The Nine-Tails immediately recalled the last words of the Sage of Six Paths.
[I don't have much time left.]
[Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Gokū, Kokuō, Saiken, Chōmei, Gyūki, Kurama...]
[Even if you're separated, one day you will reunite—become one.]
[You will be led not by force, but by someone who shows you true power.]
[Unlike when you were inside me...]
[Until then...]
That was the only time Kurama had shed tears since the day he was born.
But what made everything unbearable was how, after thousands of years in the ninja world, humans continued to covet the tailed beasts.
Especially those it hated most: Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama, Uzumaki Mito, Uzumaki Kushina, and the man in the tiger mask.
And now… Naruto.
Whether bound by summoning contracts or sealed inside Jinchūriki, all it ever brought was suffering and restraint.
This was nothing like what the old man had promised—no "guidance," no "true power." Just shackles.
But now, feeling the chakra coming from Uchiha Hikaru's body... a flicker of hope sparked in Kurama's heart again.
"Could he be the one the old man spoke of… Uchiha Hikaru?"
Kurama frowned.
"Tch. As if. The Uchiha clan is even more loathsome than the Senju or Uzumaki."
At least when sealed, he had self-awareness. Under Uchiha control, he was nothing but a puppet, his body moving without his will—a suffocating nightmare.
"Damn Uchihas… No way he's the one the Sage meant."
"Still, maybe I'll throw that brat a bone instead…"
And with that, Kurama fell silent once more.
"Naruto, step back and wait outside the altar."
"Oh!"
"Seal it quickly! Brother Hikaru is still fighting that giant puppet!"
Sarah gave a solemn nod, kneeling on the dragon vein altar. She closed her eyes, palms pressed firmly on the surface, steadying her breath and clearing her mind of distractions.
[By my authority as Queen...]
[I command you—cut off the dragon vein's flow and suppress your power!]
[Obey, now!]
A brilliant purple light burst from the altar's center like a giant eye, spreading chakra-rich runes in all directions.
Just as the glow blanketed the entire platform—
"Ah—!!"
Sarah gasped as if a thousand silver needles pierced her palms. The altar rejected her and flung her away.
"Sarah!"
Naruto leapt up, catching her midair.
"Are you okay?!"
But his eyes were already turning toward the altar.
"What the hell...?"
Sarah, wincing, looked over as the runes on the altar began to shift.
Dark purple symbols devoured the old ones, corrupting the entire altar.
"I connected to the dragon vein chakra… so why—?!"
Meanwhile, across the chamber, the massive centipede puppet roared with laughter.
"Haha! That dumb princess really tried it!"
"Seal the dragon vein? Please!"
"I already rewrote the seal. The Queen's bloodline no longer has power over it!"
"The dragon vein now answers to me!"
"Mwahahaha!!"
The arrogant voice of Mukade echoed through the underground chamber.
Sarah's face drained of all color. Her knees hit the ground.
"...It's over…"
"Everything's over…"
"I'm sorry, Mother… I failed to protect the dragon vein… failed to protect Rōran…"
She clenched her fists, trembling.
She hated herself. Hated her naivety. Her people had warned her. But she only opened her eyes after everything had already fallen apart.
If only I'd seen Mukade's true face sooner…
Naruto stared at her. A mix of anger and frustration boiled up inside him.
He stormed forward, grabbed her collar, and yanked her up.
"Cry! Go on, cry more!"
"What the hell does crying fix?! You just give up, huh?!"
"Then what was your mother's last wish for?! What's Rōran worth to you? The people?"
"As long as you can still breathe, don't you dare give up!"
He dropped her and turned his back.
Sarah blinked through her tears.
"...Where are you going?"
Naruto didn't stop walking.
"To help Brother Hikaru."
"Even if it kills me—I finish what I start. That's my ninja way."
(｀・ω・´)
Sarah pushed herself to her feet, eyes burning with resolve. She reached down—
RIP—!
She tore off the bottom of her flowing skirt, tied up her hair, and met Naruto's gaze squarely.
"I'm going too."
"I am the Queen of Rōran. If Rōran dies—so do I."
(╥﹏╥)
The two of them dashed toward Uchiha Hikaru.
Meanwhile, Team Minato had sensed the commotion and rushed to the scene.
Minato, leading the way, clenched his fists, his mind racing.
Naruto... please be safe.
Uchiha Hikaru narrowed his eyes, watching Mukade laugh arrogantly.
What a clown...
To be fair, this bastard had set up a lot of contingencies. If it had just been Naruto and Minato here, they really might've lost today.
But he'd made one fatal mistake—
He underestimated Uchiha Hikaru.
Mukade only had the power of the dragon vein and puppetry. That might be enough for most enemies...
But Hikaru wasn't "most enemies."
He wasn't just another Uchiha.
He gripped the 40-meter black blade—Sword, the Mangekyō Sharingan's awakened weapon—tight in his hand.
Without a word, he slashed down at the monstrous puppet centipede that was Mukade.
(ง •̀_•́)ง
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