The Byakugan's scouting range was vast, able to see several kilometers away. With this huge advantage, the defense team was originally quite confident about holding their ground this time.
But Minato immediately used the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, creating more than a dozen clones.
Although Hizashi and Fugaku couldn't use the multi-clone technique, producing a single shadow clone each was easy for them.
The Byakugan's scouting ability was indeed powerful, but shadow clones were perfect replicas of the original body, even the chakra was evenly split, so the Byakugan couldn't tell them apart.
Not only that, even the sensory-type ninjas among the hundred defenders couldn't determine which was the real body and which were clones.
When a few Hyūga clan ninjas reported this situation, the commanding ninjas in charge this time all felt a headache coming on.
In the end, not knowing the enemy's real attack direction, they chose to proceed with the original defensive plan.
However, at the first clash, the three-man assassination squad caught them completely off guard.
Most frustrating of all, while Hizashi took down Tsuki, Minato used several shadow clones to hold back Kushina and three other strong ninjas.
Then, relying on sheer strength, he forced his way into the defense group's formation, taking out the remaining two Hyūga clan ninjas as well.
And before Kushina and the other strong reinforcements could arrive, he withdrew completely unscathed, in full view of everyone.
Helpless, the defense group chose to shrink their defensive perimeter further.
But while they were retreating, Minato and the others didn't just sit idle, they used clones to engage and distract the defense group's top fighters, while continuously hunting down the others.
By the time the defensive line had fully contracted, in just half an hour, their hundred-strong force had already lost nearly forty people, leaving Kushina and the other leaders with pounding headaches.
"We made a serious misjudgment," said a 15-year-old ninja through clenched teeth in the central command area.
"I originally thought they would spend time locating the target, then carry out a beheading operation to complete the mission as fast as possible."
"But from the way things are going, they never planned to follow normal procedures. Their sole aim is to wipe us all out."
"That's why they didn't even glance at the smoke bombs we threw, instead, they struck when our forces were spread out, inflicting heavy losses."
After these words, everyone's mood turned unbearably heavy.
Is this even a legitimate way to complete a mission?
We're a hundred people, not a hundred stray cats.
Such methods were simply outrageous.
And how confident must these three be, to think they could kill every one of us in two hours?
"What do we do next?" asked a genius student from the Ninja Academy nearby.
His feelings toward Minato had long since shifted from extreme admiration to extreme fear.
Good grief, under such strict limitations, he still had the audacity to charge straight into their headquarters, killing two Hyūga clan ninjas who had been placed under special protection right in front of them.
The key was that Minato's speed was ridiculously fast, and his reflexes astonishing, weaving and dodging under heavy siege without a scratch.
Then, just as reinforcements were about to arrive, he retreated with effortless grace.
Utterly outrageous!
"Kōyō, can you sense their positions now?" Mikoto asked the sensory-type ninja beside her.
The sensory ninja, Kōyō, gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "Their presence suddenly vanished completely."
"It seems that after the Hyūga clan ninjas were taken out, they have no more concerns. They can't even be bothered to use clones to tangle with us anymore," Kushina said helplessly.
"Do you know something?" Mikoto asked.
"Minato has mastered a jutsu that can perfectly conceal one's presence," Kushina explained. "This technique can block the detection of most sensory ninjas."
"And now it seems that Shin has taught this jutsu to Fugaku and Hizashi as well."
"They didn't use it earlier because the Hyūga clan's ninjas were still present. Concealing your presence isn't the same as disappearing, your body is still visible to the naked eye, so you can't escape the Byakugan's detection."
"But now, they're completely freed, and what awaits us next will be the true arrival of the nightmare."
Everyone shuddered when they heard this.
What? The nightmare they had gone through so far didn't count?
Just what kind of monsters were they facing?
While the defense team's ninjas sank into despair, everyone watching the live broadcast in the theater was having the time of their lives.
The on-site director, Shin, was constantly aware of the battlefield situation, so every camera cut went straight to the most exciting moments.
Naturally, this showcased the battle in the most spectacular way possible.
Combined with the highly professional commentary from Sakumo and Fukuyama, the audience had a god's-eye view of the entire match.
When the camera showed the assassination trio regrouping, the viewers were left speechless.
Because these three... were just too cunning.
And their performance completely overturned people's image of what "experts" should be.
In many people's eyes, top-tier fighters should be dignified, stern, and aloof, never showing their emotions, maintaining an untouchable aura at all times.
But Minato's trio were relaxed and casual from start to finish, totally at odds with the battlefield atmosphere, speaking without any restraint.
Aside from him, the other two would occasionally even swear.
On camera, Minato came across as rather honest and good-natured. The other two, however, gave the impression of being lazy, cocky, and just a bit deviously wicked.
Every time the camera switched to Fugaku, Fukuyama couldn't help cursing in frustration.
He had truly never expected that his son would act like this during a mission, and in front of so many people. This wasn't just embarrassing; it was utterly humiliating.
But since it was a father scolding his son, the live audience didn't say anything.
Still, the three's strength was undeniable. Against the rookies, they cut through them like a hot knife through butter.
The Yellow Flash, even without the Flying Thunder God, was still Konoha's brightest star, relying solely on taijutsu, Body Flicker, and unparalleled reflexes, he could take on a whole group alone without breaking a sweat.
If not for the equally monstrous Kushina keeping her focus on him, he really could have killed them all by himself.
Fugaku's nickname was well earned, his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique was enough to make anyone's scalp tingle.
Add to that his genjutsu, which could confuse anyone he so much as glanced at, and it was easy for him to claim over a dozen lives.
Hizashi might not have been as overwhelming as the other two, but his combat IQ was extremely high, and he knew exactly how to use the rules to his advantage.
He was also razor-sharp in battle, any slip or flaw in front of him could instantly become the reason you lost your life.