"I'll say it one more time—get lost!"
Kushina crouched on all fours like a wild beast, scarlet vertical pupils blazing.
Four blood-red tails lashed behind her at blinding speed, tearing the air apart with every swing.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Each strike carried terrifying force. Rock, earth, and trees shattered like tofu.
Cloud ninja caught in those arcs either exploded into blood mist or were flung away like broken kites, never to rise again.
"K–Kill her! Kill the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki!"
"She's almost fully tailed-beastified—if she loses control, we're all dead!"
"Why is Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki even here?!"
Panic spread among the Cloud forces.
A fully rampaging Nine-Tails meant only one thing—total annihilation.
From a distance, Uchiha Sōgetsu observed her condition, brows slightly furrowed.
Four tails already.
If a fifth appeared, Kushina would lose herself completely.
"Change of plans."
His voice turned cold and decisive.
"From this moment on, this mission is upgraded to S-rank."
"Top priority: protect the Nine-Tails jinchūriki."
"If forced to choose between Minato Namikaze and the Nine-Tails…"
His eyes hardened.
"…we save the jinchūriki."
The three ANBU behind him stiffened.
"Understood!"
"Losing the Nine-Tails would be no less devastating than losing a Hokage,"
Sōgetsu added quietly, adjusting his glasses.
"Form up. Don't engage head-on. We support from the periphery and reduce pressure on her."
He knew the cause of Kushina's instability—
overdrawing the Nine-Tails' chakra in a short burst.
The more danger she sensed, the harder the beast would push back.
Several Cloud ninja attacked from behind.
"Earth Release—Earth Spear!"
"Lightning Release—Thunder Beast Fang!"
"Water Release—Violent Water Wave!"
"Wind Release—Vacuum Bullets!"
Multiple chakra natures converged into a storm.
Kushina roared.
"GRRAAAAAAH—!!"
The four tails swept out.
The jutsu disintegrated like foam.
The shockwave smashed into the attackers, sending them flying.
"Stay calm."
Sōgetsu stepped forward—and instantly appeared beside Kushina.
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
Despite the raging chakra storm, his cloak only fluttered.
"Sleep for a while, Kushina."
[ Dreamwalker — Hypnotic Suggestion Activated ]
A gentle spiritual wave washed over her.
Her pupils softened.
The crimson chakra cloak slowed… then receded.
Cloud ninja stared in disbelief.
"He walked into the Nine-Tails' chakra cloak?!"
"Is he insane—or just arrogant?!"
"Now!" one of them shouted.
"Kill him while the beast is suppressed!"
Blades and jutsu rained down.
"…Tch."
Sōgetsu laid Kushina gently behind him.
His eyes spun scarlet—Sharingan fully awakened.
An invisible wave of illusion burst outward.
Some Cloud ninja froze mid-step.
Others realized—too late—they couldn't move at all.
Then—
Sword-light flashed.
Blood sprayed.
Heads flew.
ANBU emerged from the shadows, finishing the rest with surgical precision.
"Perimeter secured, Captain. No survivors."
"Good."
Sōgetsu turned back to Kushina.
The chakra cloak had almost fully dissipated.
She was unconscious—but stable.
"Nearly full tailed-beast mode…"
He sighed inwardly.
"…This is partly on me."
He pressed two fingers to her forehead.
"Let's talk, Nine-Tails."
[ Dreamwalker — Forced Mindscape Entry ]
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