While they were fighting, the Konoha chunin had already destroyed the supplies and provisions.
Looking at the devastated ground littered with wreckage, the young A could only rage helplessly where he stood.
Especially when he saw the corpses of jonin scattered everywhere, his anger became impossible to suppress.
This time, not only had the mission failed—people had died as well.
That Namikaze Minato could single-handedly wipe out all of his jonin… that was something he had never anticipated.
Staring at the chaotic battlefield, where most of the survivors were merely genin responsible for transportation, the young A clenched his fists and ground his teeth.
"Retreat!"
On the other side, Minato carried Hatake Sakumo and instantly appeared inside a forest some distance away.
"Cough… cough…"
Hatake Sakumo only felt his vision go dark for a moment before he found himself here.
Looking at Namikaze Minato supporting him, he endured the discomfort in his body and spoke.
"This time… it was thanks to you."
"If not for you, this mission would have failed."
"I might have died there."
There was no exaggeration in Hatake Sakumo's words.
Though he was a veteran Kage-level powerhouse, the young A was no weaker.
Especially with Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the Lightning Armor, and that Hell Stab—it was practically his perfect counter.
Overwhelming defense, unrivaled speed, and extreme offensive power.
It was practically another weakened version of the Third Raikage.
What Sakumo didn't know was that the true Third Raikage had once fought for days and nights alone while surrounded by ten thousand Iwa ninja.
Even if the young A lacked his father's sheer might, he was already strong enough to rival—or even surpass—him.
Lightning Release chakra stimulated cellular activity, and once those cells were activated, Body Flicker Techniques reached terrifying, godlike speeds—fast enough to rival even Namikaze Minato.
So fast it was like a bolt of blue lightning!
Across the entire shinobi world, those faster than him were likely limited to Minato, who had mastered the Flying Raijin, and the Third Raikage himself.
Hearing Sakumo's words, Minato shook his head.
"This time, it was thanks to you, senpai."
"If you hadn't held A back, we wouldn't have succeeded."
As he spoke, Minato frowned in confusion.
"But… why didn't you let me fight him?"
When Minato had appeared beside him earlier, he had intended to engage the young A.
But Hatake Sakumo sensed his intent and stopped him.
Hearing Minato's confusion, Sakumo coughed dully and explained,
"He's the Third Raikage's son."
"Our objective this time was to destroy the supplies and provisions."
"But the ultimate goal was to force Kumogakure to retreat."
"If we killed his son here, then even if the mission succeeded… it would still be a failure."
Hatake Sakumo spoke plainly and honestly.
Minato nodded in understanding.
That young A really is absurdly lucky…
He danced in front of Yuki Seisui for so long—so many chances to be killed outright—yet survived because of various concerns.
And now it's the same again.
Because Kumogakure must retreat, he can't be killed.
His luck is terrifying.
Hatake Sakumo forced himself to straighten up.
The blow to his chest had only just settled, and he still couldn't move violently.
If Minato had arrived a few seconds later, he would already be dead.
"Let's return and report to the supreme commander."
"I'll take you back directly."
Seeing Sakumo stubbornly walk forward, Minato turned to the nearby chunin.
"You head back on your own. I'll take the captain back first."
"Yes!"
The chunin had no objections.
Although the mission looked dangerous, the real burden had been borne by Hatake Sakumo and Namikaze Minato.
They had only seized the timing to rush out and destroy the supplies.
And judging from Sakumo's condition, immediate treatment was clearly necessary.
Hatake Sakumo opened his mouth to say something, but Minato placed a hand on his shoulder—and both vanished instantly.
Standing on the balcony, Yuki Seisui looked at the giant tree frozen solid below and nodded in satisfaction.
This was a newly developed technique of his.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't entirely new—it was a fusion of sealing techniques and Ice Release.
He had simply embedded the Four Symbols Seal into Ice Release.
Four Symbols Seal: A sealing formula used to restrain powerful enemies or evil entities, employing the cyclical balance of the Four Symbols to suppress malevolence.¹
That was how it was described on the scroll.
But after mastering it, Yuki Seisui realized that despite the mystical explanation, it was essentially chakra-based suppression.
By layering the Four Symbols Seal onto Ice Release, he could trap enemies inside the ice and kill them outright.
Ordinarily, frozen enemies could break the ice and escape.
But once Four Symbols Sealing Ice was applied, the ice itself became impossible to shatter.
At that moment, Uchiha Haru appeared behind him.
Following his gaze downward and seeing the tree completely frozen, she asked,
"What are you doing?"
Yuki Seisui had already sensed her presence and didn't turn around.
"The technique I told you about before—it's finished."
His voice carried clear excitement as he turned around and pulled her into an embrace.
Feeling the warmth of his body and the faint, pleasant fragrance surrounding him, Uchiha Haru's cheeks flushed red.
"Dinner is ready."
"Alright."
Still holding her, Yuki Seisui nodded.
The two walked downstairs together.
Looking at the dishes on the table and breathing in the rich aroma, Yuki Seisui's appetite was instantly awakened.
He glanced at Uchiha Haru beside him and took a deep breath.
"I really hope… that things will always be like this."
Hearing his words, Uchiha Haru smiled brilliantly.
"They will."
"Haru, you're wonderful."
Yuki Seisui held her small hand as they sat down together.
Looking at the food before him, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Just now… I even thought of our child's name."
Uchiha Haru's face, which had just recovered, flushed bright red again.
Children… she hadn't even thought about that yet!
Yuki Seisui didn't notice her thoughts and continued excitedly.
"I'll say it—tell me what you think."
Seeing his enthusiasm, Uchiha Haru hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"If it's a girl, she'll be called Yuki Yuna."
"If it's a boy, then Yuki Yuuichi."
Yuki Seisui looked at her expectantly.
After a brief pause, Uchiha Haru noticed that his enthusiasm was greater when he mentioned a girl.
She pursed her lips slightly.
"Do you… not like boys?"
Yuki Seisui shook his head.
"No, I like both—but I like girls more."
"A son is great, but a daughter would be even better."
Then he suddenly looked at her and added cheerfully,
"But if we have five, I can accept that too."
Uchiha Haru's already flushed face turned even redder.
Back in Konoha, Yuki Seisui had nothing in particular to attend to.
And so, time passed—drop by drop.