Yako stood atop the wall outside the Senju clan lands.
Inside, a dark and oppressive aura drifted through the air.
This was a cursed clan, losing key members one after another.
On the brink of extinction, the more the Senju did, the faster they fell.
Like those dying dynasties where every reform hastened collapse.
[Crescent Moon Arc activated!
Reward: One lottery draw chance:
1—S-rank Sealing Technique: Four Symbols Seal (Beginner);
2—Special Jonin-level Chakra Pool (Stackable);
3—Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai Limit Break (Upper-Mid).]
Looking at the rewards, Yako realized he hadn't died by the Nine-Tails' hand, but rather by Uzumaki Kushina.
Probably because Kushina sealed away most of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Among the three options, Yako immediately discarded the Special Jonin-level chakra pool.
Even if his chakra doubled, survival through the Nine-Tails sealing night was impossible.
The first option, the S-rank Four Symbols Seal, was extremely rare—second only to the Adamant Chains for sealing Tailed Beasts.
With that, Yako could hope to capture Tailed Beasts and create a jinchūriki himself.
A cold breeze crept from his legs upward, sending a chill through his body.
The Nine-Tails' chakra stirred waves of negative emotions within him.
Recalling the last battle, even with the Four Symbols Seal, could he have sealed part of the Nine-Tails' chakra?
Hiruzen, Danzo, ANBU, and the Senju all watched the beast—there was no chance.
Though precious, the technique wouldn't have helped that night; the Nine-Tails would still have crushed him.
Thus, only the third option remained: Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai Limit Break.
Choosing the Uzumaki bloodline could boost Kushina in the crucial moment—maybe a glimmer of hope.
After selecting, Yako's body convulsed.
Every muscle twitched and spasmed except his bones.
His mask slowly descended—not loosening, but his flesh writhing beneath.
The pain lasted a minute, then vanished swiftly.
He hurriedly checked his status panel:
[Host Status:
Chakra Pool: 2.5x Special Jonin level.
Chakra Nature: Earth, Water, Yang.
Bloodline: Senju Forest (Upper-Mid), Uzumaki clan (Upper-Mid).
Ninjutsu: Earth Release: Earth Spike Spear, etc.
Taijutsu: Body Flicker Technique (Beginner), etc.
Sealing Jutsu: Self-Curse Binding Seal (Mastery), etc.
Special Abilities: Reflexive Reaction (Second Breakthrough), Natural Chakra Regeneration, Slow Self-Healing, Sealing Jutsu Specialty.]
The Uzumaki bloodline limit began improving his physique.
First, his chakra pool rose from 1.7x to 2.5x Special Jonin level—a significant boost.
The Uzumaki were famous for vast chakra reserves, vital for suppressing Tailed Beasts.
Second, sealing techniques improved.
The Self-Curse Binding Seal advanced from beginner to mastery.
Originally requiring three hand seals, it now only needed one.
Its range expanded from two meters to four—nearly a mid-range sealing jutsu.
Most importantly, his special ability now included "Sealing Jutsu Specialty."
His chakra inherently carried sealing power.
Uzumaki Kushina was chosen as jinchūriki because of her naturally strong sealing chakra.
Her sealing was far more effective than others'.
Yako pondered his new bloodline and formulated a plan to survive the Nine-Tails sealing night.
He had to act—to save the Senju clan and prevent Hiruzen and Danzo from growing too powerful.
If the Senju perished, Danzo would seize the Uzumaki's sealing scrolls and the Tongue Root Curse Seal, gaining unrivaled influence in the ANBU.
The story was repeating itself.
Outside the Senju clan lands, Danzo and Senju Linmu argued fiercely.
Hiruzen sided with Linmu, letting the Senju handle the Nine-Tails sealing.
Danzo vanished—only reappearing on sealing night, his right eye bandaged.
During the critical sealing, Danzo used the Mangekyo Sharingan hidden beneath the bandage to give the Nine-Tails a brief Susanoo, disrupting Mito's seal.
Mito died early; the seal faltered.
When the Senju suffered heavy losses, the ANBU intervened.
Yako, having already died once this moon cycle, knew another death meant finality.
He followed Captain Koton swiftly toward Kushina.
Linmu's wife was crushed by the Nine-Tails while Koton drew its attention.
The Nine-Tails tore more chakra from Kushina.
This time Yako was cautious, avoiding provoking the beast.
He symbolically blocked attacks with Water Release: Water Wall, guarding Koton's back.
With Linmu's wife dead, the Senju abandoned the joint sealing, joining the ANBU in a fierce assault.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Linmu's water dragon soared hundreds of meters, coiling around the Nine-Tails and biting a forelimb.
The Nine-Tails' massive paw was immobilized by a single water jutsu.
The beast stopped moving, forming another Tailed Beast Bomb.
Linmu shouted, dragging the water dragon sideways.
The bomb exploded at the battlefield's edge, killing dozens of Senju and ANBU.
Opportunity! Yako thought.
As the Nine-Tails leaned and braced with a forelimb, he jumped.
His target: the adamant chains suspended in midair.
Dust swirled, masking his move.
Striking the chains from behind, Yako poured most of his chakra into them.
Kushina gasped!
What? That familiar chakra?
It was unmistakably Uzumaki chakra—the sealing chakra unique to sealing-specialist Uzumaki shinobi!
With overwhelming Uzumaki support, Kushina seized the advantage.
The Nine-Tails' figure shrank dramatically, more of it drawn into Kushina's body.
Half the beast's chest was sealed.
Only its shoulders and head remained outside.
Linmu rejoiced: "Kushina! Amazing!"
The surviving four hundred-plus Senju cheered, working harder with shining faces.
At the battlefield's edge, Hiruzen and Danzo exchanged uneasy looks.
Why did Kushina suddenly surge?
If the Nine-Tails were sealed so swiftly, what use were their plans?
This was a perfect chance to weaken the Senju—and to seize the Senju and Uzumaki sealing scrolls.
Hiruzen glanced at Danzo, who nodded.
Danzo lifted his eye bandage again.
Beneath it, his crimson Sharingan's three tomoe spun rapidly.
At the center, the Nine-Tails had long been irritated by Linmu, who hopped around like a flea despite his strength.
The beast raised a claw, striking at Linmu.
Linmu was familiar with the beast's rhythm, preparing to dodge.
But suddenly, his eyes froze.
Through the chaos of fighting Senju and ANBU, he saw a Sharingan!
Danzo had implanted the Sharingan!
Danzo wanted to kill him!
Before the Nine-Tails transfer seal, Linmu had visited the Uchiha.
Only the Uchiha's Sharingan could influence the seal.
Uchiha clan leader promised no interference—offering aid if needed.
Linmu refused, still bearing many grudges. Some claimed the First Hokage's death resulted from Uchiha provocations.
Where had Danzo gotten such a powerful dōjutsu?
The Nine-Tails' claw pierced Linmu!
At that moment, Koton called out to Yako: "Fox! Check on the Senju clan head!"
Yako's heart leapt—his steady work had earned the captain's trust.
He instantly teleport-jumped beside Linmu.
Charging you up with bloodline power is no easy task, especially juggling Kushina and Linmu.
Unexpectedly, my Senju bloodline is also upper-mid with self-healing.