Rebirth Through One's Own Life was a technique developed by Sunagakure's Puppet Brigade that could imbue puppets with life. Granny Chiyo had led the research efforts, successfully completing the theoretical phase. However, the practical application carried too great a risk and raised ethical concerns, leading to the technique being classified as a Forbidden Technique and sealed before any human experimentation could be conducted.
Minato wasn't sure if Granny Chiyo had already developed this technique at this point. Even if she hadn't, acquiring related knowledge would still be valuable. In his view, the research value of Rebirth Through One's Own Life far outweighed its practical utility.
He had considered using the Sharingan to manipulate others into using Rebirth Through One's Own Life. However, having studied numerous Ninjutsu techniques, he now possessed a solid theoretical foundation. He knew that such a feat was far more complex than it appeared. As a Forbidden Technique that transferred one's own life force to another, it required not only exceptional Chakra control as a mere prerequisite but also mastery of Medical Ninjutsu and Yang Release Nature Transformation.
In the entire Shinobi World, there were fewer than a handful of individuals capable of mastering Rebirth Through One's Own Life, and Tsunade was one of them.
"Wood Release! This kid has the Wood Release Bloodline Limit!"
A Sunagakure ninja shouted in alarm as he saw Minato unleash vines.
"Take him down!"
"We can't let this kid grow any stronger!"
A Sunagakure ninja's expression changed drastically as he roared.
The mention of Wood Release immediately brought to mind the legendary God of Shinobi from days past.
Konoha must never produce another God of Shinobi!
The surrounding Sunagakure ninjas charged forward without hesitation, attempting to surround and kill Minato.
A golden light flashed beneath Minato's feet as he effortlessly landed over ten meters away.
"Wind Release: Storm Blade Technique!"
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wild Dance!"
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
Seeing Minato move away from Takahiro, the Sunagakure ninjas unleashed a barrage of ninjutsu at him.
"Don't waste your Chakra! He uses Space-Time Ninjutsu!" Takahiro shouted, his eyes complex as he watched Minato's figure, forcing himself to speak despite the pain in his abdomen.
As if on cue, Minato vanished and reappeared beside Hatake Sakumo, retracting his Wood Clone back into his body.
Hatake Sakumo wiped the blood from his short blade and surveyed the battlefield. "If we don't kill their leader, these losses probably won't be enough to drive them back."
"It's fine. I was planning to test some Ninjutsu anyway."
Minato slammed his hands together, and the earth trembled violently, as if the planet's core had awakened.
A colossal creature tore through the soil, its head soaring toward the heavens—a monstrous wooden dragon over a hundred meters long. The shadow cast by its coiled body covered half the battlefield, radiating a terrifying aura.
In that instant, the entire battlefield fell silent, save for Minato's clear, youthful voice echoing across the distance.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
The roaring wooden dragon opened its massive jaws in a silent roar. After circling Minato and Hatake Sakumo once, it surged toward the Sunagakure ninja like a living avalanche.
The colossal body swept across more than half the battlefield, the ground cracking and heaving under its weight.
Where the wood dragon passed, ninja tools scattered, limbs flew, and the screams of the dying were drowned out by the crunch of bones and the heavy thudding impacts.
Sunagakure ninja who had no time to form hand seals or evade were like ants caught in a storm. Some attempted to resist with Dōjutsu, but only managed to leave shallow scratches on the dragon's massive form.
As the Wood Dragon rampaged through the crowd, its wounds miraculously healed in an instant!
"Don't let it touch you! It absorbs Chakra!" a terrified Sunagakure ninja shouted, having witnessed his teammate reduced to a desiccated corpse after a mere brush with the creature.
But no one responded—
The terrifying Wood Dragon swept through the ranks, leaving only a handful of survivors in its wake!
Thud!
A surviving Sunagakure ninja's knees buckled as he watched the Wood Dragon obediently return to Minato's side, collapsing weakly to the ground.
"Is... is this Wood Release?" Hatake Sakumo's jaw dropped in disbelief. Such a devastating offensive left him momentarily at a loss for a countermeasure.
Only a massive Earth Flow Rampart could withstand it, but even with his chakra reserves, he could only block one wave of attacks at best.
Sakumo sighed in frustration. "If you'd shown this power from the start, we wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble."
"I just wanted to keep a low profile," Minato said with a regretful shake of his head. "But my strength wouldn't let me. Besides, I'm not interested in paying for someone else's war. If I show too much power, it'll just bring more trouble later."
"Back in the village, I always heard that you, Senior, were passionate, straightforward, and helpful—a truly reliable comrade. But I'm different. I have no interest in shedding blood for people who have nothing to do with me."
"I see—"
Hatake Sakumo immediately understood.
Though his values differed from Minato's, he didn't resent Minato's perspective. After all, no one enjoyed trouble. As long as it didn't harm others, he had no grounds to criticize Minato.
"There's nothing wrong with that, really. Don't worry, I won't reveal your strength to anyone, beyond what's necessary for mission reports."
Having witnessed Minato's capabilities firsthand, Sakumo's tone grew noticeably more relaxed.
"But we are comrades who fought side-by-side, aren't we? For the sake of that bond, if I were to kneel and beg for your help, you wouldn't refuse, would you?"
Minato couldn't help but chuckle. "There's no need for such humility—I'm always willing to help a friend."
Minato knew his strength would eventually be revealed. He had no intention of concealing it, only of avoiding the trouble that came with being pestered by ungrateful people—the kind who would say, "You're so strong, why didn't you save so-and-so?"
With a hand on Sakumo's back, the two figures flashed and reappeared at the camp.
"Flying Thunder God Technique—it's truly convenient," Sakumo remarked, taking in the changed surroundings.
"Lord Sakumo, the Sunagakure forces to the west have just halted about fifteen kilometers away."
"Hmm?"
Hatake Sakumo paused briefly, then quickly understood the reason. "It seems they've received news from the north."
With that, he turned to Minato. "Minato, the Sunagakure attack should be over. You should go rest."
"Sunagakure suffered heavy casualties this time. They're unlikely to launch another assault anytime soon. Still, it's best for our frontline troops to arrive as quickly as possible."
"Understood."
Minato nodded and turned to leave.
He found Nawaki and Mikoto helping to bandage the wounded.
Seeing a ninja writhing in agony from Nawaki's crude bandaging, Minato hurried forward and waved his hand, signaling Nawaki to get lost.
He quickly finished bandaging the wound, then tossed a handful of pollen onto the injured ninja's face. The man's eyes rolled back, and he instantly fell into a deep sleep.
Only after Minato finished did Nawaki exclaim excitedly, "Minato, you're back!"
"Yeah. Where's Senior Shirayuki and the others?" Minato asked.
"They're preparing for battle."
Nawaki's eyes shone with anticipation. "I wanted to join them, but I was assigned to help here instead. Now that you're back, we can finally fight, right?"
Minato shook his head. "No, the enemy has retreated."
Nawaki: "—"
Wait, where's my war merit?
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