Dust Release!
Composed of the simultaneous Nature Transformations of wind, fire, and earth Chakra, it possesses the formidable power to decompose any matter into an atomic state; it is a rare Bloodline Selection that transcends even the complexity of standard Bloodline Limits.
Onoki floated high in the sky, looking down condescendingly at the devastated Konoha Ninjas below.
Minato—is he dead?
Beside that massive, smoking ravine, a Konoha Ninja stared at the empty spot where Minato had just been standing, his pupils trembling with shock.
Well—that strike just now was definitely the fastest and most concentrated Dust Release I have ever unleashed in my entire life.
Onoki shook his head slowly. If he could somehow survive that, it would only mean the boy already possesses Kage-level combat power. But if that were truly the case, your Konoha would have sent him to the front lines of the battlefield long ago.
That makes perfect sense. As expected of Senior Onoki!
A gentle, calm voice suddenly came from directly behind him. Just as Onoki was about to nod in agreement, wondering which junior was being so tactful, his heart suddenly jolted with terror in the next instant.
Something is horribly wrong!
I am currently high in the sky; how could this voice possibly be coming from right behind me?!
Lord Tsuchikage, watch out!!!
Onoki spun around abruptly, his hands instinctively beginning to condense Dust Release Chakra, while heart-wrenching shouts from the Iwagakure Ninjas rose from the ground below.
Swoosh—
A dazzling golden light flashed through the air.
Under the horrified gazes of the Iwagakure Ninjas, a single blood-stained arm fell from the sky.
Onoki let out a sharp, pained groan. Clutching his blood-spurting right shoulder with his remaining left hand, he began to fall rapidly toward the safety of the Iwagakure forces.
Only then did he clearly see the figure that had been hovering behind him.
It was a handsome boy about the same height as himself, with striking blond hair.
He held a shimmering golden light sword, floating in mid-air with absolutely nothing to support him.
Minato Namikaze!
Seeing the person's face clearly, Onoki's eyes were filled with absolute shock.
An Iwagakure Ninja leaped up to catch the falling Onoki, and a Medical Ninja immediately stepped forward to stop the heavy bleeding.
Looking at the figure silhouetted in the sky, Onoki seemed to have his spirit drained instantly, muttering in a daze, How is this even possible?
Seeing this turn of events, the Konoha Ninjas immediately erupted into a thunderous, deafening cheer.
The Third Kazekage also halted his offensive slightly, pulling back some distance and watching Minato's direction with extreme wariness.
This kid can actually fly?!
Isn't it supposed to be the Wood Release Bloodline Limit? What is with that light sword?
Just as the Third Kazekage felt a faint unease and intended to retreat, he heard Minato's voice carry clearly from a distance.
In my view, war is an inevitable juncture in the development of human society. As human ideology progresses and our understanding of the world deepens, future wars will only become fewer. One day, the world will become unified and diverse. Therefore, I have no intention of interfering with this tide of the times, as I personally do not like war very much—
Minato slowly raised the light sword in his hand, pointing it at the nearly $1,000$-strong Iwagakure troops below. The corners of his mouth curled slightly, but there was no hint of a real smile in his eyes.
But it seems this has given you some kind of unfortunate misconception?
Stop your grandstanding!
An Iwagakure Ninja showed a face of pure resentment. You only severely injured Lord Tsuchikage by relying on a cowardly sneak attack. What are you acting so arrogant for?!
Shut up, Huangshi!
Onoki quickly shouted a sharp rebuke.
The sneak attack on Minato had failed completely, and he had even lost an arm in the process; they no longer had any viable means to threaten Minato.
I don't like fighting, unless I am provoked—if I remember correctly, it was your Tsuchikage who ambushed me first, wasn't it?
Minato gave a light, cold chuckle as the light sword in his hand dissipated. He slowly crossed his arms in front of him and then opened his hands, two dazzling golden lights blooming from his palms.
However—I'll give you a chance for a fair fight!
Wait—wait a moment!
Onoki's expression changed drastically as he raised his remaining left hand.
Seeing Minato flying in mid-air, he had already sensed something was wrong; after all, Wood Release does not naturally grant the ability to fly.
Coupled with that strange energy light sword, it was enough to prove that the intelligence they had on Minato wasn't as simple as just Wood Release!
Now, seeing the dazzling golden light emanating from Minato's palms and that never-before-seen fighting style, an unbelievable conjecture arose in Onoki's heart.
Minato Namikaze likely possesses more than just the Wood Release Bloodline Limit!
This is a monster more talented than the First Hokage, and one who will inevitably grow to be even more powerful than him!
Yata Mirror Orb!
High in the sky, accompanied by Minato's clear voice, countless dazzling light bullets instantly appeared in the air!
The barrage swept toward the Iwagakure forces like a violent rainstorm, its intense light illuminating the entire sky!
Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!
Earth Release: Earth Flow Rampart!
Earth Release: Earth Mountain Technique!
Numerous Earth Release Ninjutsu eventually converged into a massive $100$-meter-high earth mountain, blocking the path of the torrential rain of light.
However, that rainstorm of light was even more violent than they had imagined. Each light bullet carried immense piercing power, blasting craters several meters deep into the earth mountain!
Countless light bullets continuously bombarded the earth mountain, producing deafening, rhythmic roars.
In just a few seconds, that $100$-meter-high earth mountain shattered with a bang, collapsing into countless boulders.
The Iwagakure Ninjas attempted to release Earth Release again, but the light bullets seemed endless, continuing to bombard the Iwagakure forces!
Though I expected it, to think he's reached such a level of strength already?
Sakumo Hatake raised his hand to shield his eyes from the dazzling glare, his face showing genuine shock.
Seeing this, the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand suddenly swept up his subordinates, and he flew toward the distance without hesitation.
But in the next instant, his movements suddenly stiffened.
Dozens of meters ahead, Minato was hovering in mid-air, looking at him with composed leisure.
Looking back at the area where the Iwagakure forces were stationed, the ground was already strewn with hundreds of corpses.
Minato said nonchalantly, Only four or five hundred died; they're practically a bunch of gophers—
The Third Kazekage's expression was complex. How did you dodge Onoki's strike just now?
That was just a Wood Clone, though—he couldn't even take out a Wood Clone.
Minato chuckled. Since you intended to assassinate me, you should have done better intelligence work. I am a Sensory Ninja. In my perception, the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release is no different from a bright searchlight.
So that's how it is. Truly unexpected—
The Third Kazekage sighed softly. What a monster. To have such power at such an age... it seems Sunagakure's defeat in this war was destined long ago.
Yes. So, could I trouble you to surrender? Minato nodded politely.
Don't look down on people too much, stinky brat—
The Third Kazekage abruptly raised his hand. Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!
In an instant, countless Iron Sand buckshots shot toward Minato!
But in the next instant, a golden light flashed, and Minato had already appeared right beside him!
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion