The mountains were clear and the waters pure; greenery spread endlessly under the bright sun.
Hyuga Satoru lifted his head toward the sky, squinting slightly as sunlight poured down. The crisp fragrance of grass filled the air, soothing the mind. Activating his Byakugan, he scanned the area carefully, spotting the intricate web of barriers enveloping the entire training ground.
"So this is the place prepared for Kushina-sensei's training," he murmured. "Every detail's been considered."
The tranquil environment, backed by mountains and water, helped calm the spirit. The surrounding seals not only prevented outsiders from discovering the location, but also served as containment should the Tailed Beast go berserk.
The site was far from the village, surrounded by untouched forest—even if the jinchuriki lost control, Konoha would have enough time to respond.
Satoru's gaze shifted toward the cliffside structures. Water and power systems had clearly been arranged long ago—Minato's handiwork.
Such meticulous preparation meant assisting Kushina's training would be a long-term mission.
"Kushina!"
Standing by the great lake, Namikaze Minato called out toward the towering waterfall.
A moment later, a streak of scarlet shot out from within the cascading water.
Clad in the red shroud of a Tailed Beast cloak, Kushina leapt from the waterfall. A chakra tail swayed behind her, subtly adjusting her balance midair as she descended.
"That's…"
Jiraiya's expression froze at the sight. He glanced between Minato and Kushina.
"Jiraiya-sensei."
"Oh, Satoru! Didn't expect to see you here too."
Landing gracefully on the bank, Kushina let her chakra cloak dissipate. Spotting Jiraiya and Satoru, she waved cheerfully before her bright eyes turned toward two younger faces.
"You must be Yamato from the Anbu, right? And you—Uchiha Shisui of the Body Flicker!"
"I'm Kushina. Nice to meet you both!"
Despite the age difference, her open and vibrant nature instantly left a strong impression on the two.
"Lady Kushina, I'll do my utmost to assist you," Yamato said, bowing a little too stiffly.
His tone was overly formal—a habit born from his upbringing in Root. Even after joining the Hokage's Anbu, he still carried that rigid hierarchy in his bones.
Kushina smiled gently at his stiffness.
"Hey, Kushina—just now, that power you used…" Jiraiya asked, his tone serious. The chakra she'd displayed moments ago had been immense and violent—clearly not her own.
"Oh, you mean that?" she laughed. "Minato loosened a corner of the seal, letting some of the Nine-Tails' chakra leak out. I was just testing how much I could control."
"This level's still within my limits."
As she spoke, the crimson shroud once again enveloped her body, a single red tail forming behind her. Her fingernails lengthened, her eyes turned into fox-like slits—a dangerous yet bewitching sight.
"So it is the Nine-Tails' power…"
Jiraiya stepped closer, extending a finger toward the glowing chakra on her palm—only to jerk back as a searing pain shot through his fingertip.
"Hot!" he hissed, shaking his hand.
Meanwhile, Satoru, Shisui, and Yamato moved in, carefully observing the physical changes the Tailed Beast chakra caused. As Kushina's support team, it was crucial for them to understand her limits—how much of the Nine-Tails' chakra she could safely handle.
"The Nine-Tails' chakra is highly corrosive," Jiraiya muttered, brow furrowing. "Kushina, you don't feel any pain?"
"Me? Not really." She smiled faintly. "Ever since becoming the jinchuriki, my healing ability's skyrocketed. At this level, my body can still endure it. But if the chakra density rises any higher, it'll start damaging me."
"The hardest part," she admitted, "is the emotions. The Nine-Tails' hatred seeps into me through the chakra. The stronger the power, the stronger the emotion."
As she spoke, the crimson energy surged even wilder. A second tail unfurled behind her—then a third.
The air trembled. Dust and gravel floated upward, swirling around her like a crimson storm.
"This is the strongest power I can currently control. Any further…" she panted, "and the Nine-Tails' hatred will drown out my will."
Three tails whipped behind her as Kushina's breathing grew heavier. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay conscious. Though her skin flushed and her chakra flared violently, she still held on.
Minato and Jiraiya watched with tense expressions.
"Kushina's tails," Minato explained quietly, "reflect how much of the Nine-Tails' chakra has leaked out. Once she reaches the fourth tail, she loses herself—turns into a miniature beast of pure instinct. The more we loosen the seal, the more tails appear, until the Nine-Tails fully breaks free."
"For years now, Kushina's been stuck at three tails. That's her current limit."
He exhaled, voice softening. "I called you here, sensei, hoping you might find a way to help her break through."
Pain flickered in his eyes. If not for the threats looming over the village, he'd never let Kushina suffer this way.
Jiraiya nodded solemnly. "So… what's your plan?"
Minato gathered his thoughts. "Ever since I became Hokage, I've been researching how the Hidden Cloud Village cultivates perfect jinchuriki. According to our spies, they have a place called the Falls of Truth—a mystical site where a jinchuriki confronts their inner self and purges negative emotion. Only after passing that trial can one truly begin to master their Tailed Beast."
"Purifying one's hatred is key to controlling a Tailed Beast's chakra without being consumed."
He sighed. "But… there's nothing like that within the Land of Fire."
Indeed, the training ground they stood in was a mere imitation—a normal waterfall could never replicate the spiritual trial of the Falls of Truth.
Without a way to purge her inner darkness, it would be impossible for Kushina to advance further.
Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "That's a real problem…"
He knew Kushina's nature well—kindhearted and full of life, yet not without scars. Though she'd found love and friendship in Konoha, her early years of captivity and loneliness had left hidden wounds.
The more cheerful someone appeared, the deeper their inner void often was. To keep such a heart from being overtaken by the Nine-Tails' malice… was no easy feat.
His gaze swept over Shisui, Yamato, and finally settled on Satoru.
Unlike the others, whose bodies were tense with caution, Satoru stood completely relaxed—calm, almost detached, even in front of a jinchuriki partially overtaken by the Nine-Tails.
He wasn't afraid at all.
How could this boy remain so unshaken? Did he feel no fear?
"Satoru," Jiraiya asked curiously, "standing this close to Kushina like this… aren't you afraid?"
The others looked at him as well.
"Afraid?" Satoru tilted his head. "Being afraid doesn't help, does it?"
A simple answer—yet it left Jiraiya momentarily stunned.
Everyone knew fear was useless. But few could truly live without it. That sort of cool, absolute rationality was precisely what made someone suited to be a jinchuriki.
"Kushina-sensei," Satoru went on, "maybe you should try meditation—deep focus and stillness—to adapt to external emotional interference."
He didn't know how to create a perfect jinchuriki without the Falls of Truth, but he did know how to regulate one's emotions. Meditation and a Zen-like stillness were effective methods.
"Only someone who can truly synchronize with their Tailed Beast can become perfect," he said. "But for now, Kushina can focus on keeping her heart steady. If she can reach a state of inner stillness like the First Jinchuriki of the One-Tail, Shukaku's Bunpuku, then she'll no longer lose control."
"And once she spends more time communicating with the Nine-Tails… she may reach perfection eventually."
What Kushina lacked wasn't control—it was peace of mind.
"Meditation, huh?"
Jiraiya and Minato exchanged thoughtful looks. The method was simple, maybe even crude—but it might be their only viable path.
"Actually," Jiraiya's eyes lit up, "if she can learn to meditate deeply enough… why not teach her Senjutsu? The key to gathering Sage Chakra is perfect stillness. Training in that way could strengthen her will and control."
"Even if she doesn't become a perfect jinchuriki, mastering Sage Mode would still greatly boost her strength. Two birds with one stone."
Minato nodded immediately. "Kushina, can you enter a meditative state right now?"
"Sit… still?"
She heard their plan and sat down cross-legged, chakra still flaring violently. But remaining calm wasn't her strong suit—her emotions kept being stirred by the Nine-Tails' influence, and her chakra surged out of control.
"Minato!" Jiraiya barked.
"Yamato!"
"Understood!"
Yamato darted forward, pressing a palm to Kushina's forehead before leaping back and forming a rapid series of hand seals.
"Hokage-Style Aging Seal: Kakuan Nitten Suishu!"
A seal Minato had inscribed beforehand activated instantly, its power enhanced by Yamato's Wood Release. A green glow enveloped Kushina, suppressing the raging Nine-Tails chakra until the crimson shroud faded completely.
Exhausted, Kushina collapsed to the ground, breathing hard. Feeling the seal's effect, she sighed softly, disappointment flickering in her eyes.
"Whoa…" Jiraiya let out a low whistle. Yamato's Wood Release had impressed him. "That kid's got useful abilities."
"Well done, Yamato," he added. The operation had gone smoothly, thanks to Minato's planning and Yamato's timely control.
Turning to Kushina, he said warmly, "Don't lose heart. Training like this takes time. You've got capable comrades, and the Nine-Tails isn't going anywhere. Step by step, you'll get there."
"Once you've stabilized your meditation, I'll take you to Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Mode. Even if you can't master it completely, that'll be your path forward."
Jiraiya's tone was resolute—this was the plan they would follow. Seeing the combined strength of Minato's team gave him renewed confidence.
Being of the Uzumaki clan, Kushina's recovery was swift. Even after exhausting herself, her vitality returned within moments.
And so, though this was only the first day of training, she threw herself right back into it.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Satoru, quietly observing at the side, made his own discovery.
When a jinchuriki summoned their Tailed Beast chakra, the outer cloak was formed from chakra infused with both Yin and Yang Release.
Which meant—he might be able to replicate it.
To the Hyuga, coating the body in chakra was trivial; the true challenge lay in maintaining its fluid, living form.
Spreading his palm, Satoru began experimenting—adjusting the Yin–Yang balance in his chakra, attempting to recreate the Tailed Beast cloak's unique texture.
This mission wasn't just about assisting Kushina.
It was also his chance to study, up close, the true nature of a Tailed Beast's power.
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