A short time later...
At Konoha's main camp near the battle lines,
Jiraiya was inside his command tent. He was busy planning troop movements and deciding on strategies.
The Third Shinobi World War was raging, and this time, he couldn't afford to fail like before.
So, he had stepped up and taken on the big responsibility of leading the forces against Iwagakure.
Suddenly, the tent flap opened, and one of his men hurried in.
"Lord Jiraiya… everyone… great news!"
"What is it?"
Jiraiya stopped looking at the map and walked over.
Namikaze Minato, who was standing close by, also perked up, listening intently.
"Anbu Squad Six, led by Sarutobi Ryo-sama, ran into a squad from Iwagakure. Sarutobi Ryo-sama faced Gari of the Explosion Release directly and defeated him, killing him in the end..."
"What?!"
Jiraiya was stunned by this news. He was clearly very surprised.
He knew Sarutobi Ryo was strong. He even thought that he might have defeated Pakura.
But he didn't expect the young master to be able to beat Gari of the Explosion Release in a one-on-one fight.
Gari was about the same age as Jiraiya and Orochimaru, a seasoned fighter with years of experience.
He was so skilled and experienced, yet he was killed...
"..."
Namikaze Minato stood quietly. His expression was serious, and his eyes flickered as he thought deeply.
"The body has been brought back. Sarutobi Ryo-sama said that Gari of the Explosion Release had two Kekkei Genkai: Steel Release and Explosion Release. This makes the body very important for research..."
Analyzing bodies was part of the Anbu's job.
This was normal.
But when Namikaze Minato heard that Gari had two Kekkei Genkai, he was shocked.
In the future the Great Toad Sage had shown him, Gari only had the Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai.
This...
Just like Pakura, the changes in others were bigger than Namikaze Minato had expected.
This made him start to wonder.
Was Sarutobi Ryo-sama really the one changing the Ninja World's future?
Or… was there someone else?
Namikaze Minato wasn't sure anymore.
Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Ryo, Pakura, Gari… these famous figures were all taking different paths than he had foreseen.
It was becoming hard to figure out who was behind these changes.
The others were talking about Sarutobi Ryo. They were mostly praising him.
Kakashi, who was listening, said, sounding a bit annoyed, "Teacher Minato could beat that guy easily too..."
"..."
Namikaze Minato didn't reply to Kakashi.
If Gari really had the Steel Release Kekkei Genkai, Minato wouldn't be able to break through his defenses.
Even if he used his new technique… the Rasengan.
It might not be enough to get through the Steel Release.
My attacks … are still not strong enough…
Namikaze Minato started to feel worried.
He was also very curious about how Sarutobi Ryo had killed Gari.
It was hard for Namikaze Minato to fight against ninja with strong defenses, like Gari and the Raikage...
This was his weakness right now.
"Minato, you need to work harder too..."
Jiraiya turned away from the group and walked over to pat his student on the shoulder.
Since the war started, Namikaze Minato had completed many missions, always with perfect success.
But he had mostly defeated weaker enemies.
He needed to face stronger opponents, like Sarutobi Ryo, to prove himself.
Namikaze Minato thought for a moment and then looked up at his teacher. "Lord Jiraiya, I want to go see the Kumogakure Front..."
"The Kumogakure Front? No problem… if you want to, Minato."
Jiraiya nodded, trusting his student completely.
Uchiha Fugaku was at the Kumogakure Front, and the fighting there was intense.
The A-B Brothers, the Storm Release ninja, and other Kekkei Genkai users were a serious threat.
If Minato was confident he could make a difference there, that would be great.
Soon, Namikaze Minato gathered his three students.
"Kakashi, you guys go back to the village first..."
Going to Kumogakure meant facing the A-B Brothers.
That was too dangerous for Kakashi and the others.
----
Two days later,
Sarutobi Ryo returned to Konoha.
At the same time, news of a victory came from the battle lines.
Because Gari of the Explosion Release had died, Iwagakure changed their plans and started to be more careful.
Then, Hatake Sakumo killed the scouts they sent out again.
Since the enemy was "blind" and couldn't see their movements, Hatake Sakumo bravely led his team behind enemy lines.
He launched a powerful attack that broke through Iwagakure's front lines, forcing them to retreat many kilometers.
The name "Konoha White Fang" once again struck fear into the surrounding countries.
Hatake Sakumo reported the victory, and Namikaze Minato headed to Kumogakure.
Sarutobi Ryo arranged for Gari's body to be stored. He planned to find someone to study it.
At first,
Sarutobi Ryo thought of Yakushi Nonou.
But because of the war, there were many more refugees and orphans.
Nonou was very busy.
So, Sarutobi Ryo decided not to ask her and turned to someone else… Nohara Rin.
After graduating, she had been working with Namikaze Minato on missions.
The battlefield had changed her.
Nohara Rin had grown more than Uchiha Obito.
Now, she wouldn't freeze up when facing enemies. She could act correctly.
On a street at dusk,
Nohara Rin had just returned from the battlefield. She washed away the dirt and tiredness of fighting.
She had received an invitation from Sarutobi Ryo to meet at a tea shop.
After not seeing her for many days, Nohara Rin seemed different.
"Rin, you've become more mature..." Sarutobi Ryo said with a small smile.
"Really?"
Nohara Rin felt happy inside.
Then she realized what he meant.
Mature … is Sarutobi Ryo-sama saying I've become more womanly?
She quickly pushed those thoughts away.
She told herself to think more about Kakashi.
But when she looked at Sarutobi Ryo's handsome face, she couldn't help but think about all his wealth.
And the fact that he had killed Gari alone.
Young, handsome, noble, rich, and powerful…
He had everything a girl could want.
Nohara Rin's cheeks turned slightly red, and her heart was a mess. The beginnings of love …
"Rin, let's go inside and talk."
Sarutobi Ryo invited Nohara Rin into a private room at the tea shop.
Sarutobi Ryo could see the stirrings of love in the young girl.
After some time apart, those feelings were still there.
I need to strike while the iron is hot, to make her like me more …
Just as Sarutobi Ryo was thinking this, a message popped up in front of him.
[Will of Fire System]
[New Weapon of the Will of Fire: Nohara Rin]
[Side Quest Objective: Inject the Will of Fire into Nohara Rin!]
[Side Quest Reward 1: Steel Release "Progress 20%"]
[Side Quest Reward 2: Explosion Release "Progress 90%"]
Sarutobi Ryo: "Huh..."
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 244 (Vol 2 Ch 186)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 119 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
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]