49 Chapter 49 : The Flash and the Five Thousand (2/2)

Kenji could feel the presence of his mark anywhere, so he could track that quick blur across the woods. ”I'll go as soon as it hits.”

Tsunade nodded. The night was quiet. Not a sound was heard, but Tsunade could swear she still heard screams. All eyes were on her and this blind kid. Aching in anticipation.

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Minato was close to death. No chakra. He was struggling in hand to hand combat. Fatigue was obviously overriding his body. Over a thousand troops remained. Kneeling, tired. Yagura still stood and watched. One ninja slung a fist into the side of Minato's cheek. He fell to the ground. The few enemies that were able, pummeled his sides. Kicking him. Punching him. Minato didn't flinch on the impact. He tried to conserve what little fighting spirit he had. His vision blurred. Maybe this was the end. He thought about his life. He always tried to protect his people. But he couldn't even protect his wife. His greatest regret and disgrace upon his life heaved over his mind. His daughter was no where to be found. His village was torn apart. The only thing he could do was protect his people. And it seemed he couldn't even do that now.

He accepted defeat. He did all he could. All he hoped now was that Rei would forgive him. Since he would be seeing her mother earlier than he expected. Small tears built up on the corners of his eyes. They streaked into the blood as they ran down his face. Minato heard the dinging of a knife behind him. A mist shinobi straddled his back harshly and brought down the kunai. The fourth Hokage closed his eyes, awaiting death.

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Tsunade ordered the retreat of the wounded and ninja. Kenji had secured what villagers he could in scrolls. The sannin was alone now. Nothing but the calm, eerie aftermath of destruction. She pushed rubble out of the way. A metal door stood in front of her. She felt the chill from the door itself. The stench of blood was all that caught her nose while slowly descending into the pit. When she hit the ground, she almost puked. Tsunade, a sannin, puking...from fear. Nothing was there. Except a coffin. It looked futuristic. Pieces were thrown all over the place. Maybe they were in a hurry. Tubes filled with blood made a maze around the place, connecting to wrapped up bodies, atleast twenty of them. All leading to that coffin. Where they giving blood? Nothing made sense. But whoever was in that coffin, was scary. Just the leftover aura of that person left her knees shaking. Tsunade had to get this back immediately. Maybe, if she put some sharp heads together, they could figure out what the hell is going on.

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Minato shut his eyes, content with the life he had lived. He didn't feel anything anything at the moment. It seemed one's feelings become dull, slaughtering your own species. But this feeling, this feeling of incoming chakra. It was familiar. Minato opened his eyes just in time. He saw one of his markers plunge itself into the dead body of an enemy right in front of him. A flash of lightning welcomed Kenji into the fold. He beheaded the three men tormenting Minato in less than a second.

”Kenji?” Minato barely managed to say the name.

”Yes Sir. Tsunade instructed me that you needed help.” He lent a hand to the Hokage.

”Thanks. I figured....she'd try something.”

Minato noticed the elevated breath of Kenji. That teleport took a lot out of him. His radius of sight was becoming smaller. He hadn't been able to see for only a short time, but being stubborn, he knew he would need to improve drastically.

Minato seemed to catch his drift. ”Can you see them?”

”Not really.” Kenji sounded upset.

”I think....there's about a thousand left. How's your chakra?”

”Better than yours.” Kenji smirked.

Minato didn't have the energy to show it, but he wanted to retort.

”Let's be quick about this old man. We still haven't found Rei yet.” Kenji took a stance.

Kenji saw Minato's brow harden. ”I'm not old you brat. But I agree. Let's do this.”

In years to come, millions would visit the site of this historic fight. It would be remembered throughout shinobi history as the day the Fourth Hokage, The flash, defeated five thousand.

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A little short, but I liked the stopping point. Even I got chills writing that last part. It's gonna be a doozy next chapter. Until then, YEE YEE YERRR there fellers.