Chapter 164: Ah! You're the Guy Who Knocked Me Out!

The river of magma released by Roshi rushed toward Kakashi and the others with terrifying speed. During the brief clash, Roshi had already grasped Namikaze Minato's attack patterns. He realized that Minato's teleportation and speed-based techniques made it nearly impossible to kill him with conventional tactics. The best strategy was to exploit his protective instincts and focus on the other three Konoha ninjas.

"Kakashi, Obito, let's go!" Rin shouted, panic evident in her voice. The roaring lava was too fast to outrun, and she urged her teammates to flee.

"Lin!" Obito yelled, rushing to her side. Without hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms and sprinted away from the encroaching magma.

Meanwhile, Kakashi planted himself in front of his retreating teammates. His hands flew through seals, and he slammed his palms onto the ground.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

Two stone walls rose from the ground, forming a triangular barrier in front of the team. As the magma slammed into the wall, it split and diverted to either side, scorching the surrounding forest but leaving Kakashi and the others unharmed for the moment.

"Not bad, kid," Roshi said with a smirk, watching as his attack was deflected. "You've got some talent."

However, his hands were already weaving seals again. Behind him, Kitsuchi stepped forward, forming his own seals.

"Lightened Boulder Technique!"

Kitsuchi's technique reduced Roshi's weight, allowing him to move with incredible speed. At the same time, Roshi spewed a barrage of molten fireballs. Empowered by Kitsuchi's technique, the fireballs streaked toward Kakashi and the others at blinding speed.

The fiery projectiles slammed into Kakashi's stone wall, creating holes as they burned through the barrier. Molten rock began to seep through, threatening to engulf the three young ninjas.

"Whoosh!"

Just as the stone wall began to crumble, Minato Namikaze appeared beside Roshi in a flash of yellow light. His kunai glinted as it thrust toward Roshi's side.

"Ultra-Lightened Boulder Technique!"

Kitsuchi, who had been closely monitoring the battlefield, reacted instantly. With his enhanced speed, Roshi spun around and raised his arm, deflecting Minato's kunai with ease. A fiery chakra aura flared around him as he reached out to grab Minato.

"So fast!" Minato thought, his expression briefly betraying surprise. Sensing the intense heat radiating from Roshi's body, Minato activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished just before Roshi's scorching hand could reach him.

He reappeared beside Kakashi and the others, taking stock of the situation.

"Konoha's Yellow Flash…" Roshi muttered, his fiery gaze locked on Minato. "You're a formidable opponent."

But then, a smirk spread across his face.

"Still, I've figured out the weakness of the Flying Thunder God Technique."

Kitsuchi looked at Roshi in surprise. "A weakness? What do you mean, Senior Roshi?"

Roshi nodded confidently. "It's simple. The Flying Thunder God and his speed-based attacks rely on split-second moments of vulnerability—the instant he appears and prepares to strike. That's our window to counterattack. With your technique enhancing my speed, we can outpace even him."

Understanding dawned on Kitsuchi, and he smiled grimly.

Minato overheard their conversation, his sharp mind immediately analyzing the situation.

"Kakashi, Obito, Rin," he said in a low voice, "hold hands. I'm taking you out of here."

Minato had already made his decision to retreat. The combination of Roshi and Kitsuchi was proving too dangerous. With the three young ninjas as liabilities, he couldn't afford to take further risks.

"Trying to escape, are we?" Roshi sneered.

In a blur of motion, enhanced by Kitsuchi's technique, Roshi closed the distance between himself and Minato's team. His fiery fist shot toward Kakashi, who froze in place.

Just as Roshi's attack was about to land, a kunai appeared between him and Kakashi. Minato flashed into existence, his kunai raised to block Roshi's punch.

"Got you!" Roshi grinned triumphantly.

His fiery fist pressed against Minato's kunai, the intense heat causing the metal to glow red-hot. The sheer force of Roshi's attack began to overwhelm Minato, forcing him backward. The vest on Minato's chest began to smolder and burn from the proximity to Roshi's chakra.

"Kakashi! Run!" Minato yelled, his voice strained.

But Kakashi, driven by guilt and frustration, refused to flee.

"Chidori!"

Lightning crackled as Kakashi formed his signature technique. With blinding speed, he charged toward Roshi, his hand blazing with electrical energy.

Kitsuchi, however, was faster. With a single, devastating kick, he intercepted Kakashi, sending him hurtling backward.

"Boom!"

A loud crash echoed as Kakashi's trajectory was suddenly halted. Instead of smashing into the ground, Kitsuchi was sent flying backward. A tall figure stood where Kakashi had been moments before.

The newcomer was dressed in black, a long, black blade resting casually on his shoulder. His crimson hair fluttered in the wind, and a confident smirk played on his lips.

"You! Uzumaki Raiden!" Roshi growled, his voice filled with recognition and anger.

The man ignored Roshi, turning instead to Kakashi. He smiled warmly.

"Yo, kid. Long time no see."

Kakashi blinked in confusion. "Who… who are you?"

Before Raiden could answer, Obito's voice rang out in realization:

"Ahhh! You're the guy who knocked me out and pretended to be Minato-sensei!"

Raiden laughed, his grin widening. "I see your memory's as sharp as ever, Obito."

(End of Chapter)