Konoha, Year 50.
Within the borders of the Land of Hot Water, at the battlefield junction between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, two squads unexpectedly crossed paths.
"That blond hair and Body Flicker Technique... there's no doubt, that's the Yellow Flash of Konoha!"
A sensor ninja from the Kumogakure squad stared at the lead ninja of the opposing Konoha squad, nervously swallowing.
"Since it's him... Captain, we should retreat now!"
The Kumogakure sensor remembered an order passed down from above and immediately suggested to their squad leader, A.
However, there was no trace of retreat in A's eyes. Instead, he spoke thoughtfully, "So he's the one who single-handedly stopped the Nine-Tails retrieval mission."
"Son of the Third Raikage, A..." On the other side, Namikaze Minato's expression turned grave. He warned his teammates behind him, "His speed is incredible. Don't engage."
As he spoke, Minato retrieved a dozen specially made kunai from his pouch and threw them in all directions.
He could already feel the eager fighting spirit in A's eyes and knew this battle was inevitable.
A let out a sharp snort, activating his Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Electricity crackled across his body as he stomped the ground, instantly appearing in front of Minato.
Seeing Minato standing expressionless, seemingly unresponsive, A's eyes flashed with disdain. He raised his massive fist, aiming straight for Minato's face.
But just as A's fist was about to land, Minato lightly tossed one of his special kunai. With a flicker, he vanished and reappeared atop a tree more than ten meters away.
In the next instant, Minato blinked behind A, catching the kunai he had just thrown and aiming it at A's exposed back.
A's pupils shrank. Although he could see Minato's movement clearly, his body was fully extended from the earlier attack, leaving him no time to counter.
With a sharp swish, Minato's kunai descended—nearly severing a giant octopus tentacle that suddenly stretched between them.
A, propelled by the force of the tentacle's push, narrowly dodged the attack and flashed back into the midst of his squad.
"You alright, Bee?"
A turned toward Killer Bee, who had extended the tentacle. A mix of relief and concern filled his heart.
Minato's attack appeared ordinary, but in truth, the kunai had been imbued with an intensely concentrated wind-natured chakra—its power immense.
More critically, wind overcomes lightning.
Even though A's defense had been greatly enhanced by the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, against the natural elemental disadvantage, he couldn't guarantee he'd have survived that strike unscathed.
Minato truly lived up to the reputation that had forced the Kumogakure higher-ups to issue the humiliating order: "If you encounter the Yellow Flash during a mission, abandon it immediately."
Had it been a one-on-one, A would have already lost.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me..."
Killer Bee panted slightly, his gaze locked onto Minato with unwavering focus. Minato's Body Flicker was too fast—just a blink could determine the outcome of the fight.
Hearing Bee's response, A exhaled slowly and turned his attention back to Minato.
'Is that guy... the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki?'
Minato also looked surprised. He didn't pursue, instead turning to face A and Killer Bee cautiously.
"Two against one... and it's A and the Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki. We should retreat, Minato."
A member of the Inuzuka clan from the Konoha squad quickly assessed the situation and offered his advice.
Both A and the Jinchuriki possessed strength far surpassing ordinary jonin—each had already reached Kage level. Only Minato could stand against them.
Even with his incredible abilities, there were far too many uncertainties in this fight.
Their encounter had been accidental. There was no need to risk everything here.
Minato could also clearly read the situation. The thought of retreat had already taken root in his mind.
"Trying to run?"
A clenched his fists tightly, ready to strike at any moment.
Minato was the rising star of Konoha in this war and a strong candidate for the next Hokage. If he could be taken down here, it would be a devastating blow to Konoha.
Right now, they held the advantage with two against one.
Such an opportunity might never come again. Even if it meant paying a heavy price, it would be worth it to bring Minato down.
A's thoughts raced. In a split second, he made up his mind.
The atmosphere on the battlefield grew increasingly tense.
The Konoha squad members sensed A's killing intent and realized things were about to turn bad.
"Looks like I arrived just in time! Now it's two versus two!"
A crisp voice suddenly echoed across the battlefield. A figure appeared at Minato's side—forehead protector marked with Konoha's symbol, flak jacket worn, and the Uchiha clan crest embroidered on his sleeves.
"Jin, you're here?"
Minato turned to see the deep-featured Uchiha Jin, whose appearance even outshone his own in terms of charm. Surprise and delight filled his eyes.
"It's Jin!"
The Konoha squad members were just as thrilled, visibly relieved at the sight of the newcomer.
"Kirigakure's forces have already retreated. I came to support this front so we can wrap things up quickly..."
Jin smiled as he turned to face A and Killer Bee. "Seems my luck's pretty good. If we take down these two, Kumogakure will have no choice but to surrender."
Minato blinked, then nodded as realization hit. Excitement surged in his chest.
It was true.
The Third Raikage of Kumogakure was already dead. The two before them—A and Killer Bee—were now the village's greatest strength.
Capturing the both of them would bring an end to the long, drawn-out war between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.
Once Kumogakure surrendered, only Iwagakure would remain as Konoha's last opponent. But the Tsuchikage, Onoki, was a cunning man.
He would never dare to face Konoha's might alone.
That would mean the Third Great Ninja War would finally come to a complete end.
"Damn you! Uchiha brat! Who do you think we are?!"
A burned with rage under Jin's confident gaze. He wanted nothing more than to crush him with a single blow.
"Wait!" the sensor from the Kumogakure squad suddenly shouted, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. "Lord A, this is the same Uchiha Jin who made a name for himself at the Kirigakure front!"
"Uchiha Jin?" A frowned slightly. "Is he that powerful? Why haven't I heard of him before?"
The sensor ninja quickly explained, "Uchiha Jin and the Uchiha clan only joined the battlefield after Kirigakure declared war on Konoha!"
"So his fame is still limited to the Kirigakure front for now."
"Uchiha Jin has defeated the Fourth Mizukage in battle and survived an ambush by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—killing four and seriously wounding the remaining three!"
"He is a ninja who stands on equal ground with the Yellow Flash of Konoha!"
"The shinobi of Kirigakure even call him Konoha's Red Sun!"