Chapter 251 The Courage to Protect

The still, cold air permeated the surroundings, stirring up restless, volatile emotions.

With only half its power remaining, the Nine-Tails' ears stood erect, its sharp gaze fixed on the unarmed Jinchuriki, wanting only to kill her and unleash the rest of its power.

Its body was pressed close to the ground, its limbs bent, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

The beast's heavy breathing was particularly prominent in the quiet night. Haruko nervously swallowed, her body tense as if facing a formidable enemy.

The Nine-Tails' chakra is too powerful; she may not be confident she can fight it.

The stalemate was broken by Minato Namikaze, who had settled the children and rushed over. He had a bad feeling when he sensed the Nine-Tails' powerful aura from afar.

Seeing the Nine-Tails, now in physical form and still eyeing Kushina with predatory intent, Minato Namikaze's expression turned grave, his brows furrowed.

Seeing that Huan Chen was still there, he said urgently, "I'll go save her, you cover me."

"yes!"

As Minato Namikaze threw out the kunai bearing his mark, Kurama and Haruko attacked simultaneously.

A claw as large as a lake slammed down with a powerful gust of wind towards the rock where Kushina was.

Haruko quickly formed hand seals, and countless streams of water emerged from the surface, swirling and directly confronting the sharp claws, wrapping around them. The water streams, like soft blades, pierced into the thick flesh, slowing down its attack.

A hidden pain shot through the Nine-Tails, which roared to the sky, its claws burning with chakra that evaporated the water it had been biting.

Haruko's attack didn't hold off the Nine-Tails for long, but it was enough for Minato Namikaze, known as the Yellow Flash on the battlefield, to bring Kushina back.

Seeing their prey about to be rescued, the Nine-Tailed Fox's face contorted with rage. It opened its blood-red maw at them, and within the center of its sharp fangs, a purple-black energy blast began to grow larger and larger.

Noticing the movement of the Nine-Tails, Minato Namikaze, who had just stood still, glanced sideways and broke out in a cold sweat.

Without time to say more, he handed Kushina to Huan Chen and released a space-time ninjutsu as quickly as possible.

The Tailed Beast Ball, carrying world-destroying power, broke free from the Nine-Tails' mouth and rushed straight towards them. Its strange light seemed to bring daylight to the world, and the blinding light was accompanied by a howling wind, just like the end of the world.

A dark purple crack tore open from the air, barely enveloping the Tailed Beast Ball.

The tightly overlapping, white-glowing slits kept everyone on edge for every second. Finally, the spacetime rift that Minato Namikaze tore open completely merged into the Tailed Beast Ball.

A violent explosion and a blinding flash of light erupted on another hilltop.

The thunderous noise and commotion immediately caused a stir in Konoha. Sensing something was amiss, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dispatched personnel to investigate.

After quickly shaking off Might Guy, Kakashi Hatake rushed off to rejoin his team.

The reconnaissance mission was taken over by other teams, leaving Kakashi Hatake to stay in Konoha. He kept looking out of the village with barely concealed anxiety, but saw nothing but a dark green expanse and thick white smoke.

Why is he so flustered...?

An inexplicable sense of urgency gripped his heart. After much deliberation, Kakashi Hatake gritted his teeth and asked his deputy for permission to contact the police department to prepare a response.

He needs to go check if Haruko has returned!

...

Minato Namikaze glanced at the area affected by the explosion, and his expression turned even more grim.

If the Nine-Tails continues its attack, aside from the transfer of its abundant chakra, the location of its attacks must be carefully considered to prevent it from affecting Konoha.

what to do……

Kushina had just had the tailed beast extracted, and although the Uzumaki clan's unique massive chakra saved her life, her body could not withstand the Nine-Tails' resealing.

If he continues to let the Nine-Tails attack, he will eventually be exhausted and unable to stop the Nine-Tails from attacking Konoha.

"I...let me release the Adamantine Lockdown..."

Kushina's weak voice came from Haruko's arms. Her eyes were fixed on Minato Namikaze, her lifeless eyes filled with stubbornness and determination.

Haruko spoke first, "No, releasing a large amount of chakra would undoubtedly be a dead end for you in your current state."

"But only I can..."

"It's not just you."

Kushina was a little confused by the ambiguous words and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

When the moment came, Haruko no longer concealed her identity.

Kushina, however, seemed to see those bright black eyes that always looked at her gently through the cat mask, and she looked up at her, slightly dazed.

"Haruko... Haruko-neechan?"

Upon hearing Kushina's address, Minato Namikaze, who was focused on diverting the Nine-Tails' attack, paused and widened his eyes in disbelief.

"How is this possible..."

Haruko interrupted him, "We'll explain that later. The Nine-Tails must be sealed away as soon as possible."

Another Tailed Beast Ball was released. Minato Namikaze, panting, looked at the Nine-Tails in the distance, whose chakra showed no signs of weakening, and his thoughts were in turmoil.

The Nine-Tails must be sealed, but what should we do...?

What can we do to save Kushina...?

"Watergate".

Given the current situation, this is the only solution. Haruko said, enunciating each word clearly, "The other half of the Nine-Tails' chakra is sealed inside Naruto."

"No way!" Kushina exclaimed excitedly upon hearing the suggestion.

With her last remaining strength, she gripped Haruko's clothes tightly, trying her best to suppress the discomfort in her body, and when she repeated herself, her words carried a pleading tone.

"Can't……"

“We have no other choice.” Haruko lowered her head and looked at her earnestly.

"Kushina, I know what you're worried about, but please believe in yourself and Minato. You can protect Naruto."

Kushina loosened her grip slightly as she lowered her head, trying to think of a better solution. But panic and helplessness overwhelmed her, leaving her mind blank.

She bit her lip tightly, and sorrow gradually welled up in her eyes; she was unwilling to agree to this method.

No one understood her fate as a Jinchūriki better than she did, and she didn't want her child to bear such a heavy responsibility from a young age.

In a daze, Kushina was reminded of the day she first arrived in Konoha to face her destiny in this inopportune moment.

Originally, she was pushed into the clutches of fate in her ignorance, but what awaited her was a bright and gentle face.

Kushina unconsciously tightened her grip on hope, and as the younger-than-remembered face filled her vision, a wave of emotion welled up in her eyes.

The heavy burden of being a Jinchūriki has never lessened; it was the gentle face she first met that gave her the courage to keep going.

Kushina's eyes welled up with tears, as if to protect...

She can protect, and she can protect well... right?

And now, it seems to confirm once again that her courage to inherit her destiny comes entirely from those bright, dark eyes that look at her with such tenderness.

Realizing that this was the best solution at the moment, Minato Namikaze wiped his face and finally revealed a resolute look in his eyes.

"This is the only way."

******

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grateful--

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