"We... We are trapped by the barrier!"
Among the remaining Iwagakure ninjas, those with some knowledge of barrier ninjutsu were the first to react. Their faces twisted in despair as they realized the scale of the jutsu. A barrier spanning a forest several kilometers wide—how could something like this be created by a single person?
Desperation spread like wildfire. Some ninjas collapsed to their knees, the will to fight draining from their bodies.
"Then use Earth Release to escape underground!" one ninja shouted, his voice tinged with desperation. Techniques like the Hiding Like a Mole Jutsu could allow them to tunnel their way out.
"We may not even be able to destroy such a large-scale barrier," another muttered.
The Rock Ninja with barrier knowledge shook his head, his blank stare reflecting his hopelessness. "That man... his perception is covering everything." His voice trembled as he pointed at the glowing black lines that ran across the forest floor.
Suddenly, the black lines pulsed faintly, emitting a soft glow. Before anyone could react, a Yellow Flash appeared, and a figure more terrifying than the grim reaper itself stood before them.
"Yellow..." one ninja stammered, his words cut short as Minato moved.
The yellow light vanished as quickly as it appeared, and with it, the lives of the Rock Ninjas in front of him. Without a word or wasted movement, Minato reappeared beside another black line. The Iwagakure ninjas there barely had time to register his presence before they too fell, their expressions frozen in shock.
The black lines weren't merely part of a barrier—they were laced with Minato's chakra, acting as time-space markers for his Flying Thunder God Jutsu. This allowed him to teleport instantly anywhere within the forest, turning the entire barrier into his personal hunting ground.
Minato's rebirth had granted him chakra levels far beyond what he possessed in his previous life. It was this immense chakra reserve that enabled him to master the Rasengan Shuriken at just eleven years old and to create the enormous barrier now trapping the Iwagakure forces.
But even for him, creating a barrier of this scale had pushed his limits. Half his chakra had been consumed in its formation. Yet, as the energy within his body surged again, his chakra was restored, the strength of the Nine-Tails flowing through him.
Gradually, the forest was steeped in the scent of blood. By the time the last Iwagakure ninja fell before him, Minato took a deep breath, steadying himself. He formed a single hand seal, and the barrier dissolved into nothingness.
"Although the power of the Nine-Tails can restore your chakra, the strain on your mind is immense. Chakra restoration won't help with your mental exhaustion," the voice of the Nine-Tails echoed in Minato's mind, laced with irritation.
Minato remained calm, though the buzzing in his head testified to his fatigue. Using the Flying Thunder God Jutsu at such high frequency was taxing even for someone of his strength. His body, bolstered by years of training, could handle it, but his mind felt the weight of navigating space-time so rapidly.
"Yeah, but the enemies here have been dealt with," Minato said, his tone light despite the exhaustion creeping into his voice. He rubbed his temple, his characteristic calmness returning.
The Nine-Tails snorted derisively. "You always choose the hardest path. With my power, you could've destroyed them all in an instant. But no, you insist on fighting."
Minato chuckled softly at the remark. "It almost sounds like you're worried about me."
The Nine-Tails huffed in response, its disdain evident.
After a brief rest, Minato disappeared once more. He reappeared beside Shibi Aburame, whose startled expression quickly gave way to relief.
"Let's go back," Minato said simply.
"All the enemies have been dealt with?" Shibi asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. The battle had lasted less than ten minutes.
Shibi had sensed the activation of Minato's barrier but had detected no large-scale ninjutsu capable of killing so many enemies at once. Even after witnessing Minato's capabilities before, the feat seemed incomprehensible. Five hundred Rock Ninjas, including a formidable Kamizuru clan warrior, had been eliminated in mere moments.
Minato nodded, placing a hand on Shibi's shoulder. "It's done."
In the blink of an eye, they vanished.
On the frontlines near the Land of Grass, the battlefield lay in ruins. The once-vast plain was now a desolate wasteland, marked by deep craters and scorched earth. Smoke billowed into the air, and the bodies of fallen ninjas littered the ground—a grim testament to the ferocity of the battle.
Jiraiya stood atop a broken stone, surveying the aftermath. The chaos of battle had given way to an uneasy stillness, broken only by the distant crackle of flames. Suddenly, two figures materialized beside him.
Jiraiya turned, his weariness momentarily replaced by curiosity. "What's the situation?" he asked.
Minato's sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. "Is the battle over?"
Jiraiya nodded, his brow furrowed. "The Iwagakure forces suddenly retreated. For now, it's over."
Minato narrowed his eyes, his instincts telling him something was amiss. With their numerical advantage—double that of Konoha's forces—the Iwagakure army should have pressed their attack. Their retreat defied logic.
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