"Minato, this isn't the way to go on!"
Jiraiya frowned, wiped the blood from his face, and said with a bitter smile, "We're too passive. At this rate, the formation will be broken sooner or later. We can't handle these two Jinchuriki!"
"And the Tsuchikage, he's the most dangerous one of all..."
After using Flying Thunder God Jutsu countless times to narrowly avoid Onoki's Dust Release, Jiraiya helplessly looked at the distant battlefield:
"Even though we can quickly take down those Hidden Rock ninjas, they're no match for the power of the Jinchuriki."
"Moreover, the number of Hidden Rock ninjas is just too overwhelming. Damn it, has our village really fallen that far behind?"
Namikaze Minato pressed his lips together and nodded helplessly.
Without having mastered the Rasengan, although he could instantly kill dozens of elite ninjas using his superb reaction speed and Taijutsu, especially with abundant Flying Thunder God Kunai, his weakness was also apparent...
His single-target damage was somewhat lacking against Jinchuriki units.
Especially Roshi's Lava Release Chakra Mode, with his molten armor and granite, allowed him to even ignore Minato's attacks and fiercely assault Konoha's formations.
The Steam Ninja, Han, was also not restrained by him, with the speed and strength boost from the Tail Beast Cloak and Boil Release.
The only Tsuchikage, Onoki, didn't have anything noteworthy in terms of defense, but he could fly!
These three high-level Hidden Rock forces made Namikaze Minato realize one thing—Flying Thunder God Jutsu is not invincible.
And Jiraiya was also being restrained. With Onoki around, even with the Four-tails and Five-tails,
"Jiraiya-sensei, we can only try those weapons Aomi left us..."
Minato stared at the distance where steam, lava, and Dust Release barriers continued their relentless bombardment, claiming the lives of Konoha ninjas every second, leaving him with mixed emotions.
At this point, although Minato still believed in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, he no longer blamed Aomi for starting the war.
Or rather, how could a war be started by one person?
It would only be driven by interests.
With such formidable power, it was only natural given the personality of Hidden Rock that they would initiate war. In Minato's view, Aomi's actions were not provocations but rather delaying the war, giving Konoha time to prepare...
If he hadn't intimidated those other villages, the war would've likely broken out a long time ago. Where's the room for letters and verbal battles, or Chunin exam probes?
If that were the case, Konoha would be even more passive.
"It's the only way, Minato."
Jiraiya sighed, "I hope it will help."
Jiraiya felt very conflicted. Although his stance leaned towards Mount Myoboku, he didn't want to see any Konoha ninja die.
But the problem was, if Aomi's war weapons were effective, then Minato wouldn't need to compete for the Hokage position...
The situation on the Hidden Mist Battlefield was unknown to Jiraiya; perhaps it was a stalemate?
But if they used Aomi's technology, regardless of whether they won or lost on the Hidden Rock Battlefield, the credit would already be shared.
Minato seemed to see what Jiraiya was thinking and shook his head, "Jiraiya-sensei, now's not the time to think about those things. The only thing we can do is win this war first."
Jiraiya shook his head, seemingly unwilling to argue with Minato on this issue.
The Child of Prophecy, meant to solve future conflicts in the Ninja World and bring peace, was an ultimate topic...
The outcome of one war is important, but if the root problems aren't solved, tragedies will only repeat themselves!
A flicker of movement.
Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya rushed to Mountain Fuu's side, urgently saying:
"Jonin Mountain Fuu, contact headquarters and deploy the bombing support and Tobirama No.2 allocated to our battlefield. The situation is critical now!"
"This is the first wave of enemy assault. If we don't stop it, morale will collapse..."
Mountain Fuu nodded coldly, "Then, provide me with the coordinates for the bombing, and I'll relay it immediately."
"Bear in mind, you need to predict the bombing area about three moments from now. Tobirama No.2 has a strong kill radius, so our troops need to evacuate quickly, but also find a way to hold the enemy there."
Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, both startled.
Holding the enemy there while evacuating their own forces?
In a head-on battle or assault, it's one thing, but being on the defensive, they didn't have the initiative.
"Can't we bomb in real-time?" Jiraiya asked, slightly unwilling to give up.
"We can, but this would cause overlapping in bombing areas, affecting the damage. Low-altitude flying would also pose a significant casualty risk to what's an otherwise safe bombing unit."
Mountain Fuu remained icy, like a machine answering questions without emotion:
"I don't recommend doing that. I've already told you how to contact the aerial unit ahead of time."
"I'll take responsibility..." Minato took a deep breath, marked an area on the map, and resolutely said:
"Right here, I'll find a way to hold them back alone. After all, with Flying Thunder God Jutsu, the enemy will be very interested in killing me, and I can evade the danger when the bombing arrives."
Jiraiya was shocked.
Even if Namikaze Minato were outstanding, facing two Jinchuriki and the Third Tsuchikage alone was extremely dangerous.
Running away is one thing, but holding off the three alone will lead the enemy to predict Minato's actions and take countermeasures.
For these three high-tier forces of the Hidden Rock, even a single mistake can mean death!
"Minato, I'll go with you!"
"Jiraiya-sensei, bringing someone along with multiple Flying Thunder God transports will greatly deplete my chakra."
Namikaze Minato shook his head: "I can't even estimate how many times I'll need to teleport facing so many Hidden Rock and Tsuchikage, along with the two Jinchuriki, nor how to hold them off..."
"But I'll do my best!"
Jiraiya, troubled and anxious, said gravely: "Minato, I'll start entering Sage Mode right now!"
"Stall them, I'll come to support you soon!"
Namikaze Minato smiled and nodded: "I'll leave it to you then, Jiraiya-sensei."
But within his heart, he was already resolved to die.
For how much effort it would take Jiraiya to enter Sage Mode now, Namikaze Minato knew all too well...
The time of three quarters is the time the bomb drops, and the time Jiraiya prepares to complete — basically unreliable.
This is the speed achieved on Mount Myoboku in a tranquil state; on the battlefield, with emotions fluctuating, gathering Sage Chakra is even more difficult.
Entering Sage Mode requires calm and composure; agitation will only have an adverse effect.
"Jiraiya-sensei, please take care of Kushina for me..."
Namikaze Minato checked his Flying Thunder God Kunai, filled up four ninja tool bags, and strapped them to himself.
"Don't say things like that, Minato!"
Just as Jiraiya was going to start sensing Natural Energy, the words nearly broke his concentration, and he shouted urgently.
Namikaze Minato smiled helplessly and was about to move, when he heard a familiar voice —
"I'm taking over the battlefield!"
Aomi walked into the command post, nodded to Namikaze Minato and Jiraiya: "If the two of you find yourselves lacking, remember to request support from headquarters in a timely manner, so advantages troops can be deployed to assist you."
"I received intel from the chief commander; I just came from the Hidden Mist battlefield."
Aomi sighed, patting Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato on the shoulder:
"Although your performance disappointed me a bit, it seems neither of you made thorough plans or make use of the weapons provided by Root, or there wouldn't have been a collapse at the initial clash."
"But Minato's Will of Fire, I've acknowledged."
"We can review this matter after the war; for now, follow my actions."
Seeing Aomi entering, Mountain Fuu's previously cold expression now seemed to sparkle as if stars flashed in his eyes, he suddenly knelt down:
"Lord Aomi, I'm sorry for failing to guide the Hidden Rock's command in using aerial units correctly!"
Jiraiya awkwardly looked at Aomi, then at the rapidly transforming Mountain Fuu beside him, suddenly feeling he was not familiar with Konoha anymore...
Aomi helped Mountain Fuu up, shaking his head: "This wasn't your fault; you've done very well."
"Shikuro, did you think I didn't see you? Still not fond of speaking, I see..."
Aomi helped up Aburame Shikuro nearby, teasing him: "You're not as inconspicuous as you think, be more confident."
Aburame Shikuro, behind his sunglasses, nodded silently, saying in a low voice: "Yes, Lord Aomi."
Even Namikaze Minato felt a bit awkward this time, the peculiar low presence from the Aburame Clan allowed him and Jiraiya to instinctively overlook him when entering the command center, focusing only on exchanges with Mountain Fuu and not even greeted him.
"Minato, Jiraiya."
Aomi said softly: "You two go find a way to stall Onoki, I'll handle the two Jinchuriki first."
"Aomi, those two Jinchuriki are very strong, possibly having fully mastered the Tailed Beast's powers, be cautious!"
Namikaze Minato said quietly: "I know you're strong, but..."
Aomi chuckled, pointing to his Sharingan: "The Uchiha Clan deals with Jinchuriki, perfect ones included."
Aomi waved his hand, his tone calm yet carrying a chilling killing intent: "Tell the Tobirama Number's bombing unit to bring enough ordinance, full deployment..."
"I've heard that Onoki specifically came to kill the genius of the Uchiha Clan."
"Well then, let the Hidden Rock Ninja's blood pay the debt, today at least slaughter ten thousand of them!"
Mountain Fuu nodded with excitement, immediately entering battle mode, donning a perception-amplifying Ninja Headgear, establishing contact with the Tobirama Number.
Aburame Shikuro silently nodded, if it's ten thousand, then he'd have to use his Pot Poison Jutsu...
Using corpses as breeding vessels for venomous insects, when dealing with the Hidden Rock's human wave tactics troop, the damage is the greatest.
To ensure he always remained visible to Aomi-sama, Aburame Shikuro was impatiently eager to prove to him that his existence was significant!
"Let's go, both of you."
Aomi said slowly: "Withdraw all Konoha and Hidden Rock troops, Root will take over the battlefield!"
Namikaze Minato nodded: "Understood!"
Jiraiya, looking at the calm yet murderous Aomi, lowered his head with difficulty: "Understood!"