Deep Brotherly Love

"Another one of Tobirama's successors, generations down the line?" The Third Mizukage stood atop the earth dragon's head, watching the blond figure whose clothes had been half burned away with complete indifference.

Blood trickled from Minato Namikaze's mouth, and his face was pale. He tore off the still-burning remnants of his robe and managed a weak smile. "Sorry, Junior Brother Bingsan. I'm late!"

Minato grabbed what was left of his robe and hastily bound the wound on his shoulder. He clenched his right hand into a fist, then turned to face the "Third Mizukage."

His face pale, Minato said, "Third Mizukage, picking on a child hardly suits someone of your stature!"

He then coughed several times, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His internal injuries looked serious, too.

Wrapped in blue lightning, Kakashi charged straight at Ao's squad.

Obito and Rin, both in a sorry state, quickly helped the injured Konoha Ninja cling to life.

The "Third Mizukage" watched the group with keen interest and declared boldly, "Since you're fellow disciples, come at me together, youngsters. Let this old man see what else you can do."

Just then, a brash voice cut in. "You conceited old geezer! Don't underestimate us. I, Obito Uchiha, will defeat you!"

As he spoke, he formed the hand seals for the Great Fireball Technique.

"Obito, don't!"

"Don't!"

Obito glared furiously through his two-tomoe Sharingan and charged at the "Third Mizukage," forming hand seals as he ran. In an instant, a half-meter-wide Great Fireball shot from his mouth!

The Third Mizukage narrowed his eyes with interest and murmured, "Two tomoe. Not bad."

Then he shaped one hand like a spear. A water orb shot from his fingertip, shattering the Great Fireball and sending Obito flying a long way.

The thick-skinned idiot Obito got right back up. It was obvious the man hadn't even been trying.

Yet the shameless idiot Obito shouted, "You're nothing special! Under these eyes, witness your defeat!"

He tried to charge again, only to trip over a corpse at his feet and fall flat on his face.

Everyone stared, speechless. Rin hurried over and grabbed Obito, afraid he'd foolishly charge in again.

The "Third Mizukage" seemed amused. He actually laughed and said, "You won't beat me at this level."

He was just about to form hand seals when he stopped and murmured, "Already giving up? How boring."

The "Third Mizukage's" body stiffened. A blue, ominous Chakra suddenly erupted from him, and a tail appeared behind him in an instant.

Minato froze with one hand supporting Bingsan. "Damn, he's a Jinchuriki. He's about to lose control!" Then he shouted, "Scatter!"

In the space of a moment, the Third Mizukage's body rapidly transformed, and the shape of a turtle slowly emerged.

Minato hurriedly grabbed Bingsan by the arm. "Junior Brother Bingsan, I have to get him out of here first. Be careful."

Bingsan clenched his teeth and steeled himself, grabbing Minato Namikaze. "Get me up there. I'll give him a 'big present.'"

Seeing how serious Bingsan was, Minato nodded. "Be extremely careful. Tailed Beast Chakra is highly corrosive."

Bingsan's eyes were bloodshot, his face full of murderous fury. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I know. Hurry up, pretty boy."

Minato's face stiffened. He then tossed out three Flying Thunder God Kunai.

By then, the turtle shape on the Third Mizukage's body was unmistakable. Two tails whipped wildly behind him, and he attacked every living thing around him.

The scene descended into chaos. Some tried to rescue people, while others tried to flee.

Just then, a Kaguya clan Ninja suddenly pulled out a thigh bone and lunged at the badly wounded Hyuga Go.

By the time anyone noticed, it was already right in front of him.

With a squelch, the bone blade pierced someone dressed in white. His right eye was a blur. The blade had gone in through his back, impaling both him and Hyuga Go.

Hyuga Go felt a stab of pain in his stomach, but the blade had only gone in a little. The Mist Ninja who had attacked him quickly regrouped with Ao and fled.

Hyuga Kyuya's face was a blur, and his moon-white clothes were stained bright red with blood. He spat a mouthful of blood all over Hyuga Go's face. Hyuga Go froze on the spot.

Bingsan and Minato Namikaze flashed onto the Third Mizukage's head. Bingsan took out a scroll, bit his finger, and smeared blood across it. Then he unrolled it and pressed it against the Third Mizukage, whose three tails had already fully materialized.

A flash of black light appeared, and the Three-Tails shrank back into the Third Mizukage's body with a howl. Its shrill, agonized wail carried far into the distance.

Seeing this, the Third Mizukage's guards rushed forward with all their might.

Minato flashed back to where they had started, carrying Bingsan, whose arm was bright red.

The guards seized the "Third Mizukage."

Minato shook Bingsan vigorously, but he had already passed out.

The only surviving guard Ninja from the Hyuga family stared at the two brothers embracing and was completely stunned.

Hyuga Go looked at the dying Hyuga Kyuya and choked out, "Why? I'm the branch family member. I should have been the one protecting you."

Hyuga Kyuya replied weakly, "Don't... don't be stupid. You... you idiot. I'm the... the big brother."

Hyuga Go stared through his tears at the figure with a gaping hole in his chest and a face that had been disfigured beyond recognition. He sobbed, "You're the clan's genius. I'm just a fool who's always getting into trouble!"

Minato walked over, carrying the unconscious Bingsan. But it was clear Hyuga Kyuya wouldn't survive. There was nothing anyone could do for an injury like that.

Hyuga Kyuya said weakly, "Go, don't... don't resent Grandfather. We... we belong to the elders' branch. We've always been the ones who made the rules. If even we don't follow them, then the rules are meaningless."

"Go, Grandfather has always liked you best. We can only blame being born into the Hyuga family."

Hyuga Kyuya spoke more and more smoothly. It seemed he was experiencing a final burst of clarity.

Hyuga Go was about to speak, but Kyuya interrupted him. "Listen to me, Go. Grandfather has always liked you best. Father died in battle when I was young, and Uncle has no children.

"As the eldest brother, I had to take on the responsibility of becoming the Great Elder's heir.

"Go, forgive your brother for always being so strict with you.

"Go, the Caged Bird has always been protecting you. Don't think being a bird in a cage is so painful.

"We're the ones who suffer most.

"Because Grandfather and I are the iron cage trapping you.

"Go, you have to get the other eye back. Don't let me become a sinner in the clan.

"Go, I'm leaving you my left eye. The only way to break the Caged Bird seal is to replace the Main Family's eyes.

"Take my eye and live on with hope.

"Go, don't go looking for trouble now that I'm gone. I won't be able to protect you anymore."

Hyuga Kyuya finally murmured, "Dad, I'm coming to see you," and drew his last breath.

Hyuga Go clutched his brother's corpse and wept inconsolably.

Before a young eagle can spread its wings and fly, it must suffer the pain of a broken wing. Only then can it soar higher and farther.