No way, no way—surely no one actually thinks their true body is weak, right?
Akashō desperately suppressed the surging malice and the urge to burst into wild laughter.
Under the Kokushibo template, he had used Moon Breathing more times than he could count. Even without deliberate practice, the basic techniques were second nature to him.
And during these past few idle months in the Hidden Leaf Village camp, following the scroll Orochimaru had given him, he had already learned how to refine chakra and grasp some of its basic applications—he just hadn't practiced any ninjutsu yet.
Of course, this was also because he had simulated training Moon Breathing countless times in his mind.
With the combined boost of chakra and Moon Breathing, he might not be overwhelmingly strong, but he was confident he could handle an average Chūnin.
Not to mention, those two had been on guard the whole time, expecting Kokushibo to show up at any moment according to their original plan. They never paid attention to Akashō—the "harmless little kid" in their eyes.
With preparation against the unprepared, his ambush had instantly killed both of them in a single strike.
Heh. Wasn't Namikaze Minato trying to fish for enforcement? I'll drag both you and your fishing rod straight into the water!
What's wrong? Weren't you so confident earlier? Didn't everything seem under your control? Why does your face look so awful now?
You set up this whole trap. You arranged for Kakashi to bring me out. You had people come act their roles. Now that something's gone wrong, who can you blame?
You can't blame anyone!
They died because of you. Your mistakes and negligence led to this situation!
Feel guilty. Feel remorse. Feel anger. Feel pain. Struggle all you want—because you can't do a damn thing!
This is my revenge on you!!
Now then, between your loyal subordinate and the clansman of the one you love, what will you choose, Namikaze Minato?
After five months of observation, Akashō had already figured out Minato's personality and persona.
Gentle, warm, powerful, prioritizing the village above all. Though he valued comrades, he remained calm and leaned toward the bigger picture.
That was why Akashō had abandoned the idea of creating an opening by attacking Hidden Leaf Village ninja.
But this time was different. There was no "greater good"—only personal attachment.
Of course, if Minato really chose his subordinate, Akashō would still give himself a way out—like suddenly fainting on the spot from "mental overload." He wasn't stupid; there was no way he'd actually kill himself.
Across from him, Minato frowned deeply, his eyes filled with hesitation. He glanced back at the Hidden Leaf Village Chūnin, causing the man to instinctively tremble and take a step back.
Kakashi held his breath unconsciously at the side. Minato-sensei… he wouldn't really attack his own subordinate, would he?
Minato himself felt an immense weight on his heart. If Akashō had simply wanted to kill the Hidden Leaf ninja, he could've just subdued him directly.
But now the other party was threatening him with death, forcing him to kill. What should he do?
Seeing Minato's conflicted expression, Akashō almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
"I understand…"
Minato exhaled and straightened up.
"Sensei?"
"Lord Minato…"
Akashō sneered inwardly. Heh, so when it comes to justice versus personal desire, you still chose your own selfishness?
But the moment Akashō relaxed his muscles—
Minato's figure vanished instantly.
Akashō's pupils shrank. Only then did he remember—the Flying Thunder God mark Minato had left on him.
Damn it… I miscalculated!
Yet even before the thought fully formed, driven by the countless battle simulations he had run in his mind, Akashō swung his blade backward.
But unfortunately, his real body was too slow. The strike missed as Minato dodged.
With a dull thud, Minato's fist smashed into Akashō's head, slamming it straight into the ground. The White Fang short blade slipped from his hand and fell nearby.
Minato raised his head and looked toward the two in the distance, who had been bracing for him to attack the Hidden Leaf ninja—only to freeze at the sudden turn of events.
"Kakashi, take Akashō back to the camp. Continue guarding him."
"Yes!"
Kakashi snapped out of it and quickly nodded. He walked over, picked up the short blade, sheathed it on his back, then pulled Akashō out of the ground, hoisted him over his shoulder, and headed back to the Hidden Leaf Village camp.
After that, Minato turned to the relieved Hidden Leaf Chūnin with a complicated expression and forced a smile.
"Sorry…"
"How could it be!"
The ninja waved his hands quickly. "How can this be your fault? We were the ones who failed…"
Minato shook his head and walked over to the two fallen Hidden Leaf ninja.
"This is my fault…"
"I shouldn't have been so impatient and taken the wrong path. Using Akashō as bait… that was already unfair to him. And now things have turned out like this."
Yeah… two subordinates dead. And something seemed off about Akashō too. Who knew what he'd be like when he woke up?
Minato crouched beside the bodies, his face filled with confusion.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting streaks of light across his back, making his silhouette look lonely and hunched.
Unfortunately, Akashō was unconscious and already taken away. Otherwise, seeing this scene, he would probably have burst into unrestrained laughter—
Because this was exactly what he wanted.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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