Kirigakure used some unknown method to bypass the Hyuga's Byakugan defenses."

He paused, his expression darkening. "They even infiltrated our camp to launch a surprise attack. If it weren’t for Senju Nawaki’s quick response in fending off the Kirigakure Water-nin, we’d be in a dire situation right now."

Minato handed the report to Sakumo. As Sakumo read through the details, a look of horror flashed in his eyes.

Now, he fully understood Minato’s earlier outburst.

Among the list of fallen shinobi was Uchiha Obito—Minato’s student. And now Kakashi and Rin, also his disciples, were in enemy hands.

The tent fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their losses pressing down on them.

"You don’t need to worry too much," Minato finally spoke, his voice quieter but firm. "If the enemy captured Kakashi and Rin, it means they’re after information. Their lives should be safe for now."

Sakumo nodded, understanding the logic but finding little comfort in it.

"But it’s best not to inform Suzuka just yet," Minato added thoughtfully. "She is stationed on the Cloud Ninja front. If she learns about Kakashi's abduction, she might lose focus and put herself in danger."

"Thank you," Sakumo murmured, his gratitude sincere. He knew Minato was looking out for them all.

"I will rescue Kakashi and Rin," Minato declared, his gaze locking with Sakumo’s, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

He had already failed to protect Obito. He wouldn’t let history repeat itself.

Sakumo was momentarily taken aback by Minato’s intensity but quickly composed himself.

"Don’t put all the pressure on yourself," Sakumo said gently. "This isn’t your burden to bear alone."

Since the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War, Minato had carried an enormous weight on his shoulders. While Sakumo understood his worry for Kakashi, he didn’t want Minato to shoulder everything alone.

But Minato had already made up his mind.

In the depths of his consciousness, the other Minato—the one who shared his thoughts—sighed softly.

"It seems you’ve decided to use that."

Chapter 547: Mastery Over Space-Time

"Hmm," Minato mused inwardly, his expression thoughtful. "No matter what kind of defense they have, it can be broken."

"Even the defenses of the Third Raikage wouldn't withstand this power," he concluded confidently.

"Indeed," came the familiar voice from deep within his soul, tinged with hesitation. "But if you can't control it perfectly… can you accept the consequences?"

Minato hesitated for a moment, the weight of the question sinking in. But then, a faint chuckle echoed in his mind. "I believe it will succeed. The arrival of that child already proves something."

The child Minato referred to was Naruto—the boy from the future whom he and Kushina had encountered during their mission to Roran ten years ago.

Though Minato had refrained from prying into Naruto’s future for the sake of balance, the few words exchanged had given him enough insight to piece together fragments of what lay ahead.

Yet, there was one mystery that still puzzled him.

What exactly happened to the half of the Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto? How had the beast been split in two, and why was Naruto still a Jinchūriki in the future?

He knew himself and Kushina well, and it was clear they had been present in Naruto’s life as he grew up. From Minato’s current knowledge, the only technique capable of splitting the Nine-Tails was the Shiki Fūjin—the Reaper Death Seal.

But the soul of anyone who performed the Shiki Fūjin would be devoured by the Shinigami. Yet, in the future, both he and Kushina had survived.

The only person who might have mastered this technique besides them was the Third Hokage. In his previous life, Minato had taught the Uzumaki clan’s forbidden jutsu to Hiruzen, but since his rebirth, he hadn’t passed on that knowledge.

Even if circumstances forced him to use the Shiki Fūjin in the future, Minato would never allow the Third Hokage to sacrifice himself. He would bear that burden instead.

These contradictions made it impossible for him to predict the exact events of the future. But one thing was certain: he and Kushina had been there for Naruto.

That was the one piece of hope Minato clung to.

"As expected," came the inner voice again, this time with a faint smile. "How could I ever convince myself otherwise?"

They were, after all, the same person—two halves of the same soul, coexisting through some strange twist of fate. Both knew their shared temperament all too well.

For Minato, making this decision was inevitable.

Rin and Kakashi had been kidnapped by Kirigakure. Though their lives weren’t in immediate danger, Minato couldn’t rest easy. He had failed to protect Obito once—he would not let history repeat itself.

If Minato could break the current stalemate on the battlefield, Konoha would gain the upper hand in the Third Shinobi World War. Once victory was assured, they could exert pressure on Kirigakure to release Rin and Kakashi.

And even in the worst-case scenario—if Kirigakure refused to release them—Minato was prepared to infiltrate the Hidden Mist Village himself and rescue them.

This was Minato’s resolve.

Hatake Sakumo watched Minato carefully. He could see the determination etched in his features.

Though he didn’t want to add to Minato’s burden, Sakumo understood this wasn’t just about personal feelings or even Suzuka’s grief. Kakashi and Rin were Minato’s students, and as their sensei, he felt a deep responsibility.

If Sakumo were in Minato’s shoes, he would have made the same choice.

The weight of the current situation pressed heavily on Sakumo’s mind. If he had the power to break the deadlock, he would have done so without hesitation. But even the White Fang of Konoha lacked that kind of strength.

However, if Minato was confident enough to make this decision, it meant he had a solution.

Sakumo couldn’t help but chuckle at himself. Since when had he—and so many others in Konoha—begun to rely so heavily on Minato?

A significant part of Konoha’s victory in the last Shinobi World War was thanks to Minato. The name "Yellow Flash" still resonated throughout the ninja world. Even their enemies acknowledged Minato’s unparalleled abilities.

Sakumo turned to Minato with a small smile. "This situation feels oddly familiar."

"I keep letting you shoulder the burden. Compared to you, I feel a bit… incompetent."

Minato shook his head firmly. "This is my responsibility as a Konoha shinobi. We all carry the weight of this war equally. No one’s burden is heavier than another’s."

"Everyone is fighting as hard as they can," Minato continued, his gaze steady. "I just want to do my part."

Sakumo nodded. When it came to influencing the tide of battle, the top shinobi like them were indispensable. But the strength and sacrifices of every ordinary Konoha ninja were just as vital.

Without them, Konoha could never stand against the Four-Nation Alliance. Many had given their lives for this cause.

As Minato said, how could they not give their best in return?

"Is there anything I can do?" Sakumo asked.

"It’ll take some time for me to prepare," Minato replied. "I’ll need you to keep an eye on the Cloud Ninja and hold the line."

Normally, they would handle this together, but with Sakumo shouldering it alone, the pressure would be immense.

"Don’t worry," Sakumo said with a casual smile. "I’ve got this."

Minato nodded. "I’ll be in the nearby forest. If the Cloud Ninja make any moves, send me a signal immediately."

Minato knew that without his presence, Konoha might not withstand the full force of the Third Raikage’s army. But this was necessary.

Sakumo gave a final nod. In the next instant, a flash of yellow light filled the tent, and Minato vanished.

Somewhere in the forest, a few miles from the Konoha camp…

A specially marked kunai was embedded horizontally in the trunk of an old tree.

In the silent forest, a sudden flicker of light heralded the arrival of Minato.

He glanced around quickly, ensuring no one was nearby. His expression hardened as he exhaled slowly.

"Here we go," he muttered to himself.

"Be careful," his inner voice echoed almost simultaneously.

Minato nodded and slowly closed his eyes.

Whoosh.

As his breathing steadied, the stillness of the forest shifted. A strange energy began to flow around him, emanating from the very fabric of nature itself.

This was no ordinary power.

Minato was about to tap into the very essence of space and time

Chapter 548: Testing the Boundaries of Space-Time

The power of time and space!

Even now, Minato found this kind of power utterly unfathomable.

Though he had perfected the Flying Thunder God technique, even that was merely movement between spaces. True mastery over time and space was a far more mysterious, elusive force—one that lay far beyond simple teleportation.

Minato had used a fragment of this incredible power once before to return to the present timeline. But that experience only deepened his wariness. The consequences of tampering with such forces were unpredictable, and even a slight misstep could put him in grave danger.

Still, the idea of exploring this power had been planted in his mind long ago. Yet, he had always known that, in his current state, attempting to control it was impossible.

However, everything changed after meeting Naruto from the future. Ever since that encounter, Minato found himself pondering how to grasp this formidable power.

If he could succeed, it would undoubtedly become the greatest feat in shinobi history.

Within the current shinobi power system, the pinnacle of strength revolved around manipulating chakra properties and forms. But even the mightiest jutsu paled compared to the fundamental forces of time and space.

Time and space were the very fabric of reality—the foundation of all matter. No physical barrier, no defense, could withstand their distortion.

If Minato’s theory proved correct, even the Third Raikage’s legendary defense would crumble like paper.

A faint orange hue began to appear at the corners of Minato's eyes as he entered Sage Mode. Slowly, he opened his eyes, revealing pupils that had transformed into horizontal slits.

With his senses heightened, Minato flipped his right palm upward, raising it steadily. Instantly, a special black pattern began to condense on his palm.

These were the coordinates—anchors Minato needed to manipulate time and space.

As the mark solidified, his pupils sharpened further, and faint wisps of chakra flickered above the pattern, glowing like ethereal blue fireflies.

The chakra slowly seeped from his body, flowing into the mark. The sheer volume of energy coursing through his palm was staggering, and as more chakra gathered, the mark began to shift.

At first, it seemed like nothing more than a static symbol. But soon, it took on a life of its own, writhing like a living creature in his hand.

As Minato continued to inject chakra, the mark’s deep black hue began to lighten. With each pulse of energy, it grew brighter, its edges expanding and taking on a new form.

"Buzz."

After a few steady breaths, the mark had transformed into a translucent shape, glistening under the sunlight like rough-hewn jade.

No longer a simple, flat emblem, it now possessed depth and dimension, as though meticulously carved from pure white jade.

Minato exhaled deeply, feeling the strain ripple through his body. Even with Sage Mode, creating the mark had drained nearly half of his chakra reserves.

But he wasn’t finished.

With a flick of his wrist, the floating mark flipped in his palm, responding almost as if it possessed its own will.

Swish!

In the blink of an eye, Minato vanished, reappearing in front of a towering tree. He raised his right hand and pressed the mark against the bark.

"Bang!"

The mark embedded itself into the tree with surprising ease, sliding in without resistance.

Though it seemed small and innocuous, the mark contained an immense concentration of chakra—far more potent than even his Rasengan Shuriken. While it wasn’t inherently offensive, the sheer energy packed within it could cause significant destruction if triggered correctly.

Taking a step back, Minato returned to his original position, his mind already racing with the next phase of his plan.

He raised his hand once more, gathering chakra in his palm. But this time, he wasn’t forming a Rasengan.

As the chakra coalesced, Minato extended his other hand, drawing power into the limited space between his palms.

Unlike his typical techniques, where chakra naturally spiraled into a vortex, this time it remained still—a dense, glowing sphere of pure energy.

It was smaller than the most basic Rasengan, and the chakra inside showed no signs of rotation or movement. It was simply a condensed orb of raw power.

Even after it took shape, Minato didn’t stop. He continued to inject chakra, and though the sphere’s size remained constant, its color deepened, growing darker and more intense.

This process was the opposite of what had happened when he created the special mark earlier.

"Hoo… hoo…"

Minato’s breathing grew heavier, his focus unwavering as he stared at the chakra orb in his hands. Gradually, the orange eye markings that signified Sage Mode began to fade from the corners of his eyes, his pupils returning to their natural deep blue.

His face had paled, a clear sign of chakra exhaustion.

Since his rebirth, Minato had possessed the power of the Nine-Tails, and in battle, he had almost never experienced chakra depletion. But now, he couldn’t afford to tap into the Nine-Tails’ power.

Drawing on the Nine-Tails’ chakra risked destabilizing the delicate balance he’d created. If that happened, all his efforts would be for nothing.

Minato had poured nearly half of his remaining chakra into forming the orb. But there was a purpose behind this.

This was his attempt to tap into the power of time and space.

From past experiences, Minato knew that space-time distortions often accompanied immense fluctuations in energy.

He remembered how his journey through time had been triggered—the massive release of chakra from Kushina’s body and its violent collision with the Nine-Tails’ energy had caused an unexpected temporal rift.

Now, Minato sought to replicate that scenario on a smaller, controlled scale.

Of course, with his current chakra levels, he couldn’t recreate the original conditions. But that wasn’t necessary.

Minato didn’t aim for a full-blown time-space rift. He only needed to create a slight distortion—just enough to pierce through any defense.

But whether it would succeed remained uncertain.

There was only one way to find out.

With a sharp focus, Minato’s azure eyes locked onto the tree.

The chakra orb in his palm vanished in an instant.

Swish!

The next moment, the glowing sphere materialized in front of the mark embedded in the tree.

Chapter 549: The Fate of Three Lives

Swish!

In front of the tree, a ball of light suddenly materialized, glowing faintly alongside the white jade-like Flying Thunder God mark. Both emitted a soft chakra light, intertwining in a subtle but powerful resonance.

Minato’s sharp blue eyes were fixed on the glowing point. In the next moment, a surge of chakra rushed through his body. His previously pale face flushed with color almost instantly as he allowed the Nine-Tails' chakra to flow freely within him.

Since the Nine-Tails’ power had merged with his own chakra after his rebirth, Minato no longer felt discomfort drawing from it. To him, it was as natural as breathing—an extension of himself.

As the two nearly identical forces—the mark and the chakra orb—drew closer, an invisible attraction pulled them together. Their lights grew brighter, not blinding but deep and intense, resonating on a level beyond mere physical energy.

Seeing this reaction, Minato felt a surge of excitement. His theory was proving correct. The possibility of mastering space-time manipulation felt within reach.

But just as hope swelled within him, the light between the two forces deepened suddenly, turning chaotic. The orb’s glow flickered wildly, and the air around the mark rippled with visible distortions.

"Not good!"

Minato's instincts kicked in. He hurled several specially-made kunai, creating a tight perimeter around the unstable energy. His hands blurred through a sequence of seals, and his expression hardened.

"Space Barrier!"

Black lines extended from the kunai, forming an intricate barrier that enclosed the volatile energies. The barrier lines crept over the chakra orb and the mark, their disorderly light struggling against the containment. Slowly, the barrier absorbed the chaotic forces, pulling them into itself.

After a few tense breaths, the light and ripples vanished, the barrier dissipating into the forest air as if nothing had happened.

Minato finally lowered his hands, exhaling a slow breath. The forest was silent once more.

"As I thought."

Judging by the chaotic reaction, Minato’s first attempt had failed. The two massive energy sources had attracted each other, causing a resonance that destabilized their structure, leading to an inevitable explosion.

Had he not used the Space Barrier to redirect the blast toward the sea, the explosion would have leveled the entire forest.

Yet, there was no trace of disappointment on Minato's face. He had anticipated the risk. What intrigued him wasn’t the failure, but the space-time ripples he had observed just before the explosion.

For a fleeting moment, he had seen it—the fluctuation of space itself.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. This was only the beginning.

Raising his hand once more, Minato formed a new mark, his determination unwavering.

"Kakashi, Rin," he whispered, his voice steady with resolve. "Wait for me. I will rescue you soon."

Kakashi's Perspective

Kakashi's heavy eyelids fluttered open. His blurred vision slowly adjusted to the dim surroundings, revealing the damp, suffocating confines of a cave.

"Mmm."

He tried to call out, but a rough cloth was tightly bound around his mouth, muffling any sound. A sharp, throbbing pain radiated through his body as he attempted to move, only to realize his hands and feet were bound tightly with ropes.

These weren’t ordinary ropes. Kakashi could tell from the tension in his muscles that they were crafted from some kind of special material—likely infused with chakra to suppress his strength.

Even though he was still a child, Kakashi's skill and strength were exceptional for his age. But these bindings wouldn’t break under sheer force.

"Rin…!"

Panic surged through him. He immediately scanned the cave, his heart pounding in his chest. But all he could see was darkness. Rin was nowhere in sight.

"Damn it!"

Kakashi clenched his fists, gritting his teeth beneath the gag. He summoned all his remaining strength, straining against the ropes, but it was futile. His body, exhausted from both battle and captivity, refused to cooperate.

After several minutes of struggle, Kakashi slumped against the damp cave wall, forcing himself to calm down.

"Who was that…?"

He closed his eyes, focusing on his memories before he’d blacked out. The last thing he recalled was a figure—pale, almost inhuman, with an eerie white face.

"What… was that thing?" Kakashi wondered, his brows furrowing.

It hadn’t been a normal shinobi. The way it had attached itself to him, bypassing his awareness, was unlike anything he’d encountered before.

Then, realization struck him.

"That’s how they bypassed Huga’s Byakugan!"

The white creature had emerged from the ground without a sound. It must have possessed abilities far beyond those of ordinary shinobi, perhaps even techniques that allowed it to phase through the earth or suppress its chakra to avoid detection.

Kakashi had grown up in a prestigious shinobi family, but even he had never heard of such abilities.

In recent years, intelligence on Kirigakure had been sparse, shrouded in mystery. Before the war, even the existence of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had been unknown to Konoha.

If the Hozuki clan could liquefy themselves, it wasn’t far-fetched to believe other clans possessed unique, hidden abilities.

After piecing together what he could, Kakashi gave up on escaping—at least for now. He understood his limits. In his current state, there was no chance of breaking free.

So, he closed his eyes, focusing on conserving his strength. Judging by his exhaustion and hunger, he had been unconscious for over a day. Without food or water, his body was near its limits.

But Kakashi wasn’t worried about dying of starvation. If the enemy had gone to such lengths to capture him, it meant he still held some value. They wouldn’t let him die until they got what they wanted.

"Rin..."

The only thing gnawing at him was the thought of Rin. She had been captured before him—what had they done to her?

Just as that fear took root, he heard footsteps echoing through the cave.

Kakashi’s eyes snapped open. A figure emerged from the shadows, wearing a strange, emotionless mask.

Kakashi’s heart clenched. Kirigakure ANBU… directly under the Mizukage?

Elsewhere in the Underground Hideout

In the depths of the dark cave, two figures stood over a makeshift table, their presence suffocating.

"That little girl, Rin," White Zetsu muttered, his voice light and mocking. "She’s extraordinary. Born from a regular family, but she has a remarkable amount of chakra."

Madara Uchiha, his aged face partly hidden in shadow, nodded thoughtfully.

"Bring her here," he ordered. His voice was calm but carried a sinister undertone. "I want to plant the seal on her first."

White Zetsu tilted his head. "And then… seal that inside her?"

"Exactly," Madara replied with a small, dark smile.

White Zetsu frowned. "Isn’t that a bit… excessive?"

Madara shook his head, his smile widening. "No. This is the most crucial part of my plan. The choice she makes will shape the future of that boy."

Their gazes shifted simultaneously toward Obito, who lay unconscious, his body wrapped entirely in white bandages.

"I’m curious," Madara murmured, his voice low and contemplative. "Can he truly wield the power of both the Senju and Uchiha clans at once?"

He leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing.

"And everything depends on that girl."

Chapter 550: Distorted Space!

At the Border of the Moon Country, Konoha Camp

Inside the command tent, Hatake Sakumo slowly set down the scroll in his hands. His sharp eyes rose to meet the gazes of the senior Konoha shinobi standing before him—each responsible for maintaining the camp's security.

"Hokage-sama has sent word," Sakumo began, his voice calm and steady. "We are to maintain the current balance on this front."

The assembled jonin nodded in unison, their expressions respectful, but a subtle hint of doubt lingered in their eyes.

It wasn’t about the order itself—it was about something else.

Minato’s absence.

Though Sakumo had already explained Minato’s disappearance to the troops, the latter’s towering reputation in Konoha made his absence impossible to ignore.

Whispers had begun circulating among the ranks. After all, during the previous Shinobi World War, Minato had vanished for a time only to return with a new technique that turned the tide of battle. With his innovations, Konoha had dealt crushing blows to the Sand Village’s elite forces, securing ultimate victory.

Now, the war had reached another stalemate, and many hoped that Minato's current absence signaled the development of another groundbreaking technique.

The jonin filed out of the tent, their silent hope palpable. But just as the last of them reached the exit, one paused.

Suzuka Hatake.

She turned slowly, her piercing gaze locking onto Sakumo. Her brow furrowed slightly, suspicion flickering in her eyes.

"You've been acting… strange lately, haven’t you?"

Sakumo felt a sharp jolt in his chest.

Minato had explicitly asked him not to reveal Kakashi’s capture to Suzuka, Suzuka’s husband. Sakumo had honored that request, believing he had hidden his turmoil well. But Suzuka’s keen eyes had pierced through his facade.

"Maybe it’s just the war," Sakumo replied evenly, forcing a calmness he didn’t feel. "The Third Shinobi World War has dragged on for over half a year. Fatigue takes its toll on everyone."

He lifted his eyes, meeting Suzuka’s piercing gaze head-on. For a tense moment, it felt like she might press further. But slowly, her suspicion softened.

"After this war is over," she murmured, her voice softening, "the three of us should take some time to relax together. Just our family."

Sakumo's heart twisted painfully in his chest.

Their son, Kakashi, was in the hands of Kirigakure. Though Minato believed his life wasn’t in immediate danger, there was no guarantee he’d return safely. Facing Suzuka, completely unaware of their son’s peril, tore at Sakumo’s soul.

But even so, he couldn’t tell her the truth.

The knowledge would break her.

"Mm," Sakumo hummed softly, forcing a nod.

Suzuka gave him a small smile before turning and walking out of the tent.

The moment she was gone, Sakumo’s calm exterior crumbled. He clenched his fists tightly.

"Suzuka… I’m sorry."

In the Forest, Several Miles from Konoha Camp

A dark chakra orb pulsed ominously in Minato’s palm, its glow deep and steady. With a flick of his wrist, the orb disappeared from his hand and reappeared in front of a tree marked with his Flying Thunder God seal—its white jade-like surface faintly glowing.

"Buzz."

The seal began to emit a soft light, resonating with the chakra orb. As the glow intensified, ripples started to form in the space between the mark and the orb—subtle at first, but growing steadily more pronounced.

The distortions were clear to Minato’s trained eyes. Even the tree trunk behind the seal warped slightly, its shape shifting unnaturally as the space bent around it.

Minato’s heart pounded in his chest.

"Just a little more..." he murmured, his eyes never leaving the expanding ripples.

Deep within him, the Nine-Tails stirred.

Though its power was now fused with Minato’s, the beast was not immune to fear. It, too, had experienced the unpredictable force of space-time—a force that had twisted its existence beyond comprehension.

Anger and fear surged within the Nine-Tails, but more than anything, it felt a reluctant awe for Minato’s audacity.

However, the beast’s pride quickly buried those emotions beneath a veil of fury. Were it not for Minato’s control, the Nine-Tails would have lashed out, but now it could do nothing but watch.

As the distortion grew, Minato noticed something alarming.

The light within the chakra orb began to flicker erratically. Though subtle due to the space distortion, Minato’s sharp eyes caught it immediately.

"Not again..."

Reacting swiftly, he formed a series of hand seals, activating the special kunai he had placed around the area. Black lines shot out from the kunai, attempting to form a Space Barrier to contain the instability.

But as the barrier expanded, it encountered resistance.

The distortion of space itself slowed the spread of the barrier’s lines, almost halting their advance entirely.

Minato’s breath hitched.

"The space distortion is interfering with my barrier..."

Pushing down the rising anxiety, he quickly altered the seals, redirecting the barrier to cover the surrounding area instead of trying to contain the distortion directly.

But even this adjustment felt sluggish.

"Buzz."

The chakra orb suddenly flared, its unstable light exploding outward. Minato's hands flew through seals again, shifting the barrier’s focus to protect the path leading back to the Konoha camp.

If this power spiraled out of control, it would decimate his comrades.

Just as he was about to expand the barrier further, the explosion of light collided with the distorted space.

But something unexpected happened.

The destructive energy that should have torn through the forest dissipated into the distortion, as if swallowed whole.

Minato’s eyes widened in surprise.

The energy—enough to flatten the entire area—vanished without a trace. The space distortion had absorbed it completely.

Minato’s mind raced, analyzing the situation. With a quick adjustment, he completed the barrier, sealing off the surrounding area within a few meters.

Moments later, the residual energy from the explosion bypassed the distorted space and struck the outer edges of Minato’s barrier.

But the Space Barrier, fueled by Minato’s chakra, absorbed the impact effortlessly.

The forest fell silent once more.

Minato lowered his hands, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths. His experiment had failed to achieve the intended result—but it had revealed something far more valuable.

Space itself could be manipulated, distorted to such an extent that even destructive energy became nullified.