Minato Namikaze's expression was one of sheer disbelief.
He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Time and again, he tried to activate the Flying Thunder God Technique, yet nothing happened.
He glanced around. The strange, empty space around him felt like a void.
After a moment of contemplation, realization dawned.
"This technique of yours… it's actually an independent dimension? My Flying Thunder God only works within the same space. No wonder it's been nullified."
"Exactly!" Uha praised with a nod.
Kido, a power that was both rare and remarkable.
It was a high-level spellcasting technique that only those with the power of a Shinigami could wield.
And the higher the number of the spell, the stronger its power.
The Hadō No. 90: Kurohitsugi he had used earlier was among the highest-level destructive spells in that system.
In the original "Bleach" world, Aizen had used this very technique to instantly kill a captain-class opponent, Komamura Sajin.
Now, Uha-
Even without tapping into his full potential, already wielded power above Kage level.
Elite jōnin were no threat to him.
And that was with chanting omitted, which reduced Kurohitsugi's effectiveness by at least half.
Still, Uha preferred to skip the incantation.
Why?
Because those long-winded chants were way too cringe.
Not to mention tedious.
In short: utterly ridiculous.
As for Bakudō No. 99: Kin, it created a localized, alternate space that functioned as a sealing prison.
During the Nine-Tails Incident in the original story, Minato had narrowly escaped being sucked into Obito's Kamui dimension.
The reason for that urgency?
Because the Flying Thunder God Technique couldn't traverse different dimensions.
And this current binding space Bakudō 99 was similar to Kamui's alternate world in function.
Which meant…
Minato Namikaze had lost.
[Ding~ Congratulations, Host. Side Quest Complete!]
Side Quest: Defeat the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze
Reward (Unclaimed): Zanpakutō Box, +1200 Spiritual Pressure EXP
"Huh? My Zanpakutō is finally here?" Uha's eyes gleamed with surprise. "This box... why does it sound like a gacha?"
"With so many Zanpakutō in the Soul Society, I better not pull a trash-tier one. That'd be embarrassing."
After some thought, he decided to wait until he returned before opening it.
Gacha rituals deserved proper ceremony.
He had to find someone with real lucky energy, rub up against them a bit, and then draw. That was the safest play.
Minato stared at him warily, his voice firm.
"Who are you? What's your true purpose in coming to Konoha? With power like yours, you didn't just drop by for a stroll, did you?"
This young man had mastered countless powerful seal-free techniques.
Some could even warp space itself.
And judging by how relaxed he looked...
He clearly hadn't shown everything he was capable of.
Minato now fully believed Uha's earlier declaration that he could take on him, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hiruzen all at once.
Uha chuckled.
"Congrats. You've eliminated one possible answer. I was just wandering through Konoha out of curiosity."
"I've always wondered what that legendary Sealed Jutsu Scroll looked like, so I snuck in to take a peek. Who knew it would cause such a fuss? My bad, really. Apologies."
Minato stared at him in silence.
There wasn't the faintest hint of remorse in Uha's tone.
After a pause, Minato softened his expression.
"Young man, I'm guessing you're a war orphan with nowhere to go. Why not stay in Konoha? It could be your home."
"You're not afraid I might kill you?" Uha blinked, a little surprised. "You'd really try to recruit someone who just beat you?"
Minato smiled faintly.
"You won't kill me. I can sense you bear me no ill will."
"Wow. Smart guy. You're right," Uha muttered. "I actually admire you, so I didn't feel like killing you. But if it had been that old coot Hiruzen Sarutobi standing in my way, I probably would've dropped him on the spot just to get it off my chest."
"Uh…"
Minato frowned.
"Lord Third isn't a bad person. Maybe you're misunderstanding something?"
"Stop calling me 'young man.'" Uha cut him off, visibly annoyed. "Sounds like you're shaving years off my life just saying it. I'm old enough to be your great-grandfather."
As he spoke, he waved his hand.
Whoosh!
The Bakudō space collapsed, and Minato was freed.
With a flicker of gold light, he vanished using the Flying Thunder God, reappearing over a hundred meters away.
He had been spared this time, but there was no guarantee the boy wouldn't change his mind later.
If Uha's mood took a sudden turn, Minato knew he'd be dead before he could blink.
Did he just say he's older than my great-grandfather?
Minato frowned. It sounded absurd.
But the more he thought about it…
Even with natural talent, there was no way a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old could reach this level.
Even if he had started training in the womb, it shouldn't be possible.
Could it be…
Was this person really a surviving relic from the Warring States Era?
Whoosh!
Suddenly, an Anbu appeared at Minato's side.
The masked ninja knelt and presented a scroll.
"Lord Fourth, urgent intelligence. Please review immediately!"
"Urgent?" Minato's brows knit. "Don't tell me Kakashi's gotten into trouble again…"
He quickly made a hand seal. With a puff of smoke, the scroll opened.
A bounty notice appeared, stamped with chilling details.
[Bounty Notice]
Name: Uha
Age: 120
Abilities: Unknown
Bounty: 150 million ryō
Details:
Despite appearing around seventeen years old, this individual possesses eternal youth and possible immortality techniques. Believed to be from the same era as the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama Senju.
One year ago, this man appeared in the southeastern region of the Land of Rain and instantly killed the ninja world's so-called "Demigod," Hanzo of the Salamander.
Extremely dangerous.
At nearly the same moment, the other four great nations received the same intel.
And the news spread like wildfire across the shinobi world.
The Demigod is dead! The world is in chaos!
Killed in an instant by a man who may have survived since the Warring States Period.
The implications were terrifying.
If someone could one-shot Hanzo…
Then none of the current Kage were safe.
Though Uha's true motives remained unclear, the consensus was unanimous:
Such a threat could not be ignored.
Back in Konoha.
Amidst the wreckage.
Minato stood trembling slightly, still clutching the bounty slip.
"What's wrong?" Uha raised an eyebrow. "Your wife, Kushina, going into labor or something?"
"If she is, you'd better go. I'm not trying to make things difficult for you. I've got stuff to deal with anyway."
Still…
Wasn't Naruto supposed to be born in Konoha's 48th year?
How did it shift to 47?
Was this a premature birth?
Minato took a deep breath and looked up.
"If you're busy, then I won't stop you. As the Hokage, I'll take full responsibility for the damage done to the village. And I swear on my title that Konoha will not retaliate."
Uha narrowed his eyes.
That was a sudden change in attitude.
He had just been trying to recruit him. Now he was politely asking him to leave?
There could only be one reason.
Something in that scroll.
"That paper. Hand it over," Uha said flatly.
"Uh…" Minato hesitated.
"Are you giving it to me or not?" Uha scowled, raising a hand. "Bakudō No. 99-"
"Alright, alright!" Minato interrupted hastily.
He quickly instructed an Anbu to hand over the bounty slip.
Uha scanned it quickly.
So the news of Hanzo's death had gotten out.
He had covered his tracks well after that battle, killing almost everyone who might leak the truth.
Except for one person.
That self-righteous idiot.
Uha's face darkened.
"Kuro Zetsu… so you really are stirring up trouble. I guess I'll have to throw you in solitary for a while."