The Sealing Begins
Three days later, in the evening.
An ANBU member arrived at Chi Yu's residence.
Because Uzumaki Kushina was present, the ANBU said nothing.
But Chi Yu already understood—the time had come. Uzumaki Mito's remaining days had reached their end.
He turned to look at Kushina, who was quietly preparing dinner.
"Kushina, I'll be stepping out for a bit," Chi Yu said calmly.
Kushina's hand trembled slightly as she clutched the spatula, her voice carefully composed.
"I understand. Come back soon, Chi Yu."
Chi Yu followed the ANBU and departed the village.
---
Several miles outside Konoha, in a remote, cleared field:
A large contingent of ANBU and Root operatives stood on alert.
Present among them were Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, and Minato Namikaze.
In the center of the formation stood Uzumaki Mito, the aging Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, and Miyuki Uzumaki, her chosen successor.
The sealing formula—a complex array of fūinjutsu symbols—had already been inscribed into the earth.
Chi Yu approached Danzo first.
"Danzo-sama."
Then he respectfully bowed to Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen gave a solemn nod.
"Now that you've arrived, Chi Yu… we can begin the Tsukuyomi Seal."
At his signal, five ANBU operatives moved to five positions surrounding the circle and began weaving hand signs.
"Binding Barrier!"
A shimmering barrier unfolded, encasing the entire area in a protective dome.
At once, all ANBU and Root operatives entered a heightened state of readiness.
Hiruzen turned to Uzumaki Mito.
"Mito-sama, all preparations are complete. We await your command."
Mito looked gently at Miyuki.
"Miyuki… as Jinchūriki, we are vessels for a burden few can bear. But remember—before that, you are a person. Find something—or someone—to love. Let that fill the void, and the Beast will never consume you."
Miyuki nodded.
"I'll remember, Mito-sama."
"Then let us begin."
Uzumaki Mito formed hand signs with practiced grace.
"Yin Seal: Release!"
The diamond mark on her forehead dissolved into intricate tendrils of chakra, flooding her aged body with stored vitality. Her posture straightened, her wrinkles softened—she was reclaiming the strength of her youth, if only briefly.
She continued weaving signs.
"Eight Trigrams Sealing Style: Release!"
From her fingertips, chakra pooled into swirling orbs. With her right hand, she pressed against her abdomen and rotated it counterclockwise.
A violent surge of red chakra burst forth. From her abdomen, a dark, gaping void opened—the Nine-Tails began to emerge.
With a deafening roar, the Nine-Tailed Fox took form. Its presence was overwhelming; its chakra warped the air.
No one needed to be told: this was no ordinary beast. This was a calamity incarnate—a living weapon of war.
But even as it rose to full power, eight Adamantine Sealing Chains snapped into place from Mito's body, locking the beast in place.
The moment the Tailed Beast left her body, Mito's fate was sealed. But thanks to her Yin Seal reserves, her life clung on—barely.
Still, she coughed up blood, and her rejuvenated form quickly aged again.
Miyuki stared, stunned, at the massive creature before her.
"Is this... a Tailed Beast?"
Uzumaki Mito, her voice faint but firm, addressed her.
"Miyuki… we don't have much time. Lift your shirt. Expose your abdomen."
Miyuki blinked, then obeyed, lifting her top and revealing her stomach.
Mito formed more hand signs and slammed her hand to the ground.
With a puff of smoke, a ritual altar emerged from a sealing scroll.
Mito gave her final instruction.
"We will now reseal the Nine-Tails using the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style. The moment it enters your body, you must use the Adamantine Sealing Chains to restrain it. Do not hesitate."
The Nine-Tails snarled upon seeing the altar.
"An altar? You dare seal me again, Uzumaki Mito?!"
Mito's expression was ice.
"Your power is too great to roam freely. You must be sealed."
"Damn you!!" the beast roared. "Let me go!"
Unmoved, Mito began the final hand signs.
"Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!"
She pressed her palm to Miyuki's exposed abdomen.
A sealing array ignited over Miyuki's belly, glowing with layered glyphs.
Then, the same dark void opened on Miyuki's abdomen.
With a pained shout, Mito summoned her final strength.
"Tsukuyomi Seal!"
The Nine-Tails began to be forcibly drawn into Miyuki's body, its immense frame distorting as it resisted.
"NO!! LET ME GO!!"
The fox struggled violently. Two of the eight sealing chains snapped.
The Shinobi surrounding them stiffened in panic. If the seal failed now...
But after a tense struggle, the Nine-Tails was dragged inside.
The void closed shut, locking into place with layers of spiritual binding.
Mito collapsed to her knees, utterly spent.
"Miyuki... the chains. Now. The rest... is yours," she whispered.
With that, Uzumaki Mito exhaled her final breath.
The field fell into silence. No one moved.
All eyes were on Miyuki Uzumaki.
She was now surrounded by a violent red aura. Her body trembled, sweat pouring down her brow. Her face twisted—not in rage, but in agony.
---
Inside her mindscape:
Miyuki stood within the Nine-Tails' internal world.
The beast's chakra roared like a tempest. But Miyuki, summoning all her will, released the sealing chains.
Five golden Adamantine Chains erupted from her body, binding the Nine-Tails again.
But its power was overwhelming.
"You are not Uzumaki Mito," the fox spat. "You cannot hold me!"
One chain shattered.
Miyuki staggered back. The beast surged.
Another chain snapped.
---
Back in reality:
Miyuki's body was morphing—four fox tails had emerged, cloaked in corrosive chakra. Her skin darkened under a red haze, and her form became beastlike.
A fifth tail began to appear. Her mouth opened—
She began forming a Tailed Beast Ball.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
"As expected... it's out of control."
He turned sharply to Chi Yu.
"She's slipping. I'm entrusting her to you. Do what must be done."
Chi Yu gave a grim nod. His Mangekyō Sharingan activated instantly.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"
Miyuki's body froze. The Tailed Beast Ball dissolved into harmless particles.
Chi Yu entered her consciousness.
Now, within the storm of Miyuki's mind, he would face the Nine-Tails.
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