ZRAAAAKKK!!!
The Mini Rasenshuriken spun wildly, screeching like a storm about to tear through the dimensions. On the other side, the Raikage's fingers glowed with blazing blue lightning, his electric aura vibrating the very air.
Their collision created a blast that was not just heard—but felt in the chest of every shinobi standing near the border.
The shockwave swept through the forest in a radius of hundreds of meters. Trees that had stood firm for decades were ripped from their roots, tossed into the sky like toy branches. The ground cracked open, spreading fractures like shattered glass.
The shinobi from both Konoha and Kumogakure held their breath—some ran for cover behind rocks, others used chakra to fortify their bodies and withstand the impact.
Then... silence.
As if the world itself was holding its breath.
Dust hung thick in the air, sunlight filtering through glittering chakra particles like fragments of gold and lightning.
Then—two figures shot down from the sky at incredible speed.
BRAKK!
DUARR!
Kushina and the Raikage crashed into the earth from opposite directions, their bodies tumbling across the ground before coming to a stop. Both lay motionless, panting heavily, their bodies battered and bruised. Their chakra had plummeted drastically.
The Raikage gritted his teeth and slowly stood. His body trembled, but his gaze remained sharp.
He looked across the battlefield where Kushina was struggling to rise on one knee. Her body was still cloaked in remnants of Kurama's chakra, though the golden layer was starting to fade little by little.
The Raikage exhaled heavily, then spoke in a hoarse yet respectful voice:
"You... are truly strong, Uzumaki Kushina. I understand now... why you were worthy to be the Yellow Flash's wife. And why Konoha... must never be underestimated."
He raised his hand, signaling his forces to retreat.
The Kumogakure troops, still trembling from the earlier chakra blast, dared not disobey. They quickly moved, following their leader's command to withdraw from the battlefield.
After confirming that the enemy had retreated, Kushina attempted to rise. Her knees trembled. Her left hand supported her body, but it felt like trying to lift a mountain, and her body reverted fully to its normal state.
Slowly, her vision blurred. She realized she was about to collapse.
'Damn… if I fall now, it'll look so uncool...' she thought with a weak smile.
But before her knees hit the ground—
"I've got you."
A pair of strong arms caught her.
Kushina smiled, half relieved, half resigned.
"You're late, Kakashi-kun…" she whispered, weak but clear.
Kakashi, who had just arrived from the eastern battlefield, gave a small smile behind his mask.
"Sorry, I was helping an old lady cross the road," he replied casually, never losing his humor even at such a critical time.
Kushina chuckled weakly and reached up to softly tap Kakashi's head.
"You idiot..."
Kakashi lifted Kushina in a princess carry and stood tall amidst the ruined forest.
The wind blew gently, carrying dust and the smell of scorched earth.
"Let's go home, Kushina-san. You've done more than enough."
Kakashi glanced around and signaled the arriving medical teams gathering from the rear of the border.
"Check everyone who's injured. Make sure no one is left behind. I'm leaving the border to you."
A young jōnin gave a firm nod.
Kakashi then lowered his head slightly toward Kushina in his arms. The woman had closed her eyes, but her lips still carried a faint smile.
'Minato…' she whispered inwardly. 'I'm still protecting this place. And our son... is still safe.'
The sky gradually cleared, as if the world itself sighed in relief.
Konoha, Hokage's Office
Inside the Hokage's office, Hyuga Hizashi and the Hyuga Clan's Elder entered with tense expressions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat by the window, gazing out thoughtfully.
"Lord Third Hokage!" Hizashi called, kneeling on one knee.
"Oh? Hizashi, Elder... what is it?" Hiruzen asked in a calm but attentive voice.
Hizashi clasped his hands together at his chest and said, "Lord Hokage, to prevent war, I am willing to impersonate my brother, Hiashi, and sacrifice myself to appease Kumogakure's wrath."
"You..."
"Lord Hokage," the Elder continued, also kneeling. "Hizashi is ready. For the sake of peace, please allow his sacrifice."
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "Stand up first. Konoha will not bow so easily to Kumogakure's pressure."
"But... the village is fragile, and if one life can save many..." Hizashi said.
"There's no need." Hiruzen cut him off. "I've already sent Kushina to the border. If she succeeds in stopping the Fourth Raikage, this entire crisis will end."
Hizashi looked stunned. "Uzumaki Kushina? But... can she really stop someone as powerful as the Raikage?"
"Trust me... she is not just a Jinchūriki. She is the wife of the Yellow Flash."
At that moment, an ANBU appeared in a flash.
"Lord Hokage, a message from the border!"
Hiruzen quickly opened the scroll, his eyes narrowing as he read the report. But within seconds, he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Kushina, you truly are incredible!"
Hizashi and the Elder looked at each other in confusion.
"Read it yourselves," Hiruzen said, handing them the scroll.
Hizashi skimmed it quickly, his eyes widening in shock.
Report: Uzumaki Kushina successfully engaged the Fourth Raikage in direct combat. Kushina sustained only minor injuries, and the Kumogakure forces have retreated.
Hizashi could barely believe his eyes.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage…" he whispered, full of gratitude. "Thank you... Kushina..."
Meanwhile...
At the ROOT Headquarters
Danzo Shimura stood with his back to the light, reading the newly received intelligence report. His face showed no anger, only a blank expression mixed with regret.
"Uzumaki Kushina..."
He closed the scroll with his bandaged hand.
"What a shame."
Danzo's voice was soft, almost inaudible.
"A woman that powerful... if only she possessed the obedience I desired, she would have been a perfect weapon for ROOT."
But he knew—Kushina was too headstrong. Too free. Too full of heart.
Not someone who could be controlled like a puppet.
"However," Danzo continued quietly, "as long as she continues to protect the village, and Naruto remains her anchor..."
His single uncovered eye narrowed sharply.
"...she is no threat... Not yet."
Meanwhile at the Border
Kushina awoke in a medical inn bed, her body wrapped in light bandages.
Her whole body ached, but her heart felt light.
Kurama snorted inside her mind.
"Tsk. You're such a handful."
Kushina smiled inwardly. "Hey… don't pretend to be so tough. I know you were worried."
"Hmph. I just don't want my body to die stupidly."
"Yeah yeah... thanks for helping me, Kurama."
Kurama didn't answer, only letting out a small grunt. But Kushina knew—the beast was softening, even starting to care.
"Let's mark this as our first victory, partner."
And with a heavy but contented sigh, Kushina gazed up at the ceiling, letting her mind float, accompanied by the warmth of chakra and the soft voice of a newfound companion within.