After learning the truth, Kushina felt a deep, soul-crushing sorrow. The village she once trusted had turned out to be the very hand that destroyed her people.

In the darkness of her mind, she stood silently in front of the massive gate where the Nine-Tails was sealed. The air was damp, the floor slick with water.

"Kushina! Let me out!" the Nine-Tails roared from behind the gate. "Don't you want to destroy Konoha? Set me free, and I will help you tear it down!"

"We share a common enemy. Come on, Kushina. Break the seal, and I swear on the name of all tailed beasts—I'll help you destroy that village!"

Snap! Snap!

Outside her consciousness, Kushina's transformation accelerated. The chakra tail behind her flared up, multiplying to six in an instant. Her body became engulfed in dark red chakra, and four sharp, bony claws emerged from her limbs.

Roar!

At that moment, she had fully succumbed to the Nine-Tails' influence—just like during Pain's invasion when Hinata had thrown herself between Naruto and death.

The sinister chakra surged, sending powerful gusts sweeping outward. Even standing nearby made the surrounding Anbu tremble in fear.

"Captain… what do we do?" one of them asked, voice shaking.

"Evacuate. Stay out of her direct path, but don't lose sight of her," the leader said grimly. "The Nine-Tails must not be lost."

Just as the words left his mouth, the sky darkened. A colossal claw descended with terrifying speed. The captain barely escaped, but the others weren't so lucky—they were crushed into nothing, leaving only splattered remains behind.

"Damn it!" the captain cursed, only to be hit by a blast of force that sent him flying like a ragdoll, blood gushing from his mouth. As he soared backward, he caught a glimpse of the monstrous fox's face.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The air screamed with pressure. A red glow flashed in his eyes. He knew, in that split second, that death was certain.

A crimson claw tore through his chest. Blood sprayed in every direction. The captain of the Anbu died in fear.

Roar!

With all enemies eliminated, the berserk Kushina let out a wild cry. Black and white particles gathered in her mouth, coalescing into a massive Tailed Beast Ball aimed straight at the Land of Fire.

Boom!

The dark, swirling sphere rocketed into the sky, trailing destruction in its wake. Moments later, an earth-shattering explosion erupted in the distance—flames, shockwaves, and ash clouded the air.

---

At the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools, Ayanami Kaito had just begun meditating, hoping to better understand the strength granted by unlocking Seven of the Gates. But before he could focus, the ground began to tremble violently.

A familiar, malevolent chakra surged in the distance.

Kaito narrowed his eyes. "That's the Nine-Tails… Why is it on a rampage? Did Kushina really release it because of what I said?"

Without another word, Kaito vanished.

Roar!

Back near the chaos, several Konoha ninjas had gathered. They'd been searching for Kushina, but now stood frozen in horror.

"What the hell is that?! She's lost control of the Nine-Tails!"

"This isn't right—how did it happen?"

"There's no way we can handle this!"

"Prepare Earth Release jutsu! We'll trap her and wait for Hokage sama's orders," the squad leader barked.

"Understood, Captain!" the others responded in unison.

Earth Style: Yellow Springs Swamp!

Earth Style: Earth Flow River!

Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!

One after another, the ground shifted and morphed beneath their feet. Muddy swamps formed, walls of earth rose around the Nine-Tails, enclosing Kushina in a fortified prison.

"Earth Style Barrier: Earth Prison Dome!" the lead Anbu shouted.

He pressed his hand to the wall, and the barriers began to merge overhead, forming a thick, chakra-infused dome. It was one of the strongest Earth-style techniques, capable of regenerating and absorbing chakra from within.

But it wasn't enough.

Boom!

Two enormous red claws burst through the walls, tearing the structure like paper. A crack the size of an arm tore open. With a thunderous roar, the Nine-Tails shoved its claws through the gap, forcing the dome open with brute strength.

Crash!

The massive earth ceiling was ripped free and flung at nearby ninjas. They scrambled to dodge, but some were too slow.

The Nine-Tails leaped from the shattered dome, its nine tails lashing like giant spears. With each swipe, it sent shockwaves rippling through the earth.

Even seasoned jonin would hesitate to approach.

In mere moments, the battlefield turned into a wasteland. Ground shattered. Screams echoed. Dust clouded the sky.

As the most powerful of all tailed beasts, the Nine-Tails easily overpowered its opponents. Even with their strongest jutsu, the Anbu couldn't hold up.

The oppressive chakra alone forced their bodies into overdrive. Many couldn't even use their full strength.

Soon, only four of the original eight Anbu were left standing.

"Captain! We're being wiped out! If this keeps going, we're all going to die!" one of them shouted.

"I know!" the leader snapped. "We're too far from Konoha! Even if Hokage sama sends reinforcements now, they won't get here in time!"

He gritted his teeth. Kushina had returned to the Land of Whirlpools on her own. No one had expected her to fully unleash the Nine-Tails.

The remaining Anbu could only hope that someone—anyone—nearby would notice the destruction and come to help.

Because if not, they'd all be dead within the hour.

---

Milestones:

100 Power Stones → 1 Bonus Chapter

200 Power Stones → 3 Bonus Chapters