Chapter 252 A Consultation That Was Foreshadowed
"I'll hold off Kurama, you go and bring Naruto here."
After carefully placing Kushina on the ground, Haruko removed the cat mask and returned to her original appearance.
The Nine-Tails' chakra is many times stronger than hers. In order to drag the Nine-Tails into the illusion, she must release all of her chakra, and not waste a single bit of it.
Just as the Nine-Tails was about to condense the Tailed Beast Ball, Haruko instantly activated her eye technique.
"Reverse Eye of the Birch Tree: Constructing an Illusion!"
The blood-red beast eyes were tightly enveloped by a platinum magic circle. The nine-tailed fox's vision blurred, and when it opened its eyes again, the surrounding scenery had turned into pure white, with only it existing.
Illusion... How dare you underestimate it!
The Nine-Tails lowered its body, its mouth opened wide, its fierce and violent aura overflowing wildly.
Forcibly dragging the Nine-Tails' consciousness into the illusion, Haruko's chakra was rapidly depleted. She released the Yin Seal on her forehead, and as the black lines spread, the chakra she usually accumulated quickly replenished the chakra she had consumed.
Noticing that the Nine-Tails was constantly attacking the illusion, she frowned and forcibly maintained the illusion from collapsing.
"Sealing Technique: Vajra Lockdown!"
Countless golden chakra chains extended from behind her, piercing through the dry, heavy earth and binding the Nine-Tails' body, immobilizing it in place. Her resolute aura resembled that of a holy judge.
Fortunately, she had previously helped Nohara Rin seal the monster inside her. After returning, she meticulously strengthened her control over the situation, and when she faced the sealing again, she was much more skilled.
Day and night, she painstakingly cultivated the Vajra Seal for this very moment.
Staring intently at the slender figure blocking her way, Kushina's fiery red hair swayed as the chains tore through the air, and she gripped the weeds on the ground tightly with both hands.
Seeing this, even someone as slow-witted as her could realize that Haruko had been asking for advice beforehand.
Haruko-neechan already knew...
No wonder……
No wonder she wanted to learn the Diamond Lock technique...
Knowing just how difficult it is to unleash both illusion and sealing techniques simultaneously, Kushina suppressed the heat in her eyes and prayed silently for her success again and again.
Minato Namikaze, who had brought the child back using the mark, appeared behind them. He was taken aback when his gaze fell upon Haruko's restored appearance and the countless chakra chains behind her.
At this moment, Haruko could no longer withstand the illusion, the magic circle in the Nine-Tailed Fox's eye shattered, and her consciousness returned.
With time running out, Minato Namikaze summoned the ritual altar and gently placed the sleeping child in the center of it.
The altar was right next to Kushina, and the peacefully sleeping baby inside soothed her chaotic emotions. Kushina wiped her clothes with her right hand before reaching out to stroke the child's soft cheek.
Kushina's slender, cold fingers pressed against her warm cheek, and her loving gaze shifted to one of resolute determination.
"Watergate, begin!"
They nodded to each other, and Minato Namikaze knelt down on the left side of the altar, placing his hand on the child's stomach.
Upon waking, he found himself bound by the Vajra Lock. The Nine-Tailed Fox roared angrily, its ferocious beast eyes locking onto the familiar altar.
it turns out!
They actually wanted to seal it again, and even seal it on that brat!
Resentment instantly engulfed the Nine-Tailed Fox, and it began to struggle violently. The chains binding its body clanged loudly, and Haruko almost lost her footing.
Sweat had soaked her jet-black hair, and the wispy bangs clung softly to her brow bone.
Hang in there a little longer!
It will be successful in a little while!
The emptiness that followed the continuous output of chakra caused Haruko's lips to turn pale. She dared not breathe heavily, for fear that her weakness would affect the progress of the ritual behind her.
Seeing that Minato Namikaze was about to unleash the Eight Trigrams Sealing Technique, the Nine-Tailed Beast's eyes darkened. Seizing its last chance, it used all its strength to thrust out its sharp claws while being pulled by the chains.
A huge shadow quickly descended.
As soon as Minato and Kushina looked up, they saw a claw that almost completely obscured the moonlight coming towards them.
On the brink of life and death, they acted on their instincts as first-time parents, shielding the child on the altar with their bodies and closing their eyes to endure the impending pain.
The sharp claws ripped through the air, creating a fierce gust of wind that swept in all directions, while the sound of claws piercing through flesh was exceptionally crisp and sharp.
After the sounds ceased, there was an eerie silence.
Minato and Kushina, who hadn't sensed anything, slowly opened their eyes, still somewhat dazed when they saw that the other was alright.
Realizing something, they suddenly turned their gaze to Haruko.
Crimson blood splattered the moment the sharp claws pierced her body, the claws creating a terrifying hole through Haruko's stomach, with more viscous blood seeping out along the edges of the opening.
Haruko used all her strength to tightly wrap the white thread around the sharp claws that were piercing through her body, preventing them from advancing even an inch further.
The roar of the nine-tailed fox gradually faded away, and what became clearer and louder was the pounding of a heart caused by blood dripping onto the ground, so heavy that it left one at a loss.
Kushina and Minato Namikaze's pupils constricted, unable to accept the horrific scene so close at hand.
"Haru... Haruko-neechan!!!"
...
Knock knock knock!
"May I ask who this is?" A clear, youthful voice approached from the doorway.
"It's me, Kakashi Hatake!" Before the other person could open the door, Kakashi Hatake asked urgently, "Haruko! Is Haruko home?"
Uchiha Itachi pushed open the door, a puzzled look on his face. "Haruko? Didn't Auntie go on a trip a long time ago?"
Upon hearing his answer, Kakashi Hatake's eyes widened in surprise, and he stammered in response, "Travel? How could that be! Hasn't she been in Konoha all along!"
"What do you mean by 'in Konoha'?"
Uchiha Itachi felt a pang of doubt in his heart. He glanced at the man's flustered expression and realized he was also a little confused, but he still explained to him in a gentle tone.
"After Obito left Konoha, Haruko said she also wanted to travel and train, and she hasn't returned yet."
He went on a trip and never returned.
These two realizations intensified Kakashi Hatake's unease. What on earth was going on...?
If Haruko told her family she was going on a trip, then why did he find her training alone in a deserted place in Konoha when he went to look for her?
Could it be... the Shadow Clone Technique!
She's lying to him!
Once this was clear, the vague feeling of unease that had been lingering for so long finally came together.
No wonder he often couldn't find her. Maybe their occasional encounters were all part of her scheme, designed to make him think she was cultivating alone!
Since her shadow clone is still in Konoha, it means that she herself did not go on a trip. However, Kakashi Hatake couldn't understand why she would hide from him and stay in Konoha.
unless……
The image of Huan Chen entering the room to give instructions suddenly flashed through Kakashi Hatake's mind, and his pupils trembled slightly.
He immediately turned around, ignoring Itachi Uchiha's shouts behind him, and ran away.
Haruko never changed her identity back!
She was pretending the whole time, so that she wouldn't notice!
What allowed her to conceal her motives for so long...? Kakashi Hatake's eyes narrowed. It was that special mission!
Although he didn't know what the special mission was, he was certain it was related to the explosions outside the village.
Kakashi Hatake kept moving between the rooftops, heading straight for the place outside the village where the disturbance had occurred, almost giving it his all without stopping for a moment.
Haruko!
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