A Critical Moment

A flood of information about the Advanced Flying Thunder God Technique had appeared in Uchiha Daiki's mind. At this moment, it was not merely being stored in his deep memories.

It seemed to transform into tangible energy, continuously coursing and spreading throughout his body before merging with his cells.

In the end, it formed powerful cellular-level "muscle memory."

Once all the information about the Advanced Flying Thunder God Technique had perfectly merged with every cell in Uchiha Daiki's body, he had completely mastered this ultimate technique.

It was as though he had spent decades tirelessly training in this Space-Time Ninjutsu.

What surprised Uchiha Daiki somewhat was that the so-called "improvement" of the Advanced Flying Thunder God Technique actually skipped the process of leaving Flying Thunder God marks altogether.

In other words, he did not need to place Flying Thunder God technique marks on any target before directly activating the Flying Thunder God Technique.

This was clearly at least a full tier more advanced than the Flying Thunder God Techniques of the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze.

"So, who is the victor now—me or you, Minato-senpai...?"

Uchiha Daiki chuckled softly and silently activated the Advanced Flying Thunder God Technique, vanishing in an instant.

At the border of the Land of Fire, on the Northeastern Front.

A large force from Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning was gathering here, preparing to launch a major counteroffensive and break through Konoha's military blockade in one stroke.

Their goal was not to occupy the entire Land of Fire. Kumogakure was doing this mainly to make Konoha feel pain and force them to retreat in the face of difficulty.

As long as Konoha's combat forces withdrew, victory would belong to Kumogakure.

Then Kumogakure would be able to firmly seize the initiative in the negotiations.

To achieve this goal, they had not only deployed valuable combat assets including Jinchuriki, but had also dispatched nearly all of their Anbu.

Kumogakure's offensive this time was fierce, and they had prepared thoroughly.

Their secrecy had also been exceptionally well maintained.

As a result, Konoha's defensive forces did not notice anything until the enemy army was already at their doorstep.

Although they had urgently sent a request for reinforcements to Konoha,

the disparity in both numbers and combat strength was simply too great. The defensive forces had no way to withstand Kumogakure's main army.

They had held on bitterly for three days. By now, they were out of supplies and ammunition, and the vast majority had already perished. Only three Jonin remained, stubbornly defending the border stronghold and trying to continue holding off the enemy.

"Lord A, Konoha's defensive forces are at the end of their rope. We can charge through in one push, eliminate their few remaining men, and then drive straight into the Land of Fire!"

The scout hurried back and reported what he had seen to A, the candidate for Raikage and son of the Third Raikage, who was commanding the frontline forces.

"Have all seriously wounded personnel withdraw for treatment. Everyone else, charge with Killer B and me!"

"This time, we must tear a massive gap through Konoha's defenses and make them feel real pain! We'll create the most favorable conditions possible for our negotiations!"

As A spoke, he raised an arm and shouted.

Killer B was the first to respond, and the other Kumogakure ninjas followed suit.

Immediately afterward, their mighty force of several hundred ninjas crossed the line of confrontation and launched their final assault against the three Konoha Jonin still resisting on the other side.

"This is bad... It looks like we'll fall here."

Higashimura Hiyou, the Jonin leading the team, looked at the enemy force, which outnumbered them dozens or even hundreds of times over. His scalp tingled, and his tone could not help turning unusually grave.

"Even if we die, we must stop them here. We have to hold out until our reinforcements arrive!!"

His teammate Watanabe Taiya gritted his teeth, his gaze resolute.

He pulled out his last two Explosive Tags from his pocket, ready to die with the enemy if necessary.

Killing one would make it worthwhile. Killing two would be a profit.

Their other teammate, Raimu Yamato, was equally prepared to die.

As the enemy drew closer and closer, the final clash between the two sides was imminent.

Then, at that very moment, a figure landed beside them.

Raimu Yamato looked up and saw a completely unfamiliar face.

At first, he thought the newcomer was a Konoha reinforcement.

But when he clearly saw the unmistakable Kumogakure forehead protector on the other man's brow, Raimu Yamato's heart sank, and all hope was utterly shattered.

"So only you three are still putting up a futile resistance. Why not surrender to us? Kumogakure will treat you well."

A, the Third Raikage's chosen successor, stood atop a pile of rocks, looking down at the three Konoha Jonin who had long since reached the end of their rope.

If he wanted, he could kill these three enemies at any moment, yet he chose to give them a chance.

If he could obtain useful intelligence about Konoha, it would be worth it.

However, the three Konoha Jonin clearly did not appreciate his offer.

Raimu Yamato, who stood closest to him, even spat viciously.

Without a second thought, he raised his hand, preparing to use what little chakra he had left to detonate the final two Explosive Tags in his hand and perish alongside the enemy.

But just then, another figure appeared behind him, and a sharp short sword was already pressed against his throat.

The one who acted was none other than Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

"The things in your hand are dangerous. Why not hand them over to me?"

As Killer B spoke, the sharp long blade in his hand swung toward Raimu Yamato's wrist, attempting to sever his arm and prevent him from detonating the Explosive Tags.

At that critical moment, a white blur suddenly flashed in from somewhere unknown.

It moved so fast that it was nearly impossible to see clearly.

Killer B froze slightly before sensing that something was wrong, but he had no time to react.

Clang!

The sharp weapon in his hand was struck by that spiraling white figure. After a ringing clash of metal, it was knocked away on the spot.

Feeling the astonishing impact transmitted through his hand, Killer B's heart jolted again.

At that moment, the rapidly spinning white blur erupted with even greater rotational force, generating a terrifying outward impact as it shot toward both him and A.

"Watch out, B!"

A's expression darkened. As he roared at Killer B, bolts of lightning exploded across his entire body, forming an indestructible Lightning Release Chakra Armor.

Then his massive fist slammed toward the rapidly spinning white figure before him, intending to shatter the opponent's attack through brute force.

At the same time, Killer B had just prepared to join the battle when another incoming attack held him back.