As the sky-darkening attack descended, Kushina gritted her teeth. She couldn't fully withstand the explosive power unleashed by the Perfect Susanoo.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains were a sealing technique, not a defensive one—their purpose was suppression. Using them for defense was always going to be difficult.
"Hey, Kushina, you're already giving out?"
"You weren't like this when you were suppressing me earlier! That really ticks me off!"
"Show some of that strength you're supposed to have as an outstanding member of the Uzumaki Clan!"
Kurama's disdainful voice only provoked Kushina further. Her hair began to rise without wind, and the aura radiating from her body grew more violent.
Even those nearby could feel the pressure swelling.
"Damn it, Kurama! Easy for you to run your mouth!"
"If you don't like it, then YOU get out here and fight!"
"I dare you—go fight him yourself! If you don't have the guts, then sit tight and shut up!"
Even facing a powerful enemy, Kushina still had her priorities straight. She forced her anger down and refused to argue with the Nine-Tails.
Which was exactly what Kurama wanted. He'd been itching to fight for ages. What was so great about that fake Madara Uchiha anyway? Kurama's power was undeniable.
"Fine! If you're willing, I'm willing!"
"You're my jinchūriki after all. Didn't that brat Kazuyama tell us to trust each other a little more?"
"Well, listen up—once you activate Tailed Beast Mode, smashing a mere Susanoo will be like playing whack-a-mole."
Kushina's heart trembled at those words.
Before the battle began, Kazuyama had revealed he was the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki, leading to a four-person discussion inside the Mind Space.
Because of that, she was finally able to communicate with Kurama and access Tailed Beast Mode—reshaping her understanding of tailed beasts altogether.
Now, seeing Kurama so eager to jump into battle, how could she refuse?
Besides, with the Adamantine Sealing Chains in her body, restraining Kurama was easy.
With the situation so dire, she no longer hesitated.
"Fine! Kurama, I'll trust you this once!"
"The rest is up to you!"
Without hesitation, Kushina released the seal inside her body.
Kurama watched as the Adamantine Chains wrapped around him slowly faded. Freed from their suppression, his chakra surged wildly.
"Kushina, after all these years, it feels damn good to finally be free of the Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
"That brat Kazuyama… I guess I should thank him!"
"Come on! Let's give this fake Uchiha a real fight!"
As the strongest among the tailed beasts, Kurama's chakra far surpassed the others.
The power that had been suppressed for so many years now surged upward explosively.
Kushina felt the overwhelming chakra—yet it was different from before.
The Nine-Tails' chakra she used to sense was full of malice.
But now, it was purely immense—without a trace of hatred.
Realizing this, she relaxed and allowed Kurama to take the lead.
Kurama understood Kushina trusted him completely now, so he held nothing back. His massive chakra poured directly into her.
Kushina, who had only been in a Tailed Beast Cloak moments ago, exploded with terrifying chakra the next second.
"Roar!"
"Take it all, Kurama!"
"Hmph! I don't need your orders!"
Human and beast finally moved as one.
A tailed beast transformation similar to Chōmei's was underway, but even grander—after all, the Nine-Tails' power eclipsed the Seven-Tails by far.
Kushina was now entering full tailed beast transformation.
Her power skyrocketed. Her defensive posture vanished instantly.
With a thunderous roar, she thrust her hand toward the massive incoming attack.
The chakra-formed Nine-Tails extended its claws skyward as well, unleashing its terrifying chakra in a single burst.
The explosive force collided with Susanoo's attack, the impact shaking the sky itself.
For a moment, the air became a deadly zone—so intense that even Muren Uchiha was forced to retreat several steps.
Muren Uchiha's eyes flickered with surprise.
"Tailed Beast Mode, huh…"
"The Nine-Tails indeed lives up to its name. What terrifying power."
"Unfortunately, by opposing the Uchiha, you will still become a stepping stone on our path."
He sneered and urged Susanoo to launch an even fiercer assault.
But now, transformed and empowered, Kushina no longer struggled. She attacked directly, clashing with Susanoo in a violent, spectacular battle.
Everyone nearby was captivated by the sight—such a scene was almost unheard of.
A Nine-Tails jinchūriki…
The Nine-Tails, long considered the embodiment of terror.
"Unbelievable… she can actually control the Nine-Tails."
"Hokage, Konoha really is full of monsters…"
Ōnoki floated above, reverting to his usual snide comments, though no one paid attention.
The enemy before them demanded every ounce of focus.
"Enough, Ōnoki. Stop stirring trouble."
"With things already at this point, what good does it do?"
Rasa couldn't tolerate it anymore. This old man was too irritating.
"Quit watching. Someone's already leading the charge. As Kage, are we just going to stand here?"
"Gold Dust Barrier!"
Rasa's words jolted the others awake. Attacks from all sides surged upward alongside his Gold Dust, aimed straight at Muren Uchiha.
"Kushina, try to bring him down!"
"Flying Thunder God!"
Minato teleported to Kushina's side—but the moment he appeared, the immense chakra pressure nearly overwhelmed him.
Kushina reacted instantly. A crimson-yellow chakra tendril pulled Minato safely into her tailed beast form.
"Minato! Careful—I've only just learned to control the transformation. I'm not fully stable yet."
"Rushing this close is dangerous."
Minato only gave her a sheepish laugh, completely unfazed.
Surrounded by the Nine-Tails' chakra, he couldn't help but admire its overwhelming power.
"Kushina, how did you manage this?"
"It wasn't me—Kazuyama helped. I already knew he was a jinchūriki before the battle."
Minato: ???
That bastard—after I treated him like a brother!