Chapter 84: Namikaze Minato

When Deidara and his group returned to Otogakure, Orochimaru's clone had already retrieved the Shinigami mask from the Namanaka Shrine in Uzumaki Country.

"We should find a safe place for the Edo Tensei," Deidara suggested.

He knew that Minato's body contained half of the Kyūbi's chakra. While Minato's own strength might not allow him to break free of Orochimaru's control, adding the Kyūbi into the equation made things unpredictable. A battle seemed inevitable.

The group chose a vast plain as the summoning site. It was the perfect location for facing off against someone with the Flying Thunder God Technique—open, flat, and visible in all directions. With no place to hide, Minato wouldn't be able to escape. The only concern was Uchiha Obito unexpectedly showing up and providing Minato with a teleportation point. After all, Flying Thunder God wasn't a technique that ignored distance, it required a pre-marked location.

'As long as Obito stays far away, Minato won't be able to reach him,' Deidara assured.

"I'm starting," Orochimaru said, donning the Shinigami mask and weaving hand seals.

An icy, malevolent aura emanated from Orochimaru as he grasped a dagger and sliced across his stomach. From the Shinigami's belly, souls began to spill out.

Not only did Namikaze Minato's soul emerge, but so did the souls of Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and countless others who had either used or been sealed by the Reaper Death Seal.

However, unless they were summoned with Edo Tensei, those souls were bound to the afterlife and posed no threat.

Finally, as the Shinigami reached for Orochimaru's soul, the slippery serpent opened his mouth wide, transferring his essence into a prepared backup body. Weak and unsteady, Orochimaru stood up. The new body wasn't as compatible as White Zetsu's, but it would suffice for now.

"Edo Tensei!" Orochimaru announced, weaving hand signs. A coffin rose from the ground, its lid creaking open.

With a bang, the lid fell to the side, revealing a handsome, golden-haired man with a sunny demeanor.

"Huh? I thought I was dead," Minato said, looking at his hands in confusion. "And my soul was sealed inside the Shinigami… Orochimaru?" His gaze shifted to the pale man before him. "This is your doing, isn't it?"

"Indeed. Someone requested that I summon you back," Orochimaru replied, pointing at Deidara.

"And you are?" Minato asked, his expression calm but wary. "What do you want from me?"

"It's complicated, but I'll keep it simple," Deidara said. "Your son, Naruto, isn't doing well in Konoha. He's close to being treated purely as a jinchūriki weapon. I can help him, but I need a small favor in return."

"What kind of favor?" Minato asked, concern flickering across his face at the mention of Naruto.

"Half of the Kyūbi's chakra. If that's too much, I'll settle for a single Bijūdama," Deidara replied.

"That's not happening." Minato's eyes narrowed. "If the Kyūbi is your target, I can't trust you."

"Don't you care about your son?" Deidara pressed.

"I trust Naruto. And I trust Jiraiya-sensei and the Third Hokage to protect him. On the other hand, you—" Minato's tone turned cold. "You're clearly rogue shinobi. Orochimaru has been a missing-nin for years, and anyone associating with him isn't someone I can take at their word."

Deidara sighed. "If that's how it is, we'll have to settle this by force."

"No need," Orochimaru interjected. "I can simply control him with Edo Tensei."

As Orochimaru attempted to seize control, a fiery red aura erupted around Minato—the Kyūbi's chakra. With it, he shrugged off the technique's hold effortlessly.

"Orochimaru, I've had a long time to reflect," Minato said, his tone steady. "Kurama and I have made peace. With his power, your Edo Tensei won't work on me."

"How fascinating," Orochimaru murmured, licking his lips to mask his embarrassment as he retreated to the sidelines.

Before anyone could react further, Hidan charged forward.

"So you're the Fourth Hokage?" Hidan grinned maniacally, his scythe gleaming. "Let me see what you've got!"

Deidara sighed. "Hidan, go all out. Use Stage Two from the start. You might last a bit longer that way."

"Shut up!" Hidan snapped. "I'll cut him in half right now!"

Minato evaded Hidan's initial strike with ease, his movements so fluid they seemed almost casual. In his Edo Tensei state, he lacked his Flying Thunder God kunai and had to mark locations manually. Even so, Hidan's wild attacks barely grazed him.

"Stop running!" Hidan roared, swinging wildly.

In a flash, Minato reappeared behind him, slamming a Rasengan into Hidan's back.

"Argh!" Hidan crashed to the ground, groaning as he struggled to rise.

Recognizing the gap in strength, Hidan reluctantly activated Stage Two. Black markings spread across his body, enhancing his speed and power. He charged again, faster this time, but Minato countered effortlessly, relying solely on Shunshin and Rasengan to toy with him.

"You're too weak, Hidan," Kakuzu taunted from the sidelines after another Rasengan sent Hidan sprawling.

"Why don't you try, then?!" Hidan growled, brushing off his injuries as he rose again.

"Gladly," Kakuzu replied confidently.

Deidara buried his face in his hands.

"Old man, please… You might be stronger now, but this is Minato with half of the Kyūbi. You're just asking to get wrecked."

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

Fanfic is finished on Patreon (241 chapters in total.) 

Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)