"Let's move. If we delay any longer, they'll probably destroy all the research data."
Yamanaka Shinno scoffed, his disdain for Kirigakure's obsession with "secrecy" evident in his expression.
For a village that was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Kirigakure's operations always carried an inexplicable small-mindedness.
Take this Summoning Island, for example.
On paper, it belonged to the Land of the Sea. But due to its remote northeastern location, with nothing but endless ocean beyond, and its landscape overrun by dangerous beasts, it had long been abandoned by the Land of the Sea.
Logically speaking, since the island was teeming with large creatures that could serve as potential summon beasts, and Kirigakure had gone through the trouble of establishing a research facility here, the island should have been highly valued by the higher-ups.
Even if they wanted to avoid openly annexing the island due to the close ties between the daimyos of the Land of Water and the Land of the Sea, forming a nominal "cooperation" and maintaining a garrison should have been a reasonable approach.
But what did Kirigakure do instead?
They took advantage of the island's obscured sea routes—so remote that unless someone was actively searching for it, or took an intentional detour like Naruto did when he traveled to Turtle Island in the original story, it was nearly impossible to find.
Rather than openly defending the island, they spread absurd rumors about it—whispering that "anyone who lands here will lose all their memories." Coupled with low-level genjutsu, they scared the nearby islanders into avoiding the place entirely.
They also issued strict orders to any Kirigakure shinobi aware of the island's existence, forbidding them from approaching unless absolutely necessary, further minimizing exposure.
To top it off, they concealed the research facility deep within the jungle, right at the heart of the island's volcanic terrain, and stationed an elite jonin squad whose primary mission wasn't defense—but to destroy all evidence and flee at a moment's notice.
This...
Was secrecy purely for secrecy's sake!
Huh...
Maybe Uchiha Madara was secretly pulling the strings, deliberately preventing Kirigakure from growing too powerful?
The thought crossed Shinno's mind, and the more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed.
Otherwise, he simply couldn't comprehend how Kirigakure's upper ranks could be so incredibly brain-dead, coming up with such a ridiculous plan.
...
"Brace yourself. Your first time experiencing the Flying Thunder God Technique over long distances might feel a little uncomfortable."
Namikaze Minato frowned slightly upon hearing that the enemy was erasing research data.
Konoha had never conducted dedicated research on summoning beasts, but that didn't mean the knowledge was worthless. If they could get their hands on the full research findings, it would be highly beneficial for Konoha as well.
Placing a hand on Shinno's shoulder, Minato closed his eyes, locked onto the Flying Thunder God kunai located within the research facility, and activated the technique.
Shwoop—!
Boom—!
A moment of spatial distortion and disorientation later, Minato and Shinno landed right in front of the research facility's entrance.
Before they could even steady themselves, a massive explosion rocked the volcano.
"Yeeugh—!"
A strange, ear-piercing roar echoed across the island. An eerie, unseen force was embedded in the sound, rapidly spreading outward.
The countless creatures that had already been howling and roaring in fear and agitation suddenly lost all restraint, plunging into utter madness.
Some fled in terror, while others charged straight toward the volcano at full speed.
As the frenzied creatures moved, the entire island trembled.
"Shit! Hurry up, or your wife's gone!"
Shinno had just expanded his sensory field when he perceived the situation inside the facility. Without hesitation, he grabbed Minato and activated the Body Flicker Technique, darting forward at high speed.
Inside the research facility—
A few researchers stared in fervent excitement at the monstrous "Ultimate Summon Beast" awakening inside its incubation chamber.
With nothing more than a lazy stretch, the creature shattered the laboratory walls.
The Kirigakure shinobi who had been tasked with destroying all research hesitated for a moment, then abandoned their mission. Instead, they watched the beast with eager anticipation, sizing up the monstrosity with interest.
At the center of a complex sealing formation, Uzumaki Honoka sat in a crouched position, forming hand seals, ready to restrain the "Ultimate Summon Beast" at a moment's notice.
...
"Wife? You actually found me a wife?!"
Still being dragged through the air by the back of his collar, Minato felt himself swaying wildly under Shinno's rapid movement.
For the longest time, he had thought his friend was just joking about this whole "finding him a wife" thing.
But wait—wasn't their mission here to take down Kirigakure's summoning beast research base?!
This, this, this—was actually a matchmaking trip?!
Long red hair, finely sculpted features, a curvy yet toned figure, and a gentle yet determined expression...
You dare tell me Konoha shinobi don't deceive their own comrades?!
...
"Yeeugh—! Yeeugh—!"
Another sharp, unnatural roar vibrated through the air, shaking both Shinno and Minato's eardrums like a high-frequency shockwave.
Immediately after, human screams, shouts of terror, and desperate pleas for help rang out.
Shinno, still gripping Minato, condensed his sensory field from a ten-kilometer radius down to just the volcano, maximizing its precision.
Although he couldn't perceive color, everything within range suddenly became crystal clear.
Maintaining this heightened awareness, he formed another seal.
Ninja Art: Mind Body Transmission Technique!
A secret Yamanaka Clan technique, transmitting everything he sensed directly into Minato's mind.
The grotesque creature wrapping its tendrils around two researchers, stuffing them into its mouth; the panicked scientists, some of whom had already collapsed, frozen in terror; the four Kirigakure shinobi launching combination attacks at the beast; the girl in the sealing formation, fiercely deploying Adamantine Sealing Chains, her brows furrowed in determination.
Adamantine Sealing Chains?
A girl?!
With such heightened sensory clarity, Minato could practically see her delicate skin, her graceful yet strong posture, her long hair flowing behind her, and the fear laced within her determined expression.
Wait—
Shinno wasn't messing with him?!
Minato knew Shinno had deliberately reduced his sensory range to highlight key details for him, but—
For once, the guy wasn't pulling a prank?!
No way...
Shinno, with his notoriously mischievous nature, actually didn't mess with him?!
"Yeeugh—!"
Another monstrous howl echoed, and within Shinno's perception, the "Ultimate Summon Beast" had already devoured nearly half the researchers.
The shinobi's jutsu had been completely absorbed by the creature, fueling its grotesque mutations. It retaliated with ninjutsu mimicking their own attacks!
Except for the leading jonin, who managed to turn into water to evade damage, the remaining three shinobi were instantly slaughtered.
"Help me! Somebody, please help me—!"
A soft, trembling voice filled with desperation and fear reached Shinno and Minato's minds.
The moment it did—
Minato twisted his body mid-air, breaking free from Shinno's grip.
Then, moving at speeds far surpassing Shinno's own Body Flicker, he vanished in the blink of an eye.
"You were just pretending all along!"
Shinno cursed, flipping Minato off as he disappeared.
He always knew Minato was fast—but this fast?!
凸(艹皿艹 )!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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