That afternoon, after a hearty lunch, Kageyama Kokugetsu reported to the Hokage Building on time.
Say this for Sarutobi Hiruzen—he treats those he values quite well. Knowing there'd be overtime at night, he'd given Kokugetsu the morning off instead of dragging him in at dawn.
Standing watch near the Hokage was dull work, but Kokugetsu was a leader. Unless Namikaze Minato called him directly, he could send others on errands. They weren't his Third Division subordinates, but no ANBU said "no."
The monotonous afternoon didn't drag; whenever there was nothing to do, Kokugetsu let his mind wander.
After the dinner rotation, he kept his post until around nine. The lights in the Hokage's office finally went out, and Minato jumped with Flying Thunder God.
On receiving the signal, Kokugetsu led his unit toward the ANBU base, slipped through the back-mountain forest, and veered off in another direction. Along the way, everyone used reconnaissance techniques to guard against a tail, until they reached a small mountain.
Hidden among Konoha's back peaks and wrapped in a colorless, invisible barrier, the little mountain had a cave glowing amber from within. From outside, you couldn't see that light—the barrier blocked it.
Once in position, Kokugetsu waved his hand. Half a platoon of ANBU fanned out and ringed the mountain.
Time ticked by. Near midnight, the full moon hung high, laying silver gauze across the land. Konoha's night was as calm as ever. Shop lights and house lamps winked out one by one; aside from a few drunks and late-returning villagers, only Police Force patrols moved through the streets.
Then, as the moon neared zenith—when the night is brightest—a colossal shape suddenly dropped from the sky onto Konoha, its massive body turning the houses beneath into rubble.
Not everyone inside died, but few would live.
"Roooar!"
The bellow shook the entire village, jolting countless people awake. Most were stunned and confused. A few paled and sprang into motion.
Three drunks happened to be near the Nine-Tails. One look sobered them instantly; terror shook their bodies even as they tried to run and found they couldn't.
Kurama didn't even notice them—but they were unlucky.
Boom!
A casual swipe from the Nine-Tails shattered the nearest homes. The gale of debris hurled the three through the air, skinning them scarlet; they were as good as dead.
Kokugetsu and company heard the roar as well, leaping to treetops to look toward the village. The sight of nine tails lashing froze many ANBU stiff. Kokugetsu's face stayed calm; there wasn't a flicker of guilt or pity in his heart.
Konoha was meant to endure this calamity. Stopping it was kindness; not stopping it was duty.
For the strong, chaos is a ladder.
If under Minato the village stayed harmonious and thriving, how long would it take for him to rise "rightfully"? He couldn't wait that long.
Across times and lands, power always demands legitimacy—only the forms differ. In some places it's blood and race. A Xuanwu Gate–style seizure was only a contingency—heavy with aftershocks and trouble. If there's no other choice, so be it.
Strike while you're young for fame; the same for power. To rise fast, you need disorder.
"Captain Night, it's the Nine-Tails! How could anything go wrong where the Hokage is?"
ANBU landed on nearby branches one after another. One spoke in a rush.
"Did any of you sense an anomaly?" Kokugetsu asked, voice low.
Heads shook.
"With the Hokage's and Kushina-nee's ability, nothing should go wrong under normal conditions. Someone likely infiltrated—and bypassed us and the barrier.
"To slip in unseen like that, most likely a space–time technique akin to Flying Thunder God.
"But it's too late to talk about that now.
"Two of you who aren't combat specialists, check the cave. The rest with me—into the village to stop the Nine-Tails.
"It's time to uphold the Will of Fire."
"Let's go!"
He bit his thumb mid-leap, flashed through seals, and pressed his palm into the air; black sigils unfurled.
Poof!
A golden-feathered eagle burst from smoke, scooped Kokugetsu onto its back, and beat for the village.
Captain Night's Will of Fire… impeccable.
He—he's got me in tears!
Buoyed by Kokugetsu's call, ANBU sprinted full tilt. The two who trailed—also the weakest—took the task of retrieving Sarutobi Biwako and her senior apprentice. In his manic peak, Obito's strikes were vicious and precise; both died on the spot.
By the time Kokugetsu arrived, some Konoha shinobi had already engaged Kurama—without effect. Among them were Police Force officers, but as Kokugetsu landed, they withdrew, chafing: Uchiha Fugaku had been blocked by men Danzo sent, and he hadn't dared defy Danzo's authority—missing a golden chance to lessen suspicion.
Earth Style: Yellow Springs Swamp!
Hands pressed to the ground, Kokugetsu turned the earth under Kurama's hind legs to sludge. The sinking hindquarters threw the beast off balance; a sweeping claw missed, letting several shinobi scrape by with their lives.
"Our attacks barely affect a tailed beast! Prioritize restraint techniques—slow it down!
"Once the Hokage and Lord Third arrive, the situation will improve.
"If you can't restrain, hold your attacks and watch your comrades—save people!"
He sprang onto the half-collapsed frame of a house and shouted, words tumbling fast. They didn't know who he was, but an ANBU uniform was endorsement enough. Battle-hardened Konoha shinobi adapted instantly, shifting tactics and trying to coordinate.
With bind-and-limit techniques layered on and mutual cover and rescue, Kurama's advance stalled and casualties dipped.
"Rooaaar!"
Toppled, the Nine-Tails howled, slammed nine tails down, and pushed with all fours. The massive body vaulted free, shedding restraints. "Fall back!" Kokugetsu warned, blurring away like light skimming water.
Boom!
Kurama crashed down. The ground convulsed, a shockwave ripping outward. Forelegs scythed wide; nine tails thrashed, pounding the earth in ceaseless tremors.
Those too close—or too slow—were snatched and ripped into crimson spray, or swatted to pulp. Most were flung back with wounds of varying severity. A few were lucky and mostly unscathed—just battered.
Only Kokugetsu was untouched.
"Against a tailed beast, an ordinary jōnin is little different from a mid- or low-tier ninja—powerless."
Drawing his blade, he sprinted straight for Kurama. With astonishing speed, flexibility, and reflexes, he slipped through the strikes, ran up the Nine-Tails' body, and drove for its head.
Crisis is the finest time to harvest renown. It looked risky, but the risk was minimal—and the more witnesses, the more reputation to claim. Not to be missed.
The shinobi scrambling to their feet stared, awed, at the tiny figure on that mountain of a body—respect rising like a tide.
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