Three Jonin!
Though such an achievement wasn't unique to Minato within the Combat Zone, it still amazed many.
But… he looked like just a ten-year-old boy. In times of peace, graduating from the Ninja Academy at this age would already be quite impressive.
Let alone participating in war and fighting against jonin—and killing them.
And not just one!
"Just who is this kid?" some enemy ninja growled angrily. The boy initially underestimated by everyone had actually possessed such strength.
Among Konoha's forces, even more people were astonished, because none among the enemy considered Minato, Yan Uchiha, or Nawaki as threats.
Yet these three boys had each proven their right to be here on the battlefield.
However, no one could have predicted that the strongest among them turned out to be Minato Namikaze—a boy of ordinary birth—rather than Yan Uchiha from the prestigious Uchiha clan, or Nawaki, inheritor of the First Hokage's bloodline…
"We can't stay here any longer…" Minato warned himself after defeating the enemy jonin.
The tactics he'd used before would only work once; nobody would be foolish enough to fall for them again.
Now, with his stamina running low, facing another jonin would be extremely difficult.
Glancing across the battlefield, Minato noticed that although he had killed three jonin alone, overall Konoha was still at a disadvantage.
Even so, after analyzing the situation, he believed Konoha wouldn't face major difficulties.
He couldn't afford to keep pushing forward recklessly either—it wasn't cowardice but wisdom born from self-awareness.
Besides, staying here might bring trouble to his companions.
Believing in his companions had always been Minato's firm conviction. True heroism isn't about carrying every burden alone.
With his current level, he couldn't yet decide the outcome of a war singlehandedly. At best, he could merely tilt the balance slightly in Konoha's favor.
Having made his decision, Minato started strategically retreating toward the edge of the battlefield.
However, the enemy ninja gradually realized his intentions and weren't about to let him withdraw easily, intentionally moving closer to intercept him.
Minato posed too much of a threat—not necessarily because of his present power, but because of his age.
Ten years old, capable of repeatedly slaying jonin. If left unchecked to grow further, such a genius might surpass Sakumo Hatake in the future…
If Konoha possessed such a ninja, it would definitely spell disaster for them.
While they had formed such thoughts, the Konoha ninja naturally became aware of the danger too, quickly forming a combat zone around Minato and triggering frequent clashes.
This turn of events surprised Minato.
"Minato, get going—fast!" one Konoha ninja shouted while battling his opponent, desperately holding the enemy back.
Upon hearing that, Minato couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
He became the Fourth Hokage not only because of his talent, but also because of the strong support from those around him.
He deeply and genuinely wished to protect his companions.
It was precisely this feeling that bound them together.
He was Minato Namikaze, Konoha's Yellow Flash and the Fourth Hokage...
Only one acknowledged by his comrades could truly be called the Yellow Flash and the Fourth Hokage of Konoha.
Even now, those bonds between comrades still stirred something deep within Minato.
"Thank you everyone!" Minato said heavily, then quickly withdrew from the battlefield's center under his allies' cover.
Seeing this, Junko Watanabe couldn't help but raise her delicate eyebrows. There was a coldness about her that kept people at arm's length—it still hadn't changed.
Yet during the short time she spent with Minato, that distance simply didn't exist.
Not only because he had saved her life, but because there was something indescribably infectious about him.
Even a stranger would find it hard to remain indifferent in the presence of his radiant, sun-like smile.
Minato exited the most intense central combat zone. At this spot, he was within reach of both Yan Uchiha and Nawaki.
"Minato, well done!"
Nawaki laughed aloud, although he secretly harbored a little resentment over Minato going easy on him during their last match.
Yet this resentment was washed away by Minato's impressive performance.
"Don't let your focus slip in the middle of battle, Nawaki Sempai."
Though not at his best, Minato still felt little pressure facing mostly chunin-level opponents.
Still, he remained vigilant and never underestimated his enemies.
Even someone as proud as Yan couldn't help but inwardly admit Minato's performance today was commendable.
Despite their rivalry, part of him consciously resisted acknowledging it.
This wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps, just as the Third Hokage had hoped, through this competition, these youths' growth would exceed his expectations.
After several exchanges, Minato cut down another chunin and searched for his next opponent.
**"Boom!"**
At that moment, an enormous explosion nearly shook the entire battlefield.
Everyone abruptly turned toward the source—it was Sakumo Hatake's fight against Tsuchigawa.
There stood a stone giant several meters high. Where its fist struck, a crater several meters wide had formed.
"I didn't expect you still had such a move," Sakumo, standing at the edge of the crater, slightly frowned beneath his white brows.
"To push me this far… I see why you're known as Hatake Sakumo..." came Tsuchigawa's voice from within the stone giant, almost roaring. Looking closely, one could see the battlefield around him had shattered into fine black powder.
Sakumo completely dominated the fight—not only was he countering Earth Release techniques, but by channeling lightning chakra through his Chakra Blade, his Lightning Release had reached overwhelming intensity.
Any Earth Release jutsu instantly crumbled before Sakumo's Chakra Blade.
This was already Tsuchigawa's final technique. He was utterly helpless against Sakumo's speed.
The Stone Giant possessed immense destructive power and defensive strength. Sakumo, determined to protect the Konoha ninja, didn't dare to move about recklessly on the battlefield.
If he could land just one solid hit, he would win this fight!
"Boom!"
At that moment, Sakumo's blade struck the joint of the Stone Giant's leg. But even with his Lightning Release, he managed only to slice halfway through.
Attack after attack pressed him, giving Sakumo no choice but to fall back.
The earth shook violently again, and right before their eyes, the rock at the joint where Sakumo had slashed rapidly regenerated, returning to its original state.
"Frightening regeneration ability."
Sakumo mused inwardly. Tsuchigawa's Earth Release techniques—from the earlier Earth Dragon to this current Stone Giant—all had shocking recovery power.
"Your chakra supply is truly impressive..." Sakumo lifted his gaze, seemingly speaking directly to Tsuchigawa hidden within the Stone Giant.
Upon hearing those words, Tsuchigawa's heart quivered slightly.
Could it be that Hatake Sakumo intended to drag this out—to wear down his chakra until there was nothing left?
...
[To be continued.]
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