Minato Namikaze and Setsuna Uchiha had already engaged in fierce combat several times.
The two continuously flickered through the woodland, a dazzling blur, their Flying Thunder God kunai and ninja swords ringing out with every violent clash.
After another fierce exchange, Minato and Setsuna simultaneously leapt back.
Minato gazed solemnly at Setsuna Uchiha before him.
His opponent possessed nearly the same spatial-temporal movement as himself but was even more agile—most likely an ability granted by his Mangekyo Sharingan.
He also managed to break the Seal and tame the Nine-Tails, and... he could enter and leave Konoha's barrier unchecked. Within Minato's knowledge, only one person had ever done that.
"Are you… Madara Uchiha? No, that can't be right—he died long ago."
Setsuna snorted arrogantly, "Hmph. I will never die. I am an immortal being!"
Minato's voice turned heavy, "At this point, it doesn't really matter who you are anymore—but why have you targeted Konoha?"
"Because I want to. Everything is for the sake of my dream!"
Setsuna lifted his ninja sword and pointed it directly at Minato.
Minato raised his own Flying Thunder God kunai in response, readying himself for battle.
Minato kept his eyes fixed on Setsuna, deep in thought.
His enemy was extremely powerful, controlling the Nine-Tails with a Space–Time Ninjutsu surpassing even that of Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage. This needed to end here; otherwise things might become far worse than when the Nine-Tails rampaged.
If he were to teleport back to Konoha now, this man would follow, turning the already chaotic battlefield into absolute turmoil.
For now, he could only place his trust in his comrades within the village.
Moreover, he'd already discovered the weakness of Setsuna's teleportation technique.
"You've got no hope left. After tonight…" With those words echoing, Setsuna suddenly appeared to Minato's left, lunging forward with his blade, declaring, "Konoha will become history!"
Setsuna's sword pierced through Minato.
Before any smirk appeared on Setsuna's face, Minato suddenly exploded into a cloud of smoke.
"What?! A Shadow Clone?!"
Meanwhile, Minato reappeared behind Setsuna.
[Rasengan!] A swirling Rasengan formed in Minato's right hand as he drove it forcefully into Setsuna's back.
Setsuna spat out a mouthful of blood, flying backward from the impact until crashing against a tree to halt his fall.
"Your Space–Time teleportation only works within your line of sight. In blind spots beyond your vision, you cannot teleport!"
Gritting his teeth, Setsuna pushed himself up from the ground, wiping blood from his lips. "So you used a Shadow Clone during our clash earlier? Impressive indeed."
Setsuna now realized that Minato had become a truly formidable opponent.
To his surprise, in such a short battle, Minato Namikaze had already discovered the weakness in his Dojutsu.
Minato's analysis was spot on. His eye technique only allowed teleportation within his field of vision; he couldn't teleport to any location outside his sight.
Suddenly, Minato vanished from his spot.
Just as Setsuna Uchiha was about to teleport himself, Minato suddenly reappeared right in front of him, firmly placing his right hand onto Setsuna.
Setsuna Uchiha's eyes narrowed into slits. "Did your previous attack leave a Flying Thunder God marking on me?!"
Markings of sealing techniques appeared across Setsuna Uchiha's body.
"A Contract Seal?! Are you trying to separate me from the Nine-Tails?!"
"Now the Nine-Tails won't belong to you anymore! [Rasengan!]"
Minato used the Rasengan again and thrust it toward Setsuna Uchiha.
Setsuna blocked with his left arm while retreating backward, creating distance between himself and Minato.
At the same time, Deva Path, Konan, and Sasori appeared beside Setsuna.
The left arm hit by the Rasengan melted like wax, dripping onto the ground.
It was White Zetsu's arm attached to his body, blood flowing steadily from the joint.
Minato looked at Deva Path and his companions uneasily—Not them again—the same troublesome trio.
Deva Path said to Setsuna Uchiha, "We've failed. Retreat."
Though unwilling, Setsuna had no choice—it was pointless to remain here any longer.
Setsuna Uchiha glared at Minato Namikaze and spat out bitterly, "Minato Namikaze, this time you were just lucky. Next time won't be so fortunate. The Nine-Tails will be ours sooner or later—I have more methods than you can count."
With a slash of his ninja sword in his right hand, Setsuna carved open a spatial and temporal rift.
Setsuna Uchiha, Deva Path, Konan, and Sasori entered the rift.
Once all four had passed through, the spatial and temporal rift vanished into midair.
Minato's expression turned extremely grave because he sensed that Setsuna wasn't bluffing.
...
Back in Konoha.
The Nine-Tails, now restored to its senses, began attacking even more violently.
After all, the Nine-Tails itself also despised Konoha.
Originally under Setsuna Uchiha's control via the Sharingan, the Nine-Tails had barely been held in check by Fugaku Uchiha's Susanoo, and with the assistance of Hiruzen Sarutobi and others, gradually being forced out of Konoha.
But now, the Nine-Tails had become even more ferocious. Meanwhile, prolonged use of Susanoo drained excessive amounts of chakra, and Fugaku Uchiha was nearing his limit.
As the Nine-Tails struck Fugaku Uchiha's Susanoo with another punch, the warrior's Susanoo shattered and vanished, and the situation turned dire once more.
Obito brought Rin Nohara to find Shisui Uchiha.
Obito and Shisui Uchiha had already become great partners. After seeing Shisui Uchiha struck in the abdomen and sent flying, Obito quickly rushed to his side with Rin Nohara.
Shisui Uchiha lay amidst the ruins, a Black Receiver impaled in his abdomen, his entire body too weak to summon any strength.
"Shisui!"
Obito and Rin Nohara hurriedly reached Shisui Uchiha's side.
Obito pulled out the Black Receiver embedded in Shisui Uchiha's abdomen while Rin Nohara began treating his wounds.
Yet Shisui Uchiha stopped her, "This isn't the time for treatment. I still have to fight."
Shisui Uchiha struggled to his feet.
Obito anxiously said, "How can you fight in your current state?"
Covering his bleeding wound, Shisui Uchiha stood up and said, "The clan leader's Susanoo has been destroyed. The situation is dire—I must step in! Next, let me use Susanoo..."
Obito placed a hand firmly on Shisui Uchiha's shoulder, "Shisui, let me handle it from here! Rin Nohara, keep treating Shisui!"
Frowning, Shisui Uchiha called out, "Obito!"
Obito spoke firmly, "Believe me—I can use Susanoo too! Besides, I want to be a hero just once—to really show her what I'm made of!"
When he mentioned "the person I like," Obito glanced at Rin Nohara.
Suddenly, Rin Nohara hugged Obito tightly, "Obito, I'll wait for you to come back!"
Obito froze for a moment, then broke into a delighted smile, "Okay! Wait for me!"
Determined, Obito rushed toward Nine-Tails' direction.
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