"What, Flying Thunder God?!"
"Jiraiya-sama, are you joking?"
Inside headquarters, Nara Shikaku stood up in shock after hearing Jiraiya's words. The others in the tent were equally stunned.
Akimichi Chōza, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Hyūga Hiashi all looked at Yami in disbelief.
Those who had once been teammates with the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, understood what the Flying Thunder God truly represented.
Invincible!
"Kid, it's up to you now."
Jiraiya didn't say much more and stepped aside, giving Yami space to demonstrate.
This time, Yami didn't use the Kusanagi sword to show off, but instead took out a dozen specially crafted kunai.
Unlike Minato's signature tri-pronged kunai, Yami's Flying Thunder God kunai were longer and slimmer, like small pocket swords, with the Flying Thunder God formula inscribed directly onto the handle.
Using Jiraiya's favorite technique, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, the Flying Thunder God kunai scattered randomly across the large tent.
Yami began to move.
He flashed between different positions rapidly. His speed was so fast that even Jiraiya and the others could barely keep up with their eyes, let alone react physically.
Then he threw another kunai, first teleporting to a fixed location, then executing the second stage of Flying Thunder God by teleporting again mid-air, grabbing the kunai and completing the technique.
Now, everyone finally confirmed—not only had Yami learned Flying Thunder God, he could use it skillfully. He was practically the second coming of the Yellow Flash.
The only difference was, Yami wore a black combat uniform, and his short black hair gave off a visual effect like a dark flash streaking across the space.
Shikaku paced back and forth in excitement.
Konoha finally had another true speedster!
"Now that Yami has mastered Flying Thunder God, and Jiraiya-sama can match the Fourth Raikage… then we've already won this battle. The only question is how to win it beautifully."
He looked at Yami again. This time, Shikaku's eyes were softer than when he looked at his own son, Shikamaru.
"Yami, you don't have to worry about anything next. I'll design a battle strategy specifically for you. What you need to do now is go back and rest. Make sure you're in peak condition."
"Go to my tent," Hiashi quickly said. "The Hyūga clan has prepared it thoroughly. It's no different from a real bedroom. I'll have someone bring in fresh bedding."
Yami didn't refuse. What he hated most in the field was the living conditions.
If only he had mastered Wood Release, he could've made a house himself.
Inside headquarters, Jiraiya and Shikaku stayed up late studying the battle strategy.
Both had experience fighting alongside speedsters and knew how to maximize their strengths.
On the battlefield, every friendly force became support, helping to isolate enemy formations so the speedster could strike.
Otherwise, if enemy units were too close together, they could respond even to the Flying Thunder God with defensive formations.
Yami's fighting style was different from Minato's. Minato didn't like killing with a sword and preferred using kunai and Rasengan to attack.
To ensure Yami's safety, Shikaku still designated Chūnin and special jōnin-level enemies as his primary targets, making sure Yami could crush them with overwhelming force.
In the most luxurious tent in the camp…
Yugao and Kurenai both felt uneasy after hearing Yami's decision.
"Yami, this is too risky."
Yugao frowned. "Flying Thunder God is powerful, but this is a battlefield with thousands of shinobi.
Every mark you leave could be guarded. The enemy could even use them to set traps. It might work once or twice, but if you teleport continuously, your body won't hold up."
During this period, they'd all learned about Yami's Flying Thunder God training and had studied the technique in detail.
Space transfer was one thing, but entering combat right after teleportation was something else entirely.
Teleportation wasn't just like taking a step.
The entire body had to endure space compression.
After arriving at a teleportation point, one needed time to adapt and eliminate the dizziness caused by sudden spatial shifts.
The duration of this adaptation varied from person to person, depending on spatial talent and adaptability.
However, repeated teleportation increased the dizziness, prolonging the delay.
And that meant more danger.
Facing Yugao's concern, Yami took out two specially marked kunai and handed them over. "I've thought about everything you just said."
"I know my body best. If I feel something's off, I'll retreat and wait until the side effects wear off before continuing."
"That's why your positions are top priority. You must stay absolutely safe so I can return with peace of mind."
Seeing that they were still worried, Yami smiled. "Speedsters might always show up late, but when it comes to survival, no one's better at staying alive."
"You don't need to worry about me."
"Alright." Kurenai sighed. "Just don't be stubborn. Take more breaks and don't fight continuously."
"No problem." Yami stretched. "Let's rest early. I haven't had a good sleep lately."
"It must be thanks to the Hyūga clan's resources. Going to war feels like going on a field trip. This tent is bigger than my bedroom."
"Yugao, want to be my body pillow tonight?"
"Sure." Yugao smiled dotingly.
"What's so good about that?"
Kurenai was annoyed. "You're tired? Yugao's been tired too. Yugao, go back and get a good rest. I'll keep this brat company tonight."
"I…"
Yugao opened her mouth to argue she wasn't tired and that Yami slept well, just liked holding something while sleeping. It didn't affect her at all.
But since Kurenai insisted, she didn't refuse. She could only nod.
Yami blinked.
Kurenai wasn't a bad choice either.
Thanks to her sword training, Yugao had well-developed muscles despite her appearance.
Kurenai was softer. Either way, he didn't lose out.
In the next few days, Konoha didn't launch any attacks, instead fully pulling back their front line.
On one hand, they were waiting for Kumo to lose patience and start a fight. That way, Konoha could respond more effectively.
On the other hand, Shikaku was training other shinobi and assigning tactical roles to work with Yami.
When Kakashi learned that Yami had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, his reaction was just like before.
Jiraiya had been shocked. Kakashi was stunned for a long time.
As the student of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, he had once been asked to learn the technique—but ultimately failed.
He never expected that someone from Danzō's faction would learn it one day.
Kakashi didn't even know what kind of expression to make.
[Bond with Kakashi's "complex" emotion reaches Level 2. Reward: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, Earth Nature Transformation (Mastery)]
Yami, sleeping soundly in Kurenai's arms, suddenly woke up with a dazed expression.
Kakashi… is he really that balanced?
All five chakra natures at Mastery level, even their weights?
He really lives up to the title of 50-50 man.
"Yami, what's wrong?" Kurenai looked at the boy who had suddenly sat up, puzzled.
"Nothing, just thirsty." Yugao, who had been examining the Flying Thunder God kunai, immediately handed him a bamboo tube with a straw.
Yami took a big sip and lay back down, enjoying the softness under his head.
In the blink of an eye, several days passed.
Shikaku's judgment was spot-on. Kumo's strategic patience was lacking. They had suffered the greatest losses, so they were bound to make the first move.
There was another reason.
Iwa.
Right now, the deepest grudge in the ninja world was between Kumo and Iwa, especially since the Fourth Raikage's father had died at the hands of Ōnoki. If given a chance, Kumo would definitely take revenge.
Ōnoki also understood this, so he wouldn't miss a chance to weaken Kumo.
Recently, Iwa's activity had increased, like a blade hanging over the Fourth Raikage's head. Every day they waited, his anxiety grew.
Fortunately, their perfect jinchūriki, Killer Bee, hadn't been deployed yet. Kumo still had backup plans.
But they couldn't afford to wait any longer.
Early this morning, a Hyūga ninja detected Kumo's movements. Over a thousand shinobi advanced onto the plains on the western front, attempting to break through the defense line and strike at the rear.
Kumo knew this attack wouldn't succeed. They only wanted to force Konoha to engage by choosing an open battlefield.
Shikaku responded quickly, organizing teams to intercept. The Hyūga assigned opponents by chakra strength and coordinated through the Yamanaka clan's mind communication technique.
Yami changed into a brand-new combat uniform, checked his gear, and finally stepped out of the tent with the Kusanagi sword.
"Yami, are you ready?" Shikaku had just sent out 500 shinobi and asked when he saw him.
Yami nodded. "No problem. I've been so idle lately, I'm getting rusty."
To keep Yami in peak condition, Shikaku hadn't given him even the simplest tasks these past few days.
"Yami, do your best."
At that moment, Jiraiya arrived with Uchiha Shisui and Hatake Kakashi.
The words of encouragement came from Shisui. Looking at the boy in front of him, Shisui recalled the time when he had briefly taught Yami.
It hadn't been long, yet this child had already grown to such a level—mastering the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Shisui-senpai." Yami greeted him. "I haven't seen you the last few days. I thought you went back to the village."
"There's a strong sensor ninja in Kumo. I've been interfering with him," Shisui scratched his head awkwardly. "Or maybe I'm too weak. I couldn't control him from a distance with genjutsu. If I could have…"
"Haha! Kid, don't put yourself down."
Jiraiya laughed, cutting off Shisui's self-criticism. "You've done well. We'll need your strength in the upcoming battle too."
"Yes, Jiraiya-sama!" Shisui was immediately encouraged and answered seriously.
"Yami, besides the Fourth Raikage, Kumo has a few other individuals who could pose a threat to you."
Shikaku explained, "One is Dodai, the Raikage's right-hand man. His Lava Release isn't particularly lethal, but it's excellent for defense and crowd control."
"Another is Darui, who uses Storm Release."
"Shisui and Kakashi will try to contain them, but they won't be able to help you directly."
"Just watch me. And don't forget to tell Old Man Hiruzen to make me the captain of Anbu."
"Alright, let's move!"
"This world is eager to hear the tale of a young shinobi rising to fame. Yami, whether your name spreads or not depends on this battle!"
Jiraiya waved his hand, leading the small team that would determine the outcome of the war as they followed behind the main force.
On the wide plain, a streak of blue lightning charged ahead, followed by a massive Kumo army numbering in the thousands.
This was the style of Kage from other villages—charging at the front.
In every battle, as long as he was on the field, the Fourth Raikage was always the first to lead the charge.
Jiraiya bit his finger, quickly formed a hand seal, and slapped the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
Thick smoke billowed, and a giant toad appeared at his feet.
"Bunta, it's time to go again!"
"What a pain." Toad Bunta was grumpy but already preparing a technique.
"Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
One person spat fire, the other sprayed oil. A sea of fire erupted, forcibly splitting the battlefield.
This was Yami's first time seeing Jiraiya's Fire Release. With the toad's oil, it was overwhelmingly strong. Even the air felt like it was burning.
After spewing flames, Bunta leapt high and smashed down into the crowd of Kumo shinobi. A large number tried to flee, but many were still crushed.
"Jiraiya! Your opponent is me!"
The Fourth Raikage roared, lightning flashing across his body as he charged toward Jiraiya. The thick lightning was almost tangible, his terrifying aura filling the battlefield.
Jiraiya showed no weakness. His hair extended like needles, slowing the Raikage's movement.
Kage-level combat erupted on both sides. Other shinobi began engaging too.
According to the pre-set battle plan, the battlefield was widely spread, with combat occurring every few hundred meters.
Overall, Konoha was at a disadvantage. The numbers gap was simply too large.
Yami knew it was his time to shine.
A long scroll unfurled in the wind, stretching dozens of meters.
The sealing array activated, firing out a large number of specially marked kunai, scattering across the battlefield.
As the scroll hit the ground, Yami's figure vanished.
In his place, a black river of light streaked across the battlefield!
(To be continued.)