Bab 226: Chapter 226
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Great Toad Sage Gamamaru could foresee the future and make the right choices at critical moments.
However, the future wasn't fixed; Gamamaru had always sought the most favorable outcome for himself among countless possibilities.
For example, a thousand years ago, Gamamaru had betted in the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo, and his brother, Homura, successfully ending Kaguya's reign.
The return on his investment made Mount Myōboku the foremost of the three great sanctuaries, returning the ninja world to the rule of "native" people.
As for Ryūchi Cave, Mount Myōboku's mortal enemy, it had not fared well over the millennium. Despite having the power to topple Mount Myōboku, it had to consider the Sage of Six Paths standing behind it.
Kyomu couldn't be bothered to guess at Gamamaru's deeper considerations; his actions might have been beneficial for the ninja world. But now that Gamamaru was on the opposing side, Kyomu wouldn't hold back.
Kyomu didn't question why Gamamaru didn't side with him; the answer was clear enough without asking. Gamamaru didn't believe he could stand against the combined might of Hagoromo, Homura, and their descendants Indra and Asura.
If things got serious, the three generations of the Ōtsutsuki family could very well join forces. On the other hand, the White Snake Sage from Ryūchi Cave chose to stand by Kyomu, eager for a high-risk investment.
"Kyomu, remember this," the White Snake Sage, in her old woman form, walked to Kyomu's side, leaning on her cane. "The future of Ryūchi Cave rests entirely on you."
This was both a declaration of support and a reminder, which Kyomu understood.
"Rest assured, White Snake Sage, I have never treated my allies poorly and never will," Kyomu promised.
The White Snake Sage nodded, having no clear view of the future but feeling a strong inclination towards Kyomu's potential, willing to invest in him.
A thousand years ago, she missed the opportunity. Now, with a chance to overturn everything, she would seize it. Even if the investment failed and Ryūchi Cave suffered for another thousand years, its legacy would not be extinguished.
Facing Gamamaru, the White Snake Sage grinned. "Gamamaru, long time no see."
"Yamata no Orichi, indeed, long time no see."
"It's been ages since anyone called me that," the White Snake Sage replied as if catching up with an old friend. "Today, do you really want to exchange blows with an old woman like me?"
"Negotiation is preferable," Gamamaru glanced at Kyomu. "What do you think, Kyomu?"
"That depends on what the Great Toad Sage has in mind," Kyomu gestured towards Minato. "I must fulfill my promise to him, or my reputation will be tarnished."
While they conversed, Nagato and Kushina continued their tug-of-war, with most of the Nine-Tails already extracted.
"The child inside must get half of the Nine-Tails' chakra," Gamamaru proposed straightforwardly, with no time to waste.
This was the scene he had foreseen, ensuring Minato and Kushina's child would become Mount Myōboku's guardian in the future.
"Not a drop," Kyomu shook his head. "I take half, leaving the other half for Kushina, thus saving her life and fulfilling my agreement with Minato."
Upon hearing Kyomu's prioritization of Kushina's life, Minato smiled gratefully at him. But only Kyomu knew his true intentions.
If negotiations failed, he would drag things out.
Clearly, in the tug-of-war between Nagato and Kushina, Nagato, with the support of the Gedo Statue, held the advantage. Despite Minato and Jiraiya's assistance, Kushina would ultimately lose the Nine-Tails to Nagato.
Gamamaru understood this and wanted to avoid dragging things out.
"I can promise you other things. Leave half for Kushina and half for the child."
"Who makes a newborn a Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails?" Kyomu shook his head. "That's endangering him, Minato's child no less."
He turned to Kushina. "Do you want your child to be a Jinchūriki from birth, especially of the Nine-Tails?"
Kushina, more than anyone, understood the torment of being a Jinchūriki. Despite the benefits, the psychological toll was immense.
She shook her head vigorously, unwilling to let her child endure the same suffering.
"Great Toad Sage, shouldn't you ask for their opinion before making decisions for others?" Kyomu spread his hands. "Parents don't agree; how can you decide for their child? It makes no sense."
"Kyomu, you're twisting the truth with your silver tongue!" Jiraiya shouted, turning urgently to Minato and Kushina. "Minato, Kushina, the Great Toad Sage won't deceive you. He's doing this for your and your child's sake."
"Ha, what a joke!" Kyomu countered with his own talk-no-jutsu. "Are there parents who don't act in their child's best interest? Even if there are, who can better decide what's good for the child, the parents or some outsiders?"
Gamamaru wanted to act, but the White Snake Sage's eyes turned cold, and she stepped forward, leaning on her cane.
"Gamamaru, Kyomu is right. This is their family's matter. We shouldn't interfere. But if you insist, then I will have to stretch my old bones."
As they reached an impasse, Nagato continued to push his advantage.
"Minato, I promised I would save Kushina!" Jiraiya shouted, rushing towards Nagato.
Forming hand seals, Kyomu glanced sideways, chuckling.
The Reaper Death Seal was always the go-to desperate measure in crucial moments.
But without the Shinigami of the ninja world, would it still work?
Sure enough, Jiraiya's Reaper Death Seal failed, and he tried again to no avail.
Nagato took the opportunity to counterattack.
Clank!
The chains on the Gedo Statue rattled, sweeping Jiraiya aside. Without his interference, Minato and Kushina began to lose their struggle against Nagato, who was pulling out the Nine-Tails.
"Kyomu!" Minato shouted in desperation. "Fulfill your promise, act now!"
"Alright."
With that simple word, Kyomu moved. Simultaneously, Gamamaru and the White Snake Sage also acted.
Ichikashihime remained vigilant, ready to assist Kyomu.
Shing!
The gleam of Kyomu's blade cut through the night sky, its arc dazzling.
Nagato had fully extracted the Nine-Tails from Kushina.
Bound by the Gedo Statue, the Nine-Tails could only struggle, its chakra chains suppressing its resistance, stronger than even the Mangekyō Sharingan's control.
Dimensional Slash: Oblivion! Kyomu unleashed his ultimate move. Nagato's Rinnegan widened in shock.
Kyomu had grown stronger! Nagato abandoned any thought of taking the entire Nine-Tails, focusing on the battle.
Super Shinra Tensei! Channeling two-thirds of his remaining chakra, Nagato launched a massive attack.
"Huh?"
Kyomu noticed the space around them ripple. "Super Shinra Tensei can affect the surrounding space, huh?"
But Kyomu was only mildly surprised, not worried.
The strongest attacks of a super-kage-level ninja could only influence the space around them slightly, like the Third Raikage's technique.
However, Kyomu's growing power and increasing chakra allowed his space-time techniques to become more stable and potent.
Kyomu intensified his chakra output, solidifying the rippling space around them. Within a thirty-meter radius, everything froze, leaving only Kyomu's blade descending.
Crack.
The space shattered, severing the chakra dragons and the chains binding the Nine-Tails.
The Nine-Tails was freed but didn't flee.
Kurama the Nine-Tails feared no one and would fight anyone! A Tailed Beast Bomb began to form, but Minato's focus was entirely on Kushina.
"Kushina, Kushina!"
"Minato... I'm okay. I can still manage."
Kushina's resilience was extraordinary, her life force strong despite the Nine-Tails' extraction.
Kyomu had no time to worry; the Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb was ready.
Swallowing the Tailed Beast Bomb, the Nine-Tails aimed at Kyomu and Nagato, unleashing a concentrated energy beam.
This attack, narrower but more potent, was uniquely powerful compared to other tailed beasts' attacks, showing a stark contrast.
Space Release: Wormhole Fold!
Kyomu manipulated the surrounding space, redirecting the massive energy beam with difficulty.
Nagato faced no such challenge and even seemed excited.
Drained from battle, the Tailed Beast Bomb's energy was perfect for replenishment.
Raising his hands, Nagato absorbed the attack.
Preta Path: Sealing Technique Absorption Seal!
Half of the Tailed Beast Bomb's energy diverted behind the Nine-Tails, smashing into its head, while the other half rejuvenated Nagato.
His skeletal frame rapidly filled out, and his hair regained its vibrant red, restoring him to peak condition.
This left the Nine-Tails stunned.
Two small humans, one with the Old Man's eyes, the other with supreme space-time power.
This… was troublesome! But the Nine-Tails didn't think he'd lose. The Rinnegan could absorb chakra, but its user's body had limits.
Seeing Nagato's condition, another attack could overwhelm him. The space-time user was trickier.
Boom.
The Nine-Tails quickly rose, seemingly unscathed.
Durable and with immense chakra, the Nine-Tails believed persistence would prevail.
But then, the Nine-Tails' eyes narrowed. The Gedo Statue and Kyomu's collaboration became clear.
Nagato restrained the Nine-Tails, while Kyomu prepared to split it.
Clank.
Chains from the Gedo Statue, akin to Kushina's Adamantine Sealing Chains but stronger, quickly bound the Nine-Tails.
Shing.
Kyomu raised his glowing blade, extending over a hundred meters, and slashed down on the Nine-Tails.
Roar!
The Nine-Tails roared in agony, feeling its soul burn and chakra divide.
Teleportation.
After landing the blow, Kyomu swiftly teleported before the Nine-Tails, thrusting his blade into its forehead.
The searing soul pain made the Nine-Tails howl louder, but Kyomu and Nagato remained unfazed.
One dragged, the other sliced, quickly dividing the Nine-Tails in half. Nagato claimed the yin half, while Kyomu took the yang half.
Landing gracefully, Kyomu flicked his blade, sending a golden chakra orb into a space ripple.
On Kyomu's blade remained a gray, ethereal substance—the yang Nine-Tails' soul.
The Nine-Tails' soul wasn't necessary for Sasuke; only its chakra sufficed, avoiding future complications of befriending the Nine-Tails for chakra use.
Nagato shared the sentiment.
Grasping his half of the Nine-Tails' chakra, Nagato turned to flee, wary of Kyomu's potential treachery.
"Kyomu, you…"
"Don't worry. I'll save Kushina as promised." Kyomu threw the gray soul into Kushina.
Instantly, Kushina's pallor improved, and Minato quickly reinforced her seal.
"Kurama's chakra or soul in a Jinchūriki maintains their life force. As long as one part remains, they won't die from extraction."
As Kyomu sheathed his blade, Jiraiya suddenly attacked!
(End of Chapter)
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone