A Change

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique."

Yueshu finished forming the Hand Seals and spat out five fireballs.

The fireballs weren't especially powerful, but they could at least hold off the enemies in front of him.

From the corner of his eye, Yueshu caught sight of the situation and quickly pulled a Kunai from his pouch.

He threw it toward the black-haired girl, who was panting heavily. She had already suffered a few minor injuries and looked rather battered.

Clang.

The Kunai flew toward the enemy in front of the black-haired girl, buying her a moment and stopping the Kunai that was about to stab down from striking in time.

"Ha!"

The girl let out a soft shout, though she sounded low on strength. She shifted her foot and kicked the enemy in front of her away.

"Are you all right, Mikoto?"

Yueshu asked.

Of the group, Mikoto was having the hardest time. Her Taijutsu wasn't as strong as Kushina's, and her ninjutsu was only about on par. She hadn't even had a chance to learn genjutsu yet. With the enemies attacking, she was under the most pressure.

Kushina, nearby, was also looking a little battered, but she hadn't earned the name Red Hot Habanero for nothing. With Yueshu's Shadow Clones backing her up, she could just about manage.

"I'm fine. I can keep going."

The girl's voice came softly, tinged with strain.

Yueshu didn't answer. He looked into Mikoto's eyes.

They were filled with determination.

Yueshu's lips curled slightly.

Ah, damn!

How am I supposed to stop you when you're looking at me like that?

He couldn't help thinking so.

"Don't push yourself too hard."

Yueshu didn't try to stop her. He simply warned her, then sent more of his Shadow Clones to help Mikoto.

"Don't worry."

Mikoto tightened her grip on the Kunai and kept her eyes fixed on the enemy before her.

"Wind Style: Wind Blade."

Minato Namikaze finished forming the Hand Seals and sent blade after blade of wind flying toward the enemies.

Even without the Flying Thunder God, the future Yellow Flash was already an outstanding prodigy.

Kushina wasn't falling behind on the other side, either. She might not have been especially skilled in ninjutsu, but she had another surprise for the others.

Sealing Techniques!

Kushina had already begun learning the Uzumaki Clan's hereditary Sealing Techniques, and this battle showed how well she could use them.

The chains extending from her back whipped through the air with perfect control.

They could serve as whips or ensnare her opponents, moving almost like a tail. Most importantly, the chains could suppress chakra.

Kushina's long red hair streamed as she fought, perfectly embodying the name Red Hot Habanero.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Mikoto, the weakest of them for now and unable to use the Sharingan, was just barely holding off the enemy's attacks.

But—

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Minato had just driven back an enemy when a jutsu suddenly came flying at him.

A dragon's head surged up from the ground and charged toward him. It was too close for Minato to dodge. He could only brace himself and take the hit.

He was about to form Hand Seals and withstand the attack when, in the next instant, he felt his body being struck.

His mind hadn't caught up yet. After a brief moment of confusion, Minato was knocked to the side.

He looked over. The one who had struck him was Yueshu—or rather, Yueshu's Shadow Clone.

The Earth Dragon Bullet hit Yueshu, and he immediately vanished in a puff of smoke.

Before Minato could thank him, he felt a gust of wind graze past him.

His hand moved on instinct, raising the Kunai he held.

Clang.

A force struck his hand and sent him staggering back. His body slid across the ground for several steps.

"Minato, are you okay?"

Hui had accepted that there was nothing he could do in his current state. He went over to Minato, who had fallen beside him.

"I'm fine."

Minato got to his feet, his face covered in dirt, and looked toward the person who had driven him back.

The man wore a Jonin's flak jacket, and an Iwagakure Forehead Protector was tied around his waist. The symbol on it had been slashed through.

There was no doubt about it: he was a rogue ninja from Iwagakure, and a Jonin at that.

"Iwagakure's A-rank rogue ninja—Ono Ishi."

Minato looked at the man and spoke. That was what he knew of him.

"Oh? You know my reputation?"

Ono Ishi smiled, his eyes full of contempt for Minato.

After all, Minato was only a Genin.

Minato tightened his grip on his Kunai. There was no doubt that a fierce battle lay ahead.

Yueshu easily took down another enemy with a kick. These enemies were nothing more than ordinary Genin without proper training, so they posed little trouble for him.

Just then—

"Wind Style: Hurricane Blade."

A gust of wind swept in, sharp and cutting.

Yueshu quickly put his hand on the Kusanagi Sword at his waist.

In a flash, the Kusanagi Sword at his waist was drawn. Yueshu cleaved through the razor-sharp wind.

"A B-rank jutsu?"

Yueshu looked at the man before him. The chakra he gave off was nothing like that of the useless Genin from before. It was the presence of a Jonin.

The man wore a simple Jonin flak jacket, with a Sunagakure Forehead Protector tied around his arm.

The symbol of Sunagakure had also been slashed through. He, too, was a rogue ninja.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

"My name is Sashizhen. Remember it, kid."

Sashizhen was so arrogant that Yueshu immediately found himself annoyed.

"What if I don't want to?"

Yueshu shot back, making Sashizhen pause.

Perhaps because he had been contradicted—and by a kid like Yueshu, no less—veins bulged on Sashizhen's face.

"You don't want to?"

Sashizhen's expression turned terrifyingly dark.

"Then I'll show you what it means to wish you were dead!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sashizhen's killing intent surged toward Yueshu. Yueshu could feel it.

The atmosphere around them seemed to grow heavier, and the air felt colder. It was Sashizhen's killing intent.

A rogue ninja was still a rogue ninja, and a Jonin at that. He was certainly strong.

Yueshu took a deep breath, gripping the Kusanagi Sword as his eyes brightened.

Sashizhen's killing intent was indeed intense, but—

Jiraiya's was even stronger!

A flash of swordlight, and Yueshu struck first, charging straight at Sashizhen.

"Interesting!"

Sashizhen laughed and charged to meet him, Kunai in hand.

Meanwhile, Minato and Ono Ishi's battle had also begun.

The situation changed once again. The four of them were surrounded, and two of their opponents were Jonin. Things suddenly grew dangerous.

The waterfall continued roaring in the distance, and Jiraiya was still tied up. Everything was starting to go wrong—

"Go ahead and raise a little hell. I never expected there to still be a God Tree Fruit around. It's only an inferior version, but it'll be enough to speed up the plan."

In some dark place, where not a ray of light could reach, an ancient voice slowly echoed.