"Yes, Lord Minato."
Under their comrades' cover, two Iwagakure ninjas swiftly withdrew from the battlefield, carrying Rōshi and Kitsuchi away as they ran.
While sprinting, they took out the last remaining Military Rations Pills from their ninja tool bags and shoved them into the mouths of the two elders.
They couldn't bear to think what would happen to their Iwa squad if both Rōshi and Kitsuchi died here.
With heavy hearts, the two Iwagakure ninjas slowly disappeared into the distance.
But such concerns weren't on Minato's mind at all. All he wanted now was to find a quiet place with his junior brother to catch up properly.
Glancing sideways as the pursuers were intercepted, Minato allowed himself a faint smile.
"You still haven't run yet—are you waiting to die?"
Five copies of Nagato stood facing Minato not far away, his voice loud and clear, clearly continuing the act.
"Beat me first before talking big."
Their conversation was clearly audible across the battlefield. As soon as Minato finished speaking, he vanished from sight.
[Shinra Tensei!]
[Sage Art – Big Ball Rasengan!]
[Five Finger Bullet!]
...
It seemed like they were intentionally creating a huge commotion. Exchanging blows, they tore the surrounding land apart, leaving it riddled with wounds.
After countless exchanges, the two figures had already moved further and further from the battlefield.
Only when their silhouettes completely vanished from everyone's view did Nonou let out a sudden laugh.
The Iwagakure ninja she was fighting didn't understand why she was laughing and froze for a moment. In that instant, Nonou pierced straight through his chest with one hand.
"You want to know why I'm laughing? Go ahead and space out."
Disdainfully shaking her hand free, Nonou charged at another Iwagakure ninja.
Meanwhile, far removed from the battlefield in a secluded high mountain location, Minato and Nagato were patting each other's backs.
Both men wore smiles—deep, heartfelt happiness born from reuniting after a long separation.
"Senior, you really can be brutal!"
After ending the hug, Nagato playfully punched Minato lightly in the chest.
"My apologies—I got too rough with you."
"It's mostly because I didn't expect those two bastards to react so fast either."
Looking at the slightly disheveled Nagato, Minato scratched his head somewhat embarrassed.
Fortunately, Nagato wasn't seriously hurt; otherwise, Minato would definitely feel guilty inside.
"Haha. Just kidding."
"Those two aren't bad, but over this period, I've already figured out their patterns."
"Wanting to kill me? Probably won't happen until next life."
With a flick of his fingers, two stone benches rose from the ground. At this level, Earth Release techniques didn't even require Nagato to form hand seals.
"How serious have things gotten between you and Nonou?"
No sooner had they sat down than Minato started being mischievous, winking at Nagato.
"Cough cough~"
"Not quite that far yet~"
"Actually, how are things going between you and Sister Kushina?"
Nagato hadn't expected his senior to jump straight into such a spicy question, so he fired back immediately.
Although he and Nonou had already established their relationship, they hadn't reached the point where they knew each other's secrets.
"Just usual stuff, I guess. Probably getting married right after this war ends."
Minato's lips curled upward involuntarily as he spoke—a telltale sign of that unmistakable scent of young love.
"That's wonderful."
"Well then, I hope this war ends soon."
Nagato felt no envy. Everyone's got someone eventually.
"Not so fast. This time, the teacher's ambitions are far greater."
"He never wants to see another war in the Ninja World again."
Minato shook his head. He turned serious when speaking of Kawaki's ambitions.
"The teacher mentioned it to me before."
"I believe the teacher can do it."
Nagato placed full faith in Kawaki. After all, that man was the strongest ninja in the entire Ninja World.
"Same here."
The two seniors exchanged identical smiles—staunch believers in Kawaki.
"Has Brother Nawaki gone to assist Ōnoki?"
"Yes, though we're still unsure if he found him."
"The Cloud Ninjas are fully committed this time. It won't be easy on that front."
"Don't underestimate your brother Nawaki. He's become a father now, you know."
Though Nawaki's role as a father had nothing to do with his power, Nagato chuckled anyway at the thought.
After a brief pause, Minato continued.
"He also took along a few kids like Ginji. They'll be extra cautious."
"But our teacher and Uncle seem so unconcerned. I saw Kakashi and the others out on the battlefield."
As Nagato spoke, he bitterly shook his head, as if forgetting how harsh his own childhood had been.
Perhaps precisely because they had experienced it firsthand, both understood that war would always be the cruelest of meat grinders.
"Don't worry—these kids are stronger than we ever were."
"If they miss this chance, they might never get another opportunity."
What Minato said was true. Compared to their younger selves, Kakashi and Ginji were clearly far ahead.
"You're right. Without personal experience, how could they truly grasp how hard-won peace really is?"
"They are destined to become the pillars of the next generation in the Ninja World. Never setting foot on the battlefield does seem rather unreasonable."
Nagato softly laughed, finally shaking off those concerns. He simply couldn't imagine their teacher stepping into this without thorough preparation.
"By the way, you haven't met Brother Nawaki's daughter yet, have you?"
Minato thought about the adorable little Hanami and secretly mused about a possible future marriage alliance with Nawaki.
"Not yet. I heard Teacher's wife absolutely adores her."
Nagato clearly became interested too, leaning forward, elbows propped on his knees.
"She has the same red hair as yours. Must've inherited it from Auntie Misaki."
"No doubt she's a promising child."
Clearly, Hanami, as part of the newest generation, was deeply loved—and Minato was no exception.
"That's for sure. The Uzumaki clan naturally possesses astonishing chakra reserves."
Nagato looked extremely proud, perhaps unaware that his own immense power was also partially inherited from Senju bloodlines.
"Don't get so smug. The Uzumaki are the strongest, okay?"
Nagato rolled his eyes. In his mind, his junior brother seemed to be getting more cheerful lately.
"Haha~"
"It's Senju Hanami, right? Just hope she doesn't grow up looking like Brother Nawaki."
Nagato teased lightly. Franklly, Nawaki's appearance wasn't much to look at.
"Just make sure Nawaki doesn't hear you say that."
"Actually, Hanami looks a bit like Teacher's wife—definitely a cute little beauty."
Minato burst into laughter immediately. That was one of the many jokes he liked to throw at Nawaki during their bickering.
"Really? Then she'll surely grow up to be a real beauty."
"
...
The two friends, reuniting after a long separation, exchanged casual chatter and often burst into hearty laughter.
"Time's almost up. Let's talk again next time."
Minato was always mindful of time; staying too long might raise suspicion.
"Sure. We'll wait till those two recover first."
"For now, let's rest and recuperate."
Nagato had shown slight mercy. Being a medical ninja himself, he knew that Rōshi and Kitsuchi weren't at high risk of dying as long as they received timely treatment.
"Alright then, I'll be off first."
Minato stood up, bid farewell to Nagato, and hurriedly left. Along the way, he deliberately tore his clothes.
Feeling the disguise still lacked realism, he bit his lip, smearing a bit of blood at the corner of his mouth.
Once he finished preparing, he gave a satisfied nod before activating the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to the battlefield.
"I can't hold them off much longer—we're retreating!"
As soon as Minato appeared on the battlefield, he immediately shouted loudly. Putting on a convincing act, he kicked away several Akatsuki ninjas and led the Konoha and Iwagakure shinobi in a retreat.
"Stop them!"
From a distance, Nagato flew toward them, his voice brimming with fury.
"Don't engage needlessly—fall back quickly."
Minato covered the rear alongside Kakashi and a few others, fended off the advancing Nonou and Nakamura Daiki before bolting away without looking back.
"You'd better keep running fast. Don't cross my path again!"
Nagato's voice carried from afar, while the hearts of the Iwagakure shinobi were already filled with gratitude for Minato.
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