Dozens of golden chains surged out from Kyusei's body, instantly forcing the charging Cloud ninjas to retreat.
In the two years since meeting Kushina, aside from honing his taijutsu, Kyusei had poured most of his effort into mastering Adamantine Sealing Chains.
If he ever wanted to live up to the title "Uzumaki—I Don't Eat Beef", then this was non-negotiable.
With his massive chakra reserves and cockroach-like vitality, Kyusei's control over this signature Uzumaki technique had already reached a near-flawless level.
The only thing he still lacked was Kushina's ability to freely transform the chains into different weapons.
Golden chains slithered through the forest like living dragons—fast, flexible, and relentless. In mere moments, the surrounding woods were completely crisscrossed, layer upon layer, by shining chains.
With Adamantine Chains alone, Kyusei had forcibly turned the entire area into a battlefield overwhelmingly favorable to himself.
High above, Kyusei stood atop the chains, looking down at the Cloud ninjas below.
Kaoru landed beside him just as naturally, her footing steady and familiar.
She had seen this technique countless times—they trained together, after all—but every time, she couldn't help but marvel at it.
Battlefield control. Mid- and long-range combat. Sealing.
Aside from lacking outright killing power, it was almost a perfectly all-purpose technique.
…This brat.
The Cloud ninja leader's heart sank.
This kid had deliberately let himself be captured. With a technique like this, there was no way he could've been subdued so easily.
"So," Kyusei asked calmly, looking down at them,
"how exactly did you find out who I am?"
"You really think you've won, kid?"
The Cloud ninja who had carried Kyusei earlier couldn't help snapping back.
"Huh?"
Kyusei tilted his head.
"Isn't that obvious?"
In the next instant, five or six golden chains shot forward like lightning under his control.
Pshhk!
Blood splattered.
Everyone froze in disbelief.
In a single heartbeat, the Adamantine Chains pierced clean through the man's limbs, pinning his body brutally to the ground.
"Seriously," Kyusei said, grinning maliciously,
"you didn't actually think I was some easy target, did you?"
"If you did…"
"Congratulations."
"You hit the jackpot."
The web of chains covering the battlefield began to move—slowly, inexorably—shrinking the remaining seven Cloud ninjas' space to breathe.
Cold sweat rolled down the leader's forehead.
He hadn't imagined this kid could be this strong.
Was this really the power of a twelve-year-old?
No time to hesitate. If this continued, they would all be crushed by the chains.
Lightning burst across the leader's body as he launched himself toward Kyusei in midair!
But fast as he was—
Someone else was faster.
A golden blur flashed.
Kaoru appeared directly in front of him, a blue Rasengan forming in her hand and smashing him back down.
The violent rotation tore straight through his lightning armor like wet paper and detonated against his body.
One exchange.
That was all it took.
Kyusei wasn't surprised.
Even in the original timeline, these Cloud ninjas had been handled effortlessly by twelve-year-old Minato.
And Kaoru?
She had Rasengan and Flying Thunder God.
The Cloud leader spun like a broken top before crashing into the ground, his fate unknown.
Kaoru reappeared beside Kyusei—but her face was pale, her breathing uneven.
"What's wrong?"
Kyusei rushed to support her.
"My… my chakra's gone…"
Pain and anger flickered through his eyes.
Not long ago, Jiraiya had already drained her dry. Then she'd used Flying Thunder God for long-distance spatial movement.
And just now—another Rasengan.
That last attack had wrung out the very last drop of chakra in her body.
Chakra wasn't just energy—it was life. Overexertion could damage both body and mind.
Kaoru's reserves were respectable.
But compared to an Uzumaki chakra monster like Kyusei?
Not even close.
Damn that white-haired bastard.
If not for him, Kaoru wouldn't be in this state.
Kyusei glanced once at the remaining Cloud ninjas—now fully bound by Adamantine Chains.
His earlier excitement was gone.
"Huh…?"
"H-Hey… Kyusei?"
"What are you—"
Kaoru flushed bright red as Kyusei suddenly scooped her up in his arms.
"Let's go home," he said gently.
"But… but what about—"
She looked uneasily at the captured Cloud ninjas.
Kyusei didn't give her the chance to argue.
He leapt.
A thunderous explosion erupted behind them as the Adamantine Chains detonated.
Golden shockwaves rippled through the forest.
The blast sent Kaoru's unbound hair flying—she'd rushed out so fast she hadn't even tied it.
Her hair tie fluttered down into the night.
Kyusei looked down at the blushing girl in his arms and smiled.
"Such beautiful hair."
"Let's buy you a new hair tie tomorrow."
Kaoru stared at him, dazed.
She barely heard her own reply—because his next words sent her heart straight into her throat.
"Kaoru…"
"Let's be together."
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