c97: Action, Suggestion
Within moments of the Nine-Tails' deafening roar, many Konoha ninjas—driven by duty and loyalty rushed back to their homes, donned their shinobi armor and flak jackets, and, under the worried gaze of their families, leapt toward the origin of the chaos.
As minutes passed, more and more shinobi streamed toward the heart of the village, regardless of rank or risk jōnin, chūnin, even genin joined the surge. But as the genin raced to the scene, they were intercepted and turned back by experienced chūnin and jōnin.
"The battlefield isn't for you! Get back and assist with evacuation!"
Against a force like the full Nine-Tails, genin were not even distractions their ninjutsu couldn't pierce its fur, their taijutsu couldn't shake its toes. Their presence would only hinder. Only those qualified to wear the standard Konoha flak jacket chūnin and jōnin were granted the right to fight.
Chūnin-level jutsu were barely sufficient to attract the Kyuubi's attention akin to acupuncture on a behemoth but a handful of them coordinated together could at least force the fox to shift its gaze. Even needles, when enough are thrown, can cause irritation.
The jōnin, however, formed the core fighting force. Their coordinated elemental attacks, strategy, and combat awareness allowed them to contain the Nine-Tails briefly, even at the cost of their lives. But the moment the beast charged a Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Ball), even jōnin had no countermeasure.
Only Kage-level fighters could truly face such devastation.and even then, not all Kage were equal. A shinobi like Namikaze Minato, who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique to the third stage, was a top-tier Kage-level combatant, uniquely suited to counter a rampaging Tailed Beast.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage renowned as the "Professor of Ninjutsu" and hailed in his prime as the strongest Kage could do little more than divert a single Tailed Beast Bomb using massive Earth Release walls like Doton: Doryūheki. And that was assuming precise timing, immense chakra, and favorable terrain.
With just two or three full-powered Bijūdama from a complete Kyuubi, Konoha could be leveled.
So when Uchiha Obito sneered, "Now that the Kyuubi has been released, there is no hope for you," it wasn't arrogance it was a chilling truth.
The fully manifested Nine-Tails, in both size and chakra output, was on par with the likes of Perfect Susanoo and Hashirama Senju's Wood Golem. Even without Bijūdama, the creature's physical strikes could crush buildings and flatten entire blocks in seconds.
If not for Minato's time-space ninjutsu capable of teleporting the Tailed Beast Ball, and Uzumaki Kushina's Adamantine Sealing Chains, forged from pure Uzumaki vitality and chakra control, the village would've already become ash.
As chūnin and jōnin converged on the battleground, the Uchiha Police Force mobilized.
Uchiha Fugaku—now clad in full battle gear stood atop the roof of his compound and fired a crimson flare into the sky. Seconds later, Uchiha ninjas from across the district leapt toward his home, appearing like flickering shadows beneath the moonlight. Tension thickened the courtyard as dozens assembled, each with a solemn expression.
Without waiting for the rest, Fugaku issued orders.
"Dispatch messengers immediately to gather stragglers. Then deploy in squads—one unit to safeguard our clan compound and civilians, the other eight to assist in village-wide evacuation!"
"Understood! Minister!"
The assembled Uchiha vanished in a flurry of shunshin, scattering toward their assignments.
But one figure did not depart Uchiha Gen appeared beside Fugaku in a quiet flicker.
"Minister. I have a proposal."
Recognizing the voice, Fugaku softened his stern look slightly. "Let's hear it."
"This is the village's greatest crisis in years. If the Uchiha rise to the challenge, we can turn the tide of public opinion. This is a rare chance… for an Uchiha Hokage."
Fugaku's eyes gleamed with realization.
"You're saying... use this moment to demonstrate our loyalty?"
"Exactly. The Police Force's job is to evacuate civilians, but that's expected of us. It earns no gratitude. If we commit jōnin to the front lines—to defend Konoha alongside the main fighting force then we earn the village's respect."
Gen's voice lowered.
"Don't forget... someone may have glimpsed the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes."
If Konoha suffers devastating losses and the Uchiha emerge untouched, the whispers will begin. Resentment festers quickly when homes are gone, families are lost—and the village remembers the Sharingan's fleeting gleam in the beast's eyes.
Though Obito had used Madara's Summoning Contract and the Mangekyō Sharingan enhanced with Hashirama cells to control the Nine-Tails, its eyes reverted swiftly once Minato severed the link with Contract Seal. From three tomoe to round pupils, then back to vertical slits.
Most shinobi wouldn't recognize the nuance, but to an anxious, grieving populace, the Uchiha name in the same sentence as "Sharingan" and "Kyuubi" was all it would take.
"The fully-formed Nine-Tails can't be permanently controlled by a single Mangekyō Sharingan," Gen continued. "Not even one enhanced with Hashirama cells. Obito is using Madara's old contract."
"Even controlling half the Kyuubi is beyond the average Mangekyō. Only the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—like Madara's has the power for full control, and even then, not indefinitely."
"Yet that glimpse of the Sharingan in the Kyuubi's eye could doom us."
Fugaku nodded, grim.
"And since Minato and Kushina sealed away the complete Kyuubi tonight... it will never again be whole. But even half of it remains the strongest among the nine Tailed Beasts."
"Indeed. It's said the Sage of Six Paths gave half of the Ten-Tails' chakra to Kurama. The rest was divided among the other eight."
"A crying child gets the milk," Gen muttered dryly.
Fugaku chuckled, despite the tension.
"You're right. This is our chance."
"I leave it to you to rally the Police Force's jōnin."
"Yes, Minister."
"Oh, and Gen…"
Fugaku's voice turned low.
"We are willing to follow Orochimaru's lead in this battle. If Minato's fallen, we need another top-tier commander."
Gen hesitated, then replied, "My teacher isn't in the village. Four days ago, he left for a hidden lab in Hi no Kuni."
"I see... then we are truly on our own."
Fugaku sighed, then waved him off. "Go."
Gen nodded and vanished into the shadows.
---
Far beneath Konoha, in the concealed underground base once belonging to Root, Shimura Danzō stood in silence, listening to whispered updates from cloaked subordinates.
Though Root had been disbanded on paper, Danzō still held sway. Officially retired, stripped of his titles, he remained the shadow behind Konoha's darker side. Sarutobi had nominal control but lacked the resolve to truly dismantle Root.
Danzō's eyes narrowed.
The Nine-Tails had returned.
And in chaos… he thrived.
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