Chapter 70: First Encounter, Kurama!

Although the elk named Luming was a bit high-maintenance, Hajime agreed without hesitation.

It just meant spending a bit more money. As for the actual work of taking care of it, he didn't need to lift a finger—his clone could handle it.

Besides, even the Transformation Jutsu experiment didn't require him to personally act.

Right now, his priority was Uzumaki Kushina.

As for the technique "Calling a Stag a Horse", its effects were extraordinary, but mastering it for personal use was extremely difficult.

Even if he managed to make the transformation permanent, it would still take a massive amount of time to refine and study it thoroughly.

After all, the transformation was exactly as literal as it sounded.

Once he wrapped up the matter of experimenting with permanent transformation, Hajime stopped paying it much attention, and his days began to follow a stable routine.

Training was handled by his clones, while his true body focused on guiding Kushina's training, discussing the theory behind sealing techniques with her, and even studying the seals together.

Whenever Kushina ran into a problem she couldn't solve, she'd go ask Uzumaki Mito, and then come back to teach Hajime what she learned.

Just like that, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Kushina had made rapid progress—she could now create a small hole in the rubber ball.

Thus began the third stage of training: further refining and compressing her chakra.

However, before she could complete the Rasengan training, the moment that would change the course of her life arrived.

*Konoha, Year 36. November 12th. Morning.*

While Kushina was still at school, an ANBU appeared next to Hajime.

"'Alpha — Lord Third Hokage summons you."

Hajime turned to glance at the ANBU messenger and nodded slightly. Then, with a single hand seal, a Wood Clone grew from his shoulder.

Leaving the clone behind, Hajime followed the ANBU to the Hokage Building.

This was his first time returning here since his awakening of past-life memories.

Under the ANBU's guidance, Hajime entered the Hokage's office.

Just as he expected, his direct superiorDanzo—was already present.

"Lord Third Hokage. Lord Danzo."

Hajime bowed respectfully.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly but said nothing. Instead, he motioned with his eyes for Danzo to speak.

Danzo then said, "Alpha, Lady Mito has made her decision—the Nine-Tails will be transferred tonight."

So it's happening…!

Hajime's expression turned serious. He straightened up and declared solemnly, "I am fully prepared!"

Only then did Hiruzen speak, his voice calm and steady. "You don't need to be overly nervous. Your only responsibility is to handle the secondary layer of protection."

"In addition to Lady Mito, we'll also have the Sealing Division involved. The village's Nine-Tails sealing technique is already very refined—there won't be any problems."

Hajime nodded immediately. "Understood!"

Danzo followed up, "Go and make your final preparations."

Hajime bowed again and left the room.

After he departed, Hiruzen turned to Danzo and said, "Once Kushina graduates, make him a jonin squad leader."

That wasn't a suggestion—it was a command.

Though he had already anticipated this, and had even hoped Hajime would infiltrate the Hokage faction as a spy, Danzo still felt deeply dissatisfied.

Hajime Hoshita was trained and raised by him_ personally!_

Suppressing the irritation in his heart, Danzo nodded. "With Alpha around, we can rest easier about the Jinchūriki."

"After all, news of Lady Mito's passing won't stay hidden for long."

Uzumaki Mito was from the same era as the First Hokage.

At her age, the end of her life was only natural.

And with all four of the other Great Ninja Villages watching, it was impossible to keep it secret forever.

At the same time, it was inevitable that Kushina's identity as a Jinchūriki would be exposed.

In fact, the major villages probably already knew by now that Kushina Uzumaki was the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

"Exactly."

Hiruzen's tone grew grave. "Until the Jinchūriki has matured, we must ensure her protection."

Danzo reminded him, "Hiruzen, another Great Ninja War is becoming unavoidable. We must prepare—lest we be caught off guard."

Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "I know."

"We'll proceed as per your earlier plan."

"If Hanzo exposes his ambitions and attacks the Land of Rivers, then we go to war."

"Once we make our move, the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone won't just sit back. They'll definitely attack Hanzo as well."

"In that case, aside from Amegakure, the only enemies we'll have in the short term are Kirigakure and Kumogakure."

Danzo added, "Kirigakure likely won't act. The Third Mizukage's Bloody Mist policies have thrown the Land of Water into chaos."

Hiruzen nodded again.

He agreed—but still, he couldn't ignore the possibility.

The real concern… was Kumogakure.

With the destruction of the Sky Ninja Village, the only thing between Konoha and Kumo was the passive, irrelevant Hot Water Ninja Village.

And the Third Raikage was notoriously ambitious, a firm believer in military expansion.

The previous actions of the Sky Ninja had been backed by Kumo in the shadows.

…

After leaving the Hokage Building, Hajime returned to the Ninja Academy just as classes were ending.

Kushina had just finished her bento and was now practicing with the rubber ball.

Behind her diligent effort, Hajime could see the fear she harbored deep in her heart toward the Nine-Tails.

He didn't disturb her. He simply watched silently from the shadows.

Before he realized it, the entire afternoon had passed.

Just as he followed Kushina home, an ANBU ninja appeared.

It was time.

Hajime immediately stepped out into view.

Kushina greeted him excitedly, "Hajime-senpai! I think I'm really close to mastering the Rasengan!"

Hajime waited for her to finish speaking before replying, "That's excellent."

"Looks like we're not far from beating up the Nine-Tails."

"But before that, we're going to meet it. Are you ready?"

Kushina's smile froze. Her small body trembled slightly.

"I-Is it really starting…?"

She swallowed hard, a wave of fear crashing over her.

Hajime nodded, then removed his mask and reached out to ruffle Kushina's red hair. With a smile, he said, "Honestly, I can't wait to meet that damn fox. I'm looking forward to warning it—telling it to behave and be obedient."

Looking at Hajime's warm and confident smile, Kushina felt a wave of warmth wash over her. That overwhelming fear seemed to slam into a wall and stop.

She calmed down, then raised a fist and smiled. "If it doesn't behave, I'll just use Rasengan to smack it!"

Hajime nodded. "Good!"

"Then let's go."

Kushina nodded firmly. "Mm!"

…

The ANBU ninja led the way, with Hajime and Kushina following behind.

The three quickly left Konoha's central area and arrived at the edge of a barrier.

Towering red torii gates stood ahead, guarded by several ANBU shinobi stationed around the barrier.

The setup gave Hajime a strange sense of familiarity.

Kushina, on the other hand, grew visibly more nervous at the sight.

Hajime smiled and said, "Kushina, let me give you a little surprise in advance."

"Actually, there's a stronger, upgraded version of the Rasengan."

Her attention was immediately caught. "A stronger version?"

Hajime nodded. "I'm almost done perfecting it. It's an S-rank jutsu."

Kushina blinked. "Can you teach it to me?"

Hajime put on a thoughtful expression. "That depends."

"The stronger the jutsu, the stronger your heart needs to be to control it."

Kushina seemed to understand. She looked up at the barrier with a serious expression and said, "Hajime-senpai, I understand. I'll definitely overcome it."

With that, she stepped forward and entered the barrier first.

Hajime followed close behind.

Soon, they reached an open grassy field, where a wooden house stood.

In front of the house were Hiruzen and Danzo.

"Lord Third Hokage. Lord Danzo," Hajime greeted respectfully.

Kushina bowed only to Hiruzen—she wasn't familiar with Danzo.

Hiruzen gave Hajime a slight nod, then turned to Kushina with a kind smile. "Kushina, go on in. Lady Mito is waiting for you."

"Yes!"

Kushina nodded and glanced once more at Hajime before entering the wooden house.

Hiruzen turned his gaze away and asked, "Hajime, what do you think of Kushina?"

Hajime answered respectfully, "Kushina is a bright child with exceptional talent in sealing techniques."

"More importantly, she has a courageous heart."

"I believe that as long as she's given proper support and guidance, she will definitely be able to control the power of the Tailed Beast."

Hiruzen was slightly surprised—he hadn't expected Hajime to be so confident.

Danzo then asked in a low voice, "Alpha, what exactly do you mean by 'proper guidance'?"

Hajime replied, "A strong heart."

"As you've said before, Lord Danzo—if one wishes to become powerful, they must have a strong heart and abandon all unnecessary emotions."

Hajime knew exactly how to say the right thing to the right person—he was a master of it.

However, Hiruzen's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Hajime continued, "To control the power of a Tailed Beast, one must have an unshakable heart. Only then can they face the beast's power without being affected or swayed."

"I haven't seen the Nine-Tails yet myself, but when I was with Lady Mito, I could sense its terrifying strength and malice."

"The village's sealing techniques are more than enough to suppress the Nine-Tails."

"But if one wants to resist its influence—or even use its malice—then a strong heart is essential."

Hiruzen seemed deep in thought.

What Hajime said made a lot of sense.

Had someone else said it, neither Hiruzen nor Danzo would have cared much.

But Hajime Hoshita was different.

He had inherited the Wood Release of Senju Hashirama.

And to both Hiruzen and Danzo, Hashirama was a godlike figure.

Even the current Nine-Tails sealing formula contained parts created by the First Hokage himself.

Thus, both Hiruzen and Danzo placed great value on Hajime's words.

Especially Danzo—what Hajime said perfectly aligned with his own philosophy.

As expected of someone I personally trained!

Still… some form of control was necessary.

A thought flickered through Danzo's mind.

He could already sense that Hiruzen wanted to completely pull Hajime over to his side—not just the person, but his heart and his ideology as well.

Danzo would never allow that.

But deep down, he wasn't confident he could win this tug-of-war.

So he'd need to prepare… other methods.

....

"Lord Third Hokage, everything is ready!"

Inside the wooden house, a member of the Sealing Squad stepped out to report.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and turned to Hajime Hoshita. "Go on."

"Yes!" Hajime nodded and immediately stepped into the wooden house.

Outside, Hiruzen summoned Enma, who transformed into the Adamantine Staff and rested firmly in his hand.

Danzo also summoned his own summoning beast—Baku, the Tapir.

At that moment, Konoha's two most powerful figures stood at the ready, fully alert.

Inside the wooden house—

When Hajime stepped in, he saw Uzumaki Mito and Uzumaki Kushina lying separately on two sealing platforms. All around them, the sealing array was composed of densely packed chakra tags and sealing formulas.

At the eight cardinal points of the formation, a member of the Sealing Squad sat cross-legged, palms pressed together in concentration.

"Child, be prepared."

Uzumaki Mito's gentle voice echoed, "If I can't completely subdue the Nine-Tails later, I'll need your help."

Hajime nodded. "Please don't worry, Lady Mito. I may not have mastered Sage Mode or be as powerful as the First Hokage, but using Tenth Edict On Enlightenment won't be a problem."

Mito smiled with relief. "Good."

"Then let us begin!"

As she finished, Mito began forming hand seals, slowly undoing the seal on her abdomen.

Hajime glanced at Kushina and gave her a reassuring look before turning his full attention to Mito's abdomen.

As the layers of seals unraveled, a low rumbling sound echoed, and a terrifying chakra began to flood Hajime's senses.

No—

It wasn't just chakra he could sense. The crimson chakra was now visible to the naked eye, seeping from Mito's abdomen like a malevolent mist.

"It's coming out! Get ready!"

The captain of the Sealing Squad shouted tensely.

*BOOM!*

Suddenly, a massive wave of chakra erupted, ripping through the air with a deafening roar.

In the next instant, a bestial howl exploded, and the roof of the wooden house was blown off by the sheer force of the chakra.

The air howled, violent gales swirling in all directions.

Hajime's long hair whipped wildly, and his black robe billowed in the storm.

Looking up, he saw the crimson chakra condensing into the form of a fox. Half its body had already emerged, while the other half still seemed embedded inside Mito's form.

*ROAR!*

With a thunderous roar from the Nine-Tails, the rest of its massive body was wrenched free from Mito.

In that instant, the colossal figure of the Nine-Tails loomed over Hajime and everyone else.

"What terrifying chakra…"

Fear began to rise in Hajime's heart instinctively—but at the same time, an intense thrill surged within him.

With chakra of this magnitude, if he could make it his own, using Wood Human Technique would be completely feasible.

No—he could even summon the Great Buddha!

*CLANK! CLANK!*

Chains suddenly lashed out.

A barrage of golden adamantine chains erupted from Uzumaki Mito's body, winding around the howling Nine-Tails and restraining it.

*CRACK! CRACK!*

The chains tightened. The Nine-Tails lowered its head, glaring at Mito, who was supporting herself with both hands.

"Cursed woman!"

"I'm going to crush every last one of you!"

It could feel it—this woman was already at her limit. She couldn't hold it back much longer.

Once it broke free, it would destroy the entire village of Konoha!

And just then—

Hajime brought his hands together and formed the Ram seal.

In the next moment, thick vines of wood burst from the ground, entangling the Nine-Tails' limbs, neck, and each of its tails.

"Wood Release…"

The Nine-Tails was stunned and stared at the tiny figure before it.

Hajime looked up, their eyes locking—and beneath his mask, a smile formed.

Nice to meet you, Kurama.

(End of Chapter)

✨✨✨

Support This Story on Patreon/RedX43 - Advanced Chapters There!

✨✨✨