The blond man stared at his opponent with angry, narrowed eyes. That feud between them had been going on for a long time, and both were already tired of all those intrigues, all those fights in which they either ended in a draw, or one side ended up massacring the other.
It was like a cycle, and although Minato often excelled, the Raikage's army was too big. Any other would have already been decimated to that point.
The leader of the lightning clan was persistent, as well as incredibly strong.
"Ay" never tasted defeat, not until he met Minato. His speed and strength always excelled in comparison to his opponents, where he was even able to fight a tailed beast head-to-head, and still come out alive from the fierce battle that resulted in so much destruction.
However, everything changed when he came face to face with Minato, the leader of the Namikaze clan, known for their speed.
It was supposed to be just another mission. To find and kill the people protecting one of the five elemental magatamas.
Minato was assigned to protect that magatama.
They both fought a fierce battle, and that's when the Raikage met an opponent even faster than him.
"Ay" was completely defeated. Humiliated. The speed Minato demonstrated was so great, he could barely see the blond man.
Just a yellow blur.
Since then, "Ay" became practically obsessed with defeating the blond, managing a few victories against his clan among the numerous battles both clans fought, but, it wasn't enough.
In total, he lost more than half of his clan.
Sighing, Minato glances at his wife behind him. The beautiful redhead was holding their son tightly in her arms.
This was supposed to be just another normal mission. Minato was going to Konoha, one of his affiliates to take care of some matters regarding the army.
It was something that should be a secret, since the leader of the Namikazes himself was leaving his clan. But somehow, the Raikage got to know about it.
Which only meant, a spy among his own.
- Do you really want to go on with this? Many ninjas have already died, on both sides. This is just a waste of time, Raikage. And you must already be aware of that.
"Ay" snorted.
- Arrogant as always, Minato. This attitude of yours makes me angry. You took away my honor, you took away the honor of my clan. You meddled in matters you shouldn't have. I agree that this has gone on for far too long. Today, we will settle this once and for all.
Minato shook his head at the man's stubbornness. He hadn't changed a bit in those years. The same arrogant piece of shit he had shown himself to be on their first meeting.
- You haven't changed at all... I don't know what you have planned, but it better be something good, something worth all this bullshit.
Minato picked up his three-pronged kunai and stood in battle position, just after ordering some of his most reliable men to protect his wife and son.
Kakashi and Obito, his best students. Originally from Konoha, but due to the agreement, they came to live in his clan, as his disciples.
Kushina, his wife, a beautiful red-haired woman with a youthful appearance. Naruto, her son. He had inherited his looks, but his personality was exactly the same as his mother's. Hyperactive, lively, and especially stubborn.
Six years old, and he already predicted that the blond would become more and more like his mother. Hm, a strong child.
- Argh, you never fail to annoy me. You think you can kill me at any time, huh?
The Raikage growled, also getting into battle position and already manipulating his chakra.
- You're only alive because I was merciful enough to let you. And that is a fact. As you said, this ends today.
The blond man had barely finished speaking, and the Raikage already advanced towards him, trying to deliver a devastating punch to Minato's face, who deflected to the side and countered with a kick to the stomach, which was defended by "Ay".
Jumping to the side, Minato dodges another punch and throws his kunai towards Raikage, who was already preparing to defend, or counterattack the attack that the blond was preparing. That tactic being what made the blond man so famous.
However, he was surprised when the kunai exploded in smoke, and the area around him was littered with kunais stuck in the ground.
Rolling his eyes as he realized what the blond man intended to do, the Raikage concentrated his lightning chakra in his hands and attacked the ground, where a huge lightning bolt spread all over the place, destroying the ground and throwing the kunais away.
A cloud of dust formed where he was standing, preventing Minato from seeing him in the center of the crater.
In pure instinct, the blond man ducked, dodging a concentrated punch with chakra aimed at his back, if he had been hit, he would have been paralyzed for sure.
Knocking "Ay" to the ground, Minato delivers a strong kick to the Raikage's stomach, while throwing his kunai upwards.
However, "Ay" recovered quickly due to his sturdy body and grabbed Minato by the leg, intending to break it.
Minato, however, was faster and made a hand signal, where the kunai exploded again into smoke and another three-pointed kunai appeared right next to "Ay's" body.
Minato teleported to the kunai and concentrated chakra in his fist, delivering a powerful punch to the Raikage's face, strong enough to send him "flying" a few feet forward.
"Ay" recovered quickly, and looked with narrowed eyes at Minato, who was holding one kunai while keeping another in his mouth.
Glancing around, he sees Rin, the only woman among his three students, commanding a group of his men to attack Raikage's small army just behind him.
Behind him, Kakashi and Obito were fighting Raikage's elite ninja, probably ordered to capture, or kill, his family.
Good thing he decided to take his students at the last minute.
All his students were strong, responsible and reliable. With them there, he wouldn't have to worry too much.
Making a nod, "Ay" concentrated his chakra around his body while letting his men take care of Minato for a while.
The blond clenched his eyes slightly as he felt the amount of chakra surrounding the Raikage's body, especially when a cloak of lightning began to surround him.
He had seen that technique before. A technique created precisely to fight against him.
In a way, the blond even felt flattered.
Sighing slightly, he throws his kunai in a straight line, right into the middle of the ninjas advancing towards him.
In the blink of an eye, he teleported towards the kunai, while slitting the throats of the ninjas as he advanced.
For many, it was only an instant, for Minato, it was long enough to make sure they wouldn't get in his way.
However, the blond man's eyes widened as he noticed the Raikage mere inches away from him, with a punch armed towards his face.
Gritting his teeth, Minato crouches down and uses a blast of wind to get away from the Raikage, while spitting some wind balls towards "Ay", who deflects, and even gets to bounce some of them back.
- Your technique has strengthened, I admit. I can't take you lightly anymore.
He said, catching his breath, and almost smiling when he saw "Ay's" annoyed expression.
- Damn you! Are you saying that all this time you've been taking it easy on me? Don't fuck with me!
he growled angrily, clenching his fists.
- I admit that I still am. Otherwise, your army would have been wiped out long ago. But it doesn't make that much difference.
A cynical smile came to his lips as he saw the incredulous look on "Ay's" face, who was shocked to see that his army was being wiped out by a few groups led by a simple woman.
The Raikage gritted his teeth and his chakra stirred even more. A burst of lightning struck, and the smile on Minato's face died as he felt the enormous energy emanating from his opponent's body.
He really couldn't take it easy anymore.
Soaking his kunais in chakra, he prepared for a battle of speed.
"Ay" attacked first, attempting a powerful punch to the blond's stomach, who deflected.
But, it was possible to see the force behind that blow, as a powerful wave of energy exploded in the air by the simple movement.
Crouching down, Minato dodges another blow, and counterattacks with a cutting wind attack, in which the Raikage didn't even bother to defend or dodge, since his lightning armor blocked the attack. Not completely, though, as a small cut formed on his cheek.
And soon, a great and powerful sequence of blows was exchanged by the two ninjas, where with each blow, waves of energy exploded, and the ground cracked as the fight flowed.
A ball of energy formed around the two ninjas, who did not stop striking each other for an instant.
The ball grew larger and larger, and the wind and lightning fought fiercely with each other to maintain control.
And despite the Raikage's great increase in power, Minato was still superior. His ability to read and predict blows was so great, it could be compared even to the powerful and legendary Sharingan. Even surpassing this ability of some Uchihas.
That was why the clan leader allowed one of the most promising members to be trained by him.
At a certain moment, a chill ran down Minato's spine, and his eyes widened as he felt that characteristic sensation.
Tense, he decided to put an end to it.
Applying even more wind chakra to his kunais, he gives a cutting attack on "Ay", at the same time spitting out a strong sphere of wind, sending the Raikage backwards.
Taking a deep breath, he appears behind the Raikage and delivers a powerful kick imbued with chakra, which sends the man flying forward.
Again, the blond uses his incredible speed and appears in front of the Raikage, launching a combo of combined attacks imbued with wind chakra in both "Ay's" abdomen and chest, who could not react to the speed, and the force behind those blows that penetrated his armor.
Sending him upwards, Minato undoes one of his kunais and concentrates chakra in his hand. Soon, a spinning sphere formed, the wind around that area became more violent, and a cutting noise seemed to deafen the surrounding ninjas.
His characteristic blow, as well as his speed.
- Rasengan!
Shocking the wind sphere into the Raikage's back, Minato watches as his opponent's body crashes violently to the ground, with the sphere spinning brutally on his back, destroying his armor and cutting his flesh to the point of leaving a huge hole, exposing the bones and flesh of his spine.
A blast of wind occurs, and a huge crater is formed.
Landing next to "Ay's" body, Minato, steps on the Raikage's head, preparing to kill him.
- Argh... son... of a bitch...
He growled weakly, clenching hard on some dirt in his hand.
- You should have stayed put. I never would have come after you if you had just left me alone.
- Go... fuck yourself... you... you didn't win...
The blond arched an eyebrow, and as soon as he did, that same feeling as before ran down his spine again.
Wide-eyed, he looks to the edge of the crater he was in, and feels his body freeze as he sees Rin, with a red chakra cloak around her body, holding the head of one of his men.
Beside her, countless other ninjas from the Raikage's army.
-R-rin?! What is the meaning of this?!
He shouted, incredulous, angry... betrayed to see her kill yet another one of his men, as Kiri's ninjas approached him.
-I'm sorry sensei... but...
- What the fuck, Rin?! Are you turning your back on us?!
Obito interrupted her, his Sharingan seeming to glow red as he walked at a hurried pace towards the girl... woman.
- Argh... Obito... if... if it changes anything, know that you're not supposed to be here... much less Kakashi.
- If it changes anything?! Are you kidding me?! How could you do this? Tell me this is just a fucking joke! Look into my eyes and tell me I'm not seeing what I'm seeing!
The girl closed her eyes for a moment, and opened them toward Minato, who was staring at her seriously, with anger swirling in his eyes.
Anger that could spiral out of control at any moment.
- I'm not doing this because I want to, I have to!They have something I need to protect... something of utmost importance to my clan... to my wishes.
- I don't care about your reasons. Rin, this is your last chance, stop this shit, and get back to your position, and I will forget this foolishness you are doing. Be reasonable, I can kill all of you before you even breathe.
Minato said with a dangerously cold tone, completely ignoring the Raikage on the ground, and walking with short steps towards her.
Despite the three-tailed Bijuu chakra cloak, the girl couldn't help but shiver as she felt Minato's power. He was as strong, and dangerous, as the rumors said.
She knew it well, she had seen him in battle many times.
And worst of all, he had no weaknesses... well, most of the time.
As planned, his weakness was right there.
-I'm sorry, sensei... but no matter how strong you are, you can't go against two jinchuurikis at the same time.
She said, and Minato, Obito and Kakashi all had their eyes widened when they heard that.
Soon, a pillar of chakra rose into the sky, the clouds turned red, and the air became heavy.
It seemed as if they were breathing sulfur. It wasn't long before a demonic presence, followed by a terrifying screech, approached the scene.
Minato stared, for the first time in a long time, with some concern at the approaching Bijuu.
A huge octopus, or at least something that resembled an octopus.
His eyes followed the smooth movements that the eight tails of that... creature, made.
"Eight tails... the second strongest Bijuu..."
Minato didn't even have time to reason, since the Bijuu attacked.
But, the creature seemed to have some kind of... "loyalty" towards Kiri, since it didn't attack the ninja beside it.
Instead, it had two other targets in its sights.
Rolling his eyes, Minato feels the world around him go into slow motion as he sees a black sphere moving swiftly towards Kushina, who was static as she watched the sphere approach.
She just had time to turn around, hiding her son in her arms and covering him with her body.
Gritting his teeth and feeling his heart aching, Minato uses all his speed to practically teleport in front of Kushina. He couldn't get her out of there, the sphere was too fast, but he could protect her.
Using almost all of his chakra, he concentrated an energy barrier in front of his body, preventing the black sphere from colliding and exploding.
The power emanating from that thing was no joke.
Minato spat out a certain amount of blood as soon as the sphere collided with his barrier, pushing him backwards.
If the thing exploded, they would die.
Gritting his teeth as he felt the sensation of his muscles tearing, Minato, with difficulty, made a few hand seals, and teleported the black sphere away from there.
The sphere exploded, and the impact of the explosion was so strong, it pushed even him backwards. The cutting wind was hurling debris in his direction. This, mixed with the heat of the attack, made him distracted for only a few moments.
It was then, that he felt Rin's chakra dangerously close to his wife.
- I'm sorry, Kushina-san.
The girl said, and before Minato could react, Rin attacked Kushina with a black sphere similar to the one the eight-tailed Bijuu threw. But, unlike that one, this one was smaller, and definitely less destructive.
But, it still had great power behind that sphere.
However, Kushina was far from being a weak woman. She just hadn't entered the fight, because her son was in her arms.
In an instant, she uses her adamantine chains to defend herself against the attack.
A huge explosion occurred, throwing the surrounding ninjas far away.
The chains served to soften the damage, but that sphere was so strong that, even in a weaker form, it hit the redhead.
Minato recovered in midair, ignoring the pain he felt throughout his body, especially in his leg. Again, the world around him seemed to go into slow motion.
His blue eyes focused on his wife. Kushina was on the ground, on the edge of a cliff with a dense forest below.
Blood was running down the side of her head, part of her clothes were torn, and one of her arms was badly injured.
However, considering the power of that sphere, she was fine... as well as she could be.
But her heart stopped when she saw that her son was not in her arms.
Widening his eyes even more, Minato, fixed his gaze on his son, who was in the air, with his clothes partially destroyed and with smoke emanating from his body.
The blond man didn't even think, his body simply acted. He didn't even feel the searing pain in his leg, his whole being was focused on getting his son.
Approaching as fast as he could, Minato extended his hand towards him.
But...
He couldn't catch him.
His son slipped through his fingers, and his heart was even more pained.
- Naruto!
He unconsciously shouted his son's name, where he could only stand at the edge of that cliff watching Naruto's body falling towards the dense forest below.
The blond's body simply remained static... he couldn't move. His eyes just focused on the direction in which his son fell, completely ignoring the tears that immediately started rolling down his face.
Everything became... strange... the pain in his chest prevented him from thinking clearly.
Even the noise around him was muffled. The cries of his two students calling him... the voice of his wife shouting Naruto's name.
The pain, soon, was accompanied by anger, by frustration.
Anger at those pieces of shit from Kiri, and from Kumo. Anger at that piece of shit Ay.
Anger at himself, for being known for his speed, but not being fast enough to grab his boy.
And it was then that his gaze turned to his enemies.
His fame had just gotten even bigger.
Minato Namikaze, the shinobi who defeated over two thousand ninjas, and was the main cause of the destruction of Kiri and Kumogakure.