The Land of Lightning greeted him with a sharp, salty breeze.
This was the first time Minato Namikaze had ever set foot on this rugged soil. He stood upon a jagged cliffside, his blue eyes scanning the horizon where the mountains pierced the clouds like ivory spears.
If one were to set aside the presence of individual powerhouses like the Hokage, the national strength of the Land of Lightning was not inferior to the Land of Fire. It was a harsh, vertical world, yet it hummed with a different kind of vitality.
While it lacked the endless, lush forests and the overflowing natural resources of his homeland, it was far from a barren wasteland. Instead, these craggy peaks held deep, rich mineral veins—precious metals and ores that the Land of Fire desperately lacked.
Furthermore, the Land of Lightning placed an immense emphasis on maritime trade. Their jagged coastline was dotted with bustling ports, making their economy every bit as formidable as Konoha's.
Combined with the forceful, militaristic style of Kumogakure, their grip on neighboring allied nations was far tighter than the influence the Land of Fire exerted over its own borders. To Minato, it was a land of efficiency and untapped potential, a stark contrast to the soft, complacent peace of the Leaf.
After coming ashore, Minato politely asked a local merchant for directions to Kumogakure. Once he had his bearings, he began his journey toward the village at a steady pace.
He had no desire to linger in these mountains for long. If it were not for the absolute necessity of collecting Tailed Beast Chakra to fuel his hidden ambitions, he would have returned to Konoha long ago.
After all, his relationships with Kushina and Mikoto had only recently reached a turning point. It was the perfect time to strike while the iron was hot and nurture their feelings through proximity and charm.
If the Hidden Mist hadn't suddenly pulled such a desperate stunt to pressure him, why would he be wasting his precious time on a trek through the clouds? It was an annoying distraction from his long-term domestic plays.
However, since this was a rare trip abroad and he was currently labeled a Rogue Ninja, he decided he might as well collect all the Tailed Beast Chakra available in the region. Otherwise, once he returned to the village as the shining Golden Boy of Konoha, certain clandestine activities would be far more inconvenient to perform under the watchful eyes of the Council.
Before Minato could reach the towering gates of Kumogakure, he was intercepted by the Anbu sentinels guarding the village outskirts.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
Several shuriken whistled through the air, thudding into the dirt at Minato's feet. Four masked figures flickered into existence, blocking his forward path with practiced precision.
"Konoha's Yellow Flash, what business brings a man of your reputation to our Kumogakure?" the lead guard demanded, his hand hovering near his blade.
"I have defected from my village," Minato replied.
He got straight to the point, lifting his hand to indicate the horizontal slash carved through the symbol on his forehead protector. "Speaking of which, your Kumogakure deserves quite a bit of the credit for my new status. I have come specifically to pay my respects and settle the score."
The four Anbu exchanged tense looks. One of them turned and vanished in a blur of speed, heading toward the village to report, while the remaining three stayed behind to maintain the perimeter.
"There may be some misunderstanding here, Namikaze. Please remain calm, Your Excellency; we have already dispatched a messenger to fetch Lord Raikage to handle this personally."
"It is no misunderstanding."
Minato shook his head with a soft, melodic chuckle that didn't reach his cold eyes. In the recent international pressure campaign against him, if the Hidden Mist was the initiator, then Kumogakure was the primary organizer. Sunagakure and Iwagakure were merely active responders. Not one of the four Great Nations was innocent in trying to cage him.
The leading captain drew his long sword, the steel singing as it cleared the scabbard. He watched Minato with the wary eyes of a predator facing a disaster. "So, there is truly nothing left for us to talk about?"
"Talk?"
Minato's polite smile faded into a mask of chilling indifference. "When exactly did you get the illusion that I traveled all this way to negotiate with you?"
"Go!"
The captain barked the order, and the three Anbu rushed at Minato simultaneously from different angles.
Minato shifted his weight slightly. A brilliant flash of golden light erupted beneath his feet as he accelerated instantly. With a dull bang, his foot connected with the chest of the squad leader, sending the man flying backward through the air like a broken doll.
Without pausing, he twisted his body abruptly. His hands moved like lightning, clamping onto the crowns of the remaining two Anbu members' heads. With a sickening thud, he slammed them both heavily into the hard ground!
Bang!
"As expected of Kumogakure—"
Looking down at the two unconscious men sprawled at his feet, Minato spoke in a leisurely, conversational tone. "To be able to take such a heavy, focused blow without making a single sound. Your discipline is truly commendable."
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the Anbu ninja who was still sprinting desperately toward the village gates. He didn't bother to give chase. Instead, he simply began walking toward Kumogakure at an unhurried, predatory pace.
As he neared the main gates, the Kumogakure shinobi were already poised and ready for war, just as he expected.
The Third Raikage's tall, burly frame stood at the very front of the assembly. His gaze was solemn and heavy as he stared at Minato Namikaze. Behind the massive leader sat a wooden jar, roughly half the height of a man, looking deceptively mundane.
The subordinate standing directly beside the Third Raikage had a thick golden rope wrapped around his muscular arm. He held a strangely shaped iron sword and carried a large red gourd strapped to his back.
The Six Paths Ninja Tools—
Minato scoffed inwardly. These guys had indeed brought out their ancient trump cards just to greet him. They were terrified.
"What happened to Aboi and the others?" the Third Raikage asked bluntly, his voice booming as he faced Minato.
"Who's that?" Minato tilted his head slightly, the picture of confused innocence.
"The Ninja leader responsible for stopping your advance."
"They are still alive, though they will likely remain unconscious for a very long time."
Minato looked at the Third Raikage with perfect composure, acting as if he hadn't even noticed the ominous jar sitting behind the ruler. "Next, shouldn't we discuss the many grievances that have built up between us?"
The Third Raikage's face was grim. However, considering the sheer level of power the man before him possessed, he suppressed his rising anger to offer an explanation. "This entire matter was initiated and fueled by the Hidden Mist."
"I am aware. The Third Mizukage is already dead; I killed him myself."
Minato nodded simply. As his calm voice fell over the crowd, the gathered Kumogakure ninjas instantly broke into an apprehensive uproar.
The Third Raikage's heart sank into his chest. "So, you have come here for this old man's head as well?"
"Since you have caused me so much unnecessary trouble, you will have to choose between a formal apology or a very thorough beating."
Minato's tone remained gentle and polite, but his words were a blatant insult. He wasn't giving the leader of the Cloud any face at all.
However, to Minato's slight surprise, the Third Raikage spoke without any hesitation. "Then I apologize. Our Kumogakure was in the wrong regarding this matter. We overstepped, and I promise such a thing will not happen again."
Minato: "???"
Before Minato could even formulate a response to the sudden submission, the Third Raikage spoke again in a deep, rumbling voice. "If it is compensation you require, we can certainly talk about those terms as well!"
Wait, this isn't right, is it?
Minato was momentarily speechless. The other man's blunt straightforwardness and lack of pride left him a bit at a loss for words. It wasn't the reaction he had calculated.
Seeing Minato fall silent, a strange, calculating look flashed in the Third Raikage's eyes. "Well? Minato Namikaze, give me a straight answer! Do you accept?"
So he really does intend to use the Amber Purifying Pot for a sneak attack—
Thinking of this, the corners of Minato's lips curled into a tiny, mocking smile. "Fine."
As soon as the word left his mouth, the Third Raikage could no longer suppress the triumphant smile tugging at the corners of his own mouth. A powerful, overwhelming suction force suddenly erupted from the large, half-man-high jar. A vortex of energy enveloped Minato instantly.
Minato instinctively tried to trigger the Hiraishin, only to find that under the influence of this supernatural suction, he actually could not mobilize his Chakra at all!
Then, in a mere instant, his body was pulled off the ground and sucked directly into the depths of the Amber Purifying Pot.
Bang!
A nearby ninja quickly slammed the heavy lid onto the Amber Purifying Pot, sealing it tight. The Third Raikage immediately roared, "Sensor Ninja! Status!"
"Here!"
A specialized Sensor Ninja quickly stepped forward from the ranks, his fingers pressed together in a seal.
"Are you absolutely certain that the man we just caught was the main body?" the Third Raikage asked urgently, his chest heaving with adrenaline.
"His Chakra volume was enormous, Lord Raikage. It was not at all inferior to your own levels. By all accounts, it should have been the main body," the Sensor Ninja confirmed with a firm nod.
"Then what if his total Chakra volume actually far exceeds Lord Raikage's?"
An untimely, calm voice suddenly reached everyone's ears. The Third Raikage whipped his head toward the source of the sound and froze. Another Minato had appeared out of thin air, sitting obediently and casually on top of the lid of the Amber Purifying Pot.
The Third Raikage's face darkened instantly. He realized with a jolt of horror that he had been played from the very beginning.
The one that had just been sucked into the legendary sealing tool was only a Clone!
What shocked him most was the realization of the sensor's report. If a single Clone of this kid possessed a Chakra volume no less than his own, then the main body was a monster beyond comprehension.
Seeing Minato's composed and relaxed appearance, the Third Raikage didn't dare act rashly.
Since the boy dared to sit there so openly in the middle of an enemy army, it was either another Clone or he possessed absolute confidence in his ability to slaughter them all!
Or perhaps it was both, but that thought was far too terrifying to dwell on. He really didn't dare to let his mind go in that direction.
Just as the Third Raikage's mind was racing through strategies, a sharp glint flashed in the eyes of a hidden Jonin standing directly behind Minato.
The ninja suddenly drew his blade and slashed with everything he had at the back of Minato's exposed neck!
"You've shown a flaw! Minato Namikaze!"
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