Naruto: I am Uchiha Shirou

Boom!

With only two and a half tails of chakra remaining, Uzumaki Kushina's combat strength had drastically decreased. Jiraiya and Orochimaru were gradually gaining control of the situation.

At that moment, several kunai streaked through the air. Seeing this, Jiraiya exclaimed in surprise, "Minato, you!"

Rushing into the battlefield, Namikaze Minato, with a determined look, shouted resolutely, "Jiraiya-sensei, I'll provide support!"

Although Minato's strength wasn't exceptional yet, his reaction speed and agility were extraordinary—a true testament to his innate talent. His swift movements and precise kunai and shuriken throws drew the beast's attention as he darted around the battlefield like lightning.

Boom!

The crimson Nine-Tails chakra, shaped like claws, wreaked havoc, tearing through everything in its path.

"Something's wrong!"

From a distance, Tsunade frowned as she observed Kushina's beast-like rampage, her expression hardening into anger.

"Jiraiya, Orochimaru! Kushina is being consumed by hatred. Her consciousness is trapped! Use genjutsu to wake her up. Otherwise, if her chakra runs out, she'll die!"

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Tsunade urgently shouted a warning to the two. Her words struck a chord with them.

So that's why! Even as the Tailed Beast's chakra dwindled, Uzumaki Kushina showed no signs of regaining consciousness. It was as if her mind was submerged in a spiritual abyss, completely relinquishing her body to the beast's control.

"Orochimaru, use genjutsu!"

Jiraiya shouted. He was adept at dispelling genjutsu but not casting it.

Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bomb!

Under Jiraiya's fearsome attack, Kushina, still in her two-and-a-half-tailed form, roared in fury. Orochimaru, cautious as ever, refrained from taking unnecessary risks—this wasn't his later, nearly invincible self. At this stage, even an explosive tag could seriously injure him.

Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!

Several snakes sprang forth and tightly coiled around Kushina. At that moment, Orochimaru formed a seal, and Kushina let out an earth-shaking roar of pain.

Roar!

Uzumaki Kushina clutched her head in agony, thrashing violently. It was clear that Orochimaru had unleashed a genjutsu.

"Out of the way!"

Tsunade's stern voice echoed as she charged toward Kushina, a sealing talisman glowing faintly with green chakra in her hand.

"Watch out, Tsunade!"

Jiraiya shouted, alarmed. Kushina, under the effects of the genjutsu, let out a furious roar. Her chakra surged again, forming a monstrous claw that lashed out at Tsunade.

"Kushina!"

Tsunade bellowed, smashing aside the fox-like claw with a mighty punch. The ground cracked beneath her as more chakra hands emerged from the earth, barring her path.

Just then, streaks of light flashed through the air—shurikens spinning with incredible speed bypassed Tsunade to strike at Kushina. Orochimaru's sharp eyes noticed the faint glint of wires in the air and barked an order:

"Jiraiya, hold the Jinchūriki down!"

Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!

Wild Lion's Mane Technique!

Orochimaru and Jiraiya launched a coordinated attack to restrain Kushina, tangling with her chakra arms. At the same time, Namikaze Minato's thrown kunai and precise maneuvers provided vital support.

"You're using steel wire!"

Jiraiya exclaimed with a laugh upon noticing the intricate setup.

Sharingan Windmill Triple Blade!

"Now, Kushina!"

Shirou shouted, biting down on a wire and pulling it taut. The wires snapped together, tangling Kushina and her Tailed Beast cloak. The tension emitted a piercing sound as it resisted the fox's chakra.

"Captain Tsunade!"

Shirou shouted. Tsunade responded with a mighty leap, her Heavenly Foot of Pain smashing down and shattering the chakra claws protruding from the ground.

"Wake up!"

Tsunade roared, surging toward Kushina. Her mighty fist shattered the Tailed Beast cloak with precise force and delivered a sealing talisman onto Kushina's chest.

Poof!

The talisman released a soothing green light filled with life energy, enveloping Kushina and Shirou, who had been aiding her. Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

"So this is the chakra of the First Hokage used for sealing the Nine-Tails," Orochimaru muttered, intrigued.

Tsunade confirmed, "Yes. It's a sealing talisman my grandmother entrusted to me."

With the seal successfully suppressing the Nine-Tails, Kushina's Tailed Beast cloak faded away, and her eyes began to clear. However, she lay on the ground, trembling and gasping for air.

"Am I… a monster?" she whispered, her voice filled with despair. In her spiritual space, she sensed the fear and disgust in the faces of those around her as they called her a monster. Now, her body bore the visible scars of the Tailed Beast chakra's corruption.

Lying nearby, Shirou groaned weakly.

"Well, isn't it fitting? One monster saving another," he joked, forcing a pained smile.

His self-deprecating humor caught Kushina off guard, and a small ripple of emotion stirred in her otherwise numb heart. She turned her gaze to Shirou, who gestured to himself mockingly.

"Look, even an evil Uchiha like me can transform. If that's not monstrous, what is?"

Kushina's pupils widened. She noticed the similar wary glances from others, directed at both Shirou and herself.

"Maybe… I'm not alone?" she thought, a glimmer of solace breaking through her despair.

"Two troublesome brats!"

Tsunade muttered, kneeling beside them to administer healing jutsu. Around them, Konoha ninjas warily approached the battlefield, shaken by the destruction they witnessed. Despite their victory, fear lingered in their eyes as they looked at Kushina.

Though the battle was over, the scars—both physical and emotional—remained.