"Damn it, why did the Nine-Tails come out? Where are Minato and Kushina!?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already shed his Hokage robe, revealing the combat gear hidden beneath. He watched as the Nine-Tails—on all fours, its crimson eyes patterned with strange markings—swept its paw and flattened entire rows of houses.
So this was the Nine-Tails' true form. It was his first time seeing it, and it seemed significantly larger than the other Tailed Beasts.
"All Hidden Leaf Village ninja, evacuate the civilians!"
"Yes, sir!"
"ANBU, with me! Hold back the Nine-Tails until Minato arrives!"
"Yes, sir!"
In a distant corner, Bertholdt Hoover and Kokushibo hid in the shadows, observing everything.
"Honestly, I don't get it," Kokushibo muttered, scratching his head. "With the three of you already here, why drag me in too? Isn't that overkill?"
"If the Shadow Clone gets exposed, it'll cause unnecessary trouble."
"According to the original body's thinking, it's better to be excessive than fall short by even a little."
Bertholdt stared at the Nine-Tails, whose sheer size rivaled the Colossal Titan, his nerves tightening.
"The plan's already gone off track. Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't show yourself."
"And if something feels wrong, dispel your clone and notify the original."
"Yeah, yeah. Do I look like an idiot to you?" Kokushibo clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Wonder how things are going on the original's side…"
Kokushibo shot him a glance.
"What do you think? Two S-rank templates and an extra helper—if they still lose, that'd be a joke."
"Heh, I wouldn't be so sure."
Bertholdt smiled faintly.
"Given how the original evaluates Minato Namikaze, I've got a feeling he'll go for a 2v2."
...
Elsewhere, Akashō and Donquixote Doflamingo watched from the shadows as Minato clashed with the masked man in a fast-paced, high-tension battle devoid of flashy effects.
"That ability that lets him ignore physical attacks… what kind of jutsu is that?" Akashō frowned slightly, glancing at Doflamingo.
"Can your Observation Haki see anything?"
Doflamingo's brow furrowed as well.
"The moment Minato's attack touches him—right up until it passes through—the part of his body being hit just… doesn't exist."
"Something like elementalization from pirates?"
"More or less. But one thing's certain—if you're fast enough, faster than he can react, you should be able to hit him."
"He can instantly shift his body into an untouchable state. But in that state, he also can't touch Minato."
Akashō narrowed his eyes. "Do you think we could team up with that guy and kill Minato?"
"Heh. Look at the killing intent in Minato's eyes. If that guy hadn't done something to enrage him, do you think Minato couldn't just leave if he wanted?"
"Fair point."
Akashō thought for a moment. "Then let's not waste time—let's add a bit more pressure on him."
"You're taking Minato?"
"It's obvious you're better suited for him. Besides, can you even handle that masked man's ability?"
"Fair enough."
With their decision made, the two stopped hiding and stepped out of the forest.
"Well, well, well—if it isn't the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash. Long time no see… you've gotten weaker, huh?"
Akashō wore a sweet smile as she immediately threw a mocking jab at Minato.
"Neferpitou."
Minato had just disengaged from the masked man when yet another hostile presence appeared. His expression darkened further.
"The Dark Council…"
The masked man—Obito Uchiha—had never expected this. He had only returned to vent his anger and frustration, maybe take the Nine-Tails if possible—and instead ran straight into members of the Dark Council.
The catgirl in front—Neferpitou—was the monster who tore apart the steam ninja Han with her bare hands on the Earth-Fire battlefield. But who was the towering three-meter figure behind her, dressed in that flamboyant pink coat?
Where were Kokushibo and Bertholdt?
"Well then, gentlemen, first time meeting you. Name's Doflamingo. Some call me Heavenly Yaksha, others call me Joker—feel free to pick whichever you like."
Doflamingo grinned as he stood behind Akashō, casually waving at the two.
"Heavenly Yaksha… Joker…"
Minato narrowed his eyes.
"You're the one who recently unified nearly half of the underground forces across the Five Great Nations. Your real name is Doflamingo, isn't it?"
As the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, even if some might consider it trivial, this level of intelligence was well within his knowledge.
"So you're part of the Dark Council too."
Minato frowned slightly. Based on what was known about the Dark Council's members, this man was at least Kage-level—possibly even beyond. And judging from the previous Earth-Fire battlefield, his abilities were likely the kind Minato didn't handle well.
Damn it… just how many members does the Dark Council have? Could that masked man nearby be one of them too?
"Fufufufufu…"
Doflamingo let out a sinister chuckle.
"I've long heard of the Yellow Flash's reputation. Today, I've come to experience it for myself."