Haaah... Minato inhaled deeply, the air around him feeling like hot water against his lungs. Each breath came with effort, as though the world itself were resisting his will to fight on.
Seeing the fleeting opportunity before him, Minato knew this was the moment—he couldn't let it slip away. Even as his body screamed in protest, bruised and battered from clash, he made up his mind: the war would end here and now. He had come too far. Sacrificed too much.
In a single, fluid motion, he drew two more kunai from his vest, steadying himself for any opening that might come. The familiar cold steel of the blades grounded him, sharpened his focus.
But just as he scanned for his chance, something halted his momentum—a single, piercing thought: Kushina. If he were to die here, she would grieve. She would wait for him, unknowingly, until the news of his death shattered her world. He still wanted to see her smile, to hold her hand again. He didn't want to die. Not in this war. Not like this. Not before they built a peaceful future together.
My vision was slightly blurred, but my focus was locked entirely on Minato. He had achieved something I thought impossible. His speed was great, yes, but even so, it was because of a small misstep on my part that he managed to land a hit. Still, to exploit it so precisely... it sent a shiver down my spine.
My two ANBU guards, standing before me, were visibly sweating. I could tell even from where I stood. In our world, a failed mission brought disgrace. But when you're an elite ninja tasked with a high-priority objective, failure is not just disgrace—it's a stain that could cost you everything. Reputation. Honor. Life.
Could he continue in that state? He didn't look well. His breathing was strained, chakra levels visibly low. Surely, he couldn't last much longer. Or maybe... he intended to use my temporary weakness to end me here. He drew two kunai—the answer was simple. It might be a bit troublesome, but defeating Minato wouldn't be hard. After all, it was three against one.
Fwush. In a bright flash of yellow light, Minato vanished from his location.
Where are you, Minato? Trying to strike from behind? Another surprise attack, perhaps? That won't work. I've seen the extent of your power already. So, what will be your next move?
One minute passed. Then two. Then three. Still, Minato didn't reappear. That could mean only one thing—he had teleported away. Retreating. Running from his chance to defeat me. Not that he would have succeeded, anyway. But even I had to admit... I felt the weight of relief.
"Lord Tsuchikage, we should fall back," one of the ANBU guards said in a tense voice, scanning for any lingering threats.
These two were genuinely afraid for me. If one looked to my right flank, they'd understand why. Blood. Flesh. The whole flank annihilated by a single attack. A powerful one—so strong, I might even consider learning it. It was that impressive. Pain radiated from the wound, but my strength kept me upright.
"We're heading back to the main outpost," I told my guards. "A few things have changed. I need to inform everyone."
Better not to linger. Konoha would surely dispatch scouts to investigate this skirmish. We needed to return to friendly territory before reinforcements arrived. Even I wasn't in a condition to face another battle.
Luckily, I had taken that serum from the Head of Scientific Development. Anyone else would've fainted from the blood loss. But thanks to that Liquid, the bleeding had stopped. Impressive and useful, though it wouldn't fully heal me. Recovery would take time, and our medics could at least stabilize me further.
For now, I had to focus on the trek—leaping from tree to tree. Moving without one flank had truly thrown off my sense of balance. Each leap hurt , each landing uncertain. Let's just hope we don't encounter another ninja with power like Minato's. Such a terrifying technique to face. He wasn't just fast.
As the Tsuchikage and his ANBU guards retreated to the portion of the Land of Fire they controlled, a different scene unfolded elsewhere.
Inside the large war tent at Konoha's main outpost, a sudden flash of light stunned everyone. Shinobi reached for weapons. Some shouted in alarm.
Then they saw who it was.
Minato appeared—then collapsed, unconscious. His body hit the ground with a thud, blood leaving a trail in his wake.
"Minato-sama!" someone shouted.
Medics rushed to his side, lifting his battered form with urgency. The tent fell into chaos as orders were shouted and a cot was cleared.
Later, Minato slowly opened his eyes, finding himself on a medical bed. Bandages covered most of his body. The light above him was soft, but it still stung his eyes.
I need to inform them, Minato thought, trying to sit up.
Pain surged through his chest, forcing him back down. His breath caught.
"Aaahh..."
One of the medics tending to him immediately rushed out to alert the others: the commander had awakened.
Moments later, Obito, Rin, and Kakashi entered the room, followed by Orochimaru, who wore a small, intrigued smile. Behind him came several other Jōnin, all anxious to see if their commander was alright.
"You scared everyone, Minato," said Orochimaru, his voice calm but sharp. "Losing consciousness right after teleporting into the war tent."
"And with your wounds and near-empty chakra reserves—you confused us," he continued. "At first, we thought you were dead. Had you pushed yourself even a little further, you would have died. Don't pull a stunt like that again."
It was typical of Orochimaru—ruthlessly logical, explaining things to those who lacked even the most basic understanding of chakra. In his mind, the equation was simple: low chakra = death.
Minato managed a weak smile. "I know... but the situation demanded it," he replied quietly. Deep down, he understood. Had he stayed a moment longer, he would have died. But if he hadn't acted, if he hadn't struck that blow—the cost to Konoha could have been greater.
"Sensei, are you okay?" asked his team. Obito, Rin, even Kakashi—all stared at him with worry written across their faces. Their bond was clear, unshakable.
"Let's just say your sensei had a rough fight."
"Whoa! How many ninja did you fight to end up like that?" Obito asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Minato gave an awkward smile, scratching the back of his head.
"Just one."
That stunned them into silence. Even Kakashi, usually composed, raised an eyebrow.
"One?" Rin echoed softly.
"He was strong," Minato admitted. "Stronger than most I've faced. And smart. Dangerous. But I landed a hit. That was enough."
Orochimaru chuckled faintly, his serpent eyes narrowing. "Ohh, I bet you've got a lot to tell us," he said, his smile growing. No doubt, he was eager to hear more about the ninja powerful enough to push the Yellow Flash to the brink.
Minato leaned back, feeling exhaustion wrap around him again like a heavy cloak. "Later," he murmured. "After I rest."
He closed his eyes again, but this time, he wasn't fleeing death. He was retreating into peace—if only for a moment.
Outside the tent, the skies over the battlefield remained gray. The war had not yet ended. But perhaps, just perhaps, the tides had shifted.