Just then, the Tailed Beast Bomb from the Two-Tails Division came crashing toward Takayama Haru.
With a furious roar, Takayama Haru drew upon the Nine-Tails' chakra, manifesting it into a massive claw of energy that resembled a fox's talon, aiming to intercept the beast bomb.
BOOM!
The resulting explosion shook the entire barrier.
Kushina clutched her chest, murmuring, "Grandma Haru, please be okay."
At that moment, she realized something was wrong.
This had all been planned in advance.
Takayama Haru looked beyond the barrier—the likes of Danzo and the others had vanished, leaving only the four elite shinobi maintaining the Four Violet Flames Formation.
Within the barrier, Takayama Haru, now caught in the chaos, lost her rationality. The Two-Tails' host seized the opportunity and slammed her away with a massive cat-like claw.
"Grandma Haru!"
Takayama Haru spat out a mouthful of blood. When she came to, she found herself before a massive iron gate.
Behind it lurked the fierce, orange-red Nine-Tails.
"Takayama Haru, looks like you're in trouble again. Want me to unleash my full power? As a Tailed Beast, I can help you no matter what!"
"Hmph. Nine-Tails, after all these years, do you really think I don't know what you're planning?"
"I'll borrow your power, but don't even dream of taking my body to break free. That's never going to happen!"
Takayama Haru opened her eyes—her pupils now slit like a predator's.
"Partial Tailed Beast Mode!"
Her body transformed as a cloak of dark red chakra surrounded her, surging like a living creature. She became a humanoid form cloaked in Tailed Beast energy.
But instead of nine tails, only six appeared behind her.
Takayama Haru had long kept her power in check, rarely using the Nine-Tails' strength in battle.
But now, there was no choice.
BOOM!
An even louder blast shook the field.
This time, two of the Two-Tails' tails were blown away.
After being smacked away by Takayama Haru, the Two-Tails' host bared his fangs and let out a furious roar.
In a blur, Takayama Haru reappeared before him, her five fingers infused with the power of all five chakra natures.
"Five Elements Seal!"
The Two-Tails' host moved like a cat, agile and quick, leaping back to avoid her strike.
But Haru was just as fast—she caught up instantly and pressed a hand to his abdomen.
"You dare, human?!"
He lashed out with a mighty blow, sending her flying.
They clashed midair, exchanging countless strikes, each infused with tremendous chakra.
Eventually, both were knocked back.
Takayama Haru wiped blood from her lips, panting, and chose not to pursue—her transformation was nearing its limit.
If she pushed any further, the Nine-Tails might break free.
The Two-Tails' host, however, showed no such hesitation.
"Damn it!"
"You want Kushina to seal this beast? To make her the next Tailed Beast host?!"
Takayama Haru had always treated the Nine-Tails as family. For her, the idea of forcing a kind-hearted girl like Kushina to inherit a new Tailed Beast—especially the Two-Tails—was unbearable.
Worse, her own seal was starting to weaken.
...
Outside the training field, Danzo, Mito Monita, and Koharu stood at a distance, watching the barrier with satisfied smiles.
Mito Monita muttered, "Danzo, trapping them in there... you're sure they won't die, right?"
Danzo chuckled. "How could the Two-Tails kill the Nine-Tails? You worry too much. Takayama Haru won't let anything happen to her Tailed Beast."
"No matter the outcome, Nightwind will lose his only support."
"A heavily injured Takayama Haru won't be able to protect Nightwind."
"And more importantly, she won't have the strength to decide who inherits the Nine-Tails."
"We absolutely cannot allow Nightwind to become the next Jinchuriki."
"Besides, Nightwind has close ties to the Uchiha Clan. Given how Uchiha Mikoto reacted earlier, there may be... unspoken secrets between them."
"For the sake of Konoha, we must eliminate all unstable elements and ensure peace and order."
Mito Monita frowned. "But if Nightwind gets angry, he's one of the strongest in Konoha. We might not be able to stop him."
Koharu scoffed. "You think he'd dare attack us? We're elders of this village. If he so much as touches a hair on our heads, the whole village would turn against him."
"Besides, Hiruzen would intervene to defend the Will of Fire. With all of us united, what chance does that reckless boy have?"
Just then, Nightwind and Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha.