Chapter 107: Something's Not Right
Minato Namikaze stared at the man who was about his age but had a strange, twisted smile.
He just used a jutsu, he thought, analyzing the situation. He's fast, and the jutsu was powerful. He's probably a ninjutsu-type.
As a civilian-born ninja, Minato didn't know many jutsu. But his excellent combat intuition and reflexes had always given him an edge over his peers. He had graduated at the top of his class, defeating many ninja from the great clans.
His fighting style was to think before he acted.
First, a test.
He threw two kunai, one to the left and one to the right, to distract his opponent, and then used the Body Flicker Technique to circle around. With his reaction speed, he could launch a surprise attack from the side while his opponent was busy dodging or blocking the kunai.
This is a forest, he thought. There's a lot of cover. It's not easy to hit someone with a ninjutsu. If he still prioritizes ninjutsu in this situation, then he's definitely a ninjutsu-type, and not very good at taijutsu.
He used a tree to change direction and then shot towards Hiroto.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A violent gust of wind erupted from Hiroto's mouth, its range far greater than Minato had anticipated, covering almost the entire area. Not only were the kunai blown away, but even Minato, in the middle of his attack, was forced to retreat.
What kind of power is that? he thought, hiding behind a tree. To use such a powerful jutsu just to block a few kunai.
Hiroto, on the other hand, was just thinking that Samui-senpai had told him to make a big noise. What kind of noise was "big"?
He quickly formed a series of hand seals. "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
A torrent of flames shot from his mouth, chasing Minato as he dodged behind the trees. A large section of the forest was set ablaze.
Minato ran in a circle around him. His chakra is definitely abnormal, he thought. And his jutsu is very strong. I have to get in close. Even his own Jonin leader couldn't use a jutsu with such power and range.
But it wasn't over. Hiroto formed more hand seals. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The wind fanned the flames, and the fire instantly spread, turning into a raging forest fire.
This fire should be visible from the village, he thought. That should count as a big noise.
Minato covered his mouth and nose. He knew he couldn't hide any longer. The smoke was starting to choke him.
I'll have to try that jutsu, he thought, even if it's not stable yet.
He waited for the moment his opponent's jutsu ended, and then, without hesitation, he shot out from behind the burning tree, threw his last kunai, and charged.
Hiroto also took out a kunai and blocked the incoming projectile.
But the kunai, before it even hit the ground, disappeared in a puff of smoke and was replaced by Minato Namikaze.
A transformation? Hiroto thought, surprised. Or a clone?
Two Minatos attacked him at the same time. A clone was just an illusion and had no real attack power. He had thought he could tell which one was real by the feel of their attacks, but to his surprise, both of their attacks were weak.
They're both clones?
Though he was surprised, his guard was lowered. He was about to search for the real Minato when one of the clones suddenly burst into a puff of smoke. But instead of disappearing, a new Minato appeared, a kunai in his hand, and stabbed at him.
"What?!"
He barely managed to dodge, but the kunai still grazed his cheek.
Using a clone for a substitution, to create a sudden movement effect! To be able to use the three basic jutsu to this extent!
Minato, his attack a success, knew he couldn't let his opponent get away. He pressed his advantage and engaged him in a close-quarters battle.
He threw a punch, which Hiroto caught. He then spun and threw a kick, which Hiroto also blocked. They traded blows, Minato sticking close, giving him no opportunity to use his jutsu.
His taijutsu isn't as good as his ninjutsu, Minato thought. But I can't take him down quickly.
He quickly tried to think of a plan.
In a close-quarters fight, you usually use taijutsu. So, if I can use a ninjutsu in a close-quarters fight, it will have the element of surprise. This jutsu isn't fully developed yet. Please, let it work this time.
It was a jutsu he had been developing, inspired by Blue Bee's Tailed Beast Ball. But because of the different course of the war, he had developed it much earlier than he should have.
He stabbed at Hiroto, and when he was blocked, he immediately pulled back his other hand and began to gather his chakra. A ball of blue light appeared in his palm.
But at the last moment, he realized that his enemy was doing the same thing.
"RASENGAN!"
"RASENGAN!"
How is that possible?!
Two blue spheres of spinning chakra slammed into each other.
Konoha, Hokage Tower
Late at night, Sakumo Hatake was still working overtime. He sometimes thought that he was lucky he had white hair. Otherwise, everyone would have noticed that his hair had turned white since he had become Hokage. He didn't know if that counted as a bloodline advantage.
Even Kakashi, who had initially been so excited about his father becoming Hokage, had recently started to complain that his work was too busy and that he had no time for him. Now, every night, Kakashi would just stare at the still-unfinished Hokage Rock, wondering when his dad would come home.
Sakumo stretched. He was beginning to understand why the Third liked to smoke. Under this kind of workload, if you didn't have a hobby to take a break with, it was hard to relieve the stress. He had already decided to bring his whetstone to work tomorrow, to polish his beloved sword in his spare time.
Just as his mind was drifting, an ANBU agent appeared in his office. "Lord Hokage," he said, "there is a large fire in the Forest of Death."
Sakumo was surprised. Had another clumsy ninja set the forest on fire while training? It happened a few times a year. For a ninja, putting out a fire was not difficult. The culprit would just be fined and reprimanded.
But then he realized. "Why didn't the barrier react?!" he said, his voice cold.
The Hokage's office had a special facility that was connected to and monitored the entire village's barrier. If there had been a fire, he would have known.
"That is why I am here, my lord," the ANBU said, his voice grim. "The Barrier Corps reports that the barrier in that direction... has failed."
The barrier had failed? For a hidden village, the importance of the barrier was self-evident. Whether the fire was an accident or not, the nature of the situation had changed.
Sakumo didn't hesitate. He put on his Hokage robe and took his sword. His entire demeanor changed, from a weary office worker to a sharp, deadly blade. When he was serious, he was still the "White Fang of Konoha," the man who struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.
"Order ANBU squads one and two to assemble immediately," he said. "I will go and investigate."
"Yes, sir!"
He thought for a moment, then added, "And inform Elder Sarutobi."
With that, he leaped from the balcony of the Hokage Tower.
But as he was speeding towards the fire, he encountered Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in combat gear, on a rooftop. He was not alone. Behind him were the current heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans.
"Lord Hiruzen! What are you doing here? Are you going to investigate the fire?"
Hiruzen's face was ashen, his expression so grim it looked like it would drip water. "Fourth," he said, his voice low, "the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and her guards have all disappeared!"