Hyuga Clan Residence – Midnight
Hiashi Hyuga sat restlessly in his study. Even though the Third Hokage had assured him that this issue would not drag the Hyuga Clan too deep, Hiashi's heart remained uneasy.
As the head of one of Konoha's most influential clans, Hiashi understood the current state of the village all too well.
After the Kyuubi Incident, Konoha had lost many of its top forces—including the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Numerous elite jonin had also perished during the disaster.
Such a power vacuum could not be filled quickly. It took years, even decades, to raise a top-class ninja. Not everyone could rise like a prodigy in just three years.
Hiashi knew—if this situation reached a dead end, he, as the head of the main family, might have to sacrifice himself.
As a leader, he must be ready to choose "the greater good" over "the smaller good."
While he was deep in thought, a knock sounded at the door.
"Brother, are you still awake?"
"Come in, Hizashi."
The figure who entered bore a face almost identical to Hiashi's, though his demeanor was noticeably calmer.
"Still thinking at this hour, brother?"
Hiashi nodded. "Kumogakure is trying to ensnare me with a cunning ploy. If the Hokage fails to resolve it... I may have to become the sacrifice myself."
Hizashi tensed immediately. "Brother, no! You're the head of the main family. You must not fall into their hands!"
Hiashi stared deeply at his brother. "If my death can protect Konoha and prevent a war, then—"
"Then let me take your place!" Hizashi cut in sharply.
"Don't speak nonsense! What about Neji?!"
"And if you die, what about Hinata?! What about the entire clan?!"
Hiashi was stunned. He couldn't find an answer.
At that moment, the door opened again, and an elder figure with Byakugan eyes stood at the threshold—the Hyuga Clan's Elder.
"Hiashi, Hizashi is right. You are the main heir—you must not die. If a sacrifice is needed... let it come from the branch family."
Hiashi tried to protest, but—
Tap!
Hizashi struck a tenketsu point on Hiashi's body, making his brother collapse unconscious.
"This isn't about the clan... or about tradition... This is my choice as a younger brother," Hizashi said softly.
"Because you are my brother. And because... I love my family."
He looked at the Elder firmly and said, "Let's go to the Hokage's residence."
Fire Country Border – At Dawn
The morning wind bit into the skin. All Konoha shinobi had gathered around the Watchtower. Standing before them was a woman with blazing red hair—Uzumaki Kushina.
Her aura burned like fire. Her chakra pressure wrapped the field with both warmth... and danger.
One of the jonin reported, "Kushina-sama, the guard forces are ready."
Kushina nodded, then turned to address everyone.
"This place... is our last line of defense. Behind us are our families, children, friends... everything we protect."
"I won't give a long speech. I'll only ask for one thing: If they come, stand your ground. If you must fall... make sure you fall as a shinobi of Konoha."
Kushina's voice was gentle but unwavering. The entire formation responded in unison:
"Ready, Kushina-sama!"
Kushina nodded. "Then... let's protect our village."
Kumogakure Side – Same Time
On the other side of the border forest, the Fourth Raikage strode steadily among his forces.
"It's time," his aide said.
"Good. Let's put some pressure on them."
However, as they pushed through the forest, the Raikage suddenly halted.
"Stop. Something's wrong."
He narrowed his eyes toward the front.
"Come out! I know you're there!"
From the shadows, Kushina emerged, her steps calm but lethal.
"Long time no see, Raikage-dono," she said with a faint smile.
The Raikage squinted. "You... Kushina. You should've died along with Minato."
"I'm alive, standing here... to make sure none of you lay a finger on our village."
"Such arrogance. What can you do alone?"
Kushina touched the Konoha symbol on her arm.
"I am Uzumaki Kushina, the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, wife of the Fourth Hokage, and... the guardian of Konoha."
"Then let's see who's stronger!"
Two massive forces prepared to clash. The wind stilled. The world held its breath.
The great battle on the brink of war had begun.
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[Note:]
Before anyone asks why Kushina didn't use Adamantine Sealing Chains and such... remember, the Fourth Raikage could evade Sasuke's Amaterasu, which activates via Mangekyo vision. Using complex techniques would just waste unnecessary chakra.
And if you're wondering why Kushina doesn't seem "overpowered," imagine her like Sasuke after first awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan—not fully adapted yet to the boost.
Oh, and importantly: since Kushina started with Partial Transformation, her KCM (Kyubi Chakra Mode) later will be slightly different from Naruto's KCM 1 and KCM 2.
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Kushina stood tall on the battlefield, her body torn in several places, her green kimono stained with dust and blood. But the most striking features were the nine fiery red tails swaying behind her and the pair of fox ears standing atop her head—her Partial Transformation of the Kyuubi.
The Fourth Raikage narrowed his eyes sharply at the sight.
"So... the rumors that you've become a perfect jinchūriki like my brother Killer B... weren't just talk. Hmph. Truly worthy of being the wife of the Fourth Hokage. Or should I call you... Kitsune Hime?"
Normally, Kushina would have blushed, gotten angry, and exploded at such an embarrassing nickname. But this time, she didn't even flinch. The Raikage moved faster than her reaction.
ZRAK!!
The Raikage's body erupted in lightning—Lightning Release Chakra Mode Lv.2.
'So fast!' Kushina thought, barely able to follow him with her ordinary eyes. She crossed her tails to block the attack, but—
DUARRRR!!
A direct hit to her stomach sent Kushina flying dozens of meters, smashing through rocks and earth. She rolled several times before kneeling, five tails supporting her balance, two shielding her back.
"Hmph. If that's all you've got, you're no match for me," the Raikage mocked.
Kushina slowly raised her head, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. She wiped it with her green sleeve and stared at the Raikage, her eyes now ablaze—not with anger, but with unbreakable resolve.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed inside her mind.
"Release your seal, Kushina. It's time."
Kushina's eyes widened. "Kurama...? Are you serious?"
"Tch! Stop asking stupid questions. If you don't want to die here, do it. You can't hold back with half-baked power."
"...Kurama... you—trust me?"
"HMPH! Don't get the wrong idea, you stubborn woman. I just don't want my body destroyed along with you. That's all!"
Kushina smiled faintly. Despite the tsundere response, her heart warmed.
"Thank you, Kurama."
"...Don't die, you fool."
With firm resolve, Kushina entered her inner world—a dark realm with a giant iron gate sealing the colossal fox within. Kurama gazed at her with burning red eyes.
Without hesitation, Kushina raised her hand and tore open the seal.
BRRRAK!!!
A surge of chakra exploded from within her, not wild but flowing like a powerful, soothing sun bursting through storm clouds.
In reality, in a mere fraction of a second, Kushina's body was cloaked in a radiant golden aura.
Wushhhhh!
The air vibrated; the ground beneath her cracked and glowed. All shinobi from both Konoha and Kumogakure instinctively stepped back.
Even the Raikage stepped back once, his eyes widening as he growled:
"Golden chakra... this... this is... the perfect form?!"
Kushina stood in the center of the battlefield, her red hair now gleaming gold, her fox ears and tails glowing brilliantly. Her eyes shone like the morning star.
"Care to try again, Raikage-dono? This time... I won't be holding back."
The new battle began.