The process of shaking off their pursuers along the way was not easy.
Even with the Second Hokage covering their rear, they were still heavily besieged by Ninjas from the Land of Lightning along the way. Although there were no casualties yet, many were injured.
Currently, the only one who could still maintain relatively full combat power was the strongest among them, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I'll go take a look over there."
Hearing Utatane Koharu's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly stood up and spoke, "There should be clean water and prey over there. I'll go get some."
"Koharu, take good care of Kagami and the others. Don't let anything happen to them."
He instructed Utatane Koharu and then walked into the forest alone.
The process of finding food and water went quite smoothly.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength, he easily obtained enough prey and water.
For him, the question of how to cover his tracks was more worthy of thought and attention than obtaining these supplies.
"It's about time to head back."
After putting the items away, he turned around, this thought flashing through his mind.
However, at that moment, a sense of danger suddenly surged in his heart.
It was an intuition honed from facing life and death many times, which had saved him numerous times on the battlefield.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately turned and retreated.
Thud!
A Kunai flew from a distance and slammed into the ground where he had been standing.
Although it was just an ordinary Kunai, the power within it was unusual, carrying the sharpness of wind-natured Chakra.
If it pierced a human body, it would be enough to easily cut them apart.
"As expected of you..."
"
"Sarutobi-sensei..."
A voice slowly drifted from ahead.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood there. Hearing this voice, his entire body froze in place as if he had been struck by lightning.
"You... you are..."
""
He stared intently ahead into the depths of the forest, his expression exceptionally grave.
A moment later, under his watchful gaze, the figure revealed itself.
It was the figure of a youth.
He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, draped in a white robe. Standing there with a tall and straight stature, he possessed an unforgettable quality.
Faint sunlight filtered down onto him, making his handsome, well-defined face look even more unique. He seemed like a masterpiece carved by the heavens, carrying an indescribable beauty.
The handsome youth stood there; with just one look, it was hard to ever forget his appearance.
A look of disbelief appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.
"Ji..."
He stared fixedly at the youth, the emotions in his eyes incredibly complex.
"How could it be you..."
Indeed, the person who had arrived was none other than Minamikawa Yuu.
Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, he slowly stepped forward, his face calm as he spoke softly, "I left a Flying Thunder God mark on you."
"Whenever I wish, I can appear by your side at any time."
"A Flying Thunder God mark?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was horrified. "You actually know Sensei's technique..."
""
"No."
"Even with the Flying Thunder God Technique, it shouldn't be possible to teleport over such long distances."
Times change. Although both were the Flying Thunder God Technique, there was a significant gap between the version Senju Tobirama mastered and the one Minato Namikaze mastered.
The original version of the Flying Thunder God Technique could only be used for short distances, intended for combat purposes.
Senju Tobirama could not perform feats like Minato Namikaze would later do—shuttling across long distances at will or even teleporting away a Tailed Beast Ball with the Flying Thunder God.
As Senju Tobirama's student, Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware of the flaws in the Flying Thunder God Technique, so he pointed it out immediately.
"I improved the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Minamikawa Yuu shook his head, not saying much more on the topic.
"Why are you doing this?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Minamikawa Yuu. "Since you have this power, why didn't you just present it?"
"What exactly do you want to do?"
"If I have to say, it's probably just for the position of Hokage."
"
Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly, "I'm doing this to seize the title of Hokage."
"You don't seem like someone who would covet the position of Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, not believing this reason.
Having spent several years together, he had a thorough understanding of Minamikawa Yuu.
There were indeed people around him who would do anything for the position of Hokage, such as Danzo Shimura.
But he believed that Minamikawa Yuu was certainly not among them.
He trusted his judgment; the other party definitely didn't seem like someone who would crave power.
Moreover, if he simply wanted the Hokage position, there was no need for this.
With his abilities and his status as Hiruzen Sarutobi's student, that position would eventually be his as long as nothing went wrong.
He had no reason to be so impatient.
"If I must say, there are indeed some other reasons."
Minamikawa Yuu nodded, not denying Hiruzen Sarutobi's words. "But to do those things and achieve those goals, I still need to hold the position of Hokage."
"This is the purpose of my actions."
In normal circumstances, Minamikawa Yuu could indeed wait slowly and manage things quietly until Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down.
Unfortunately, his time in this world was limited; there was a time constraint.
Once fifty years were up, he would have to leave this world.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in his prime, with at least several decades of peak years ahead of him.
By the time he stepped down, it wouldn't be long before Minamikawa Yuu had to leave.
So, practically speaking, it was more realistic to take action now.
The Hiruzen Sarutobi before him was the sole successor designated by the Second Hokage.
If he were still around, it would be very troublesome for Minamikawa Yuu to seize the Hokage position.
Only if this ideal successor to the Hokage disappeared would he have a chance to take the position.
In the capacity of Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple.
"Let's begin."
He spoke softly, "In the end, Ninja matters must be decided in the way of the Ninja."
"This is the principle you once taught me, Sensei."
"Fine!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath.
He looked at Minamikawa Yuu before him, his face filled with resolve. "No matter what has happened to you, Ji, I won't let you have your way."
"Once I capture you, I will make you correct your mistakes!"
As his voice fell, he suddenly formed hand signs, and massive amounts of Chakra surged forth.
Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!
A massive fireball surged forward, but at the moment it was about to hit Minamikawa Yuu, it mysteriously vanished.
In the next instant, the fireball attacked again, unexpectedly hurtling straight toward Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
"What?"
Faced with this scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was filled with shock, but he still reacted quickly.
Without the slightest hesitation, he dodged the attack by stepping aside.
Boom!
The fireball slammed into the ground, letting out a loud explosion.
"What is this?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was solemn as he looked at Minamikawa Yuu and asked.
"Flying Thunder God Formation."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly, "Just as I can teleport people away, I can also shift and teleport the Ninjutsu of others."
"To think it could be used like this... what a terrifying ability."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was grave. "Your mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique has actually surpassed Tobirama-sensei's..."
"However, if that's the case, many Ninjutsu will lose their effect..."
He thought this to himself and then quickly performed a technique.
Summoning Jutsu: Enma!
With the Summoning Jutsu activated, Enma appeared on the spot and then, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's control, transformed into an Adamantine Staff.
In the next moment, he leaped forward.
Boom!
The ground began to vibrate as a large crater was smashed into it.
It was proven that Hiruzen Sarutobi, currently in his prime, was a top-tier powerhouse.
Even without using Ninjutsu and relying solely on Taijutsu, his strength was equally formidable, reaching a level that could not be ignored.
Purely on the level of Taijutsu, there were probably not many people in the entire Konoha stronger than him.
Unfortunately, although his Taijutsu was strong, his reaction speed was ultimately a step too slow.
No matter how hard he tried, he could never hit Minamikawa Yuu.
In the end, the Flying Thunder God Technique was simply too powerful; as long as one's reaction speed was sufficient, it was almost impossible for an opponent to land a hit.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength was indeed very high.
Whether in Ninjutsu or Taijutsu, he was impeccably powerful, essentially a hexagon warrior.
But facing a space-time Ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God, he was still in a passive position with no solution.
"This won't do..."
After a flurry of attacks, Hiruzen Sarutobi's breathing had already become rapid. "I must find a way to catch him..."
"
Compared to his future elderly self, the current Hiruzen Sarutobi was in his prime, and his physical stamina was relatively much stronger.
But even so, he was still a normal human and could not be tireless.
After such a series of attacks, his body was already somewhat weary.
If this continued, he would likely be worn down to death by Minamikawa Yuu.
Thus, hardening his heart, he gritted his teeth and charged forward.
From all directions, runes suddenly flickered and erupted simultaneously.
Sealing Jutsu!
The massive Sealing Jutsu completely enveloped the area, making it unavoidable no matter how one moved.
After all, even when using the Flying Thunder God Technique to traverse, one still needed a fulcrum.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's move was intended to destroy all possible existing coordinates, preventing Minamikawa Yuu from continuing to teleport.
Unfortunately, he was ultimately disappointed.
When the Sealing Jutsu ended, Minamikawa Yuu's figure vanished once more.
"Damn it, where exactly is his mark?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself.
In the next instant, a surge of pain suddenly appeared.
Standing in place, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at his chest.
A Kunai had pierced through his chest at some unknown moment.
Crimson blood dripped down, splattering everywhere.
However, at this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not panic at all; on the contrary, a smile appeared on his face.
"Got you!"
He grabbed Minamikawa Yuu's hand, and a technique he had prepared long ago was released.
Genjutsu: Nightfall Jutsu!
Powerful Chakra surged through the Kunai into Minamikawa Yuu's body.
This was an opportunity Hiruzen Sarutobi had deliberately created.
Because only at this moment could he have close contact with Minamikawa Yuu, thus making it possible to release a Genjutsu.