The Scheming Begins

The kunai flying in from behind was incredibly fast, drawing the attention of nearly every Stone Village ninja the moment it appeared.

Yet just as their attention was diverted, a figure suddenly appeared near the kunai.

"Damn it! It's the Yellow Flash!!"

Someone immediately recognized Minato Namikaze.

He was the very existence that had struck terror into their forces.

Stone Village's higher-ups had even issued an order because of him: if they encountered Minato Namikaze, they could abandon any mission and retreat without facing any punishment.

That alone showed just how immense a psychological shadow Minato Namikaze had cast over them.

But at that moment, Minato Namikaze had only just transferred over using the Flying Thunder God Technique and had not yet had time to strike down these Stone Village ninjas.

Suddenly, a large number of kunai flew in at even greater speed, killing the dozen or so Stone Village ninjas at the front before Minato could act. One strike, one kill!

The abrupt turn of events terrified the remaining enemies senseless.

They had even forgotten how to resist.

Then, even more kunai flew over, instantly killing another dozen or twenty Stone Village enemies.

Everything happened far too quickly. In almost a single second, two consecutive waves of kunai attacks had struck.

Then a great number of enemies fell dead.

Only after the third wave of kunai flew over did the Stone Village ninjas and Minato Namikaze finally react.

The Flying Thunder God Kunai in Minato Namikaze's hand flew toward the enemies with the motion of his body.

In an instant, seven or eight enemies had their throats slit.

At the same time, the third batch of kunai flying in from behind wiped out every remaining Stone Village ninja.

Minato Namikaze landed and turned to look behind him, his heart filled with astonishment.

Of course, he knew who had attacked those enemies just now.

Other than Uchiha Daiki, who had used the Body Flicker Technique to follow behind him, who else could possess such speed and ability?

But what Minato Namikaze had never expected was that the kunai Uchiha Daiki threw could retain such precise accuracy and killing power from so far away.

Only after turning his head and waiting two seconds did he spot Uchiha Daiki chasing after him like a shooting star.

Minato Namikaze was deeply shaken once more.

He lowered his head and looked at the slain Stone Village ninjas, clearly seeing that every kunai lodged in their bodies had penetrated at least five centimeters deep.

Some had sunk in halfway, while others had buried themselves entirely in the heart.

Not only did blood pour from the enemies' wounds, but the flesh around them had turned purplish-black.

That meant the kunai had struck with tremendous force.

I really couldn't tell before that his arm strength was this powerful. No, perhaps it isn't merely a matter of raw arm strength.

To throw kunai from such a great distance and still maintain such power, he must have used some kind of technique...

For the first time, Minato Namikaze realized that when he had met Uchiha Daiki earlier, he had still underestimated him.

That genius from the Uchiha Clan was far more than just skilled in the Body Flicker Technique.

While Minato Namikaze was still examining the dead enemies in shock, Uchiha Daiki had already arrived before him.

"You actually beat me to eight of them."

Uchiha Daiki smiled.

"I'm four hundred and seventy-five enemies behind you."

"From here on, I'll pursue you seriously. You'd better watch out."

Minato Namikaze raised his head, met his gaze, and responded.

"I'd expect nothing less."

Uchiha Daiki rubbed his hands together eagerly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Minato Namikaze took out a Flying Thunder God Kunai and handed it to Uchiha Daiki. "Consider this kunai a gift for our first meeting, proof of the friendship we've established."

Uchiha Daiki looked at the Flying Thunder God Kunai in his hand.

The special Flying Thunder God Technique formula on it was still clearly visible.

Well, well. Minato Namikaze really isn't as refined and harmless as he looks. His appearance makes it easy to be fooled into thinking he's just a powerful, warm-hearted guy. In truth, this guy is pretty devious too...

Uchiha Daiki silently grumbled to himself.

The Flying Thunder God Kunai Minato Namikaze had given him bore a formula mark.

As long as he kept carrying it, Minato Namikaze could use the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly arrive at his side anytime, anywhere.

Its effect was no different from the Flying Thunder God formula mark Minato had left on Obito Uchiha.

He was already scheming against him.

Still, although he had seen through Minato Namikaze's intentions, Uchiha Daiki did not refuse.

"Then thank you."

He casually accepted the Flying Thunder God Kunai Minato Namikaze handed him.

Then he rummaged through his clothes. "It seems I don't have anything good to give you. I'll owe you a gift for now."

"Once this war is over, I'll make it up to you."

After searching for quite a while, Uchiha Daiki found only a stack of Explosive Tags and a few kunai and Shuriken. He gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"It's fine. From this moment on, we are true friends and rivals."

"Then where will our next contest be? The position of Hokage is something I've always wanted as well. I won't hand it over to you so easily."

Minato Namikaze asked with an easygoing smile.

"The Stone Village forces have already withdrawn entirely from the Land of Fire battlefield. Now only Sunagakure remains on the western front, fighting us in the Land of Wind, while Kumogakure forces from the Land of Lightning are on the northeastern front."

"Which side do you want to support first?"

Uchiha Daiki asked in return.

"That will probably depend on what the higher-ups decide..."

Minato Namikaze hesitated before answering.

"Then let's go to the northeastern front. I heard Kumogakure has a few people who are quite strong."

With that, Uchiha Daiki turned and headed toward the northeastern front.

Behind him, Minato Namikaze watched his every move in considerable surprise. He found this newly acquainted Uchiha powerhouse, who had only just become his friend, rather fascinating.

He doesn't look like the type to obediently follow the rules...

Looking at Uchiha Daiki's back, Minato Namikaze silently thought to himself.

At the same time, he became even more wary of Uchiha Daiki's ambition to compete for the position of Hokage. No one could guarantee what Konoha would become if an Uchiha took office.

Prosperous and stable, or plagued by even more war?

Besides, the Third Hokage and the higher-ups probably wouldn't agree to let an Uchiha become Hokage...

Thinking of this, Minato Namikaze shook his head helplessly.

He truly did not wish to involve himself in these open and secret struggles.

But if the village ever truly needed his strength one day, he would not shrink from his duty.

With that thought, his figure flashed as he caught up.