Inside the refuge protected by Minato's ancient Uzumaki seals, the atmosphere was calm yet charged with anticipation. The silver light of Yumegakure filtered through the cracks in the cave, marking the beginning of a crucial day.
Naruto lay on his back, his chest rising and falling with effort as Kurama began to separate from within him. Standing at his side, Hinata kept her hands over his body, channeling a warm and spiritual energy. An invisible thread connected their souls, and it was that silver vitality that kept Naruto conscious.
"Easy now... it's almost done," Hinata murmured gently.
Kurama finally emerged with a deep growl, though not in anger. His full form manifested with majesty in the cave, forcing everyone present to take a step back. Kuro, upon seeing the bijū, let out a low huff and crouched down, ready to serve as a mount.
Mitsue, however, was far less composed.
"He smells so delicious! That shiny fur, that energy! I want a bite!" she exclaimed, her forked tongue flicking as she drooled uncontrollably.
Kurama took a half step back, frowning. "What the hell is that...? Keep her away from me!"
Naruto, laughing, jumped in. "Kurama, I think you've got yourself a fangirl. A snake-girl."
"I'm not joking, Naruto! She's actually drooling," Kurama grumbled as he shifted just a little farther away from Mitsue, limited only by the space in the cave.
Hinata let out a soft chuckle. "Mitsue, behave."
"I can't help it! He looks so juicy!"
Sasuke crossed his arms, watching with indifference. "Are they going to act like this the entire trip?"
From his perch on a rock, Jiraiya finally spoke. "Taking Kurama to Akatsuki in person is a risk. The Shinobi Alliance will detect him, and every single sensor will be on our tail. We might start a war before we even get there."
"What do you suggest then?" Naruto asked, sitting up, though still catching his breath.
"I'll stay here with Kurama and reinforce the seals so no one can find us," Jiraiya said firmly. "Once you locate Akatsuki, Hinata can summon Minato with her Hiraishin no Jutsu, and he can come pick up Kurama from this safehouse."
Sasuke nodded. "That would reduce the chances of detection."
Hinata raised her hand. "In that case, I think there's a better option. Naruto and Kurama should sign the same kind of contract I have with Kuro and Mitsue. It's a pact between equals. Either party can summon the other, but only if both agree. It's built on trust."
Kurama frowned. "You want to summon me like some snake or dog?"
"It's not subjugation. It's a partnership. If you choose not to answer, you won't be forced to. But if you do, you'll know it's because you're truly needed."
Naruto nodded. "Let's do it. I like that idea."
Kurama let out a low growl that, to everyone's surprise, sounded more resigned than angry. "Fine... just keep her away from my tail," he muttered, glancing toward Mitsue.
Mitsue snorted. "I promise not to bite... too hard."
Minutes later, the contract was signed on an ancient stone slab, marked with the characters of soul and pact.
With everything ready, Hinata, Naruto, Sasuke, and Mitsue climbed atop Kuro, the great black wolf, and departed the cave. Kurama and Jiraiya remained behind, hidden among the reinforced seals, waiting for the signal that would mark the beginning of the confrontation with Akatsuki.
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The five arrived under Hinata's guidance at an enormous hill, split in two as if a cataclysm had cracked it from the sky. The air was thick, charged with tension, and as soon as they set foot on the summit, they could all feel presences moving beneath the ground.
When they reached the edge of the chasm, figures emerged from the shadows: Obito, Deidara, Kisame, Kabuto, and finally, Madara Uchiha. Hinata narrowed her eyes; in the distance, she could sense Black Zetsu watching from some hidden corner.
To maintain coordination on the battlefield, Hinata extended silver threads that connected her mind with those of Naruto, Sasuke, Kuro, and Mitsue, establishing a telepathic link.
Naruto was the first to speak through the link. "Is that the guy with the mask? The one responsible for us growing up without our families?"
Sasuke, with his Konoha headband lowered like a patch over his left eye hiding his Rinnegan, replied coldly, "Yes, that's him. But according to Hinata, we shouldn't touch him... he's just another victim of the real monster in this story."
"Madara Uchiha..." Hinata completed her tone firm. She wore two crossed katanas at her waist, her stance serene yet deadly.
"Can I play with Deidara?" asked Kuro, eager.
Mitsue hissed. "I still think it's a waste of a good fox to let him be sealed like that..."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Why are you two even here?"
Kuro and Mitsue answered in unison: "Because Hinata is here."
Kuro added, "Besides, I got us here quickly."
Mitsue followed up, "And someone needs to heal you when you break."
At that moment, interrupting the brief telepathic exchange, Madara raised his voice, deep and commanding: "So you have come... just as promised."
Hinata stepped forward, unflinching. "Yes. We've come to collaborate, in part... but my companions here have personal scores to settle with you, Madara. And now that you're particularly hard to kill, they figured it was a good time to let out some repressed feelings while the rest of us handle sealing the Nine-Tails."
Deidara scoffed. "But we need the Jinchūriki to seal the fox!"
Hinata covered her mouth theatrically. "Oh, right! That little detail is already sorted. Naruto, would you do the honors?"
Naruto grinned and placed his hand on the ground. With a flash of chakra, Kurama appeared beside him in all his majestic glory, his fur glowing like orange fire under the sun.
Madara chuckled and activated his Rinnegan to try and control the bijū... but to his surprise, black prisms materialized around Kurama, and a blaze of black fire devoured the chakra aimed at him.
Sasuke spoke calmly. "That won't be necessary. He's here of his own will. And we won't diminish his sacrifice by forcing him."
Kurama gave Sasuke a small nod of acknowledgement. Naruto crossed his arms proudly.
Hinata smiled approvingly. "Shall we begin the ritual? We don't want a war starting prematurely."
Obito nodded. "Very well... Silver Lady... you've kept your word."
Madara took a few steps forward, his gaze fixed on Hinata. "Why didn't you bring Shogo this time? He was interesting."
Hinata's silver eyes glinted with fierce resolve. "I was clear. Naruto and Sasuke have unresolved matters with you, Madara."
At that moment, Madara turned to Sasuke, who lifted his Konoha headband to reveal his Rinnegan. Madara's smile widened, predatory. "Seems I'll have time to entertain myself with the two of you. But if you don't amuse me enough... I'll come for you next, little girl."
Hinata replied with a cold, scornful smile. "You'd be the second person in this world I truly want dead. But luckily, I've left that wish in capable hands."
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a look. Their smiles were fierce and determined. Silently, they began to move, with Madara walking away in the same direction, his thirst for battle radiating like scorching steam. The three of them seemed to silently agree to shift the battlefield elsewhere.
Hinata turned to Obito. "Very well, Obito Uchiha... let's seal Kurama here. But before that, there's something I want to correct. I can't allow Mr. Kabuto to remain in this state. I strongly dislike the technique used on him... and it's non-negotiable."
Obito glanced at Kabuto for a moment, then sighed. "As long as we get the Kyūbi, I have no objections."
Hinata nodded. "Then let's proceed."
The field remained heavy with tension, as battle loomed at the edge of the world.
They led Kurama to a deep chamber where Obito had already prepared the Gedō Mazō, the colossal statue that once served as the shell of the Ten-Tails. Upon arrival, the ritual began. Kurama stood tall and silent, aware of what was to come. Mitsue watched him with tragic eyes, following each flicker of chakra as it slowly faded from the great beast. Her expression teetered between fascination and sorrow.
Meanwhile, in a nearby private room, Hinata stood before Kabuto. "I'm going to remove the threads binding you here... I hope you won't resist."
Kabuto, with lifeless eyes and an indifferent tone, replied, "The plans are proceeding correctly... I see no need to resist."
Hinata extended her silver threads, and they gently entered Kabuto's body. She began to heal the spiritual scars that lingered from the Red Monk's influence, which she had previously purged. As she worked, she searched deeper—for the final spark of the true Kabuto.
When she found it, Hinata unleashed her energy, flooding his soul with her essence and reigniting his consciousness, buried for so long under the weight of Kotoamatsukami. Minutes passed like hours.
At last, Kabuto fell to his knees. His once-dull eyes now shone with clarity. He looked up at her. "Thank you... Hinata..."
She helped him to his feet. "Forgive me for not freeing you sooner."
Kabuto blinked, confused. "You... you went through it too? Who...?"
"Danzō Shimura. He's no longer with us. He died, sealed away in a tomb of his own making." Hinata's voice was firm, recalling the place where the old man was entombed for eternity.
Then Kabuto realized where they were. "The ritual! We have to stop them—"
Hinata placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's not necessary. You... just rest. It will all be over soon."
With calm steps, Hinata turned and walked toward the chamber where Kurama was being sealed, her silhouette fading slowly into the shadows of the hallway.