67 Seal Ceremony

The extended nine tails of Kyuubi swept across the large contingent of Konoha ninjas, moving at the speed of lightning. Many were caught off guard, unable to evade in time, resulting in numerous casualties. Among the casualties were several jounin skilled in physical arts, responsible for securing Kyuubi with iron chains.

The loss of these taijutsu specialists significantly weakened the efforts to restrain Kyuubi. With a surge of strength, Kyuubi effortlessly shattered the remaining iron chains, using its nine tails to gain leverage on the ground and rapidly break free from the quagmire.

Undeterred, the third generation gritted his teeth, wielding the hefty Vajra Ruyi Stick in an attempt to prevent Kyuubi's escape. However, Kyuubi, anticipating the move, lashed out with a lightning-fast tail, forcing the third generation to abandon his offensive and use the vajra stick for defense.

The force of Kyuubi's tail sent the third generation flying, creating a white cloud of dust that spanned thousands of meters in the death forest.

With the main obstacle temporarily removed, Kyuubi focused on breaking free from the mud, disregarding the powerful ninjutsu attacks from other Konoha ninjas. As Kyuubi neared liberation, a massive blue chakra chain, adorned with black sealing spells, swiftly ensnared Kyuubi's entire body, bringing its movements to an abrupt halt as it began to sink once again.

"Kirito, you insolent brat, cease your attempts to bind me!" Kyuubi bellowed angrily, its gaze fixed on the small figure on the ground nearby.

Simultaneously, Kyuubi directed its attention toward Kirito, opening its mouth to unleash a formidable black sphere pulsating with terrifying chakra

"Bijuudama, this guy's hatred for me is really not ordinary."

Kirito observed the rapidly forming black sphere in front of his eyes and couldn't help but wryly smile inwardly. Although he had exerted his full strength, he still couldn't completely subdue the Nine-Tails. It possessed enough power to unleash the Tailed Beast Jade.

In his assessment, the improved version of King Kong's blockade fell short of the original, lacking a crucial element. Recognizing the urgency, Kirito decided not to meet an early demise and opted to loosen the blockade, preparing for a quick escape.

"No, there's still a chance."

A sudden realization struck Kirito, and his eyes lit up as he gazed into the sky. A massive red toad descended abruptly, pressing down on Nine-Tails and disrupting the completion of its Tailed Beast Jade.

Psychic Art: Roof Collapse!

"Why is this guy back?"

"Is he intervening?"

Orochimaru and Tsunade, witnessing the appearance of the enormous toad, quickly identified it.

"Haha, kid, let me, Lord Jiraiya, help you."

Jiraiya, perched on the red toad, chuckled heartily.

"Master Jiraiya, thank you for your timely support. Please have your psychic beast assist me in dragging Nine Tails to the nearby sealing altar."

Kirito expressed gratitude upon seeing Jiraiya.

"Bunta, you heard him."

Jiraiya directed the red toad, Gama Bunta.

"Enough with the nonsense. This guy is formidable, and I can only temporarily suppress it with the combined strength of me and that powerful brat."

Not appreciating Zilai's casual remarks, Hamo Wentai cursed.

"Exactly, I'll summon Toad Guang to assist."

Despite Toad Bunta's complaints, Jiraiya, covering his ears, prepared to use psychic skills. However, before he could begin, a colossal purple snake emerged, carrying Orochimaru on its head. Additionally, a massive blue and white slug appeared, with Tsunade standing atop it.

"Seems unnecessary."

Zilai smiled upon witnessing this.

"Wanshe, assist us in bringing Nine Tails to the sealing altar."

Orochimaru commanded the Ten Thousand Snakes, eyeing Jiraiya with a smirk.

Ten Thousand Snakes wished to retort but, with numerous Konoha ninjas around, refrained from speaking. It promptly coiled around Nine Tails, restraining it with its colossal snake body.

"Slugs, secrete slippery mucus on the ground to reduce friction."

Observing Kyuubi, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru's psychic beasts being suppressed, Tsunade contemplated a strategy. She instructed the slug beneath her accordingly.

"I understand, Tsunade-sama."

The compliant slug released a gulp of slippery slime onto the ground.

"Others, don't just stand still; cooperate with us to pull Nine Tails to the sealing altar."

Tsunade, addressing the other Konoha ninjas still engaged in combat, spurred them into action. She then dismounted the slug, grabbed an iron chain from the ground, tossed it towards Nine Tails, bound its neck, and pulled forcefully.

As Tsunade exerted pressure, Nine Tails' body emerged from the mud.

Observing the success of Kirito and Konoha Sannin in suppressing Kyuubi, the morale of the other Konoha ninjas surged, and they swiftly followed suit. They threw numerous iron chains, bound Kyuubi, and collaborated with Kirito, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and others to gradually move Nine Tails towards the sealing altar.

"Damn, damn, damn!"

Furious at being dragged towards the sealing altar, Nine Tails roared angrily. Hindered by Kirito's Vajra blockade, it struggled to mobilize most of its chakra. Only a small portion was accessible, insufficient to break free from Kirito's King Kong blockade. Consequently, it sought to employ this limited chakra to unleash the Tailed Beast Jade against Kirito.

However, each attempt was thwarted by the meddling toad Bunta and the purple snake, preventing it from successfully consolidating the Tailed Beast Jade.

As the large purple snake further entangled it, Nine Tails found it increasingly challenging to mobilize chakra. In its current predicament, it could do little more than seethe with impotent rage.

"Very well, it's working."

Kirito, witnessing the collective efforts of all Konoha ninjas to pull Nine Tails towards the sealing altar, smiled with relief, even as beads of sweat trickled down from his exhausted form. While the Yin Seal provided Tailed Beast-level Chakra to aid the King Kong blockade, the process was arduous. Jiraiya and Orochimaru's psychic beasts alleviated some of the pressure, allowing Kirito to endure until Nine Tails reached the sealing altar for the final seal.

Suddenly, a Konoha jounin, less than 20 meters away, dropped the iron chain and swiftly hurled a dozen kunai, each armed with an ignited detonating talisman, directly at Kirito.

"You traitor!"

"Hatoyama, what are you doing, you scoundrel!"

"Stop his attack immediately!"

The sudden betrayal by a Konoha ninja named Hatoyama caught the nearby Konoha ninjas off guard, and they shouted angrily in response. Some attempted to aid Kirito, but it was too late.

Each of the kunai thrown by Hatoyama was infused with a considerable amount of Lightning Chakra, making them frighteningly fast. Their velocity was such that, at a distance of less than 20 meters, they almost reached Kirito in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning appeared.

In an instant, more than a dozen petite figures materialized before everyone's eyes, deflecting all the kunai with detonating talismans.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Subsequently, a series of explosions resonated in the sky.

"Damn Uchiha."

Frustrated by the failure of his determined attack, Hatoyama directed his anger towards Chizuru, the young Uchiha girl who had deflected his kunai, now lying collapsed near Kirito.

Unwilling to accept the failure of his assassination attempt, Hatoyama activated a dazzling burst of thunder, adorned himself with lightning armor, and charged towards Kirito, disregarding his own safety.

As a Kumogakure-trained spy embedded in Konoha since childhood, Hatoyama's mission was to sabotage Konoha and seal Kyuubi successfully. Recognizing Kirito as the linchpin in Kyuubi's sealing, his demise would ensure the failure of Konoha's efforts.

Despite maintaining a flawless facade and clandestinely infiltrating Kirito's vicinity under the guise of aiding in Kyuubi's suppression, his meticulously planned sneak attack ultimately failed.

Hatoyama's strike, fueled by a resolve to die, was swift and forceful. However, his ambush had been foiled, and Konoha boasted many individuals swifter than he.

A flash of azure blade light appeared in the air, severing Hatoyama's head from his body.

In the next moment, a white-haired ANBU operative brandishing a short knife materialized before Kirito, holding Hatoyama's lifeless form. He spoke apologetically, "Apologies for the failed rescue earlier. From now on, anyone seeking to harm you will have to go through me, Sakumo Hatake."

"Thank you for your support, Sakumo-sama. Please help me ensure her safety now."

Kirito, upon hearing Hatake's pledge, mustered a smile through his difficulty.

"This..."

Hatake hesitated upon Kirito's request. He understood whom Kirito referred to, but his foremost duty was to safeguard Tongren.

Observing Chizuru's condition, he noted her temporary unconsciousness, realizing her life was not in immediate peril. However, Kirito faced a different situation. If he left now, Kirito might face subsequent sneak attacks.

In a scenario akin to Hatoyama's betrayal, it was not inconceivable that other adversaries lurked within Konoha's ranks.

As an elite ANBU operative, Hatake Sakumo harbored suspicions about potential covert operatives like Hatoyama among their ranks.

"It's alright. I trust everyone here to protect me. The circumstances earlier won't repeat."

Kirito spoke louder this time, deliberately emphasizing his words.

Upon hearing Kirito's reassurance, a sense of guilt stirred among the surrounding Konoha ninjas. They realized Kirito was pivotal to Kyuubi's sealing, yet they had overlooked his safety in their focus on Kyuubi. Kirito's considerable strength had led them to assume he needed no protection, nearly resulting in catastrophe. Fortunately, the timely intervention of Uchiha Chizuru prevented disaster.

Reflecting on this, the Konoha ninjas felt gratitude towards Chizuru and a newfound respect for the Uchiha clan.

Kirito's words also resonated with Hatake Sakumo, who admired Kirito's steadfast dedication to his companions, reflecting the pure Will of Fire inherited from Mito-sama. Kirito's prioritization of comrades over missions and personal safety struck a chord with him.

Though he agreed with Kirito's sentiment, Hatake hesitated to vocalize his concurrence. As he contemplated his next move, the Third Hokage descended from the sky, smiling warmly at Kirito.

"Well said, Kirito. With Konoha's ninjas by your side, no harm shall befall you. I shall attend to Chizuru, ensuring her safety, alongside Kushina."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Kirito responded with gratitude.

Kirito's concern for Kushina was paramount. As the new Jinchuriki tasked with sealing Kyuubi, Kushina held a pivotal role in the operation. Her absence or incapacitation would severely impede Konoha's ability to contain the beast.

While Tsunade and Nawaki could potentially be replaced in their roles, Kushina's unique chakra, specifically attuned to suppressing tailed beasts, was irreplaceable. Their abilities paled in comparison to Kushina's, making her indispensable to the success of the sealing operation.

"Listen, everyone! The crucial moment to seal the Nine-Tails is upon us. We cannot afford to falter now. As the pillars of Konoha, let the younger generations witness your strength and resilience. Stand firm and show them what true backbone looks like. Move forward with determination!"

Time ticking away, the Third Hokage rallied Kirito and the other Konoha ninjas with his words. His status as the Hokage brought an undeniable boost to morale. The Konoha ninjas, spurred by his speech, blushed with determination, causing the speed of pulling Kyuubi toward the sealing altar to surge like adrenaline had been injected into their veins.

Satisfied with the response, Sandai smiled, nodded to Hatake Sakumo, and departed with the unconscious Chizuru.

Hatake Sakumo stood by Kirito's side, embodying a loyal guard.

After a brief moment of confusion, the effort to drag the Nine Tails to the sealing altar returned to normal, with a speed even greater than before. The commanding influence of the Third Hokage was indeed formidable—killing a Jonin was akin to slaughtering a chicken. No spy dared to reveal themselves and voluntarily meet their end.

Everything unfolded as planned.

This turn of events angered Kyuubi. The hope it glimpsed of breaking free from Kirito's restraints had vanished again, and it was the detested Uchiha clan that had thwarted its escape.

"Accursed Uchiha! The entirety of your clan deserves annihilation!"

Furious, the Nine-Tails, its mouth entwined by numerous chains, glared at Chizuru in the Sandaime's arms.

Vengeful by nature, it vowed to remember and retaliate against those who had wronged it. Once freed, it intended to seek vengeance upon the descendants of those who had harmed it, even if the original offenders were no longer alive. Hidden Leaf Village, in particular, would be a prime target for its wrath.

Finally, with the combined efforts of all Konoha ninjas, Kyuubi was successfully maneuvered into the sealing altar.

Upon the twelve rock pillars surrounding the sealing altar, the twelve elite sealing class ninjas stood poised. Almost simultaneously, they clapped their hands, unleashing a surge of powerful chakra from their beings.

In an instant, the numerous sealing techniques inscribed on the rock pillars lit up, rapidly extending across the entire sealing altar.

Nine Tails, now at the epicenter, immediately sensed an overwhelmingly potent binding force acting upon it. Even in the prime of its strength, breaking free from this binding force would be an arduous task.

"The Twelve Layer Sealing Technique! Kushina, it's time."

Observing that the sealing altar was functioning as intended, Kirito swiftly called out to Kushina, who stood at the corner of the altar, guarded by the Sandaime and Momoka.

Without hesitation, upon hearing Kirito's command, Kushina screamed. A massive golden chain shot out from her stomach, piercing into Jiuwei's abdomen.

In this moment, a profound connection occurred between Kushina's chakra and that of Kyuubi.

The small, weak red-haired girl and the colossal, powerful Kyuubi stared at each other. The stark contrast in their sizes and strengths was evident. However, Kyuubi, the mighty giant, displayed fear as it realized that its chakra was continuously flowing into Kushina's body through the golden chain.

Powerless to resist, Kyuubi contemplated smashing the golden chain with its claws, but found itself immobilized. In the external world, Kirito's King Kong blockade continued suppressing most of Kyuubi's chakras. Now, with the aid of the potent sealing technique from the altar, Kyuubi's chakras were completely subdued.

In this chakra battle, Kyuubi had zero chance of overcoming Kushina. It could only helplessly witness as Kushina sealed it into her body.

In reality, the size of Nine-Tails rapidly diminished. Once its manifestation fell below half of its original size, it would lose its physical form and revert to pure chakra.

Amidst its wails of unwillingness and hatred, all Nine-Tails' chakras were absorbed into Kushina's body.

Capitalizing on the sealing technique's effect, Kirito swiftly approached Kushina, clapped his hands, and unleashed a flurry of sealing techniques covering her body. Assisting her in suppressing the swaying Nine-Tails chakra within.

Sealing Technique Four Symbols Seal!

Four horizontal bars materialized around Kushina's navel, instantly quelling the restless Nine-Tails chakra.

Kirito, however, did not cease there. He clapped his hands again, employing the Four Symbols Seal once more, followed by the eight-trigrame Seal.

His aim was clear — to completely suppress the Nine Tails within Kushina using the dual Four-Element Seal, making the eight-trigrame Seal.

With the seals completed, Kushina, exhausted, collapsed unconscious on the spot.