While Nawaki was busy handling the aftermath in the Land of Wind, Minato and his group finally arrived near the sea off the coast of the Land of Lightning with their vast army.
A distant rumble of thunder echoed faintly in their ears. The harbor lay just ahead.
"Senior Minato," Nagato warned, "a large number of Cloud Ninja are already lying in ambush at the harbor."
"We should abandon our ships."
Nagato's sensing ability clearly detected the positions of the Cloud Ninja, who were waiting for the Konoha coalition forces to draw closer.
"Agreed."
"Everyone, proceed on foot through the water."
Minato didn't question Nagato's words at all, ordering them to abandon ship without hesitation.
With Minato leading the way by plunging into the ocean, countless ninjas followed like dumplings being dropped into boiling water, diving into the sea one after another.
For a moment, the surface of the ocean became crowded with ninjas moving rapidly forward, fearlessly charging toward the harbor—an awe-inspiring spectacle.
"Don't bunch up! Spread out more!"
Nagato's voice rang from midair. He knew the Cloud Ninja wouldn't stay idle.
They held the strategic high ground and would definitely strike first.
Indeed, as soon as the Konoha coalition forces adjusted their formation, the Cloud Ninja launched their initial attack.
Lightning bolts mixed with flames illuminated nearly half the coastline.
Powerful gusts howled like razor-sharp blades slicing through the air.
Countless ninja tools rigged with Explosive Tags rained down like hail onto the Konoha forces.
No commands were needed now—every ninja instinctively braced for defense or evasion.
[Shinra Tensei!]
[Water Release: Water Formation Wall!]
In the chaos of battle, Nagato couldn't protect everyone, but he managed to deflect incoming jutsu and projectiles within his reach.
The Konoha ninjas responded accordingly, erecting towering water walls in an instant.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions thundered nonstop. White waves exploded upward from the sea, splashing outward in all directions.
When the chaos finally settled, patches of the sea bloomed red with blood. The preemptive strike from the Cloud Ninja had caused some casualties among the Konoha forces.
However, this didn't halt their advance—not the slightest bit. If anything, it only stoked their fury and battle fervor.
Almost immediately afterward, a blue figure charged forward from the shoreline.
Surrounded by crackling lightning, he became lightning itself—leaving only stunned foes in his wake.
None other than the Third Raikage.
"I'll handle this."
Nagato shouted loudly and rushed forward to meet him head-on. Minato paused briefly as well.
"In that case, I'll leave him to you."
Without further hesitation, Minato dashed past the Third Raikage and straight into the ranks of the Cloud Ninja, cutting through them effortlessly.
Within moments, he inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.
Every fallen Cloud Ninja was dead—none merely wounded.
Nagato blocked the Third Raikage's path forward. They traded blows for several exchanges before both leapt back, breaking apart once more.
"Village Headman Nagato of Konoha?"
The fury burning in the Third Raikage's eyes seemed ready to erupt, though his tone remained calm.
He didn't waste time condemning Akatsuki for betraying an ally—that would have been childish.
"What meaning is there in saying this now?"
A gentle breeze blew past, and Nagato's piercing Rinnegan eyes gazed deep into his opponent's soul.
"My suspicions were well-founded."
"Tsunade truly made a masterful move in the game of shogi."
The Third Raikage's fists cracked from his own crushing grip. Nagato of Akatsuki had given no direct reply, but his silence was answer enough.
"Once Kumogakure is eliminated, the game ends."
[Summoning Jutsu.]
With a burst of white smoke, a colossal cat demon wreathed in blue chakra flames appeared before the Third Raikage.
"It's a Tailed Beast."
"The Two-Tails Matatabi."
"Could Nagato of Akatsuki actually be using a Tailed Beast as a summon?"
"Do we still have any hope left?"
A savage and merciless chakra aura swept across the battlefield, stirring unease among the Cloud Ninja.
This once-Kumogakure beast had now become a weapon wielded by their enemies.
"You can control a Tailed Beast?"
The Third Raikage's pupils constricted sharply. Frankly speaking, he regretted his decision.
He had never imagined Nagato would gain control over a Tailed Beast so soon.
If he had known this would happen, there was no way he would've handed it over.
"You know nothing about my power."
Though his words reeked of arrogance, combined with his tall, upright posture rising toward the sky, Nagato truly looked impressive.
"You're too confident."
"With Matatabi at my side, what do I have to fear?"
"Save your boasting until you break through my defense."
The Third Raikage had never been treated with such contempt before. As soon as he spoke those words, he launched an attack on Nagato.
Under Nagato's control, Matatabi intercepted the Third Raikage, and the two clashed fiercely.
However, the longer they fought, the more alarmed Nagato became. His teacher's words rang true indeed.
This old man's skin was truly thick. How could Matatabi's solid slap fail to leave even a mark?
Not only did Matatabi leave no trace on the Third Raikage's body, but he was also knocked back several times.
"Compared to Gyūki, Matatabi falls far short."
Pulling back the foot he had just kicked out, the Third Raikage's lips curved into a mocking smile.
Talk about knowing nothing about his power—Even with Matatabi's assistance, how much damage could he really do?
[Universal Pull.]
Without responding, Nagato unleashed a powerful suction force centered on himself, sweeping toward the Third Raikage.
Though caught in the pull, the Third Raikage showed no sign of panic. He had unwavering faith in his defense.
As long as Kawaki Hatake didn't appear, who could possibly stand against him?
As the Third Raikage closed in, Nagato extended a black rod from his palm straight toward Raikage's heart.
Clang~
To Nagato's surprise, the black rod failed to pierce the Third Raikage by even a hair's breadth.
It simply pressed against his chest before slowly shattering apart.
What?!
"Kid, you're still too inexperienced."
A wicked grin spread across the Third Raikage's lips as he delivered a brutal kick straight into Nagato's waist.
Whoosh~
Nagato shot into the sea like a cannonball, creating massive splashes.
When he surfaced again, soaked entirely in seawater, blood stained the corner of his mouth.
"Are you alright?"
Nonou reached his side just in time, worry etched across her face.
"Just minor injuries. Don't worry about me."
Nagato blocked Nonou behind him. She couldn't endure Raikage's attacks.
"Stay sharp."
Nonou sensed that Nagato's chakra remained steady and felt a sense of relief wash over her.
At this moment, nearby, Killer B had already entered his half-Tailed Beast transformation state, while the Fourth Raikage A was unleashing his full strength.
Unfortunately, both were struggling to keep pace with Minato's relentless assault.
Amplified by Sage Mode, Minato's [Flying Thunder God Technique] became even more unstoppable.
His powerful sensing ability enabled him to evade their attacks effortlessly.
Meanwhile, each of his strikes left fresh wounds on them both.
Without their genuine coordination and chemistry, they would have already fallen.
At this rate, however, Minato's victory was only a matter of time.
Among the regular Cloud Ninjas, Yahiko and Konan moved like descending war gods, relieving at least half the pressure from the combined Konoha forces.
Aside from Nagato's current intense fight, the Konoha forces were decisively overpowering the Cloud Ninjas.
More and more Cloud Ninja corpses floated on the sea surface, and morale continued to plummet.
Just one more catalyst, and the Cloud Ninjas would surely lose all will to fight.
...
Naruto: A Journey Beginning with Courting Tsunade – Please bookmark: (m.