IwagakureA night passed.Dawn broke over the Land of Taki.Mist drifted through forests thick with towering trees and cascading waterfalls—the hidden domain of Takigakure, once home to Kakuzu.The moss-covered ground was slick with moisture.On scattered clearings and rocky platforms near the waterfalls—Bodies lay strewn across the terrain.All wore Kumogakure uniforms.Every corpse bore a single fatal wound.Clean.Precise.There had been no struggle."…We're too late again.""Damn it!""We can't even catch his shadow!"Two towering figures stood among the dead.Dark-skinned.Powerfully built.Lightning flickered faintly around one of them.They were Kumogakure's new "AB Combination"—A, the future Fourth Raikage.And Killer B.A's fists clenched tightly.Veins bulged across his forehead.His face was dark with fury.Beside him, Killer B stood unusually quiet.Even his usual carefree rhythm was gone.They had been stationed here under orders.Officially—To investigate "Iwagakure attacks" and apply political pressure.In truth—To seize control of Takigakure's Seven-Tails.But everything had changed.Because of one man.Minato Namikaze.The Yellow Flash.A ghost on the battlefield.With Flying Thunder God—He appeared.Killed.Vanished.Again and again.Kumogakure patrols had been wiped out one by one.A and B were powerful.But Minato refused to fight directly.He struck like lightning—Then disappeared."B."A's voice was low."We can't keep scattering like this.""That man is like a loach in water.""When we chase him—he runs.""When we split up—he kills.""If this continues, we'll lose all our elites before even reaching the Seven-Tails."Killer B crossed his arms."Yo—big bro's right, no lie in sight~
Yellow Flash strikes, then out of sight~
Chasing him all day, not our fight~
Jinchūriki mission? Out of sight."The situation was clear.Minato was a blade at their throat.Unless he was removed—Nothing could proceed.But killing a man who could teleport?Nearly impossible.Even with Yugito Nii at base.Unless—He was forced to fight."…Then we change the battlefield."A suddenly spoke.Killer B glanced at him."Big bro… you thinking something big?"A's eyes sharpened."If he won't let us act—""Then we won't let Konoha breathe.""If we move our army out of the Land of Taki—""And march straight into the Land of Grass—"His voice turned cold."Then we strike Konoha's front lines directly.""Either Minato is forced onto the main battlefield—""And we trap him with Iwagakure—""Or—""He watches as we crush Konoha's defenses.""Either way… we win."He paused briefly."As for the Seven-Tails…"A glanced toward Takigakure."Forget it—for now.""We'll come back later.""A small village like this…""Doesn't deserve a tailed beast."Killer B blinked."…Wasn't it because we didn't have enough money to buy one?"A glared at him."That just proves they lack respect!""They should have offered it to us!""They deserve to be crushed!"Killer B stared silently.For a moment—He felt his brain expanding.The order spread quickly.Kumogakure forces across the Land of Taki began to regroup.What was once a covert operation—Became an army.A roaring force.Its destination—The Land of Grass.At the waterfall cliffs—Minato stood quietly.Golden hair swaying in the mist.His gaze followed the distant movement of Kumogakure troops."So… they've changed direction."No surprise.No hesitation."They've chosen the battlefield."He turned."It's time for me to return."With a single motion—He vanished.Northwest Border — Konoha Command HeadquartersA heavily fortified base built into the mountains.The air was thick with tension.A massive map covered the central table.Around it—Konoha's top commanders.Jiraiya.Sarutobi Shinnosuke.Mimura Ikkaku.Jōnin officers.Then—A flash.Minato appeared."Minato!"Jiraiya turned immediately."What's the situation?"Minato spoke calmly."Kumogakure has abandoned the Seven-Tails operation.""They are moving toward the Land of Grass.""Their goal—link up with Iwagakure.""To pressure our northwest defense line."Silence.Then—Mimura tapped the map."So they've made their move."Shinnosuke spoke steadily."This may be our chance.""Iwagakure's commander, Dong Shiren, has been defensive due to Minato.""If we strike now—before Kumogakure arrives—""We can break them."Jiraiya nodded."Exactly.""Turn defense into offense."He pointed at the map."Crush Iwagakure first.""Then Kumogakure loses its foothold."Minato nodded."Agreed."Mimura looked at them all.Then—Made his decision."The plan is viable.""Our forces are ready."He straightened."We await orders."Jiraiya's voice rang out."All forces—Level One Combat Readiness!""Prepare to attack immediately!""Target—Iwagakure's main camp!""Before Kumogakure strikes—""We break the stone in our path!""Yes!"The battlefield ignited.Minato flashed across the front lines.Golden light tore through Iwagakure defenses."Follow Lord Minato!""Break through!"Konoha surged forward.Jiraiya entered the battlefield with Gamabunta.Massive fire jutsu rained down.Mimura and Shinnosuke led coordinated assaults.Iwagakure's outer defenses—Collapsed.Dong Shiren's face darkened.He had expected attack—But not this scale.Not Jiraiya himself.Under Minato's pressure—And Konoha's numbers—The line broke.Casualties surged."Hold the line!""For Iwagakure!"Dong Shiren roared.Yet—He was calm.Because—His reinforcements had arrived."ROOOOAAARRR!!!"Two monstrous roars split the battlefield.Terrifying chakra erupted.The ground trembled.On the left—Molten chakra surged.The Four-Tails appeared.Son Gokū.Jinchūriki—Rōshi.Fully transformed.On the right—A white armored beast.Steam hissing violently.The Five-Tails—Kokuō.Jinchūriki—Han.Also fully transformed."Tailed beasts…!"Fear spread instantly."Lava Release: Scorching River!"The Four-Tails struck.Molten lava erupted.Dozens of Konoha ninja—Gone."Horn Break!"The Five-Tails charged.Unstoppable.Ninja were crushed instantly.Steam burned everything nearby.The battlefield—Collapsed."Minato!""Don't fight head-on!"Jiraiya shouted.Minato flashed around the beasts.Rasengan struck—But did little.Their chakra was overwhelming.Shinnosuke and Mimura struggled to reorganize.But the destruction was too great."…Damn it."Jiraiya gritted his teeth."Retreat!""All forces—fallback!""Second defensive line!""Minato—support!"Konoha withdrew.With heavy losses.Iwagakure did not pursue.They were waiting.For Kumogakure.The battlefield fell silent.Burned earth.Molten rock.Endless corpses.And the lingering pressure—Of tailed beasts.