While Nawaki was busy handling the aftermath in the Land of Wind, Minato and his forces finally arrived at the waters near the Land of Lightning with their army.
Thunder rumbled faintly in the distance, and just ahead lay the port.
"Minato-senpai, a large number of Kumo ninja are lying in ambush at the port."
"We should abandon the ships."
Nagato had a clear sense of the enemy's position—Kumo was waiting for them to approach.
"Understood."
"Everyone, into the sea! Move forward from there!"
Minato didn't hesitate for a second. Trusting Nagato's intel completely, he immediately ordered the troops to abandon ship.
As he led the way and leaped into the sea, the entire army followed like falling dumplings, plunging into the water in waves.
A vast number of shinobi sprinted across the ocean's surface, charging toward the port without hesitation. The sight was nothing short of spectacular.
"Spread out! Don't cluster together!"
Nagato's voice rang out in midair. He knew Kumo wouldn't just sit back and do nothing.
With the advantage of higher ground, they were bound to strike first.
And sure enough, just as the Konoha forces adjusted their formation, the first wave of attacks came.
Lightning and fire exploded across the coastline, illuminating the night.
Fierce winds howled like blades, whistling through the air.
Countless kunai and shuriken, each tagged with explosive notes, rained down like a deadly storm.
At this point, commands weren't necessary—every Konoha shinobi instinctively prepared to defend or evade.
"Shinra Tensei!"
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Nagato couldn't possibly shield everyone at once, so he focused on repelling the incoming jutsu and projectiles within his range.
The Konoha forces quickly adapted to the terrain, erecting multiple water barriers.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions roared non-stop as waves erupted from the sea, white foam splashing violently in every direction.
When the chaos settled, streaks of red stained the ocean's surface.
Despite striking first, Kumo had only managed to inflict minor casualties.
Rather than slowing them down, the attack only fueled the Konoha forces' rage and determination.
...
Suddenly, from the shore, a blue figure shot forward.
Lightning crackled around him, hissing and sparking.
He moved like a living bolt of electricity, cutting through everything in his path.
Who else could it be but the Third Raikage?
"I'll take this one!"
Nagato's voice rang out as he charged forward, prompting Minato to pause briefly.
"Then he's yours."
Minato made no attempt to contest the fight. Instead, he sidestepped the Raikage entirely, diving straight into the Kumo ranks, tearing through them like they weren't even there.
Wherever he went, devastation followed.
There were no injuries—only fatalities.
Nagato, meanwhile, clashed head-on with the Third Raikage. After exchanging several fierce blows, they briefly separated.
"Nagato of Konohagakure?"
The Third Raikage's eyes burned with fury, but his tone remained steady.
He wasn't about to waste time condemning Akatsukigakure for betraying their former allies.
That would be far too naive.
"Does it even matter anymore?"
A gentle breeze stirred as Nagato's Rinnegan radiated an overwhelming presence.
"I was right."
"Tsunade really set up an impressive strategy."
The Third Raikage clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked. Nagato didn't bother answering directly—but his silence was already an answer.
"Once Kumogakure falls, the game is over."
"Summoning Technique."
With a burst of white smoke, a massive feline engulfed in blue chakra flames appeared before the Third Raikage.
"A Tailed Beast…"
"Two-Tails, Matatabi!"
"Nagato of Akatsukigakure is using a Tailed Beast as a summoning creature?"
"Do we… still have a chance?"
The oppressive, violent chakra filled the battlefield, sending waves of unease through the Kumo forces.
The beast that had once belonged to Kumogakure… was now a weapon in the hands of their enemy.
"You… can control a Tailed Beast?"
The Third Raikage's pupils shrank.
To be honest, he regretted it.
He never imagined Nagato could fully control a Tailed Beast in such a short time.
Had he known, he never would have handed it over in the first place.
"You know nothing of my power."
Nagato's words carried an air of arrogance, but with him levitating in the sky, his presence was undeniably commanding.
"You're too confident."
"Even with the Two-Tails, why should I be afraid?"
"Save your boasting until you break through my defenses."
The Third Raikage had never been so openly dismissed before. With no further words, he launched himself at Nagato.
Under Nagato's command, Matatabi lunged to intercept him, and the two clashed in a ferocious battle.
But the more they fought, the more Nagato was shaken.
His master had been right.
This old man's defense was monstrous.
Even Matatabi's powerful strikes barely left a mark.
Instead of harming the Raikage, the Tailed Beast was the one getting knocked back.
"Compared to the Eight-Tails, the Two-Tails is far too weak."
Retracting his leg from his last attack, the Third Raikage smirked.
You know nothing of my power? Even with the Two-Tails on your side, what can you do to me?
"Banshō Ten'in."
Nagato didn't respond to the taunt. Instead, he unleashed a powerful gravitational force, pulling the Raikage toward him.
The Third Raikage, unable to resist the pull, remained unfazed.
His confidence in his defense was absolute.
Who could challenge him if not Kawakaze Hatake?
As soon as he was drawn in, Nagato thrust out his hand, a black chakra rod forming in his palm—aimed directly at the Raikage's heart.
Clang!
Nagato's expression twisted in shock.
The rod didn't even pierce the Raikage's skin.
It simply pressed against his chest… and shattered.
"Kid, you're still too green."
The Third Raikage sneered before swinging his leg in a devastating kick, slamming Nagato in the side.
Crash!
Nagato was sent hurtling into the sea like a cannonball, a massive wave exploding upon impact.
When he emerged, he was drenched, blood staining the corner of his mouth.
"Are you alright?"
Nonō appeared beside him just in time, her face full of concern.
"It's just a minor injury. Don't worry about me."
Nagato raised an arm, keeping her behind him—she wouldn't survive a direct hit from the Raikage.
"Alright, just be careful."
Sensing that Nagato's chakra was still stable, Nonō felt reassured.
...
Not far away, Killer Bee had already entered his Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, while the Fourth Raikage fought at full strength.
Unfortunately for them, they were struggling against Minato's relentless assault.
With Sage Mode enhancing his abilities, Minato's Flying Thunder God was sharper than ever.
His heightened sensory perception allowed him to evade their attacks effortlessly.
Meanwhile, every strike he landed added a fresh wound to their bodies.
Had it not been for their exceptional teamwork, they would have been dead already.
But from the looks of it, Minato's victory was only a matter of time.
Yahiko and Konan tore through the ranks of ordinary Kumo ninja like death itself, easing at least half the pressure on the Konoha forces.
Aside from Nagato's ongoing battle, the Konoha army was crushing Kumogakure.
More and more Kumo corpses floated across the sea, their morale sinking along with them.
All it would take was one final push—
And Kumogakure's will to fight would collapse entirely.