Deep within the distant forest of Konoha, a large clearing had been made.
Sakumo led the Anbu in forming an encirclement, completely sealing off the area.
Although today's formation wouldn't likely have any issues, Sakumo still remained cautious.
Even the Ghost Mastiff and Little White from his household had been brought along — they were skilled scouts.
At the center of the clearing stood two small altars, not far apart — just wide enough for an adult to sit cross-legged between them.
Near the altars, a group of people huddled together, seemingly deep in discussion.
"Everyone understand what I said?"
Mito wore a serious expression. Today's task allowed no room for carelessness.
"Don't worry, Grandma."
"We got it."
...
Everyone responded with solemn nods.
"In that case, prepare to begin."
Mito stepped forward alone and stood resolutely before the altar.
Kushina and Minato each sat cross-legged upon an altar, with two people standing beside them.
"Scared?"
Tsunade moved around the altar, carefully carving the ritual formation.
Though Kawaki thought it unnecessary, he didn't stop her, simply watching in silence.
Drawing the formation wasn't just about respecting the Nine-Tails — it was also a show of care for Kushina and Minato.
After all, when Tsunade herself had sealed the Seven-Tailed Beast, she had done so directly without any preparation at all.
"Not really."
Kushina took several deep breaths, giving a forced smile.
How could she not be terrified?
"Don't worry, half this time."
Kawaki smiled slightly, speaking as if it were effortless.
In the original plot, Kushina had managed to contain the entire Nine-Tails.
Now, with Kawaki here, and only half the beast to seal inside her, what could possibly go wrong?
"Mm."
Kushina softly replied, gradually calming her thoughts.
On the other side, Minato seemed far more at ease, chatting and laughing with Fugaku, showing no trace of nerves.
Orochimaru circled the altar quickly, soon finishing the formation.
"I'm beginning now."
Seeing that preparations were complete, Mito's voice clearly reached everyone's ears.
Then six pairs of eyes snapped toward her.
"Release."
Mito swiftly formed several hand seals and then pressed one hand onto the seal location on her own body.
A surge of powerful chakra erupted outward. Mito's expression instantly tightened.
"It's starting."
Sakumo halted his patrol, glancing toward the clearing as he murmured softly.
The Ghost Mastiff and Little White instinctively backed away, trembling slightly.
As the chakra grew thicker and denser, the crimson-red chakra above the clearing visibly began to materialize.
"It's coming out."
Mito gave a warning, ready to act at any moment.
She needed to take control of the Nine-Tails immediately, facilitating the next steps.
Without any response, everyone focused intently on the midair.
"Hahahaha! Finally, this great me is free!"
A deafening laughter rang out — the Nine-Tails had finally broken free.
Its massive body emerged at the center of the clearing, nine tails swaying like waves in the wind.
A violent wave of chakra surged upward, sending invisible pressure rippling through the clearing and whipping everyone's clothes violently.
Before it could make another move, Mito's voice rang out, "[Adamantine Sealing Chains!]"
Five chakra chains materialized from behind Mito and shot toward the Nine-Tailed Fox. Within an instant, they wrapped tightly around it, binding it completely.
"Old hag! You'll never get away with this."
The Nine-Tailed Fox glanced desperately in all directions. Its heart sank entirely.
Even its own chakra seemed to diminish at once.
They were giving it far too credit.
It could distinctly sense the two most fearsome powers.
Originally, it thought that risking its life might still offer a sliver of hope.
Now that hope seemed like nothing more than a fleeting burst of rage.
Death is inevitable in the end. You should just accept my arrangement quietly.
Mito merely smiled instead of showing anger. She had seen this kind of helpless rage before—more than once.
"So powerful."
Kawaki inwardly trembled watching this unfold. This was the first time he had ever seen the Nine-Tailed Fox.
No wonder the Sage of Six Paths favored her so much. Even someone like Chōmei couldn't compare to such tremendous chakra reserves.
Although he knew Mito was strong, there was a difference between knowing and witnessing.
At this moment, he could only sincerely admire how worthy she was of being Hashirama Senju's wife.
"Waterfall Lady is truly terrifyingly powerful."
Fugaku measured himself against her. Even using his Susanoo, he couldn't confidently claim superiority over Mito.
As for the Nine-Tailed Fox, he felt nothing at all.
This was the confidence brought by the Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan.
"The gap is just too obvious."
Orochimaru gazed at the Nine-Tailed Fox with excited eyes. This was, without question, the strongest tailed beast he had ever seen.
"Kushina, Misaki."
"Observe carefully. Learn well."
"This will be the only lesson Grandma can give you."
Mito summoned her chakra once more, displaying the technique of Adamantine Chains one after another onto the Nine-Tailed Fox.
Amid constant howls of pain and frantic struggles, the Nine-Tailed Fox became the ideal test subject.
"Grandma~ Grandma~"
Right before everyone's very eyes, Mito visibly aged.
Her once-lustrous red hair dulled and became brittle.
Her previously flawless skin now wrinkled deeply.
Her straight posture slumped forward.
At this moment, Mito truly became an elderly grandmother.
"I'm alright. Hurry and begin."
Mito's voice was full of fatigue as she waved them on urgently.
"Okay."
Kawaki's eyes glistened as he shared a solemn look with Fugaku, then gave a firm nod.
In the next instant, the two moved in unison, completing seven seals simultaneously.
[Soul Division Seal]
With two simultaneous cries, Kawaki and Fugaku each flicked a drop of blood onto the Nine-Tailed Fox.
Using their blood as the medium, the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra began gathering into both of their palms.
Initially, it was like mere trickles of water, but gradually accelerated until it rushed forth like ocean tides.
The Nine-Tailed Fox continued to shrink, and it realized something wasn't right.
"Cursed brats! What are you doing to me?"
It thrashed violently, trying desperately to break free from Mito's chains, but the bindings remained solid and firm.
Who would care about meat already on the chopping block?
"Most of it is done."
Seeing that the crimson chakra had taken a solid, tangible form, Kawaki signaled for Tsunade to begin.
Meanwhile, Fugaku had just finished speaking with Orochimaru.
[Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!]
Tsunade and Orochimaru took over the final phase as the Nine-Tails' chakra steadily flowed into Kushina and Minato's bodies.
Perhaps due to the Nine-Tails' chakra being too wild and overwhelming, Kushina and Minato clenched their teeth, their faces tightening with strain.
"You won't get away with this!"
No one could tell how much time had passed before the Nine-Tails departed with a final warning, vanishing without a trace.
Kawaki and Fugaku's hands were almost drained of their dense chakra.
Another half-hour passed before the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style was completed.
The Nine-Tails was cleanly divided and sealed within Kushina and Minato.
Before anyone could check on them, Mito had already collapsed to the ground.
With the Tailed Beast gone, her life was hanging by a thread, fading fast.
"Grandma."
Kawaki reached her first, kneeling beside her and gently lifting Mito up.
"Was it successful?"
Mito's voice was no longer clear and bright—it had grown weak and frail.
"It worked."
Tsunade replied with a sobbing tone, tears welling up in her eyes.
"That's good... That's good..."
Even though she already knew the answer, Mito asked anyway—to feel at peace.
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