The Final Stance activated at the crucial moment. Crimson chakra erupted from Shin's body as nature energy violently flooded his system.
His features sharpened, taking on subtle elephantine characteristics. Each breath felt like fire in his lungs as the transformation reshaped his body, but he pushed through the pain.
He vanished—appearing instantly before Minato, blade aimed at the Yellow Flash's throat.
Minato teleported, but Shin was already there again, sword cutting through the afterimage. He executed the Flying Thunder God again, only to find Shin matching his speed, pushing him to chain multiple teleports in rapid succession.
In less than half a second, he executed over ten Flying Thunder God consecutively—an extreme challenge, even for someone of his caliber. Each jump barely kept him ahead of Shin's increasingly inhuman assaults.
Minato countered with the fastest Rasengan he'd ever formed, destroying Shin's sword. The backlash injured his own hand in the process.
But Shin pressed forward, his arms beginning to transform—thickening, gaining the raw power of an elephant's limbs.
The battle's pace accelerated. The ground cracked beneath their feet with each clash, their movements leaving afterimages.
Shin's movements became more primal, more powerful. His nose elongated into a short trunk as nature chakra reshaped his body. He closed distance after distance, forcing Minato to exhaust his marked kunai positions, while he destroyed them.
He quickly appeared beside Minato again, transformed fist meeting Rasengan. The air howled with the collision.
The spinning chakra sphere destabilized against elephant-enhanced strength. Shin's strike continued through, crushing Minato's hand.
The crack of breaking bones was lost in the thunderous impact.
In that instant, Gamabunta crashed down from above. Minato teleported to safety, but Shin's transformed arms caught Gamabunta's massive form.
"Minato, this opponent...!"
Shin's roar mixed with an elephant's trumpet as he threw the giant toad aside. The ground shook as tons of toad crashed through trees and earth.
The raw power of his elephant-enhanced limbs overwhelmed even the legendary summon. Minato quickly dismissed Gamabunta before Shin could inflict further damage, the giant toad disappearing in a massive cloud of smoke.
Sweat poured down both their faces.
Minato's legendary speed barely kept him alive against his enemy's overwhelming power.
But the cost was clear—Shin's consciousness was slipping, becoming more beast than human as stone patches began appearing on his skin.
At that moment, Konan was the first on the battlefield to recover. She quickly launched an attack at Minato. "Shin! Hold on!"
Faced with the paper spear hurled at him, the Yellow Flash had no choice but to retreat hastily. His movements, while still blindingly fast, had lost their earlier precision.
"Abort the mission. Everyone, retreat," he finally commanded.
A young figure rushed to his side, helping to steady his shaky frame—it was his student, Kakashi.
From the other side, Rin, his other student and medical ninja, anxiously approached. While checking his condition, she pleaded, "Sensei, you have to hold on!"
"I'm fine," Minato managed, forcing a smile despite the pain. "This battle is lost, but not the war."
He knew his injuries weren't severe—just exhaustion and dizziness. But his crushed hand would take time to heal. Compared to Shin's apparent state, his condition was far better.
But this knowledge brought no solace; instead, it deepened the irony.
A minor personal advantage in their duel was insignificant against the colossal strategic failure. In this round, he was thoroughly defeated by Akatsuki.
Konoha retreated.
Shin's transformation began reverting the moment the Minato disappeared from view, but he kept his face impassive despite the burning pain coursing through his body.
Konan led a team in a symbolic pursuit, slightly expanding their gains before pulling back to bring Shin to safety.
Every step was agony as he suppressed the backlash from the transformation, his muscles screaming in protest. But he maintained his commanding presence, refusing to let anyone see how close he was to collapse.
He managed to issue post-battle instructions and outline the next strategic moves.
Only after they returned to Akatsuki's forward base, when no enemy eyes could witness his weakness, did Shin finally stop fighting against the transformation's aftermath.
Blood immediately leaked from his nose and mouth as nature chakra tore through his cells. His body paid the price for pushing the transformation so far, for maintaining it beyond safe limits.
His body finally gave out, sending him into unconsciousness.
The room remained quiet except for the occasional worried whispers of those checking on him.
Half-asleep, he felt something soft in his mouth, occasionally biting down instinctively. The sweet taste was soothing, pulling him back from the brink of chakra exhaustion.
---
When he opened his eyes on the third morning, he saw Kaori slumped over his bedside, fast asleep. Only then did he realize the source of that sweetness.
In his dreams, he must have bitten Kaori, which contributed to his swift recovery.
But as the bed creaked, she stirred, lifting her upper body. Shin's eyes widened in shock—her neckline was loose, and there were traces of moisture on her chest.
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What exactly was that soft thing I was biting in my sleep?!
Kaori, noticing his reaction, froze before beaming with joy. "Shin, you're awake! That's great!"
But her expression quickly turned shy and guilty as she hastily adjusted her clothing.
"How are you feeling? Don't look at me like that..." She played with her sleeve, not meeting his eyes.
Shin's face grew strange. "I feel much better now. Was it because you let me bite your wrist?"
"Yes," Kaori replied softly.
But he noticed her wrists bore no bite marks. Kaori tried to downplay it further. "As long as you've recovered, let's not mention this to Konan, okay?"
Looking at Kaori's blushing cheeks, he couldn't help but asked, "Were you worried Konan would scold me for hurting you?"
"Yes… yes, exactly," Kaori stammered before nodding firmly. "That's why you shouldn't overthink it. You were still a patient, after all."
Her words, though initially hesitant, soon carried a hint of boldness. By the end, she even met his gaze fearlessly, as if she'd resigned herself to the truth.
But Shin couldn't bear Kaori's intense gaze and looked away first.
Feeling indebted once more, he coughed awkwardly and changed the subject. "How long was I asleep? What's the current situation on the frontlines?"
"You slept for two days and nights. As for the war, I'll let the others brief you."
Kaori quickly tidied herself up and left the room.
---
Soon, Konan, Nagato, the Akatsuki division commanders, and Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi entered Shin's room.
After a round of discussion, Shin regained a clear picture of the battlefield.
Since the fight two evenings prior, Konoha had gone silent, launching no new offensives.
Akatsuki had capitalized on this to advance northward, seizing a pre-targeted mine and much of the southern region.
Iwa had also fully acknowledged Akatsuki's strength, showing no resistance to ceding Kusa's territory. Kitsuchi's nod carried both respect and wariness as he reported their positions.
A detailed report of the previous battle's results had also been compiled. Though Shin had expected heavy losses, seeing the final numbers still made him sigh deeply.
"The losses are significant."
This was inevitable—after all, their opponent was the renowned Yellow Flash. Yet, despite Minato's devastating impact, Akatsuki maintained a superior exchange ratio across the frontlines.
Konoha, too, had paid a heavy price.
---
After waking up, the first order issued by Shin was clear and decisive.
"After tallying the results of the battle, I will personally award honors to the fallen members of Akatsuki."
"All those who sacrificed their lives in this battle will receive the title of martyr. For those whose bodies can still be recovered, wrap them in Akatsuki's flag, and send them back to the Land of Rain along with their medals."
A young subordinate stepped forward hesitantly. "Even the newer recruits, Shin-sama?"
"Every single one," Shin's voice was firm. "Death makes no distinction, neither shall we."
He understood clearly: no grand cause could ever change the brutal nature of war. Therefore, in moments like these, it was vital to ensure that everyone saw the meaning and value of their fight.
He looked at Konan and instructed, "Make sure to inform Kakuzu, not to be stingy at a time like this. We must widely publicize the results of our victory."
His eyes swept over the gathered members as he continued, "Compensation and martyr benefits must also be distributed properly! Every sacrifice deserves recognition, and the people back home must understand the significance of our struggles!"
"The warriors who rest here have secured resources, time, and space for development for the Land of Rain. They are heroes!"
The key to winning people's hearts was his consistent fulfillment of every promise made to his subordinates, giving them clear purpose and faith to follow.
Empty ideals could only brainwash people temporarily. If the meaning of the fight couldn't be seen, then over time, their spirits would inevitably succumb to apathy and exhaustion.
Just like what was happening now in Konoha.
---
It was also a post-war moment, also after heavy sacrifices. Yet Minato was faced with a different issue altogether.
"Minato-sama, several squads have expressed dissatisfaction because they witnessed some ninja clan squads retreating from the battlefield before the tide turned against us. What should we do about these clans?"
In the original story, nearly 90% of the shinobi were weary of war. A major reason for this was that they felt no real sense of purpose in their battles.
The gains from the Great Ninja Wars were so meager that many shinobi couldn't see any meaningful reason to be fighting. None of the villages ever made efforts to convey a sense of real purpose.
In the end, the driving force for their battles was reduced to mere hatred.
Minato felt this disillusionment, as did the major ninja clans now.
When they realized the tide of battle was against them, they all chose, almost instinctively, to preserve their family's strength.
This phenomenon could be traced back to the retired Third Hokage.
His compromises and weaknesses had largely invalidated the sacrifices made during the previous Great Ninja War. Later, his actions to protect the Sarutobi clan had opened Pandora's box.
From that point on, Konoha's culture had taken a strange turn.
In the past, Minato wouldn't have overly criticized the clans for their actions. He would have steadfastly proclaimed: "It's not their fault; they just lack faith in victory. I will give them hope."
In favorable circumstances, this belief was not problematic at all.
The original series proved that during times of advantage, Konoha could exhibit strong unity. The major ninja clans cooperated fully, and everyone became steadfast followers of the Will of Fire.
In favorable times, even Root could sacrifice itself selflessly, and Danzō could appear as a loyal servant of Konoha.
But the problem arose in adversity: what happens when things go wrong?
In adverse circumstances, his former confidence would turn into an excuse for leniency toward the selfish. By not harshly punishing those who fled in battle back then, he now found himself facing even greater difficulties.
After a long silence, he wearily asked, "Where are the ninja clan squads that retreated from the front?"
His subordinates shifted uncomfortably before one finally reported reluctantly. "Several Hyūga squads were urgently recalled to the village by their main family earlier. Three Sarutobi squads also left this morning. We tried to stop them, but they said it was approved by Shinno-sama."
At moments like this, he could clearly see the difference between Konoha and Akatsuki.
This was the difference between warriors with faith and shinobi who lacked it.
---
That same afternoon, despite his pale complexion and ailing health, Shin insisted on holding a ceremony for the fallen warriors of this battle.
"Five years ago, the Land of Rain was nothing more than a devastated small country, suffering endlessly in the crossfire of the Great Ninja Villages' wars! Three years ago, Akatsuki was a humble, weak, and ignored group."
"But today, we can face off directly against the greatest ninja village, Konoha! We have earned recognition, respect, and even fear from the entire shinobi world!"
"All of this is thanks to your efforts—each and every one of you, both the living and the fallen. You are heroes of the Land of Rain!"
The assembled shinobi stood straighter, pride visible in their stance as Shin continued, "And heroes deserve to be honored!"
"From now on, we will continue to live and die together."
"We will continue to make history!"
"We will lead the Land of Rain to the pinnacle of the ninja world! We are on the right path!"
"One day, we will change this decaying world and create a bright future!"
---
At the same time, in a different place, Minato sought out one of the representatives of the ninja clans, an elder from the Hyūga main family.
But before he could speak, the elder turned the tables with a question of his own. "Minato-sama, five years ago, we won the Second Ninja War. We repelled Kumo, Iwa, and Suna. We won every battle around us. But what did we gain from it?"
"Three years ago, that Hokage signed a series of treaties. For the sake of peace, he gave back everything we fought and bled to obtain—even to the point where the great White Fang, who ended the war by slaying the enemy commander, was driven to die!"
"And now, you ask me, ask the Hyūga clan, why we are unwilling to fight to the very end..."
A bitter laugh escaped his lips. "Hahaha! What good is it to fight to the end?"
"Even if we conquer the entire front, the inevitable peace treaty will force us to return Kusa to the enemy, won't it? Yes, our clan did have a few squads that abandoned their missions before the battle was over."
"They are failures! Every one of them is a disgrace for failing to complete their missions!"
His eyes narrowed. "But they are still Hyūga shinobi, Minato-sama. They have already been punished. Do you truly intend to pursue this further?"
Minato could only ask, "We've been through so many battles together. We're all fighting to protect Konoha. Do you truly not believe in Konoha's future?"
The silence that followed his question was answer enough.