The oppressive atmosphere froze once more like ice-cold tidal water, while suffocating despair spread unchecked across the battlefield.
The enormous gap that had just ignited, only to be cruelly extinguished, crushed everyone's nerves with a despair that grew ever stronger.
Just then—
A young voice, one that had taken over a decade to mature, suddenly rang through the minds of Namikaze Minato and the others.
"Everyone, get out of the way!"
The instant he heard that voice, Namikaze Minato's pupils contracted sharply.
Because he immediately recognized its owner—it was his son, Naruto Namikaze!
He had no time to wonder why Naruto would say such words at a time like this, but Namikaze Minato believed his son would not speak carelessly.
So, while everyone else was still wondering if they had heard wrong, Namikaze Minato immediately issued an order in the name of the Allied Shinobi Forces' commander.
The others were somewhat confused, but Namikaze Minato was the leader they all trusted. Before the other side could explain himself, none of them spoke up in opposition.
They carried out Namikaze Minato's order.
Among them, some had naturally recognized the voice.
I stared at that somewhat familiar voice, and in my mind surfaced the image of a blond-haired boy with the same bright golden hair as Namikaze Minato.
It was Qi.
I had not seen him among the Allied Shinobi Forces and had assumed that, after losing the Nine-Tails, he no longer had the strength to fight. I never expected to hear his voice again now.
Hatake Kakashi heard that voice as well and was equally stunned.
How could he possibly fail to recognize his disciple's voice? But what could the other side possibly want to do at a time like this?
And after hearing Namikaze Minato's order, he too was bewildered