The red chakra filled with a menacing aura surged out of Uzumaki Kushina's body, turning her into a red, nine-tailed beast in the blink of an eye.
A Jinchuriki's tailed beast transformation generally occurs in three stages.
The first form wraps the Jinchuriki in a translucent red chakra cloak, with tails forming behind them.
The second form covers the Jinchuriki with an opaque crimson shroud, forming a shape closer to the tailed beast's appearance.
The third form is complete transformation—where the Jinchuriki fully becomes the tailed beast.
Uzumaki Kushina was currently in the second form. Although she hadn't fully transformed, her destructive power was still overwhelming and terrifying.
"Hahaha! I'm finally free. Let the bastards of Konoha suffer!"
The Nine-Tails let out a thunderous roar, shaking the sky.
"You, boy... impressive."
Kyuubi's eyes landed on Zenkichi, who stood calmly nearby. He raised his left hand and glanced at his watch.
"One minute. Timer starts now."
Zenkichi said casually, turning to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.
Hiruzen's face was grave. The oppressive chakra pouring from the Nine-Tails made him deeply uneasy.
Without hesitation, he bit his finger and slammed his palm down.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A puff of smoke burst out, and the Monkey King Enma appeared.
"Enma, transform into the Adamantine Staff!"
Hiruzen shouted, and the monkey transformed into an iron rod that landed firmly in his hand.
Enma was Hiruzen's personal summoning beast—unique in its ability to transform into a weapon.
"Adamantine Staff—extend!"
With a powerful roar, Hiruzen launched the extended staff at the Nine-Tails, striking before the beast could react.
"Get out of Konoha!"
He yelled, channeling chakra through the staff, aiming to drive the beast out of the village.
The Nine-Tails' destructive power was immense. If it rampaged through Konoha, the damage would be catastrophic.
Though the villagers had taken shelter within the Hokage Rock, the village itself—the infrastructure and legacy—was also precious.
Worse yet, the Nine-Tails had emerged too close to the mountain. A single Tailed Beast Bomb from that distance could lead to mass casualties.
If the Nine-Tails attacked the mountain shelter directly, even hiding underground wouldn't guarantee survival.
"Everyone, attack together! We only have one minute—don't let the Nine-Tails run wild!"
Jiraiya and Orochimaru stepped forward simultaneously, biting their fingers and slamming their palms down.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A massive toad appeared—its dark red, wart-covered skin unmistakable. It was Gamabunta, Jiraiya's most powerful summon.
Alongside him, Orochimaru summoned a massive purple snake radiating a chilling aura—Manda, his most powerful summoning beast.
The moment Gamabunta saw the Nine-Tails, his eyes widened.
"Jiraiya! Are you insane?! You summoned me to fight that?!"
Manda hissed in fury. "Orochimaru, you must have lost your mind. I won't fight the Nine-Tails—not even for a thousand sacrifices!"
Jiraiya gave a wry smile. "Now's not the time for complaints, Bunta. The situation's critical—I need your help."
Orochimaru responded coldly to Manda, "There's no need to worry. We have enough strength to suppress it. You're just supporting us."
Gamabunta hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, fine. I'll lend a hand."
Manda responded sharply, "I'll assist—but you owe me ten thousand sacrifices when this is over."
Jiraiya gratefully thanked Gamabunta, while Orochimaru gave Manda a silent, cold nod.
With a roar, Gamabunta drew his massive blade and leapt toward the Nine-Tails. Manda slithered forward, weaving around debris as he advanced.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru followed closely behind their summons, both unleashing powerful attacks.
Frustration and rage surged through them. Against Zenkichi, their attacks had been useless. His speed overwhelmed them, and his demands earlier had only deepened their humiliation.
Now, with the Nine-Tails as a new threat, they had a perfect outlet to vent their anger.
"Go, Hokage-sama!"
"Lord Orochimaru!"
"Jiraiya-sama, take him down!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered on Hokage Rock. Among them were not just villagers, but also Genin, Chuunin, and elite Jonin.
Many of them had tried and failed to harm Zenkichi earlier. Under orders from the Third Hokage, they had been sent to the shelter.
Against Zenkichi, they were powerless—and worse, a liability.
But the Nine-Tails was different.
"Hokage-sama and the others are fighting! How can we just sit here?!"
Some Konoha ninjas grew restless, itching to help.
"But Hokage-sama ordered that no one interfere without his command…"
Others hesitated, remembering the Third's strict instructions.
"It was probably because of that guy from Kirigakure—Zenkichi," one said grimly. "I've seen him fight. His powers are strange. He can ignore physical and ninjutsu attacks."
"The Hokage wanted to confront him directly, so he kept us back. We would've only gotten in the way."
"But this is different. Our attacks can hurt the Nine-Tails."
A few of them began to analyze the situation, considering whether it was time to act.
"I think the Hokage and the others can handle it," one said. "We'll only get in the way."
"But we can't stay here! This shelter's been exposed."
"We should evacuate the civilians before Zenkichi makes a move against them."
Some argued for action, while others insisted on focusing on evacuation.
——
Not far away, Arakawa Zenkichi watched the scene play out with a casual glance.
He raised his hand. A golden beam of light formed at his fingertip—and with a crackling flash, a violent explosion erupted near the Hokage Rock.
"You don't go anywhere without my permission."
---
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