Chapter 33: Is This a Challenge to Minato?

Chapter 33: Is This a Challenge to Minato?

At this moment, on the surface, Uchiha Dali could hear every word Uchiha Madara spoke from underground with absolute clarity.

However, he was unable to sense Madara's presence.

Not even White Zetsu's chakra could be detected.

It was easy to understand why White Zetsu's presence was undetectable.

After all, that guy was a rather peculiar existence. He possessed Wood Release abilities and had mastered powerful transformation techniques.

When he entered his spore state, he merged with the natural environment, making it nearly impossible for even sensory-type shinobi to detect him.

But the fact that Uchiha Madara's presence was also completely absent—now that was unexpected.

"Even in his old age, this guy's strength is still leagues beyond my current level."

Uchiha Dali had initially planned to meet Madara immediately, but in the end, he suppressed the impulse.

Attempting to negotiate with Madara while their power levels were vastly unequal would most likely result in nothing but humiliation.

Besides, Madara was surely aware that he was on the surface.

Yet, he neither sent White Zetsu to meet him nor appeared in person. This was a clear indication that Madara had no intention of interacting with him.

"I should wait a little longer and resolve the Uchiha clan's crisis first."

With that thought, Uchiha Dali turned and vanished in a flash.

Shortly after his disappearance, Uchiha Obito, who had been trapped under a massive boulder, also quickly merged into the ground and vanished without a trace.

...

Meanwhile, Uchiha Dali had inadvertently rescued Nohara Rin, Kakashi, and the others, helping them escape the crisis posed by Iwagakure's forces.

However, this did nothing to alter Uchiha Obito's fate.

At the same time, in another part of the battlefield, Namikaze Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantaneously eliminate fifty Iwagakure shinobi, creating yet another miraculous feat in the Third Great Ninja War.

This further spread the legend of the "Leaf's Yellow Flash," sending shockwaves across the battlefield.

Uchiha Dali made no effort to meet Minato directly. Instead, he engaged in a silent competition with the renowned Yellow Flash of the ninja world.

Using his powerful sensory abilities, he swiftly locked onto other Iwagakure enemies on the battlefield. Then, utilizing his advanced Body Flicker Technique, he launched a relentless hunt against them.

He was challenging Minato—testing whether the Flying Thunder God Technique was truly faster or if he could eliminate enemies at a greater speed.

Before long, rumors of a ghostly presence lurking on the battlefield began to spread.

...

In a scorched forest, the charred ground was littered with the corpses of fallen enemies.

A group of Konoha shinobi was clearing the battlefield, inspecting the remnants of the battle.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of them.

"What's the current situation?"

The newcomer was Namikaze Minato.

Seeing the Yellow Flash of Konoha, the leading jonin, Yokoyama Hisashi, immediately straightened up with respect and reported, "By the time we arrived, the battle was already over. It was almost identical to what we encountered before."

"Every enemy was killed in an instant, without any sign of resistance…"

Minato scanned the battlefield carefully and found that the assessment was indeed accurate.

"They all seem to have been burned to death by Fire Release techniques…"

One of the shinobi couldn't help but murmur to himself, then questioned aloud, "Who could wield such devastating Fire Release jutsu?"

Before he could finish his thought, Minato corrected him, "No, they were all taken down with a single kunai strike."

With that, Minato leaped over to one of the corpses, crouching to inspect it personally.

Yokoyama Hisashi nodded immediately and told his subordinates, "His judgment is never wrong—after all, this man is practically a living legend in Konoha."

By now, Minato had examined multiple bodies and confirmed his assessment before returning to the group.

Yokoyama Hisashi spoke again, "Who could this mysterious individual be? Their strength seems formidable… And every time, they strike just before we arrive. It feels like they have a deliberate goal in mind."

"Counting this battle, a total of twenty-six enemy squads have been wiped out. That's a force of hundreds—losses even Iwagakure can't afford to sustain…"

"He's challenging me."

Minato interrupted Hisashi's musings, his tone calm.

"Challenging you?"

Hisashi and the other jonin exchanged bewildered glances.

Then, they looked back at Minato in confusion.

But Minato offered no further explanation.

Glancing around at the surrounding battlefield, he simply instructed, "Stay here and rest. I'm going to investigate."

With that, Minato flickered and vanished.

Only Hisashi and the remaining Konoha jonin were left, exchanging puzzled looks once again.

"Captain, who was Minato referring to? Who would challenge him?"

One of the shinobi couldn't help but ask.

"I can only make a guess…"

Hisashi furrowed his brows in thought. "Perhaps—it's that man."

"That man?"

"The one who has recently risen to fame on the battlefield. The man people call 'The Man Who Surpassed Shisui of the Body Flicker'—Uchiha Dali."

"Him? So he's using the number of enemy kills as a wager, challenging Minato?"

"That… seems to be the case…"

...

The war between Konoha and Iwagakure had raged for quite some time, and by now, Flying Thunder God marks were scattered all across the battlefield.

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Namikaze Minato quickly caught up to Uchiha Dali, who was moving alone and pursuing a retreating group of Iwagakure shinobi, preparing to eliminate this last elite force.

Sensing the movement behind him, Uchiha Dali didn't slow down. Instead, he continued rushing forward using his advanced Body Flicker Technique.

Suddenly, a specially marked Flying Thunder God kunai whizzed past him at an incredible speed, overtaking him and landing beside him.

An instant later, Minato's figure appeared on a thick tree branch ahead, blocking his path.

Uchiha Dali naturally came to a stop a short distance behind him, his expression growing serious.

As expected of the man called the Yellow Flash.

In terms of raw speed, the Flying Thunder God Technique was indeed superior—even to his advanced Body Flicker Technique.

Minato turned his head slightly, his gaze falling upon Uchiha Dali.

"You're that man, aren't you?"

He asked.

"The legendary Yellow Flash seems a little slow on the uptake, doesn't he?"

Uchiha Dali responded with a playful smile.

Minato blinked in mild surprise at the remark before breaking into a faint smile himself.

"Among the Uchiha elites I've encountered, few are as flamboyant as you. But I have to admit—your Body Flicker is impressive."

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