Since Sarutobi Hiruzen had resolved to exterminate the Uchiha clan, how could he not have meticulously crafted a detailed and ruthless plan?
He understood all too well the sheer might of the Uchiha—especially now that they were unified under Byakuya, whose strength far surpassed any shinobi in Konoha. Even with the combined forces of the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans, along with the elite Anbu, a frontal assault would likely fail.
So, Hiruzen turned to strategy: divide and conquer.
The key lay in triggering internal chaos within the Uchiha compound itself. Fortunately for him, a dangerous variable was already nestled within their ranks—the current Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina. If the Kyūbi were to be released, the resulting destruction and confusion could shatter Uchiha cohesion and morale, making them vulnerable to annihilation.
And so, before launching the attack, Hiruzen secretly dispatched a special Anbu unit, trained in sealing techniques, with a single mission: target Kushina and forcefully extract the Kyūbi.
Now, their plan seemed to have borne fruit.
A massive wave of red chakra erupted in the distance, accompanied by a deafening roar—the Nine-Tails had been unleashed.
"Damn you, Sarutobi Hiruzen!" Byakuya snarled, his crimson eyes blazing with fury as he turned to face the old Hokage. "You released the Kyūbi inside Konoha!? Are you insane!?"
For once, Hiruzen looked shaken. Still, he spoke with conviction.
"This is all for Konoha... for the Will of Fire," he said, more to convince himself than anyone else. "Nine-Tails! Destroy the Uchiha!!"
But the destruction they hoped for never came.
Instead, the Kyūbi stood frozen—snarling, but unmoving. Its immense tails lashed the air slowly, as if resisting invisible restraints.
"What is this!?" Utatane Koharu gasped.
"Why isn't it attacking!?" Mitokado En added. "MOVE! Nine-Tails, obey!"
"Wait… look at its eyes!" a Konoha ninja shouted.
In the Kyūbi's slitted pupils, the unmistakable tomoe pattern of a Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed.
"No… it can't be…"
Sarutobi's face twisted. "Is Byakuya already controlling the Nine-Tails from this distance!?"
But he quickly realized something was wrong—Byakuya's eyes remained their standard Sharingan form. He hadn't activated his Mangekyō at all.
Then who…?
Just as the realization began to dawn, a blur of movement approached. Uchiha Mikoto appeared, clutching an unconscious and bleeding Kushina. Her breath was ragged, her clothes scorched, and blood trickled from the corners of her eyes—her Mangekyō Sharingan active and glowing.
"She's the one controlling the Nine-Tails," Hiruzen muttered grimly. "Impossible… there's another Mangekyō in the Uchiha clan!?"
"Lord Byakuya… we were ambushed," Mikoto said through gritted teeth as she knelt before him. "The seal was forcefully broken… Kushina—she's…"
Byakuya's eyes narrowed sharply as he scanned Kushina's near-lifeless body. Her chakra was faint—almost gone.
Mikoto, barely able to stand, continued:
"I'm sorry… I used my Mangekyō to suppress the Kyūbi... but I couldn't seal it back… I couldn't protect her…"
Her voice trembled as she looked at Kushina's pale face. "Please… save her…"
Byakuya gently took Kushina from her. For the first time, his expression softened.
"You did enough, Mikoto."
The dying Kushina looked up at Byakuya, her eyes filled with pain and apology.
"Byakuya… I'm sorry…"
"Kushina, this isn't your fault," Byakuya said gently, his tone calm but resolute. "Leave the rest to me."
He carefully took Kushina from Mikoto's arms.
In the next instant, Susanoo blazed to life around him, its massive form expanding rapidly, radiating overwhelming power.
"Nine-Tails... come here."
Under Byakuya's command, Susanoo's gigantic hand surged forward, seizing the rampaging Nine-Tails and dragging it closer. With swift, practiced movements, Byakuya formed a sequence of hand seals. Chakra surged from his body as he began repairing the shattered seal within Kushina.
The moment the seal was restored and her connection with the Nine-Tails reestablished, a surge of vibrant chakra flooded Kushina's body. Her pale skin regained color, and the dimming light in her eyes reignited.
"I... I'm healed?" she whispered in disbelief. "I'm not dying anymore...?"
As she sat up, her expression lit with amazement.
"I was really scared back there… I felt like my life was slipping away... Those bastards actually broke the seal inside me!"
Her familiar fire returned. She clenched her fists, fury in her voice.
Byakuya met her gaze. "Kushina, do you want revenge?"
"Revenge?" she growled. "Of course I want revenge! They tried to kill me... they nearly killed my baby!"
Byakuya's eyes sharpened. "Good. Then listen—now's our chance."
"You'll control the Nine-Tails. I'll cover you with Susanoo."
"We fight together."
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