It seemed that almost everyone believed Minato would immediately receive all the credit for defeating Kumogakure.
Naïve.
And, frankly, laughable.
"Hahaha! Just in time—those bastards from Iwagakure finally quieted down, and now everyone gets to celebrate Shiki's arrival together!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily, clearly not thinking too deeply about it.
After all, one Yellow Flash had left, only for an even stronger Golden Lion to step onto the battlefield.
That alone was enough to calm countless shinobi who had been anxious after Minato's departure.
Because Shiki's achievements… those were unquestionable.
Whether it was during the Second Shinobi World War, when he defeated Shukaku, or in this current war—overpowering the Third Raikage, smashing an Eight-Tails Bijūdama head-on, and capturing the Two-Tails Jinchūriki—
None of that could be attributed to luck.
Not even remotely.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield—inside Sunagakure's command center—
"I'm going to kill someone!"
BOOM!
Tsunade's fist slammed into the desk, splintering it apart in an instant.
The order from the Third Hokage—to have Shiki withdraw while Minato took over the battlefield—had already reached her ears.
And in Tsunade's eyes, this was nothing short of bullshit.
Shiki was about to have all his credit handed over to Minato?
How could she not be furious?
"Sarutobi-sensei's judgment is getting worse by the day!"
Even Orochimaru, upon receiving the news, couldn't help but shake his head.
Once, he had admired his teacher.
Now?
Only disdain remained.
To think he could come up with such a method—was he still worthy of being called a shinobi?
"Orochimaru," Tsunade said sharply, turning to him, "do you have any solution?"
At this point, she could only look to him.
Facing her gaze, Orochimaru smiled faintly and set the scroll in his hand aside.
"Do you really think… Minato can defeat Kumogakure?"
His smile carried a deep, mocking irony.
Something no one else noticed but Orochimaru saw clearly.
Was Kumogakure weak?
Impossible.
They weren't weak at all.
They were terrifyingly strong.
It was just that Shiki was far too powerful, making everyone else seem insignificant by comparison.
"…Tch."
To be honest, Tsunade hadn't seen it either.
Like everyone else, she had been fooled into thinking Kumogakure was weak.
"Is there something else going on that I don't know?" she asked.
"Just watch," Orochimaru replied calmly.
"We only need to enjoy this little drama."
He was genuinely curious.
Once this was over… how would the Third Hokage clean up the mess?
If Kirigakure declared war and Hiruzen failed to prevent it, he could still make excuses.
But if Minato Namikaze lost to Kumogakure?
That would become a stain on Sarutobi Hiruzen's entire life.
Meanwhile...
Inside Kumogakure's conference room.
"Hahaha—Excellent!"
For the first time in a long while, the atmosphere—normally heavy and oppressive... was filled with laughter.
The Third Raikage, having only one arm left, laughed loudly as he repeatedly slammed his fist onto the table, looking as though he might smash it apart at any moment.
And no one stopped him.
Because they were all caught up in the same joy.
"That monster is finally gone!"
Even the Third Raikage had to admit it—
Shiki was a monster.
With Shiki present, he didn't even dare to confront Konoha head-on.
But now?
Everything had changed.
Shiki had been transferred to the Iwagakure front.
As for the shinobi sent to replace him—
Minato Namikaze.
The Third Raikage had already reviewed his information.
And frankly?
He was unimpressed.
"So what if Flying Thunder God makes you fast?"
"Do you really think you're Shiki?"
"That you can break my Lightning Release Armor at will?"
Beside him, A, the future Fourth Raikage, clenched his fists, eyes burning.
"Father! Let's fight! With that Golden Lion gone, we can finally bring Yugito back!"
Yugito Nii—their Jinchūriki.
And yet she had been imprisoned in Konoha for an entire year.
They had tried countless times to rescue her.
Every attempt failed.
All because of Shiki.
Just thinking about it made A feel suffocated.
BOOM!
The Third Raikage smashed his fist down again, the already-damaged table exploding into pieces.
He stood up, eyes blazing.
"Attack Konoha's camp. Rescue Yugito.
This time—there will be no failure."
"Yes!"
No one objected.
Shiki was gone.
There was nothing left to fear.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield—
Minato, newly appointed commander, felt a trace of excitement.
If he defeated Kumogakure here…
The credit would be immense.
Enough to solidify his path toward becoming the next Hokage.
He felt a little guilty toward Shiki.
But compared to that dream—
He chose to look away.
What Minato never imagined…
Was the nightmare waiting for him.
BOOM—! RUMBLE—!
That night, Konoha's camp was reduced to ruins.
The Third Raikage, lightning crackling across his body, looked down at Minato—half-kneeling in the debris—with pure disdain.
"Hmph. You think you're the Golden Lion?"
"What are you, to dare challenge me?"
Minato's speed was indeed terrifying.
Flying Thunder God allowed him to come and go like a phantom.
But speed alone meant nothing.
His Rasengan couldn't even scratch the Raikage's strongest shield.
In fact, the Third Raikage could have stood there all day...
And Minitoe wouldn't have harmed him in the slightest.
"…So strong…"
His chakra was nearly depleted.
Minato stared at the man before him in disbelief.
How could someone be this strong?
Shiki—who had simultaneously suppressed the Third Raikage, A, and Killer B while facing the Eight-Tails—
Just how monstrous was he?
Minato laughed bitterly.
So it really was his own arrogance.
At the same time, A and Killer B arrived with Yugito Nii.
Though she had been imprisoned for a year, Shiki had not mistreated her.
Food. Shelter. No humiliation.
"Lord Raikage!"
Seeing daylight again after so long, Yugito's eyes trembled.
"I'm sorry," the Third Raikage said heavily.
"We should have rescued you sooner."
Right was right. Wrong was wrong.
He would not make excuses.
"I understand," Yugito replied calmly.
With Shiki around, even the entire village couldn't have saved her.
She glanced at Minato with open disdain.
"I really don't understand Konoha… transferring away the Golden Lion."
"Hmph. Killer B," the Raikage said coldly.
"Give them a farewell gift."
"No problem—Oye!"
After being suppressed for an entire year, even Killer B felt humiliated.
Now that he could finally fight back...
His mood was downright cheerful.
Without hesitation...
He transformed completely into the Eight-Tails, Gyūki.
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