At that moment, the Tailed Beast Ball of the Two-Tails roared forward, exploding toward Uzumaki Mito.
Mito's eyes sharpened. She drew upon the Nine-Tails' chakra, manifesting a massive claw of demonic red energy, and seized the incoming Tailed Beast Ball midair.
Rumble!
The impact shook the entire barrier violently.
Kushina clutched her chest in worry, whispering, "Grandma Mito… please be safe."
But then, she noticed something strange.
This was no accident—this had been planned in advance!
When Mito looked beyond the barrier, Danzō and the others had already vanished. Only four elite jōnin remained, maintaining the Four Purple Flame Formation, sealing her inside.
Within that prison of violet fire, the Two-Tails lunged forward. Its massive paw struck Mito with devastating force, hurling her back.
"Grandma Mito!" Kushina screamed.
Blood spilled from Mito's lips as she fell. When her vision refocused, she stood before a massive iron gate.
Behind it loomed a monstrous, orange-red beast—the Nine-Tails, locked in its prison.
"Mito Uzumaki," the Nine-Tails rumbled, its voice dripping with malice.
"You're in trouble. Release my full power—become a proper Jinchūriki! With Tailed Beast Transformation, I can crush them all for you!"
"Hmph," Mito sneered.
"Kurama, I've known you too long to be deceived. I'll borrow your strength… but don't think you can consume me and break free. That will never happen!"
Her eyes opened again—now gleaming with fox-like vertical pupils.
"Half… Tailed Beast Transformation!"
Her body erupted with demonic chakra, cloaking her in a dark red shroud. Her figure warped into a humanoid beast form, a miniature tailed beast in its own right. But the chakra cloak that flared behind her wasn't shaped like the Nine-Tails—it resembled six tails instead.
Mito rarely drew on this forbidden state, but tonight, she had no choice.
Boom!
The shockwave that followed was even greater than before. This time, the Two-Tails was the one blasted back, tumbling through the air with a roar.
Snarling, Matatabi lashed its fangs. "You dare strike me, human?!"
But Mito was already on the move. Her figure blurred, reappearing before the beast in an instant. Chakra surged into her palm—five distinct natures woven into one.
"Five Elements Seal!"
The Two-Tails twisted with feline agility, leaping clear of her strike. Mito pursued, relentless, forcing her hand against the beast's stomach.
"Wretched human, you seek death!" Matatabi screeched, swiping its paw to knock her away.
Their battle raged through the barrier, each clash echoing like thunder. To an onlooker, it seemed simple—blows exchanged back and forth. But every strike carried the weight of a monstrous chakra capable of leveling the land.
Finally, both were sent flying, crashing down in opposite directions.
Mito coughed blood, wiping her mouth. Her breaths came ragged. She didn't move to press the fight—her Tailed Beast Transformation was nearing its limit. Any further, and Kurama might seize the chance to break free.
The Two-Tails, however, had no such restraint.
"Damn it," Mito muttered under her breath. Her thoughts turned to Kushina. Would Jinchūriki Kushina be forced to inherit Matatabi instead of the Nine-Tails? To bear this cursed burden so young?
Her heart ached at the thought. The Nine-Tails had always been meant for Kushina—but now, was she to be bound to the Two-Tails instead?
And her own seal… it was beginning to strain.
Outside the training grounds, Danzō, Homura, and Koharu observed the violet barrier from a distance.
"Danzō," Homura spoke gravely, "if you've trapped them in there… won't they die?"
Danzō smirked coldly.
"How could the Two-Tails kill the Nine-Tails? Don't worry. Mito won't allow Kushina to be harmed. This is the perfect opportunity to test both of them."
"No matter what happens, Ryoma will lose his only source of support."
"How can an injured Uzumaki Mito possibly protect him?"
"Besides, when that time comes, Mito won't even have the strength to decide who should inherit the Nine-Tails."
"No matter what, we cannot allow Ryoma to be linked to the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."
"And don't forget—Ryoma has grown close with the Uchiha clan. Just look at Uchiha Mikoto's reaction earlier today… perhaps there's something between them that hasn't been said outright!"
"For the sake of Konoha, we must remove all potential threats. Only then can we preserve the village's peace and stability."
Homura Mitokado frowned, his expression grave. "But if Ryoma turns against us… his power isn't weak. He's already one of the strongest shinobi in Konoha."
Koharu Utatane scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Hmph. Does he truly dare to strike at us?"
"We are elders of this village. If he so much as lays a finger on us, who in Konoha could protect him?"
"When the time comes, even Hiruzen will act—for the sake of the Will of Fire. With all of us standing together, do you really think Ryoma—just a boy—can stand against us?"
Meanwhile, Ryoma and Minato Namikaze had already returned to Konoha…
...
TN:
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