"Nine-Tails, don't get ahead of yourself. As long as I'm here, you won't have free rein!" Kushina's gaze turned steely as the sound of clanking metal filled the air.
Chains materialized behind her, extending and weaving through the air. The Nine-Tails' smug laughter abruptly halted as the chains closed in. Recognizing the danger, it bolted across the battlefield, but Kushina's cold voice echoed,
"Too late!"
In the next instant, the Nine-Tails felt a tightness wrap around its body, pulling it off balance and sending its mountain-like form crashing to the ground. In mere moments, the chains bound the Nine-Tails, wrapping around it like a tightly tied package.
"Curse this damned adamantine sealing!" the Nine-Tails roared in frustration, "Damn you, Uzumaki clan… damn you, Kushina Uzumaki! I will not be subdued…" It struggled furiously, but with every movement, Kushina's face grew paler, the chains showing signs of strain.
Seeing this, Kushina had no choice but to retract the chains pursuing the two smaller Nine-Tails fragments, directing them to reinforce her hold on the main body. With the additional chains wrapping tighter, the Nine-Tails' thrashing finally ceased.
This sealing technique was one of the Uzumaki clan's exclusive arts, a power either awakened by birth or learned over time, perfected to counter the Tailed Beasts.
Kushina coughed lightly as she secured the Nine-Tails, her face pale. Looking over to Fugaku and Akira, she spoke, "
Fugaku, Akira—I'll leave the two small fragments of the Nine-Tails to you. My guess is that it divided part of its consciousness into these fragments, creating separate beings from its own body."
"The Nine-Tails can really do that?" Akira asked, almost reflexively.
Kushina managed a weak smile. "The Nine-Tails' chakra holds immense life force. Tailed Beasts are beings of pure chakra, after all. Dividing its consciousness isn't too difficult. Likewise, creating these fragments of itself isn't out of its reach."
"Please, take care of the rest," Kushina continued, looking at Minato. "Minato, let's seal the Nine-Tails into Naruto now."
Like Minato, she had faith in their child, in the village, and in her friends to care for Naruto, allowing him to grow up healthy. She had already steeled herself for what was to come.
Minato nodded, bending with difficulty to lift Naruto before he and Kushina walked toward the fallen Nine-Tails.
Exchanging a glance, Akira and Fugaku swiftly rushed toward the two smaller Nine-Tails fragments, each planning to break the adamantine sealing.
"Mangekyō Sharingan!" Their gazes sharpened, and their eyes turned crimson, meeting the eyes of the fragments. The two creatures froze in place, their eyes transformed into the same Mangekyō pattern.
Though their Mangekyō Sharingan couldn't hold the true Nine-Tails for long, these fragments were far weaker mentally. Controlling them with genjutsu wouldn't be an issue.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield's edge, a break in the wall of Amaterasu flames appeared, and the blazing flames flowed like water into a scroll on the ground. In short order, the majority of the fire had been absorbed.
Beside the scroll, Jiraiya and Hiruzen looked anxiously into the clearing. Their eyes widened in shock as they took in the scene, and without hesitation, they leapt through the gap, rushing toward Minato and Kushina.
"Minato… if only I had arranged better defenses, taken greater precautions…" Hiruzen's voice quivered, filled with regret as he saw the gruesome wound on Minato's back.
Jiraiya looked as though he'd lost a piece of himself.
"Minato… if I had stayed by your side while Kushina was giving birth…"
"Sensei, Lord Third, it's not your fault. You both did everything you could." Minato managed a faint smile, a hint of guilt in his eyes. "In my battle with the masked man, I underestimated him. He set the stage perfectly… and he managed to outplay me."
"Minato, you did everything you could. None of this is on you," Hiruzen sighed deeply, his heart aching. To lose such a promising young leader was a devastating blow.
Jiraiya, desperate, turned to the two Great Toad Sages on his shoulders.
"Is there really no way to save him?"
"No," Shima shook her head, visibly saddened by the loss of such a talented summoner.
"Sensei…" Minato looked at Jiraiya. "Thank you, but it's time."
"Minato…" Jiraiya's spirit seemed to wane, his vitality dimming. Minato was his chosen one, his hope, the one he thought would fulfill the prophecy.
Straining to keep a smile, Minato joined Kushina as they reached the bound Nine-Tails. They stood side by side, facing the beast.
Watching the couple, Akira could only sigh helplessly. He knew Kushina could survive if they sealed the Nine-Tails back into her. But both Kushina and Minato understood there was no way for Minato to live through this night, and without him, Kushina felt no drive to keep on living. They had made their choice, and nothing he could say would change their minds.
Kushina turned her gaze toward the struggling Nine-Tails, her voice cold.
"Nine-Tails, stop your pointless struggle. You know you can't escape my adamantine sealing!"
"Kushina…" Minato broke the silence. "I won't make it, but you can stay with Naruto as he grows up."
"Minato…" Tears filled Kushina's eyes.
"Naruto needs you, Kushina," Minato said softly, smiling despite his pain. "He's already lost his father. He can't grow up without his mother. A childhood without a mother… it's bleak, Kushina. Promise me, you'll live."
"I… I will, Minato," Kushina whispered, nodding firmly, tears streaming down her face. "I'll be there for Naruto. You can rest assured."
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