"Long time no see, Fourth Raikage-sama."
As the most polite blond in the shinobi world, Namikaze Minato still offered the most basic respect, even knowing that A had already betrayed the shinobi way.
A wasn't surprised by Minato's attitude. In his understanding, Minato was exactly this kind of person. If he had to describe Minato in a more refined manner, then he would definitely be the "gentleman" nobles were always talking about.
"Don't call me that anymore, Namikaze Minato. I've already been betrayed by the village. I'm no longer any so-called Raikage."
Facing Minato, A unusually showed enough patience to speak with him.
"You and Kumogakure's current leadership merely have political differences. Even now, they still recognize your Raikage status. Your brother has also been constantly applying for permission, hoping to talk to you."
"Bee…?"
Hearing the news about Killer B, A's emotions visibly fluctuated.
"So, Raikage-sama, for Killer B's sake, it's not too late to turn back now."
Minato sensed A's emotional shift and intended to strike while the iron was hot, trying to persuade him to abandon the darkness and return to the light.
"It's useless."
A shook his head lightly.
He took a battle stance, his gaze burning, throwing away all emotions unfit for the battlefield.
"Namikaze Minato, you don't understand how terrifying the Ōtsutsuki are, nor do you know how many enemies beyond the sky are watching."
Having learned the history of the Ōtsutsuki, A didn't believe the shinobi world could resist such a terrifying race. The Raikage who was once wild and unrestrained had, after the village's betrayal, become like a man whose spine had been snapped—never again the same as before.
"Enough talking. Let me see—how strong are you now!"
The moment A finished speaking, raging lightning burst from his body as he charged straight toward Minato.
Minato immediately threw a Flying Thunder God kunai he had prepared long beforehand and easily dodged A's opening strike.
A's speed was even faster than before.
Feeling A's current speed, Minato didn't dare be careless. While dodging, he threw multiple Flying Thunder God kunai, creating enough space for his upcoming offensive.
Both of them understood clearly: what followed would be a battle of speed versus speed.
Lightning Release Chakra Mode versus Flying Thunder God—whoever was faster would control this fight.
...
The battle between the two lasted an entire day. In the eyes of the spectators, the fight was nothing but blue and yellow streaks clashing again and again.
Only the two people fighting knew how much danger their exchange truly carried.
In terms of speed, Minato surpassed A.
A couldn't even touch the corner of Minato's clothes, yet Minato, after testing multiple times, also couldn't break through A's Lightning Armor.
After years of training, a normal Rasengan could no longer tear through the Lightning Armor like it once had.
Feeling with his own hands that Rasengan could no longer break the armor, Minato formed a rough plan for his next steps.
Fighting an enemy with such speed was a tremendous test of one's thought process.
In the limited time he had, he needed to evade A's attacks while also using the brief gaps to devise a strategy to defeat him.
Fortunately, Minato was exactly the kind of man capable of doing that.
"Explosive Rotating Super Flash Combo!"
Three Flying Thunder God kunai carrying yellow flashes detonated in front of A.
The instant he saw the flash erupt, A instinctively fled the blast zone.
Not long after he escaped the explosion, a strange sensation came from his back. When he turned around, he saw the afterimage Minato had left behind.
Immediately after, his Lightning Armor rapidly receded, leaving only a thin layer.
"My chakra flow is disrupted… sealing jutsu?"
Though uneasy inside, A kept a calm appearance.
Attempting to dispel the seal now would play right into Minato's hands. A carefully examined each location where Minato's kunai had landed, trying to guess from which direction Minato would attack next.
He placed his right hand near his left arm, preparing to activate a scientific ninja tool the moment Minato made his move.
Offensive Drone Type Three.
Long before encountering Minato, A had already stationed them nearby.
Since he already knew who the enemy would be, planning several steps ahead was the most basic strategy.
From behind A came the distinct howling sound of Wind Release.
"Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!"
Behind me?!
A pressed the switch hidden in his arm. The drones quickly locked onto their target and fired missiles at Minato.
The explosion swallowed Minato instantly, while A was carried into the sky by the Rasenshuriken.
A brilliant blue firework bloomed in the air as A's tattered body began falling freely amid the crowd's gasps.
Not long after A hit the ground, several drones wobbled low in the air before falling one by one, each with Minato's signature marked kunai embedded in them.
Seeing this, A understood that his attack had failed.
Sure enough, just as he thought that, Minato suddenly appeared before him out of thin air, looking down at him with a kunai in hand.
Calling Minato's state "a little dusty around the hem of his clothes" was the perfect description.
"Heh… Konoha really is full of talent. Someone as strong as you didn't even become Hokage…"
Blood flowed from A's wounds, forming a pool beneath him.
The pool didn't last long—most of it drained into cracks in the ground, leaving only a dry red stain.
Minato didn't respond to A's words. He simply watched A warily, scanning every point on his body where something might be hidden.
He knew A possessed a medicine capable of instantly restoring severe injuries, and he knew Inner Circle members likely had terrifying flesh-regeneration techniques.
"Stop looking. I'm not carrying that medicine…"
A saw what Minato was thinking. He tried to support himself with his hands and lean against something, but failed.
Gasping for breath, he used the last of his strength to force out words between his teeth:
"Minato… as my rival… I want you to swear… that you will deliver this to Kumogakure."
A raised his right hand, revealing a test tube he had somehow taken out without Minato noticing.
The moment Minato saw the test tube, his gaze sharpened.
"This is—?"
"Allow me to explain."
Before A could speak, a figure stepped between them. Taking advantage of Minato's momentary reaction, the newcomer swiftly injected some kind of liquid into A's body with a syringe.
By the time he finished, Minato's kunai was already pressed against his neck.
"Honestly… the Yellow Flash truly lives up to his reputation. Even my Ketsuryūgan couldn't see through your movements."
The man raised both hands, doing his best to show Minato he meant no harm.
Meanwhile, A—who had collapsed moments ago—rapidly regained vitality thanks to the injected liquid.
Just seconds earlier he had looked like a dying man entrusting his final will; now he was full of life again.
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