In another specially designated area, broader and with more complex terrain, an equally fierce "encounter" of a slightly different nature was underway.
The area recreated the ruins of an ancient battlefield: crumbling walls, scorched earth, and broken weapons half-buried in the soil. Even the air seemed to carry the lingering smell of gunpowder.
The sky held the colors of perpetual twilight, casting everything in dark gold and blood red.
At the center of the battlefield, two figures stood firmly back to back.
Their stance spoke of absolute trust and perfect coordination, as though not even an army could force them apart.
They were Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
Minato still wore the Fourth Hokage's Hokage Robe, though it now bore a few marks of battle.
In his right hand, he gripped a specially made, three-pronged Flying Thunder God Kunai, its blade gleaming coldly beneath the dim yellow sky.
His left hand held his wife's right hand tightly, steadily channeling an unbroken stream of golden chakra through their joined hands into Kushina.
Kushina wore a jonin's combat uniform, her fiery red hair tied in a ponytail that streamed behind her.
Powerful, violent red chakra surged around her as well. It was her own power, combining the Uzumaki Clan's immense vitality with Nine-Tails chakra.
The husband and wife shone gold and red, their chakra radiance complementing each other and creating an unshakable presence.
Mito Uzumaki stood beside them.
Yet the lineup of "enemies" surrounding them was nothing short of terrifying.
To their left, the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, floated in midair at the head of a group of Iwa Ninja.
To their right stood the Third Raikage, A, leading a group of Cloud Ninja. Violent Lightning Release chakra coiled around his muscular body, making him look like a beast in human form.
Ahead