Chapter 111: The Soul of the Abyss

There may not be a shinobi faster than Minato Namikaze in the world.

Behind the name "Yellow Flash" lies the miracle of mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique at a young age, an ever-quick reflex system, perfect coordination of hand, eye, and brain, and a resilient will that allows him to walk through the narrow gap between life and death with ease.

It's hard to imagine that all these praises are concentrated on a young man.

The man named Minato might have been destined to inherit the title of Hokage.

Fighting alongside such a person, Yuto knows very well that it's best to attack first.

Minato's instantaneous reactions are world-class. If Yuto just stands there, he might miss the fleeting opportunity.

As for why Minato takes the lead, it's entirely due to his personality. He's the kind of guy who likes to shoulder responsibility.

This same trait is why Obito managed to manipulate him to death.

"I'm going..."

Before Minato's words even finished, he disappeared from where he stood.

Before speaking, he threw three kunai from three directions towards Nagato. It was a masterful throwing technique, achievable only by those who have delved deeply into the art of ninja tools for many years.

Nagato's mysterious and cold Rinnegan focused on the three kunai. Even though Nagato's observational ability isn't as good as it would be if the Rinnegan were his original pair of eyes, it still has dynamic vision surpassing that of both the Sharingan and Byakugan, making it easy to track the kunai.

"Rasengan!"

However, Nagato fell for the trick.

Minato didn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique immediately. Instead, he used a regular Body Flicker Technique to rush in while Nagato's attention was on the kunai!

Though it was a regular Body Flicker Technique, performed by Minato, it might as well have been a lightning strike.

Nagato was alarmed and quickly raised his hands. The power of Shinra Tensei surged forth, intending to push Minato away.

At the critical moment, Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique, instantly teleporting to the kunai passing just above Nagato.

The Rasengan vanished. Minato twisted his body in mid-air, and with powerful physical control, he threw another kunai that pierced through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"

Nagato's hands generated a strong wind pressure, deflecting all the kunai without a single one landing near him.

With a slap, Minato landed and reappeared beside Yuto.

The probing ended.

"He isn't the Moon God," Minato's first words made Yuto's heart pound.

"The Hokage-sama told me that Moon God involves a unique range technique that combines repulsion and attraction, essentially a meat grinder."

"But during my first attack, this person cautiously used the repulsion technique; during the second attack, he used Wind Style... Is there a gap in that technique? Can't use it continuously? And can't repulsion and attraction be used simultaneously?"

"Of course, this might be a flaw he revealed on purpose, leading my thoughts in the wrong direction to conceal a fatal move."

Minato smiled and patted Yuto's shoulder.

"Yuto, you stay here and prepare. I need to probe him a bit more, get a better feel..."

'Don't probe anymore,' Yuto thought with a wry smile.

'If you keep probing, I might turn on you and team up with Nagato to kill you here... You have a kunai tied to the Explosive Tag combo!'

Though Yuto thought this, he didn't show it. Instead, he seriously said.

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

"Eh... still not right," Minato said, about to move but then reconsidering, "If those eyes are truly the legendary Sage Eyes... it wouldn't be good to drag this out." He sighed, "Yuto, during my next attack, you find the right moment to use the Explosive Tag combo."

With a brief consideration, Minato made his decision.

However, they didn't strike first this time, because as they were talking, Nagato Uzumaki began to move.

"Universal Pull!" Once again, the classic pull technique. Yuto and Minato were both drawn towards Nagato.

But this time, Nagato learned his lesson. Knowing this move was ineffective against the two, he concealed several senbon in his palm and, the moment Yuto and Minato's feet left the ground, he retracted the pull and used Gale Palm.

Minato vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique, while Yuto blocked the senbon with his right arm. The Ryuun Steel easily deflected them.

At that moment, Nagato found an opening.

He suddenly extended his hand, and a nearly transparent arm shot out from his palm at high speed, like a chameleon's tongue, striking Yuto solidly.

The terrifying power of the Rinnegan burst forth. The most powerful Sage Eyes could control souls and reincarnation. Nagato roared and clenched his fist, attempting to pull Yuto's soul out.

Simultaneously, Nagato summoned two mechanical arms from his back. The clattering sounds were spine-chilling as various heavy weapons appeared. It was like stuffing all the heavy firepower of a fortress into his body. If Minato teleported here, he would face a ruthless attack from all directions!

Since he couldn't match Minato's speed, he would first control or even kill his comrade. If Minato came to rescue, he would suffer the heavy weapon assault. If not, they'd be one man down!

In some ways, this method was similar to Obito's.

However...

...Huh?

Nagato was slightly stunned. Despite his pupil's power, Yuto's soul didn't budge!

—He did touch Yuto's soul, but it was incredibly heavy, as if he were pulling a piece of the abyss.

The situation reversed instantly.

Although Yuto didn't know what happened, he could feel the connection through the soul technique.

He grasped the transparent "tongue," unleashed his Chakra Enhanced Strength, and pulled Nagato towards him.

The red-haired young man's feet left the ground, losing control to a dangerous level.

"Well done!" Minato praised. He didn't know what happened either, but he wouldn't miss the opportunity.

Before Nagato could react and bring his hands together, Minato embedded a kunai tied with special Explosive Tags into Nagato's right shoulder.

At that moment, Yuto finished his hand signs.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Nagato's roar echoed across the battlefield. Chakra poured out without reservation, blasting everything around him. Simultaneously, over ten thousand Explosive Tags detonated in a chain reaction, flattening the already scarred valley.

When the dust settled, Minato and Yuto slowly emerged.

Minato proved to be a reliable teammate. Fearing the infinite explosive technique would engulf Yuto, he used the Flying Thunder God to teleport them both to safety.

"He's gone. Such an attack can't kill a man with those eyes..." Minato frowned and sighed.

Yuto nodded without speaking.

'Indeed, he escaped...' Yuto activated his Byakugan.

And Konan and Yahiko's "bodies" were also gone.

(End of Chapter)