Die a Little More Heroically~

A woman's helpless screams, children's frightened cries, the feeble pleas for help from the elderly...

In just a few breaths, chaos had flooded every corner of the town.

Building after building, already far from sturdy, crumbled into ruins beneath the impact of Ninjutsu. Razor-sharp Wind Blades and surging torrents ravaged everything around them.

The dense fog of Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique continued to spread.

Led by the crazed Suikazan Fuguki, the Mist Ninja gradually cast aside their restraints and employed the tactics they excelled at most.

Under Pakura's orders, the Sand Ninja were also doing everything they could to use Wind Release.

Wind Release carried the scorching currents of Scorch Release as it swept relentlessly in all directions.

Every ninja on both sides was fighting for their lives.

The Hidden Agents who had originally been concealed throughout the town to provide support could no longer afford to hide their identities and rushed into battle one after another!

The already shattered town had become a living hell beneath the constant barrage of Ninjutsu from both sides.

Among the crowds desperately fleeing the battlefield, Yamanaka Kei and Namikaze Minato, standing motionless in place, seemed utterly out of place with their surroundings.

"Now, you're from the Sand, and I'm from the Mist."

Forming a seal with one hand, Yamanaka Kei used the Transformation Technique to take on the appearance of the Hidden Mist Ninja they had captured earlier.

His Chakra natures were Yin and Water.

Though he had always focused on researching his clan's secret techniques and Genjutsu due to his exceptional talent for spiritual power, he had also dabbled in Water Release.

While it could not compare to those monsters with Water Release-related traits, compared to the Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Fire nature Ninjutsu he could only barely perform, his Water Release possessed far greater power and proficiency.

"Should I try to use only Wind Release?"

Namikaze Minato nodded and likewise used the Transformation Technique, taking on the appearance of the Sand Ninja they had captured earlier.

Their mission was a village secret.

If possible, he did not want to expose his identity either.

Ninja Art: Mind Transmission Body Technique!

Forming a seal with one hand, Yamanaka Kei activated his clan's secret technique and linked his mind with Namikaze Minato's.

Able to communicate through their thoughts and share their perceptions, the two immediately drew Kunai from the ninja tool pouches at their waists.

Clang—!

The Kunai collided, scattering sparks.

Leaping onto the rooftops, the two rapidly approached the battlefield, where thin mist still lingered, amid an "intense" and "dangerous" close-quarters battle.

"Akasaburo?"

A Sand Ninja had just forced back the Hidden Mist Ninja before him.

Seeing Akasaburo in tattered clothes, his bandages stained with blood and clearly suffering severe injuries, a flash of delight appeared in his eyes.

Without a second thought, he stepped forward, intending to help Akasaburo stop the equally blood-soaked Hidden Mist Ninja.

The "Hidden Mist Ninja" opposite him saw that he was about to be surrounded.

After driving Akasaburo back with a strike, he formed seals with both hands and once more used the Mist's signature Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique.

Thick fog rose up.

Once this ninja had barely reached his companion's side, he immediately relied on his companion's protection and prepared to unleash a Wind Release Ninjutsu.

But before he could finish forming the seals, the Kunai in his "companion's" hand, wrapped in sharp Wind-nature Chakra, instantly sliced across his neck.

"Tsk, what an honest kid."

Yamanaka Kei clicked his tongue inwardly.

Namikaze Minato once again used the Transformation Technique, taking advantage of the opportunity to assume the appearance of the ninja he had just beheaded.

With the support of Yamanaka Kei's large-scale sensory Ninjutsu, the two remained as agile as fish in water within the Hiding in Mist Technique. Rather than dispersing the dense fog, they repeated the same trick and ambushed another Hidden Mist Ninja to death.

With their new identities as cover, the two found it even easier to deceive people while "fighting."

The faint mist that Scorch Release had not completely dispersed caused a certain degree of visual interference.

Yamanaka Kei's exceedingly covert Genjutsu, his Water Release performed merely for show, combined with Namikaze Minato's superb Wind Release, left the ninja on both sides with no time to grow suspicious amid the fierce battle.

It had taken less than five minutes.

Working together with ever-increasing proficiency, the two of them had silently taken out more than ten shinobi from both sides.

"Spread out! Someone used the Transformation Technique to impersonate a comrade! Attack anyone who comes close!"

Pakura's voice echoed across the battlefield.

Unlike the crazed Suikazan Fuguki, her extensive combat experience allowed her to immediately guess what had happened the moment she noticed something was wrong.

Prompted by her words, Suikazan Fuguki, a seasoned jonin, clearly realized that something was amiss as well.

Though he was anxious to reclaim the Great Sword Samehada, the last remnants of his reason still made him swiftly pull away and issue the same command to his subordinates.

The thin mist quickly dispersed into the air after losing its Chakra support.

Under the cold moonlight, the remaining shinobi of the Mist Side and Hidden Sand leaped onto the rooftops with remarkable tacit understanding. Everyone stood perfectly still, warily watching the comrades and enemies around them.

In that short span of time, only four remained on the Mist Side, including Suikazan Fuguki.

On Hidden Sand's side, only five remained as well, Pakura included.

Among them were Yamanaka Kei and Namikaze Minato, who were still maintaining their Transformation Techniques.

"Pakura, hand over the Great Sword Samehada!"

Suikazan Fuguki seemed to have finally remembered that he could still speak.

Without a care for his heavily depleted subordinates, he immediately demanded the return of the lost Great Sword Samehada.

"Idiot! Can't you see it yet? We never took your Samehada! A third party interfered in our battle!"

Pakura glared at Suikazan Fuguki across from her through gritted teeth.

She continuously cursed his stupidity in her heart.

That water-brained idiot had looked at the scene of the earlier battle and still failed to realize that a third party had taken advantage of the chaos!

Instead, he had directly pinned the blame on Hidden Sand.

He had even rashly launched an attack in the middle of town!

She could already foresee it: when she returned to the village, not only would she fail to receive the military merits she deserved, but she would be held accountable by the village instead!

That utter fool, Suikazan Fuguki!

Even roasting him into jerky and slicing him into strips of meat would not quell the hatred in her heart!

"Hehehe~ Very good! Very good! Now, everyone, cut open your palms."

Suikazan Fuguki laughed in fury. His teeth, like those of a vicious ghost, glinted with an icy chill as he raised his palm before everyone.

He had risen to the middle and upper ranks of the Mist not through strength alone.

After Pakura's reminder, how could he not realize that someone had played him for a fool?

Ninja Art: Mind Confusion Dance Technique!

Invisible, intangible Yin Release Chakra Energy spread outward.

Aside from Namikaze Minato, who had long known Yamanaka Kei's intentions, everyone present felt their souls leave their bodies in terror!

They tried to dart away, but that strange and powerful Yin Release Energy had already invaded their bodies like gangrene in the bones, leaving them unable to move even a single step.

"This is... the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Confusion Dance Technique! Damn Konoha!"

Feeling the powerful restraint gripping his body, Suikazan Fuguki relied on his formidable physical strength to stiffly twist his neck.

He glared viciously toward the direction from which the Chakra fluctuations had spread.

Mind Confusion Dance Technique.

An S-rank secret technique of Konoha's Yamanaka Clan, exceedingly difficult to master!

It was said that after the Second Shinobi World War, the Yamanaka Clan had suffered devastating losses, leaving very few capable of using it.

It could easily control an enemy's body and make enemies slaughter one another.

"Congratulations, you guessed right. As a reward, I can let you die a more glorious death."

Yamanaka Kei maintained his hand seal with one hand, a bright and harmless smile blooming across his face.

His warm, clear voice sounded as casual as if he were chatting, yet it sent a chill down everyone's spine.