In the Third Kazekage's peripheral vision, Minato's right leg suddenly burst with a dazzling, blinding light.
Then, Minato raised his leg and kicked toward him at a speed that seemed almost slow to the eye, yet far exceeded the physical reaction limits of a Kage!
Your Excellency Kazekage—
Minato's right leg unhurriedly struck the Third Kazekage directly in the waist.
In the next instant, the Third Kazekage was sent flying like a high-velocity cannonball, turning into a blurred afterimage and crashing heavily into the distant ground, creating a massive, deep crater!
The subordinates he had been carrying with his Iron Sand also fell toward the ground one after another as the magnetic control snapped.
Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?
Minato's voice seemed to carry a leisurely, almost conversational tone as it drifted into the Third Kazekage's ears from high above.
The Third Kazekage coughed up a mouthful of dark blood, a sharp hint of regret welling up in his heart as he struggled to breathe.
If I had not started this war, I would never have provoked this monster!
High in the sky, Minato slowly raised his hand and pointed toward the Third Kazekage from a distance, a brilliant golden light blooming from his fingertip.
Pew~
A concentrated Laser shot toward the Third Kazekage with lightning speed.
The Third Kazekage hastily gathered his remaining Iron Sand into a thick shield to block in front of him.
The Laser hit the Iron Sand shield and exploded with a deafening bang!
Please wait!
As the dust settled, the Third Kazekage quickly spoke up, his voice raspy and strained.
Minato's movements paused slightly as he cast a calm, inquiring look at the fallen man.
May I be allowed to leave my final instructions?
The Third Kazekage gasped slightly, the sharp pain radiating from his shattered waist making him frown deeply.
Minato's absolute dominance in speed made him realize the insurmountable gap in their strength.
In this battle, he would not stand a single chance of winning!
It would be far better to use his own life to trade for a chance for his remaining subordinates to survive this day.
Final instructions, huh—
Minato looked down at the Third Kazekage from his position above and suddenly asked with a trace of genuine curiosity, As the Kazekage, are the finances and the livelihood of Sunagakure all under your direct control?
The Third Kazekage was slightly startled; he did not expect Minato to suddenly ask a question about civil administration.
However, he still nodded his head: Yes. Do you truly want to become the Hokage? With your level of strength, as long as the Konoha higher-ups aren't blind, they should immediately list you as the primary candidate.
No, I am not really interested in being the Hokage, I just have some things I do not quite understand.
Minato shook his head: I know a bit about Sunagakure's current situation—the harsh living environment, the backward economic conditions, the serious factional struggles, and the Daimyo's Mansion repeatedly cutting your military funding.
In this situation, an external war is indeed a good way to divert internal conflicts, but it shouldn't be the only way available, right?
But for Sunagakure, it really is the only way left to us.
The Third Kazekage sighed imperceptibly and said in a heavy, weary voice, Since the First Ninja World War, the Villages have been in a constant state of an arms race, everyone desperately developing their military power.
Since you know Sunagakure's situation, you should be even more aware that Sunagakure will only be left further and further behind by the other Great Villages.
Ninjas are, after all, a violent profession. I cannot spend years or even decades slowly improving Sunagakure's economy and livelihood while other Villages are developing their armaments; I cannot consume our already scarce funds on something that might very well be a futile effort.
""
The difference between ideals and reality? That is indeed a factor I had not fully considered.
Minato nodded thoughtfully; he understood the principle that being backward leads to being bullied better than anyone else.
Although his country in his previous life always pursued pacifism, what they actually taught was a different truth:
If peace is sought through struggle, then peace will exist; if peace is sought through compromise, then peace will perish!
Dignity exists on the edge of a blade, and truth only lies within the range of cannons!
Given Sunagakure's specific conditions, it was indeed difficult to balance livelihood and the military at the same time, especially when every other nation was developing desperately.
Thinking of this, Minato waved his hand, indicating that the Third Kazekage could indeed give his final instructions.
The Third Kazekage called over his trembling subordinates: Tell Grandmother Chiyo that the outcome of this war was destined from the very beginning.
Kazekage-sama—
Several Sand Ninjas had red, watering eyes, their hearts filled with immense grief.
Don't think about revenge. My death is entirely my own fault. I started this war, and I can only atone for that mistake with my life.
As the Third Kazekage spoke, he swept up the last of the Iron Sand, sent his subordinates away to safety, straightened his tattered clothes, and looked up at Minato.
Thank you for showing mercy to my people.
Minato nodded slightly and gestured with his hand: Please.
He did not try to take the other party prisoner. Since the other party chose to attack him, they should have been prepared for the inevitability of death.
The Third Kazekage sat cross-legged on the earth, casually pulled out an Exploding Tag, and under everyone's gaze, the Exploding Tag detonated with a sudden bang.
Self-destruction—how ruthless, Minato remarked with some emotion.
For a Ninja, even if only a part of the brain remained, a lot of information could be obtained by an enemy.
As the Kage of a Village, the Third Kazekage knew all the big and small matters of the Village; naturally, he could not allow information to leak out to Konoha.
Although he was an enemy, he was a guy worthy of respect. Collect his remains.
After ordering the collection of the Third Kazekage's remains, Sakumo Hatake came to Minato's side, his tone carrying a hint of immense relief: This time it was really thanks to Minato-kun.
Senior, you are too kind. The enemy intended to target me in the first place.
Minato shook his head and sighed helplessly: It is just that I'm afraid there will be some trouble later. Should I resign from the Ninja roster?
Absolutely not!
Sakumo Hatake waved his hands hurriedly.
He now wished he could drape a warm coat over the other man if it got even slightly cold, and he wanted to leave the Ninja roster?
What kind of beautiful dream was he having?
If you're just afraid of trouble, just mention it to Hokage-sama later.
Sakumo Hatake chuckled and patted Minato's shoulder: And I expect the war should be over soon, so you will be able to settle down.
The war is over?
Minato shook his head. If killing a single leader could end a war, where would there still be wars in the world?
The world is never short of stubborn guys. Iwagakure is one thing, but Sunagakure—from the moment this war started, they already had no other choice.
Sakumo Hatake was puzzled: Why do you say that?
Sunagakure has serious internal factional struggles. Now that the front lines are losing and the Third Kazekage is dead, their economic conditions were already poor, and everything was invested in the war.
Minato spread his hands: It is a vicious cycle. The newly appointed Kazekage will most likely continue the war or even expand it in the name of avenging the Third Kazekage; otherwise, they'll have to face the internal mess.
Sakumo Hatake frowned deeply: But does that have any meaning?
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion