Kisame maintained a high level of vigilance the moment Minato appeared.
Umiushi and the others were the same.
Facing Orochimaru or Jiraiya, even if they were at a disadvantage, there was some room for distraction.
But facing Minato was different.
Minato's ability to seize opportunities is extremely strong, and Kisame and the others do not have enough knowledge about the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
As a result, Minato found an opportunity.
A kunai, after colliding, changed trajectory and came above Kisame.
Minato's figure appeared.
One hand grabbed the kunai.
Immediately, he thrust it downward towards the back of Kisame's head.
If it hit, Kisame would undoubtedly be dead.
But at that moment, a sudden sound caused Kisame to react.
Kisame raised the Sword of Wisdom.
Minato's kunai and Kisame's Sword of Wisdom clashed.
"Ding!"
Minato showed a disappointed expression and vanished.
When he reappeared, it was already in a different position.
"Dragon Slayer, you're awake?"
"Just woke up, young man. That blond guy is a bit sneaky, so be careful."
"I know."
Kisame nodded.
"Thank you, Dragon Slayer!"
"I won't give him a second chance like that."
Kisame recalled the situation just now.
His understanding towards the Flying Thunder God Jutsu wasn't enough.
But now, Kisame understood.
No matter how strange the Flying Thunder God Jutsu was, Minato would still need to get close to him in order to inflict harm.
With Umiushi and the others protecting him, the only areas he needed to guard against were above and below.
Below was the ground.
Any disturbance from below would inevitably cause a significant commotion.
Moreover, aside from Water Release and Chakra Absorption Technique, Kisame also knew Earth Release.
"Blondie?"
Minato's gaze fell on the Sword of Wisdom.
For some reason, Minato instinctively felt that the Sword of Wisdom's name had some ill intent behind it.
"So that's the Sword of Wisdom."
"Can absorb all Ninjutsu."
"And possesses self-awareness."
"What a magical Ninjato."
"What kind of person could forge such a Ninjato?"
Minato developed a strong curiosity about Soma.
Konoha also has ninja tools.
For example, Kakashi uses the Sword of the Thunder God.
There's also the Uchiha Clan's ancestral fan, which is said to be able to deflect Ninjutsu.
However, it has been missing for a long time.
"That was the best opportunity; what a pity…"
Minato looked at Kisame with a regretful expression.
During their first encounter, Kisame didn't fully understand Minato's abilities and was insufficiently cautious, making it the best chance to kill Kisame. Now that the opportunity was missed, Kisame would definitely be more alert.
"But since I've come this far, I can't just leave without doing something."
"I can't go back empty-handed."
Minato's figure flashed again.
Golden light flickered continuously.
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
Umiushi, Domaru, and Ryuji were attacked almost simultaneously.
But they managed to block it.
Umiushi and the others felt significant pressure, but thanks to the peculiarities of Stable Rock Style, they were able to block Minato's first wave of attacks since they only needed to defend against frontal attacks while other directions were not threatened.
Minato's expression became more serious.
"So, this is Stable Rock Style?"
Kakashi had discussed Stable Rock Style with Minato.
No matter how fast or fierce his attacks were, Ryukame on the opposite side could firmly block them.
Moreover, after blocking, a special momentum would emerge.
If Minato relaxed or paused, the opponent could connect that momentum with their own power and strike fiercely with tremendous force.
The Konoha Ninjas saw that even Minato couldn't defeat Kisame's team and couldn't help but look grim.
"Even Hokage-sama can't break through?"
"This turtle shell is too freakish!"
"Then who can break through Kisame's team's defense?"
The Mist Ninjas were overjoyed.
However, Umiushi and the others were already feeling significant pressure.
"Truly worthy of the Yellow Flash, his speed is too fast!"
"Just now, I almost couldn't defend."
The Dragon Slayer's mocking voice sounded.
"That blond guy, come on!"
"Why not use Ninjutsu?"
"Afraid?"
"Let me taste your Chakra and see if it's to my liking!"
"A mere Yellow Flash, is this all?"
Minato's eye twitched.
"This Ninjato's mouth is really foul."
"However, it seems more likely he wants to use this method to lure me into continuing to attack Kisame's team."
"I have to admit, Kisame's team's defensive ability is very strong."
"Ninjutsu is ineffective."
"Only close-range Taijutsu and ninja tool attacks will work."
"Using explosive tags will also be blocked by Water Release."
"It requires faster and faster attacks to force those three to reveal a flaw, which will take more time."
"If I had enough time, I could still break through Kisame's team's defenses."
"But I have a more cost-effective option."
Minato pretended to attack Kisame's team again.
However, Minato's figure suddenly appeared near Fuguki.
Compared to killing Kisame, killing Fuguki would have a greater impact on the Mist army.
Kisame is merely strong.
Fuguki is the commander of the Mist army.
Additionally, Fuguki is easier to kill.
There is no Stable Rock Style guard.
Using Ninjutsu can also cause damage.
"Rasengan!"
Minato thrust the Rasengan in his hand forcefully at Fuguki's back.
"Water Dragon Possession!"
Two streams of water crossed, forming a cross to block behind Fuguki.
"Bang!"
The Rasengan collided with the cross of water.
The powerful impact forced Fuguki to move several steps forward.
But that was all.
Fuguki did not suffer any substantial damage.
And when Minato attacked Fuguki again, three figures suddenly closed in on Fuguki.
"Stable Rock!"
Minato's attack was blocked.
"Another Stable Rock Style?"
"There's not just one such guard team?"
Minato's expression changed.
He saw Fuguki raising Water Dragon Possession. Under Fuguki's control, dozens of streams of water appeared, intertwining and weaving into a net-like formation, surrounding the guard team members.
Fuguki did not have the ability to absorb Ninjutsu or Chakra.
With the four of them gathered together, they would definitely be targeted by Ninjutsu attacks from Konoha.
Therefore, Fuguki devised another way to use the Stable Rock Style guard team.
The Stable Rock Style guard team members would block Taijutsu and close-range attacks to protect him.
He would control the water streams to form a net to block Ninjutsu for the Stable Rock Style guard team members, thus protecting them.
In terms of effectiveness, it certainly could not match Kisame's team.
But it still had a certain effect.
At least now, it wasn't as easy for Minato to kill Fuguki.
Fuguki looked at Minato and grinned.
"Minato, do you think I don't know your plans?"
"You've used this trick too many times."
"It's just a diversion to set up a surprise attack."
"Right now, you can't kill me!"
Nearby Konoha Ninjas felt a sinking sensation in their hearts.
It wasn't because Minato couldn't kill Fuguki.
The Konoha Ninjas had already acknowledged that Fuguki's strength was on a different level from before.
He was no longer the member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist who was defeated by a Konoha Genin.
After all, even Jiraiya hadn't been able to kill Fuguki last time.
It was because Fuguki now had a Stable Rock Style guard team by his side as well.
"One Stable Rock Style guard team is already difficult to handle, and now there's a second one."
"If Hidden Mist Village continuously deploys a third, fourth…"
"How are we supposed to win this war?"
"Even the defenses can't be broken."
"Do we just have to admit defeat?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"Stable Rock Style guard teams aren't that easy to form. Kisame's team is currently the most effective because of the Sword of Wisdom; Ninjutsu is ineffective against them."
"Fuguki's team is actually much less effective."
"And other Hidden Mist Village ninjas are even worse."
"Stable Rock Style is primarily skilled at dealing with Taijutsu and Ninjato attacks."
"They have no effective counter to Ninjutsu."
At that moment, Kakashi suddenly noticed something and quickly called out.
"Minato-sensei, be careful!"
He saw, in the corner of the Mist army's formation a strong light!
"Lightning Release, False Darkness!"
A bolt of lightning shot straight toward Minato's position.
In an instant, it enveloped the area where Minato was.
Lightning raged.
Kakashi's pupils contracted sharply.
"Minato-sensei!"
"I'm fine."
Minato's figure reappeared, but Kakashi noticed that part of Minato's clothing was missing. There were no specific injuries, but it was enough to indicate the danger he had just faced.
Since mastering the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, Minato had rarely been in such danger.
Kakashi's gaze turned toward the direction of the Ninjutsu attack.
"Ameyuri Ringo!"
Ameyuri had a regretful expression.
She had noticed that Minato's attention was entirely on Kisame and Fuguki, so Ameyuri saw it as an opportunity.
Thus, she tried to attack Minato with her strongest Ninjutsu.
"What a pity."
Kakashi glared at Ameyuri and suddenly charged forward.
A figure blocked Kakashi.
"Taking advantage of others' misfortune is not a good habit."
Kohachi Kuriarare, holding the Blade of Destruction, looked at Kakashi.
"Kakashi, how about I become your opponent?"
When Ameyuri launched her surprise attack on Minato, Kohachi was nearby and noticed that Ameyuri was in poor condition after using Lightning Release: False Darkness.
In this situation, facing Kakashi's sudden attack, Kohachi, as a Hidden Mist Village ninja, immediately intercepted Kakashi.
"You are not my opponent!"
As soon as the words were spoken,
Kakashi had already drawn his sword.
"Hatake Style Kenjutsu, Second Form, Kenrai, Swirling Wind!"
Kohachi felt as if not just one person was attacking him, but countless individuals.
Kohachi could not block all of Kakashi's attacks.
"Pffft!"
A wound appeared, with blood splattering out.
Kakashi did not seize the opportunity to press the attack on Kohachi but instead bypassed him and continued charging toward Ameyuri's direction.
"Hatake Style Kenjutsu, Third Form, Distant Thunder, Lightning Flash!"
Even at a considerable distance, Kakashi unleashed this technique.
Suddenly, his speed of movement increased significantly, comparable to Body Flicker Jutsu.
Lightning swirled around the blade.
"Ding!"
At this moment, Ameyuri had not fully recovered, but after taking a Military Rations Pill, she was not entirely powerless. She raised her blade and blocked Kakashi's attack.
The powerful impact caused Ameyuri to retreat several steps but she did not fall and steadied herself.
"Water Release, Water Whip Jutsu!"
A stream of water coalesced into the shape of a whip and wrapped around Kakashi.
Kakashi had no choice but to retreat.
In a corner, Danzo's eyes flickered.
"Even Minato can't do it?"
"In terms of overall strength, Minato may not be the strongest in Konoha, but his ability to find weaknesses is the best."
"If it were the previous Kisame and Fuguki, Minato might have had a chance to defeat them."
"But now, Hidden Mist Village has added a turtle-shell tactic."
"Even if Minato comes, he still cannot gain any advantage."
"But fortunately, I am here."
Danzo had known in advance about Minato's arrival.
So, based on this, he made his own plans.
By using Minato to hold the Hidden Mist Army at the front, Danzo secretly dispatched a team of ninjas to attack the Hidden Mist Army's logistical supply lines.
"By now, Tatsuma should have succeeded."
"Destroying the Hidden Mist Army's logistical supplies is also a huge blow to Hidden Mist Village."
"It is because of my arrangements that Minato's arrival is not entirely without value."
"That is the meaning of strategy."
"Pure strength is not enough."
"Konoha still needs me, after all."
Danzo looked in a certain direction.
Aburame Tatsuma did not disappoint Danzo. At this moment, he had completely surrounded a Hidden Mist Army logistical supply team, with a large number of Parasitic Insects flying out to attack the Hidden Mist ninjas.
Mashiro was breathing heavily, showing a look of fear.
Rushing through ninja training.
Then, arriving at the front line battlefield in a very short time.
Mashiro thought she was prepared.
But when she saw the blood of her comrades splatter out, saw her comrades fall and never rise again, Mashiro felt her entire body trembling.
A Root ninja noticed Mashiro and came to attack her.
Mashiro was unable to react.
She even closed her eyes in fear.
However, Mashiro did not feel any pain or injury.
Opening her eyes, she saw a figure blocking in front of her.
A comrade, who was already heavily injured earlier, used his life to shield her from the fatal blow.
Mashiro watched helplessly as this comrade fell before her.
"Mashiro, run!"
In this moment of crisis, still thinking of her,
An unprecedented anger surged within Mashiro.
Anger at the enemy's cruelty and brutality.
Anger at her own helplessness.
"Ahhh!"
Suddenly, an extremely intense icy aura appeared around Mashiro.
...
Forging Island.
Soma suddenly saw the numbers in the reputation column on the semi-transparent screen in front of him rapidly changing.
"4068!"
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