On the streets of Konoha, Jiraiya laughed loudly at Minato and said, "Minato, look."
Before him, a Rasengan quickly took shape in Jiraiya's hand.
Minato smiled as he complimented, "Wow, no wonder you're my teacher. You've mastered the Rasengan so quickly. Actually, I have something urgent to do. I'll go first."
After saying this, Minato turned around and left, leaving behind a stunned Jiraiya.
Minato soon arrived at the Hokage's office, where someone was already waiting inside.
The Third handed over a mission document and said, "This is an intelligence report about the ancient kingdom of Loulan near Sunagakure. It's said that hidden within this country lies a powerful ancient energy. Whispers claim that a rogue ninja plans to steal this power to create an army of puppets capable of shifting the tide of war. Minato, you'll be leading the mission to protect the queen inside."
Minato glanced behind him where Shibi and Choza were already assisting him. After some thought, he pulled out Kakashi's personnel file and handed it to the Hokage, saying, "I hope he can join this mission too."
The Third flipped through the file briefly before nodding in agreement.
When the team reached the gates of Konoha Village, they happened to run into an Anbu Squad leaving the village. Minato recognized them immediately and said to the three behind him, "You guys go ahead. I'll be right back."
Minato quickly caught up with the Anbu Squad. The lead Anbu seemed to know he was coming and waited on the spot.
"Anya, are you heading for the battlefield?" This morning while walking through Konoha's streets, Minato had found it strange that there were far fewer ninjas in the village and the atmosphere felt tense. Now seeing the Anbu departing in squads, it must be an important combat mission—most likely signaling the return of war. And yet, he hadn't even caught wind of it—that surprised him.
This Anbu Squad was indeed led by Anya. He understood instantly what Minato meant. Since the Third clearly didn't want Minato dragged prematurely into the quagmire of war and told him nothing, Anya naturally wouldn't say anything directly either. He simply replied coldly, "Just a small mission. We'll be back soon."
Minato wasn't easy to fool, shaking his head as he said, "You're lying. Has the war started again?"
Sighing, Anya responded, "Hmph. If the Hokage hasn't told you, then he certainly has his reasons. Why must you always know everything?"
"Looking at the direction you're heading, aren't you going to Kumo's battlefield?" Minato's eyes filled with concern.
Now that things had come to this point, hiding it was pointless. Anya nodded, "Yes."
"So it's true," Minato muttered quietly, a pang of guilt rising in his chest. During the last war, he had eliminated many Kumo ninjas. Given their personality, they definitely wouldn't swallow their pride like this. He never expected it would really come to pass.
Seeing Minato's expression, Anya changed the topic, "Enough now. Don't think about it too much. Focus on your own mission. Where are you headed this time?"
"To a Loulan ruins near Sunagakure Village. There's intel suggesting someone might try to build a puppet army there, so we're going to check it out," Minato explained briefly.
Anya urged, "Hurry up then. Oh, and remember to wear a mask. Everyone in Sunagakure Village is on high alert now. A Konoha (Leaf Village) ninja appearing there would draw too much attention. I'm sure you can complete this mission easily."
"Wait for me. I'll come back as soon as possible."
"Alright."
They exchanged smiles before vanishing simultaneously.
After catching up with the Anbu squad, Anya began pondering inwardly. How strange—it was unusual for someone's Puppet techniques to surpass even Sasori's, capable of creating an entire army of puppets. Such a person shouldn't be unknown, right? Whatever, he'd send Sasori to investigate. Who knows—he might gain something unexpected.
A small bird puppet bearing Sasori's mark soared high into the sky.
At Kumo's Battlefield, the shinobi from both sides were already locked in fierce combat. Because this operation was commanded by Fugaku, many members of the Uchiha clan had been deployed. At the battlefield's center, Lightning Release and Fire Release techniques clashed repeatedly.
Fugaku had now joined the fight himself. Wielding his long blade, he slashed continuously, aiming directly at his opponent's vital points.
Yet, his opponent blocked every strike and managed counterattacks from time to time. His relentless blades even managed to draw blood from Fugaku.
"Dumbass! You're gonna die today, yoo—hoo! Prepare for my Eight Blade Style!"
There was only one person who spoke like that—Killer Bee. Surprisingly, Kumogakure Village had allowed him to participate in this war. Since their last duel against Anya, Killer Bee's swordsmanship had clearly improved. As soon as his voice rang out, he let out a loud laugh and nimbly jumped into the air. Behind him surged an enormous lightning bolt moving at incredible speed.
[Lightning Oppression Horizontal]
Two figures raced toward Fugaku Uchiha, their combined power emitting a terrifying aura of destruction and death. At that moment, Fugaku finally abandoned all pretense of hiding. His Sharingan eyes twisted violently before transforming into the Mangekyou.
And so it began.
The full moon hung bright above, the blade shimmered like autumn water, and for a heartbeat, the battlefield held its breath.
All three stood perfectly aligned in a straight line.
[Sword Art: Draw Technique]
The blade, sharpened during his journey here, shot forward like a rainbow piercing through thunder-wrapped form, slicing through clouds and casting brilliant yet cold luminous patterns.
Yet the lightning-wrapped figure fixed his gaze ahead, dismissing the incoming sword strike as if it didn't exist, eyes locked only on Fugaku.
The wind itself was sliced apart by that blade. Recognizing the danger, Killer Bee instantly pulled back his attack and slammed into the thunder-wrapped figure. The two narrowly dodged past the blade's edge.
"What the hell, B?! What are you doing?" the large lightning-wrapped man roared furiously at Killer Bee, "Even if he landed a hit on me, he couldn't have broken my defense. But we could've taken down their Konoha commander!"
Killer Bee pointed at the ground slashed by the blade aura. A deep crack had formed across the once-solid surface—[Single Blade Strike] had such sheer might that it was terrifying. All ninja techniques along its path vanished into thin air. As for the ninja caught in its wake, not even their bodies remained—reduced completely to dust.
"What?"
The burly man exclaimed in shock. He was already grateful this [Chop] hadn't struck him directly; his body definitely wouldn't have survived otherwise.
Anya arrived at the battlefield center after saving Fugaku. "How's the current situation here?" she asked.
"Looking good overall. These two newly appeared ninja are just a bit tricky. If I face either one alone, I can handle it." The Uchiha Clan was no stranger to one-on-one combat. After narrowly escaping death, he'd decided to stop holding back—he was ready to go all out and take down Killer Bee.
"You keep dealing with the one you were fighting before," Anya said. "I'll take on the new arrival."
"Fine."
The two separated and faced off again.
"How dare you underestimate me!" The large man roared furiously, igniting his body with a lightning-armor charge as he prepared to rush toward Anya.
"Son, step back. You're no match for him."
A thunderous voice echoed through the battlefield. An older man with dark skin, long light-yellow hair, and a lightning-shaped scar across his chest stepped forward heavily—a figure named Raikage. His very presence emitted an invisible pressure that overwhelmed Anya.
From the newcomer's aura alone, Anya sensed his overwhelming strength, silently concluding: "This must be a warrior whose power rivals the Tsuchikage."
Meanwhile, Kumo's forces, previously pushed back under relentless assault, became ecstatic, shouting wildly, "The Raikage has arrived! Victory is ours!"
At last appearing on the battlefield—the legendary strongest Raikage of this generation.
Clutching the Blade of Indifference, Anya stood firm to meet the pressure head-on. Emotionless yet resolute, he held his sword forward, standing alone like an unshakable guardian.
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