After more than ten minutes, Reiki analyzed everything the Nine-Tails (Kyuubi) had told him, yet he remained confused.
To him, Otsutsuki Hagoromo (the Sage of Six Paths) didn't seem to have any special plans beyond creating the tailed beasts and preparing them for battle.
"By the way, what exactly did the Sage of Six Paths leave for you?" Reiki asked curiously.
"This..." Kyuubi replied before opening his mouth and spitting out a magatama.
The moment Reiki felt the aura emanating from the magatama, he froze. It radiated an overwhelming sense of destruction, making Reiki hesitate to touch it. He had the distinct impression that even brushing against its aura might shatter his consciousness.
"This is...?!" Reiki exclaimed, taking a cautious step back.
"I don't know either," Kyuubi admitted, lying back down. "It seems like some kind of weapon or a means of fighting."
Years of being bound to various jinchuuriki had left Kyuubi jaded, even toward the Sage of Six Paths himself, who had long passed. But today, for the first time in centuries, Kyuubi felt something different—a sense of respect.
Reiki didn't treat Kyuubi as a mere beast. He talked to him, respected his thoughts, and even healed his injuries. For this, Kyuubi now regarded Reiki as a friend.
"Is that so?" Reiki said, nodding thoughtfully. "Would you mind giving me some of your origin? It might be useful in the future."
"You..." Kyuubi growled, shaking his head in mock exasperation. But after a moment, a surge of chakra pushed Reiki away, though it carried a fragment of Kyuubi's origin with it.
Satisfied, Kyuubi closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
When Reiki opened his eyes, Kushina was waiting anxiously.
"Reiki, are you okay?" she asked.
"You're fine, Sister Kushina," Reiki replied with a reassuring smile. "But the way you interact with Kyuubi might need a little adjustment. He's a prideful guy. If you show him some kindness and avoid butting heads, he'll soften up."
"Is that so?" Kushina mused, nodding. "Alright, I'll try that."
Suddenly, Minato, who had been sitting quietly nearby, spoke up. "Someone's coming."
He remained calm, idly playing with a blade of grass.
"Is it a fight?" Tsunade asked, glancing at Reiki. "Reiki, I'll leave it to you for now."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged amused glances.
"It's strange, isn't it?" Jiraiya chuckled. "A group of battle-hardened ninjas relying on a medical ninja to fight."
Orochimaru smirked. "Strange, but effective. Let's see what our healer can do."
"Alright," Reiki said, standing up confidently. "Leave it to me."
Kushina, however, was worried. She turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama, isn't it risky to send Reiki alone? If they're targeting Team Minato, these won't be ordinary ninjas."
Tsunade smiled faintly. "Don't underestimate him, Kushina. Reiki's stronger than most jonin. Besides, this is a chance to see how far he can go. If something beyond his ability appears, we'll step in."
As the enemy ninjas approached, Kushina's sensing abilities picked up their numbers.
"Twelve... thirteen... eighteen..." she counted, her voice rising with alarm. "There are eighteen of them!"
Reiki grinned. "Twenty-three, actually. Looks like a big experience package for me."
Two ninja tools, Evil Ghost Haunting and One-Shot Kill Murasame, materialized in his hands. The moment Reiki grasped them, his aura transformed.
Kushina, standing behind him, felt a wave of murderous intent so intense it sent chills down her spine.
"This... is Reiki really a medical ninja?" she asked in disbelief.
Minato joined her side, nodding reassuringly. "Don't worry. Reiki's not only physically strong, but he also has space-time ninjutsu. These enemies won't stand a chance."
Even Minato, who had mastered the Flying Thunder God technique, was curious to see Reiki's combat style.
Suddenly, Reiki disappeared.
"Where is he?" Minato muttered, trying to track him. But even with his advanced perception, Reiki's movements were completely untraceable.
"Look for subtle changes in the surroundings—the plants, the wind," Kushina suggested. She could barely keep track of his movements herself.
CRACK!
A few moments later, a ninja with broken limbs was thrown in front of them.
"So fast?!" Kushina gasped. "That was a jonin-level enemy!"
In mere minutes, Reiki had neutralized one opponent. Was this really the same medical ninja she thought she knew?
Reiki stood in the clearing, his aura calm but deadly. With his tools gleaming in the sunlight, it was clear: this battle was far from over.