Minato and the Three Little Ones

The moment the city gate exploded with a roar, a violent gust of wind swept toward them, carrying splinters of wood.

The thick gate bar was instantly reduced to dust. Kamekichi and more than a dozen guards were hurled several yards through the air like scraps of cloth before crashing heavily to the ground.

"Cough... cough, cough..."

Kamekichi struggled to raise his upper body and spat out blood mixed with broken teeth.

Through the ringing in his ears, he saw countless armored soldiers surging through the gate passage like a flood. The dull thud of their iron boots made the ground tremble faintly.

The defenders were in disarray, screaming and scattering in every direction like headless chickens.

Kamekichi looked toward the city gate in despair, only to see a tall, slender figure striding steadily over the scattered limbs.

The hem of his dark battle robe was soaked in deep red blood. In the firelight, his bloodstained face looked cold and bewitching.

With a casual sweep of his blade, he sent the heads of three guards flying. They had raised their weapons in a desperate attempt to resist.

Amid the spraying rain of blood, he seized a still-twitching head and raised his arm as he shouted.

"Those who surrender, kneel and live!"

Kamekichi's pupils abruptly contracted. Then, trembling, he grabbed his spear.

He was terrified of dying, but he knew all too well that he was a citizen of the Land of Rice Fields, a soldier of the Land of Rice Fields. Even if he died, he had to die fighting for his country!

His heart burned with the resolve to fight to the death, but before he could raise his spear halfway, a sudden chill swept across his throat.

"Guh... urgh..."

Kamekichi's eyes widened. He slowly dropped to his knees as blood gushed from his throat.

His final sight was the New Martial Army's commander, looking at him with indifference, and behind him the black flag bearing the red characters "New Martial," fluttering in the night wind.

Outside Tsukimiura's north gate, the main road that had once been crowded with refugees was now empty.

The conditions were still somewhat harsh. As far as the eye could see, the trees were bare, their bark gnawed away. Yet tender shoots had begun to sprout in the surrounding fields, bringing them back to life.

At that moment, a four-person team was traveling along the road with a merchant caravan from the Land of Fire.

A plainly dressed girl took in the scene, curiosity flickering in her eyes. She turned to the tall, blond young man in the group.

"Minato-sensei, didn't the report say Tsukimiura had suffered a drought and that many people were homeless? Why does everything look so different now?"

At her words, the two boys beside her also turned their gazes toward Minato.

Minato scratched his head.

"Sorry, Rin, I don't know either..."

But before he could finish, two voices rang out from the fields beside them, one after the other.

"Water Release: Drizzle Technique!"

At the sound, all four of them stiffened and whipped around.

Between the furrows, two men wearing the Forehead Protectors of Hidden Mist rogue ninja were being held at knifepoint by a group in dark uniforms. Sharp blades pressed against their throats.

The two rogue ninja looked utterly aggrieved, but they kept forming hand seals. Their Chakra became gentle streams of water that seeped into the parched soil.

Nearby, a crowd of ragged farmers watched the land being watered by Water Release. They raised their hoes, cheered, and danced.

"Those are Hidden Mist rogue ninja Forehead Protectors. But how did they...?"

Obito exclaimed in shock. Kakashi wore a mask, but his wide eyes showed how unsettled he was, too.

"This Grand Governor Dongfang..."

Minato's mouth twitched. He'd already guessed that these two ninja were likely the retainers of the nobles who had been in Tsukimiura. After the city fell, they must have been captured.

What Minato hadn't expected was for Dongfang Mao to use their Water Release to resolve Tsukimiura's drought. It had certainly opened his eyes and given him a new idea.

But on second thought, the idea seemed rather impractical.

His country was the Land of Fire, where the climate was springlike all year round. Natural disasters were rare, and the countryside had bumper harvests every year.

There was simply no need for such an unusual method.

Shaking his head, Minato shifted his attention to the Night Patrol Bureau members.

From the jutsu the two men had just used, he could tell that they were at least Chunin. Yet they were being held by members of the Night Patrol Bureau without daring to resist, and were complying completely.

This also showed that Dongfang Mao, who had captured two Chunin, and the forces under his command might not be as weak as the intelligence reports claimed.

Minato's expression grew serious.

"Rin, Obito, Kakashi, we're about to enter territory under the rebels' control. Once we enter the city, stay close to me. Don't act on your own under any circumstances. Understood?"

Seeing Minato's stern expression, the three nodded firmly.

"Understood, Minato-sensei!"

After entering the city, Minato and the others stopped at a tavern.

Everything he'd seen along the way had convinced him that the intelligence he had might not be accurate. He needed to learn more about the situation.

The moment they stepped into the tavern, the din washed over them. Minato sat down with his three students and heard the people at the next table passionately discussing the newspaper in their hands.

"The Grand Governor is truly a mighty hero! He's marched hundreds of miles east and even captured a major city like Kasumi Town. He's practically Amaterasu incarnate!"

"That Tsukimi Daily of yours is already several days old, and you're still talking about Kasumi Town! I bet the Grand Governor has already taken Matsuo Town by now. The paper tomorrow should report it."

"You're thinking too small. I reckon the Grand Governor's already captured Tsurumi Pass and is getting ready to march on the Daimyo Mansion!"

"That makes sense. If it's the Grand Governor, it's not impossible..."

Their claims grew more and more outrageous. Some even said that Dongfang Mao had already turned his forces around, invaded the Land of Fire, and captured the Daimyo Mansion—and was now enjoying himself in the Daimyo's harem.

Minato's expression instantly grew rather complicated.

But just then, a man at another table slammed his cup down and turned to glare at the group spouting nonsense. He snorted and got up to leave.

"Hey! What's his problem?"

"Forget him. The Grand Governor's killed who knows how many people, and there are still idiots like that around. If he wants to die, let him. I just feel sorry for his nine generations..."

"True. How do you think the Grand Governor came up with the idea of punishing nine generations, anyway?"

"Interested? Then take your nine generations and go ask the Grand Governor."

"You're being an ass."

At that, Minato's gaze flickered. Then he gave the three little ones beside him a knowing look.

They immediately understood, followed Minato, and set off after the man who had just stormed out.