"Blond hair… and that teleportation technique."
A ripple of fear swept through the ranks of the Allied Forces as realization struck one of the Iwa ninjas. His voice, trembling with dread, broke the tense silence.
"He's here… the Yellow Flash of Konoha!"
The words ignited murmurs among the soldiers, many of whom shared the same look of shock and horror.
"We were ordered to abandon the mission and retreat immediately if we ever encountered him!" another Iwa ninja shouted, his tone laced with desperation.
Minato's presence on the battlefield was overwhelming. His incredible speed and precision left many unable to even see his face clearly—except for a select few like Hanzo, Rōshi, Rasa, and Kitsuchi. Yet, after watching him dispatch dozens of their comrades and clash with four of the strongest leaders present, the truth became undeniable.
Konoha's Yellow Flash… the man whose name alone commands retreat.
Minato's exploits were legendary. His reputation, solidified after his decisive victory against Hanzo, had eclipsed nearly every other figure in the ninja world. However, what truly unsettled the Allied Forces was his calm demeanor.
Minato's appearance was entirely at odds with the fierce reputation that preceded him. His striking blond hair, handsome face, and those piercing blue eyes were a stark contrast to the monstrous image many had conjured in their minds. But it was the icy focus in his gaze—calculated and unyielding—that sent chills down their spines.
Hanzo and the other three leaders, standing amidst the chaos, turned their attention back to Minato. Though their ranks had suffered heavy losses, they remained vigilant, knowing full well that surrounding him would be futile. The battlefield was dotted with Minato's teleportation marks, each one a potential escape route.
"What a troublesome jutsu," Rōshi growled, his frustration palpable. He had faced Minato firsthand and been utterly outmatched. Rage simmered within him as he watched the Yellow Flash unscathed.
The tension was momentarily broken by the sound of approaching reinforcements. From the direction of the Land of Fire, a large contingent of figures began to emerge.
"Swish!"
In an instant, Minato disappeared from his perch atop the hemispherical rock, reappearing at the edge of the battlefield. Behind him, Konoha's vanguard materialized, their ranks now visible to the Allied Forces.
Leading the group was none other than Jiraiya. With swift steps, he approached Minato, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield. His eyes lingered on Hanzo, Rōshi, Rasa, and Kitsuchi in turn, each glance filled with a mix of determination and wariness.
Hanzo met Jiraiya's gaze with a faint smile. The sight of his former foe brought a flicker of nostalgia.
"Jiraiya," Hanzo called out, his voice cutting through the din, "you've trained an excellent disciple."
The words carried weight, for it was Hanzo himself who had once bestowed the title of the Three Legendary Sannin upon Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Now, after so many years, they stood on opposite sides of the battlefield. Though Jiraiya had grown stronger, Hanzo's strength remained undeniable.
"Of course," Jiraiya replied coolly, unwilling to show any hint of intimidation. He turned to Minato with a concerned look. "Boy, are you holding up alright?"
Minato chuckled softly, brushing off his teacher's worry. "Don't worry, Sensei. I'm fine."
Reassured, Jiraiya gave a small nod. Behind him, Konoha's reinforcements continued to pour in, forming ranks.
The Konoha ninjas, seeing the disarray among the Three Kingdoms' forces, couldn't help but marvel. The coalition forces, though numerically superior, looked battered and shaken.
Among them, Kato Dan watched Minato with a mix of awe and melancholy. "The war hasn't even begun in earnest, yet the enemy has already suffered such devastating losses," he murmured, his gaze lingering on Minato's back.
Memories of Tsunade's stories about Minato surfaced in his mind. Even as a child during the Second Ninja War, Minato's strategic insights had impressed the veterans. Now, witnessing his tactics firsthand, Kato couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence.
The battlefield was littered with evidence of Minato's brilliance. The Three Kingdoms' coalition had already lost nearly 300 ninjas, with close to a thousand injured. The numerical disparity between the two forces had been significantly reduced.
Hanzo, however, remained unfazed. His sharp eyes scanned the Konoha camp, settling on a group of masked ninjas. A low chuckle escaped his lips.
"It seems Konoha is desperate," he remarked loudly, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "Even the Hokage's guards have been sent to the front lines."
The words struck a chord among the Allied Forces. Murmurs rippled through their ranks, and the fighting spirit that had been waning moments earlier began to rekindle.
As ninjas, they understood the significance of the Hokage's personal guards. That Konoha would deploy them suggested a critical lack of resources, a sign of desperation.
Minato's expression darkened. He recognized Hanzo's tactic immediately. The demigod of the ninja world wasn't just a warrior—he was a master strategist. With a few carefully chosen words, he had reignited the morale of his army.
Jiraiya, sensing the shift in the enemy's mood, turned to Minato. "What now, Minato?"
Minato's mind raced. His earlier strategy had succeeded in thinning the ranks of the coalition and demoralizing their forces. But Hanzo's intervention had disrupted the balance.
Kato Dan and Hyuga Tenki approached, their expressions grim. "We may not be as strong as you," Kato admitted, "but we can at least hold one of the leaders off."
Minato shook his head, his resolve firm. "I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of letting you engage the enemy leaders."
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