Chapter 482: Changes

"Using fire first, then water... Are they planning to weaken the stone giant's defenses this way?"

Kitsuchi couldn't help but marvel at Jiraiya's methodical use of ninjutsu. He hadn't anticipated that Jiraiya and Gamabunta's coordination would be this seamless. In this exchange, the advantage undeniably belonged to the duo.

"This kid…"

Hanzo, who was engaged in a fierce clash with Minato, briefly glanced at the battle between Jiraiya and Kitsuchi. Despite being on opposing sides, he couldn't suppress a flicker of admiration for Jiraiya.

Years ago, it was Hanzo himself who had bestowed the title of "Three Legendary Sannins" upon Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Although his naming carried ulterior motives, it also reflected his acknowledgment of their potential. Over a decade had passed, and as he had predicted, the trio had grown into formidable figures.

However, there was one aspect that left him discontent—the disciple trained by Jiraiya.

For a young ninja like Rasa to serve as the Fourth Kazekage in his twenties was already an extraordinary feat. Yet, Namikaze Minato surpassed even that, defying the expectations of the entire ninja world.

Minato had exceeded his teacher, the Third Hokage, and even Hanzo himself—figures who stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world. Now, Minato was the undisputed leader of a new generation of unparalleled ninjas.

"Boom!"

The clash between the two giants came to a dramatic end. Gamabunta's blade severed the arms of Kitsuchi's rock giant in a single devastating blow. The blade struck its chest, and cracks began to spread rapidly throughout the giant's body.

But Kitsuchi, perched on the giant's shoulder, remained unfazed. He quickly completed his hand seals and let out a low, commanding shout.

"Earth Style: Mountain Earth Technique!"

"Boom!"

As the rock giant crumbled, the ground around Gamabunta erupted. Two massive hemispheres of rock surged upward, enclosing the toad chief within their crushing grasp.

Kitsuchi clasped his hands together, and the enormous rock hemispheres pressed inward, trapping Gamabunta at the center.

"Boom!"

The sound of the rocks colliding was accompanied by a bone-jarring crunch.

"What tremendous force!" Gamabunta growled, gritting his teeth as his body trembled under the intense pressure. Even with his immense strength, the crushing force left him numb.

"You big pervert, hurry up and get out of here! I can't hold on much longer!"

Despite his precarious situation, Gamabunta bellowed with his usual gruff humor. Jiraiya's eyes twitched slightly at the outburst, but he nodded with gratitude. In a flash, Jiraiya leapt onto Gamabunta's head, then sprang out of the danger zone.

"Bang!"

The summoning technique dissolved, and Gamabunta disappeared in an instant. Jiraiya landed on a nearby rock, locking eyes with Kitsuchi, who stood amidst the crumbled remains of his giant.

Though their recent exchange had been intense, neither fighter showed any signs of exhaustion. On the contrary, their fighting spirits burned even brighter.

Swish!

In an instant, the two shinobi charged at each other, their battle reigniting with ferocity.

While the leaders clashed, the periphery of the battlefield was no less chaotic—a relentless fight of life and death for the participating ninjas.

"Zheng!"

A brilliant flash of a blade tore through the dim, stormy battlefield, illuminating the darkness like a fleeting star.

"Puff!"

A spray of crimson followed as the blade cut across the chest of a Rain Ninja, who collapsed immediately. His eyes, even in death, reflected the graceful figure of his opponent.

Suzuka, her long black hair flowing with the wind, stood with her katana in hand. Her expression was cold and indifferent—a stark contrast to her graceful movements. Though she no longer bore the title of "Anbu Witch," she remained as fearsome as the biting chill of winter.

Her swordsmanship had improved significantly over the years, honed under the tutelage of her husband, Hatake Sakumo—the famed White Fang of Konoha. His reputation as one of the ninja world's greatest swordsmen was well-earned.

Though fate had decreed that Kakashi's mother would perish shortly after his birth, history had shifted, granting her a second chance to live—and to fight.

Suzuka wasn't the only one whose destiny had changed. Kato Dan, Nawaki, and Uchiha Yoruki—each of them had been fated to die before the Third Great Ninja War. Now, all of them fought valiantly on the battlefield.

Minato's own students—Kakashi, Rin, and Obito—had been brought to the front lines for this war. Their involvement signaled the future of Konoha, even as chaos engulfed the present.

Suzuka, after slaying a Rain Ninja Jonin, surveyed the battlefield. Despite her keen eyes, she couldn't immediately locate Kakashi amidst the sprawling chaos.

She quickly refocused, knowing all too well that distraction could mean death in such a dangerous setting. Jun steeled herself with the belief that her son wouldn't fall so easily.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, the clash of ninja tools echoed as sparks flew from a heated confrontation.

"Where did this kid come from? His attacks are relentless!"

A Sand Village Jonin grimaced as he faced a white-haired boy with a short blade—none other than Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi's sharp gaze remained fixed on his opponent, his movements precise and unyielding. Though his short blade lacked the legendary craftsmanship of his father's White Fang, it still carried the same fierce determination.

Despite his youth, Kakashi's Chunin-level skill was undeniable. Having been promoted at the tender age of six, he had already begun to master his father's swordsmanship.

Though younger than Minato was during the Second Great Ninja War, Kakashi was holding his own against a seasoned opponent—albeit with some difficulty.

The Sand Jonin initially thought that sheer physical prowess would be enough to overpower the boy. However, Kakashi's swordsmanship proved dangerously sharp, and the Jonin barely escaped injury in their earlier exchanges.

"Taijutsu isn't enough against this kid…"

Realizing the need for a new approach, the Jonin leapt back and began forming seals.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"

A series of chakra-compressed air bullets shot from his mouth, hurtling toward Kakashi at high speed.

Kakashi remained unfazed, forming his own seals in response. His dark eyes glinted with resolve, faint arcs of lightning flickering within.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Before the wind bullets could strike, a massive fireball surged forth, colliding with the attack. The resulting explosion of flames and wind created a blinding barrier of heat and smoke.

Kakashi smirked slightly and turned his head toward a familiar figure—a black-haired boy of his age, grinning as he stood not far away.

"Obito, thanks."

Kakashi murmured the words softly, his grip tightening on his blade as brilliant lightning chakra coursed through it.

Swish!

Kakashi surged forward, plunging into the flames with unrelenting speed. His blade, crackling with electricity, sliced through the fiery veil like a beacon of light.

The Sand Jonin's eyes widened in disbelief as Kakashi emerged from the flames, his blade glowing with electrified chakra. The air crackled with the roar of thunder as Kakashi unleashed a devastating slash.

"Hatake Sword Technique: Thunder Moon Slash!"

A crescent-shaped arc of lightning erupted from Kakashi's blade, streaking toward the Sand Jonin with blinding speed and overwhelming power.

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