Master Hammers Disciple

"Swish—"

As Minato appeared, the gazes of Hashirama and Tobirama were quickly drawn to him.

"This yellow-haired fellow is the Fourth Generation? He's wearing the Hokage cloak, so young. Is this really the Fourth?" Hashirama remarked with emotion. With just a single glance, he gauged Minato's general strength and was very satisfied.

"This is the Flying Thunder God Technique? This guy actually learned the forbidden jutsu I created; he's truly impressive!"

Tobirama was equally astonished. He had invented the Flying Thunder God Technique over a decade ago and had never kept it a secret.

Yet, in all of Konoha, very few had been able to master it. Had a ninja from decades later actually learned it? In that case, could the Fourth Generation be considered his disciple?

Tobirama felt a secret thrill, a sense of pleasure washing over him like an old mentor bestowing a cheat code.

"Mister, what is this Fourth Hokage's name? How is he?"

"His name is Minato Namikaze."

"As for how he is, he could be considered the most outstanding Hokage in history."

"Ah?"

Hashirama and Tobirama were both stunned. Praising the Fourth as the most outstanding while standing right in front of the First and Second Hokage—wasn't that a bit impolite?

At least be a little tactful and save them some face!

Natsu Yuu couldn't be bothered to argue; that was simply his opinion.

Minato wasn't the strongest Hokage, but he was undoubtedly the most outstanding.

Born a commoner, he swept through the Third Great Ninja War single-handedly. He was loyal to the village, deeply loved his wife, was decisive in battle, and possessed glorious military achievements. He forced even the most aggressive Kumogakure to hold their breath, leading the Third Hokage to voluntarily pass on the position to him.

Aside from his short life, he had almost no flaws.

As the saying goes, if he had been given a few more decades...

The latter half of the Naruto series wouldn't even need to happen.

And the future of Konoha... there wouldn't have been so many humiliating incidents. Take the Kumogakure kidnapping of Hinata, for instance—had the Yellow Flash's Rasengan lost its edge? Or did they just miss that flash of gold?

Hearing this, Hashirama and Tobirama both developed a great curiosity about this future Fourth Generation.

They were curious about what kind of outstanding junior could be called the most excellent Hokage by this Sage.

"Of course, he is very outstanding as a Hokage. But in other roles, he was a failure..."

"Ah?"

The reversal was a bit too fast, leaving Hashirama and his brother bewildered once again.

But at this moment.

Obito arrived as well, once again drawing the attention of the two men.

"That is... the Sharingan? Another evil Uchiha?"

"Tobirama!"

"Fine, fine, I won't call them evil. But in all likelihood, this guy is the one who controlled the Nine-Tails, right? This movement style? Is it also Space-Time Ninjutsu?"

"Wait, then he's the guy who attacked when the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was giving birth? Elder Brother, this guy is an evil animal!"

Tobirama grew agitated, immediately labeling Obito as an evil Uchiha.

Hashirama couldn't really say anything to that; attacking a woman in labor was indeed shameful.

This Uchiha was truly a bit wicked...

"Wait, there's a familiar aura on him. It seems to have my cells?"

"Indeed, half of this guy's body is made of Elder Brother's cells. What is going on?"

Tobirama also looked puzzled. Since when did the Uchiha get their hands on Elder Brother's cells?

"You will understand this question later."

"Come now. Let's place some bets for fun. Who do you think will win between the two of them?"

Natsu Yuu became interested and decided to start a little betting game.

However, both Hashirama and Tobirama unanimously agreed that Minato would surely win.

The former judged based on his keen eye and experience; in his view, although Obito was mysterious, his aura was too immature. He was far from comparable to the battle-hardened Minato.

As for Tobirama's judgment, it was even simpler—it was purely based on his confidence in his own Flying Thunder God Technique. This Space-Time Ninjutsu was simply too broken.

"Tsk... Alright then, how long do you think this battle will last?"

Hashirama: "One hour?"

Tobirama: "I guess ten minutes!"

Both of them caught the subtext in Natsu Yuu's words, realizing that Minato would emerge victorious. However, their assessments of the battle's duration differed.

Hashirama, who could fight Madara for three days and three nights, and Tobirama, the fastest man in the ninja world, naturally had different perceptions of time.

On the other side, the battle between Minato and Obito began in an instant.

As for the result, it goes without saying.

In just two exchanges, Minato had analyzed Obito's attack pattern and the weakness of Kamui.

In the split second of their clash, he struck Obito with a Rasengan combined with the Flying Thunder God Technique: Second Step, dealing a heavy blow!

The entire encounter lasted only two rounds, taking less than half a minute.

"Is that the Flying Thunder God Technique: Second Step? Tobirama, he even learned that move of yours?"

Hashirama clicked his tongue; he remembered that move, which had killed Izuna, very clearly.

"No, it's different!"

"He improved the Flying Thunder God Technique. My Flying Thunder God Technique: Second Step can only teleport to a moving object; it cannot cast ninjutsu simultaneously."

"This Fourth Generation is actually able to cast ninjutsu while activating the Flying Thunder God Technique."

"Casting two types of ninjutsu at the same time? Truly impressive!"

"No wonder that evil Uchiha miscalculated..."

"This guy's Flying Thunder God Technique and Body Flicker Technique are both superior to mine!"

"The Leaf's future Hokage is so outstanding; this is excellent!"

Tobirama Senju did not skimp on his praise. For someone as arrogant as him to offer praise in person, it was enough to show just how exceptional Minato Namikaze was.

Even he had been unable to overcome the chasm of "ninjas being unable to perform two types of ninjutsu at once," yet the Fourth Generation had actually managed it!

Although the Rasengan did not require hand seals, it was still outrageous.

"To be able to perform two types of ninjutsu simultaneously, possess such sharp combat awareness, and be so young—this Fourth Generation might even become stronger than me in the future!"

Hashirama also praised him with a chuckle.

Of course, there was a bit of exaggeration in his words, but it was also a reflection of his high hopes for an outstanding junior ninja.

Besides, when he and Madara were Minato's age, they certainly didn't possess this level of strength.

With such an excellent Fourth Generation leading the way, he could already envision a bright future for the Leaf.

However, since the Fourth Generation was so powerful, how did the Fourth Ninja World War even start?

While they were lost in doubt.

The battle between Minato and Obito reached its conclusion.

When that Rasengan hit Obito's back just moments ago, Minato had also taken the opportunity to carve a Flying Thunder God mark onto him.

Minato instantly teleported in front of Obito and followed up with a Contract Seal, severing the connection between Obito and the Nine-Tails, thereby releasing the Nine-Tails from the control of the Genjutsu.

In less than three rounds.

Obito was thoroughly defeated by Minato. Not only did he lose the Nine-Tails, but half of his body was severely damaged, his left arm completely melted away, leaving him with no strength left to fight.

"As expected of the Fourth Hokage, to think you could sever my arm and strip away the Nine-Tails."

"But the Nine-Tails will be mine sooner or later!"

"I am the one who will unify the world; I have plenty of methods at my disposal..."

Obito spat out these harsh words, but his body was honest; he immediately activated Kamui to flee. If he stayed any longer, he reckoned his life would be at stake.

Minato chose not to pursue, heading immediately toward the village.

Compared to the fleeing masked man, the Nine-Tails required more urgent attention.

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