"Yuki Sora…"
"With just my power alone, I am indeed no match for you."
Facing Sora, who was clad in a white haori, Minato's face showed an expression of both anger and gravity.
The unknown is the most terrifying thing in this world.
And for Minato, there were too many mysteries about Sora, too many unknowns that made him extremely wary.
"It's probably a shadow clone, right?"
Sora said with a light laugh: "To appear before me in such a pitiful state, Konoha's Yellow Flash, you are more arrogant than I imagined…"
Bang!
The next moment, the Minato pierced by the ice blade turned into a puff of white smoke and vanished from the spot.
'Shadow Clone…'
'Does it affect the speed of the Flying Thunder God Technique?'
Sora showed a thoughtful expression.
The so-called Spiralling Flash Super Circle Dance Howl Stage Three sounded impressive, but in reality, it was just a combination of Flying Thunder God and flashbangs.
It looked visually striking, but its essence was still an ordinary Flying Thunder God attack.
It was just Minato's terminal case of being overly-dramatic… to show off, he specifically used golden flashbangs, making the Spiralling Flash Super Circle Dance Howl Stage Three appear very intimidating.
[Shunpo]
Like an illusion, Sora's figure also vanished from the spot the next moment, leaving behind only the long-ruined Konoha's camp.
....
On the main battlefield,
The sounds of killing shook the world.
As the battle erupted, more and more Ninjas joined the fray, quickly forming a large battlefield with over a thousand participants.
A dense mass of people, some exchanging Ninjutsu barrages from afar, others locked in close-quarters combat, madly slaughtering each other with kunai and swords.
Genin, Chunin, Jonin…
All fought together.
No one retreated a step out of fear of death, because Ninjas from both sides recognized that this sudden battle was the beginning of the decisive confrontation. If they lost their momentum here, what awaited them would be something even more terrible than death.
Now, both Kirigakure and Konoha's Ninjas appeared on the battlefield in large formation arrays, often composed of around ten Jonin, plus three times that number of Chunin, and seven times that number of Genin, forming combat formations that crashed wildly into the enemy's formations.
This was a mutual grinding down of team strength. If a formation was broken, the Ninjas within would be torn to pieces in an instant.
Ninjutsu exchanges, shuriken raining down everywhere.
However, just as both sides were fighting with bloodshot eyes, a light red stream of light suddenly fell upon the battlefield like a shooting star.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!!!
Explosions sounded, dust scattered.
Churning shockwaves ran rampant, forcing many Ninjas locked in fierce combat to halt their immediate fights and dodge far away.
Soon, a beastly figure burning with light red Chakra appeared on the battlefield.
White bones!
Fox tails!
Sinister and incredibly powerful Chakra!!!
In an instant, some experienced Jonin recognized the identity of that beastly figure.
Their expressions, depending on their faction, became either excited or fearful.
"That's…"
"Kushina-sama!"
"It's the rampaging Kushina-sama!"
"So terrifying, is this the power of a Tailed Beast?"
"We are sure to win!!!!"
Many Konoha's Jonin let out excited exclamations.
In reality, Kushina's status as a Jinchuriki was one of Konoha's classified pieces of intelligence, but the security level wasn't very high.
This matter was indeed confidential for the vast majority of villagers, like Genin, and Chunin, but for Jonin with a certain level of authority, it was already an open secret.
The sealing techniques of the Uzumaki Clan, combined with the Nine-Tails' Chakra… such a configuration could be called a walking nuclear weapon on the battlefield.
In the eyes of many Konoha's Jonin, Kushina was the most powerful and terrifying existence in all of Konoha.
After all, Tailed Beasts themselves symbolized the power of destruction, and the Nine-Tails was undoubtedly the king among Tailed Beasts.
Therefore, when their village's Jinchuriki appeared on the battlefield, the Konoha's Ninjas naturally believed the key turning point of the battle had arrived.
Now, Kushina's arrival gave countless Konoha's Ninjas confidence. Some even pointed at the Kirigakure's Ninjas and shouted loudly:
"Surrender!"
"Ninjas of the Bloody Mist!"
"If you stop resisting and surrender obediently, Konoha will definitely spare your lives! If you continue to resist stubbornly, Kushina-sama will kill you all! Don't say I didn't warn you beforehand!!!"
A very ordinary surrender tactic, yet it still made the Kirigakure's Ninja forces feel panic.
"Terumi Mei-sama!"
"Be careful!"
Yuzuki, ignoring the wounds on his body, anxiously ran to Mei's side, shouting urgently: "That's the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, not some ordinary Ninja! You must be careful!!!"
Mei's almond-shaped eyes shifted, also seeing the arrival of the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. Gritting her teeth, she said: "Captain Matsunaga, Sora isn't here, you are the highest commander on the battlefield. First, order the village's Ninjas to retreat. I'll hold the line here!"
"You…"
"Hurry up!"
Mei glared: "Don't make me kill you. By seniority, even if someone has to die here, it's not your turn!"
Mei had her own pride. Even if she was no match for the enemy, as someone striving to become Mizukage, she absolutely could not bring herself to flee from battle.
Yuzuki also gritted his teeth. On the battlefield, facing a monster like a Jinchuriki, leaving a rearguard for the main force to retreat was the most rational choice.
And on Kirigakure's side, there were indeed few who possessed the ability to confront the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
Retreat?
Forget it!
Yuzuki was afraid of death, but not to the point of letting a woman cover his retreat, especially Mei. If he really retreated, even if he survived, Sora would skin him alive.
Now, facing the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, even the squad commanders were so flustered. The morale collapse of the lower-ranking Ninjas was even more imaginable.
Some were hesitant to fight, legs trembling. Others roared hysterically, charging towards Kushina as if seeking self-destruction.
"Ahhh ahhh! Don't look down on our Kirigakure!"
"Kill!"
"At worst, trade one for one, I'd come out ahead!"
Amidst the roars, over a hundred shuriken shot towards Kushina Uzumaki. This was just a feint, a tactic by the Kirigakure's Ninjas to delay the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
However,
The next moment,
Something no one expected happened.
Those shuriken, which even Genin would find difficult to kill with, actually hit Kushina Uzumaki.
Thud thud thud!
Dense sounds rang.
The next instant, Kushina was covered in shuriken, like a porcupine.
"Huh?"
Some were stunned, showing disbelief.
"Kushina-sama!"
Others exclaimed, with hearts burning with anxiety.
Because only at this moment did sharp-eyed Ninjas notice that the Tailed Beast's Chakra Cloak on Kushina's body was incomplete. The exposed shoulder had an extremely horrifying bloody hole, extending from the shoulder to the lung, her arm almost torn off.
Now, Kushina's face was extremely pale. Her rampant Nine-Tails' Chakra was madly healing her body, leaving no energy to deal with external attacks.
The expressions of the Konoha' Ninjas on the battlefield instantly plummeted from heaven to hell. Looking at the shocking wound on Kushina's body, their gazes gradually turned panicked.
'This…'
'What exactly is going on!!!'
'Kushina-sama… was she almost killed by some terrifying existence!?'
"Kushina!"
"What happened to you!??"
The Konoha's powerhouses, Akimichi Choza and Sarutobi Shinsuke, instantly appeared beside Kushina. The expressions on their faces became incredibly vivid.
"Cough…"
"Choza, Shinsuke…"
Kushina coughed up a large mouthful of blood before barely raising her head. Her pale cheeks were as white and fragile as a porcelain doll. She struggled to breathe the surrounding oxygen, the horrifying wound on her body healing rapidly at a visible to the naked eye rate.
"I was really almost killed, cough... Kirigakure's Yuki Sora, you must be careful too. Minato should still be fighting that monster, but he probably can't hold on much longer…"
Kushina's broken words once again caused Choza and Shinsuke's faces to change dramatically.
"Kushina-sama! Kushina-sama!"
At this time.
Two Jonin-level Medical-Nin also instantly appeared beside Kushina.
She was Konoha's Jinchuriki after all! If anything serious happened to her, the village's loss would be enormous!
"Don't worry about me!"
Kushina waved her hand, her voice slightly hoarse: "With the Nine-Tails' Chakra, the wound will heal quickly. It's temporarily not a problem. And besides…"
"I seem to feel a brand new power. Before that power, such a small wound is nothing to worry about."
"A small wound?"
Choza looked at Kushina's arm, which was almost torn off, and couldn't help but feel a tremor in his heart. He, Minato, and Kushina were all friends.
He naturally knew Kushina's background and understood how powerful the Jinchuriki's combat strength was.
'Someone who could injure Kushina like this…'
'Yuki Sora!!!'
Remembering the frightening Kirigakure's Ninja he had faced before, a dreadful chill inexplicably rose in Choza's heart.
'The explosion at the camp earlier was indeed that man's doing!'
"Kirigakure…"
"Yuki Sora?"
"Even Minato joined the fight and was beaten like this?"
Upon hearing this, Shinsuke's eyes showed more astonishment and incredulity, 'From Kushina's words, it seemed she and Minato joined forces and were still beaten to this state by that Kirigakure's Yuki Sora?'
'It must be a joke!'
Shinsuke even suspected whether Kushina found the battlefield atmosphere too serious and came here to lighten the mood.
After all, although Konoha's intelligence system had a fairly rigorous summary of Sora's combat power, reading about it in reports was one thing, but facing it personally was another feeling entirely.
Shinsuke felt it was very bizarre, so much so that he felt strong doubt in his heart. Fighting both Minato and Kushina simultaneously, and still beating the Jinchuriki to this state… this was something completely incomprehensible.
Because…
In Shinsuke's view, even his father, Konoha's 'Strongest Hokage in history', might not possess such fearsome combat power!
In short, Kushina's unexpected entrance sent the Konoha side's emotions on a rollercoaster ride, plunging them into chaotic disorder.
In contrast to the chaotic Konoha, the Kirigakure's Ninjas were radiating bright radiance.
"Hehe…"
"Well done!"
Mei was overjoyed. Seeing Kushina's miserable state from afar, she knew Sora's surprise attack had succeeded.
The heavy stone in her heart fell, naturally bringing joy to her face.
After dismissively scolding away the noisy Yuzuki beside her, and casually slitting the throat of a reckless Konoha's Genin who charged at her, Mei once again confidently charged into the battlefield.
She was so self-assured, as if the moment of admitting defeat and resolving to sacrifice herself had never happened.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
After forming hand seals, the water dragon spewing from Mei's mouth seemed to roar with passionate fervor. The original worries and doubts in her heart all vanished. With Sora as her backing, she felt the power of her Water Release Ninjutsu had increased by at least thirty percent.
In fact, it wasn't just Mei. The sight of Kushina's miserable state fell into the view of many Kirigakure's Ninjas. After exchanging glances, they all saw the clearly burning fighting spirit in each other's eyes.
'Charge!'
'Beat the damn Konoha dogs!'
'Sora-sama is awesome!'
'Fight fight fight!'
'Good riddance to the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki!'
'With Sora-sama backing us, brothers, let's beat the drowning dog!'
Without any verbal communication, many Kirigakure's Ninjas seemed to understand something just through eye contact, then charged forward one after another as if their lives depended on it.
The previously stalled battle enthusiastically reignited.
Only this time, the battlefield momentum shifted again, with Kirigakure holding a clear advantage.
In just a moment,
The Konoha's battle line was forced back over a hundred meters.
At this time, two more figures instantly appeared within their respective camps.
On the Konoha's side, it was Minato with a frosty expression. Gazing at the familiar figure in the distance, the hand holding the Flying Thunder God kunai trembled slightly with anger.
Meanwhile, Sora, clad in a white haori, stepped with Shunpo, appearing within the Kirigakure's central forces.
"Sora!"
"You're back!"
Mei, looking at Sora who was still as dazzling as ever, knew he hadn't suffered the slightest loss in the battle.
"Sora-sama…"
"Are you injured? Though we were parted for only a moment, I was extremely worried. But whenever I remembered your divine might, I couldn't help but feel reassured. Because when I calmed down and thought about it, I truly couldn't think of anyone in this world who could match even one ten-thousandth of your elegance. Just now, seeing the miserable state of the Konoha's Jinchuriki, I was even more shocked. I feel the admiration in my heart for you is like a mighty river…"
Yuzuki's flattery was cut off by Sora's wave. Sora said teasingly: "Yuzuki, you seem to have said the second half before."
"Huh?"
"Is that so, Sora-sama? Then I truly deserve death…"
Yuzuki slapped himself across the face, fawning: "Then it must be your peerless divine might that deeply shocked my soul, making me confused and talk nonsense."
"Hmph!"
"Bootlicker!"
Mei rolled her eyes at Yuzuki, 'No wonder even an ice block like Kurumi couldn't stand this guy. His sycophancy was truly shameless to the extreme.'
Now, Kirigakure's Ninjas, each with fanatical expressions, spontaneously gathered around Sora. They looked up at Sora, the excitement in their eyes impossible to conceal.
'Sora-sama is here!'
'Kirigakure has its pillar!'
'Konoha dogs!'
'Wash your necks and wait for death!!!'