At that moment, the figure of Sandō, who had just been attacked by the combined assault of Kakashi and Shōgetsu, crumbled into a heap of dirt.
"Earth Clone Jutsu."
Seeing this, Kakashi immediately analyzed the jutsu used and swiftly formed a series of hand seals before drawing the short ninjatō strapped to his back.
"Lightning Release: Fang of Thunder."
Lightning chakra surged along Kakashi's blade, crackling as it formed a deadly ninjatō technique.
He charged at Sandō without hesitation.
Both Kakashi and Sandō knew that Lightning Release countered Earth Release—an elemental truth Sandō could not ignore. Despite that, Sandō remained composed. He quickly drew a kunai, gripping it tightly, and eyed Kakashi with full vigilance.
He didn't pursue Shōgetsu, not because he didn't want to, but because doing so meant exposing himself to Kakashi's blade—and he had no desire to test its edge firsthand.
The flash of steel shimmered. The cold gleam of Kakashi's short sword danced toward vital points with each strike, but Sandō narrowly evaded them or blocked them with his kunai, matching his opponent's aggression.
In terms of sheer strength, Kakashi was no match for Sandō. But Kakashi had allies—Veigar and Shōgetsu—and that changed everything.
Under pressure from two vigilant allies, Sandō couldn't commit his full power to their duel.
"Wind Release…"
Silently, Veigar had maneuvered behind Sandō while he was locked in combat. With a low growl, he summoned Wind Release chakra to the ninjatō at his waist, readying himself to strike.
Veigar's voice alerted Kakashi—and caught Sandō off-guard.
"Now's my chance!"
Having long prepared for a moment like this, Shōgetsu saw his opportunity the moment Kakashi broke from the offensive. He unleashed a torrent of blazing chakra.
"Fire Release: Majestic Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
From Shōgetsu's mouth surged a massive wave of fire chakra, forming a blazing dragon head that roared straight at Sandō.
Though he'd anticipated being flanked after hearing Veigar's voice, Sandō hadn't expected the attack to come from Shōgetsu.
"Boom!!"
As the dragon-shaped inferno surged toward him, Sandō leapt away just in time, narrowly dodging the full force of the Uchiha's jutsu.
He hadn't forgotten that Veigar was still lurking, ready to strike.
"Ittō-ryū: Iai Slash!"
Just as Sandō landed, Veigar's figure appeared abruptly at his rear-right. His blade, empowered by Wind Release chakra, came down in a vicious slash.
Clang—
But Sandō had sensed the ambush and raised his reverse-gripped kunai just in time to block the strike.
In that instant, Sandō felt Veigar's overwhelming strength—shockingly immense for someone so young. As an adult, Sandō was dismayed to find himself overpowered.
"Hrrgh… Ahhh!"
Veins bulged along Sandō's forehead as he summoned all his strength, attempting to push Veigar back with raw might.
Inwardly, he prepared to retreat.
Suddenly, Veigar released his grip on the blade.
Sandō, caught off guard, inadvertently hurled Veigar's ninjatō aside—throwing himself slightly off balance in the process.
"Rasengan: Revolving Heaven!"
In a flash, Veigar formed a colossal spiraling chakra sphere, his feet digging into the ground as he launched himself straight into Sandō's chest.
"Argh!!"
Caught off guard, Sandō had no time to react. Veigar slammed into him with full force, crashing both of them into the rocky canyon wall.
"Boom!"
The impact blasted a massive crater into the mountainside, kicking up clouds of dust and debris.
Sandō's form was shattered—his body unrecognizable. The scattered Life Essence that once clung to him was completely consumed by Veigar.
"Veigar…"
"Did we win?"
One voice called out anxiously—Shōgetsu's. The other came as a quiet thought from Kakashi.
"Huff… Huff… Huff…"
Having absorbed a full dose of life essence, Veigar took several deep breaths. His fatigue vanished. Apart from depleted chakra, he had returned to peak condition.
As the dust settled, Veigar stood calmly at the edge of the crater and turned to the others.
"Mission accomplished."
At his words, both Kakashi and Shōgetsu finally lowered their guard.
"Swoosh!"
Just then, Minato Namikaze emerged from hiding and landed beside them, smiling warmly as he addressed the trio.
"I saw everything. Your teamwork was excellent."
"Clean up the battlefield. We're moving out."
The three responded immediately and in unison:
"Yes, Minato-sensei!"
Together, Veigar, Kakashi, and Shōgetsu buried the bodies of the mountain bandits and rogue Suna-nin deep beneath the earth.
Any stragglers still clinging to life were dispatched without hesitation—each sent swiftly to the afterlife.
The night wind was cool.
In a freshly-dug cave, the four members of Minato's squad gathered around a campfire. A pot simmered above the flames, their dinner slowly cooking.
As Veigar rested with his eyes closed, Kakashi suddenly broke the silence, directing a question to their leader:
"Sensei, what's our next target?"
"Are we just wandering the border aimlessly?"
His question shattered the cave's stillness. Minato glanced around. Both Veigar and Shōgetsu looked to him expectantly.
After a short pause, Minato replied calmly:
"Even if you hadn't asked, I was about to tell you."
He pulled out a map of the Land of Fire's border, motioning for the others to gather around.
Pointing to a specific mountain on the map, he continued:
"Here—Mount Hiuba. That's our next destination."
"It's also one of our mission's primary strongholds."
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