Ch 99 : Die fighting, not in vain
Kumo Ninjas didn't rush to attack again, instead remaining quiet for several days.
Makoto thought it was likely due to the failure of their previous attack, coupled with the fact that the Raikage had been injured by Minato, which caused the Kumo Ninjas to temporarily hold back.
However, during this time, the Kumo Ninjas actually sent a letter demanding that Konoha return the Nibi jinchuriki, claiming that if Konoha complied, they would accept their surrender.
The Konoha people were all amused by the letter.
Shikaku didn't hold back and immediately responded, stating that if the Kumo Ninjas didn't withdraw their forces, they would kill the Nibi jinchuriki and all the prisoners, and send them all over the world to find a wild Nibi.
Makoto could easily imagine how the Raikage would react upon reading this letter—he'd probably be furious.
Amegakure also sent a letter, addressed to Jiraiya, inquiring about his well-being and stating that they had gathered their forces and were preparing to march towards the Land of Fire.
Konoha immediately dispatched ninjas to the northern border to welcome the Ame Ninjas.
Sunagakure also responded, stating that they were currently occupied with the war against Kirigakure and couldn't spare any resources, expressing their inability to assist Konoha in its situation.
It sounded like an excuse, but it was indeed the truth.
The next day, Ame Ninjas arrived, with Yahiko bringing 1,000 ninjas, which was about the same strength as Konoha's current forces.
Although Amegakure wasn't as powerful as the Five Great Shinobi Villages, it was still a force to be reckoned with, with considerable strength and a deep foundation.
After all, they had been able to single-handedly instigate a war across the ninja world in the past.
Konoha and Amegakure had once been mortal enemies, but now the Ame Ninjas were willing to help Konoha, which deeply moved the people of Konoha.
Some who had experienced the Second Great Ninja War set aside past grudges, and Konoha proactively helped the Ame Ninjas by setting up a camp nearby and providing supplies.
Konoha was now lacking nothing except for people.
Yahiko and his companions arrived at the Kikyo Mountain fortress and met with Jiraiya.
It was a touching reunion between master and disciples.
Jiraiya also introduced them to his other disciple, Namikaze Minato.
By this time, Minato was able to walk again, and Yahiko had long heard of the "Yellow Flash" reputation.
After meeting, they exchanged pleasantries.
Minato was particularly concerned about Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan.
When Kushina saw Nagato, her expression immediately changed, and she recognized him as one of her own kind.
She approached Nagato, hoping to engage him in conversation, but unfortunately, Nagato remained indifferent to all Konoha ninjas except for Jiraiya.
Even when Kushina mentioned the Uzumaki clan, he showed little interest, as if he were completely uninterested, which left Kushina feeling helpless.
After the fall of the Uzushiogakure (Hidden Whirlpool Village), the few surviving members of the Uzumaki clan scattered and hid their identities, so finding someone from her clan was a rare occurrence.
During the days without full-scale battle, both sides focused on recovery, though their reconnaissance teams continued to operate without interruption, and occasionally small-scale skirmishes broke out.
A week after the last Kumo Ninja attack, they finally made a major move again.
The reconnaissance team reported back that over 4,000 Kumo Ninjas had set out from their camp, rushing toward Kikyo Mountain.
At this point, the Kumo Ninjas were likely being personally led by the Raikage, along with the Hachibi Jinchuriki.
It was clear that they intended to crush Konoha's resistance once and for all.
This put both Konoha and the Ame Ninjas on high alert, as the Kumo Ninjas currently represented the strongest military force in the ninja world.
Outside Kikyo Mountain, 4,000 Kumo Ninjas stood in formation, ready to strike.
Makoto, whose eyesight wasn't particularly good, could only see a dark mass of people in the distance, but he could clearly sense two immense chakras standing at the forefront of the Kumo forces.
On Konoha's side, Minato, Jiraiya, Fugaku, and Makoto stood at the front, while Shikaku and Inoichi were stationed at the rear, ready to coordinate the battlefield.
This battle would determine the future balance of power in the ninja world.
Before the battle, the battlefield was eerily silent.
The wind blew through the banners, making them flutter wildly, while everyone stood at the ready.
Minato suddenly chuckled and said, "It's been a while since we fought side by side."
Fugaku also smiled and replied, "There will be plenty of opportunities for that in the future, Minato. No need to get sentimental."
Jiraiya sighed, "The younger generation is getting more and more impressive. I feel like I can hardly keep up with the times anymore."
And he wasn't even 40 years old yet.
After he finished speaking, he noticed that Makoto remained silent, not responding at all.
Both Minato and Fugaku also turned their gaze toward him.
"Makoto, aren't you going to say something?"
Makoto felt speechless inside, wanting to say, You guys are already setting up so many flags for yourselves, and now you want to drag me into it too?
He simply said, "Our army will be victorious!"
Jiraiya burst into laughter, commenting that Makoto didn't act like a young person at all—he was even more mature than Kakashi.
Not far away, Kakashi vaguely heard his name and wondered if Lord Jiraiya was speaking ill of him.
Seeing their leaders acting so casually before battle, the tense Konoha ninjas began to relax a little.
Booooom—
A deep, prolonged horn sounded abruptly from the distance, and everyone's expressions turned serious.
A massive wave of Kumo Ninjas surged forward like a dark tide.
At the forefront, a blue figure crackling with lightning charged ahead at breakneck speed.
Minato's eyes narrowed as his body suddenly disappeared in an instant.
"The Fourth Raikage, huh? That means Hachibi Jinchuriki must be here too," Jiraiya said slowly.
The Raikage duo brothers of Kumogakure were well-known figures in the ninja world.
Both were extraordinarily powerful individuals, and their teamwork was incredibly well-coordinated.
This meant that they would soon have to face a fully transformed Hachibi.
As this thought flashed through their minds, a deafening "BOOM" suddenly resounded, shaking the very earth beneath them.
At the forefront of the Kumo Ninja army, an enormous monster—its body like an ox with tentacles like an octopus—appeared out of nowhere, roaring as it charged toward the Konoha fortress.
Jiraiya's gaze darkened, and his nerves tensed.
He glanced at Makoto standing beside him.
Makoto and Kushina... will they be okay?
Taking a deep breath, Jiraiya roared loudly, "Everyone—"
"Are you ready to die in battle?!"
A resounding reply echoed across the mountains and valleys, reaching the skies:
"We will fight to the death without regret!"
A dragon-shaped fireball streaked across the sky, hurtling into the enemy ranks and exploding in a massive burst of flames!
Konoha had set traps along the Kumo Ninjas' path in advance, but they did little to slow their advance.
More Kumo Ninjas pressed forward, braving the storm of shuriken and explosive tags.
Soon, the forces of both sides clashed, and the battlefield descended into chaos.
Jiraiya and Fugaku each led their teams and charged into the fray.
Makoto did not rush to the front lines but instead turned back toward the interior of the fortress.
Kushina stood alone at a high vantage point, her vibrant red hair flowing wildly in the wind, a faint sorrow lingering between her brows.
She gazed at the battlefield, which had quickly devolved into chaos, and at Minato, who was engaged in a fierce clash with the Fourth Raikage.
Countless shinobi charged forward, risking their lives for the sole purpose of annihilating their enemies.
Makoto flew to Kushina's side and said, "Are you ready? It's time to begin."
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