Meanwhile.
Within the Land of Rain.
Beneath the heavy, black clouds, in a secluded house in Amegakure.
"Tap!" "Tap!" "Tap!"...
As slow footsteps sounded, Minato appeared there.
When he saw what was happening in the courtyard, his usually calm expression shifted slightly.
In the spacious yard, a boy around ten years old stood with his small face tense, staring gravely at three children slightly older than him.
Though the sky was dark, the seriousness on his face was still clear.
A damp, chilly breeze suddenly swept past, making his soft, tousled hair flutter slightly and the jade-green pendant around his neck sway.
"Clap!"
He stared at the three before him, brought his hands together sharply, and cried out in his childish voice.
"Wood Release: Tree Bind Burial!"
As his clear voice rang out, the damp ground suddenly heaved violently, as if a terrifying beast were surging up from beneath it.
"Crack!" "Crack!" "Crack!"
Three dirt-streaked tree trunks burst from the ground and shot toward the three standing in front of him at tremendous speed!
"Nawaki, we've already figured out how to counter that move of yours. You won't get us with it again!"
At the loud, carefree shout, the orange-haired boy among the three stamped down hard.
"Boom!"
The ground caved in, and he sprang forward like a cannonball.
Seeing this, Nawaki narrowed his eyes and swept a hand toward the orange-haired boy hurtling at him.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"...
Branches suddenly shot out from the tree trunks, stretching toward the orange-haired boy.
Just then!
Taking advantage of the distraction, the orange-haired boy shouted,
"Nagato!"
As his voice rang out, several branches lashed toward him.
"Thud!" "Crack!" "Splurt!"...
"Thump!"
Though he smashed through many of the branches, the orange-haired boy was still caught by the tree trunk and bound tightly to