"Holy crap… Minato, isn't that way too efficient? Slash slash slash, and it's already over."
Hyūga Hiyasu had his Byakugan activated, staring in stunned disbelief.
As expected… Minato, you're the real protagonist of the ninja world, aren't you?
A commoner start, parents gone, childhood sweetheart, great mentors and friends, well-liked by everyone, flashy techniques, overwhelming strength, and destined for greatness in the future…
Wait… are we even in Naruto anymore? Or is this actually "How I, a Commoner, Climbed Step by Step to Become Hokage"… or maybe "The Legend of Minato"?
What's going on with the author? Why don't we look even half as cool as him?
"Hiyasu, what should we do now? Minato has already charged in."
Akimichi Chōza asked. Their mission was already complete, but… what came next? Nara Shikaku hadn't said.
"Uh… I think we just sit back and watch. Minato alone seems to be enough."
"Is that so? Hiyasu, want some?"
Chōza instantly shrank back to normal size and pulled out a bag of chips, handing it to Hyūga Hiyasu.
…Huh?
We're in the middle of a battlefield—is this really appropriate?
Crunch.
"Mm, not bad. Pretty tasty."
"Right? This is my personal stash."
The two of them found a quiet corner of the battlefield and began watching Minato Namikaze's performance.
What, you're asking what kind of support role this is?
How narrow-minded.
The value of a support isn't measured by kills or assists.
It's about proper decision-making.
I, Hyūga Hiyasu, made the correct call—sending Minato straight into the Cloud's formation and letting him slaughter freely.
Doesn't that make this my greatest contribution?
...
On the Cloud battlefield—
Crackle, crackle!
A bolt of lightning instantly caught up to Minato Namikaze.
It was the young A.
"Minato Namikaze of the Leaf, don't you dare run wild! Our Cloud formation isn't a place you can just come and go as you please!"
Who's this big idiot?
Never seen him before.
But… looks like he's trying to stop me.
Minato twirled the tri-pronged kunai in his hand as he thought.
"Minato Namikaze, die!"
"Hell Stab!"
A's speed was astonishing—he closed the distance to Minato in the blink of an eye.
But in the next moment, he experienced what true dimensional superiority felt like.
Minato released the kunai—
—and vanished.
A quickly scanned the area, searching for Minato's position.
Then suddenly, he noticed something on that kunai from earlier.
Could it be because of that?
Not good.
Uchiha Izuna: "That's exactly how I died. Anyone who uses Flying Thunder God is shady as hell."
Minato suddenly appeared behind A, kunai aimed straight at his neck—
Slash!
Minato instead cut through a massive octopus tentacle.
Killer B appeared just in time, saving A from certain death.
"B, thanks."
A expressed his gratitude, but Killer B didn't respond—his eyes were locked firmly on Minato.
"B, Minato can only switch positions using those strange kunai. Watch them—I'll go fight him head-on."
"Lightning Release Armor!"
A activated his lightning armor once again and charged at Minato.
Minato vanished again.
This time… where will you appear?
A kept his eyes fixed on the scattered kunai.
"Ah!"
Killer B suddenly cried out as he was blasted away by Minato, a deep wound appearing on his body.
"B!"
A rushed back to protect him.
Minato now stood where Killer B had been moments ago.
"You're called B, right? Why didn't you stab me? A blade for a blade—you wouldn't have lost out."
Killer B, clutching his wound, looked at the black mark on his tentacle.
…Was it from earlier?
He recalled the moment he had saved A.
Without hesitation, he cut off the tentacle that Minato had marked.
Only then did he respond:
"You damn fool, you damn idiot! You think a Leaf ninja like you can trade lives with the Cloud's greatest Eight-Tails jinchūriki? What are you thinking?!"
"So that's how it is… Shiken and Kamito were right. Some people cherish their lives because they fear death. Others do so because they absolutely cannot afford to die."
Minato said calmly.
Just moments ago, as he aimed for Killer B's neck, B had also aimed a blade at his abdomen.
Minato had been ready to trade injury for life.
A pierced abdomen could likely be survived.
A pierced throat… almost certainly meant death.
Minato had been willing to gamble.
But Killer B chose not to.
He would rather take a hit than risk his life.
Now, Minato understood why.
"You're an exceptional ninja."
With that, Minato disappeared again—continuing his hunt for Cloud ninja trying to operate the chakra cannon.
What should have been a powerful weapon for the Cloud had now become a deadly trap.
Anyone who approached it died.
And yet… they had no choice but to keep coming.
"Minato Namikaze, don't run!"
A tried to pursue him, but Killer B stopped him.
"Brother… don't. We can't kill him."
"Damn it! Why is it always like this?! I've been defeated twice—by two different Leaf ninja!"
Senju Hideki: "Hey, don't worry. There are still a few more guys waiting to farm this boss fight."
"Lord Third Raikage, this won't work—we must launch a full assault. That guy who uses Flying Thunder God is on the front lines. We have to eliminate him this time, or we'll never win this war."
Dodai had no other options left.
Strategy was useless. Equipment was useless. They couldn't match mobility.
The only chance the Cloud had now was their numerical advantage—and the overwhelming strength of the Third Raikage.
"Dodai, you should have given that order sooner."
"Lightning Release Armor!"
The Third Raikage cloaked himself in violent lightning and charged into the battlefield.
He didn't go after Minato.
Strike where the enemy must defend—that was the correct strategy.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Ahhh!"
"Ahhh!"
"Ahhh!"
Several Akimichi giants were sent flying, reverting to their normal forms midair.
Their chests caved in—no signs of life remaining.
"Uncle!"
Akimichi Chōza rushed forward in rage—but Hyūga Hiyasu grabbed him and pulled him back.
"Chōza, calm down! When fighting a final boss, reckless charging is forbidden!"
Seeing the Third Raikage enter the battlefield, Jiraiya immediately moved to intercept.
"Summoning Jutsu: Gamabunta!"
"Summoning Jutsu: Gamahiro!"
"Summoning Jutsu: Gamaken!"
Three mountain-sized toads appeared.
"Jiraiya, who's the opponent this time? You actually summoned all three of us?"
"Bunta, Hiro, Ken—buy me some time. I'm going to use that technique."
"Summoning Jutsu: Shima."
"Summoning Jutsu: Fukasaku."