It was a pity that the Nine-Tails himself had never seen the Sage of Six Paths when he was young, so he didn't know what the old man's chakra was like back then.
But that didn't stop him from being sure of his instincts.
Including the final words left behind by the Sage of Six Paths—Kurama was now more certain than ever that they were meant to protect Uchiha Hikaru, the illegitimate son.
However, Uchiha Hikaru had no idea that Kurama had already imagined such elaborate scenarios in his mind.
The red chakra continued to envelop Naruto. Though he could still sense the negative emotions within Kurama's chakra, it was clear that these emotions were no longer directed at him. Instead, they were focused entirely on Mukade, who was several hundred meters ahead.
At the same time, Uchiha Hikaru kept resonating with Kurama's chakra, and Susanoo's form continued to shield both Naruto and the Nine-Tails.
By the time the transformation was complete, Naruto—fully merged with the Tailed Beast—was clad in jet-black armor formed from Hikaru's Susanoo. Even Sword had joined in, integrating with the Susanoo's outer plating on Kurama's tails and claws.
Minato stared at the war-ready Nine-Tails in front of him, covered head to toe in Hikaru's Susanoo like a battle weapon forged for the end of the world.
He couldn't help but think of the forbidden name in Konoha—Uchiha Madara.
"If that Ninja Shura hadn't left the village along with the First Hokage..."
"A Buddha of Susanoo... Konoha would never have fallen this far..."
At the same moment the complete Susanoo formed, the chakra line connecting Mukade to the dragon vein was severed by his own spider-like legs.
"Reached its limit already?"
"Uchiha Hikaru, Uzumaki Naruto—prepare to die!"
Mukade unleashed his Eight Spider Lances and lunged forward at full speed, tearing the ground apart and kicking up clouds of dust and smoke.
But Hikaru, Naruto, and Kurama moved like a fully synchronized Pacific Rim mech, swift and fluid.
After all, Hikaru had said this was Kurama's moment to cut loose. He and Naruto were merely support—Kurama would control the battlefield.
The area was still filled with Rōran refugees, so large-scale ninjutsu was out of the question. Right now, pure taijutsu was the best approach.
And in terms of controlling a massive beast, neither Hikaru nor Naruto had much experience fighting on four legs. Kurama was clearly the better choice.
With centuries of battle instincts—even primal ones—Kurama's control far surpassed either of his human partners.
Kurama roared, slammed his tails to the ground, and surged forward on all fours toward Mukade.
Mukade, anticipating the strike, aimed his Eight Spider Lances to pierce Kurama—only for Hikaru to infuse Susanoo's power into the tails.
Kurama grinned savagely, his blood-red pupils blazing with fighting spirit.
"You repulsive insect—you dare to take me head-on?"
In an instant, he struck with nine massive steel-like tails toward Mukade's lances.
By logic, tails should lose to spears. But these weren't ordinary tails—they were reinforced by Hikaru's Susanoo and armed with the weaponized will of Sword. They were steel forged from chakra and fury!
It was like Pikachu using Iron Tail—but deadly serious.
Even Dragonite's strongest tail attack wouldn't match this!
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Tail and lance clashed mid-air in a flurry of sparks. Mukade's Eight Spider Lances shrank back, transforming into a mist of violet chakra that Sword hungrily absorbed.
Mukade's expression twisted in horror. He had completely forgotten how terrifying Hikaru's weapon truly was.
He had watched it drain half the dragon vein's chakra once before. Then he'd become so distracted by Sword's ever-evolving form, its beauty and power, that he forgot the danger.
He yanked back his lances—only to be struck full-on by Kurama, sent flying and tumbling over a hundred meters before skidding to a stop.
Desperate, he drove the Eight Spider Lances into the dragon vein altar again to recharge.
But Hikaru, Naruto, and Kurama were not about to give him another chance.
They charged.
Kurama raised his dark claws high, chakra surging.
Then—
SLASH!
The Eight Spider Lances shattered in half. Hikaru immediately released Sword from Susanoo's armor plating.
"Sword, go absorb the dragon vein's chakra."
"Leave the rest to us."
With a black flash, Sword appeared atop the half-destroyed altar. Now in human form, she turned and gave Hikaru a playful wink.
"Then I won't hold back~"
She licked her lips, voice dripping with mischief and seduction.
"Little dragon vein~ I'm coming for you~"
"Be ready to be devoured~"
Kurama shot forward like a demon unleashed, an orange-black blur that exploded toward Mukade.
He landed with a brutal slash of his claws.
"You wanted to kill me before, didn't you?"
"I'm your Jinchūriki. Only I get to bully you. Who the hell do you think you are?"
At that moment, Kurama transformed into a second fox entirely—feral, unhinged, howling as he shredded Mukade's armor and flesh with wild slashes.
Mukade could barely breathe, overcome by confusion and dread.
What the hell was this?
There wouldn't be a third time.
He was done being the punching bag for these freaks.
His memories flooded back like a film reel.
He'd run once—used the dragon vein to travel back in time.
He came again, only to be flattened by the Rasengan of Destiny.
He had spent over a decade buried in the dragon vein, stewing in solitude, only to rise again... and meet Uchiha Hikaru.
"This world is insane..."
"I don't wanna rule it anymore…"
"I just wanna go home...!"
But none of those thoughts made it out of his mouth. Kurama didn't let him speak.
Hikaru saw it too—Mukade had lost the will to fight.
But there was no mercy in his eyes.
This man had committed genocide against the people of Rōran—twice. There would be no forgiveness.
Their thoughts synced—Hikaru, Naruto, Kurama.
"One last strike."
Susanoo's armored hands came together and pulled apart, forming a massive black and red Rasengan between them.
From the sidelines, Minato's gaze locked on the technique—and his usual naming obsession kicked in.
"That technique... let's call it—'Dark Masked Nine-Tails: Splendor Before Dawn - Giant Spiral Chariot'..."
…(.-∀-)♡
(≧◡≦)
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