You couldn't really blame Minato Namikaze for not knowing Tsukigami Koichi's reputation. The "Sun and Moon Heroes" had debuted nearly ten years before his "Yellow Flash" moniker, but the ninja world replaced old legends with new ones even faster than the entertainment industry. Jinghang had been Kazekage for over ten years now - only his legend remained while his actual achievements were quickly replaced by newcomers, let alone the less famous Tsukigami Koichi. (Not surprising at all. Back in college when I was tutoring, my student asked, "Teacher, who's your favorite singer?" I said Jay Chou. "Oh him? He's got some fame but he's washed up now. I love TJZ!" If his dad wasn't paying my salary, I would've performed an exorcism on that kid.)
Another factor was that Tsukigami Koichi kept a low profile. Ever since his father, the Third Raikage, narrowly lost to Jinghang at the first World Ninja Tournament, his personality had become more steady and practical. His former arrogance and sharp edges were buried deep inside. He'd constantly go into seclusion to train and perfect his jutsu. Apart from Hidden Cloud Village and various village intelligence agencies, most people didn't know much about him.
In his own words: "I can't even beat my old man, so what face do I have to be mentioned alongside Lord Wind Shadow?" He didn't even participate in later World Ninja Tournaments. He rarely made moves in public - his most recent action was sealing the Eight-Tails.
Minato did know of Tsukigami Koichi as "Hidden Cloud's Crown Prince," but had never had a chance to fight him. He figured anyone capable of sealing the Eight-Tails must be skilled in sealing techniques, so taking him out early would protect Kushina too.
His guess wasn't entirely wrong - Tsukigami Koichi had indeed "minored" in Hidden Cloud's Iron Armor Seal and wasn't bad at it (any Raikage had to master this technique). But his "major" was still Hidden Cloud's signature Lightning Release Armor, Hell Stab, and Lariat.
Once they clashed, Minato immediately sensed something was wrong. This burly guy built like a bull calf was just as fast as him at full Sage Mode, and far stronger. After several exchanges, he hadn't gained any advantage.
Minato's Rasengan was something he'd cobbled together imitating Jinghang - still just a half-finished prototype that couldn't leave his hand. You try to press a ball against someone, but Tsukigami Koichi wasn't an idiot who'd stand there and let you hit him. After a few clashes, Minato couldn't even touch the guy's sleeve.
Now Minato got serious, but unfortunately his Sage Mode timer ran out. His lungs burned with searing pain. Minato suppressed his cough and carefully considered his strategy.
To beat this guy in speed, he'd have to use Flying Thunder God.
Minato quietly felt his tool pouch - only two chakra enhancement pills left. Why so few? Well, though Konoha could now produce these pills themselves, their factory had been bombed by Hidden Sand's flying puppets, cutting production in half. Most of their remaining stock had to support Hidden Mist's "Typhoon Operation." This small batch came from underground workshops hastily evacuated before the battle.
Minato swallowed one pill and formed hand seals for the Ink Movement Technique. Tsukigami Koichi raised an eyebrow as blue lightning blazed brighter around his body. In an instant he charged at Minato like a locomotive at full steam.
Just as Tsukigami Koichi's thick arm was about to reach Minato's neck, Minato's eyebrows twitched and he suddenly vanished. The next moment he appeared behind Tsukigami Koichi, a razor-sharp resin kunai stabbing toward the back of his head.
CRACK!
The slender kunai tip snapped ruthlessly as if striking hard marble.
"Incredible speed! No wonder Lord Wind Shadow calls you the ninja world's fastest - you really are faster than me!"
A hint of admiration appeared in Tsukigami Koichi's cold eyes. Truly, every generation produced new talent - just a few years later, another outstanding newcomer had emerged in the ninja world.
"Lightning Release Armor really is formidable. Cough! Cough!"
Minato coughed lightly, tossed aside the broken kunai, and drew a new one.
This guy was a complete muscle demon! That resin kunai was as good as pure steel, yet it couldn't even scratch this bastard's skin. With Lightning Release Armor covering his whole body without a single opening visible, how could he break through?
Before Minato could think more, Tsukigami Koichi charged again. Minato vanished once more. For a moment, Minato's flickering forms appeared from all directions. Several tears appeared in Tsukigami Koichi's clothes, but still no damage to his flesh.
This battle raged from moonrise to sunrise to nightfall. When Minato swallowed his second chakra enhancement pill, Jinghang had just cut out the Nine-Tails' appendix.
He couldn't drag this out. Seeing the Nine-Tails gradually falling into decline, Minato worried about Kushina and immediately devised a new battle plan.
Minato suddenly threw a kunai while charging straight at Tsukigami Koichi with another in hand.
Tsukigami Koichi didn't hesitate, pushing his Lightning Release Armor to maximum speed and charging head-on.
Just as the two were about to collide, Minato suddenly vanished and appeared by the kunai behind Tsukigami Koichi, a Rasengan in his hand.
"I expected that!"
In a flash, Tsukigami Koichi performed an incredibly difficult crocodile roll maneuver in midair, one hand gripping Minato's wrist holding the "ball" while the other executed Hell Stab straight toward Minato's chest.
As that sharp finger drew closer to Minato's heart, their faces met at close range.
Huh! Why is he smiling? Something's wrong! It's a trap!
Tsukigami Koichi tried to dodge but it was too late.
Minato vanished again, reappearing behind Tsukigami Koichi where a broken kunai lay on the ground.
A high-speed spinning Rasengan slammed directly into Tsukigami Koichi's back.
For the first time, Tsukigami Koichi's Lightning Release Armor was breached. His muscular body was sent flying high before crashing down hard, no longer glowing with blue light.
"Not bad!"
Tsukigami Koichi tried to support himself but failed after several attempts. He was seriously injured.
"Besides Jinghang and Sasori, you're the strongest opponent I've faced. If this battle didn't involve Kushina, I could let you go. What a shame."
Minato picked up a kunai to deliver the finishing blow.
Then a paper sheet suddenly fluttered down, landing right on Minato's kunai.
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