[Minato Column 1] Yellow Flash of Konoha: Tales of Minato Namikaze's Valor | NARUTO OFFICIAL SITE (NARUTO & BORUTO) (2024)

Naruto Columns

07/19/2023

To celebrate the publication of Masashi Kishimoto's new one-shot manga, Naruto: The Whorl Within the Spiral (available in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 33), a column series looking back on the life and adventures of Minato Namikaze is starting!

In this first installment, we'll recount the heroic exploits of Minato, who was feared by other nations as the "Yellow Flash of Konoha"!

Single-Handedly Putting a Stop to the Nine Tails' Abduction!

The reason why Minato, who until this point was just another ninja, suddenly becomes well known across many nations is his great accomplishment in foiling Kumogakure's kidnapping of the Nine Tails' Jinchuriki.

[Minato Column 1] Yellow Flash of Konoha: Tales of Minato Namikaze's Valor | NARUTO OFFICIAL SITE (NARUTO & BORUTO) (1)

The Kumogakure ninja infiltrate Konoha targeting Kushina, a Jinchuriki who has the Nine Tails sealed inside her body.
By kidnapping her, they plan to obtain the Nine Tails' power for themselves.

Konoha immediately dispatches a search party upon realizing the situation, but they find no sign of Kushina.
The Kumogakure ninja arrive at the border of the Land of Fire, and it seems all hope is lost, when...

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Minato, who had noticed some strands of her fallen red hair, rushes in alone to the rescue!
After this incident, he becomes widely known as the man who prevented the theft of the Nine Tails.

The Third Great Ninja War: Stunning Victory at Kannabi Bridge

After becoming a Jonin, Minato is eventually appointed as Kakashi, Obito, and Rin's team leader.
They are assigned a mission to slow the advance of invading Iwagakure ninja by attacking their supply line.

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At this point, he is already famous as the "Yellow Flash of Konoha".
In fact, Minato is so feared that ninja of other nations are warned to flee the moment they catch sight of him.

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But though outside of the Hidden Leaf he is a source of terror, for his allies there is no one they would rather have in their corner.

Even when showing up alone to reinforce the beleaguered front line, Minato's reliability is such that his arrival is greeted with a relieved cry of "You finally made it!!"

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This comes as no surprise, given Minato is powerful enough to take on over 50 enemy ninja by himself.

On top of that, his allies revere how he ends battles in the blink of an eye, truly living up to his title of "Yellow Flash of Konoha".

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Minato and the others succeed in their mission to cut off Iwagakure's supply line, although they lose their comrade, Obito.
This series of events goes down in history as the "Battle of Kannabi Bridge".

Overwhelming Kumogakure's A/B Combo

While leading a team on a mission, Minato clashes with a squad containing the future Fourth Raikage, Ay.

At the time, Ay is being considered as a candidate for Raikage due to his status as the Third Raikage's son, and his partner Bee has already become the Jinchuriki of the Eight Tails.
This pair is infamous among the ninja of other nations as the "A/B Combo".

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Minato, who has resolved to take the two of them on by himself, dodges Ay's top-speed punch using the Flying Raijin Jutsu and immediately counterattacks!
He even takes the time to praise Bee and give advice to Ay in the middle of the battle!

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"I'VE GOT MY OWN RESPONSIBILITIES.
I CAN'T FAIL!"

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Ay goes on the attack again but Minato has a trick up his sleeve, and comes out on top.

They continue their rivalry through many battles. Ay later even describes him as "a noble man" and says "a finer shinobi never lived".

Life-or-Death Struggle with the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit

Minato's ability is acknowledged by the whole village and he becomes the Fourth Hokage.
He and Kushina are blessed with a child, Naruto Uzumaki, but on the day of his birth...
Minato faces his greatest—and final—challenge.

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The Nine Tails is forcibly extracted from Kushina's body and attacks the Hidden Leaf Village, destroying everything in its path.

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The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, takes charge of the defense, and the Konoha ninja have somehow managed to drive the Nine Tails out of the village when Minato rushes to the scene.

He uses his Flying Raijin Jutsu to teleport the Nine Tails to a safe distance.
There he makes the decision—as a father, a husband, and the Fourth Hokage—
to give up his own life to seal away the Nine Tails.

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Boasting countless victories on the battlefield, and appointed Fourth Hokage at a young age, Minato is a ninja of rare caliber.

Although his life ends after only 24 years, his legend is etched into the annals of ninja history.

That's all for this time!
Check back tomorrow (7/20 JST) for part two, which will cover the beginning of Minato and Kushina's romance!

Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)

Naruto: The Whorl Within the Spiral by Masashi Kishimoto Now Available in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 33!

[Minato Column 1] Yellow Flash of Konoha: Tales of Minato Namikaze's Valor | NARUTO OFFICIAL SITE (NARUTO & BORUTO) (15)

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