Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 430: Battle Against Nagato Again

"It's about time we got moving, isn't it?"

"Today, we need to deal a heavy blow to the arrogance of Akatsuki."

After watching Nawaki leave, Minato turned slightly to Kitsuchi and Rōshi, speaking with firm resolve. His words carried weight, and determination was written all over his face.

"Of course."

Kitsuchi didn't dampen the mood, smoothly following up with a grin.

"I'll go make the arrangements."

Rōshi held back his urge to douse their enthusiasm and quickly strode toward the center of the camp. It wasn't that he wanted to undermine their morale—it was just that the fight against Nagato had left a deep impression on him.

He had never felt so powerless against anyone before!

"Um, Minato,"

"Don't you think it would be better if both our forces operated under a unified command?"

Walking beside Minato, Kitsuchi hesitated for a moment before voicing his thoughts. He knew that merging two separate teams didn't always result in better coordination—sometimes, it did more harm than good.

"You have a point, but let's just make do for now."

"Once they get more familiar with each other, we can discuss it again."

Minato casually deflected the issue with a reasonable excuse.

Mix the two teams together? What kind of joke was that?

Did they really expect Konoha's shinobi to fight side by side with Iwa against the Akatsuki?

"...Fine."

Since they were the ones asking for help, Kitsuchi reluctantly agreed. At the very least, keeping their teams separate ensured that neither side would interfere with the other's combat efficiency. He could live with that.

The two continued their conversation, each harboring their own thoughts. About half an hour later, the Iwa ninja had fully assembled, and Rōshi returned to their side.

"Everyone's here. Let's move out."

With a quick exchange between Kitsuchi and Minato, the two teams set off together, moving without a set destination.

"The Akatsuki's scouts can't be this blind, can they?"

After traveling for quite some time without spotting a single enemy, Rōshi couldn't help but complain.

"Don't worry. With a force this big, there's no way we haven't been noticed," Minato said confidently, already wondering what it would be like to face Nagato again.

"Yeah," Kitsuchi nodded, scanning their surroundings. "For all we know, the Akatsuki could be lurking somewhere right now, deciding how best to take us down."

"Hah! Let's just hope they have the guts to show up," Minato laughed heartily.

Rōshi shot him a glance but said nothing more.

The group kept moving, their pace steady, while everyone remained on high alert.

In the distance, a smirk tugged at Nagato's lips.

Minato really came!

"What's got you grinning like that?"

Of course, Nonō caught the slightest change in his expression.

"Minato's here," Nagato said.

"Looks like he's trying to lure us out."

He had already received intel from Kawakaze and had been waiting for this moment.

"Oh? Then we'd better put on a good show."

Nonō's eyes gleamed. If Iwa didn't get reinforcements soon, this act of theirs would be hard to keep up.

"Absolutely."

"Everyone, gather up. Prepare to attack."

Nagato leapt down from the small hill, leading his troops toward Minato's advancing force.

Among them, Daiki Nakamura let out an excited howl—finally, he had found those Iwa cowards!

"Here's a little welcome gift!"

As the distance closed, Nagato activated the Asura Path, launching several rockets straight at the Iwa forces. The missiles streaked through the air, leaving trails of flame in their wake, while the Akatsuki shinobi behind him quickened their pace.

"They're here."

Minato suddenly halted. His sharp sensory abilities picked up on Nagato's attack instantly.

Judging by the chakra trajectory, it wasn't aimed at Konoha's forces, so technically, he didn't need to interfere.

But this was the perfect chance to put on a performance—if any discrepancies arose later, this could serve as evidence.

"Big Ball Rasengan."

In a flash, Minato used the Body Flicker Technique, dashing forward as the swirling sphere in his hand expanded, colliding head-on with the incoming rockets.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion shook the battlefield.

"What a petty trick."

Minato landed back beside Kitsuchi and Rōshi, speaking with clear disdain.

"Don't underestimate him—he's capable of much more than that," Kitsuchi warned, his expression grim as he stared in the direction of the attack.

"Let's take him together. No way he can handle all three of us."

Rōshi talked big, but his stance was purely defensive.

The Iwa forces were already demoralized, and their formation wavered. In contrast, the Konoha shinobi—despite not having faced battle yet—remained steady.

"Then let's move."

Even if Minato could take Nagato down alone, he wouldn't do it.

If he did, Kitsuchi and Rōshi would have free rein, and that would spell disaster for the Akatsuki.

"Attack!"

With that, Rōshi and Kitsuchi rushed forward, and Nagato finally appeared before them.

"Split up!"

Minato barked the command before vanishing again.

Kunai rained down in precise intervals, forming a pattern as he closed in on Nagato. Meanwhile, Kitsuchi and Rōshi flanked from the left and right, aiming to trap him in a pincer attack.

"You really think a swarm of ants can bring down an elephant?"

Nagato sneered, showing no intention of backing down.

In an instant, the battle erupted.

Despite being outnumbered, Nagato held his ground, using his extra mechanical arms to match their taijutsu blow for blow.

"Rasengan!"

Minato lunged forward again, targeting Nagato's chest. His gritted teeth and fierce expression sold the act—anyone watching would think he was out for blood.

Kitsuchi and Rōshi took the cue, unleashing even faster, more ruthless attacks.

"Pathetic."

Nagato scoffed, blocking every strike with ease.

Not only did he defend flawlessly, but he even freed up one hand to absorb Minato's Rasengan completely.

"Damn, he's tough."

Failing to land a solid hit, Minato and the others pulled back, while the battle between their subordinates was already in full swing.

Three factions clashed in chaos, battle cries echoing across the battlefield.

"The blonde kid with Tsunade?"

Nagato finally acted as if he had just recognized Minato. Then, with a smirk, he threw in a ruthless taunt.

"Iwa's really gone downhill, huh? Since when did you start calling Konoha your boss?"

Minato nearly burst out laughing. Damn, when did Nagato get this sharp-tongued?

"Shut the hell up!"

"You betray your allies and side with Kumo, but Konoha isn't allowed to support us?"

Rōshi's face turned bright red. If he were strong enough, he'd have torn Nagato apart on the spot.

"Betrayal? That's a stretch."

"You know exactly what your intentions were back then."

Nagato chuckled lightly, entirely unbothered.

"Enough talk."

"Today, I'll make you pay for what you did to Lord Hokage."

Minato stepped forward, cutting off the argument before he actually started laughing.

"Tsunade couldn't beat me."

Nagato extended a single finger and tapped the air dismissively.

"And you think you can?"

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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