"You think your Tailed Beast Bomb is that impressive?"
Kawamine stood there unscathed, longsword in hand, golden pupils locked firmly on the Seven-Tails, Chōmei.
"That's impossible—absolutely impossible!"
The Tailed Beast Bomb had been split cleanly in two. Nanabi let out a roar of disbelief, its understanding of weapons completely overturned.
As it spoke, massive amounts of chakra gathered in its mouth once again. It seemed that aside from this move, it had no other effective means of attack.
But Kawamine would not give it another chance.
He sheathed the octagonal Han sword and formed hand seals.
"Immortal Law — Deity Gate!"
Chōmei was in the middle of condensing another Tailed Beast Bomb. Unable to fly, it became a perfect target.
A crimson torii gate descended from the sky, slamming it into the ground and pinning it in place.
Even the Tailed Beast Bomb forming in its mouth began to dissipate.
"Ow—!"
Chōmei struggled desperately, lashing out with the last tail it could still move, striking the red gate.
Then the final gate came down, clamping onto its tail.
Chōmei completely lost the ability to resist.
The entire process was almost identical to defeating the Salamander. It could only be said that the techniques Hashirama developed specifically to suppress tailed beasts were terrifyingly effective.
On the other hand, the Seven-Tails really was weak. It possessed enormous chakra reserves but had almost no combat ability. It seemed better suited to serve as an energy battery—or perhaps a flying aid.
"The pressure from above really hurts…"
Kawamine was just about to ask Tsunade for praise—and maybe a hug—when he saw her charging toward him in fury.
Stones flew everywhere as she advanced, leaping high into the air.
Before Chōmei could react, she slammed her heel down hard on its head, bending its massive horn into a perfect arc.
With its chakra sealed and suffering a heavy blow, its head lolled to the side. If it had a soul, it would have passed out long ago.
Seeing their "big sister" (their teacher's wife) beating a fallen dog so viciously, the two kids were unwilling to be left out. Each of them threw two kunai at the beast.
The dog-like creature collapsed weakly to the side.
"Ow…"
This was an immense humiliation for Nanabi. With no other beasts around to stab its tail, these two brats became the first ever to do so.
Though it felt no physical pain, the psychological trauma was devastating.
"Alright, alright, I almost feel sorry for it."
Kawamine rubbed his forehead and asked, "Who is this guy anyway? Do you still want to coexist peacefully with Nanabi?"
"…Is this really how it ends?"
Sheng Shu stared blankly at Chōmei, still roaring on the ground. He stood there, afraid to approach.
"Otherwise, do you want your brother-in-law beaten to death?"
Tsunade turned around and glared at him impatiently. If she were any closer, she'd have knocked his head with a loving punch.
Sheng Shu shuddered, his back turning cold. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"Haha~"
Watching his awkward expression from the side, Minato couldn't help but laugh. Their happiness really was that simple.
"Stop wasting time. Let's begin."
Kawamine gestured for Tsunade to start the sealing technique.
"Understood."
Tsunade's expression turned serious. Sealing a tailed beast was never a trivial matter.
Only then did Nanabi finally understand their plan.
They were just going to beat it into submission.
And it was certain now.
It had been free for less than a day.
I just got out—why is my luck this bad?!
"Wait, you're not done yet!"
"Can we negotiate?"
"Please, just let me go!"
...
Having been thoroughly conquered, Nanabi revealed its true nature—endless chatter.
"Shut up. If you keep yelling, I'll cut off your wings."
Kawamine shot it an irritated glare. This creature had completely lost the arrogance it had shown when first emerging from the seal.
From every angle, it looked honest—just incredibly talkative. If it hadn't been sealed for so long, it might not have gone a little crazy.
"Don't worry. I'll get along with you."
Tsunade smiled gently, bit her finger, and smeared blood across her palm.
She formed hand seals rapidly and curled her fingers. To ensure sufficient chakra, she activated the Strength of a Hundred Seal at the same time, the markings instantly spreading across her cheeks.
"Eight Trigrams Seal!"
"No—!"
With a final wail, the Seven-Tails dissolved into a dense mass of chakra and was slowly absorbed into Tsunade's body. In the end, a sealing formula appeared on her forearm.
"Is it done?"
Kawamine watched as Tsunade released the Strength of a Hundred. The chakra within her body was now far greater than before.
It seemed she had used the Eight Trigrams Seal to convert the Seven-Tails' chakra leakage into her own.
"Well… this one's pretty honest."
"I've accepted my fate, I just talk too much~"
Tsunade frowned slightly as she spoke. It seemed the Seven-Tails was still restless inside her.
"Take your time. You'll get used to each other."
"Once the mission is complete, we should regroup with the main force."
Kawamine had no way to shut Nanabi up—and frankly, neither did Tsunade.
They walked toward the two children.
"Teacher, I think I understand the technique you mentioned."
"Like a condensed Tailed Beast Bomb—I'll develop it as soon as possible."
Minato excitedly shared the news with Kawamine. He hadn't expected such an unexpected gain during the capture of a tailed beast.
"Very good."
"I'll be waiting for your results."
Kawamine smiled and patted Minato's head.
"You'd better work hard and not fall too far behind Minato."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at the grinning Nawaki.
He already had a partner and some ideas about developing his ninjutsu.
Meanwhile, you're just coasting—no ambition at all.
She seemed quite disappointed in him.
"I know, Sis. I'm studying our second grandfather's techniques."
Nawaki's face darkened immediately. He felt that his sister was becoming stricter with him, whereas she used to be very lenient.
His chakra reserves were growing rapidly. He had already learned the Water Release techniques passed down from his grandmother to Tobirama—though he hadn't mastered advanced Water Style yet.
Once he truly grasped Tobirama's Water Release, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap.
"At least you've got a brain."
Tsunade tapped his forehead lightly, her eyes full of affection.
After all, he was her younger brother—blood was thicker than water.
"Let's go."
Kawamine took the lead toward the plains.
Now they could pass through the Land of Grass to reach the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain more quickly.
Tsunade followed behind him, with the two kids trailing after.
From then on, neither spoke. Kawamine knew Tsunade still needed time to communicate with Nanabi.
Half a day passed.
Suddenly, Kawamine sensed chakra gathering behind Tsunade. Then he saw a pair of butterfly wings form on her back, lifting her into the air.
"You can fly already?"
"I didn't expect him to be this easy to talk to."
"Other than being chatty, he's actually pretty agreeable."
Tsunade herself was surprised. She had only mentioned wanting to experience the Seven-Tails' power, and Chōmei immediately gave her wings.
You look beautiful like this.
A wicked glint flashed through Kawamine's eyes. His gaze burned with thoughts definitely unsuitable for children.
"Don't even think about it. I won't grow wings at night."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, cheeks flushing, and flapped her wings as she flew ahead.
Whether because she wasn't skilled yet or because she was distracted, she nearly crashed into a tree.
"Slow down."
Kawamine watched her back, his index finger twitching. This was more exciting than any cosplay he'd ever seen.
"Wow, my sister has wings."
Nawaki exclaimed in amazement, nudging Minato.
"I see it. That should be Nanabi's ability."
Minato remained relatively calm.
Unfortunately, Kushina would probably never get the chance to grow wings.