At that moment, the Two-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball roared toward Uzumaki Mito.
Mito shouted and drew on the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Demonic fox claws formed from crimson chakra, materializing in midair and seizing the Tailed Beast Ball.
BOOM!
The entire Four Violet Flames Formation trembled violently.
Outside the barrier, Kushina clutched her chest.
"Grandma Mito… please be okay…"
But something felt wrong.
This wasn't an accident.
This had been planned.
Mito glanced beyond the barrier.
Danzo.
Homura.
Koharu.
All gone.
Only the four jōnin maintaining the formation remained.
Inside the barrier, Mito's focus faltered for a split second—
And the Two-Tails lunged.
A massive claw slammed into her.
"Grandma Mito!"
Mito crashed backward, blood spilling from her mouth.
Suddenly—
She found herself standing before a massive iron gate.
Behind it—
The Nine-Tails.
Its orange-red body chained in darkness.
"Uzumaki Mito… looks like you're in trouble."
"Release all my power. Fully transform. I can help you."
Mito narrowed her eyes.
"We've been together for decades, Nine-Tails."
"You think I don't know you?"
"I'll borrow your strength."
"But don't even think about devouring me and breaking free."
"That will never happen."
She opened her eyes.
Her pupils became vertical slits.
"Partial Tailed Beast Transformation."
Dark red chakra cloaked her body.
She resembled a humanoid tailed beast.
But instead of nine tails—
Six tails of chakra flared behind her.
Over the years, Mito had almost never used tailed-beast transformation.
But now—
She had no choice.
BOOM!
The next impact was even louder.
The Two-Tails was blasted backward.
Matatabi hissed, baring its fangs.
Mito flashed forward instantly.
Her hand glowed with five elemental chakra signatures.
"Five Elements Seal!"
But the Two-Tails was agile.
Like a cat, it leapt aside effortlessly.
Mito gave chase.
Her palm slammed toward its abdomen—
"Human! You dare?!"
The Two-Tails countered, striking her away again.
They clashed repeatedly midair.
Each exchange was deceptively simple—
But every blow carried monstrous chakra.
Finally—
Both were blasted apart.
Mito wiped blood from her lips.
She was breathing heavily.
She couldn't push further.
If she went any deeper into tailed-beast transformation—
The Nine-Tails might seize control.
But the Two-Tails had no such restraint.
"…Damn."
Was Kushina going to have to seal the Two-Tails?
Become its jinchūriki?
Mito had always intended Kushina to inherit the Nine-Tails properly.
Now—
Because of this trap—
She might be forced to bear the Two-Tails instead.
And Mito's own seal…
Was already destabilizing.
Outside the Training Ground
Danzo, Homura, and Koharu stood at a distance, watching the glowing barrier.
Homura frowned slightly.
"Danzo… trapping them inside… they won't die, will they?"
Danzo smiled faintly.
"How could the Two-Tails kill the Nine-Tails?"
"Don't worry."
"Uzumaki Mito will never let Kushina die."
"No matter the outcome…"
"Kazuki loses his strongest pillar of support."
"A gravely injured Mito will no longer be able to shield him."
"And she certainly won't be in a position to decide who inherits the Nine-Tails."
His eyes narrowed.
"We cannot allow Kazuki to bind himself to the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
"He's already close to the Uchiha."
"Look at Mikoto Uchiha's reaction today."
"Who knows what kind of relationship they have?"
"For Konoha's stability…"
"All unstable factors must be eliminated."
Homura's expression darkened.
"And if Kazuki reacts?"
"His strength isn't small."
"He's already among Konoha's strongest."
Koharu sneered.
"What, will he kill us?"
"We are elders of this village."
"If he dares touch a single hair on our heads—"
"No one in Konoha will protect him."
"Hiruzen would be forced to defend the Will of Fire."
"We're not afraid of one reckless young man."
At that moment—
At the gates of Konoha—
Kazuki and Minato Namikaze returned.