Chapter 72: Flash!

At this moment, reflected in Minato's deep blue pupils were countless black shadows covering the area - a dense volley of shuriken that seemed to block off any path of retreat. 

Although he could not see through this technique, he could tell that Uchiha Homura was not throwing the shuriken randomly. Over a hundred shuriken crisscrossed in an intricate pattern, making it impossible to predict their trajectories.

The area blanketed by this shuriken barrage was so vast that even the Body Flicker Technique might not allow one to escape.

Minato had never known that the Uchiha clan's shuriken jutsu could reach such an incredible level. The shuriken techniques he had witnessed before paled in comparison to this - like a firefly next to the brilliant moon. 

No wonder the Uchiha were one of the two great clans that founded Konoha during the Warring States Period. For Uchiha Homura to have mastered this shuriken technique at his age displayed astonishing talent.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

From the second floor viewing deck, Kushina formed the hand seal, but in a blur too fast for anyone to see, a figure appeared in front of her, grabbing her hands to disrupt the seal. The one who moved was Sakumo Hatake.

"What are you doing?" Kushina struggled with all her might, but Sakumo's grip was like iron shackles, not allowing her to weave hand seals or use any ninja techniques.

"This is a battle between the two of them. It's best if you don't interfere," Sakumo said calmly.

But out of concern for Minato's safety, Kushina disregarded Sakumo's status, her young face contorted with anger. "This is just a test, but those are real shuriken! With that many, he could be killed!"

The key difference between Kushina and the other Academy students was that she had witnessed real death before, even if the memory was now quite faded. But she knew it was real - when people died, it was the end.

"It seems you still don't fully understand that Minato kid," Sakumo said with a faint smile. "Putting aside that I'm here and would never let him be harmed, look at his demeanor - does he seem unable to handle this?"

Around Kushina, everyone had been stunned into silence when Homura unleashed his incredible shuriken technique. Beside her, Mikoto was clenching her fists so tightly that her palms were damp with sweat.

Nawaki had been prepared to intervene as well, but his earlier battle with Sarutobi Ao had depleted his chakra reserves, leaving his speed only half of his usual.

It was Sakumo's words that made everyone focus their gaze on Minato once more. The first volley of shuriken was now less than 30 centimeters from him, yet his face showed not a hint of panic - only a calm they could scarcely comprehend.

Minato himself knew that the more dire the crisis, the more vital it was to remain composed - the most fundamental quality for a ninja. But due to human nature, few could actually achieve this ideal.

He did not know why he possessed such tranquility. Even Sakumo found it puzzling, for no matter how gifted the prodigy, Minato was still just a child in the end. 

Mental fortitude had nothing to do with innate talent - it could only be cultivated through experience.

In Minato's subconscious, facing such perilous situations almost seemed second nature to him.

In the final moments before the shuriken struck, Minato pulled out a short black rope from his shirt pocket.

No one, not even Sakumo, could fathom his intent in doing so.

"Are you paralyzed with fear?" Homura's eyes flashed as he let out a cold laugh.

But to his surprise, Minato simply smiled back at him.

"Flash!"

Whoosh!

In the next instant, Minato's form abruptly vanished from his original spot, a golden blur streaking across everyone's vision accompanying his signature yellow hair.

"Trying to escape with the Body Flicker?" Homura scoffed. He had trained in that technique himself and understood its principles - whether a physical body flicker or a chakra-enhanced one, it ultimately relied on an explosive burst of power. 

The former drew upon the hidden potential of one's physical prowess, while the latter harnessed a momentary surge of chakra.

But since it involved an explosive burst, the technique's effective distance was inherently limited. Their separation was within that range, but flickering directly towards him was akin to seeking death.

Attempting to take a more circuitous path increased the difficulty dramatically, as well as extending beyond the viable flicker distance. Homura had foreseen this scenario - Minato could not possibly escape.

As he prepared to target Minato's anticipated destination after the flicker, the unexpected occurred.

The golden flash did not disappear after a fleeting moment. Instead, it maintained a blinding speed that left everyone's eyes straining to track its movements as it arced around from the left. 

Homura's pupils constricted - this velocity outpaced even his shuriken's trajectories!

He swiftly adjusted and launched more shuriken, but their top speeds still could not match that radiant blur.

Whoosh!

The sound of air being sliced reached his ears as a golden streak flashed before his eyes. Homura's arms were then forcibly restrained mid-throwing motion.

Looking down in shock, he saw his arms trapped by loops of a black rope cinched tightly around his elbows. Under normal conditions, his strength could easily snap such a cord.

But the abrupt cessation of his high-speed shuriken throw had momentarily sapped the force from his arms, leaving him unable to break free. 

Before anyone could react, Minato had already circled around to Homura's front, winding the black rope firmly twice more around the Uchiha's arms. He gripped the rope's end tightly in his left hand.

The massive chakra expenditure from Homura's shuriken barrage had drained him, leaving no opportunity to counter Minato's moves. With his right palm, Minato struck Homura's chest, shattering the chakra seal printed there.

A hushed silence fell over the area as everyone struggled to comprehend what just transpired. The shuriken that had missed their target continued tracing their trajectories through the air, not yet falling to the ground.

"That kid...such incredible speed..." Even the usually unflappable Sakumo was astonished by Minato's performance. Though he could follow the kid's movements, he still couldn't help but inwardly praise him. 

Clink, clink, clink!

It was only when the ringing of the shuriken finally hitting the ground reverberated that the spectators managed to shake off their stunned daze. But the shock was still etched on their faces.

Takenouchi Rin unconsciously blurted out, "It really was...the Yellow Flash!"

(end of chapter)