The five dark figures on the horizon came incredibly fast.
Their Akatsuki cloaks snapped in the wind, radiating pressure even from far away.
Kakuzu, Hidan, Sasori of the Red Sands, Kisame Hoshigaki, and one more-wearing a mask that exposed only a single Sharingan, gleaming coldly in the sunset.
Obito.
Minato caught sight of that eye, and his pupils abruptly contracted. "It's him," he said quietly.
The man who had controlled the Nine-Tails and devastated Konoha all those years ago.
The five landed on the rubble, less than a hundred meters from Minato and the others.
Kakuzu surveyed the surroundings, his voice heavy. "Where's Deva Path?"
Konan caught up from behind and landed beside him, looking grim. "Gone. His eyes were ruined."
Kakuzu frowned. "By whom?"
Konan's gaze settled on the blood-soaked figure in Sai's arms amid the rubble, who looked close to drawing his last breath. "Him."
Kakuzu said nothing. His expression only darkened.
Hidan's eyes went wide in disbelief. "That brat? All by himself?"
"By himself."
Konan repeated, "Of the six Pains, one died, and Deva Path's eyes were ruined."
Silence settled over the ruins for several seconds. Even the wind stopped.
Kisame stroked Samehada in his arms, then suddenly laughed, his voice rough and hoarse. "Interesting. Konoha's Flash really does live up to his reputation."
He took a step forward. Minato immediately blocked his path, the Rasengan spinning rapidly in his palm as a cold gleam flashed. "Take another step. Try me."
Kisame stared at him, amusement in his eyes. "Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash. You're pretty famous too."
The two sides faced off, the atmosphere stretched taut, ready to erupt.
Then-"Cough."
It was a faint little cough, yet it pierced the tension like a needle. Everyone heard it.
Shuo opened his eyes. Sai looked down at him