Uzumaki Mito and Kushina arrived at the training grounds, escorted by ANBU from the Administration Department.
"Danzo-sama, Homura-sama, Koharu-sama — Uzumaki Mito-sama has arrived."
At the center of the field stood Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.
Beside them—
A young blonde girl.
Her wrists were bound in iron restraints.
She was the Two-Tails' jinchūriki.
Her eyes were red, as if she had just been crying. Her lips were pressed tight.
Facing such a formation—
She trembled.
Danzo stepped forward.
"Uzumaki Mito-sama, please examine the Two-Tails' jinchūriki."
"The seal appears unstable."
"If necessary… should we consider transferring the beast?"
Mito gently pulled Kushina closer.
She frowned at the frightened girl.
"What are you doing?"
"If you want to avoid an incident, release her restraints first."
Kushina couldn't hold back.
"She's still a kid! How can you treat her like this?!"
Koharu snapped immediately.
"Silence, Kushina!"
"This is not your place to speak."
"Release her? And if she loses control? Who will take responsibility?"
Mito glanced sharply at Koharu.
"Kushina is right."
"What you're doing will only make things worse."
"Remove the restraints."
Koharu's face stiffened.
"If something happens, Uzumaki Mito-sama, can you take responsibility?"
Mito's voice turned cold.
"Did you not bring her here yourselves?"
"If something goes wrong, is that not your responsibility?"
"After serving as an advisor for so many years, Koharu, and you still speak like this?"
Koharu gritted her teeth and fell silent.
Homura smiled faintly.
"Mito-sama, you misunderstand us."
"We're only being cautious."
"She may be young, but she's still a jinchūriki."
He continued smoothly.
"We're also considering another option."
"Her condition seems unstable."
"Should we reinforce the seal… or transfer the Two-Tails to another candidate?"
"After all, that other girl possesses a powerful chakra lineage."
Mito's gaze hardened.
"Was this ordered by Hokage-sama?"
Homura answered calmly.
"Hokage-sama is currently engaged in resisting Kumogakure's response."
"In wartime, the Administration oversees such matters."
"And what of Akimichi Torifu?" Mito asked sharply.
Homura's smile didn't falter.
"Akimichi-san fell ill suddenly."
"The Administration is temporarily under deputy supervision."
"Everything we do is for Konoha."
"Please rest assured."
Mito's expression darkened.
"Do not tamper with jinchūriki transfers lightly."
"No one can predict the consequences."
"Step aside."
Danzo nodded.
"Very well."
"We leave this in your capable hands."
He paused, then added,
"For Konoha's safety, we will activate the Four Violet Flames Formation."
"Is that acceptable?"
Mito glanced at him.
"…Fine."
As soon as Danzo exited the perimeter—
Four elite shinobi positioned at cardinal points began forming seals.
The barrier activated instantly.
A massive cuboid formation rose—
Walls of translucent purple flame enclosing the field.
Anyone touching it would be burned.
No one could enter.
No one could leave.
Mito felt a faint chill.
Something was wrong.
She stepped forward and unlocked the girl's restraints.
But the girl was drenched in sweat.
Her body trembled violently.
She looked up at Mito weakly.
"Old… lady… run…"
Mito's expression changed instantly.
"What—?"
Before she could react—
A violent, sinister blue chakra exploded outward.
BOOM!
The shockwave sent Mito flying backward.
At the same moment, she partially released the Nine-Tails' chakra to shield herself.
Dust cleared.
Where the girl had stood—
A massive blue cat demon towered.
Two tails lashed violently.
Sinister chakra poured from its body.
Matatabi.
The Two-Tails had broken free completely.
Not partial transformation.
The real body.
In its mouth—
Yin and Yang chakra condensed.
A Tailed Beast Ball.
The crushing pressure forced Kushina to her knees.
Mito staggered upright, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.
She stepped in front of Kushina.
"This is troublesome…"
The girl's body lay collapsed nearby—
Dead.
Her chakra pathways destroyed.
She could no longer serve as a vessel.
Which meant—
Only Kushina remained as a viable jinchūriki.
Mito's eyes narrowed.
"Danzo…"
"…Was this your scheme?"
She raised her voice.
"Release the barrier! Get Kushina out of here!"
From outside the formation, a shinobi responded rigidly.
"Uzumaki Mito-sama, we cannot!"
"The tailed beast has manifested. We cannot risk opening the barrier!"
Mito's anger flared.
"I can restrain it!"
"What are you afraid of?!"
"Apologies, Uzumaki-sama."
"This is our duty."
The purple flames burned brighter.
Inside the barrier—
A fully manifested Tailed Beast.
An aging jinchūriki.
And Kushina—
Standing at the center of a trap.