According to the official Book of Confrontation, the 69-year-old Third Hokage, aside from a decline in Strength, Speed, and Spirit to six points due to age, had all his other attributes—Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Wisdom, and Hand Seals—at maximum. Even in the final years of his prime, the Third Hokage had reached an exceptionally high level in Strength, Speed, and Chakra reserves, almost forming a perfect octagon.
"Meikyō!"
Minato Namikaze suddenly shouted at Meikyō, who was close in on the Third Hokage, during the battle.
He and Meikyō had developed a certain tacit understanding during their previous joint training sessions, and their familiarity with each other's abilities and their level of cooperation were quite high.
Meikyō immediately understood and switched positions with a Shadow Clone, flashing to a distance.
"Wind Style: Divine Wind!"
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
Before Minato Namikaze developed the Rasengan, his primary means of attack was actually the Kunai.
If he cannot finish off the enemy with Kunai in an instant, then he also possesses quite excellent Wind Style abilities.
The Flame Dragon roared, the wind fueled the fire, and Uchiha Meikyō's Fire Style and Minato Namikaze's Wind Style merged perfectly at this moment, forming a huge fire dragon that charged toward the Third Hokage with unstoppable force.
"Not bad teamwork, but when it comes to combined Ninjutsu, I am the best."
The Third Hokage Hand Seals with a cheerful smile.
"Compound Ninjutsu Art: Lightning Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A Suiryu crackling with lightning appeared and collided with the Flame Dragon, creating a huge explosion. The power of the aftershocks alone was enough to topple the surrounding trees.
"Meikyō, you take the lead in the attack, I'll cover you!"
Minato Namikaze placed his hand on Meikyō's clothes, leaving a Flying Thunder God Mark, and secretly handed over a Trident Kunai from his Ninja Tool Pouch.
By now, he was well aware that with the Third Hokage's close-combat abilities and his own lack of powerful offensive close-range Ninjutsu to break through the Third Hokage's defenses, even if he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to get close, he would absolutely not be able to achieve any results.
As for going head-to-head with the Third Hokage using conventional Ninjutsu... let's forget about that.
On the contrary, Meikyō possesses extremely powerful Nintaijutsu, and may be able to achieve greater results.
The best tactic right now is for Minato Namikaze to use his speed advantage to Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention, thus creating an opportunity for Meikyō.
"Clear!"
Meikyō let out a long breath and nodded to Minato Namikaze.
As the smoke cleared, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly walked forward, carrying his Adamantine Staff.
"Minato, Meikyō, shall we continue?"
The Third Hokage stroked his beard and asked the two men.
Up to now, the Third Hokage is quite satisfied with the strength of these two outstanding young ninjas of Konoha.
"No, Third Hokage-sama, the battle isn't over yet!"
Minato Namikaze smiled confidently, pulled a shuriken from his Ninja Tool Pouch, and threw it at the Third Hokage. In an instant, the shuriken multiplied into countless smaller shuriken that shot densely towards the Third Hokage.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone? I remember it took Jiraiya a long time to learn Jiraiya use this technique."
The Third Hokage swiftly formed hand Hand Seals with his left hand, creating a massive water curtain in front of him that blocked the shuriken.
"Third Hokage-sama, when it comes to throwing ninja tools, we Uchiha are second to none."
Meikyō activated Mirror Body Flicker Technique again, using more than a dozen clones to surround the Third Hokage. Each clone held several Trident Kunai in its hand and threw them at the Third Hokage.
"They've precisely blocked all my routes of movement? And they've even managed to get Minato to attack me from all directions."
The Third Hokage saw through their intentions at a glance.
Sure enough, the next second a yellow flash of light darted and leaped among the Kunai, enveloping the Third Hokage's figure.
"Sun Breathing - Fourth Form - Illusory Rainbow!"
"Uchiha Style: Sun Halo Dance!"
"Sun Breathing - Seventh Form - Sun Flower Strike!"
Meikyō and his two Shadow Clone followed closely behind, joining forces with the other clones to launch a pincer attack on the Third Hokage.
"Third Hokage-sama, this is a combined attack Ninjutsu that Meikyō and I developed together last time. It's called Super Gale Body Flicker Flash Style Two."
Minato Namikaze said with a confident smile.
"Hey, Minato, didn't I already say that name was lame?"
Meikyō scoffed, his face darkening.
"Forget it, I'll name Minato's Ninjutsu myself later."
Kushina, standing on the sidelines, helplessly covered her face and said something amidst Tsunade's speechless expression.
Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Meikyō were both extremely fast ninjas. Their Body Flicker Technique was absolutely top-tier, even unparalleled, in the Ninja World. They also possessed dynamic vision that ordinary ninjas could not match. When they attacked together, even the Third Hokage felt immense pressure.
Meikyō also realized this, so she decisively controlled the exertion of her strength to the current level.
The Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities are definitely unusable, and the Sun Halo Dragon is a trump card; the current level is just right.
Even so, the strength that Meikyō displayed was enough to surprise Hiruzen Sarutobi.
With this Mirror Body Flicker Technique, even the Elite Jonin in the village would have a hard time defeating him, and he could even hold his own against Kage Level expert.
Fortunately, there is still Minato among his peers. As long as he makes up for his weakness in attack power, he can definitely reach the same level as Teacher Tobirama, and in the future, he will be able to suppress this Uchiha just as I suppressed Danzo.
"Bang!"
One of Meikyō's Shadow Clone was destroyed by the Third Hokage. The Third Hokage then quickly swung his staff and turned around to block Meikyō's main body's attack. However, the two only exchanged one blow before Meikyō quickly switched positions to look for another opportunity to fight.
The next second, the Third Hokage judged the location of the Flying Thunder God Kunai by the sound of the wind, and thrust the Adamantine Staff in his hand backward, forcing Minato Namikaze to give up the opportunity to attack and teleport away again.
Minato Namikaze knew this couldn't go on, so when Meikyō got close enough to entangle the Third Hokage again, he threw a Trident Kunai into the air.
The next second, Minato's figure appeared in mid-air, his hands quickly forming hand Hand Seals and pressing down.
"Spirit Communication - Roof Collapse Technique!"
A huge Red Toad with a pipe in its mouth descended from the sky, crushing down on the Third Hokage with the force of Mount Tai.
Then, Minato Namikaze quickly used the Flying Thunder God Mark he had previously placed on Meikyō's shoulder to teleport him out of Gamabunta's attack range.
"Jiraiya's summoning beast, a Toad from Mount Myōboku."
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the giant beast descend from the sky, his Adamantine Staff automatically grew larger and thicker, and he swung it upwards with all his might.
The ear-piercing metallic clang was deafening, making one's teeth ache. Faced with the Third Hokage's powerful attack, Gamabunta dared not take it head-on. He could only change his posture in mid-air, draw the huge cleaver at his waist, and clash with the Adamantine Staff.
It must be said that the young Third Hokage was indeed very fierce. With one blow, although he was knocked back by the enormous force of the clash and plowed two long and deep tracks on the ground with his feet, Gamabunta was also sent flying by the force of the blow, landing on the ground not far away and crushing countless trees.
At the same time, Meikyō had already summoned Katsuyu, which spewed out a large amount of acid to attack the Third Hokage.
"Earth Style · Earth Style Wall!"
A tall, thick earthen wall rose up in front of the Third Hokage, and acid splashed onto it, making a hissing corrosion sound, and quickly melted it.
"So, Meikyō has also inherited Tsunade Katsuyu? It seems that even my disciple has found a successor to inherit his will."
The Third Hokage looked at Gamabunta and Meikyō, who were standing on top of Minato and Katsuyu slug respectively, and sighed.
I wonder what Orochimaru is doing with Danzo now.
Without much thought, the Third Hokage once again gripped the Adamantine Staff and charged forward to engage Meikyō Minato in battle.
Half an hour later, Tsunade finally stopped the fight.
"Alright, old man, that's enough for now!"
At this moment, the Third Hokage had already been cut shallowly by both Meikyō and Minato Namikaze, and Meikyō and Minato Namikaze had also suffered some minor injuries.
This kind of injury is actually not serious. Hiruzen Sarutobi might even have the wound scab over and stop bleeding on its own after a while. Even if he does nothing, he can recover on his own thanks to the ninja's strong physical abilities.
This is mainly because Minato Namikaze's attack power is simply insufficient, and this is all he can do. Meikyō also knows that he cannot seriously injure his opponent when sparring with his superior, and in order to avoid being seen as holding back, he "had no choice" but to risk injury to create a good opportunity for himself and Minato Namikaze to attack.
"Tsunade- neechan..."
Kushina glanced at the wound on Minato's shoulder with a pained expression.
"Go and treat Minato quickly."
Tsunade nodded.
"Old man, your injuries are minor; you can just apply some hemostatic medicine when you get back. I'll treat my disciple and Minato first. You don't have any objections, do you?"
As Tsunade spoke, she placed her hand on Minato Namikaze's shoulder and activated the Mystical Palm Technique.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat displeased, but as the Hokage, he had to show some magnanimity to the young people in the village.
"No need, Lady Tsunade. Why don't you go and treat Meikyō and the Third Hokage-sama first?"
Minato Namikaze clearly understood the principle of letting the leader go first, and refused Tsunade.
"It's alright, Minato. Leave the Third Hokage-sama's injury to me. Although it's not even a fraction as bad as Teacher Tsunade's, I can still handle it."
Clearly, having an additional skill would give Meikyō a better chance to handle her superiors in this situation.
With a smile, Meikyō walked to the Third Hokage's side, a layer of green light shining from his hand, and activated Healing Technique, pressing it onto the Third Hokage's wound.
This kind of minor injury can be healed immediately with Healing Technique; there's no need to waste so much Chakra on the Third Hokage using the Mystical Palm Technique.
A hint of apology appeared on the Third Hokage's face.
"Meikyō, you've really gone to a lot of trouble. Why don't you take care of your wound first?"
At this moment, the Third Hokage even felt a little guilty.
It seems that I hold a very high place in this child's heart.
"It's alright, Third Hokage-sama. Your injuries only require simple treatment to fully recover, and it won't take long."
A cheerful smile, just like Rengoku Kyojuro's, appeared on Meikyō's face.
In his mind, Rengoku Kyojuro's image was the most fitting Will of Fire, which Konoha revered.
At least Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tsunade, who were watching the Meikyō, felt that the cheerful and gentle smile on Myokyo's face reminded them of the First Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's minor external injury didn't take much time, but Meikyō spent a little more time trying to make a good impression.
However, it's not good to use it for too long, lest Tsunade find out.
Judging that the time was about right, Meikyō finished treating the Third Hokage. By then, Tsunade had also finished treating Minato Namikaze and began treating Meikyō.
"They are all very outstanding young people!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the three young men in the arena with a somewhat sentimental expression.
Uchiha Meikyō, Minato Namikaze, Kushina.
The first two are definitely the two strongest young ninjas in this generation of Konoha. In the battle just now, the Third Hokage felt that the current Meikyō and Minato, working together, were enough to contend with any ordinary Kage Level powerhouse. Even against a Kage Level peak ninja like himself, it would be difficult to defeat these two speed-type ninjas whose Body Flicker Technique had reached an extremely high level.
Kushina was also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If she could control the Nine-Tails like Mito Uzumaki, she would undoubtedly become an important fighting force for Konoha.
These three will undoubtedly become Konoha's new batch of top combat power.
First there were the Sannin and Dan Katō, and then these three young men. Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that this lineup was enough to support Konoha's position as the Ninja World's overlord for decades to come.
Of course, this is all thanks to my effective governance, which has nurtured such outstanding young people for the village.
While thinking to himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi began to instruct Meikyō and Minato.
In general, the Third Hokage didn't have much to offer guidance, but fortunately, his mastery of the five elemental Ninjutsu was truly exceptional. Therefore, the guidance process mainly focused on instructing Meikyō and Minato on these Ninjutsu techniques.
It must be said that the Third Hokage's mastery of the five elemental Ninjutsu was close to the pinnacle. Even with Meikyō's current level of Fire Style, he felt he had benefited greatly, not to mention that he had only barely mastered Wind Style, which involves nature transformation, and had just begun to study Lightning Style.
Yes, Meikyō has now grasped the basic nature transformation of Wind Style: Cutting, and has found a few basic Lightning Release Ninjutsu from the Clan Vault to start learning.
Although he had only just begun studying it, he had already made some progress thanks to his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and excellent Chakra control.
To become Jonin, one generally needs to master two or more Chakra Nature Transformation and not have any obvious weaknesses in Ninjutsu.