"Then I'll be waiting for your good news."
Uchiha Ren nodded. The sliver of consciousness formed by his eye power dissipated, returning to his body.
At this moment—
Ren was still controlling Susanoo, locked in close combat with Mito Uzumaki.
Their attacks were simple—
Brutal, direct, fists colliding with flesh.
"Mito Uzumaki—you're finished!"
Ren burst into arrogant laughter.
His consciousness had returned.
The deal with Kurama—
This fight was already decided.
"…What do you mean?"
Mito felt a sudden sense of danger.
In her estimation—
If this dragged on—
She would outlast him.
Victory would eventually be hers.
"Mito!!"
"Stealing my chakra?!"
"Give it back!"
Kurama's furious voice erupted within her.
The chains binding his tails—
Started trembling violently.
The chakra he had been secretly accumulating for years—
Exploded all at once.
In just seconds—
Four or five chains snapped completely.
The rest began cracking.
With a deafening roar—
Kurama tore open part of the seal.
He began reclaiming his chakra—
Growing stronger.
Damn it!
Why now?!
Mito's heart sank.
When had this fox eroded the seal?!
She immediately mobilized the sealing power—
Trying to suppress him.
New chains formed—
Attempting to bind him again.
But Kurama—
Was no ordinary tailed beast.
He was the strongest of all nine.
Back when he was sealed—
Even Hashirama Senju had taken part.
Now—
He saw a chance to turn the tables.
Why wait years—
If he could break free today?
As for Mito's life?
That wasn't his concern.
All jinchūriki deserve to die!
Every single one—
Used tailed beasts as weapons.
"Trying to seal me again?"
"Not happening!"
Kurama struggled wildly.
Mito could no longer focus on Ren—
She had to fully suppress Kurama.
Perfect opening!
Ren immediately sensed her weakening.
Her chakra dropped.
Her tailed beast form destabilized.
Kurama was doing his job.
Time to strike.
Ren slammed a punch into the Nine-Tails' face.
Then followed up—
With a full combo of brutal strikes.
Mito was dizzy from the blows—
But she endured.
If she lost to Ren—
She wouldn't die.
Her status protected her.
Widow of Hashirama.
Mother of the Senju clan head.
Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
Any one of those—
Was a shield.
But if Kurama escaped—
She would die.
"Damn fox!"
Mito cursed.
It was obvious—
Kurama and Ren had made a deal.
Otherwise—
This timing was impossible.
I can't keep fighting him!
She had to focus on sealing Kurama.
Mito raised her hand—
Signaling surrender.
She released her tailed beast form.
"I con—"
Ren's eyes sharpened.
He read her lips.
She's surrendering.
Without hesitation—
He dispelled Susanoo.
Dropped from the sky—
And punched her in the face.
"I want—"
"I want to fight to the death?"
"Excellent, Mito-sama!"
"I admire that spirit!"
"I firmly believe in gender equality!"
"I'll go all out!"
As he spoke—
He punched her in the stomach.
Cutting off her voice.
Another punch—
Symmetry matters.
Left side done—
Now the right.
Mito's face—
Though aged—
Still carried traces of her former beauty.
But Ren showed no mercy.
Beauty?
In the end—
Just dust.
Flowers bloom—
Then wither.
Crushed or decayed—
All return to the earth.
Ren's philosophy was clear—
Take this—Face-Smashing Fist!
Soon—
Mito's face swelled grotesquely.
A complete pig's head.
"I SAID I SURRENDER!!!"
"Huh? What?"
"Oh… my mistake."
"Mito-sama, why didn't you say so earlier?"
Ren stopped instantly.
Helping her up with a concerned expression.
Though—
He was barely holding back laughter.
That felt amazing.
Years of restraint—
And now—
Even if he couldn't hit Tobirama Senju—
Beating Mito was good enough.
The Uchiha and Senju—
Were never on good terms anyway.
"I said your head!!!"
Mito's eyes burned with killing intent.
If not for Kurama rampaging inside—
She would've fought to the death.
This bastard!
Not a single punch elsewhere—
All aimed at her face.
Completely swollen.
Even if she didn't care about beauty anymore—
This was too much.
"I'm innocent!"
"You spoke too slowly!"
"I know a bit of medical ninjutsu—want me to heal you?"
Ren struggled to suppress his laughter.
Trying to look sincere.
"Get lost!!"
"You evil Uchiha brat!"
"The Hokage position is yours!"
"Now stop bothering me!"
Mito exploded.
Like she had returned to her younger, fiery self.
Ren shrugged innocently.
Then turned—
Walking toward Uchiha Inabi to share the victory.
All that preparation—
Had paid off.
From now on—
Konoha would belong to the Uchiha.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Ren couldn't hold it in anymore.
His laughter echoed through the forest.
Behind him—
Mito's curses grew louder.
"Kurama, is it?!"
"Causing trouble at a time like this—"
"You're dead!"
Now free to act—
Mito turned her full focus inward.
Time to vent her anger.
"HAHAHAHA! Pig-face Mito!"
"Beaten by a brat—how pathetic!"
Kurama mocked wildly.
That—
Was a mistake.
Mito's fury exploded.
She suppressed him with full force.
In the end—
She still won.
She wasn't weak yet.
Far from it.
"Still talking?!"
"I'll beat you to death!!!"
Inside the seal—
Kurama was bound again.
Chains lashed his body.
He howled in pain.
"Uchiha Ren, you brat!!"
"This is YOUR fault!!"
"If you break our deal—I won't let you off!!!"
Kurama roared.
"Don't mention him!!"
"Damn fox!!!"
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