A large clearing had been carved out deep in the remote forests of Konoha.
Sakumo and the ANBU had secured the perimeter, sealing off the area. Even though today's operation was unlikely to go wrong, he remained cautious. He had even brought out his family's Onimaru and Shiromaru, both adept at reconnaissance.
At the center of the clearing stood two small altars, each just large enough for an adult to sit cross-legged. Nearby, a group of people had gathered, engaged in discussion.
"Have you all understood what I said clearly?"
Mito's expression was serious—there was no room for error in what they were about to do.
"Don't worry, Grandma."
"I heard you clearly."
…
Everyone responded individually, nodding firmly.
"Okay, let's get started."
Mito stepped forward alone, standing still at the altar.
Kushina and Minato sat cross-legged on their respective altars, each accompanied by two attendants standing beside them.
"Are you scared?"
Tsunade circled the altar, carefully carving the sealing formation. Kawakaze, though feeling it was unnecessary, didn't stop her and simply observed in silence. This ritual wasn't just about the Nine-Tails—it was a reflection of Tsunade's care for Kushina and Minato. After all, when she had sealed the Seven-Tails into herself, she had done so without preparation, diving straight into the process.
"It's okay."
Kushina took a deep breath and forced a smile. But how could she not be afraid?
"Don't worry, it's only half," Kawakaze reassured her with a slight smile, his tone carrying absolute confidence. In the original timeline, Kushina had endured the full power of the Nine-Tails. Now, with his presence and only half of the beast being sealed, what could possibly go wrong?
"Hm."
Kushina responded softly, gradually calming herself.
Minato, on the other hand, remained at ease, still casually chatting with Fugaku, showing no signs of nervousness.
Orochimaru completed the sealing formation in no time, having meticulously carved the necessary symbols into the ground.
"I'm going to start," Mito announced, her voice carrying across the clearing now that everything was ready.
Six pairs of eyes immediately locked onto her.
"Release!"
Mito swiftly formed several hand seals before pressing her palm against the seal on her own body.
A surge of powerful chakra erupted. In an instant, her expression became grave.
"It's starting," Sakumo muttered, halting his patrol to look toward the clearing.
Onimaru and Shiromaru instinctively retreated, their bodies trembling slightly. The pressure in the air grew heavier as chakra rapidly condensed above the clearing. A vivid red aura began taking form, its presence undeniable.
"It's about to come out," Mito warned, ready to act at any moment. She needed to control the Nine-Tails immediately to ensure the next step proceeded smoothly.
The entire group remained silent, their focus locked on the sky.
"Haha~ I'm finally out!"
A deafening laugh echoed through the clearing as the Nine-Tails broke free.
Its massive body materialized at the center, its nine tails swaying ominously behind it. The sheer force of its chakra generated an invisible shockwave, sending gusts of wind through the area, causing everyone's clothes to ripple violently.
Before the beast could make another move, Mito's voice rang out.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Five golden chains burst from her back, solidifying into physical form as they shot toward the Nine-Tails, binding it in an instant.
"Old witch, you will not die a good death," the Nine-Tails growled, its eyes flickering with rage.
As it scanned its surroundings, its heart sank. Even its chakra seemed to wane.
This was an overwhelming miscalculation.
It had briefly entertained the thought of fighting for its freedom, risking everything for a chance at escape.
But now, faced with the overwhelming presence of those it feared most, that fleeting defiance seemed foolish.
"After all, it's just death. You might as well accept my arrangement."
Mito laughed instead of getting angry. She had seen the Nine-Tails' impotent rage too many times before.
Kawakaze was secretly shocked as he watched the scene unfold. This was his first time seeing the Nine-Tails in person. The Sage of Six Paths had been undeniably biased—this immense chakra was on a completely different level compared to Chōmei.
Although he had always known Mito was powerful, witnessing it firsthand was another matter entirely. At this moment, he could only acknowledge that she was truly worthy of being Hashirama Senju's wife.
"Lady Mito is terrifyingly strong," Fugaku thought as he compared himself to her. Even with the power of Susanoo, he wasn't confident he could defeat her.
As for the Nine-Tails? He barely regarded it.
Such was the self-assurance of the Uchiha Clan, born from the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"The gap is too obvious," Orochimaru observed, his eyes glinting with excitement. This was, without a doubt, the strongest tailed beast he had ever encountered.
"Kushina, Misaki, watch carefully and learn."
"This is the only time I can teach you."
Mito gathered her chakra once more, demonstrating the techniques of the Adamantine Sealing Chains on the Nine-Tails, over and over.
Bound and helpless, the beast became the perfect training dummy, its furious howls echoing across the clearing.
"Grandma... Grandma..."
Before everyone's eyes, Mito was aging at a visible speed.
Her long crimson hair lost its vibrancy, turning dull and dark. Her once flawless skin wrinkled, and her straight posture hunched.
At this moment, Mito truly looked like a grandmother in the final stage of her life.
"I'm fine. Hurry up and do it."
Her voice was filled with exhaustion, and she waved a hand to urge them forward.
"Okay."
Kawakaze's eyes reddened as he exchanged a glance with Fugaku and nodded.
The next moment, both moved in sync, forming seven seals simultaneously.
"Spirit Division Sealing Mark!"
With two loud shouts, Kawakaze and Fugaku each ejected a drop of blood onto the Nine-Tails' massive form.
Using their blood as a medium, the beast's chakra began gathering in their palms.
At first, it trickled slowly, but before long, it surged like a mighty river.
As its chakra drained, the Nine-Tails' body gradually shrank. Realizing something was wrong, it thrashed wildly.
"Damn it! What are you doing to me?!"
It struggled to break free from Mito's control, but the chains still held it firmly in place.
A fish on the chopping block had no say in its fate.
"Almost."
Kawakaze eyed the solidifying crimson chakra in his hands and signaled to Tsunade. Nearby, Fugaku finished coordinating with Orochimaru.
"Eight Trigrams Seal!"
Tsunade and Orochimaru stepped forward, taking over the final step. The condensed chakra of the Nine-Tails slowly flowed into the bodies of Kushina and Minato.
The beast's chakra was wild and overwhelming, causing both Kushina and Minato to clench their teeth as their faces twisted in pain.
"I won't let you go!"
After an unknown period, the Nine-Tails let out one final menacing threat before vanishing without a trace.
Kawakaze and Fugaku glanced down at their hands—only faint traces of high-density chakra remained.
Half an hour later, the Eight Trigrams Seal was complete.
The Nine-Tails had been perfectly divided, each half sealed within Kushina and Minato.
Before anyone could check on them, Mito suddenly collapsed to the ground.
Without her Tailed Beast, her life was slipping away—she could pass at any moment.
"Grandma!"
Kawakaze was the first to reach her, kneeling as he lifted her frail body.
"Did it go well?"
Her voice was weak, barely above a whisper.
"It went well," Tsunade replied, her voice thick with emotion, tears welling in her eyes.
"That's good... that's good..."
Mito had already known the outcome, but hearing it aloud allowed her to fully put her mind at ease.