At the top of the ice-sealed canyon.
Mei leapt to Yūsuke's side. Upon seeing Minato's bruised face, she froze momentarily.
She exclaimed, "Captain, you've captured Minato Namikaze?"
"Yes," Yūsuke replied tersely, "How's the battlefield?"
"We've eliminated ninety percent of the Konoha ninjas! The rest will soon follow." Mei reported, clearing her throat, "In short, we've achieved a great victory against Konohagakure!"
Her eyes gleamed with pride. She knew Kirigakure owed its newfound power to him.
"Good. No prisoners this time — kill them all! Leave no one alive!" Yūsuke ordered after a moment's thought, "However, preserve the bodies of those with Kekkei Genkai or secret techniques. Bring them back to the village."
He had declared before the battle: this time, they would slaughter all Konoha members without exception.
"Yes!" Mei obeyed instantly.
Her eyes blazed with hatred for Konoha — the enemy that had taken her parents' lives on the battlefield.
"Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself." This maxim had been ingrained in every Kirigakure ninja's heart since childhood.
The cacophony of battle gradually subsided as the Konoha ninjas' morale crumbled completely.
With Minato Namikaze captured and Shisui Uchiha fled, they had lost two major combat forces. How could they continue fighting? It was impossible.
In an instant, their resolve shattered. Konoha ninjas scattered, fleeing in all directions.
"Kill! Captain's orders! Leave no one alive!"
"Kill!!!"
The Kiri ninjas, spirits soaring, hunted down the fleeing Konoha ninjas with fervor.
An hour later, as the last Konoha ninja fell, the sounds of slaughter gradually faded.
Dismembered bodies littered the canyons, forests, and plains. Corpses piled up like mountains.
Though Kirigakure had briefly recovered using Yūsuke's potions, they too had suffered losses.
Yūsuke gazed at the Kiri members in the valley, his expression distant. He knew that from this day forward, a truly formidable army had emerged — baptized by the fires of war.
They would transform to become even stronger!!
"Clean up the battlefield! Carry the glory of victory! Bring our fallen brothers home!" Yūsuke's voice echoed through the valley.
"Yes!!!"
The response he received was a chorus of resounding affirmations.
❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆
Konoha Village.
A continuous rain fell. The air was heavy with moisture and a hint of bloodshed.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen paced back and forth. The pipe in his mouth emitted soft pata pata sounds as he puffed. Thick smoke filled the entire room.
Yet he seemed oblivious to it all. He was waiting — waiting for news from the front line, or for the triumphant return of Minato and the others.
This large-scale battle was of great significance to Konohagakure. Victory was the only option; failure was not permitted.
Even if they failed, it had to be a failure from which they could retreat unscathed. Otherwise, it would be a devastating blow to Konoha.
"Report!!"
Just as Hiruzen's anxiety peaked, two Konoha ANBU ninjas appeared instantly in the office.
"Speak quickly!" He urged.
"The ninjas patrolling the village outskirts found Shisui Uchiha severely wounded and near death!" The ANBU ninja reported without hesitation.
"What?!!" Hiruzen exclaimed, as if struck by lightning. "Where's Shisui Uchiha? Where is he now?"
"He's at Konoha Hospital. Medical ninjas are already treating him." The ANBU ninja quickly replied.
"Take me there now!" Hiruzen commanded, his expression dark.
Soon, he arrived at Konoha Hospital with the ANBU ninja.
Looking at Shisui lying on the bed, breathing weakly, Hiruzen's face turned pale.
How could this happen? Why did only Shisui return? Where was Minato? Where were the ninjas from other clans? Could it be that none of them returned?
Under the care of the medical ninjas, Shisui finally regained consciousness.
His first thought upon waking was one of vigilance, his eyes full of fear. When he realized he was in Konoha Hospital, he felt immediate relief. But upon seeing the Third Hokage by his bedside, his heart filled with complex emotions.
"Lord Hokage..." Shisui said weakly.
"Speak quickly! What's the situation on the battlefield?" Hiruzen asked anxiously.
"We were defeated," Shisui replied painfully, "And... it was a crushing defeat. Kiri ninjas are extremely powerful. Moreover, we underestimated Yūsuke Kamizuki's strength..."
Hearing this, Hiruzen's heart sank. A sense of dread quickly surged through him.
"What about Minato?..." He asked, his voice trembling.
He could suppress the news if ninjas from other clans had died. But Minato was known as Konoha's Yellow Flash! His charisma and ability to unite people were unparalleled.
"Minato Namikaze... was captured by Yūsuke Kamizuki..." Shisui said with difficulty.
"What?!?!" At this moment, Hiruzen's mind exploded like thunder. His eyes went blank, and he kept muttering, "It's over, it's over, it's over..."
This time, it really was over.
❆❆❆
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