Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

In mid-January of Konoha Year 47, the sudden request for help from the Land of Hot Springs cast a shadow of war over the New Year, and the Jonin team members ended their holidays early.

After the outpost in the northeastern part of the Land of Fire was attacked, the intelligence department also received important information that the Land of Frost had sided with the Hidden Cloud Village and unilaterally tore up the previous agreement.

Small countries are prone to this kind of indecisiveness, but in the eyes of the "hardliners," this situation arises because the leadership is too weak.

Under these circumstances, discussions about a new Hokage have resurfaced, with many ninjas placing their hopes for change on the next leader.

The sounds inside the village were irrelevant to the mission-carrying team. As evening fell and the team approached the Valley of the End, Minato Namikaze promptly stopped.

"Let's rest around here tonight!"

"Tomorrow we'll meet up with the squad at the outpost, and then we'll patrol along the border, preparing to cross the Land of Hot Springs."

As the team leader, Minato was extra cautious this time. The previous sentry squad had been killed during a patrol, and the intruders were not only highly mobile but also quite strong.

"It's safe for now, Captain Minato!"

Hyuga Shuichi used his Byakugan to observe with all his might and then reported back. Kakashi also sniffed a few times, but didn't smell anything unusual, so he nodded in agreement.

After sensing for the last time and confirming that it was safe, Furukawa Osamu added:

"The marker is also in a safe state."

Having mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato Namikaze naturally left himself an escape route. Seeing the three looking somewhat nervous, Minato smiled and reassured them:

"The secret service has taken over immediately; our job is to patrol the outposts."

"If all goes well, there will be no fighting. You've done a great job along the way."

Unlike most Jonin, Minato was very confident. Even while traveling, he would share his experience in field combat and, if he had time, teach some techniques for using chakra.

Minato Namikaze, who served as captain, performed even better, and Osamu Furukawa finally understood why Kakashi had praised him so highly before.

Why does the Cloud Village create conflict? What do they want to gain from the war?

Kakashi suddenly spoke up with a question, as he saw no point in this conflict.

Seemingly surprised that Kakashi would ask such a question, Minato's face showed astonishment. In his view, children of that age in the village wouldn't consider the origins of war.

"Slaughter and plunder are the style of Kumogakure."

"Kakashi, not every ninja village is like Konoha, and that's precisely why we must protect our village."

Minato Namikaze didn't elaborate, but Osamu Furukawa understood the underlying meaning: ninja wars don't have many justifications; the weak are destined to be attacked...

Kakashi fell silent again after getting the answer; he felt that the ninja world was somewhat distorted.

"Minato-kun, have you chosen a name for the new technique yet?"

Furukawa Osamu proactively changed the subject. Upon hearing the question, Namikaze Minato smiled happily and nodded, saying cheerfully:

"I already had a name in mind, but Kushina's name seems to suit this technique better: Rasengan!"

The silent Hyuga Shuichi was infected by the happiness radiating from Minato, and thinking of his own situation, he felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

"What a great name!"

Osamu Furukawa praised him, saying that he had mastered the Rasengan, but it didn't fit his current fighting style, so he would temporarily abandon it.

"There should still be room for further development; I'm still considering adding property changes."

"However, this is a huge project and cannot be completed in the short term."

Minato Namikaze expressed some regret when talking about his new technique, saying that the ideal state would combine both form transformation and property transformation, which is not yet achievable.

"Captain Minato, I'll take the second half of the night watch. I'm going to rest now."

Kakashi took the initiative to assign the tasks, and none of the three had any objections. Although they were still within the Land of Fire, they still needed to be careful.

...

After nightfall, the four members of the team paired up to keep watch. Everyone thought they would get through the night safely, but an accident happened around 4 a.m.

"It smells bloody!"

Kakashi woke up Furukawa Osamu and Namikaze Minato, while Hyuga Shuichi activated his Byakugan and carefully surveyed the area before whispering:

There are no enemies within a 4-kilometer radius.

The dense forest was exceptionally quiet. Furukawa Osamu simply formed hand seals, while Namikaze Minato touched the ground with his fingers, allowing them to perceive a wider range of things.

"Captain Minato, two people are moving towards the outpost in the Land of Hot Springs."

Furukawa Osamu quickly reported, and Namikaze Minato, without hesitation, immediately gave instructions:

"Get to the outpost first."

"yes!"

No one questioned that the Konoha team had a numerical advantage, and the enemy had obviously taken down the border outposts between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Frost. This was also an opportunity to avenge their comrades.

The Cloud Village ninjas A and Killer Bee, moving along the border between the Land of Rice Fields and the Land of Hot Springs, looked relaxed. They knew that the Land of Hot Springs had asked Konoha for help, but they still chose to "clean up" their target.

"Well done! The power of the Thunder Plow's Hot Blade has increased!"

Aidan praised Killer Bee's progress, to which the latter chuckled and responded in a strange tone:

"Brother's praise has inspired some perfect rhythms!"

The rapid-fire rap made Ai's eyes twitch slightly. Her partner was great in every way, except for his lack of rapping talent.

The two moved at a considerable pace, and as they approached the border of the Land of Fire, they made no attempt to conceal their presence. When they were still 3 kilometers away from the outpost, they decisively accelerated.

"call out!"

Suddenly, a large number of shuriken and kunai flew out of the forest. A paused only slightly, and then visible chakra burst from his body, followed by the sound of electricity tearing through the air.

"Leave this to me!"

As Killer Bee spoke, the dense barrage of shuriken and kunai above was deflected by short swords, sparks flying as the weapons clashed.

During the surprise attack, Ai caught a glimpse of the explosive tags on the tree trunk. Amidst the violent explosion, Ai, whose body was crackling with electricity, still chose to charge straight ahead.

Minato Namikaze, who was hiding behind the tree trunk, frowned slightly when he saw this scene. This savage attack was indeed beyond his expectations.

"Go to hell!"

Chakra erupted once more, and A extended four fingers, rapidly increasing his speed, appearing in front of Minato Namikaze in the blink of an eye, attempting to pierce through the tree and Minato together.

A smug smile crept across Ai's lips; she felt she had succeeded. But the next second, the enemy in front of her suddenly vanished.

In Lightning Release Chakra Mode, nerve conduction speed is enhanced, and A forcibly twists his body, attempting to interrupt his opponent's attack with his left elbow.

"boom!"

With a loud crash, Ai smashed through several large trees and flew dozens of meters away.

Minato Namikaze straightened up, but the Rasengan failed to hit the target completely. His opponent's reaction speed was astonishing, and at the last moment, he unleashed another burst of chakra defense.

Killer Bee, who had just knocked away the shuriken and kunai, completely lost his lazy smile. The battle had happened too fast, and before he could even sigh, a boy suddenly appeared in front of him.

When Killer Bee saw Hyuga Shuichi's slightly ferocious pure white pupils, he immediately dodged and tried to create distance, but Kakashi pounced on the enemy from above.

"Get out of here!"

Killer Bee, wielding short swords with both hands, suddenly increased the speed of his swings. He first kicked Hyuga Shuichi away, and then slashed at Kakashi with the short swords imbued with lightning chakra.

"Sizzle!"

The two short swords imbued with lightning chakra clashed, but contrary to expectations, the swords didn't break and both men died. Killer Bee was trying to unleash his power when the tailed beast within him urgently warned him:

"Watch out, Bi!"