Chapter 413: The Third Eye

"If that's the case, let's begin deploying our personnel," Hiruzen declared firmly.

The battle plan had been finalized, and there was no time to waste. The allied forces of the other nations were already on the move, and Konoha needed to act swiftly to meet them on every front.

"Yes!"

The jonin and elite ninja in the room stood in unison, responding with unwavering resolve. Determination gleamed in their eyes, even as the gravity of the situation loomed over them.

As the others began to leave the war room to carry out their assignments, Hiruzen stepped forward and stopped Minato. Placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder, the Hokage spoke in a quieter tone. "Minato, before you go, make sure to speak with Kushina. If you don't, knowing her temper, she might force her way out of the village."

Minato hesitated for a moment before nodding. He knew Hiruzen was right. Kushina was no longer the naive girl she had been years ago. As the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, she would be furious at being excluded from the battlefield, especially when the stakes were so high.

"I understand," Minato replied, preparing to form hand seals to send a shadow clone with the message.

Before he could act, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hatake Sakumo approached him. Jiraiya grinned and said, "Go yourself, Minato. We'll handle the selection of your team."

"That's right," Tsunade added with a small smirk. "You're going to need your wits for this mission. Leave the logistics to us."

Minato blinked in surprise before giving a grateful bow. "Thank you, Sensei, and to both of you as well."

With that, Minato vanished in a flash of yellow light, using the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport directly to his home.

When Minato arrived, he found Kushina already dressed in her combat gear. Her bright red hair was tied back, and she looked ready to storm into battle.

"Minato! What are you doing here? Everyone else is preparing for war. Let's go!" she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the door.

Minato gently but firmly stopped her. "Kushina," he said seriously, "you're the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Even with the war upon us, you can't just head to the front lines."

Kushina turned back to him, frowning. "Minato, I've locked that stupid fox away tighter than ever. It's not getting out. I've mastered the Uzumaki clan's sealing chains. My chakra is strong enough to keep the Nine-Tails contained."

"I know that," Minato said, his voice calm but firm. "But it's not about whether or not you can contain the Nine-Tails. If other nations learn that you, the Jinchūriki, are on the battlefield, they'll target you relentlessly. If something happens to you, it could turn the tide of the entire war against us."

Kushina's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't considered how serious the situation might become. "No way… is it really that bad?"

Minato nodded gravely. "Yes. As much as I trust your strength, we can't risk you being captured or injured. Your safety is vital to Konoha's survival in this war."

Kushina looked away, biting her lip in frustration. "Fine," she said reluctantly. "But you'd better promise me one thing."

"Anything," Minato replied.

"You'll crush every enemy that dares to threaten Konoha!" she said fiercely, her eyes blazing with determination.

Minato smiled softly. "I promise."

As he explained his role in leading a team to the Sunagakure front, Kushina's expression softened. She threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Minato, you're stronger than me in every way. If I can't fight, then do it for me. Remember, you're not alone. You have me, and you have everyone in Konoha standing with you."

Minato returned her embrace. "This is the first step in fulfilling that promise," he said quietly.

After leaving Kushina, Minato reappeared in front of the Hokage Building, where more than five hundred ninja had gathered. Their expressions ranged from calm determination to quiet anticipation as they awaited his arrival.

Minato flashed into the group, his sudden appearance drawing their attention.

Jiraiya approached him with a smile. "The team's ready. I'll be on the front lines, waiting to hear news of your victory." With that, Jiraiya patted Minato on the shoulder and headed off to prepare for his own mission.

Minato nodded and turned to face the assembled ninja. Above him, the Third Hokage observed from the office window, offering a supportive smile.

Looking out at the gathered shinobi, Minato began outlining his plan. As he explained the strategy, a wave of disbelief rippled through the group.

"Please hold hands," Minato said at last. "I'll transport all of us to the border of the River Country."

The ninja exchanged uncertain glances before complying. Slowly, the group formed a chain, their hands linked as Minato began preparing for the mass teleportation.

Standing at the front of the group was a familiar figure—Akai Shuji, Minato's former team leader during the Second Ninja World War. The two exchanged a brief nod before Minato placed a hand on Shuji's shoulder.

Closing his eyes, Minato reached out with his chakra, connecting with the energy of the 500 ninja around him. He focused on the coordinates of the River Country's border, anchoring his Flying Thunder God Technique.

In an instant, a bright flash engulfed the group, and they vanished from the Hokage Building.

The Border of the River Country

Snow blanketed the forest, clinging stubbornly to the ground and trees despite the chill of early spring. The sudden appearance of 500 ninja disrupted the serene landscape. Some landed on tree branches, causing snow to tumble down in flurries.

The shinobi looked around in stunned silence, still adjusting to the abrupt change of scenery.

Minato exhaled sharply, the strain of teleporting so many people evident but manageable. "Everyone, come down quietly," he instructed. "We're close to the border, and there may be Sunagakure outposts nearby."

The ninja quickly composed themselves, descending from the trees with practiced precision.

Using his sensory abilities, Minato scanned the area. "It seems the Sunagakure forces haven't arrived here yet," he said, his voice steady.

The group visibly relaxed, though many remained in awe of Minato's feat. Few could believe he had managed to transport so many people in one move—something even the Hokage would struggle to achieve.

"We're now at the border," Minato continued. "We shouldn't be far from the Sunagakure's main force. I'll send out a shadow clone to locate them before we engage."

With a quick hand sign, Minato created a clone, which disappeared into the forest in a flash of movement.

Unbeknownst to the Konoha ninja, a single golden eye floated among the trees, watching them intently. It followed Minato's clone cautiously, moving with eerie precision.

Back at the Sunagakure base, ten kilometers away, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, controlled the eye with practiced ease. His fingers rested over his right eye, the other one tightly shut.

Dark circles under Rasa's eyes hinted at his exhaustion, but his expression hardened as he saw the Konoha forces through his Third Eye.

"They've already arrived?" he muttered, his youthful face twisting in disbelief. "How could they have moved so quickly?"

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