A surge of ominous chakra erupted, vivid and blood-red, spreading like a tidal wave across the battlefield.
For a brief moment, a chilling dread gripped my heart.
The blast shattered the swarm of insects, revealing Tsunade at its center.
The bugs that died instantly lost their connection to Maki—and those still alive trembled in fear.
Tsunade's entire body was cloaked in red chakra, swirling around her like a mantle. Her eyes—once beautiful—had taken on a beast's wild ferocity.
The Nine-Tails.
"That damned woman!"
In the distance, Elder Kaigan stomped his cane, enraged.
Maki was in danger.
Back at the village, in front of the crystal ball, the Third Hokage drew a long breath. A childhood memory surfaced—of a monstrous figure, a walking disaster.
"Lady Mito has gone too far," he muttered with a wry smile.
He could tell: Tsunade had been infused with a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra through a sealing technique. Even this small dose was overwhelming.
"The Nine-Tails..."
Both Sharingan and Byakugan users shifted their gaze toward Maki.
"So... how will you respond?"
Up in a tree, Uzumaki Mito smiled, triumphant and amused, as if her prank had worked perfectly.
"You actually forced little Tsunade this far. I'm impressed, little girl," she said to the nearby ANBU.
Watching Tsunade, she smiled in satisfaction.
The secret training had paid off. Tsunade had adapted well to the Nine-Tails' chakra. If she chose to, she could one day inherit its full power.
That had always been Mito's plan.
"To become Hokage, one must possess overwhelming strength."
The nearby Senju ANBU couldn't hide their pride as they watched their princess unleash her power.
Let the villagers see. This is the might of the Senju Clan!
Meanwhile, under her mask, Maki smiled faintly—an amused twitch at the corner of her mouth.
So this is the storm stirred by a butterfly's wing...
The Tsunade in front of her wasn't quite the one she remembered—but she was Tsunade all the same.
Kyuubi's chakra... So they're planning to raise her as the next Hokage?
But then—an idea.
Could I eat it?
She licked her lips.
Just a little. Just a bite! Who knows when I'll get another chance like this?
Her parasites were more than ready—they could devour a significant chunk if timed right.
Driving her sword into the ground again, Maki clasped her hands into a powerful seal.
Secret Insect Technique: Dance of the Armored Chrysalis — Insect Poison Cloak!
Violet particles flared to life around her, rising like flames. Her white robe darkened to a deep, dangerous purple—she now wore a living cloak of insects.
Using her nano-insect swarm, Maki formed a chakra armor around herself.
A layer of protection—dense with wind-enhanced chakra.
The glimmering violet streamers swirling around her were stunning and deadly.
With their ability to absorb chakra, this armor provided outstanding defense against ninjutsu and chakra-based attacks.
She didn't have much chakra left—but the Nine-Tails had plenty.
I just need to borrow a little.
Visually, she now mirrored Tsunade's tailed-beast cloak almost perfectly.
Even Tsunade's eyes widened in disbelief.
She can match this...?!
Does she have the power of a Tailed Beast too...?
"Maki!!"
Without thinking, Tsunade roared like a wild animal and lunged forward.
Maki, calm and composed, drew her sword and stood her ground.
There was no shouting back—no drama, no posturing.
If you have the strength, then show it. No need for words.
The clash was imminent.
Tsunade charged straight ahead, the ground crumbling beneath each thunderous step. Her force was overwhelming.
At the same time, Maki launched forward without hesitation, matching the intensity.
Insect Secret Technique: Bee Dance – Sting!
She exploded into a burst of speed, sprinting in a straight line. It was faster than any gliding or dash—pure, raw acceleration.
The air cracked with shockwaves from their movements.
Two forces, one sharp as a needle, the other like a hammering spike—rushing toward collision.
Tsunade threw a devastating punch, chakra forming a massive red fist imprint beneath her.
Maki's blade aimed directly for Tsunade's core.
"The sword's gonna snap!"
"Not necessarily," someone else countered.
Then—
"That's enough!"
A figure appeared in a blur, and in the blink of an eye, thick chakra chains shot out—wrapping around both Tsunade and Maki.
They were instantly bound, their attacks halted.
Uzumaki Mito, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuuriki, had arrived.
The crowd watching was left stunned—whether in disappointment or awe was hard to tell.
Four ANBU landed beside her, clearly unsure of what to do. They looked like they wanted to hold down both combatants—but were too afraid to approach either.
Tsunade stayed silent.
As for Maki, the dangerous, violet insect-armor surrounding her could kill on contact. The ANBU didn't dare touch her.
They all knew it.
"Grandma Mito!" Tsunade pouted, almost whimpering. "I almost won!"
Maki, meanwhile, looked quietly frustrated as her chance slipped away. Silently, her insects chewed through the chakra restraints, allowing her to break free.
Tsunade struggled against her own bindings, but couldn't escape as easily.
"You..." Mito smiled faintly. "What did I warn you about?"
"Ugh..." Tsunade groaned, frowning. "Not to use that power on fellow villagers."
"And what did you just do?" Mito asked calmly.
A scolding tone—but not without affection.
Of course, it was Mito herself who had given Tsunade that power.
"I...!" Tsunade hesitated, clearly reluctant to admit fault. The Nine-Tails' chakra slowly receded as she cooled down. Then she pointed at Maki and blurted, "She's scary strong, okay!? There's no way I'd beat her without it! I won't use it on anyone else!"
"Is it my fault now?" Maki responded dryly.
"Yes! It is!" Tsunade snapped.
Maki ignored her, calmly clasping her hands and dispelling her insect cloak.
No point keeping the lights on when the show's over. Rain's coming—better take down the laundry.
"Hey! Don't ignore me, you damn bug girl!"
"Tsunade!" Mito barked.
Tsunade was practically screaming.
A single drop of cold sweat ran down many onlookers' faces.
Mito just chuckled and looked at Maki, expression unreadable.
"She's adorable, isn't she, Tsunade?"
"She's not! She's not cuter than me at all!" Tsunade wailed. "You don't even know what she looks like under that mask!"
"Tsunade," Mito said again, this time more firmly.
Tsunade huffed, shut her mouth, and shot daggers at Maki with her eyes.
Turning to Mito, Maki asked, "So how's the exam judged?"
"How about… a draw?" Mito smiled.
Maki nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Mito called after her. "Want to become my student?"
"Who, you?" Maki said, raising an eyebrow.
"The strongest sealing master in the village," Mito replied proudly.
"Deal," Maki said without hesitation.
The crowd stirred again, watching them with complex expressions.
What kind of monster did she just take under her wing...?
"I don't want to! I don't wanna!" Tsunade yelled, nearly in tears.
But no one paid her any attention.
Silly child...
Mito glanced at Tsunade, her tone gentle:
"It's not about you this time."
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