Konoha Frontline Camp.
Namikaze Minato carried the unconscious Yotsuki A on his shoulder and appeared directly in the open space before the command tent, within the Core Area of Konoha's northern front headquarters.
The faint spatial ripple and the abruptly appearing figures instantly triggered the camp's highest level of alert.
Dozens of Anbu and guard ninja emerged from every direction. The cold gleam of drawn kunai and Ninja Swords melded into one, chakra locking onto the two sudden arrivals.
But when they saw that distinctive short blond hair, azure eyes, and that young face which already commanded fear on the battlefield.
The tense atmosphere abruptly eased, only to be replaced by even greater shock.
"Lord Minato!"
"Captain Minato is back!"
"The one on his shoulder is...?!"
Startled cries rose one after another.
More Konoha ninja who had rushed over upon hearing the news gathered around, their eyes fixed on the unconscious yet unmistakable figure over Minato's shoulder.
Dark skin, short white spiky hair, a powerful physique that still radiated strength even while unconscious, and that damaged but still recognizable Cloud Village uniform.
"Holy shit! Yotsuki A! It's Yotsuki A of the Cloud Village! The Third Raikage's son!" A ninja who recognized him cried out.
Those words were like a boulder thrown into a still lake, setting off a massive uproar.
"What?! That Raikage candidate?"
"Lord Minato captured him alive?!"
"Could those terrifying explosions and disturbances from that area earlier have been..."
Discussion, gasps, and disbelieving whispers instantly flooded the camp.
Everyone's eyes shifted repeatedly between Minato and Yotsuki A, shock, admiration, and wild joy filling the air.
Capturing such a crucial enemy heir alive was no less than a powerful shot in the arm at a time when they were fighting on three fronts and the Cloud Village front was