"Clan Head, this side has the fewest people. We've already confirmed that," the young man reported, standing beside the Clan Head.
The Yuki Clan members were gathered nearby, each concealing their forms carefully. They weren't far apart, knowing that breaking out separately would only lower their chances of success.
"Good. Listen to my command," the Clan Head said, giving a hand signal before moving forward.
Before long, they spotted several Kirigakure Anbu carefully searching the area. Their low voices occasionally carried through the forest as they exchanged a few words.
As they waited, more and more Anbu appeared, gradually closing in on their position.
"One, two, three... fifteen," the Clan Head counted, finishing his assessment. Fifteen Anbu were now in sight.
Minato had been fortunate to capture one alone earlier. If the Anbu had been in a group like this, it would have led to an immediate confrontation. However, the absence of the captured Anbu would eventually raise suspicion.
"Fifteen," the Clan Head muttered to himself. "And there are only a dozen of us, several of whom are injured. Even in the direction with the fewest Anbu, it's hard to say if we'll succeed in breaking out."
"This is our only chance," the young man urged. "At this rate, we'll be discovered in less than a day."
"Go," the Clan Head ordered, wasting no time. With a wave of his hand, the Yuki Clan charged toward the Kirigakure Anbu.
"Ice Release: Ice Senbon!"
Countless icy needles formed in the air and rained down on the Anbu like a storm. In an instant, four or five Anbu were struck and fell to the ground, appearing like pincushions.
But before the Clan Head could feel relief, the fallen Anbu dissolved into puddles of water.
"We've fallen into a trap! Retreat quickly!" the Clan Head shouted, his voice urgent as realization struck.
"It's too late to run," a low voice rang out.
From the shadows, dozens of Anbu emerged, surrounding the Yuki Clan from all sides.
"How did you know we were going to break out?" the Clan Head demanded, his voice sharp with suspicion. He turned to glance at the young man, his expression dark.
"It wasn't me, Clan Head! I haven't betrayed the Clan!" the young man said hurriedly, panic clear on his face.
"I might as well tell you," the Anbu Chief interrupted with a cold smirk. "Whether you tried to break out or not, you were already fish in our net. This just means you'll die a little sooner."
The Clan Head narrowed his eyes. "You are aiding and abetting the enemy. What has the Third Mizukage done to Kirigakure? Is he still worthy of your loyalty?"
His voice carried the weight of finality, fully aware of the dire situation.
"How dare you! The Lord Mizukage is not for you to judge. Kill!" the Anbu Chief ordered.
At his command, the Kirigakure Anbu charged forward, swords drawn.
"Fight them!" the Clan Head roared, forming a hand seal with both hands. The air around him turned icy cold.
"Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"
Multiple ice mirrors formed, surrounding three of the attacking Anbu. The mirrors reflected the Clan Head's image, making it impossible to predict where he would appear next.
The trapped Anbu were visibly unsettled. They knew the technique's reputation but had no idea how to counter it. Senbon rained down on them from all directions, forcing them onto the defensive. Despite their best efforts, they were overwhelmed and started to falter.
The Anbu Chief sneered at the sight. "What will this accomplish?" he muttered. Even if the Clan Head managed to take out three Anbu, it wouldn't change the outcome.
The remaining Yuki Clan members were already falling in the first skirmish. Not everyone could wield the secret technique of Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
"Ice Release: Ice Rock Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!"
The young man formed the hand seal, and an ice wall rose instantly, blocking several Water Release attacks aimed at his clan. But it was only a temporary reprieve.
"Worthless. Such a small number of people, and you haven't dealt with them yet," the Anbu Chief muttered, his tone laced with irritation as he observed the battle.
Drawing the long sword strapped to his back, he bent his legs slightly and launched himself into the fray like a cannonball. In an instant, two members of the Yuki Clan fell to his blade.
"I'll kill you!"
The Clan Head, having just finished off three Anbu, turned to see this scene as he dispelled his Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals. With a roar, he charged at the Anbu Chief, an ice sword materializing in his hand.
"Overestimating yourself," the Anbu Chief sneered as he dashed forward to meet the attack.
"Ahhh!"
The Clan Head cried out in pain as his ice sword was sliced in half. A powerful kick sent him flying backward.
"I'll send you to your death first," the Anbu Chief said coldly, closing the distance for a final strike aimed at the Clan Head's neck.
"Clan Head!"
The surviving members of the Yuki Clan cried out, their eyes red with desperation.
"Found it! Nawaki, hurry!"
The Anbu Chief froze at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, only to see a strange kunai hurtling toward him. He turned his head to avoid it but was caught off guard when a golden flash appeared before him.
The figure that materialized was holding an enormous ball of Chakra in his hands. The Anbu Chief had never seen anything like it before.
"Big Ball Rasengan!"
Minato drove the massive Rasengan into the Anbu Chief with devastating force. A cry of pain echoed through the battlefield as the Anbu Chief was hurled backward. His sword shattered, and his body was left bloodied and broken.
Collapsing to the ground, he gasped for breath, unable to move. This isn't Boruto—not just anyone can take a Big Ball Rasengan head-on.
"Are you okay? I'm a ninja from Konoha," Minato said with a warm smile as he helped the Clan Head to his feet.
"I... I'm fine," the Clan Head replied, still looking dazed. Watching the Kirigakure Anbu Chief go down with a single blow from this young Konoha ninja left him stunned. Minato's strength was overwhelming.
"You didn't even wait for me," Nawaki's voice called out from above. "Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Floating in the air, Nawaki unleashed a massive Water Release technique, flooding the area in a wide torrent. The high humidity of the Land of Water amplified the power of his jutsu, washing away the Anbu in front of the Yuki Clan.
The forest transformed into a lake, leaving a white expanse in its wake. Within moments, over ten Anbu had been swept away and killed.
"Someone's come to save us!" the Clan Head exclaimed, his face lighting up with relief and joy. It felt as if gods had descended to deliver them from certain death.
"Don't worry, we'll get you out of here," Minato reassured him, stepping in front to protect the Clan Head as more Kirigakure Anbu began to surround them.
At that moment, Yahiko and the others arrived, each using their unique abilities to form a protective barrier around the Yuki Clan.
"Who are you people? Is this a declaration of war against Kirigakure?" one of the Anbu, now in charge after the leader's death, demanded. His tone was tense. He recognized the strength of the Minato group and clearly feared they were no match. By invoking the name of the village, he hoped to dissuade them.
"Cut the crap! What's wrong with attacking your Kirigakure?" Nawaki snapped, his disdain for the Third Mizukage's actions leaving no room for discussion.
"Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!"
With hands folded in a seal, Nawaki unleashed another large-scale jutsu. A powerful water current spun upward like a tornado, trapping the Anbu within it. As the current reached its peak, it spread out like a massive waterfall, crashing down with devastating force.
"Ahhh!"
Screams echoed as the Anbu suffered heavy casualties. The forest now bore yet another river, flowing into the newly formed lake.