Though small in scale, that terrifying pressure still sent a chill through everyone from Konoha!
"Bastards! Don't even think about chasing my big brother! Yo!" Killer B hollered, launching wide-ranging, indiscriminate harassing attacks with his tentacles and Lightning Release chakra spheres to sow chaos and obstruct pursuit as Kumogakure retreated.
A himself became a streak of blue lightning, darting back and forth along the retreat route. He drove back several Konoha ninja who tried to stay on Kumogakure's heels, intimidating the pursuers with his overwhelming individual strength.
Although Kumogakure's retreat was hurried, the coordinated cover provided by the A-B Combo kept it remarkably orderly. They swiftly broke away from the battlefield and vanished into the morning mist among the forested mountains.
Minato Namikaze raised a hand to stop his subordinates from pursuing them any farther.
"Don't chase a cornered enemy. Watch out for ambushes."
He spoke calmly, his sharp gaze still fixed on the direction in which Kumogakure had disappeared.
"Besides, they have a jinchūriki. If we push them too far, the destruction could spiral out of control. Our main objective was to stop their surprise attack, and we've achieved that."
He turned to Shikaku Nara and the others.
"Shikaku, arrange for people to clear the battlefield and treat the wounded. Also, send word immediately to the Command Center and Lord Orochimaru that Kumogakure has deployed a jinchūriki. And reinforce our remaining positions in the Northern Land of Hot Water. Kumogakure may have retreated this time, but they certainly won't let this go."
"Yes, Lord Minato." Shikaku Nara nodded in acknowledgment, his admiration for Minato Namikaze's judgment and decisiveness growing. Outnumbered, they had driven back Kumogakure's elite forces and uncovered the crucial intelligence that a jinchūriki had entered the war. Konoha was undoubtedly the winner of this encounter.
Minato Namikaze