Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 124: The Death of Minato (Part 2)

When Minato's vision returned, everything seemed unchanged.

It looked like a simple flash bomb technique, used merely to evade his attack.

But as Minato observed the triumphant smiles of the Xuanyuan Group, he realized the situation had shifted drastically.

Yet the onslaught from his enemies left no time for further thought. Forced to evade with the Flying Raijin, a sudden anomaly appeared.

As soon as he used the technique, Minato froze mid-motion, his body stiffening as he glanced downward.

A grotesque worm-like growth had emerged from his chest, tearing through his clothing. The sight was horrifying.

He could feel it—this monstrous growth was absorbing his chakra, growing larger with each passing moment.

The creature seemed alive, feeding on his chakra to expand. If Minato continued using chakra, his body would likely rupture under the strain.

So that flash of light… was merely a distraction to conceal this move?

Minato chuckled bitterly at the thought.

A ninja without chakra was like a bird without wings.

Even taijutsu specialists required chakra to enhance their techniques. Without it, a ninja was just an ordinary person with exceptional physical fitness.

So this was the Xuanyuan Group's terrifying secret?

No wonder they were called the "ninja hunters." Without prior intel, any shinobi facing them for the first time would stand no chance.

"We didn't actually need to separate you," the Xuanyuan leader remarked, stepping back from the Fourth Hokage with a smile.

"Our employer insisted on hiring multiple groups for safety. Naturally, we couldn't handle all of you ourselves."

The leader pointed at Minato and said,

"This technique is called the Exploding Worm. No ninja has ever survived after being afflicted by it—all died from the explosion. We'll keep our distance and watch you die. If Hokage-dono doesn't want to risk the explosion harming his allies, he'd best keep them far away."

"So that's it… an explosion," Minato murmured, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Thank you for the information. At least my death won't be meaningless."

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Jiraiya's Shadow Clone, unaffected by the attack, abandoned the Xuanyuan Group's fire-style user and appeared beside Minato, his expression grim. "I'll take you out of here."

"That's impossible." Minato smiled faintly, the pain evident in his face. "I'm a ticking time bomb, and besides… you're just a Shadow Clone."

Shadow Clones were too fragile. Against opponents like the Xuanyuan Group, there was no way it could carry him out of this alive.

"I…"

"Sensei, take the antidote and leave."

Before Jiraiya could argue further, Minato handed him the antidote and said firmly, "Go save Yahiko."

Jiraiya stared at Minato's resolute expression, feeling a suffocating weight in his chest.

Why did it have to come to this?

Peace was just within reach, yet Minato was about to fall before the dawn.

This… this couldn't be happening.

The Xuanyuan Group stood watching their exchange, making no move to interrupt.

The explosive potential of the Exploding Worm grew with the amount of chakra it absorbed. If a Kage-level shinobi like Minato self-destructed, the devastation would be unimaginable.

Minato didn't give Jiraiya's Shadow Clone time to hesitate. Using the Flying Raijin, he teleported him away.

Any further delay, and Yahiko's life would be forfeit.

The act of using chakra caused the worm-like growth on Minato's chest to expand rapidly, pushing it to the brink of detonation.

Yet, the Xuanyuan Group saw no fear on Minato's face—only a faint trace of longing and sorrow.

In that moment, Minato's thoughts wandered.

"Your combat style is too solitary. No one can keep up with you, so you always instinctively choose to fight alone. It's dangerous."

You were right, sensei. My fighting style has always been flawed. Time and again, I've found myself battling alone. It's probably my greatest weakness.

But this time is different. If we had all stayed here, none of us would have survived. Please forgive my selfishness.

"Minato, if you don't advance, they won't let you retreat."

These enemies… they're from other villages, the underground black market, and even our own daimyo, aren't they?

Minato chuckled bitterly to himself.

The tense atmosphere of the Five Kage Summit, the enemy's resources and tactics—it all pointed to too many culprits.

Hyuga Fuji had warned him about this intel, but he had been too entranced by Konoha's peace to act decisively. Now it had come to this… I'm sorry, Fuji.

"Minato, what should we name our child?"

Finally, Kushina's warm smile appeared in Minato's mind.

If it's a boy, we'll name him Naruto. That's already decided.

I hope… he won't have to become a ninja, won't have to face the malice of this world. I hope he'll live in an era of peace.

The memories in his mind played like a revolving lantern, and as they came to an end, Minato reappeared behind the Xuanyuan leader using the Flying Raijin.

"Thanks for the intel."

The Xuanyuan leader's eyes widened as he watched Minato glow with a brilliant light, his body suddenly exploding and turning both of them into dust.

In his final moments, the Xuanyuan leader realized the truth.

He had already encountered the Yellow Flash once before. How could he have forgotten that Minato would leave a Flying Raijin marker?

To die from his own tactic… what a monumental failure.

…

"Cheers to the death of the Fourth Hokage!"

"Cheers to the death of the Fourth Hokage!"

"Cheers to the death of the Fourth Hokage!"

Across the shinobi world, countless black market merchants and nobles raised their glasses, laughing and celebrating with song and dance.

In the Rain's Tower, Rasa returned to his room, laughing up at the ceiling.

What a joyous day. The Fourth Hokage, Jiraiya, and even the Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan—all those who once intimidated him and brought him humiliation—were dead!

Oh, and Hyuga Fuji… with Konoha losing a third of its top combat strength all at once, he couldn't wait to see the despair on his face.

Since Suna was an ally of Konoha, it would only be right to offer condolences after the Hokage's death, wouldn't it?

He would make sure to enjoy their expressions thoroughly!

In his room, the Tsuchikage Ōnoki floated near the window, smiling as he gazed at the falling rain.

How foolish to oppose the underground black market and dream of becoming the next Hashirama.

Namikaze Minato, you weren't even close to Uchiha Madara's level, let alone Hashirama's.

Thinking of the name "Uchiha" brightened Ōnoki's mood further.

That Uchiha ninja had likely perished at the hands of Iwagakure and the black market's elites as well. A threat like someone who could control Tailed Beasts needed to be eliminated swiftly.

In the Raikage's room, the Fourth Raikage let out a low sigh, his mood subdued.

Even upon hearing that his subordinates had captured Jiraiya, he merely instructed them to flee quickly with the Amber Purifying Pot, showing little enthusiasm.

Possessing the relic passed down from the Sage of Six Paths, a treasure capable of sealing anyone who responded to its call, capturing a single Jiraiya was hardly worth celebrating.

In the daimyo's palace in the Land of Fire, the daimyo raised a glass with a smile.

"Let us celebrate the death of the Fourth Hokage!"

The shinobi world didn't need a sun that sought to illuminate everything.

(Chapter End)