Uzumaki Mito's expression hardened as she held the baby tightly in her arms.
"What are you trying to do? Do you really intend to fight here in Konoha? Think carefully—this is Konoha. If you start a fight, you won't leave alive!"
"I have no intention of fighting you," Isamu said, frowning. "I came for the child. Look at him carefully—he was just born, yet he already possesses overwhelming energy. His body can't handle it. If it's not regulated immediately, he won't survive the day."
Mito glanced down.
The baby's breathing was indeed uneven.
But her grip only tightened.
"Hmph! That has nothing to do with you. I'll handle it myself!"
"You'll handle it?" Isamu scoffed. "Don't be naive. You don't have the ability. By the time you figure something out, it'll be too late. Give him to me!"
He stepped forward, reaching for the child.
"How dare you touch him!"
Mito's chakra erupted violently. Her punch forced Isamu back instantly.
Isamu's expression darkened. He turned sharply.
"Zetsu—block anyone trying to enter!"
"No problem!"
The White Zetsu scattered into position.
"Six Purple Flames Formation!"
A purple barrier instantly sealed the entire room.
⸻
Mito's eyes narrowed.
A barrier… so they came prepared.
She gently touched the baby's cheek.
"Don't worry, little one. Great-grandma will protect you."
Isamu's patience wore thin.
"You're not protecting him—you're killing him."
"Hmph! I'm his family. The only danger here is you!"
⸻
Isamu exhaled slowly.
"Then I'll take him myself."
He gathered chakra.
This body… can it match her? Doesn't matter. For my child—I'll fight.
⸻
Mito snorted.
"Come, then!"
Crimson chakra surged around her body, forming a cloak.
Isamu's eyes sharpened.
The Nine-Tails cloak… I almost forgot—she's a Jinchuriki too.
⸻
He immediately formed hand seals.
"Wood Release: Sea of Trees!"
In an instant, massive trees burst from the ground, walls, and ceiling—engulfing the entire room.
Mito's pupils shrank.
Wood Release?!
The very technique that suppresses Tailed Beasts.
⸻
"Attack!"
The forest came alive.
Branches and trunks lunged toward her from all directions.
Mito leapt and dodged with incredible agility—but something felt wrong.
Her chakra…
It was draining.
Her cloak shrank rapidly—from nine tails… to one.
⸻
A faint smile appeared on Isamu's face.
As long as you're inside this forest, your Tailed Beast chakra is mine.
A perfect counter.
⸻
But Mito wasn't finished.
"You think this is enough to stop me?!"
"ROAR—!"
Her chakra exploded outward.
Dark red energy surged, transforming her into a miniature Nine-Tails form.
With a violent sweep of her tails—
BOOM!
The forest shattered.
⸻
Isamu remained calm.
"Impressive. But as long as you rely on Tailed Beast power… I have countless ways to deal with you."
His eyes snapped open—
Three tomoe spinning.
"Sharingan—Genjutsu!"
⸻
Mito froze.
Her movements halted. The chakra cloak began to recede.
Isamu stepped forward confidently.
"Using Tailed Beast power against me? You're still too inexperienced."
He reached for the child again.
⸻
Then—
A surge of golden chakra erupted.
"No one touches my grandson!!!"
⸻
A flash of gold—
BOOM!
Isamu was sent flying, crashing into the barrier. Green blood spilled from his mouth.
"Pfft… damn it!"
He looked up—
And froze.
⸻
Golden chakra cloaked Mito's body.
Red eyes.
Black tomoe markings.
⸻
Isamu's mind reeled.
That form…
That's…
The Nine-Tails Chakra Mode—like Naruto's!
⸻
His expression turned grim.
This just got bad.
Super Kage-level… at least.
Forget winning—escaping will be hard enough.
⸻
He clenched his fists.
My plan… might be finished.
I needed that excess life energy for my real body…
But now?
I might not even make it out alive.