271-275

Chapter 271: In-Your-Face Provocation 

Provoked beyond measure by Shindai's relentless taunts, Sasori finally unleashed his Third Kazekage Human Puppet. 

Even Tendou Pain and Konan exchanged curious glances. It was clear their current objective was simply to stall for time. Usually, Sasori was so composed. Why was he getting so fired up over a few insults, ready to go all out? 

Well, as they say, "rivals make enemies." The reason Sasori was usually calm was because he didn't care about much else, but puppets were his sole obsession. Being mocked by Shindai like this, enduring it once was already impressive, but continuously? No way, he couldn't stand it! 

"One Hundred Puppet Manipulation!" 

Sasori controlled the Third Kazekage, raising its left arm. From the seal on its forearm, a thousand arms shot out, attacking Kannazuki and Shindai. 

"Trash!" 

Shindai manipulated Kannazuki's arms, transforming them into cannons that fired rockets at the incoming arms. 

Explosions erupted one after another, shattering countless summoned arms into fragments that scattered everywhere. 

"Kannazuki: Iron Sand Dispersion!" 

Kannazuki's entire left arm burst apart, forming countless tiny iron sand pellets that swarmed towards the Third Kazekage and Sasori. 

"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wall!" 

Sasori used the Third Kazekage's iron sand to create a sturdy wall, blocking the iron sand pellets. 

Shindai and Sasori, both controlling Kannazuki and the Third Kazekage, clashed in a battle of Magnet Release. 

Sasori frowned, looking at Shindai's Kannazuki. 

The entire Kannazuki was made of iron sand, rendering physical attacks useless. Plus, as a Magnet Release user, Shindai could control Kannazuki as if it were his own limb. Sasori never expected Shindai to reach such a level with puppets—a puppet technique unique to Shindai's Magnet Release bloodline. 

Kannazuki's right arm transformed into a long iron sand blade, swinging towards the Third Kazekage. 

In response, a giant blade emerged from the Third Kazekage's right sleeve, clashing with Kannazuki's weapon. The two blades collided with a heavy clang, sending iron sand spraying. 

However, Shindai just grinned wickedly. "Tsk tsk tsk, an idiot is an idiot. My puppets are made entirely of iron sand. Iron sand is a natural enemy to puppets, but my Kannazuki is an exception. What about yours? Though the Third Kazekage was a Magnet Release ninja, he's just a puppet now, controlled by you, Sasori of the Red Sand!" 

Sasori's face changed, and he immediately tried to pull the Third Kazekage back. 

But it was too late. 

Kannazuki instantly disintegrated into iron sand, and all of it adhered to the Third Kazekage's body. 

The iron sand furiously squeezed and infiltrated the Third Kazekage Human Puppet's body. Soon, Sasori completely lost control of it. 

"Universal Pull!" 

Tendou Pain pulled the Third Kazekage Human Puppet, now completely covered in iron sand, towards him. 

"Almighty Push!" 

Just as the Third Kazekage was halfway there, a powerful repulsive force slammed into it, blasting the iron sand off its body. 

The severely damaged Third Kazekage, crushed and broken, fell to the ground. 

Sasori immediately connected chakra threads to the Third Kazekage, unrolled a scroll, and sealed the puppet within. 

Seeing this, Shindai curled his lip. He had planned to completely crush the Third Kazekage Human Puppet, but Tendou Pain ruined it. 

The situation seemed stable now; they just needed to keep the three of them contained. 

Shindai scoffed, "How pathetic. You need someone else to help you in a fight between puppet masters? Where's your dignity as a puppet master? You're a shameless, worthless piece of garbage. Do you really think just because people called you a 'genius' for a few years, you actually are one? I've always seen you as a clown! Compared to me, you still have a lot to learn! Your so-called Human Puppets, your 'art'... to me, they're utterly worthless! Just a pile of junk! And that includes you, Sasori!" 

Being mocked so directly, Sasori's eyes turned red. 

Sasori pulled out another scroll, ready to unroll it. 

However, Tendou Pain intervened, "Everything's going smoothly now. No need to create unnecessary trouble here. The plan is more important." 

As Tendou Pain spoke, the space behind him warped, and Obito materialized out of thin air. 

Obito, kunai in hand, plunged it directly into Tendou Pain's back. 

"I'll take out the leader first!" 

Tendou Pain turned his head, his cold Rinnegan meeting Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan. 

Obito's expression shifted from excitement to pure terror. 

His kunai had struck a fatal blow to this guy's back, a lethal wound, yet not only was there no pain, but he showed no change in expression whatsoever? 

Shindai and Kakashi simultaneously yelled at Obito, "Obito! Don't space out! Go intangible, now!" 

But as Obito froze in shock, Tendou Pain's black receiver pierced towards him. 

Obito instinctively raised his arm to block. 

The black rod impaled Obito's arm. 

These black receivers, weapons created with the Rinnegan, could block the opponent's chakra points and disrupt their chakra flow when embedded in their body. 

Because of this, Obito, now impaled by the black rod, couldn't use his Kamui ninjutsu. 

"Chidori!" 

Kakashi gathered a high-intensity current in his hand and charged towards Tendou Pain. 

But Konan's paper-transformed weapons flew towards Kakashi. 

However, Kakashi now had his upgraded monocular. 

This combat assist system could predict the trajectory of objects, allowing Kakashi to easily dodge the paper weapons and continue his advance toward Tendou Pain. 

Yet, Sasori's Hiruko spewed out a massive amount of poisonous mist that Kakashi couldn't avoid. 

Shisui Uchiha immediately used his Body Flicker Technique, grabbed Kakashi, and retreated to safety. 

Obito, however, was fine because Shindai used the magnetic properties he'd imbued in Obito to pull him away. 

Shindai pulled the black rod out of Obito's arm, grumbling, "Can you try not to zone out during a fight?!" 

Obito urgently told Shindai, "I'm telling you, Shindai, that guy isn't human! I hit him in a vital spot, but he acted like nothing happened! And this black rod is messing with my chakra, it's really weird!" 

Shindai rolled his eyes. Because he's not alive, obviously! 

Shindai instructed, "Alright, we don't need to push hard right now. We just need to hold them off. Once Kushina-nee gives birth to Naruto and Lord Minato comes out, they won't have a good time... Wait, what's happening? Why was it triggered?!" 

Shindai's face suddenly changed dramatically, his expression one of disbelief. 

Obito asked confusedly, "What is it? What got triggered?" 

Shindai turned his head to look towards Uzumaki Kushina's delivery room. 

The sphere he gave Uzumaki Kushina had been triggered, meaning there was a fourth person besides these three guys! 

But the barrier seal was intact! 

Shindai's gaze landed on Obito. 

Does the opponent also have space-time abilities?! 

Chapter 272: Naruto's Birth 

Inside the birthing cave, Minato Namikaze could already hear the sounds of battle raging outside. But he trusted in Shindai and the others. His mission right now was to maintain the seal, keeping the Nine-Tails contained. 

With the combined efforts of Kushina Uzumaki, Minato, Biwako Sarutobi, and Taji, Naruto was finally born! 

Kushina shed tears of joy, hearing Naruto's robust cries. Minato, too, was overcome with emotion, wiping away tears as he excitedly exclaimed, "From today on, I'm a dad!" 

Biwako, holding Naruto, chuckled, "He's a very spirited boy." 

Seeing Biwako approach with Naruto, Minato eagerly reached out to hold him, but Biwako stopped him with a firm, "Don't just grab him! He needs to meet his mother first, doesn't he?" 

Biwako gently placed the swaddled Naruto beside Kushina. Kushina looked at her son, a motherly glow gracing her smile. "Naruto... I've finally met you..." 

"Alright, Kushina, now you just relax and rest." Biwako then took Naruto away. 

Minato grasped Kushina's hand. "Kushina, are you okay? Thank you..." 

Kushina looked back at Minato with loving eyes. "Minato..." 

Full of resolve, Minato said, "Alright! Even though you're exhausted from giving birth, I need to make sure the Nine-Tails is completely subdued, then I'll go help Shisui and the others fight." 

"Minato!" Kushina suddenly cried out. 

Behind Minato, a figure wearing a spiral mask and a black cloak suddenly appeared, swinging a ninja blade towards Minato's neck. This masked assailant was Uchiha Setsuna. 

Minato's reaction was incredibly swift. He instantly threw a Flying Raijin kunai behind him, then immediately teleported to Setsuna's back, thrusting his own Flying Raijin kunai. Setsuna's gaze darted to Biwako, then he vanished, only to reappear behind her. 

"Lady Biwako!" Taji pushed Biwako away, taking a cut to her shoulder from Setsuna's blade. 

Naruto, still cradled in Biwako's arms, was snatched away by Setsuna. Setsuna held his ninja blade to Naruto. "Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, now, use that kunai in your hand and stab yourself in the heart! Otherwise, your newborn child will die right before your eyes!" 

Minato glared at Setsuna, baffled as to how this person had so silently breached the barrier. 

"Ugh!" Kushina let out a pained cry. She was incredibly weak, and the seal was now partially undone. Her overwhelming worry for newborn Naruto caused the Nine-Tails to struggle, further weakening the seal. 

Setsuna urged him on, "Hurry up! Do you want to see your child die immediately before your eyes?" Setsuna's blade inched closer to Naruto. 

Minato frantically responded, "Wait! Calm down!" 

Suddenly, from the orb beside Kushina, several sand-iron needles shot out, aiming for Setsuna's head. Shindai's orb was a pure trap mechanism. There were only four people in the birthing room, plus the newborn Naruto, making five. If a sixth person appeared, the orb would scan and trigger the trap, locking onto that sixth person and firing sand-iron needles. 

Setsuna instinctively raised his blade to block the needles. Minato immediately used the Body Flicker Jutsu, snatching Naruto from Setsuna's grasp. Minato's Flying Raijin kunai clashed with Setsuna's ninja blade. 

"As expected of the Yellow Flash, even your regular Body Flicker is incredibly fast. But what will you do now?" 

A sizzling sound came from Naruto in Minato's arms. It was the sound of explosive tags. Setsuna had placed several explosive tags on Naruto's swaddling cloth. If those tags exploded, the cave would collapse, and Kushina would be in danger. 

Minato quickly stripped off Naruto's swaddling while using the Flying Raijin Jutsu, teleporting himself and Naruto into a nearby wooden hut. He tossed the swaddling to the ground, then burst out of the hut with Naruto. The explosive tags detonated, destroying the hut. Minato and Naruto were safe, though it was a close call. 

Naruto cried in Minato's arms. Minato wiped sweat from his brow. "Good, Naruto's not hurt." His expression then turned grim. That masked person wanted to kill him, and now Kushina was in danger. 

Inside the cave, "Tch, he's fast. Killing him outright is proving difficult. There'll be another chance later. For now, I'll just take you." Setsuna looked at Kushina. 

"You won't!" Biwako and Taji stood in front of Kushina, kunai in hand. 

However, Setsuna instantly appeared behind them, intending to strike them down. But the orb by Kushina once again fired multiple sand-iron needles. 

"What in the world is that?! Never mind, the plan is more important." Before the sand-iron needles could hit Setsuna, he reached out and touched Kushina, then instantly vanished. 

Biwako and Taji stood frozen, stunned. They just disappeared? Biwako's expression became incredibly serious. "It's a Space-Time Ninjutsu, similar to Minato's Flying Raijin! This is bad!" 

Outside the cave, Pain (Tendo) told Konan and Sasori, "Obito has succeeded. Let's retreat for now." Pain (Tendo), Konan, and Sasori used the Body Flicker Jutsu to withdraw. 

Shisui Uchiha was about to lead a pursuit when Biwako, who had emerged from the barrier, shouted, "Don't chase them! Kushina has been taken by a masked person, and the seal is extremely weak! The most important thing right now is Kushina!" 

Everyone's expressions changed. Shindai immediately shot off, with Obito and Kakashi hot on his heels, anxiously asking, "Shindai, where are you going?" 

Shindai urgently replied, "I don't know, but we have to find Sister Kushina quickly! Let's split up and search!" 

"Alright!" Obito and Kakashi headed off in two different directions. 

Shindai was incredibly anxious. He had thought there were only three enemies, but it turned out Pain (Tendo), Konan, and Sasori were just a diversion. And Black Zetsu had found another person who could use Space-Time Ninjutsu. This was truly troublesome. If things continued this way, the Nine-Tails might still break free! 

Chapter 273: Foresight 

Shindai, Obito, and Kakashi split up, each going their own way to search for Kushina Uzumaki, who had been taken by Uchiha Setsuna. 

Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze used his Flying Raijin Jutsu once more to return home. He gently placed a tired, sleeping Naruto on the bed and pulled the blanket over him. 

"Naruto, wait here for just a little bit. I need to go save your mom, fast." 

Kushina Uzumaki, meanwhile, was bound by cursed seals to a stone pillar in the middle of a lake. Extremely weakened, she couldn't muster any strength, her eyes wearily fixed on the masked Uchiha Setsuna in front of her. "What... what do you want?" 

"To rip the Nine-Tails out of your body, and then destroy the Hidden Leaf Village!" 

Kushina's eyes widened in horror. "What did you say?!" 

Uchiha Setsuna scoffed, "Instantaneous movement from a space with a jutsu mark to another. That's Minato Namikaze's Body Flicker Jutsu. That mark, it seems, was also drawn within your sealing formula. Normally, Minato Namikaze protects you, but he's not by your side now. And because of childbirth, the Nine-Tails' seal has been weakened. How could I possibly let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away? It's a shame, though, that I couldn't kill Minato Namikaze." 

Uchiha Setsuna's eyes transformed into the Mangekyo Sharingan. 

The Nine-Tails within Kushina, filled with hatred, saw Setsuna's eyes through Kushina's own. 

The Mangekyo Sharingan! 

And the Nine-Tails' eyes also took on the appearance of the Sharingan. 

The Nine-Tails had fallen under a genjutsu. 

Controlled by the illusion, the Nine-Tails began to violently tear at its seal. 

Kushina's seal had been broken, and a massive amount of Nine-Tails chakra poured out from a dark, gaping hole in her abdomen. Kushina's entire body became enveloped in red Nine-Tails chakra. 

"Alright, come out! Nine-Tails!" 

All of the Nine-Tails' chakra burst forth from Kushina's abdomen, and the Nine-Tails took on a physical form, completely freed from Kushina's body. 

The colossal Nine-Tails roared incessantly. 

Uchiha Setsuna looked at the Nine-Tails, a look of pure satisfaction beneath his mask. "Excellent. Now, let's go to the Hidden Leaf Village." 

Kushina weakly lifted her head. "St-Stop..." 

"The Uzumaki clan truly is incredible. Even with a Tailed Beast extracted, they don't die immediately. But since you were the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, I'll just have this guy kill you!" 

Uchiha Setsuna manipulated the Nine-Tails, sending a punch crashing down towards Kushina. 

However, a yellow flash streaked by. Uchiha Setsuna looked up at the treetop, where Minato Namikaze stood, holding Kushina. 

Uchiha Setsuna sneered, "Indeed, you live up to your 'Yellow Flash' name. But, it's already too late." 

Kushina, weak in Minato's arms, asked, "Naruto... is Naruto alright?" 

Minato looked at Kushina with concern and replied, "Yes, Naruto's fine. He's at home right now." 

"That's good... Minato, you have to stop that man and the Nine-Tails, they're going to flatten the Leaf Village..." 

For the first time, Minato's gaze turned fierce as he looked at Uchiha Setsuna, then vanished from the spot. 

"Hmph, he flew away again. No matter, let's go to the Hidden Leaf Village." 

Minato used the Flying Raijin, carrying Kushina back to their home. 

Kushina didn't understand why Minato hadn't stopped the man just now and asked confusedly, "Why, Minato..." 

"Kushina, don't worry about it. Stay by Naruto's side." 

Minato placed Kushina next to Naruto. 

Kushina reached out and hugged the sleeping Naruto, affectionately resting her forehead against his. 

Just then, a snake slithered to the bedside. 

The snake transformed into a puff of smoke, revealing Orochimaru. 

"Lord Orochimaru?" 

Orochimaru looked at the weakened Kushina and said, "That brat called me here. He seemed to have anticipated something like this happening. Inject this into Kushina." 

Orochimaru handed Minato a syringe. 

Minato looked at the syringe in his hand, confused. "What is this?" 

Orochimaru explained, "The reason jinchuriki die when their Tailed Beast is extracted is because the Tailed Beast's chakra merges with the jinchuriki's own chakra. When the Tailed Beast is removed, the jinchuriki's life force is rapidly drained, leading to death. Kushina is an Uzumaki, so she has a strong life force, but it's still draining quickly now. This injection can effectively slow down that life force drain..." 

Orochimaru hadn't even finished speaking before Minato had already plunged the syringe into Kushina's arm, injecting the contents. 

Orochimaru continued, "But it can only slow it down. That means you need to re-seal the Nine-Tails inside Kushina before her life force runs out. However, Kushina's current physical condition cannot withstand the full power of an entire Tailed Beast. You'll have to figure out a way to resolve that yourself." 

Minato nodded solemnly. "I'll figure out how to stop that guy and re-seal the Nine-Tails into Kushina immediately!" 

Orochimaru pressed his hand to his ear. "What you asked me to do is done." 

Shindai's voice came through the earpiece in Orochimaru's ear. "Thank you so much, Lord Orochimaru!" 

"Is that Shindai?" Minato inquired. 

Orochimaru nodded. "Yes, it's him. Go ahead and do what you need to do." 

Minato put on his Hokage ceremonial robe and told Kushina, "I'll be right back!" 

Hearing that Orochimaru had injected Kushina with the medicine, Shindai let out a sigh of relief. 

"I truly had foresight, but... now's when things get really tricky, Nine-Tails..." 

Uchiha Setsuna had already appeared on the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village. 

"It's been a long time, this place. But now, be destroyed! Summoning Jutsu!" 

Uchiha Setsuna placed his hands on the ground, and the summoning jutsu formula appeared. 

A massive cloud of smoke erupted, and the colossal Nine-Tails appeared within the Hidden Leaf Village. 

The villagers saw the Nine-Tails, their eyes filled with terror. 

"The Nine-Tails!" 

Watching the Nine-Tails wreak havoc, Uchiha Setsuna let out a wild laugh. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi, having learned the situation from Biwako Sarutobi and others who had rushed back to the Leaf, had already assembled the ninja forces. 

Standing before Hiruzen Sarutobi were all of the Hidden Leaf's elite ninja. 

Fugaku Uchiha, leading his Uchiha clan members, stood among them. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi announced, "The Nine-Tails has appeared! All ninja not involved in the main fight, protect non-combatants and evacuate the villagers. We will suppress the Nine-Tails! Now, everyone, follow me! Engage the Nine-Tails!" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi led the ninja force to attack the Nine-Tails. 

But the Nine-Tails' power was simply too overwhelming; it was taking them down one by one with single swipes. 

Even worse, Tendou Pain, Konan, and Sasori appeared as well, blocking Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, hindering their efforts to fight the Nine-Tails. 

--- 

Chapter 274: Plans Go Awry 

Shindai had flown back to Konoha, and seeing the Nine-Tails causing widespread destruction, his scalp tingled. "This monster... can I really stop it?" A flicker of fear, a desire to run, crossed Shindai's mind. 

He took several deep breaths, steeling himself. "No, I can't run! Pakura, Akia, Sister Kushina, Lord Minato, and Obito are all here! If I run now, I'll be branded a coward for the rest of my life!" 

"I am Hashirama Senju, I am the God of Shinobi! The Nine-Tails is my pet, I can handle it easily! Yes, I am a god!" 

Having successfully brainwashed himself, Shindai looked at the Nine-Tails in the distance with firm eyes. "I'm a true man! Even if I can't, I have to! Just hold out until Obito and the others arrive!" 

Shindai seized the opportunity and flew behind the Nine-Tails, placing both hands on its immense body. 

"Magnet Release! Magnetization Jutsu!" 

Shindai magnetized the entire colossal body of the Nine-Tails. Then, he performed hand seals and clapped his hands together. 

"Magnet Release! Super Magnetic Gravity!" 

Shindai used the Earth's magnetic field to interact with the magnetized Nine-Tails. The powerful attraction instantly forced the Nine-Tails to the ground. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was directing the battle, frowned, looking confused at the Nine-Tails sprawled on the ground. What's going on? Is the Nine-Tails preparing some huge attack? 

"Third Hokage! Over there is... Shindai!" A Hyuga clan ninja pointed at Shindai in mid-air, informing Hiruzen. 

"Shindai is controlling the Nine-Tails?! Now's our chance! Attack the Nine-Tails!" Hiruzen decisively ordered all the ninjas to attack the Nine-Tails. 

Various ninjutsu, explosive tags, and shuriken rained down on the Nine-Tails in a torrent. 

"Almighty Push!" 

Pain (Deva Path) intervened, using repulsion to deflect Hiruzen's group's attacks. Hiruzen and the others gnashed their teeth, glaring at Pain and his two allies who were obstructing them. 

Meanwhile, Shindai was barely holding on. Maintaining such intense magnetism was draining too much of his chakra. 

"Chidori!" 

The sound of a thousand birds chirping echoed as Kakashi, with a high-density current crackling in his right hand, charged towards the Nine-Tails' head. Shindai was bewildered. What is Kakashi doing? Is he trying to tickle the Nine-Tails? 

Kakashi leaped, getting dangerously close to the Nine-Tails' massive head. The Nine-Tails' crimson eyes glared at Kakashi, opening its maw to swallow him. Kakashi violently thrust his right hand into the Nine-Tails' left eye. The Nine-Tails' left eye snapped shut as it roared in pain. Shindai instinctively covered his own left eye; it just looked painful. 

The Nine-Tails' roar sent Kakashi flying back. Shindai swiftly flew over and caught Kakashi. "You actually thought of that! Stabbing its eye!" 

Kakashi replied helplessly, "No choice. It seemed like the Nine-Tails' eyes were its most vulnerable point, but... it didn't seem to do much." 

The Nine-Tails was a pure chakra entity. Although Kakashi had struck its eye, it quickly recovered and opened its eye again. However, the Nine-Tails became even more enraged, directly breaking free from Shindai's magnetic gravity. It then swung its arm towards Shindai and Kakashi. 

Shindai was about to make a run for it with Kakashi, but then they didn't need to. 

"Kamui!" 

Obito used Kamui to twist the Nine-Tails' arm. Shindai yelled to Obito, "Obito, use your Mangekyo Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails!" 

Akiha Uchiha's voice came through Shindai's earpiece. "It's impossible!" 

Shindai asked, confused, "Why?" 

Akiha explained, "While the Mangekyo Sharingan's eye power can indeed cast genjutsu to control Tailed Beasts, the amount of chakra consumed is immense, and it needs to be maintained. Otherwise, controlling it for a few seconds is meaningless. Furthermore, the Nine-Tails is currently under a Sharingan genjutsu. Unless someone with stronger eye power can overwrite it, there's no way to control the Nine-Tails. The eye power of the person controlling the Nine-Tails is incredibly strong. Doesn't that person's eye go blind?" 

Shindai's brows furrowed tightly. Hashirama cells! A Mangekyo Sharingan that doesn't go blind—besides the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan—that only leaves Hashirama cells. This meant that whichever Uchiha this was, just like Obito in the original timeline, had been implanted with Hashirama cells, allowing them to maintain genjutsu control over the Nine-Tails without fear of blindness. The initial plan of using Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails wouldn't work. This was a huge problem. 

Minato Namikaze had already appeared on the Hokage Rock. "Bearing the name of Hokage, protecting the families in the village, this is my duty! I won't let you run wild!" 

The Nine-Tails, with its incredible self-healing ability, had already regenerated its twisted arm. It spotted Minato, instantly gathering a Tailed Beast Bomb and firing it towards him. 

"You won't destroy this place!" Minato performed hand seals, using the Flying Raijin Jutsu formula on his kunai as a medium. 

"Flying Raijin Guiding Thunder!" 

A jutsu formula appeared out of thin air, and the Tailed Beast Bomb was drawn into it, transferring it outside Konoha Village. The Tailed Beast Bomb exploded, creating a blinding light and a deafening roar outside the village. 

Before Shindai could even feel relieved, he saw someone appear behind Minato, swinging a ninja blade at him. Minato immediately spun around, countering with the Flying Raijin kunai in his hand. The Flying Raijin kunai and the ninja blade clashed. 

"Your opponent is me, Minato Namikaze, and I win!" Uchiha Setsuna instantly vanished, only to reappear to Minato's right, thrusting his ninja blade at Minato's neck from an extremely close range. 

Just as the ninja blade was about to strike Minato, he used the Flying Raijin Jutsu formula to instantly shift his position. Setsuna, having missed, scoffed, "You're fast, but you won't escape, Minato Namikaze." Setsuna then vanished from his spot. 

Shindai was completely rattled. What do we do now? 

Kakashi, still being held by Shindai, anxiously exclaimed, "This is bad! The Nine-Tails is gathering another Tailed Beast Bomb!" 

Shindai spoke into his earpiece to Akiha Uchiha. "Akia, transfer your chakra to me!" 

The moment Shindai finished speaking, his entire body was enveloped in dense chakra. Shindai, by merging and compressing two opposing magnetic fields, formed a Supernova Wheel in his hands. 

"Magnet Release! Supernova Wheel!" 

Shindai hurled the Supernova Wheel from his hand. Shindai's Supernova Wheel collided with the Nine-Tails' still-forming Tailed Beast Bomb. An incredibly powerful explosion erupted. The violent explosion generated by the two jutsu blasted the Nine-Tails to the ground. 

Sasori, who was harassing the Konoha ninja alongside Pain (Deva Path) and Konan, stared in astonishment at the fallen Nine-Tails. Since when did Magnet Release ninjutsu become this powerful?! 

The shockwave from the explosion sent Shindai, whose chakra was instantly depleted, and Kakashi flying. Just as Shindai and Kakashi were about to hit the ground, Pakura appeared behind Shindai, catching him and grabbing Kakashi. 

Pakura asked worriedly, "Are you two alright?" 

Shindai shook his head. "I'm fine, but my chakra is almost gone." 

Kakashi also replied, "I'm fine too." 

While they were mostly unharmed, they were about to be, because the Nine-Tails' massive paw was coming down on them! 

"Amaterasu!" 

Akiha Uchiha appeared not far from the trio, activating her Mangekyo Sharingan and unleashing the black Amaterasu flames, which began to burn on the Nine-Tails' body. 

"Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi!" 

The black Amaterasu flames instantly spread across the Nine-Tails' body, incinerating it and stopping its movements. The Nine-Tails roared in pain, but as it roared, the red Tailed Beast chakra enveloped the Amaterasu flames, peeling them away from its body. 

Akiha frowned and clicked her tongue. "As expected, it's not working." 

Chapter 275: Are You... Sasuke?! 

Uchiha Hikari unleashed Amaterasu and then used Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi to manipulate its form, covering the entire Nine-Tails' body in black flames. 

But as anyone who knows Amaterasu understands, the Nine-Tails simply peeled off the black flames using its own Tailed Beast chakra. 

Shindai stared at Uchiha Hikari, completely shocked. "Whoa, Amaterasu? Kagutsuchi?! You're not, like, a future Sasuke, are you?!" 

Now that he thought about it, Uchiha Hikari did have a bit of that future Sasuke vibe, especially that arrogant streak. 

Uchiha Hikari frowned. "What in the world are you rambling about? Just get out of here, you're still in the Nine-Tails' attack range." 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Hidden Leaf. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was grim as he looked at the three individuals blocking their path. Just three people, yet they had managed to halt their elite force, meant to stop the Nine-Tails. Hiruzen was incredibly anxious; if this dragged on any longer, the Hidden Leaf would be in grave danger. 

Just as Hiruzen was about to try another counterattack, Fugaku Uchiha spoke to him. "Third Hokage, I'll go intercept the Nine-Tails! I'll do whatever it takes to push it out of the village!" 

Hiruzen frowned. "That's the Nine-Tails, Fugaku! Don't be reckless!" 

Fugaku's voice was resolute. "I can do it! For the Hidden Leaf, to repay the trust the Fourth Hokage placed in the Uchiha, I will give my all! Even if I die fighting in the Leaf! So, please, Third Hokage, cover me!" 

Seeing the determined look in Fugaku's eyes, Hiruzen decided to trust him. "Alright!" 

"Everyone! Attack!" 

Hiruzen, wielding the Adamantine Staff transformed from Enma, charged forward, with the ninjas close behind him. 

Tendou Pain raised his hands, aiming at Hiruzen and the others. 

"Almighty Push!" 

An incredibly powerful repulsive force swept over them, sending Hiruzen and his comrades flying. 

The instant the repulsion ended, Shisui Uchiha's phantom clones surrounded Tendou Pain, Konan, and Sasori. 

"I've found the weakness of your jutsu. After you use it, there's a five-second delay before you can use it again," Shisui's eyes blazed with fury. "Unforgivable! To bring such destruction to the Hidden Leaf!" 

All of Shisui's phantom clones charged towards Tendou Pain, Konan, and Sasori. 

Konan and Sasori continuously attacked with paper weapons and puppet mechanisms. 

However, Shisui's main body wasn't among them, and these phantom clones didn't disappear when attacked. 

Meanwhile, Tendou Pain was counting down the seconds. 

As Tendou Pain counted to one and was about to raise his hand to use Almighty Push again, a katana pierced through his chest. 

Shisui Uchiha's scarlet Mangekyo Sharingan glared at Tendou Pain with hate. "Die!" 

Tendou Pain remained expressionless, his voice devoid of any change. "How naive." 

Tendou Pain, completely unaffected, plunged a black rod into Shisui Uchiha's abdomen. 

"Almighty Push!" 

A powerful repulsive force reappeared, blasting Shisui Uchiha away. 

As he was sent flying backward, Shisui looked at the increasingly distant Tendou Pain in disbelief. 

His katana had clearly gone through Tendou Pain's heart! 

On the other side. 

Fugaku Uchiha successfully broke through Tendou Pain and the other two's blockade, appearing before the Nine-Tails. 

Fugaku looked at the Nine-Tails with cold eyes, both of them now Mangekyo Sharingan. 

"Susanoo!" 

A giant yellow skeletal frame enveloped Fugaku. 

Then, the skeleton 'grew' muscles and flesh, encased in chakra resembling an outer garment, which was then covered by a Karasu Tengu-like armor, and a massive ninja blade appeared in its hand. 

Fugaku Uchiha had activated the Third Stage Susanoo. 

Fugaku controlled the Susanoo, slashing at the Nine-Tails with his blade. 

The Nine-Tails swung its fist, and the fist collided with the ninja blade, sending a hurricane-force wind sweeping outwards. 

Fugaku Uchiha's Susanoo and the Nine-Tails engaged in fierce combat. 

The Uchiha clan members watched Fugaku with pride. 

They never imagined their clan head had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and unlocked the third power dwelling within it, the Susanoo, often called the power of a god. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh of relief. 

With Fugaku Uchiha holding off the Nine-Tails, their pressure was significantly reduced. 

Now... they could focus on dealing with these three individuals in front of them and then immediately provide backup. 

Shindai, who was currently gathering chakra, breathed a sigh of relief at the appearance of the Susanoo. 

Looks like the Sharingan always comes through. 

Kakashi had already gone to provide backup again. 

Uchiha Hikari squinted at the Susanoo. "The Third Stage Susanoo consumes a massive amount of chakra and is extremely unstable. A normal Mangekyo user can't maintain this form for long. This won't be enough to push the Nine-Tails out of the village." 

Shindai, still gathering chakra, yelled, "Don't just stand there, Asuka! You and Pakura, quickly gather some chakra! We might need your chakra for me later!" 

Pakura worried, "I wonder how Kushina-nee is doing." 

Shindai replied, "She's fine for now. Right now, we need to find a way to suppress the Nine-Tails. Lord Minato must be held up by that masked guy. What we need to do now is wait for Lord Minato to return, then re-seal the Nine-Tails back into Kushina-nee's body!" 

Shindai, Uchiha Hikari, and Pakura all began gathering chakra. 

Tendou Pain glanced sideways at Fugaku Uchiha's Susanoo, internally assessing the current situation. 

Fugaku Uchiha also had the Mangekyo Sharingan. Including the recently encountered Shisui Uchiha and Obito, the Hidden Leaf now had three individuals with the Mangekyo Sharingan, meaning they could activate three Susanoo. 

And the weakness of his Almighty Push had been discovered, Sasori's puppets were basically used up, and Konan was running low on chakra. 

The situation was now unfavorable for them, so there was no need to stay any longer. 

The Hidden Leaf was still the Hidden Leaf. Relying on just one Nine-Tails to destroy it was indeed too fanciful. 

However, they had still managed to weaken the Hidden Leaf's strength. 

Tendou Pain grabbed Konan and Sasori, used the repulsive force of Almighty Push to launch them into the air, and decisively retreated. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. "Are they retreating? No time to worry about them now! Everyone, follow me! Let's go confront the Nine-Tails!" 

In the Hidden Leaf forest. 

Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Setsuna had already clashed several times. 

Uchiha Setsuna's space-time teleportation didn't require a medium like Minato's Flying Raijin Kunai, making him more flexible. 

However, this didn't mean Uchiha Setsuna was faster than Minato. Minato was still faster, but for now, they were evenly matched.