Inside Tsunade's Mind—
Within the inner spiritual world, two souls faced off.
"Tsunade!"
Tsunade braced herself as Dan's soul materialized before her. Kabuto's influence twisted around him, and despite his hesitation, Kabuto's control forced Dan to raise his hand.
"Spiritualization Technique: Soul Confinement!"
A spiritual binding technique locked Tsunade's soul in place. Her limbs froze, her ethereal body refusing to respond. It was a genjutsu-like seal, akin to something from the Torture and Interrogation Force—a technique comparable to Ibiki Morino's methods.
Dan slowly approached, his soul trembling violently. He raised his hand, about to strike. But at the last second, his fingers shook, twitching with resistance.
Tsunade could see it—a cursed seal, glowing deep inside Dan's soul. That was Kabuto's tether. It was both controlling and torturing him.
Gritting his teeth, Dan cried out in pain, "I… no matter what… will never hurt you!"
Then, with a violent roar, he drove his hand past Tsunade, straight into his own skull. He clawed out the cursed seal and crushed it in his spiritual palm.
Kabuto, who was observing through his network, suddenly winced.
"What the hell?! He broke my control? Through sheer will? Love?!"
Back in Tsunade's mind, the seal shattered. Tsunade's soul surged with freedom.
Outside—
A golden flash tore through the sky. Shadow Clone Naruto, bathed in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, appeared beside Tsunade's still body and slipped a chakra necklace around her neck. Instantly, Dan's soul was pulled out of her body and hovered briefly before beginning to dissipate.
Tsunade shot up, gasping, then shouted, "Dan!"
The dissipating soul floated above her, smiling warmly.
"Idiot… don't cry. Jiraiya's a good man. Live well… goodbye."
His soul faded into countless blue motes of light.
Nearby, Akimichi Chōza exhaled in relief. He looked up to see Naruto's clone standing tall in chakra-cloaked form.
Asuma, watching from behind, squinted. "That's… Naruto?"
Chōza nodded. "Yes. He's mastered the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and now he's also using Sage Mode and possesses the Rinnegan. The kid's practically a legend now."
Asuma sighed. "Hard to believe he was once that prankster kid."
Chōza's voice softened. "We knew… even if no one told us, we could tell Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son. That's why Shikaku and I never stopped our children from being close to him."
Tsunade, wiping her tears, turned to Naruto's clone. "Why are you here?"
"Shikaku sent a distress message. I created a clone and rushed over after grabbing the original body's necklace."
Tsunade nodded. "Then help me finish this. The battle isn't over yet!"
Naruto's clone grinned. "Yes, ma'am!"
Seaside Battlefield—
Darui stood before the reanimated Gold and Silver Brothers, Ginkaku and Kinkaku.
"Lord Ginkaku, Lord Kinkaku," he said flatly. "Ready for round two?"
Kinkaku sneered. "Tch. Getting sealed the same way we once used to ambush the Second Hokage? Embarrassing!"
Ginkaku glanced at Darui's shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Heh. That tattoo… the previous Raikage gave you permission to wear the Thunder Mark? You must be strong."
Darui smirked. "Disrespect or not, I'm taking you two down. This time, with my Storm Release."
Yinkaku scoffed. "You brats in Kumo lack respect. Time for us to remind you why we're legends!"
"Yeah," Ginkaku added. "Let's show them our power."
With twin howls, they summoned the legendary Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths: the Benihisago, Kohaku no Jōhei, Shichiseiken, and the Bashōsen.
Darui narrowed his eyes. "Four tools? Where's the fifth?"
Just then, Samui and Atsui appeared behind him.
Samui frowned. "Ugh, those two? Saw them in the Bingo Book. Not cool."
Atsui grinned. "Let's take them down quick, Captain. Then I can go brag at the academy."
The three Kumo shinobi prepared to face the legendary brothers, whose chakra radiated a terrifying pressure. The next clash would decide the fate of the beachhead!
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