Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

Kushina's movements were instantly restrained. Red Hot Chili Pepper tried to struggle, but golden shackles appeared on the ground around her.

To Kushina's astonishment, the shackles and chains wrapped around her, tightly binding her body!

"Gold, the Vajra Lockdown?!"

Kushina stared blankly at the fiery red-haired girl in the Kirigakure ANBU uniform following closely behind Yoru, momentarily lost in thought.

In that instant, Night's figure appeared behind Kushina, and the Hyōrinmaru in his hand was thrust straight towards Kushina's heart!

[S-rank target 'Kushina Uzumaki' detected; side quest triggered;]

[Mission (1): Successfully capture Kushina Uzumaki. Reward: 100000 points.]

[Mission (2): Successfully defeat Kushina Uzumaki. Reward: 50000 points.]

[Mission (3): Successfully kill Kushina Uzumaki. Reward: 200000 points.]

[Special life form 'Tailed Beast Kurama' detected; side quest triggered;]

【Mission (1): Successfully subdue, control, absorb, and devour the special life form 'Nine-Tailed Nine-Tails', reward 100000 points】

[Success (II): Successfully killed the special life form 'Nine-Tailed Nine-Lama', reward: 500000 points.]

The mission notification sound kept echoing in his ears, causing Ye to pause slightly.

At the same critical moment, Kushina's body seemed to sense something, and she abruptly shifted slightly, dodging the fatal blow.

"Kagura's mind, huh?"

Yoru wasn't surprised to see Kushina dodge his attack; Yumi also possessed this special talent unique to the Uzumaki clan.

This power, known as Kagura's Mind's Eye, when actively released, can sense all unusual movements within a radius of tens of kilometers. If there is already a specific chakra, it can also sense the detailed location and movement, and even the number of people and their characteristics, as well as their speed of movement, can be grasped in great detail.

Even without being actively activated, it has a passive effect and can automatically sense good and evil, danger, making it arguably the strongest detection ninjutsu in the entire ninja world!

"However, my offensive won't end here."

"Sit upright in the frosty heavens, Hyōrinmaru!"

Hyōrinmaru broke through Kushina's body. Even though it didn't directly deliver a fatal blow, Yoru completed his Shikai in an instant. Extreme ice burst from the blade and rushed towards Kushina's internal organs.

Kushina's expression changed drastically, and she immediately mobilized the Nine-Tails' chakra within her body, trying to forcefully break free from the Vajra Shackles. However, at that moment, Yumi Uzumaki appeared in front of Kushina.

"Four Symbols Seal!"

A crisp sound accompanied by the chakra flames of the sealing technique was slammed hard into Kushina's lower abdomen by Uzumaki Yumi.

The Nine-Tails' chakra that had just been mobilized dissipated rapidly at that moment.

"The Vajra Sealing Chains and the Four Symbols Seal... You're also from the Uzumaki clan... Why?"

"Of course, it's for Lord Ye!"

A calm voice came from Yumi Uzumaki's mouth.

At the same time, Hyōrinmaru's power erupted, and Kushina spat out a mouthful of blood, which contained countless ice shards!

"It seems this move has worked wonders!"

A slight smile appeared on Yoru's face. He had only intended to bring Yumi to restrain Kushina, but he hadn't expected it to have such a good effect.

If he can kill Kushina, he will not only gain a huge number of points, but also allow Kirigakure to win the war directly!

"Ice Dragon Spin Tail!"

The exploding ice dragon blasted towards Kushina. The severely injured Kushina collapsed to her knees, her internal organs frozen and the Nine-Tails' chakra temporarily sealed. Even with the Uzumaki clan's exceptional physical abilities, she was powerless to struggle for the time being.

However, just as she knelt down, a strangely shaped kunai fell out of her arms.

A golden figure appeared in front of Kushina in an instant, like lightning slicing through the sky. The chakra sphere spinning in his hand slammed into the head of the oncoming ice dragon!

"boom!!"

The ice dragon shattered, scattering ice shards everywhere.

When all the ice shards had fallen to the ground, Kushina Uzumaki was nowhere to be seen.

"This..." Yumi Uzumaki asked, somewhat confused and bewildered, "Where is he?"

Night solemnly sheathed his Zanpakuto, recalling the fleeting golden light from just now. His heart sank, and he immediately took out a retreat signal flare and released it.

What I feared most has come to pass. Hopefully, Kirigakure will see his signal flare and evacuate in time.

Otherwise, this time... Kirigakure might suffer a great loss!

Chapter 54 The Golden Flash of Konoha

"Abdominal puncture, Ice Release ninjutsu freezing internal organs... No, and the Four Symbols Seal sealed the Nine-Tails' chakra, so..."

"The Four Symbols Unlocked!"

The Four Symbols Seal, which reversed the chakra flow, was struck by Minato on Kushina's lower abdomen, and the Four Symbols Seal cast by Yumi was instantly released.

In just a few breaths, the deep red Nine-Tails chakra began to flow out, stimulating Kushina's Uzumaki clan physique while accelerating the recovery of her injuries and chakra.

"Watergate……"

Kushina slowly opened her eyes, gazing at the familiar blonde hair before her. A gentle and relaxed expression appeared in her eyes, but soon, this emotion transformed into heaviness and sorrow.

"Minato, Jiraiya-sensei, Jiraiya-sensei..."

"I know."

Minato gently held Kushina's head and laid her flat on the bed inside the tent. His seemingly gentle face concealed a suffocating killing intent and icy coldness in his sky-blue eyes.

"Take good care of yourself, I... will be right back."

……

"Water Release! Great Waterfall Technique!"

A whole class unleashed their Water Release techniques, and countless streams of water converged into a colossal wave that surged through the thick fog toward Kazama and the Konoha camp in the valley.

Amidst the surging waves, water dragons roared and water swords pierced through, creating a magnificent spectacle!

"Enemy attack!!"

"Earth escape! Earth flow wall!"

The Konoha ninjas were shocked, and those skilled in Earth Release quickly formed hand seals to release Earth Release to block Water Release.

Earthen walls rose from the ground, temporarily blocking the impact of the water flow. But the next moment, countless white bones tore through the earthen walls, and the surging water-style ninjutsu frantically assaulted Konoha's defenses.

One after another, figures shrouded in mist moved through the thick fog, launching an attack on Konoha.

Upon arriving at the scene, Commander Shiki Aburame was somewhat shocked, but she quickly calmed down and began directing the Konoha ninja to defend against the Kirigakure invasion.

But soon, the gap between the two sides became apparent.

Even though Konoha was on the defensive, their preparations were as fragile as a sheet of paper against the well-prepared Kirigakure, and Kirigakure easily tore them apart.

A merciless massacre ensued, and blood and death filled the entire Kazama and Valley.

"Hahaha, so this is the so-called Konoha? utterly pathetic!"

"Stop talking nonsense, expand the gains and aim to annihilate Konoha's remaining forces. Take down Kazama and Kazuya as quickly as possible. Lord Yoru is facing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, so don't put too much pressure on him!"

"Understood!"

With a clear objective, the Hidden Mist faction became increasingly ruthless in their attacks. In less than half an hour, Kazama and Yagaya's defensive fortifications were completely destroyed by the Hidden Mist, and the ninjas from both sides immediately engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

Although the Leaf Village had the help of the top Mushishi of the Aburame clan, which allowed them to put up some resistance in the thick fog, the course of the war gradually shifted in favor of the Hidden Mist Village.

A large number of Konoha ninja died in battle, including members of secret technique clans and bloodline clans.

However, just as the Hidden Mist faction was preparing to expand their gains, several signal flares for retreat were fired from the horizon.

"retreat?!"

A Jonin from the Kaguya clan stared in astonishment at the signal flare in the sky: "Are you kidding me? Retreating now? Wouldn't that be like sending a duck that's already in our mouths flying?!"

"It's possible that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has unleashed his power!"

"Prepare to retreat. We can't hesitate. Once the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki arrives, we're all likely to perish here."

"Don't joke around. Victory is within reach. We can't just retreat like this!" The Jonin of the Kaguya clan said in a deep voice, "The four camps of Konoha are far apart. Even the Ooku Shirai mining area, which is closest to Kazama and Kazuya, takes more than ten minutes to reach. Not to mention the place where the Jinchuriki is located, which is at Misawa Bridge."

"At this distance, even if it fully transforms into a tailed beast, it would take at least twenty minutes to get here. That's enough time for us to take down Kazama and Kazuya in one fell swoop. When we return, we'll be heroes of this war!"

"That's right! We can't let a duck that's already in our mouths fly away. Kill it!"

"Dance of Karamatsu!"

"Damn Mist Concealment, Secret Technique: Insect Tornado!"

The battle raged on amidst the thick fog. Amidst the pervasive bloody atmosphere, a golden figure suddenly pierced through the fog and arrived on the battlefield.

The fine shuriken were inconspicuous in such a battle; the ninjutsu and the aftershocks of the battle completely concealed these movements, not to mention the thick fog that filled the air.

"Snapped!"

A kunai shot toward the face of a Hidden Mist ninja.

The Hidden Mist ninja casually sidestepped the kunai, then, with a ferocious grin, raised his blade at the Hidden Leaf ninja in front of him.

Suddenly, a cold light flashed, and blood splattered everywhere.

The Hidden Mist ninja fell straight down, and even as he fell, a ferocious smile of predation remained on his face.

"boom."

The Konoha ninja who was waiting for death only saw a flash of golden light before the Mist Village ninja in front of him collapsed to the ground.

And such scenes have appeared countless times in Kazama and Tani at this moment!

Countless Hidden Mist ninjas only saw the kunai, and many didn't even see the kunai before their lives were taken away silently.

No one knew what was happening, but some people with keen senses clearly noticed something was wrong, because the sounds of fighting and battle in the thick fog were becoming increasingly faint.

The eerie silence caused even the powerful Jonin of the Kaguya clan to stop what he was doing and instinctively called out to those around him, but there was no response.

"What... is this some kind of illusion?"

"No, that's not right, the chakra hasn't been disturbed... Wait!"

Golden light appeared before his eyes, and a dazzling Rasengan blasted towards the chest of the Kaguya Jonin. The Shikotsumyaku was activated immediately, but the piercing white bone missed its mark.

"boom!!"

The attack, which should have appeared on his chest, somehow appeared behind him. The protruding white bones were destroyed by the powerful Rasengan and landed heavily on his back, sending him flying.

Fortunately, the members of the Kaguya clan had extremely strong bodies and were not killed by this attack. This allowed him to finally see the figure in front of him clearly.

Her dazzling golden hair was like the sun in the sky, but her sky-blue eyes, shrouded in thick fog, flashed with a suffocating killing intent.

"Konoha's Golden Flash..."

The man's distinctive hair and unpredictable speed allowed Kaguya, a Jonin who had never seen Minato before, to recognize him at a glance. But it was precisely because of this that his heart was filled with turmoil.

"Impossible! Weren't you at the Iwagakure battlefield? How could this be!"

But what responded to him was a golden light that could not be seen with the naked eye, and a kunai that slit his throat.

Chapter 55: The Unsolvable Minato Namikaze

Minato Namikaze's appearance not only rescued Kushina Uzumaki from Yoru's clutches, but also caught Kirigakure off guard.

What was originally a near-perfect strategy—using the night to defend against the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki while allowing other Kirigakure forces to split up and attack the remaining Konoha camps—has now become a joke due to the appearance of Minato Namikaze.

It even became its best performance stage.

Even though Ye sent out a signal flare to retreat immediately, conveying the order to retreat, it was still too late.

Because they were in different camps, the signal flare launched from Misawa Bridge could not be seen by the other camps. Therefore, several messengers were needed to release the signal flares in succession.

In addition, among the leaders of each position, there are inevitably one or two people like Kaguya Jonin who are eager for quick success and instant benefits. This led to the delay in the retreat and allowed Minato Namikaze to make his perfect debut on the Kirigakure battlefield.

"Nearly two hundred Kirigakure soldiers were killed, including more than forty Kirigakure Jonin! The force that attacked Kazama and Kazuya was completely wiped out!"

Inside the Fog Concealment position.

Yagura gripped the battle situation tightly with both hands, his eyes bloodshot.

"Impossible! How could Minato Namikaze possibly appear on the Kirigakure battlefield? Aren't they afraid that Onoki will take this opportunity to launch a full-scale attack?!"