Liufei was the first to fall victim to the newly perfected Spiral Tempest Barrage, Zero Form. Her condition allowed Minato to grasp just how devastating this technique had become after fusing Wind nature chakra with the Rasengan.
The attack's wide range—evident from the previous blast spanning over twenty meters in diameter—was already impressive, yet that wasn't even its most fearsome aspect.
At its core, the jutsu functioned as if countless microscopic Wind Release Blades were slicing through simultaneously. Minato glanced at the tiny puncture holes scattered across the metallic puppet fragments within the technique's radius and immediately understood its horrifying power.
Used against a human body, this new technique would be unimaginably terrifying. At least Minato himself suffered multiple ruptures along the meridians of his right hand.
At the very center of the jutsu, Liufei's entire body exuded blood seeping from her pores, yet she didn't bleed outwardly.
Even without possessing Dojutsu like Byakugan or Sharingan or relying on sensing abilities, Minato could tell that Liufei had effectively already been reduced to a broken soul.
No healing art alive could save her now. This formidable pillar of Sunagakure had, together with her metallic puppet, become the crucible for refining Minato's new jutsu.
There was no doubt about it—Liufei was beyond salvation.
After observing everything, Sakumo Hatake shot Minato a glance filled with unusual emotion, and Minato noticed he had secretly swallowed hard.
"Your new jutsu... it's too terrifying," Sakumo finally spoke after some time.
Minato gave an uneasy chuckle, but his eyes never left Kouhi and Liufei on the battlefield.
Liufei couldn't make a sound anymore, but her lips were still moving. Most ninja understood lip-reading, and Minato was no exception.
Her message was clear—Kouhi should leave her behind and retreat to the village.
From the moment Minato's new jutsu destroyed her metallic puppet, the battle between Konoha and Sunagakure was decided—Konoha stood victorious.
Yet victory in war brought Minato no sense of triumph.
Because what lay before him once again stirred memories he desperately tried to forget.
The helplessness and rage in Kouhi's eyes mirrored emotions Minato himself had once known all too well...
"Let them withdraw..."
Minato said to Sakumo beside him. Liufei was undeniably beyond salvation, and Chiyo surely understood strategy well enough to realize further conflict would be pointless.
Although Sakumo had previously declared intent to kill both Liufei and Kouhi, Minato believed witnessing this scene would stir even his hardened heart.
Mercy toward the enemy was a risk to one's own life—a truth Minato, the Fourth Hokage, and Sakumo both understood deeply.
But by this point in the war, the costs borne by both sides had already been far too heavy.
The defeated may mourn their loss—but the victors have no cause for pride.
After all, it was a war involving the entire Ninja World (shinobi world), one that would ultimately weaken the power of the ninja themselves...
Sakumo gave a quiet nod as well. Turning his head, he looked toward Chiyo and the others standing tensely several dozen meters away. As he was about to speak, a mournful howl like that of a wild beast rang out from behind him.
"Ahh!"
Kouhi tightly held Liufei in his arms, letting out a hoarse scream. Scalding tears streamed endlessly from his eyes — they were impossible to stop.
Minato watched him, his heart involuntarily trembling—Kouhi had just lost Liufei.
Hadn't he once experienced this kind of pain too, when he'd lost Kushina?
He felt pain—not because he pitied his enemy, but because he understood it so deeply.
Once again, Kouhi's roar drew countless gazes from across the battlefield. Mikoto furrowed her brows; she clearly heard the sorrow and rage buried in that cry.
At this moment, Chiyo's aged face grew even more pale. Suddenly turning her gaze toward Kouhi, she shouted loudly, "Kouhi! Take Liufei and retreat!"
Blood seeped from between her clenched teeth, her entire face seeming ready to burst with surging fury and chakra.
But now, things had already gone beyond the point of redemption.
Defeat was defeat. After this battle, for at least ten years, the Sunagakure Village would never dare provoke Konoha again.
Her eyes swept toward Minato. Though filled with killing intent, they held even more wariness.
This child had forced her to withdraw despite her advantage and repeatedly thwarted her plans.
If she couldn't kill him today, then after the war ended, opportunities in the coming years would become even more scarce.
A mere eleven- or twelve-year-old boy had already reached such a level. Once fully grown, how many people would remain in the entire Ninja World capable of matching him?
Even she herself would no longer have confidence.
As for Chiyo's order to retreat, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Hiashi Hyuga didn't really intend to resist much—after all, their true objective in this battle had already been achieved.
Within the Land of Wind, Konoha forces had completely defeated the Suna ninja unit led by Chiyo of Sunagakure.
Since the First Hokage ended the Warring Clans era (a period of constant warfare among feudal shinobi clans) and established the Hidden Leaf Village, such a victory had never before appeared in Konoha's history.
However, in response to Chiyo's command right now, Kouhi seemed completely deaf to it.
His anguished, furious roar raged on until his voice cracked and finally faded into silence. Only then did he stop. In his arms, Liufei had long since drawn her last breath.
Kouhi gently caressed her delicate face marked with tiny bloodstains, his hand trembling.
Minato wanted to say something to comfort Kouhi, yet hesitated. After all, the one who had inflicted this injury upon Liufei—was himself.
It was just like when the Masked Man once tried to console him over Kushina's death.
He knew that without Konoha standing between them, he would immediately go and take that person's life without hesitation.
Even if it meant crossing space and time itself!
Thus, at this moment, his heart was extremely conflicted.
Kouhi placed Liufei's body on the ground where he stood, then took from the pouch at his back a wide robe, covering her body with it.
He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes—even those frozen by the cold air had left stains that were far from transparent.
Tears frozen by sorrow, streaked with crimson blood...
"Watch out—he's determined to fight to the death," Sakumo Hatake suddenly focused his attention and said to Minato beside him.
One-on-one, even if somewhat drained, he still wasn't any weaker than Kouhi—not with Minato backing him up now.
Kouhi insisted on fighting—it would only lead to a pointless sacrifice.
But there are times in life when you know the road ahead ends in death—but you still have to walk it.
Because once you back down, you're no longer fit to be called a man.
"So be it… I guess history was never meant to change."
Minato let out an inner sigh, then his hesitation faded as he tightened his grip on the Flying Thunder God Kunai.
Kouhi and Liufei were destined to meet their end here, in the final battle against [Legend of the White Fang]!
...
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