Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Sora had eliminated one of the Kumogakure commanders with a single, decisive strike.

Namikaze Minato observed the event clearly from his position. His expression turned solemn.

Sora's speed had become even faster than it was during their time together at the Ninja Academy.

Moreover, the weaknesses of Sora's Breath of Thunder have been completely addressed.

Back in their Academy days, Namikaze Minato had never been able to defeat Sora in their sparring matches. However, he had always managed to hold his own for a considerable amount of time before losing.

Now, after many years apart, Namikaze Minato had undergone intense training under Jiraiya and gained valuable experience on the battlefield. He had hoped that his efforts would allow him to surpass Sora. Yet, the gap between them still remained, perhaps even larger than before.

'Unique Ninjutsu...' Namikaze Minato thought, frowning slightly.

At present, Namikaze Minato only excelled in Wind Release Ninjutsu, but Jiraiya's own skill set did not focus on Wind Release, so his ability to guide Minato in this area was limited.

Meanwhile, Sora had mastered the powerful technique known as Breath of Thunder, a unique and devastatingly effective form of combat.

Breath of Thunder was more than just a ninjutsu—it was a style entirely his own. While a handful of Konoha's Lightning Release shinobi on the battlefield had learned the basics of Breath of Thunder, none came close to replicating Sora's mastery.

Furthermore, Sora's combination of Sharingan and Breath of Thunder only made him more formidable. The synergy between his heightened reflexes, precise perception, and the lightning-fast techniques of Breath of Thunder rendered him nearly unstoppable.

Namikaze Minato couldn't help but feel that if he truly wanted to catch up to Sora and perhaps surpass him one day, he would need to develop a unique ability of his own.

His thoughts drifted to the Flying Thunder God Technique, a Space-Time Ninjutsu Jiraiya had once mentioned.

A technique recorded in the Scroll of Seals was said to be exceptionally powerful. Minato resolved that once Jiraiya's application to access the Scroll of Seals was approved, he would dedicate himself to mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Compared to Sora's method of identifying and killing enemy commanders, Namikaze Minato's approach was far more calculated and methodical.

Sora's technique relied on his Sharingan, which allowed him to pinpoint commanders simply by observing their facial expressions and determining who was speaking the most.

In contrast, Namikaze Minato analyzed the situation differently. He paid close attention to an enemy's position, attire, and behaviour.

Commanders were typically stationed at the rear of their units, where they could survey the battlefield. Their clothing often bore slight variations, signalling rank, and their gestures tended to be more exaggerated—they frequently pointed and issued commands to direct their subordinates.

Once Minato identified a target, he employed his speed and precision. Using his exceptional Body Flicker Technique, he would close the distance in an instant. A swift strike with his kunai to the throat would finish the target before they even had a chance to react.

Just as quickly, Minato would retreat, vanishing before reinforcements could respond.

The sounds of clashing blades, explosions, and jutsu echoed through the streets of Tangyin Village as the battle raged on.

The ground was littered with bodies, a grim testament to the ferocity of the conflict.

Scattered among the fallen were Kumogakure shinobi, Yugakure shinobi, and even Konoha's forces.

Sora's clothing was soaked with blood, and his chest heaved as he panted from exertion. His once-pristine attire now bore the marks of countless engagements—ripped and stained with sweat and crimson.

At that moment, Sora found himself surrounded by over a dozen Kumogakure shinobi.

His performance on the battlefield had drawn their attention. The brilliance of his lightning-infused techniques, flashing like bursts of electricity, had made it impossible for him to go unnoticed.

The Kumogakure shinobi closed in, their weapons drawn and their stances wary, fully aware of the deadly threat Sora posed.

The sheer number of commanders slain by Sora had thrown the enemy forces into disarray. Many Kumogakure shinobi, unable to receive clear orders, became desperate and blindly pursued him.

As a dozen Kumogakure shinobi charged at Sora simultaneously, he exhaled slowly, centring himself.

"Thunder Breath: Land Type – Electric Boom and Thunder Boom!"

With a roar, Sora unleashed countless lightning-infused slashes in all directions, radiating outward like a deadly storm.

The attacking Kumogakure shinobi barely had time to react before they were cut down by the blindingly fast strikes, their bodies collapsing in unison.

Escaping the encirclement, Sora pulled two military ration pills from his ninja pouch and swallowed them to restore his stamina.

Before he could catch his breath, another team of Kumogakure shinobi advanced on him. Calmly assessing the situation, Sora lured them toward a shallow puddle nearby.

Quickly forming hand seals, he pressed his hands into the water.

"Lightning Style: Thunder!"

A surge of high-voltage electricity rippled through the water, paralyzing the entire team of Kumogakure shinobi caught within it. They were left immobile, unable to defend themselves.

Methodically, Sora used his ninja sword to eliminate them one by one, his movements precise and emotionless.

Although the battle was far from over, Sora knew he had to conserve his chakra for the long fight ahead.

As he scanned the battlefield, his keen eyes spotted another enemy commander amidst the chaos. Without hesitation, lightning crackled around his body as he activated his technique and surged toward the target with blinding speed.

The commander didn't stand a chance. Sora eliminated him with a single stroke and disappeared before anyone could retaliate.

Moments later, a nearby explosion sent a Konoha shinobi flying. The injured man landed next to Sora, his body mangled—one arm and one leg blown off. Blood poured from his wounds as he coughed violently, his breath ragged.

With trembling fingers, the shinobi grabbed Sora's trouser leg. "Help... please... I don't want to die... My family... they're waiting for me in Konoha... please."

Sora's cold eyes looked down at the man. His voice was devoid of emotion. "I can't save you. If the pain is unbearable, then at least make your death meaningful. That way, your suffering won't be for nothing. As for your family... don't you believe in Konoha? Then trust in it until the very end."

Without another word, Sora handed the dying shinobi several detonating tags and used the Body Flicker Technique to vanish.

The injured shinobi, his face twisted in despair, looked at the detonating tags in his trembling hand. He glanced at the approaching Kumogakure shinobi.

After a moment's hesitation, he made his choice.

With a look of grim determination, he activated the detonating tags.

"Daigo! No!"

Namikaze Minato appeared at the scene in a blur, using the Body Flicker Technique to reach Daigo. He reached out, desperate to snatch the detonating tags away.

But Daigo stopped him, placing a bloodied hand on Minato's chest and gently pushing him back.

Daigo's voice was weak but resolute. "Minato... he's right. I'm already a burden. Don't waste your time on me... the battle isn't over. Our comrades need you. Minato... I believe in you. You'll become Hokage one day... I'm entrusting my family to you."

Before Minato could respond, Daigo forced himself to stand on his one remaining leg. Hobbling forward, he rushed toward the group of Kumogakure shinobi.

An explosion rang out, shaking the battlefield.

Daigo's body was obliterated in the blast, but his sacrifice claimed the lives of two Kumogakure shinobi.

Namikaze Minato stood frozen, his fists trembling at his sides as he watched the scene unfold. Tears streamed silently down his cheeks, but his eyes burned with frustration and grief.

Unable to contain his anger, he used the Body Flicker Technique to confront Sora. Grabbing him by the collar, Minato's voice was filled with fury.

"Why? Why did you do that? Even if you refused to save Daigo, you didn't have to give him those detonating tags! You knew they'd lead to his death!"

Sora calmly pushed Minato's hands off his collar and straightened his clothes. His tone remained cold and logical.

"So? Are you blaming me for his death? Are you here to accuse me of a crime in the middle of a battlefield?"

Sora's eyes narrowed. "Daigo had one arm and one leg blown off. Without immediate treatment or support, his fate was already sealed—he would die, either from his injuries or at the hands of the enemy."

Pausing, Sora continued, his voice as sharp as a blade. "I gave him the detonating tags so he could take a few of the enemy down with him. His death had meaning. We gained the advantage. No matter how you look at it, that was the right choice."

Minato clenched his fists, his voice trembling with anger. "I said they're not numbers! They're not tools! They're our comrades, our companions!"

Sora's expression remained impassive. His voice was laced with sarcasm as he retorted, "And what if it were you? Would you want your comrades to risk their lives to save you, only for you to drag them down as a burden?

"Don't we believe in the Will of Fire? Wherever the leaves of Konoha fly, the fire will burn on. I made sure Daigo's death wasn't in vain. I made him a part of that flame.

"Was I wrong? Should I have let him die helplessly or risked my own life to save him and jeopardize the mission? Tell me, Minato—what would you have done?"

Minato bit his lip so hard that blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His body trembled with rage, but he couldn't find the words to refute Sora.

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