.
Shikaku Nara's eyes narrowed as he received a sudden communication from Samui's squad on the frontlines.
"Wait... Kinkaku actually transformed into a Nine-Tails Jinchūriki state? How is that possible?!"
He turned to the Raikage. "Lord Raikage, you mentioned they had some of the Nine-Tails' chakra… but to this extent? Why can they transform like that?"
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Raikage stood up, his expression grim.
"Mabui, get ready!"
"Yes!" Mabui nodded, immediately beginning hand seals.
Raikage turned back to Shikaku, voice heavy. "According to our records, the Gold and Silver Brothers—Kinkaku and Ginkaku—weren't trapped inside the Nine-Tails for two days. It was two weeks. They survived by devouring the Nine-Tails' flesh from within."
Shikaku's jaw clenched. "You're saying… by eating Kurama's flesh, they obtained that level of power?"
Raikage folded his arms. "More than that. When they get enraged, their bodies resonate with that stolen chakra and transform into that state—something resembling a Jinchūriki cloak."
Shikaku muttered, still reeling. "So… eating Nine-Tails meat lets you become a pseudo-Jinchūriki?"
Raikage grimaced. "Not quite. We once tried replicating the process—an experiment conducted during the reign of the Third Raikage. Volunteers were given pieces of the Eight-Tails' flesh to ingest."
Shikaku tensed. "And the result?"
Raikage's eyes darkened. "All of them died."
Shikaku frowned, silently condemning the cruelty. But he also understood. In that era, all hidden villages—including Konoha—had committed unspeakable acts in pursuit of power. The experiments conducted on children for Wood Release were no less vile. Yamato was proof of that.
Shikaku exhaled. "Then why did the Gold and Silver Brothers survive?"
Raikage nodded. "Later, we theorized they possess the bloodline of the Sage of Six Paths. That's the only explanation for why they could endure Kurama's chakra."
Shikaku looked up. "Then, Lord Raikage, does Kumogakure have any means to suppress them? They were once part of your village. Surely you know their weaknesses."
Raikage's face hardened. "Come with me."
Without another word, he led Shikaku through a reinforced hallway, where a massive object sat sealed in a containment case.
Shikaku's eyes widened. "This is…?"
Raikage gestured proudly. "The Amber Purifying Pot. One of the treasured tools of the Sage of Six Paths. It can seal any target that responds to its wielder's voice. This is the only relic we successfully retrieved from the brothers."
Shikaku stepped forward. "This is different from the Benihisago and Shichiseiken?"
Raikage nodded. "Yes. The Amber Purifying Pot has sealed even the Eight-Tails before. It responds to vocal responses. If you call out the target's name and they reply—even instinctively—it activates and pulls in their soul."
Shikaku's eyes sharpened. "I see."
Raikage turned to Mabui. "Are the preparations complete?"
Mabui formed her final seal. "Yes, Lord Raikage."
Shikaku suddenly raised a hand. "Wait!"
Raikage turned to him, confused.
Shikaku explained calmly, "If this pot was originally theirs, then Kinkaku likely knows how it works. We'll need a plan to deceive him—he won't fall for the obvious."
Raikage paused, then smirked. "You're right. Very well—Shikaku, you handle the strategy. I'll follow your lead."
Shikaku nodded. "Mabui, prepare the Heavenly Transfer Technique. Three minutes from now, I'll return with the final tactics."
"Understood."
With that, Shikaku sprinted back to the operations sphere. He knelt beside Yamanaka Inoichi. "Inoichi, connect me to Darui—immediately!"
Battlefield – Coastline
Darui was busy slicing down a squad of White Zetsu clones when the message entered his mind.
At the same time, Naruto was dueling Kinkaku atop the waves, both of his hands clutching wind-chakra infused shuriken. His Rasenshuriken had already forced Kinkaku to expend a significant amount of chakra, but Naruto's Shadow Clone was running out of steam.
"Kurama…" Naruto panted. "I don't think I can keep this up…"
Kurama grunted. "Don't push it. If you try one more Rasenshuriken, your clone will dispel. You've already exceeded the limit."
"I know," Naruto said through gritted teeth. "But he's still full of chakra…!"
Kinkaku smirked across the waves. "What's wrong, brat? Out of tricks?"
He surged forward across the sea, a trail of water erupting in his wake. Naruto's pupils narrowed.
"So fast!"
In a flash, Kinkaku was right in front of him. Naruto clapped his hands together.
"Shinra Tensei!!!"
The repulsive force of the Rinnegan activated, forming a protective sphere that repelled Kinkaku's charge. But the strain was immense. Naruto's Nine-Tails Chakra Mode flickered—then vanished entirely.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "Something's wrong!"
She dashed toward him.
Kinkaku roared and pushed through the repulsion, his arm piercing through the barrier.
Naruto gritted his teeth. "Damn it! Even Shinra Tensei isn't enough to stop you?!"
With a boom, the repulsion shattered. The shockwave sent Naruto flying backwards.
Tsunade appeared just in time to catch him. Together, they skidded across the surface of the water.
"Thanks, Granny Tsunade!"
She nodded. "You've done enough. Leave the rest to me. You're at your limit."
But Naruto shook his head, dropping to a seated position and closing his eyes.
"No. I'll gather natural energy and enter Sage Mode. Buy me some time!"
Tsunade turned to face the golden beast in the distance. Her Strength of a Hundred Seal still glowed brightly. "Fine. Just don't get killed."
Kinkaku snarled, his tails lashing violently.
Meanwhile, Darui received Shikaku's full battle plan via telepathy. He nodded as the Amber Purifying Pot was teleported into the battlefield in a flash of lightning.
Kinkaku immediately noticed.
"So… you brought that?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"You think I'll fall for my own treasure's trick?! Don't make me laugh!"
He turned and sprinted away, tail lashing the ground and sending huge waves crashing over the beach.
"You'll never seal me!"
But Tsunade intercepted him mid-charge.
"Not so fast!"
Her punch collided with his chest, sending him flying.
Kinkaku roared. "You damn woman!"
He spun around and whipped his tails toward the fleeing support squads. Tsunade's eyes widened.
"He's targeting the regular shinobi! He's trying to kill civilians!"
Several cries echoed from the shore.
"AHHHH!"
"Help!"
"Hold the line!"
"Earth Style: Earthquake Slam!!" came a cry.
Kitsuchi of the Second Division had arrived, his jutsu splitting the ground beneath Kinkaku's feet.
Kinkaku stumbled, sinking into a pit.
He growled and leapt upward.
Tsunade followed.
"You're not going anywhere!"
BOOM!
Her fist struck his jaw, sending him plummeting again.
Darui raised his hand. "Now! Lord Hokage—clear the area!"
"Roger!"
"Black Panther!!!"
A massive panther made of lightning chakra leapt down and clamped its fangs into Kinkaku's neck, detonating in a burst of black lightning.
"GAAAHHH!!"
Kinkaku's agonized scream echoed over the battlefield.
"Kitsuchi, now!"
"Earth Style Corps—Form up!" Kitsuchi commanded.
Earth Release users slammed their palms to the ground.
"Earth Style: Stone Coffin Formation!"
CRACK! CRACK!
Two massive slabs of earth rose and clamped around Kinkaku's struggling form.
"SEAL IT!"
But with a BANG, the rocks shattered as five massive chakra tails burst from within.
"RRRRAAAGHHH!!!"
Kinkaku erupted upward like a demon, debris flying in all directions.
He slammed all five tails down, shattering the land and sending shinobi flying in all directions.
"TAKE COVER!"
Darui shouted orders, but several were already injured.
Just as panic began to spread, reinforcements arrived.
"Sorry we're late!"
Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji stood atop the ridge.
"The Fourth Division is here!"
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