When Yuzuru appeared, Minato's usually composed expression turned serious for the first time.
Back when he was still weak, this former classmate of his had already become someone who could make the entire Konoha tremble.
Now, after so many years had passed… just how much stronger had Yuzuru become?
It wasn't only Minato who felt this way—the Konoha shinobi nearby were equally heavy-hearted.
The name Yuzuru Uchiha had long since become a nightmare to them.
Every time he appeared, he left behind nothing but painful memories.
Even though Minato had just displayed a level of power that left them speechless, they still felt the looming presence of death closing in.
Yuzuru didn't seem to care about their unease. He stopped walking a few meters before reaching Minato.
"Minato," Yuzuru said with a faint smile, "your growth over the years has been truly impressive."
At the compliment, Minato raised a hand behind his back, signaling discreetly.
The Konoha shinobi immediately understood and began retreating slowly.
Yuzuru made no move to stop them—he merely stood there quietly.
They were nothing but small fry. Whether they fled or not didn't matter.
Once they were gone, Minato finally let out a silent sigh of relief.
Just Yuzuru's presence alone pressed down on him like an invisible weight.
Taking a breath, Minato spoke evenly. "No matter what reason you had for leaving Konoha back then, you've already achieved your goal now. So why keep waging war? Why can't you let Konoha go?"
Yuzuru chuckled. "Konoha was founded by the Uchiha clan to begin with. I'm merely taking back what was ours."
"If you're willing to hand over Konoha peacefully, the war will end instantly."
Minato shook his head. "No matter your justification, war only brings suffering to humanity."
"You're walking the path of evil. Justice will always prevail in the end."
Yuzuru shrugged lightly. "Justice and evil… you could search every corner of this world and never find a definite answer."
"Such things change depending on one's position."
"From where I stand, this war is for the sake of a brighter future for the ninja world. That is justice. Reclaiming Konoha is only the first step."
Minato's tone hardened. "Yuzuru, your thinking is twisted."
"Konoha doesn't belong to the Uchiha alone—it belongs to everyone in the village. War will only sow hatred. Only by earning the recognition of every villager can the Uchiha truly return to Konoha."
"The will of the people is what matters most. That is the Will of Fire!"
"So narrow-minded." Yuzuru let out a short, mocking laugh. "If your so-called Will of Fire means this ninja world belongs to everyone, then tell me—"
"The Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, the Land of Water, the Land of Lightning… most of their people want Konoha to hand over fertile land. Since you're in the minority, shouldn't you give up resistance too?"
"Or is it that—when the situation benefits you, you preach about the Will of Fire, but when it doesn't, you just turn a deaf ear?"
"Huh?" Minato froze, feeling his brain short-circuit.
He knew Yuzuru's words were twisted logic, but somehow, he couldn't come up with a proper rebuttal.
Seeing Minato fall silent, Yuzuru coldly concluded, "That's why the ninja world is engulfed in chaos—"
"All because you Konoha shinobi are greedy, selfish, and insatiable!"
Minato's face flushed red with anger, but Yuzuru felt nothing but satisfaction.
Standing on the moral high ground and pointing fingers like this—it felt amazing.
After a moment, Minato sighed bitterly. "Yuzuru, you're still as eloquent as ever. I can't win an argument against you."
"But my resolve to protect the village will never waver. I will stop you."
Yuzuru's eyes turned scarlet—the Mangekyō Sharingan spinning to life. "Come then. I'll make you understand the difference between us."
The moment his words fell, Minato threw dozens of special Flying Thunder God kunai around them.
In the next instant, his figure began flashing across the battlefield.
Yuzuru's body erupted with Lightning Release chakra armor, and he pushed his Mangekyō's dynamic vision to the limit.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Kunai and blade collided again and again—blue and yellow flashes entwined in a furious dance.
"Hahaha! It's been ages since anyone's made me enjoy a fight like this!"
"Minato, you're impressive!"
Yuzuru's face was alight with excitement.
Minato's speed wasn't like the Third Raikage's or A's—it came from his Flying Thunder God Technique, instantaneous spatial movement.
No pattern, no warning.
Even the Mangekyō's vaunted sight couldn't predict his next move.
To block his attacks, Yuzuru had to react at the exact instant Minato struck.
'This guy…'
After a prolonged exchange, Minato used the Flying Thunder God to create distance.
Though he had prepared himself mentally, Yuzuru's strength still left him shaken.
No matter how he attacked, Yuzuru reacted immediately.
What unsettled him most was that Yuzuru wasn't even going all out.
He was treating Minato like a sparring partner—for experience.
Realizing that, Minato couldn't help but smile wryly.
To fight with such arrogance… that was Yuzuru for you.
"Minato, keep going! I'm nowhere near satisfied yet!"
Yuzuru shouted and charged again.
But Minato's figure flickered and vanished, reappearing hundreds of meters away.
"…."
Yuzuru stopped, clearly displeased.
The Flying Thunder God really was an unfair technique.
"Forget it. I'm done playing."
He sighed, disappointed, and deactivated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
At that exact moment, Minato appeared beside him, slashing with his kunai.
But to his shock, the blade passed straight through Yuzuru's body.
Yuzuru grabbed his wrist—an immense pulling force yanked Minato's body forward.
Whoosh!
Minato's form vanished again, reappearing hundreds of meters away before crashing heavily to the ground.
This time, cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Through that brief clash, he had realized one thing—
Even with the Flying Thunder God, he could only afford one mistake.
If he slipped up again…
He would die.