After the match, Shiki released his grip on Minato.
"Minato!"
No one could believe it. Just seconds ago, Minato himself looked completely in control—then, in a blink, he lost.
Too fast for anyone's eyes to follow. Even Minato was left stunned, eyes wide, unable to process how it happened.
"Ah—!"
A red blur shot across the training ground—Kushina Uzumaki, panic and anger written all over her face. She knelt beside Minato, then whipped her head up, glaring straight at Shiki, eyes blazing.
"You bastard!"
To beat Minato like that, right in front of everyone—unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!
Her anger surged, and crimson chakra burst from her body, the unmistakable ferocity of the Nine Tails flooding the air. The chakra shimmered, wild and dangerous, and the ground seemed to shake under her fury.
"Kushina!!"
No one was expecting this. Minato's defeat was shocking enough, but Kushina snapping like this—yeah, that checked out. She was Minato's girlfriend, and the current Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails. Once she lost it, the whole village could be in danger.
Tsunade and Jiraiya were already hurrying over, alarmed, ready to intervene if things went south. Even from a distance, Shiki could practically see the spectral image of the Nine Tails towering behind Kushina, eyes locked on him, fangs bared.
For a moment, it really did feel like a beast was about to break loose.
But Shiki just met her glare, unfazed. He didn't flinch, didn't back down. He simply narrowed his eyes.
"Settle down."
His voice was quiet but it hit like thunder. In the next instant, an invisible force exploded out from Shiki: the overwhelming pressure of Conqueror's Haki.
The whole training ground froze. Tsunade, Jiraiya, even the onlookers—they all stopped in their tracks, stunned and rooted in place by the sheer weight of it.
"What… what is this…?"
No one here had ever felt this kind of presence before. It was as if the world itself bent to Shiki's will.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a rare, twisted smile, his snake-like eyes shining.
That's real kingly power. That's the aura I've been searching for…
But it was Kushina who felt it most. Her body locked up, the Nine Tails' chakra recoiling like it had been slapped. Even the Kyūbi itself fell silent, the crimson shroud vanishing instantly.
Kushina blinked, suddenly clear-headed. She hadn't realized just how close she was to losing control—if Shiki hadn't stepped in, the Nine Tails might've actually broken free.
But more than that… she couldn't believe what she'd just felt.
"You…"
Kushina stared at Shiki, searching for words. Just now, his presence alone had forced the Nine Tails back.
Was this even real? Was she dreaming?
Once Kushina had calmed, Shiki pulled back his Haki, and the suffocating pressure faded like it had never existed.
At that moment, Minato finally regained consciousness.
His sudden movement snapped Kushina out of her daze. She had been staring blankly at Shiki, lost in shock.
"...Kushina?"
Minato's voice was weak, but steady. Even after getting completely floored by Shiki, he was still a ninja—just winded, not broken.
Kushina blinked, finally coming to her senses. She turned, anxiety flashing in her eyes.
"Minato! Are you okay?!"
Minato managed a faint smile, waving off her worries.
"It's alright, Kushina. Lord Shiki held back—if he hadn't, I'd probably be dead."
Kushina let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Relief washed over her face, and the tension in her shoulders melted away.
"That's good..."
She glanced at Shiki again, suddenly feeling awkward, embarrassed by her earlier outburst.
She didn't even know what to say.
--
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was seething.
A vein pulsed at his temple as he glared at the crystal ball in front of him—the same ball he'd just used to watch Minato's defeat, and then, in disbelief, witnessed Shiki's aura subdue the Nine Tails' chakra inside Kushina.
He snapped the crystal shut, face darkening.
The first part, Minato failing with the Flying Thunder God, could be chalked up to inexperience. But the second part—Shiki's sheer willpower shaking a tailed beast into submission...
That was something only legendary figures could do.
"Damn it!"
Hiruzen slammed a stack of paperwork onto his desk. He was alone in the office, or else he never would have let himself lose composure like this.
"Unbelievable…"
Seeing Shiki's true power firsthand, Sarutobi felt a chill run down his spine.
He couldn't even imagine getting revenge anymore. Shiki hadn't even used a sword this time—just pure force of will.
If he ever did draw his blade, who in the village could possibly stand against him?
He slumped back in his chair, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"If only Danzo were here right now…"
Sarutobi found himself missing the old days, when he worked in the light and Danzo handled the shadows.
Sure, Danzo always had some underhanded scheme brewing, but at least it was better than facing this nightmare alone.
He sighed, feeling every year of his age.
"Well… no point worrying about what I can't change."
After a long silence, Sarutobi finally spoke to himself, resignation in his voice.
"Let's give Minato some time to grow. That Flying Thunder God Technique… there aren't many space-time jutsu like that in the entire ninja world. Maybe, someday, he'll be able to surpass Shiki."
But for now… Sarutobi had no choice but to endure. Endurance was the one thing he'd mastered over decades as Hokage—enduring hardships, enduring setbacks, enduring defeat.
The old man sat alone in his office, quietly steeling himself for whatever came next.
--
Back at the training ground, Minato was already back on his feet, having received a quick treatment from Tsunade.
His injuries weren't too serious to begin with, and with Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, he was practically good as new.
"Lord Shiki, how did you find me just now?"
That was what bothered Minato the most.
He always prided himself on his speed—and with the Flying Thunder God Technique, he thought he was basically untouchable.
So how did Shiki predict his movement and take him down so effortlessly?
Shiki just waved his hand, answering as if it were obvious.
"Perception."
Minato blinked. "Perception…?"
"Yeah. Call it combat intuition, if you want."
Shiki shrugged. "Flying Thunder God is insanely fast, sure. But if you can sense where someone's about to appear… well, it's not that hard to intercept them."
He made it sound ridiculously easy.
But everyone around—Tsunade, Jiraiya, even Kushina—just stared at him, speechless.
Was that even possible? Sensing where Minato would teleport next, in real time? Was this guy even serious?
Still, everyone was already used to Shiki pulling off feats that bordered on the absurd.
For him, something that would be impossible for anyone else was just another casual flex.
Minato took a breath and nodded, his expression turning serious as he said...
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