For the first time in his life, Hanzo felt genuine fear—a cold, unrelenting dread that clawed at his core. His entire life had been spent at the pinnacle of the ninja world, where even the Kage of the five great nations regarded him with caution.
As the "Demigod of the Ninja World," Hanzo had never encountered an opponent capable of truly threatening his life. Yet now, standing opposite Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash of Konoha, that invincible image of himself was crumbling.
Minato's expression was no longer calm but cold and resolute. His piercing gaze bore into Hanzo, devoid of hesitation. Minato had not come here to prove his strength to Hanzo; he had come to protect Konoha.
Hanzo's actions, whatever their motivation, had placed Konoha in grave peril. The chance to eliminate him would not only reduce that threat but also serve as a warning to the other great nations.
Swish!
Minato surged forward, his speed unmatched. Hanzo's heart raced as he felt the oppressive force of Minato's intent bearing down on him. Without thinking, he leapt backward, retreating as quickly as he could.
The Demigod's instincts screamed at him to disengage. The longer he remained in combat, the more precarious his situation became.
Despite his agility, Hanzo couldn't match Minato's speed, especially now that the latter had entered Sage Mode. The natural energy surrounding Minato seemed to press against Hanzo, suffocating him with its sheer weight.
Hanzo's retreat was cut short when Minato hurled two kunai, their blades crackling with lightning as they tore through the rain-soaked air.
Damn it!
Hanzo had no choice but to halt his hand seals, pivoting sharply to deflect the kunai with his axe. The clash of metal rang out, but before he could recover, Minato was upon him again.
"Want to escape? Not that easy!" Minato's voice cut through the downpour, cold and resolute.
"Frog Kumite!"
Minato's fist shot forward, trailing the invisible force of natural energy. Hanzo raised his arm to block, but the impact was devastating.
Crack!
The sickening sound of bone breaking echoed through the battlefield. Hanzo's forearm, despite his years of training and battle-hardened resilience, was shattered.
Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Hanzo refused to falter. With his free hand, he produced a scroll from his robes and crushed it.
Bang!
In a flash of smoke, Hanzo's massive salamander reappeared, its ominous presence casting a shadow over the battlefield. Without hesitation, it opened its maw, and Hanzo dived inside.
Minato's sharp eyes widened slightly. "Forcing a summoning contract?"
It was a rare and desperate technique, one that required tearing up the summoning contract to forcibly summon the creature. Such an act often severed the bond of trust between summoner and beast, but Hanzo's decades-long partnership with the salamander mitigated that risk.
Still, the gamble was immense. Without a new contract, Hanzo's ability to rely on his summoning would be lost.
The salamander attempted to retreat, its massive body lumbering away, but Minato was relentless.
"Senjutsu: Super Odama Rasengan!"
The enormous spiraling chakra sphere in Minato's hand expanded, its light illuminating the battlefield. He hurled it toward the salamander, and the impact was catastrophic.
Boom!
The salamander roared in pain as the Rasengan collided with its body, shaking the ground beneath it. Yet, in its final moments of anguish, Hanzo completed his desperate gambit.
Bang!
With another puff of smoke, the salamander vanished, taking Hanzo with it.
Minato's sharp gaze lingered on the empty space where his opponent had stood moments before. His Sage Mode markings began to fade as he let out a quiet sigh of frustration.
"How decisive," he murmured. Hanzo's retreat, though desperate, had been executed with precision. The Demigod had given Minato no opportunity to leave a Flying Thunder God mark on him, an intentional strategy that revealed Hanzo's knowledge of Minato's abilities.
Even so, Minato couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Hanzo's escape meant Konoha would have to face him again, potentially alongside the allied forces of other nations.
In a flash, Minato reappeared outside the Konoha camp. The rain had begun to subside, but the air remained thick with tension.
The Konoha shinobi stared at him in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.
"He… he forced Hanzo to retreat?" someone finally whispered.
The murmurs grew into a chorus of exhilaration.
"He won! Minato actually beat the Demigod of the Ninja World!"
"And not just a win—it was a complete domination! Hanzo was lucky to escape!"
The camp erupted in cheers, the morale of the Konoha forces soaring to unprecedented heights. Only days ago, Hanzo had humiliated them, his overwhelming power casting a shadow over their hopes. But now, before their eyes, Minato had turned the tide.
Amidst the celebration, Minato offered a faint, bitter smile. Despite the victory, he couldn't shake his dissatisfaction.
If only I had killed him… he thought. Hanzo's survival meant he could regroup and possibly ally with other nations, compounding Konoha's challenges in the ongoing war.
Hyuga Tenki approached, his expression solemn but respectful. After a moment's pause, he spoke. "When word of this battle spreads, your teacher—and the entire ninja world—will be astounded."
Minato inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. He knew the significance of this moment.
Decades ago, Hanzo had named Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru the "Three Legendary Sannin" after their hard-fought battle against him. That encounter had cemented Hanzo's reputation as the pinnacle of ninja prowess.
Now, that same Demigod had fled from Minato.
The Yellow Flash of Konoha had already garnered immense fame, his exploits reverberating through the five great nations. But this battle would elevate him further.
For the shinobi world, there was a new peak to strive for—a new standard of strength.
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