Chapter 55: Isn’t This the Will of Fire?

Chapter 55: Isn't This the Will of Fire?

Chiba struck down a Cloud Ninja commander with a single blow.

Minato Namikaze watched the scene unfold, his expression heavy with concern. Chiba's speed was far greater than it had been back when they were in the Ninja Academy. Moreover, Chiba had managed to overcome the flaws of the Lightning Breathing technique.

Years ago, when Minato and Chiba sparred, Minato never won, though he could at least put up a fight for a while before losing. After all these years, Minato had been training under Jiraiya and had entered the battlefield earlier than Chiba, believing he had surpassed him. However, to his dismay, the gap between them remained.

"A unique ninjutsu…" Minato frowned slightly. Currently, Minato had only mastered Wind Release techniques, but Jiraiya wasn't proficient in Wind Release, limiting his ability to help Minato improve in this area. Meanwhile, Chiba wielded the powerful Taijutsu technique, Lightning Breathing, which was considered his unique skill. 

On the battlefield, only a few of Konoha's Lightning Release users could perform the Lightning Breathing technique, but none could compare to Chiba. Combined with his Sharingan, Chiba's use of Lightning Breathing was enhanced, making him an unstoppable force. Minato realized that to catch up and surpass Chiba, he needed his own unique jutsu.

Minato thought of the Flying Thunder God Technique that Jiraiya had mentioned before—a space-time ninjutsu recorded in the Forbidden Scroll, signifying its immense power. Minato resolved to train in the Flying Thunder God Technique once Jiraiya secured permission.

Compared to Chiba's efficient way of killing commanders, Minato's methods seemed far less impressive. Minato identified enemy commanders through observation, unlike Chiba, who simply watched who gave the most orders. Minato's approach was more refined: assessing the enemy's position, attire, and behavior. Commanders were usually positioned at the back, wore distinct clothing, and used elaborate gestures to direct their subordinates.

Once Minato confirmed the commander, he used his Shunshin no Jutsu to close the distance, swiftly slitting the commander's throat with a kunai before retreating just as quickly.

…

The sound of battle echoed throughout Yugakure. The number of corpses on the ground continued to rise—Cloud, Hot Water, and Konoha shinobi alike. Chiba's clothes were soaked in blood, and he panted lightly. At this moment, Chiba was surrounded by more than a dozen Cloud ninjas. His flashy Lightning Breathing technique drew too much attention, and he had slain too many commanders, leaving many of the leaderless ninjas confused and targeting him.

As the Cloud ninjas charged, Chiba exhaled deeply.

"Lightning Breathing: Sixth Form—Thunderbolt!" 

Chiba unleashed countless lightning-like slashes in all directions, instantly striking down the surrounding Cloud ninjas who couldn't react in time. After breaking free, Chiba took out two ration pills from his tool pouch and swallowed them. Just then, another squad of Cloud ninjas set their sights on him. Chiba lured them toward a puddle, and after forming hand seals, placed his hands in the water.

"Lightning Release: Thunder Roar!"

High-voltage electricity surged through the water, paralyzing the Cloud ninjas. Chiba then swiftly beheaded them with his blade. Knowing the battle was far from over, Chiba aimed to conserve his chakra.

Soon, Chiba spotted another enemy commander within a crowd. Lightning flickered around him as he used his Swift Flash to charge toward the commander, striking him down before retreating. As Chiba withdrew, a distant Konoha ninja was blasted away, landing beside him. The Konoha ninja had lost an arm and a leg, blood spilling from his mouth. Grabbing Chiba's pants with his remaining hand, he pleaded, "Help me… I don't want to die… My family is still in Konoha… Please…"

Chiba looked at him coldly and replied, "I can't save you. If the pain is too much, make yourself useful one last time. That way, your suffering will lessen. As for your family, don't you believe in Konoha? Then trust it until the end." 

Chiba handed the Konoha ninja several explosive tags and used his Shunshin no Jutsu to leave. The ninja looked at the approaching Cloud ninjas and then at the explosive tags in his hand. In the end, he chose to trigger them.

"Daigo! No!"

Minato appeared beside the Konoha ninja, reaching to snatch the tags away, but Daigo shoved Minato aside. 

With a bitter smile, Daigo said, "Minato, he's right. I'm already a burden. Don't worry about me. The battle continues, and your comrades need you. Minato, I believe in you. You'll become Hokage someday. Please take care of my family!" 

Standing on his remaining leg, Daigo leaped toward the Cloud ninjas. The explosion ripped through the air, tearing Daigo apart but also taking two Cloud ninjas with him. 

Minato stared blankly at the scene, tears streaming down his cheeks. Overwhelmed with rage, he used Shunshin no Jutsu to confront Chiba, grabbing him by the collar.

"Why? Why did you do that? Even if you didn't want to save Daigo, you didn't have to give him those tags to die with the enemy!" 

Chiba knocked Minato's hand away, straightening his collar before calmly retorting, "So what? Do you think I killed him? In a situation like this, without medical help or support, his fate was already sealed. He would die, either by enemy hands or his wounds.

But I gave him those tags, letting him take some Cloud ninjas with him. No matter how you see it, it's a win for us."

Minato, angry, countered, "I told you before, they're not just numbers or tools. They are our comrades!"

Chiba sneered, "So what? If it were you, would you want your comrades to risk their lives to save you, only to drag you along as a burden in battle?

Isn't this the Will of Fire? 'Where the leaves dance, the fire burns bright.' I gave his death value, made it meaningful, and prevented him from dragging us down. He gave his all for Konoha. Isn't that the Will of Fire?

Did I do something wrong? Should I have let him die without purpose or let him endanger me?"

Minato bit his lip so hard that blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His fists clenched in anger, but he couldn't find the words to refute Chiba.