The Battle for the Nine-Tails (4)

"You! Naruto Uzumaki, do you realize that your actions have violated the laws of Konoha? I can order your execution at any moment!" Shimura Danzō pointed at Naruto Uzumaki, his eyes bloodshot, looking every bit like a demon from hell.

"Elder Danzō, that act of yours might work on others, but on me? Sorry, it's a bit lacking." Minato Namikaze sneered.

He then swept his gaze across the crowd. The Root ninja gritted their teeth but dared not move, for Minato Namikaze's display just moments ago had shown them exactly how vast the gap between them truly was.

"You dare look down on me!" Shimura Danzō performed hand seals. "Wind Style: Pressure Damage!" Naruto Uzumaki's provocation had made him lose face.

He had abandoned all decorum to strike at this brat!

"Well timed!" Minato Namikaze sneered. He extended his right hand, and a Rasengan formed in an instant, which he launched forward, piercing through Shimura Danzō's Pressure Damage.

He wasn't finished; he continued to drive the Rasengan toward Shimura Danzō's withered, aged face. Shimura Danzō's expression shifted. A Rasengan! He knew this technique!

It was an A-rank ninjutsu created by the late Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. The only person alive today who knew this technique was one of the Sannin, Jiraiya!

Could it be that this brat, Naruto Uzumaki, had already become Jiraiya's apprentice?

That was impossible!

Shimura Danzō had nowhere to dodge and was just about to activate Izanagi when a voice rang out: "Enma! Bind him for me!" This voice allowed Shimura Danzō to breathe a sigh of relief, and he halted his original technique.

A staff flew from afar, bypassing Shimura Danzō and rushing toward Naruto Uzumaki to interrupt his movements!

Minato Namikaze seized the moment to throw a Flying Raijin Kunai, aiming it straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen!

"Thunder God Strike!" Minato Namikaze's voice rang out, causing Sarutobi Hiruzen to falter for a split second!

The next moment, Minato Namikaze appeared before him, the Rasengan still active in his hand.

He twisted his body in mid-air and slammed the Rasengan into the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen!

BOOM!

Sarutobi Hiruzen was struck down by the move, letting out a miserable cry: "Argh!!!"

Minato Namikaze's expression remained indifferent as he leaped away after the strike.

Both the Anbu and Root were stunned. They never imagined that this brat, Naruto Uzumaki, could severely injure the Hokage!

The leader of Root, Shimura Danzō, his eyes lighting up, seized command: "All Konoha ninja! Move now, immediately! Capture the demon fox, Naruto Uzumaki!"

Shiranui Genma, Namiashi Raidō, and Tatami Iwashi appeared beside Naruto Uzumaki, forming a triangular formation to protect him.

"You are Lord Fourth, aren't you?" Shiranui Genma asked softly, a twig dangling from his mouth.

"My, my, I didn't expect you to be the first to recognize me," Minato Namikaze said with a warm smile.

Namiashi Raidō and Tatami Iwashi's eyes lit up as they shouted: "Yondaime-sama! Yondaime!"

Their voices were loud, and everyone present heard them clearly.

The information spread instantly.

"Naruto Uzumaki is possessed by Lord Fourth!"

"No wonder that Flying Thunder God technique felt so familiar!"

"Look at Naruto Uzumaki's appearance—doesn't he look just like Yondaime-sama?"

The Anbu ninja stopped, looking at Naruto Uzumaki with complex expressions. In truth, they had sensed that familiar chakra from the very beginning.

But everyone knew the common sense that the dead could not return; the Fourth Hokage and his wife had died during the Nine-Tails Incident, and their bodies were buried in Konoha Cemetery.

That was an indisputable fact. Yet here, Lord Fourth had actually possessed the body of the Jinchuriki!

Hearing the commotion, Kakashi rushed down and knelt before Naruto Uzumaki: "Teacher!"

"Kakashi, you came after all. You should know, I didn't want you involved in this!" Minato Namikaze's voice rang out, and the calm tone made Kakashi tremble.

"A teacher is always a teacher. How could a student let his teacher fall into danger?" Kakashi lowered his head.

Minato Namikaze shook his head, then looked at Shimura Danzō: "Elder Danzō, I didn't expect that after all these years, you would still be so calculating."

"You—you are Minato Namikaze! No! Minato Namikaze is long dead! You are the Nine-Tails, you are the demon fox!" Shimura Danzō knew in his heart that it was indeed Minato Namikaze.

But he could not admit it, for Minato Namikaze's reputation was far too great. In every sense, Minato Namikaze was a Hokage deeply beloved by the village.

If he allowed his name to be solidified, it would not bode well for him!

The Root ninja gritted their teeth and charged again, but this time, another ninja appeared—it was Uchiha Fugaku!

He arrived before Naruto Uzumaki with a stern face. Sensing that familiar chakra, he snorted, turned toward the Anbu ninja, and performed the seals: Snake-Dragon-Rabbit-Tiger. "Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

Uchiha Fugaku's gaze was firm as he spat out a dragon of fire, which then slammed into the ground.

A chorus of wails erupted instantly.

The Root ninja were knocked down by the Great Dragon Fire Technique in an instant! Uchiha Fugaku had controlled his strength perfectly—stunning them without causing brain damage!

He had merely knocked the Root ninja down without harming their internal organs.

"I'm not late, am I, Minato?" Uchiha Fugaku didn't look back, but Minato Namikaze laughed upon hearing the voice: "Fugaku, after all these years of tempering, you've grown even stronger!"

Just as the two were about to catch up, Shimura Danzō interrupted: "Uchiha! What exactly are you trying to do by getting close to the Jinchuriki? Do you intend to trigger another Nine-Tails Incident!"

Minato Namikaze frowned. Why did this old man have to be so unpleasant? Just as he prepared to retort, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, climbed to his feet.

He looked at Naruto Uzumaki, who was possessed by Minato Namikaze, his eyes brimming with tears: "Minato, is it you? Have you returned?" He had heard every word of their conversation just moments ago.

He understood clearly that the Naruto Uzumaki before him was not Naruto Uzumaki at all, but the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze!

Upon hearing the old man's voice, Minato Namikaze cast a deep, piercing gaze at him!

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze. What kind of look was that?

It was filled with rage, coldness, disdain, madness, and disappointment, finally settling into utter indifference.

"Lord Third Hokage, Minato Namikaze was never some Fourth Hokage; he was merely an ordinary ninja with slightly more strength than the rest," Naruto Uzumaki spoke.

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly closed his eyes: "Minato, I have failed you!"

"It is too late." Minato Namikaze's voice emanated from within Naruto Uzumaki's body, carrying a hint of desolation.