Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 438 A Gift for the Raikage

"Part Two, the Central Assault Force."

Minato's gaze swept over his most trusted companions.

"I will personally lead the team. The members include: Team 7, Obito, Kakashi, and Rin; Akatsuki Team, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan; the new generation Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza; Might Guy and his son Might Guy; and the Konoha ninja on the list who will be responsible for tactical support."

"Wow! It's us!"

Obito lowered his voice, but couldn't hide his excitement. He punched his chest hard and winked at Kakashi, "Did you hear that, Kakashi? We knew it was the dagger! The most crucial part!"

Kakashi didn't make a single unnecessary movement, simply replying, "Shut up, idiot. Don't bother Minato-sensei."

Rin smiled helplessly and gently nudged Obito's arm, signaling him to be quiet.

"Our mission,"

Shuimen's voice drowned out their whispers, devoid of any emotion: "We will be like a red-hot scalpel, swiftly penetrating the enemy's defenses, abandoning all unnecessary entanglements, and striking directly at the enemy's command system at top speed to destroy their elite forces. We must paralyze their brains in the first instance."

Nara Shikaku yawned, his face clearly showing how troublesome it was, but his brain was already working at supersonic speed, deducing hundreds of variables and coping strategies that the scalpel might encounter during the puncture process.

Akimichi Choza silently calculated that the number of specially made ration pills that each person needed to carry during this high-intensity forced march would need to be increased by another 30%.

"Third Route, Western Wing Raid Force, codename 'Vulture'."

The water gate's command stick was moved to the other side of the map, where densely packed, fine lines representing the logistical supply lines of the three-village allied forces were marked.

His gaze fell on the Hyuga brothers.

"Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi will serve as joint commanders."

Hiashi and Hiashi exchanged a glance and simultaneously took a step forward.

"You will lead the Hyuga ninjas, along with a reconnaissance squad from the Aburame clan, to infiltrate the western front."

"You are the eyes of the Dawn's Edge, and also its silent fangs."

Minato's words were precise and deadly: "Your mission is to cover the most chaotic area where Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Amegakure intersect. I need you to use the Byakugan's all-around reconnaissance, combined with the Parasite Insects' covert tracking, to thoroughly investigate every one of their supply lines and every forward transit point, and seize the opportunity to cut off their supply lines, and report intelligence from all sides to the other teams."

Hiashi Hyuga closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the veins around his eyes bulged, and his pure white pupils revealed a chilling aura.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief."

He responded in a deep voice.

This task was exactly what the Hyuga clan wanted.

This is a task that demands immense patience and precision, but for the Hyuga clan, who possess the "Eye of Insight," it is the stage where they can best demonstrate their value.

"Project code name - Dawn's Edge".

Minato Namikaze paused briefly, giving everyone time to process the name.

"It will be the first ray of light to cut through the darkness of this chaotic war and usher in a peaceful dawn led by Konoha."

Three armies, three directions, three completely different missions.

The central force advances, the eastern flank is restrained, and the western flank is cut off from supplies.

A grand, ambitious, and interconnected battle plan was presented to everyone through Minato's clear explanation.

The entire tent was completely silent. The young ninjas were all awestruck by the boldness and ingenuity of the plan, their blood boiling with excitement.

Killer Bee, who had been an observer all along, was in a state of continuous shock from the moment the water gate opened.

He originally thought that the force sent by Konoha was just a reinforcement, at most to help Kumogakure turn the tide on a certain front.

But now it seems that the other party has no intention of playing by the rules at all.

This golden-haired youth named Minato Namikaze did not regard Kumogakure as an equal ally, but rather as a pawn on the entire strategic chessboard.

This is no longer just a tactical matter; it's strategic and political.

Uchiha, Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho... Konoha's golden generation, with all its elites, boasted a luxurious lineup.

Kirabi felt his throat was a little dry.

He looked at Minato Namikaze, who still wore a smile and remained calm, and his heart was filled with turmoil.

"Monsters... these guys are all monsters..."

"Brother... asking Konoha for help might be the best thing you've ever done in your life..."

"Do you understand?!"

"yes!!"

The deafening roar of responses nearly lifted the entire tent off its feet.

Obito Uchiha was so excited that his face turned red, and he grabbed Kakashi who was standing next to him.

Kakashi pushed him away with a look of disgust: "Idiot, stay away from me. Your saliva is spraying on me."

Might Guy, meanwhile, had already started doing high knees on the spot, shouting to his father, "Father! This is the burning passion of youth! Let's use our fiery martial arts to break through the enemy lines!"

Might Guy gave him a thumbs up, flashing a set of gleaming white teeth: "Well said, Kay!"

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan stood together. Yahiko's eyes gleamed with excitement at the imminent realization of their ideal of peace, while Nagato silently felt the soaring fighting spirit within the tent. His heart, which had been chilled by what he had seen and heard in the ruins, warmed up again.

At this moment, a massive war machine, spearheaded by Konoha's Golden Generation and poised to shock the entire ninja world, was fully activated by Minato Namikaze.

With a command given, Fugaku, Hiashi, and Hizashi immediately left with their respective orders. The whistle for an emergency assembly sounded in the camp, and the ninjas' figures darted through the night. Within minutes, the entire camp became empty.

Soon, only Minato and Killer Bee remained in the tent.

"Watergate..."

Killer Bee finally regained his voice. He took off his sunglasses, and his unique eyes, belonging to the Eight-Tails, were filled with shock and confusion. "You guys... are you trying to rip the sky apart?"

Minato smiled and shook his head.

"We're not trying to cause a major upheaval."

He took another scroll from his pocket and handed it to Kirabi.

"It's time to change the world."

"Mr. Killer Bee, this is a gift we prepared for you and the Fourth Raikage."

"Please return to Kumogakure immediately and cooperate with us in putting on this show."

Kirabi hesitated before taking the reel. It felt very light, but for some reason, it also felt very heavy.

He looked up at the golden-haired youth before him, who still wore a gentle smile. That handsome face, under his gaze, seemed shrouded in an unfathomable mist.

The rap rhythms that he could usually recite effortlessly were stuck in his throat for the first time, and he couldn't utter a single word.

"This...this is..."

Chirabi's voice was a little hoarse. He tried to organize his thoughts, but found his mind blank.

Minato Namikaze didn't urge him; he simply waited quietly.

He knew what the contents of this scroll meant for Kumogakure and for this proud Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

"....."

After reading it, Killer Bee spoke after a long while.

"......I see."

He carefully tucked the scroll into his pocket, turned around, and without hesitation, led his men away, their figures quickly disappearing into the night.

A conversation that would determine the fate of Kumogakure and even the entire ninja world ended in an almost mundane manner beside this quiet campfire.

Minato Namikaze watched them leave, the smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by a calm sharpness.

He turned around and looked at the now empty camp behind him, and at the faint light on the distant horizon that was about to tear through the night.

"So..."

"It's time for our play to begin."