C15 The Attack of the Mizukage!

While he offered words of comfort to Uchiha Obito, Madara harbored deep resentment within. His time was running short, and to his dismay, complications had arisen in his plan.

Upon hearing Obito's request, Madara agreed without a moment's hesitation, for he knew he wouldn't find a more gullible Uchiha than Obito. Yet, as soon as Obito departed, Madara and Zetsu began plotting anew against Nohara Rin. She was the key to unlocking Obito's Mangekyō; without her death, Obito would remain of no use to them.

Elsewhere in Konoha, the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had noticed Minato's absence. "He's barely assumed the role of Hokage and already abandons his post. It seems I must maintain my grip on Konoha's reins," he mused. Drawing a long drag from his pipe, a wry smile spread across Hiruzen's face amidst the swirling smoke, as he crafted the perfect excuse for his continued rule.

If not for the pressing need to counteract the disadvantage of the third war, how could the title of Hokage have slipped from his grasp to Minato? He could serve for decades more, and then bestow the mantle of Hokage upon his son.

Unaware of these machinations, Russell remained indifferent. Knowledge of them would not have stirred him; he preferred to wait until his own power was sufficient to crush any opposition.

At that moment, Russell, Minato, and their companions wore grave expressions as they sensed pursuers closing in. Kushina, with her formidable sensory abilities, had detected twelve individuals—one Mizukage and eleven Jonin. "Shall we confront them here?" she inquired.

"Yes, right here. The sea ahead will only amplify their strength," Minato replied without hesitation. He then turned to Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Russell, "You're not yet strong enough. Find a hiding spot at a safe distance and emerge only once we've dealt with the fight."

As he spoke, Minato felt a surge of relief. It was fortunate that Russell had insisted on bringing Kushina along; otherwise, even he might have been forced to flee.

The Jonin might have been indifferent, but the Mizukage was capable of holding him off for a while. If things went south, Kakashi and the others could very well lose their lives in this confrontation.

"Kakashi, take Rin and get out of here. Her safety is in your hands now," Russell said, clapping Kakashi on the shoulder before turning to Minato. "I'm still strong enough to look after myself. I'll stay back and help out."

Minato took a moment to consider, then nodded in agreement.

Kakashi was reluctant to leave, but one look at Nohara Rin by his side, and he knew he had no choice but to go.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Once Kakashi was gone, Minato and Russell got down to the business of preparing for battle. They strategically placed several shuriken in concealed spots, each marked with the inscription 'Sword of Love.' These were shuriken Minato had prepared with the Flying Thunder God technique, ready to be used at a moment's notice. The rest were reserved for the fight ahead.

Russell, on the other hand, dashed off towards the enemy's approach, pulling out Explosive Talismans from his spatial storage and burying them underground one after another.

Minato and Kushina watched in astonishment. "Russ, where on earth did you get so many Explosive Talismans?" they asked, perplexed.

Though he hadn't counted them precisely, there were easily over a thousand.

Russell let out an embarrassed chuckle before explaining, "I'm the author of 'Ninja Break Spheres.' I made some money from it and spent most of it on these Explosive Talismans."

Minato and Kushina were even more astounded by his revelation, but there was no time for further questions—the enemy was upon them.

"Golden Flash Namikaze Minato? I never imagined you'd be the one to abduct our Kirigakure's tailed beast!" Yagura, the Yondaime Mizukage, said with a grimace. Yet, with his Jonin allies by his side, he felt a resurgence of confidence.

"Hand over the Three-Tails now, and I might let you walk away. Otherwise, brace yourselves for a declaration of war between Kirigakure and Konoha!"

"Pfft! Sorry, I just couldn't help myself!"

Observing Yagura's grim visage, Russell hastily offered an apology, simultaneously wiping away the drool at the corner of his mouth.

"You talk as if you could just walk away from Minato at will, and now you're thinking of letting them go? Perhaps you're unaware of what the Flying Thunder God technique entails?"

"Hmph, refuse the toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Attack!"

Yagura, though diminutive, was seething with anger, resembling a crimson radish, yet his presence was formidable.

Even Minato's countenance grew stern, clearly feeling the weight of the situation.

"Watch out, we're surrounded by Explosive Talismans!"

As Yagura charged forward, a Jonin at his side issued a sudden caution, helping the ninjas sidestep Russell's Explosive Talismans.

"Water Release - Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

"Water Release - Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

"Water Release - Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

...

Eleven Jonins, along with the Shadow Level Yagura, started forming seals in unison, aware that once in close quarters, Minato wouldn't allow them the opportunity to complete their seals.

They opted for a combined ninjutsu assault, aiming to overwhelm Minato in a single, decisive strike! Meanwhile, Russell and Kushina were overlooked.

At just six years old, Russell was easily dismissed. Kushina's background, on the other hand, had always been shrouded in secrecy by Konoha's shadows, her identity never revealed.

This outing marked Kushina's first departure from Konoha since becoming the Power of Human Sacrifice.

"Not so fast! Rasengan!"

With a swift cry, Minato activated the Shuriken he'd strategically placed earlier, instantly materializing beside Yagura and his comrades, the Rasengan in his hand whirling intensely.

The moment his right hand thrust forward, Minato vanished, reappearing beside another adversary with a fresh Rasengan.

In a mere blink, eight of the eleven Jonins behind Yagura lay dead. The remaining three, stricken with terror, abandoned their seals and teleported away.

These three had been beyond the reach of Minato's Flying Thunder God Shuriken, and thus, they narrowly escaped with their lives.

Seizing the moment, Yagura unleashed his ninjutsu. Unable to pinpoint Minato's location, he directed a massive water explosion toward Russell and Kushina.

Yagura hoped to lure Minato by threatening their lives, but he failed to anticipate that Kushina's combat skills would surpass even Minato's!

"Water Seal Jutsu!"

With a delicate cry, Kushina's slender fingers danced rapidly, capturing the tumultuous waves within a scroll, effortlessly neutralizing the danger.

The very next instant, Minato reappeared at Kushina's side, observing Yagura with a serene gaze.

He stood only next to Kushina because, unbeknownst to them, Russell had already dashed off—not to engage the enemy, but to tend to the fallen bodies.