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Everyone had their own combat rhythm, except for Team Kakashi, where each member faced their own opponents.
Sakura unleashed her monstrous strength with one punch, a Heaven's Kick, and if the target still wasn't down, another kick for good measure.
Sasuke seemed to have wandered into a Star Wars scene, wielding two glowing blades and slashing wildly, his eyes gleaming red with intensity.
Naruto was on another level entirely swinging his attacks relentlessly, hammering down like a relentless god of liver punches. No monster could withstand the wrath of Saint Naruto, the King of Endurance!
Kakashi shot out a Grand Fireball to push back a black-winged monster, sighing internally. Where was the teamwork? He really didn't want to keep using Chidori it was exhausting, okay?
And these kids had worked so well together when stealing his bells! Could Naruto at least learn to use Adamantine Sealing Chains properly from Kushina?
Naruto glanced over and saw Kakashi drive away a monster bird. He nodded approvingly after all, scarecrows were meant to ward off birds. Kakashi was finally doing his job.
Meanwhile, Minato and Jiraiya weren't idle. Jiraiya's Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld was perfect for battlefield control, allowing Minato to execute precise eliminations.
On this day, Konoha's next generation witnessed the true brilliance of the Yellow Flash.
Naruto looked cool too, but his battle antics ridiculous as they were severely undermined his image. Other than Hinata, who saw Naruto through a biased filter, no one would call his fighting style 'cool.'
Kiba especially cringed at Naruto's so-called 'Early Morning Rush Hour Jutsu.'
Back when he was young and naive, he thought Naruto's jutsu was just mass Shadow Clones nothing too special. But once Kiba learned the Shadow Clone Technique himself, he realized how insane Naruto truly was.
Even creating a single clone to coordinate with Akamaru for the Three-Headed Wolf Technique was a trump card for Kiba. A thousand clones? That wasn't humanly possible.
After a long, intense battle, the monster hunt reached its conclusion. One by one, the creatures' corpses were sealed into scrolls for transport back to Konoha.
It sounded simple, but defeating these thick-skinned, uniquely talented monsters had drained everyone's stamina. Weaker fighters like Yakumo and Shikamaru were completely exhausted.
On the other hand, stamina beasts like Gen, Jiro, and Daiki were still running around energetically, helping transport corpses for sealing.
The only remaining threats were a few monstrous birds circling above. Their simple brains recalled their command to attack humans, but after witnessing the battle below, even their limited intelligence hesitated.
Their survival instincts clashed with their given orders, causing indecision.
Just as they tested their diving attacks, Jiraiya's white hair suddenly extended, coiling around a monster bird's wing and dragging it down.
Jiraiya wasn't interested in wasting time. He just wanted to reach Nagato as soon as possible.
"I know this technique too! Ninja Art: Lion's Mane Jutsu!" Naruto formed a few hand seals, his hair extending similarly but instead of gripping a wing, his blond strands tangled around the bird's claw.
The bird panicked, flapping furiously and lifting Naruto off the ground, swinging him like a pendulum.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata, deeply concerned, momentarily forgot that Naruto could fly.
"What's he doing now?" Kakashi and the others weren't even surprised anymore. The same jutsu looked completely different in Jiraiya's hands versus Naruto's.
Sasuke and Sakura still remembered Naruto's attempt at Nine-Sword Style he'd wildly flailed around until he nearly shaved himself bald.
"Naruto, stop messing around! Just finish it!" In the critical moment, Kushina intervened. Her Adamantine Sealing Chains shot out, striking down three more monster birds. It was as if she was warning Naruto that disobedience had consequences.
Naruto, knowing when to listen, especially to those he couldn't afford to cross, immediately shortened his hair, pulling himself closer to the bird before smashing an upward punch. "Lushan Rising Dragon Blast!"
Minato reflexively evaluated the technique's name but no, this wasn't the time for that.
"Naruto, take the exhausted back. Everyone else, regroup quickly."
"Got it."
No one objected, not even Kiba, despite his competitive nature. He had relied on high-powered techniques the whole fight, and now he was utterly drained.
He knew staying would make him a burden, so he allowed Naruto's clone to carry him away.
Minato considered for a moment and asked, "Hinata, Neji, can you still use the Byakugan?"
"I'm fine," Neji replied instantly. Their team was known for stamina.
"I can too," Hinata added. Thanks to Kushina's support, even her energy-intensive Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists felt no different from regular training.
Minato nodded. "Good. Once the enemy enters your sight, describe their features to me. I need to confirm their identities quickly."
He could already sense their chakra, but something felt… off.
"Understood!" Neji and Hinata responded seriously.
Naruto added, "And don't forget about the Explosive Tags. They've got someone skilled at disguising them as all sorts of objects. In the heat of battle, we might overlook them."
"Leave that to us," Hinata reassured.
Neji nodded in agreement they were trained professionals in spotting such tricks.
"Good." Minato summoned two small foxes, handing one to Hinata and keeping the other on his own shoulder. "You two hide and focus solely on spotting traps. If you see anything, report it immediately. Tenten, stay with them, and evacuate if necessary."
"Yes, Minato-sensei!" Tenten agreed eagerly. Learning the Flying Thunder God was the best thing ever!
"Yes!" Hinata activated her Byakugan while cradling the small fox.
After some battlefield cleanup and transportation, Yakumo, Karin, Kiba, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were sent back.
Karin had initially refused to leave, but Minato and Kushina understood her concerns and gently overruled her. "Sakura is here, and Tsunade-sensei will join us soon. There's no need to worry."
"Then at least let Naruto leave a clone with me! If anything happens, I have to help!" Karin insisted, revealing her now fully healed, pale arm thanks to Tsunade's treatment. "I want to protect my comrades!"
"Hokage-sama, we've spotted them!"
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