"Shouldn't we be heading out soon too?"
"Today we need to bring down the Akatsuki's arrogance."
After seeing Nawaki off, Minato turned slightly and said to Kitsuchi and Rōshi beside him.
His expression was filled with determination, his voice firm and unwavering.
"That goes without saying."
Not wanting to spoil the mood, Kitsuchi readily agreed with Minato.
"I'll go make the arrangements."
Rōshi restrained himself from voicing any doubts and quickly walked toward the center of the camp.
It wasn't that he wanted to undermine their morale, but he had been deeply shaken after being defeated by Nagato.
He had never felt so powerless in front of someone before!!!
"Um, Minato-kun."
"Do you think it would be better if both sides followed a single command?"
Walking beside Minato, Kitsuchi hesitated a bit before finally voicing his thoughts.
He knew that sometimes when two teams worked together, they wouldn't necessarily produce an effect greater than the sum of their parts.
"You have a point. Let's just handle it temporarily for now."
"We can talk about it once everyone gets more familiar with each other."
Minato casually brushed it aside with a half-plausible excuse.
Are you kidding me? Mixing both teams together?
Did he really expect Konoha ninjas to go head-to-head with the Akatsuki?
"Fine then."
Since he needed help, Kitsuchi reluctantly agreed.
At least fighting separately wouldn't interfere with either team's combat readiness, which he could barely accept.
Each man lost in his own thoughts, they talked for about half a ke. Gradually, Iwagakure's troops gathered, and Rōshi returned to them as well.
"Everyone's here. Let's move out."
Kitsuchi gave Minato a nod, and under their commands, both teams started moving forward without a clear objective.
"Don't you think the Akatsuki spies are blind or something?"
It had already been a long time since they set off, and Rōshi couldn't help but complain.
Still no sign of the Akatsuki.
"Don't worry. With such a huge group, there's no way they haven't noticed us."
Minato remained confident, privately imagining how their reunion would play out.
"Yeah."
"Maybe the Akatsuki are hiding somewhere right now, figuring how to take us down."
Kitsuchi scanned the surrounding area, speaking earnestly.
"Haha, I just hope they come out already."
Minato burst into loud laughter. Rōshi glanced at him but didn't continue talking.
The large troop continued moving forward without pause, every person's nerves staying tense.
In the distance, Nagato's lips curled into a faint smile.
So Senior Minato really showed up!!!
"What are you smiling about all by yourself?"
But none of his movements escaped Nonou's eyes.
"Senior Minato has arrived."
"It looks like they're trying to lure us out."
Nagato had received word from Kawaki over the past few days and had been waiting patiently.
"Is that so? Then we should put on a good show."
Nonou's eyes also lit up. If Iwagakure still hadn't sent reinforcements, this performance wasn't worth putting on anymore.
"Absolutely."
"Gather up. Prepare for attack."
Leaping down from a low hill, Nagato charged forward with his spirited troops toward Minato.
Nakamura Daiki let out a fierce howl of excitement, finally locating those pitiful Iwa ninjas.
"Here's a little parting gift for you."
As they drew closer, Nagato activated the Asura Path's power and fired several rocket-propelled projectiles toward the Iwagakure team.
The rockets shot forward trailing flames, while the Akatsuki ninja behind them also picked up speed.
"They're coming."
Minato abruptly halted. His powerful sensing ability allowed him to immediately detect Nagato's incoming assault.
Although the chakra fluctuations clearly weren't aimed at Konoha's team, it didn't matter either way.
Still, Minato decided to make a display — just in case there were any missteps later on, this would serve as justification.
[Big Ball Rasengan!]
Minato vanished in a flicker and reappeared midair, expanding the Rasengan in his hand before colliding with the incoming rockets.
*Bang!*
A massive explosion erupted, thunderously loud.
"Small-time tricks."
Rejoining Kitsuchi and Rōshi, Minato sneered.
"Don't underestimate him. That's not all he can do."
Kitsuchi's expression remained grim as he looked toward the direction of the rocket fire.
"Let's move together. There's no way three people can't take him down."
Rōshi spoke harshly but shifted into a defensive posture.
The Iwagakure team's morale was already low, and now their formation had become somewhat disorganized, unlike Konoha's young ninja who remained calm despite being new to real combat.
"Then let's go."
Minato chose not to face Nagato alone, even though he could — so that Kitsuchi and Rōshi could unleash full attacks on the Akatsuki ninja.
"Move."
At Kitsuchi's and Rōshi's response, Nagato appeared first in plain view of everyone.
"Attack from different directions."
Minato shouted the final command before vanishing once more without waiting for a reply from Kitsuchi or Rōshi.
Mid-movement, special kunai flew outward as he rapidly closed the distance between himself and Nagato.
Kitsuchi and Rōshi encircled Nagato from both flanks.
"Do you really think ants can bring down an elephant?"
"It seems you still don't understand the gap between us."
Nagato scoffed coldly, with no sign of retreat.
In the next moment, the four engaged fiercely. Nagato stood his ground against the trio, leveraging his extra mechanical arms to keep up with their taijutsu techniques in close combat without falling behind.
[Rasengan!]
Minato was pushed back by a punch from the mechanical arm, but immediately charged forward again, aiming directly at Nagato's chest with another [Rasengan].
His expression made it seem like he was ready to kill Nagato on the spot — though no one could tell they were on the same side.
Seeing this, Kitsuchi and Rōshi intensified their assault, each blow delivered with ruthless precision.
"Amusing."
With just one mocking word, Nagato maintained perfect defense, even managing to spare one hand to completely neutralize Minato's [Rasengan].
"After missing with the Rasengan, Minato and the other two fell back slightly from Nagato. At this point, their subordinates were already clashing.
The three groups descended into chaos, battle cries echoing constantly — the entire scene was utterly chaotic.
"That blond kid next to Tsunade?"
"Since when do Iwagakure ninjas consider Konoha your father?"
Nagato feigned just realizing Minato's identity, then launched into full sarcasm with his next words.
Minato nearly burst into laughter at that remark. He couldn't help but marvel internally at how sharp Nagato's tongue had become.
"Cut the nonsense."
"You expect us to believe only you lot are allowed to betray us and team up with Kumogakure? What about seeking support from Konoha?"
Rōshi's face flushed crimson with fury. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't beat Nagato, he would have torn Nagato limb from limb.
"Betrayal? Don't press your luck."
"You know exactly what was going through your minds back then."
Nagato looked at Rōshi and gave a light chuckle, showing no trace of anger whatsoever.
"There's nothing more to say."
"Today, I'm here to settle an old score on Hokage-sama's behalf."
Minato stepped forward, halting their verbal duel before it could escalate—he was afraid he might actually laugh out loud.
"If Tsunade couldn't defeat me, what makes you think you stand a chance?"
Nagato lazily extended a finger, pointing it slightly toward Minato. His haughty demeanor made it clear he considered Minato beneath his notice.
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