Cannot believe this is a battle between ninjas.
Even more shocking, facing their Hokage's ultimate strike, Ruri managed to block it with great might, equally matched.
"Is... this still a battle between ninjas?"
Many Konoha ninjas swallowed nervously.
No way, completely can't intervene in such a level of battle.
Entering this battlefield, being caught in and dying humbly at any time is all too normal.
What kind of monster arena did I enter?
This is simply an arena of monsters.
Only monsters can participate in it.
"Truly worthy of being the Ninja Professor, even my strongest Fire Style had no effect."
Ruri's expression was calm.
Hakushi looked somewhat speechless at the water level around them steadily dropping.
At this rate, this ten-kilometer radius of the forest, feels insufficient to contain the chaos.
Hiruzen focused intently, although he still had more than half of his Chakra left, he felt maintaining this deadlock wasn't a solution.
Seems like only... this thought emerged in his mind.
Just as he was planning to do something, Hakushi made a new move, the water inside the giant snake surged, and Kushina was stripped out of it, landing at Hakushi's feet.
Hakushi grabbed the back of Kushina's collar, then turned towards the surprised Konoha ninjas.
"Let's end it here today. I have no interest in the Nine-tails. I've used this woman, you can have her back."
Saying so, he tossed Kushina out without a second thought.
Tossed out? Hiruzen and the Konoha ninjas were quite incredulous.
That's the Nine-tails, is the power of the Tailed Beast not enough to move him?
To discard it so decisively?
"Kushina!"
A figure flashed through the air, and Minato caught the falling Kushina below.
Splurt!
Scarlet blood spilled out!
Minato's body stiffened, looking down to see a pitch-black Shadow Blade extending from Kushina's body, piercing through his heart.
"Cough!"
Coughing up blood, his vision blurred, and as he fell, he happened to face Hakushi, whose eyes were emotionless, devoid of feelings in the pouring rain.
"The essence of a ninja lies in concealing information, delivering a fatal blow to the enemy. Displaying deadly ability carelessly to the enemy is equivalent to foolishness. However, removing the most threatening ninja, exposing this significant ability is entirely worthwhile. Compared to the unchanging senior ranks, you are indeed the most troublesome one, Minato."
Hakushi slowly turned his back, catching a glimpse of Minato's continuously falling figure with the corner of his eye.
In the downpour, the flying blood was so beautiful and red.
"Goodbye, Minato. Sorry... at least in the future, I'll mourn for you a bit."
The giant snake dissolved into dust on the water's surface, and the others disappeared along with it in the smoke.
"Minato!"
"Damn it!"
"Where are the medical ninjas? Hurry up, who knows Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Where is Lady Tsunade?"
Under the night, only the frantic and anxious shouts of the Konoha ninjas remained.
◎
Approaching dawn.
The heavy rain continued pouring within Konoha Village.
Recovering from his injuries, Uchiha Rika walked along the streets of the clan, the sorrow hanging over the village was unrelated to him.
He arrived at an old, traditional-styled manor within the clan, where passing maids bowed to him.
Passing through the corridors, the courtyard was shrouded in gloomy rain.
He soon arrived in front of a room, with two Jonin Uchiha standing as guards at the entrance.
Rika silently greeted them both and pushed the door open to enter.
An elder lay under the covers.
Hearing someone enter, he opened his murky eyes, a weak voice emerging:
"Is it Rika?"
He asked.
"Yes, Elder Shikata, it's me."
"How is the situation?"
Rika softly reported by Elder Shikata's ear:
"As you expected, Ruri has already led some of the clan members safely away from Konoha."