Renowned as the "Yellow Flash" and revered as the fastest ninja in the shinobi world, Minato Namikaze was a force capable of turning the tide of battle single-handedly.
His signature Flying Thunder God Technique, unmatched in speed, allowed him to eliminate foes in an instant, whether they were Chūnin or Jōnin. Even the monstrous Raikage of the Hidden Cloud couldn't match his velocity, despite his raw power.
Yet here and now, Minato, with his extraordinary Flying Thunder God Technique, found himself outmaneuvered. Through sheer predictive calculation, Ye Zi had countered his ability, it was an unprecedented feat in their world.
While Minato's space-time jutsu offered unmatched speed, Ye Zi's lightning-infused physical speed and foresight allowed him to anticipate Minato's movements. The battle of speed was decided when Ye Zi's blade found its mark, piercing Minato's abdomen.
The blade wasn't just used as a physical attack, it was wrapped in crackling lightning that surged through Minato upon contact, aiming to disrupt his chakra flow. However, in his Sage Mode, Minato managed to weaken the paralyzing effects, though not entirely escape harm.
With a flash and a spatter of blood, Minato vanished, teleporting to a location far from the battlefield. This time, he moved not to counterattack but to retreat, reappearing at the edge of the ruined East District.
Half-kneeling, Minato pressed his hand to his heavily bleeding abdomen, his breaths labored. His skin grew pale, his chakra faltering. At this rate, he wouldn't last long without treatment.
Across the battlefield, Ye Zi stood motionless, his sharp gaze tracking Minato. Both men knew their positions clearly, Minato could escape any assault with his Flying Thunder God, and Ye Zi saw no point in exhausting himself chasing an untouchable foe.
In the distance, Ye Zi sensed a rapidly approaching presence, it was Kushina Uzumaki.
Minato, too, felt her nearing and chose his retreat direction accordingly, seeking her aid.
Moments later, Kushina arrived, her expression shifting to shock and concern upon seeing Minato's condition.
"Minato!" she exclaimed.
She hadn't seen him this injured in years. The only comparable time was during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, when an unknown Iwa ninja ambushed him. At that time, Minato had medical support ready in their camp.
What Kushina didn't know was that Minato's injuries back then, and now, were both inflicted by the same person: Ye Zi.
For all his speed and skill, Minato had been grievously wounded, highlighting the terrifying threat Ye Zi posed.
Kushina immediately formed a shadow clone, dividing her chakra in half despite the significant energy cost. Her reserves were already diminished from releasing her Strength of a Hundred Seal, but she had no choice.
The clone knelt beside Minato, preparing to heal his wounds. Meanwhile, the original Kushina faced Ye Zi, her expression fierce.
"Minato," she said firmly, "take my shadow clone and leave. Get yourself treated in a safe place."
She knew full well the unpredictability of facing Ye Zi. If he escaped her focus, he might exploit an opportunity to attack Minato again. Thus, she needed him gone.
Minato's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. To think the legendary "Yellow Flash" would one day be forced into such a position. But he knew staying would only hinder Kushina.
"Be careful," he said seriously. "I'll return as soon as possible."
Ye Zi remained still, his sharp gaze unwavering as he watched the scene unfold. Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique ensured his safety for now, but Ye Zi wasn't about to lower his guard.
As Minato vanished in a flash, leaving Kushina alone to confront him, the tension between the two old acquaintances reached its peak.
Ye Zi, standing tall amidst the desolation he had created, locked eyes with Kushina, his expression cold and unyielding.
The serpent of eternal night loomed, ready to strike again.
"Mm," Kushina responded without glancing at Minato, her gaze fixed firmly on Ye Zi. Her expression was more resolute than ever before. "Even if it costs my life, I will protect Konoha!"
Her eyes, her stance, and her demeanor radiated unwavering determination.
Minato took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. "I'm counting on you."
With that, he teleported away with Kushina's shadow clone to a safe location to begin treatment.
Now, in the desolate expanse of the East District, only Kushina and Ye Zi remained.
"Ye Zi, I won't let you do as you please anymore!" Kushina declared, stepping forward in a swift motion. Nine golden chains sprang from her back, snaking through the air like the tails of the Nine-Tails.
"This time, it's your turn, huh..." Ye Zi remarked calmly, his piercing gaze meeting Kushina's.
In the depths of his mind, the overlapping images of Kushina and Rui slowly began to separate. Kushina's face still bore some resemblance to Rui's, had Rui grown to adulthood, she might have looked like Kushina now.
The Nine-Tails... the Nine-Tails.
Ye Zi's thoughts briefly lingered on the ultimate goal, the final decision. Yet, now was not the time for that. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. His purpose in coming to Konoha wasn't to capture the Tailed Beast, it was to retrieve Kotoe's body. That remained his primary objective.
As his Sage Mode chakra flared, it stirred the surrounding natural energy.
Suddenly, the ground around Ye Zi began to crack with numerous fissures. Pebbles the size of fingernails floated into the air, suspended and trembling as if under an invisible force.
"Zzzz... Zzzz..."
The lightning coursing over his body began to darken, transitioning into an ominous, pitch-black hue. Within moments, it transformed into an overwhelming black lightning, seemingly capable of devouring everything in its path.
Amid this abyssal lightning, a pair of yellow serpent-like eyes stood out, their brilliance undiminished by the surrounding darkness.
The yellow hue gradually shifted toward gold, emanating a faint golden glow.
The combination of golden serpent eyes and the pitch-black lightning gave Ye Zi the appearance of a black serpent prowling through an eternal night.
Kushina stared at Ye Zi's transformation, feeling the immense pressure radiating from him. Her expression remained unyielding, as heavy and solid as a mountain.
Meanwhile, Ye Zi's wooden clone had reached the hospital.
Tsunade was there...
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