Chapter 42: The Terrifying Minato

Kai withdrew his kunai, coldly staring at the corpse on the ground in silence. Only after confirming that the body showed no signs of life did he finally relax a bit.

Ninjas, regardless of their strength, are never to be underestimated. Playing dead and launching surprise attacks is a tactic any ninja might use. Even a super-strong ninja like Uchiha Madara has feigned death before.

Feigning death isn't taught in ninja school, but it's something you must grasp. Kai learned this the hard way when he first entered the battlefield.

Had it not been for his luck and the fact that his opponent overdid their feigning act by starving for three days, making them vulnerable to a kunai stab, Kai might not have survived.

Staring at Gari's corpse, Kai waited a moment before throwing another kunai into Gari's left chest.

The kunai pierced straight into Gari's left chest. Seeing this, Kai relaxed further. Now, even if Gari had been playing dead, he would truly be dead.

Some people are born with their hearts on the right side, but Kai had first stabbed his right chest and now pierced through his left chest as well.

"It seems he's really dead." Kai nodded. But just then, the ground began to shake violently.

Kai tilted his head. Despite the smoke blocking his view, he could feel the emerging smoke, and it was coming from the direction of the Kannabi Bridge.

Kai frowned, wondering if the disturbance was caused by Minato or the unfortunate Kenta.

However, Kai didn't care. Whether it was Minato or Kenta, it didn't matter.

Minato definitely had the ability to deal with a Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails. He was, after all, the Yellow Flash who could even handle the AB Combo.

If Kenta had fallen into the traps laid by Gari, then he deserved to die. Being on the battlefield for eight years and not being able to solve such problems meant he was beyond saving.

Kai quickly formed hand signs, and a fireball appeared on Gari's corpse. Watching it turn to ashes, Kai turned and left.

He seemed to recall who this guy was, but Kai didn't care much. If he had the chance back then, he would've killed Kurotsuchi too.

Moving quickly toward Minato's direction, Kai felt that only near Minato could he feel safe.

It wasn't that Kai particularly trusted Minato, but Minato had the jutsu to get him out of this hellhole. Besides, they were being pursued.

"Most importantly, the drug's effects seem to have peaked."

As Kai moved, he silently noted, "Next, my chakra recovery speed will return to normal, and fatigue will gradually set in. This forces me to finish the battle quickly."

With this in mind, Kai sped up even more. But then, a strong explosion erupted not far from him.

This explosion was even more powerful, nearly blowing Kai away. The scale of the battle was unimaginable.

Nevertheless, Kai didn't stop. After avoiding the shockwave, he continued his rapid advance.

It didn't take long before Kai saw Minato fighting against something that resembled a red, four-legged creature.

Has it transformed into a Tailed Beast?

Kai wondered. He didn't rush out immediately but found a place to hide.

The state of the Five-Tails Jinchuriki wasn't good. Although he could tear down giant trees with a swipe and leave deep pits with a punch, he couldn't touch Minato. Minato's speed, with his incredible Body Flicker Technique and Flying Thunder God Technique, made the Jinchuriki spin in circles.

Minato kept evading. If not for the Jinchuriki's strong recovery and defense, Minato would have already defeated him.

But it was just a matter of time. Minato seemed confident.

As they fought, the Jinchuriki launched a quick, powerful punch at Minato.

Minato calmly stepped back, suddenly disappearing from his spot.

Flying Thunder God Technique—Minato used this jutsu instinctively.

But at that moment, the Jinchuriki's body twisted in an eerie way, locking onto Minato's new position with his powerful punch!

"Got experienced after getting hit so much?" Kai hesitated, considering whether to intervene.

While he hesitated, Minato displayed top-level reflexes. Despite just teleporting, he wasn't affected.

The Jinchuriki's punch hit only air. The terrifying punch wind flattened all trees and rocks in its path.

Such terrifying power, but the large movement gave Minato an opportunity. He wouldn't miss it!

From an impossible angle, Minato appeared, a Rasengan in hand.

The Rasengan hit forward. Kai clearly saw marks from previous Rasengan impacts in that spot!

This scene amazed Kai. Minato repeatedly attacked the same spot with Rasengan, inflicting tremendous damage.

"What a terrifying man," Kai thought. "The Rasengan is already powerful, and with Minato's concentrated attacks on one spot, this guy must be suffering. But why not kill him?"

Minato didn't kill. Under the Rasengan's blast, the Jinchuriki reverted from Tailed Beast state. Tailed Beast chakra receded, revealing the man beneath.

With blood at the corners of his mouth, he quickly distanced himself from Minato. Truthfully, this was the best time to kill the Jinchuriki.

After a moment's thought, Kai understood. Clearly, Minato had other plans.

Maybe it was because his wife was also a Jinchuriki, though that possibility was slim.

More likely, Minato considered Konoha's interests. Killing a Jinchuriki wasn't beneficial.

Knowing what to do, Kai leaped out, catching the man by surprise and confronting him directly.

Their eyes met, and Kai's scarlet eyes unleashed a strange power.

(End of this chapter)