So this was what Kushina truly thought. Only in this way could she feel at peace with herself.
But, dear Kushina, you really underestimated your husband's heart.
What kind of man was Minato Namikaze?
For the sake of the village's peace and the future of the shinobi world, he was magnanimous enough to forgive and even try to save Obito — the man who killed him, murdered his wife, almost killed his child, and destroyed half of Konoha.
Naruto inherited that same boundless capacity for forgiveness, that immeasurable, all-embracing heart.
When it came to sheer magnanimity, perhaps only the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, could rival the father and son. Such hearts were rare even among saints.
With people like them, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they could "lay down the blade and become a Buddha."
Would a man like Minato truly mind if his wife sought happiness after his death?
There'd be no need for justification, she could simply follow her heart.
He wouldn't resent it. If anything, he might even be grateful to the man who made his wife smile again.
Unfortunately, Kushina didn't see it that way. And no amount of reasoning would convince her otherwise.
Would she ever believe that some outsider understood her husband better than she did?
No — the only thing that mattered now was meeting the condition she'd set herself.
Thankfully, Gen wasn't far from achieving it. Once he awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he'd meet her terms.
It could take a year, maybe two.
If he went all out now, entered Sage Mode and fought with full killing intent, he might defeat Kushina, but to win decisively, overwhelmingly, was still beyond reach.
Unless he used deception or lethal force, it wouldn't happen yet.
But once he gained the Eternal Mangekyō and combined it with Sage Mode, victory would be easy, even elegant.
He could wait. He had patience.
He was still young, and Kushina wasn't old either. In two years, she'd only be thirty.
The truth was, Kushina was already a bird in a cage and there was no escaping him.
"Kushina-nee, I understand," Gen said softly.
His expression shifted, serious and solemn at first, then gentler, almost tender.
"How about we stop for today?"
Since an overwhelming victory wasn't possible, there was no point in continuing.
Only after he said that did Kushina fully realize what she'd just revealed — and her face flushed a deep, furious red.
Even through the swirling Nine-Tails chakra cloak, the heat rising from her face was obvious.
Humiliation, anger, embarrassment — all mixed together until she could barely contain herself.
"No way!" she snapped, her voice tight with flustered energy. "We're not done until I beat you into the ground!"
Before Gen could reply, three crimson tails lashed out, two stabbing forward, one sweeping horizontally, and another silently burrowing into the ground.
But Gen had already lost the will to fight. Having gotten what he wanted, he simply evaded — relying on his powerful perception and fluid movements to stay untouched.
The chakra tails struck the earth like spears through paper, carving cracks and craters with every blow.
Moments later, the hidden tail shot up from beneath him — an ambush meant to catch him midair.
With a flicker of light, Gen vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique, reappearing behind her.
Kushina's frustration boiled over. "Unless it's life or death, you are not allowed to use the Flying Thunder God to dodge!"
Gen chuckled. "I learned it through my own effort. Not using it would be too wasteful, don't you think?"
Sometimes, a man couldn't simply yield. Principles had to be held and teasing her a little made it all the more worthwhile.
"Hmph. Don't think that means I can't deal with you."
Adamantine Sealing Chains!
Dozens of dark-gold chains burst from Kushina's back, some lunging straight toward Gen while others arced outward, weaving together to form a massive invisible barrier.
When the barrier closed, the pursuing chains retracted and fused into it — locking the air itself.
The barrier's strength was immense. It even distorted space; while not completely sealed, the gaps were so few that exploiting them would take time.
And Kushina wasn't going to give him any.
Her chakra flared again, this time in brilliant gold.
Her hair lifted and fanned out like fiery horns, six glowing magatama marks appearing at her collar. The air vibrated with her newfound radiance.
This was the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, the same power Naruto had once wielded in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
She couldn't reach full Kurama Mode as that required mutual trust with the beast but even this form radiated terrifying power.
Eight golden chakra arms extended from her aura, clenching into massive fists that all swung toward Gen.
Gen didn't dodge. Black chakra flared — his Susanoo surged into its second form, a humanoid giant still covered in muscle and sinew rather than armor.
The black hand of Susanoo reached out and grabbed the golden arms mid-swing, twisting with uncanny precision.
Then, with a violent tug, he dragged Kushina forward.
Kushina gasped, then steadied herself and retaliated instantly.
A golden arm formed from chakra pressed against Susanoo's wrist. A Rasengan bloomed in its palm, expanding rapidly until it was the size of a small house.
BOOM!
The explosion thundered through the forest, shockwaves scattering debris. The Susanoo's arm shattered, fragments of black chakra dissolving into the air.
Kushina's tentacles slipped free, scattering before regrouping.
As she stabilized herself, her golden chakra coalesced into three thick tendrils above her head. Yin and Yang chakra intertwined, forming a rapidly condensing Tailed Beast Ball.
Below, the smoke parted.
Gen stood within his damaged Susanoo, chest heaving, blood trickling from both eyes. The strain looked real — painfully real.
Damn it… if I don't act a little pitiful, she'll keep this up all day.
Kushina's eyes widened in alarm. "Gen, are you okay?"
"Nothing serious," Gen said between breaths. "Just overused my eyes a bit. Shouldn't have held back my summons this long. Still… your power's incredible, Kushina-nee."
He forced a smile and straightened. "Come on, let's finish this. I won't go blind — though my vision will probably take a hit."
Kushina frowned, lowering her hands. "Hmph. I feel like you're faking it… but fine, let's stop here."
"If your eyesight really worsened, I wouldn't be able to explain it to Mikoto and the others anyway. Now wipe that blood off before you scare the kids."
Gen grinned, wiping his face with his sleeve and giving her a playful thumbs-up.
"As expected of Kushina-nee, so kind and magnanimous!"
"Don't push your luck," she said, rolling her eyes. Her tone softened, but a warning lingered in her voice. "And listen carefully, you're not allowed to repeat what I said earlier. Not to Mikoto, not to anyone. Otherwise…"
Her eyes narrowed. "No matter what, I'll beat you within an inch of your life."
Gen nodded obediently, wisely refraining from asking which part she meant.
Given Kushina's temper, even a fool knew that pressing her now would be suicidal.