Naruto Birdcage

After the battlefield was cleared, only around 600 combat-ready ninjas remained in the camp.

This battle had cost them nearly half their forces.

Although they had won the fight, the numbers served as a constant reminder that Konoha was on the brink of collapse.

While the Kumo Ninjas had suffered even greater losses, they still had thousands of troops.

If they launched another attack, Konoha would be unable to resist.

Shikaku racked his brain but couldn't come up with a solution to deal with the impending crisis.

The only option left was to fight to the death.

Suddenly, a ninja came to report that reinforcements had arrived from the village.

Shikaku pondered for a moment.

There were very few ninjas left stationed in the village; even if they all came, it would be like a drop in the ocean.

Unless the Hokage had issued some new orders?

As he stepped out of the room, he was shocked to find that several hundred ninjas had appeared in the camp out of nowhere.

Leading them was none other than Kushina.

"K-Kushina?!"

Shikaku was stunned and hurried over to her.

Jiraiya and the others also gathered around in surprise.

"Why are you here?" Jiraiya couldn't help but ask.

Kushina smiled and said, "Of course, I'm here to fight and protect the village."

"You..." Jiraiya didn't know what to say.

Kushina was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, and if she lost control on the battlefield, it would be disastrous—damaging both the enemy and herself.

Furthermore, aside from Minato, no one else might be able to subdue the Nine-Tails.

Is this Orochimaru's doing...?

Shikaku then turned his attention to the several hundred ninjas.

"These people..."

Most of their faces were familiar to him; many were people he knew.

However, he remembered that these individuals should have been severely wounded and were supposed to be recovering in the village.

Kushina explained, "Lord Hokage healed them and reattached many severed limbs. They came with me to fight the enemy."

Everyone found this hard to believe.

How could so many people, with their injuries healed and limbs restored, be ready to fight?

Even Tsunade wouldn't be able to do something like this!

But the scene before them was undeniable.

Some even greeted Shikaku, and he noticed some of them had bandages wrapped around their arms, while others were exposing arms with unusual skin tones.

Is this really okay...?

Shikaku's mind raced with doubts and confusion.

"Where's Minato? He's not in the camp?" Kushina finally asked.

Silence, The sudden quietness made Kushina's heart sink in an instant.

"What's going on? Say something!"

Jiraiya's eyes darkened as he replied, "During the retreat, Minato went alone to hold off the enemy. He hasn't returned yet."

Kushina's eyes widened in shock. "You... what did you say?"

Shikaku hurriedly said, "Don't worry. Minato is fine. If he were dead, the Kumo Ninjas would be spreading the news to shake our morale. The fact that they haven't done so means Minato safely withdrew. He might be injured or delayed by something, which is why he hasn't come back."

Jiraiya nodded. "That's what everyone believes. Makoto has gone to search for Minato. He's very skilled at sensing and searching, so he'll definitely find him!"

Kushina finally calmed down, though her breathing was still a bit labored.

She whispered to herself, "He'll be fine. He's so strong. He still has to become Hokage. He still has to marry me..."

........

The Land of Fire was vast, and relying solely on Makoto's sensory ninjutsu to find a person in such a wide area was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Fortunately, with White Zetsu's help, although it took some effort, Makoto was able to find Minato in a small border town.

As expected, Minato was gravely injured, with a massive wound across his waist and abdomen.

He was lying in bed, barely able to get up.

Thankfully, the family there was kind-hearted and had been taking good care of him.

When Minato saw Makoto, he sighed in relief and asked, "How is the situation on the battlefield?"

Makoto said, "The Cloud Ninjas attacked Kikyo Mountain yesterday, but we repelled them."

Minato asked again, "What about the casualties?"

"Half of our forces are dead."

"..."

Minato lay motionless in bed, silent, simply staring at the ceiling.

Seeing this, Makoto calmly asked, "What's wrong? Do you think victory is impossible, Minato-senpai?"

Minato understood the subtle sarcasm in Makoto's words, but he knew Makoto was trying to motivate him.

However, he wasn't so discouraged that he needed someone to lift his spirits.

He turned to Makoto and asked, "Makoto, do you think I'm strong?"

Makoto replied, "You are strong. Very few in the current ninja world can match you."

Minato said, "But even a person's strength has its limits. With so many powerful people in the world, they each choose to fight alone, to oppose each other."

During his time lying in bed, Minato had probably thought about many things.

Cut off from external information, he had likely come to the worst possible conclusions.

Makoto didn't want to waste time discussing human nature, so he directly said,

"Then find a way to become stronger, like the First Hokage. Be strong enough that one person can change the entire situation of the ninja world. When you stand at the top, you'll realize there are no enemies beside you, only friends."

Minato fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a light laugh. "You're right."

Since Makoto hadn't brought any money with him, he left a letter for the family, telling them that after the war, they could bring the letter to Konoha to find him, and he would reward them handsomely.

Minato looked at his actions and said, "You seem confident that we'll win this war, or are you just casually making promises?"

Makoto asked, "Do you think we'll lose, Minato-senpai?"

Losing would mean annihilation.

Minato slowly said, "At least not before I die."

Makoto helped Minato back toward the Kikyo Mountain fortress.

Minato couldn't move on his own, but fortunately, Makoto could carry him through the air.

On the way, Minato asked who led the Kumo Ninjas' attack on Kikyo Mountain.

Makoto replied that he didn't know, but it wasn't the Raikage.

Minato said, "The Raikage was injured too. It looks like he hasn't fully recovered."

Makoto asked in confusion, "Is the Raikage really that strong, to be able to injure you?"

Minato was somewhat speechless.

The Raikage was the Fourth Raikage, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki; both were among the top figures in the ninja world. Yet in Makoto's words, they seemed as insignificant as roadside debris.

Minato said, "I had been harassing them for a long time, and they were already very familiar with my abilities. The Raikage is stronger now than when I first fought him."

The enemy had over 7,000 people, and Minato was almost at his limit before the enemy managed to take him down, nearly dying in the process.

When they returned to Kikyo Mountain, the news of Minato's return brought great joy to the Konoha people.

However, due to his severe injuries, Minato refused to see anyone except for his close acquaintances, only allowing medical ninjas to come help treat him.

Minato was surprised by Kushina's involvement on the front lines.

When he heard she was going to participate in the battle, he furrowed his brows even more.

"Was this the Hokage's decision?" he asked.

"It was my decision," Makoto suddenly spoke up.

"I requested the Hokage to allow it."

Minato lay on the bed, frowning as he looked at Makoto, seemingly waiting for an explanation.

Author note : 

Regarding the protagonist's abilities in the last few chapters, there has been significant controversy.

The author is a liberal arts student, and has little understanding of physics or other subjects; they only know some common sense. This is written with the assumption that, with chakra involved, anything that doesn't make sense can be explained.

If this has caused an unpleasant reading experience, the author apologizes and will try to improve. The protagonist's abilities are still being explored, and ultimately, they will not be like those of a fairy-tale character who can control the wind and rain.

The author hopes readers will have more patience and assures everyone that they are working hard on the story.

--------------

Exclusive access : All novel on paetron

Genshin impact 270+ch, Naruto birdcage 320+ch, Overlord Complete novel

From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny 130+ch

Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz