Meanwhile, elsewhere...
When Raj was summoned, he saw Matatabi already swatting away several Amegakure ninjas.
Rin, having just completed her own summoning technique, was preparing to use the Wild Lion's Mane Technique to assist Obito and Matatabi.
Obito was in the worst shape, having engaged the enemy leader in a brief clash.
And already sustaining injuries.
His opponent was none other than Yahiko, the leader of Akatsuki!
"Meow!" Raj roared angrily, his body suddenly expanding, each strand of fur elongating and glowing with a faint blue light at the tips.
This was a combined ninjutsu: the Wild Lion's Mane Technique fused with Cat Hair Needles. Simultaneously, Rin's hair, concealed within Raj's fur, stealthily swept toward Yahiko.
"Retreat!" Yahiko's face paled at the sight of the technique. He roared an order, and the ninjas swiftly retreated, forming hand seals as they fell back.
After two or three steps, a barrier of water rose to block Obito's Fire Release and Rin's hair.
Raj's cat hair needles, however, pierced through the Water Formation Wall without resistance, thanks to the piercing effect of Wind Release.
The Amegakure Ninja quickly raised their umbrella weapons to block the attack, but the needles pierced through them all in an instant.
By this point, the cat hair needles had reached the end of their momentum and were instantly dispelled by Raj.
However, the massive water column, now infused with Wind Release Chakra, surged toward the Amegakure Ninja with overwhelming force.
The Amegakure Ninja scattered in panic, with Yahiko barely managing to evade the initial blast.
After this brief exchange, both sides had gauged each other's strength.
What surprised Yahiko most was Rin's Ninjutsu, which allowed her hair to grow and bind enemies - a secret technique passed down only by Jiraiya, one that even the three of them hadn't mastered.
"What's your connection to Jiraiya-teacher?" Yahiko demanded.
'Jiraiya-teacher?'
A flicker of surprise crossed Rin's eyes. She immediately pulled Obito back, who was about to coordinate another attack with Raj.
After a moment's thought, she realized they couldn't afford to lower their guard. Jiraiya was renowned throughout the ninja world, and many recognized his signature Ninjutsu.
How could they be sure this wasn't a ploy to make them complacent?
Rin couldn't take any risks, so she slowly retreated, pulling Obito with her.
Raj and Matatabi stood guard at the entrance, one on each side.
Their imposing presence deterred Yahiko from ordering the Amegakure Ninja to pursue for the time being.
For now, the situation had reached a stalemate.
After retreating to a safer distance, Rin finally answered the earlier question: "My teacher is a disciple of Lord Jiraiya."
"I see. What brings you here?" Yahiko recalled that Nagato and Konan had been sent to scout Sunagakure's movements on the other side, while the Konoha Jonin and the other boy hadn't returned yet.
He frowned slightly, unable to suppress his worry. He wasn't concerned about Nagato's abilities, but Konan...
Yahiko clenched his fist, then clasped his hands behind his back, adopting a casual demeanor as if he were about to chat with Rin and Obito.
In reality, his hands were secretly forming hand seals.
Whether they were friend or foe, to ensure his teammates' safety, he needed to capture one or two of them first, to use as hostages later.
While Raj and Matatabi were formidable, bypassing them to seize the injured Obito would be no problem.
Raj made a gesture to the Two-Tailed Cat, and immediately afterward, the Big White Cat slammed its paw into the ground, creating a large crater.
Raj then spoke, "Orange-haired one, show your hands. No more sneaking around."
"...Fine," Yahiko reluctantly withdrew his hand, which had been forming a hand seal.
This cat is trouble.
He wouldn't have been afraid if it were just strong in perception, but its combat prowess seemed equally formidable. Moreover, the Jonin accompanying it possessed an instant support ability.
"Konoha and Amegakure aren't enemies," Rin said, her face pale but her voice firm. "We came here with Lord Hanzo's permission, and I don't believe we have any conflicting interests."
She needed to resolve this situation quickly. Although Obito's injuries were superficial, the Amegakure Ninja's various small hidden weapons had inflicted a dense cluster of wounds.
The sooner he received treatment, the safer he'd be. Right now, he was barely holding on.
"Indeed, but my two companions..." Yahiko didn't want to clash with Konoha.
Nagato and Konan held a place in his heart that no ordinary person could match; he would do anything for them.
Rin frowned, forced to slowly retreat while dragging Obito along.
Raj, though outwardly fierce, was secretly plotting their escape.
As for Minato... That bastard was late again.
Clearly, he couldn't be trusted.
"What companions? This cat only knows that my companion has been injured! What are you going to do about it?"
The Two-Tailed Cat clawed at the ground, leaving deep furrows in its wake. It looked every bit the majestic ruler of the Ninja Cat Castle.
Yet, in the next moment, it glanced sideways and noticed the enlarged Black Cat beside it had vanished without a trace.
'Where'd the cat go?!'
Looking around, it realized it had unwittingly moved to the front line.
Raj froze mid-retreat.
'I've been spotted.'
Yahiko took a deep breath and said, "As long as my companions are safe, we can negotiate. We don't want to antagonize Konoha either."
"Rest assured, your companions are unharmed. If you don't believe me, you can wait and see."
A flash of light, and Minato appeared beside Raj, kunai in one hand and Kakashi in tow, his handsome figure radiating effortless grace.
Even his entrance alone exuded such overwhelming presence that no one dared approach.
"Minato!" Yahiko gasped, unable to suppress his awe.
Though Minato hadn't yet earned the moniker "Yellow Flash," he was far from unknown. On the contrary, he ranked high on the watchlists of every other village.
"Meow~ You're late again," Raj grumbled, reverting to his original size, his expression impassive.
'Arriving after the fight's already over? Are you here to clean up the mess?'
The Two-Tailed Cat hesitated to speak. Though Raj had betrayed his comrades earlier, and Minato had only just arrived, neither was someone he could afford to provoke.
'Forget it. I'm the King of Ninja Cats. I won't stoop to their level.'
"My apologies. I was discussing some matters with these two. You must be Yahiko, whom Konan mentioned. You're indeed quite young. But I must ask: by seeking out my subordinates, do you intend to make an enemy of Konoha?"
As Minato spoke the final words, his aura intensified to its peak. His gaze alone carried overwhelming force.
As a renowned pacifist, he rarely displayed such intensity, but when a pacifist's anger is roused...