In mid-January of Konoha Year 47, a sudden plea for aid from the Land of Hot Water cast the New Year under the shadow of war, and the members of the Jonin Division ended their holidays early.
After the northeastern outpost of the Land of Fire was attacked, the Intelligence Department received important news: the Land of Frost had sided with Kumogakure and unilaterally torn up its previous agreement.
Small nations were always this fickle, but in the eyes of the "Hardline Faction," such situations only arose because the higher-ups were too weak.
Under such circumstances, discussions regarding the next Hokage resurfaced. Many ninja pinned their hopes for change on the next leader.
The voices within the village had nothing to do with the team carrying out its mission. At dusk, when the team arrived near the Valley of the End, Minato Namikaze stopped in time.
"Let's rest nearby tonight!"
"Tomorrow, we'll rendezvous with the team at the outpost. After that, we'll patrol along the border and prepare to pass through the Land of Hot Water."
As captain, Minato was especially cautious this time. The previous outpost team had been killed while on patrol, and the invaders possessed not only exceptional mobility but considerable strength as well.
"It's safe for now, Captain Minato!"
After observing with his Byakugan at full power, Hideichi Hyuga reported his findings. Kakashi also took a few sniffs, detected no unusual scent, and nodded.
Shu Furukawa performed the final sensory check. After confirming their safety once more, he added:
"The marked points are safe as well."
With the Flying Thunder God, Minato Namikaze naturally had a route of retreat prepared. Seeing that the three were somewhat tense, Minato smiled again and reassured them:
"The Anbu took over immediately. All we need to do is inspect the outposts."
"If all goes smoothly, there won't be any fighting. You've all performed well along the way."
Unlike most Jonin, Minato was extremely confident. While traveling, he did not forget to share experience in wilderness combat, and whenever there was time, he taught them techniques for using chakra.
Minato Namikaze was even more outstanding in the role of captain. Shu Furukawa could now understand why Kakashi had praised him so highly before.
"Why is Kumogakure causing conflict? What do they hope to gain from war?"
Kakashi suddenly asked. In his view, this conflict had no meaning at all.
Apparently not expecting Kakashi to ask such a question, Minato looked surprised. In his eyes, children of that age in the village would not consider the origins of war.
"Killing and plunder are Kumogakure's style."
"Kakashi, not every ninja village is like Konoha. That is precisely why we must protect our village."
Minato Namikaze did not explain in detail, but Shu Furukawa caught the implication. Ninja wars did not need so many reasons. The weak were beaten...
After receiving his answer, Kakashi fell silent again. He felt that the ninja world was somewhat twisted.
"Minato-kun, have you named your new technique yet?"
Shu Furukawa deliberately changed the subject. Hearing the question, Minato Namikaze revealed a blissful smile and nodded happily.
"I had originally chosen a name, but Kushina's name seems to suit this technique better. Rasengan!"
The silent Hideichi Hyuga was infected by the happiness radiating from Minato. Thinking of his own situation, he inexplicably felt a sourness in his heart.
"What a great name!"
Shu Furukawa praised it sincerely. He had already mastered the Rasengan, but it did not fit his current fighting style, so he had set it aside for now.
"There should still be room for further development. I'm considering adding nature transformation."
"But that's a major undertaking. It can't be done in the short term."
Minato Namikaze was still somewhat regretful when speaking of his new technique. In his ideal state, it would possess both shape transformation and nature transformation, but he could not achieve that yet.
"Captain Minato, I'll take the latter half of the watch. Go get some rest first."
Kakashi took the initiative in assigning shifts. The other three had no objections. Though they were still within the Land of Fire, they had to remain cautious.
After night fell, the four members of the team kept watch in pairs. Everyone had thought they would spend the night safely, but an accident suddenly occurred around four in the morning.
"There's a smell of blood!"
Kakashi woke Shu Furukawa and Minato Namikaze. Beside them, Hideichi Hyuga activated his Byakugan and scanned the area intently before speaking in a low voice.
"There are no enemies within four kilometers."
The dense forest was exceptionally quiet. Shu Furukawa formed a few hand seals, while Minato Namikaze placed his fingers on the ground. Both had a greater sensory range.
"Captain Minato, two people are moving toward the Land of Hot Water outpost."
Shu Furukawa reported quickly. Minato Namikaze did not hesitate and immediately gave the order:
"Reach the outpost before them."
"Yes!"
No one questioned it. The Konoha team had the numerical advantage, while the enemy had clearly dealt with the border outposts between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Frost. This was also an opportunity to avenge their comrades.
A and Killer B, the Kumogakure ninja moving along the border between the Land of Rice Fields and the Land of Hot Water, looked relaxed. The two knew that the Land of Hot Water had called for Konoha's aid, yet they still chose to "clean up" their targets.
"Not bad! The Lariat has gotten stronger!"
A loudly praised Killer B's improvement. Hearing the compliment, Killer B grinned and replied in an odd tone:
"Big bro's praise has inspired some more perfect rhymes!"
The incomprehensible rap made A's eye twitch slightly. His partner was good at everything except rapping.
The two moved quickly. As they neared the border of the Land of Fire, they made no effort to conceal their presence. When they were still three kilometers from the outpost, they decisively accelerated.
"Whoosh!"
A large number of shuriken and kunai suddenly flew out from the forest. A merely paused slightly before visible chakra erupted from his body, followed by the sound of electricity tearing through the air.
"I'll handle this!"
As Killer B spoke, the dense rain of shuriken and kunai above was blocked by his short swords. Sparks scattered as weapons collided.
A, who was charging forward, caught sight of explosive tags on the tree trunks. Amid the violent explosions, A, wrapped in lightning, still chose to charge in a straight line.
Minato Namikaze, hidden behind a tree trunk, frowned slightly at the sight. This kind of brutal attack truly exceeded his expectations.
"Die!"
Chakra erupted again. A extended four fingers, and with his incredible speed, appeared before Minato Namikaze in the blink of an eye, attempting to pierce through both him and the tree.
A smug smile curled across his lips. He believed he had succeeded, but the enemy before him suddenly vanished in the next instant.
Under Lightning Release Chakra Mode, his neural transmission speed was enhanced. A forcibly twisted his body, trying to use his left elbow to interrupt his opponent's attack.
"Boom!"
With a deafening crash, A smashed through several trees in succession and was sent flying dozens of meters away.
Minato Namikaze straightened up. The Rasengan had failed to strike its target completely. His opponent's reaction speed was astonishing; at the final moment, he had erupted with chakra again to defend himself.
The lazy smile had completely vanished from Killer B's face after he knocked down the shuriken and kunai. The fight had happened too quickly for him to react before a young man charged right in front of him.
Killer B saw Hideichi Hyuga's slightly ferocious pure-white eyes and immediately dodged. Just as he tried to widen the distance, Kakashi dove down at him from above.
"Get lost!"
Killer B, wielding his short swords in both hands, suddenly increased the speed of his strikes. He first kicked Hideichi Hyuga away, then slashed at Kakashi with a short sword coated in Lightning Release chakra.
"Sizzle!"
The short swords coated in Lightning Release chakra collided. There was no expected scene of shattered blades and dead men. Just as Killer B was about to exert more force, the Tailed Beast inside him urgently warned:
"Careful, B!"