As Sunagakure and Iwagakure used the Third Kazekage's disappearance as a pretext to declare war on Konoha, the other powers in the Ninja World began to stir.
In response to the war declarations from Sunagakure and Iwagakure, Konoha unhesitatingly chose to respond with force.
Konoha's hardline stance led the surrounding countries to watch the outcome of the battle warily, afraid to choose a side too soon.
In a forest outside Konoha, in the Land of Fire.
"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clink!" "Clang!"...
Sparks flew in every direction through the air. Two dark figures clashed again and again, their Kunai darting toward openings in each other's defenses.
"Clang!"
The two clashed once more. The white-haired figure grinned and said with a chuckle,
"Minato, you've improved tremendously after all these times sparring with me!"
At his words, Minato, standing before him with golden hair, crouched low and twisted his wrist, seizing the opportunity to hurl his Kunai forward!
"Whoosh!"
With that sudden attack, the white-haired figure leapt back with ease and tilted his head to dodge the Kunai.
But in the next instant, his pupils snapped alert, and his hands swiftly formed seals!
"Poof!"
A cloud of white smoke suddenly burst from where the white-haired figure had been. A moment later, Minato sprang out of the smoke, Kunai in hand, and landed on the ground.
Farther away, a dark figure appeared in a flash. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stood frozen, his face full of shock.
Looking closely, he was staring at Minato, his voice stumbling over the words.
"Minato, you've mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique?!"
With that, he hurried over to Minato and stared in astonishment at the Kunai in his hand.
At his words, Minato looked up at him with his young face and gave him a faint, gentle