"I'm really sorry for everything."
Minato's voice was calm but sincere as he addressed the assembled shinobi. For the past several days, he had left the management of the camp entirely to Hatake Sakumo while focusing on mastering his new power.
But no one in the room showed a hint of complaint or blame.
Instead, every eye reflected the same thing—expectation.
Even Sakumo couldn't suppress the flicker of surprise that crossed his face as he said, "It seems you already have a solution."
Minato's gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of his comrades and subordinates. He gave a firm nod.
The tent fell silent, the weight of anticipation settling like a heavy blanket. Then Minato's expression hardened, his voice rising with determination.
"Everyone," he began, "since Lord Hokage and Lady Tsunade have shown their resolve to secure victory, how can we remain passive?"
Though he'd been absent from the frontlines, Minato had kept abreast of the battle reports. He knew Konoha was pressing the advantage on multiple fronts. Now was the time to strike decisively.
"Of course!"
His words ignited a spark in the room. The confidence in Minato's voice was contagious, infusing every shinobi present with renewed strength.
Their trust in him was absolute.
Throughout this war, Minato's actions had proven that he possessed not only the skill but the foresight to lead Konoha through the darkest times. Under his guidance, they had withstood the combined might of four nations. Today, they stood on the brink of turning the tide completely in their favor.
It could be said that Minato had single-handedly led Konoha towards victory.
"Gather everyone," Minato ordered, his voice steady. "This will be the final battle on the border of the Moon Country!"
"Yes!"
The jonin and commanders responded in unison, their voices echoing through the tent before they rushed out to mobilize the troops.
When only Minato and Sakumo remained, the White Fang turned to his friend, his expression serious.
"How sure are you?"
Minato's blue eyes softened for a moment. A faint, almost wistful smile played on his lips as he replied, "I'm not sure."
Sakumo blinked in surprise, but before he could speak, Minato continued, his voice firm.
"But I must succeed. I won't fail this time."
Sakumo chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "It's rare to hear that from you."
He knew Minato well—calm, calculated, never one to gamble. For him to admit uncertainty meant the stakes were higher than ever. But if there was anyone who could turn the impossible into reality, it was Minato.
"You're the only one who can say that and make it sound like a guarantee," Sakumo added with a grin.
For a brief moment, a shadow of sadness flickered in Minato's eyes. But it vanished just as quickly as it had come. His gaze hardened, his resolve unshakable.
"Obito… just watch. Your teacher will fulfill your dream."
Outside the camp, beneath the towering mountains that marked the border of the Moon Country, the Konoha forces stood ready.
But unlike before, there was no fear or hesitation in their eyes.
Swish!
Two figures materialized at the front of the formation, and every eye immediately turned to the blond-haired shinobi leading them.
Minato.
Seeing the anticipation and trust in their gazes, Minato felt a warmth spread through his chest. He turned to Sakumo, who stood beside him.
Their eyes met briefly, and without words, they both clenched their fists, their silent vow understood.
Sakumo's gaze flicked toward the crowd, settling on Suzuka. She met his eyes with a gentle nod, her smile as bright as it had been in their youth.
"Let's go."
Minato's voice rang out with authority, and in the next instant, his body blurred into a streak of yellow light, shooting forward like a lightning bolt.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The entire Konoha army surged forward, the roar of their movement cutting through the air like thunder.
Across the battlefield, the Cloud Ninja forces stirred. The impending clash was unavoidable.
The border of the Moon Country was a treacherous landscape of mountains and valleys, and as the two armies converged in a vast valley, the ground trembled under the weight of countless shinobi.
The valley grew silent for a brief, tense moment as the two forces came face to face.
At the front of the Cloud Ninja formation stood the Third Raikage, flanked by A, Killer B, and C
Their eyes locked with Minato's, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a kunai.
No words were exchanged.
But the air vibrated with the sheer force of the chakra radiating from both sides.
Shhh!
The sound of crackling lightning echoed through the valley as the Raikage and his men activated their lightning armor. Minato formed a quick series of hand seals, the orange markings of Sage Mode appearing at the corners of his eyes.
Killer B's tailed beast chakra surged, coating him in a bright red cloak, while lightning danced along Sakumo's blade, transforming it into a brilliant Lightning Blade.
Minato exchanged a final glance with Sakumo, then growled, "Move!"
In a blur of motion, Minato launched himself at the Third Raikage, moving faster than the eye could follow. Chakra swirled in his palm, condensing into a massive sphere.
"Super Odama Rasengan!"
The chakra sphere expanded rapidly, its power radiating through the battlefield.
But the Third Raikage's eyes gleamed with dark lightning. He raised his right hand, curling three fingers and extending two, forming his infamous Hell Stab: Second Kante.
There was no hesitation.
Bang!
The two attacks collided with a deafening explosion. For a split second, they seemed evenly matched, but then the Super Odama Rasengan shattered under the sheer force of the Raikage's lightning spear.
The Raikage lunged forward, his fingers aimed directly at Minato's heart.
But Minato vanished in an instant, reappearing several meters away, his expression unshaken.
Meanwhile, A, the fastest of the Cloud Ninja, had pushed his speed to the limit, circling around to flank Minato.
On the other side, Killer B charged forward, but before he could close the distance, Sakumo appeared in front of him, his Lightning Blade slashing down with lethal precision.
Killer B reacted instantly, drawing his blade and channeling both lightning and tailed beast chakra into the strike.
Clang!
The two blades collided, sending sparks and shockwaves rippling through the air.
C, a step behind Killer B, joined the fray, forcing Sakumo onto the defensive. Outnumbered, he had no choice but to retreat strategically, buying time for Minato.
But Minato wasn't worried.
Facing only the Third Raikage and Yotsuki A, he had the advantage. Sakumo's role was crucial—keeping Killer B occupied meant Minato could focus on executing his new technique.
Flipping his palm mid-battle, Minato summoned a special mark, his eyes gleaming with determination.
This was it.
The moment he'd been preparing for.
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