"Perhaps it's because Minato killed the man from the Kamizuru clan," Shibi suddenly remarked, breaking the tense silence. "That might have sent a signal to the Iwagakure forces."
Both Minato and Jiraiya turned toward him, curiosity evident in their expressions. "What do you mean?" Jiraiya asked.
Shibi adjusted his sunglasses thoughtfully before explaining, "Among our Aburame clan, there's a special parasite. It's implanted into the body at a young age and forms an incredibly strong bond with its host over time. If the host's life is endangered, the parasite reacts violently, even after death."
Minato's eyes widened slightly. "There are such parasites?"
Even Jiraiya, known for his extensive knowledge of ninjutsu, looked intrigued. Techniques of the Aburame clan were a well-guarded secret, and this information was likely unknown even to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.
Shibi nodded. "Yes, but this type of parasite is difficult to nurture. It often harms the host during the initial bonding period. Because of that, we stopped using it years ago. However, the Kamizuru clan, known for their insect techniques, may have something similar."
Minato frowned. "Are you saying that the Kamizuru ninja also had a bond like this with his insects?"
Shibi nodded again. Both the Aburame and Kamizuru clans were renowned for their mastery over insect-based ninjutsu. If one clan had such a secret, it was conceivable that the other did as well.
Jiraiya's brows furrowed as he considered the implications. "That would explain the sudden retreat of the Iwagakure forces. They must have sensed the loss of their leader and decided to fall back. But… Minato, how did you deal with the infiltrators who bypassed the front lines?"
Shibi turned to Minato as well, his gaze tinged with curiosity.
Minato chuckled lightly, his tone reassuring. "Don't worry, sensei. Shibi and I took care of all the enemies outside the battlefield."
Jiraiya's face froze momentarily. "Took care of them?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. He was well aware of the scale of the infiltration. According to intelligence reports, 800 Iwagakure ninjas had been dispatched to infiltrate the Land of Fire. Among them was a warrior from the Kamizuru clan who had once matched Uchiha Kai in combat.
The sheer scale of the accomplishment seemed incomprehensible.
In the head-on battle between Konoha and Iwagakure, involving over 3,000 shinobi on either side, total casualties rarely exceeded a few hundred. Yet Minato and Shibi had eliminated 800 enemy ninjas, a feat unparalleled in the history of the ninja world.
Jiraiya's expression shifted from disbelief to awe as he turned to Minato. "Tell me everything," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of incredulity and admiration. "This… this is beyond anything I've ever seen."
Shibi, standing nearby, managed a bitter smile. "I only helped track the enemies. I didn't have a chance to join the fight," he admitted, glancing at Minato with the same curiosity Jiraiya bore. "How did you do it?"
Minato gave a sheepish shrug. "I couldn't have done it without Shibhi's help. He pinpointed the location of the enemy forces. Without that, none of this would've been possible."
Despite his humility, Minato couldn't escape the expectant gazes of his sensei and comrade. With a resigned smile, he began recounting the events of the battle.
As Minato concluded his explanation, the Konoha forces had finished tallying the casualties on both sides. A report was handed to Jiraiya, who scanned it with a serious expression.
"I see," Jiraiya murmured, the paper trembling slightly in his hands. The report stated that Konoha had suffered roughly 180 casualties during the battle, while Iwagakure's losses totaled over 900.
Jiraiya exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Minato. "The battle report says 180 Iwagakure ninjas were killed here on the frontlines. You… you alone killed 800. Even as your teacher, I find it hard to believe!"
The Konoha ninja who had delivered the report froze mid-step, his eyes darting toward Minato. His jaw slackened, and his wide-eyed expression betrayed his shock.
The implications were staggering. A single ninja achieving such a feat seemed more like the stuff of legends than reality. While it wasn't unheard of for elite shinobi to rival small armies, the logistics of killing so many in such a short span of time were staggering. Ninja, after all, weren't stationary targets. Their mobility, combined with their jutsu, made it nearly impossible to pin down and eliminate such a large number.
Yet, here stood Minato Namikaze, calm and unassuming, having accomplished what should have been impossible.
Jiraiya's gaze lingered on his student, a mix of pride and disbelief etched into his features. "You're no ordinary shinobi, Minato," he said, his tone soft but reverent. "During the Second Ninja World War, we called you a monster, but even that feels inadequate now."
He let out a heavy sigh. "No wonder the Cloud Ninja issued that order. If I were in their shoes, I'd do the same." He was referring to the directive issued by C, the Cloud Ninja strategist, to retreat immediately upon encountering the Yellow Flash.
As Jiraiya looked at the blond man before him, he couldn't help but recall the boy Minato once was—dedicated, hardworking, and brimming with potential. Konoha had seen many prodigies rise through its ranks, but Minato's light eclipsed them all.
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