Idiot! Stop!!!
Seeing his subordinate move without an order, the Third Raikage's expression changed instantly. He knew that any sudden provocation could lead to a catastrophe they were not prepared to handle.
He suddenly reached out his hand. He subconsciously performed the Four-Finger Spear technique, but he did not aim the piercing strike at Minato. Instead, he went straight for the cold steel of the blade behind Minato that was currently slashing toward the boy's neck.
Clang—
The Raikage firmly gripped the sharp blade aimed at Minato. A single bead of cold sweat trickled down his temple as he realized how close they had come to a disaster.
At this moment, the Third Raikage was only a shoulder's width away from Minato. From this incredibly short distance, he could clearly see a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing at the corner of Minato's mouth. It was not a smile of relief, but something much darker and more calculated.
For some reason, the seasoned warrior had a strange, primal feeling. He felt that if that blade had swung down and touched Minato just now, not a single person present in this clearing would have survived the night.
As a Ninja, and especially as a Kage of a hidden village, his perception of death was extremely keen. He could smell the scent of a predator hiding behind Minato's polite mask.
Lord Raikage?
The Jonin looked at the leader of his village in complete confusion. He had expected praise for his bravery, not to be physically stopped by his own superior.
Get lost, you idiot!
Looking at that stupid, uncomprehending face, the Third Raikage flew into a genuine rage and kicked the man away. The force sent the Jonin tumbling through the dirt.
Then he turned his gaze back to Minato Namikaze. He tried to keep his voice steady as he spoke: State your terms, kid. What do you want?
What do you mean, what do I want? Isn't it Kumogakure that has been targeting me all along?
Minato chuckled softly. The sound was melodic but lacked any real warmth. He looked at the massive man before him and said: Your Excellency Raikage should be well aware of what happened to the last person who tried to corner me, right?
The Third Raikage's face darkened significantly at the reminder.
One Kazekage dead and one Tsuchikage severely injured—he was all too familiar with those reports. The news had shaken the foundations of the great nations.
As a long-time rival of those men, when he first heard about the incidents, he had even mocked Onoki for losing face. He thought it was pathetic to be beaten like that by a mere child from Konoha.
As it turned out, the tables had turned much faster than he expected. Before much time had passed, it was now his turn to face the golden-haired monster.
He was not afraid of his own death, but he feared Minato going on a mindless killing spree inside the walls of Kumogakure. His own speed was indeed legendary, but no matter how fast he ran, he knew he could never outpace a teleportation mechanism like the Flying Thunder God.
According to the intelligence gathered by Kumogakure, the reason Minato could defeat the Kazekage and Tsuchikage was due to an absolute speed that neither of them could react to. It was a speed that defied the laws of physics.
Although the Third Raikage was confident in his own lightning-enhanced speed, he knew he could not do what Minato did—leaving two Kage-level experts utterly defenseless and toyed with like children. This was the exact reason why he had chosen to use the Amber Purifying Pot to ambush him from the shadows.
Because if Minato's speed was superior to his, it meant the boy's reaction speed was also far greater than his own. In a straight fight, the Raikage was at a disadvantage.
Although Kumogakure possessed several inherited Six Paths Ninja Tools, the only one that could pose a direct threat to a speedster like Minato was the Amber Purifying Pot. Its sealing property was its only hope.
The remaining set of three tools—the Golden Canopy Rope, Seven Star Sword, and Crimson Gourd—also had the ability to suck people into a seal, but they had to physically touch the target first. Given Minato's speed, the Raikage knew they would likely struggle to even graze the boy's clothes.
Everyone, stand down—
The Third Raikage raised his massive hand and spoke in a low, commanding voice that brooked no argument: It seems this won't end peacefully today.
Minato didn't say a single word in response. He simply reached out and lifted the lid of the Amber Purifying Pot. He released a Shadow Clone from within, which then used the Flying Thunder God to instantly take the precious pot away to a secure location.
The Third Raikage didn't move to stop him. He knew that with the Flying Thunder God active, they couldn't possibly keep anything Minato truly wanted to take.
The only way to potentially threaten Minato now was to grab him firmly the very moment he decided to attack. He needed to force a physical exchange.
After that—it would be a simple matter of who could kill the other faster. It was a gamble of pure lethality.
With the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, which was known throughout the world as the Strongest Shield, he was confident he could best this young brat in a contest of pure ruthlessness. He believed his armor could withstand whatever Minato threw at him.
That being said, a cold thought remained in the back of his mind. If the boy escaped now, Kumogakure would be in serious trouble for years to come.
Kid, do you dare to fight me head-on?
The Third Raikage spoke solemnly, his eyes locked onto Minato: It doesn't matter what Ninjutsu you use, even the Flying Thunder God. Everyone here can bear witness: if you can defeat me head-on, you can set whatever conditions you want. But if you use the Flying Thunder God to run away, our previous grievances will be wiped clean. How about it?
Oh?
A hint of a predatory smile flashed in Minato's eyes. This was exactly the opportunity he wanted to test his limits. He replied: Fine, but how can I be sure your subordinates will keep their word once you are defeated?
The Third Raikage said sternly: Besides, if even I am no match for you, then no one else here will be able to resist whatever you want to do, right? My men are not fools.
Makes sense.
Minato nodded calmly. He walked a few meters away, seemingly not worried at all about a sneak attack from behind. His posture was relaxed, almost insulting.
Then, he unhurriedly turned around. He raised his hands and formed the Seal of Confrontation with practiced ease: Shall we begin then?
The Third Raikage silently formed the matching Seal of Confrontation, but his heart grew heavier with every passing second.
Minato was acting far too calm for a teenager facing a Kage.
This indicated to the Raikage that the other party didn't just rely on the Flying Thunder God Technique for cheap tricks; he also possessed quite excellent frontal combat capabilities that the world had yet to see.
Wood Release?
He knew Minato had once used Wood Release to wipe out a Sunagakure frontline unit, but to a man of his durability, Wood Release didn't pose much of a threat. It was just kindling to his lightning.
Ninjutsu required Hand Seals and the mobilization of Chakra, and the Raikage reasoned that no matter how fast trees grew, they couldn't possibly be faster than his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
As long as the attack didn't hit, even the strongest technique in the world was meaningless!
In comparison, he was much more wary of that unheard-of Light Release that the spies had mentioned in their frantic reports.
After a brief, heavy silence, a heart-palpitating aura suddenly erupted from the Third Raikage's body. A massive amount of surging Chakra gushed out, visible to the naked eye.
Lightning Release Chakra Mode, I see—
Minato's expression turned slightly more serious, though his pulse remained steady. He also wanted to see what level his current strength was at without relying on the overwhelming abilities of his $Pika$ $Pika$ $no$ $Mi$ fruit.
Regardless—this man posed no real threat to his life anyway. Using a pure combat specialist like the Third Raikage for testing his physical limits was perfect.
With that cold thought in mind, Minato slowly raised his hand.
Don't even think about forming seals!
Ch—
A deafening sonic boom suddenly rang out across the field. The Third Raikage turned into a literal bolt of blue lightning, instantly rushing in front of Minato. He thrust four fingers toward the boy's forehead with killing intent.
Hell Stab: Four-Finger Spear!
This was the Third Raikage's signature Ninjutsu, hailed across the elemental nations as the Strongest Spear.
Together with the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, they were known as the duo of the Strongest Spear and the Strongest Shield.
Just as the Strongest Spear approached his skin, Minato shifted exactly one meter to the side. He looked as if he were gliding on ice, his feet barely touching the grass.
With his current physique and his natural talent in the Body Flicker Technique, even without the light-speed powers, his raw speed was not inferior to the Third Raikage's.
Such a fast Body Flicker!
Catching Minato's movement out of the corner of his eye, the Third Raikage's gaze sharpened. He felt a surge of adrenaline.
Judging by the kid's ease and his steady breathing, this probably wasn't even his top speed yet.
But fortunately, this wasn't the Raikage's top speed either!
Rushing forward a dozen meters with his immense momentum, the Third Raikage suddenly skidded and turned around. He charged at Minato again, the ground beneath his feet cracking inch by inch under the sheer force of his steps.
Three-Finger Spear!
Minato clapped his hands together with a soft thud: Wood Release: Cutting Technique!
Pffft pffft pffft—
Sharp wooden spikes burst from the dry ground. They thrust toward the Third Raikage at a sharp forty-five-degree angle, aiming for his joints.
However, the Third Raikage acted as if he didn't even see the obstacles. The Chakra on his body became increasingly restless and bright. His pale gold hair stood on end, pushing up his metal Forehead Protector. Lightning crackled violently across his body as he charged straight for Minato like a juggernaut.
Bang!
The moment the sharp wooden spikes touched the Third Raikage's lightning armor, they were instantly smashed into a flurry of splinters. His speed was simply too terrifying for the wood to take root.
The intensity is quite high, huh?
Looking at the incoming Three-Finger Spear, Minato was somewhat surprised by the raw power. However, he still calmly balled his hand into a tight fist, calculating the trajectory.
It's here! Lord Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode!
Not far away, the Kumogakure Ninjas watching the battle from the sidelines were filled with excitement and pride.
Go, Lord Raikage!
Go for it, Dad!
In the crowd, a dark-skinned boy who looked very similar to the Third Raikage and also had pale gold hair waved his fist excitedly. It was the future Fourth Raikage, A. He shouted: Hmph, that Konoha brat doesn't even dare to face him head-on!
Bang!
As soon as he finished speaking, a heavy figure flew high into the air!
Under the stunned, silent gazes of the Kumogakure Ninjas, the Third Raikage's massive figure traced a graceful parabola in the air. He crashed heavily onto the ground in the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Phew!
Minato stepped forward in a low lunge. He maintained a perfect uppercut pose, his fist still raised. He lightly blew the imaginary heat off his knuckles with a bored expression.
So fa— ptui!
Seemingly afraid of dampening his subordinates' morale by staying down, the Third Raikage quickly scrambled to his feet. Despite his dizzy head and ringing ears, he tried to speak. He spoke indistinctly for a second before spitting out a bloody tooth into the dirt.
To be able to parry from the side at that speed and then duck for a perfectly timed uppercut to his chin...
The Raikage stared at the boy. Just what kind of monster is this kid?
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion