At that moment, a thunderous roar shook the air.
Boom! The Kyūbi launched a Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Bomb), the spiraling energy roaring as it spun through the sky.
Hyūga Shigeo was crouched atop the Third Hokage's stone face on the Hokage Monument. The massive Bijūdama was flying directly at him, its light blazing. Pressed tightly against the rock wall, he held his breath.
He knew he wouldn't die.
According to the original story, Namikaze Minato would use the Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique) to teleport the Bijūdama away. So he would be fine.
Still, with that giant sphere of destruction bearing down on him, the sheer power of it shook Shigeo to the core. This was overwhelming.
"Host, would you like to activate Mirror Clone? If you wish to raise your own Kyūbi, it can be cloned…"
At that instant, the system's voice sounded in his head—louder and more shocking than the Bijūdama rushing at him.
"What? I can even clone a tailed beast?"
"Mirror Clone can replicate any beast. Humans are the only exception."
"Yes. I want a little Kyūbi!"
When he first heard the system's name, he thought it was something ordinary. Now, he realized it was extraordinary.
"Good. Mirror Clone initiated."
A Mirror Clone panel appeared. The Kyūbi's image was listed, and cloning began. But the process was agonizingly slow—so slow it made him question reality.
"Kyūbi Clone Progress: 0.00001%... 0.00002%..."
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Minato had already teleported the massive Bijūdama away, shifting the battlefield elsewhere.
At the same time, Yūhi Kurenai appeared beside Shigeo.
"What are you doing here?" She scooped him into her arms and turned away. "Come on, I'll take you to the shelter."
As she carried him, Shigeo caught sight of Danzō at the entrance of a cave behind the Hokage Monument.
One of Danzō's eyes was wrapped in white bandages. The other glared down at the boy being carried off, sharp and sinister, brows tightly furrowed as he stared.
He had followed from Orochimaru's laboratory. How could that child be here? Coincidence? Or had the boy been one of Orochimaru's experiments tonight? But if so, how had he escaped?
Danzō turned back toward the shadowy underground passage. Strange. Why wasn't Orochimaru here tonight?
The earth still shook with explosions. The Kyūbi's roars echoed like the end of the world. Fires raged, shinobi fought desperately to contain the destruction, and the battle blazed on.
Shigeo was carried into a shelter by Kurenai. Inside the cavern, Uzuki Yugao rushed over and grabbed him tightly.
"You little brat! Where did you go? You scared me to death!"
Yugao was only ten, five years older than Shigeo. To her, the pale and slightly fragile boy was just a younger brother who needed protecting.
Not only her—several other girls felt the same. Even Inuzuka Hana, usually hot-tempered, always spoke to Shigeo with surprising gentleness.
"Shigeo, are you okay? You're not hurt, right? When the explosions started, I went to your house and couldn't find you. Thank goodness you're safe…" Several girls gathered around him in a protective circle.
After all, he was the most handsome among the children. Naturally, he drew their attention.
(End of Chapter)
[50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]