"I told you not to trust anyone. This guy is using you too. Unlock the seal, and you can free yourself from this pain. If you refuse, I will possess you and kill you!"
The Nine-Tails whispered into Kushina's mind.
It could communicate directly with her.
These wretched humans had trapped it for so long, leaving its senses far from ideal.
Kiyoshi activated his Sharingan, barely tracing the blurry trail of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
If it had been his turn to face that attack, he would have met the same fate.
Kiyoshi had no intention of confronting the Nine-Tails head-on; he just hoped to maneuver subtly, perhaps gaining some favor and experience points along the way.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"
A wave of ocular power radiated from Kiyoshi's eyes, flowing invisibly toward Kushina's gaze.
Within the dark, damp mental space, the Nine-Tails, recently freed from its chains, sensed a foreboding chakra.
This chakra reminded the Nine-Tails of a man—one who had left a psychological scar on it.
At the same time, it noticed another figure in this space.
"This place is truly cold."
Kiyoshi stepped lightly on the shallow layer of water.
Chakra links people in the ninja world.
There is such a thing as mental space, where jinchūriki and their tailed beasts communicate. The Six Paths taught Naruto and Sasuke the powers of Yin and Yang within this space.
"Uchiha…"
The Nine-Tails, with eyes larger than humans, fixed its gaze on Kiyoshi's Sharingan.
Watching the slowly rotating tomoe, its expression grew more ferocious.
No mistake—the Uchiha who had once summoned it was also from the Uchiha clan!
Kiyoshi's chakra wasn't as vast as Madara Uchiha's, but it radiated an ominous, sinister feeling to the Nine-Tails.
"This brat…"
The Nine-Tails bared its fangs, ready to strike.
It could not afford the slightest carelessness with a Uchiha.
Especially since Kiyoshi seemed so extraordinary, like a concentrated form of malice—its perception of this evil was exceptionally sharp.
"You've unlocked a new entry: [First Encounter with Mental Space (White)]"
A semi-transparent panel appeared before Kiyoshi.
[Entry: First Encounter with Mental Space (White)]
[Requirement: Enter the deepest part of a person's consciousness for the first time.]
[Progress: Complete]
[Effect: Your development speed of secret Yin Release techniques increases by 5%.]
[Note: Further advancement possible.]
"Kiyoshi, why are you here?"
Kushina asked, surprised by his sudden appearance.
"I happened to be training here and saw you unleash a terrifying chakra. I entered this space using my ocular power. Minato should be outside performing the sealing technique now."
"Minato…"
Thinking of the Minato he had knocked back, Kushina struggled to her feet, staggering toward Kiyoshi.
"This is mental space; the Nine-Tails' power is restricted here."
Kiyoshi faced the colossal Nine-Tails.
"If we cooperate, we might just suppress it completely."
Of course, his main confidence lay in the fact that even if they failed here, his real body would remain safe.
The worst-case scenario was being thrown out of Kushina's body.
Kushina took a deep breath, calming her racing thoughts.
Earlier, the Nine-Tails' rampage had caught her completely off guard.
But now it was different. She had regained composure—Uzumaki clan sealing techniques were the Nine-Tails' natural counter!
"Hmph!"
The Nine-Tails snorted, its massive vertical pupils filled with disdain and anger.
"Even so, my power isn't something you two brats can shake!"
It suddenly opened its gaping maw, combining deep blue and purple-black chakra particles into a dense, inky sphere—
Tailed Beast Bomb!
"Kushina, use the sealing technique!"
Kiyoshi shouted, using his Sharingan to disrupt the Nine-Tails' concentration while forming the Tailed Beast Bomb.
The Uchiha's Sharingan could counter the Uzumaki's sealing techniques to some extent, despite being only one or two tomoe.
Kushina nodded, golden chakra chains bursting from her body, restraining the Nine-Tails' power.
At the same time, a black sealing jutsu appeared in the mental world.
Minato descended from above, a Rasengan forming in his palm.
The Tailed Beast Bomb collided with the Rasengan, generating a massive blast of wind.
Minato's and the Nine-Tails' struggle continued!
After several tense seconds, with the help of Kushina's residual Adamantine Sealing Chains, Minato finally gained the upper hand.
The mental world turned into a blinding white.
Outside, Kiyoshi opened his eyes, seeing Kushina collapse. He hurried forward and caught her.
In her daze, Kushina felt a strong body holding her, instinctively clinging to it.
Kiyoshi sensed her softness but had no time to linger.
Minato was still observing—he would not tolerate unnecessary distractions.
"Kiyoshi… take Kushina to the hospital," Minato said, blood spitting from his mouth. The Nine-Tails' chakra had broken several of his ribs and injured his internal organs; any movement was painful.
"This commotion will attract attention soon," Kiyoshi shook his head.
If he carried Kushina away, others might assume an Uchiha had kidnapped the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
Within a minute, a large number of ANBU arrived, including Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He seriously questioned the situation.
Minato calmly recounted the events while watching Kiyoshi hold Kushina.
Kiyoshi was younger than Kushina, but Minato found nothing inappropriate—the boy simply matured faster than expected.
"You did well, Kiyoshi."
Hiruzen nodded slightly, a trace of relief in his eyes.
He thought correctly—Kiyoshi reminded him somewhat of an Uchiha mirror image.
Kiyoshi smiled subtly, but no one noticed the intriguing meaning hidden in that expression.
He watched as Kushina was lifted onto a stretcher by the medical team, filled with unspoken significance.
Because of his presence, Kushina and Minato did not share personal feelings as in the original story.
Instead, a gap remained, quietly planted.
Kushina's loneliness would one day bear fruit—its emotions would erupt far more intensely than today.
...
Several days later, the third round of the Chunin Exams resumed.
This time, many spectators gathered, focusing on the candidates in the center of the arena.
The selection area was surrounded by tall walls.
(End of Chapter)
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