It was no wonder Tsunade was so agitated.
Konoha had stood for so many years. Although it had always suppressed the Nine-Tails, it had never once considered using the Nine-Tails' strength.
After all, the Nine-Tails had always been synonymous with brutality. Every appearance brought destruction and disaster.
And today, someone was actually telling her they wanted to try communicating with the Nine-Tails? To use its strength?
"Tsunade-senpai, we reached this conclusion after discussing it together."
"Minato, do you even realize what you're saying?"
"Yes. I'm very clear about it. Kushina is my wife. I would never do anything that would harm her."
Namizake Minato's expression was solemn. Just as he said, he would never gamble with the life of the woman he loved.
"But that's the Nine-Tails."
"Well… actually, Tsunade-senpai, during the previous Night of the Nine-Tails, Kushina already borrowed the Nine-Tails' strength. In fact, the compromise between them was initiated by the Nine-Tails first."
Hearing that Kushina and the Nine-Tails had already established some form of connection, Tsunade's face was filled with shock.
This was the first time she had ever heard of the Nine-Tails proactively contacting its jinchūriki.
And even lending its strength to the jinchūriki—such a thing sounded like pure fantasy.
"Sigh, sigh… I'm getting old. I can't keep up with you young people anymore."
"I'll give you the necklace. If you need my help with anything later, just say the word."
Gekko Chizan held the necklace in his hand and nodded in satisfaction.
"Many thanks."
"Oh, and don't forget about my daughter's matter."
"I know, I know."
Tsunade had already agreed to become the teacher of Gekko Chizan's daughter, Gekko Senka. Of course she wouldn't forget.
"Oh? Tsunade-senpai, what did you agree to for Chizan?"
"It's nothing. Just becoming his daughter's teacher."
Namizake Minato and Kushina exchanged a look the moment they heard the news.
Then, with perfect tacit understanding, they both nodded.
As for what the two of them had just communicated with that glance, Gekko Chizan could guess it with his toes.
They were definitely thinking about finding a teacher for their son, Uzumaki Naruto. Most likely… that heavy responsibility would fall on Jiraiya's shoulders.
"Let's go, Minato. Kushina."
"I'll go find Yamato. You two find a suitable place and begin constructing the sealing formula."
"It must be concealed and safe. Though I suppose I don't need to say that—you already know."
Gekko Chizan tossed the necklace to Namizake Minato, then vanished from the spot with Flying Thunder God.
Namizake Minato and Kushina greeted Tsunade before beginning preparations for what was to come.
...
The Gekko residence.
"Huh? Yamato's not in the village?"
"He went on a mission with Hayate?"
"Sigh… fine, fine."
Gekko Chizan had thought he would find Yamato at home, but instead learned that he had gone on a mission.
Now Yamato was also a shinobi of the village. He had already passed the Chūnin Exams and had formed a small team with Gekko Hayate. The two of them went on missions together constantly.
"Alright then. We'll talk after he gets back."
"Pakura, there's something I need to tell you."
Soon, Gekko Chizan explained about entrusting Tsunade with accepting Gekko Senka as her disciple.
Pakura had no reason to object. As one of Konoha's Legendary Three Ninja, Tsunade was unquestionably a top-tier powerhouse.
...
Three days later, outside Konoha Village, beside a waterfall.
Gekko Chizan, Namizake Minato, and Kushina stood in front of Yamato.
"Um… Chizan-sensei, Hokage-sama, Kushina-sama, please don't look at me like that…"
"I just got back from a mission. Is there something you need from me?"
It wasn't that Yamato lacked mental fortitude. But right now, all the big shots of the village were staring at him.
And most importantly, Gekko Chizan—his life mentor—was among them.
"Relax, Yamato. Relax."
"For the next period of time, you won't be going on missions."
"Including me, the four of us present here will be the only participants in the upcoming operation."
"I hope you'll cooperate with us as much as possible."
Namizake Minato smiled gently at Yamato, trying to ease his tension.
Gekko Chizan, however, was far more direct.
"Enough with the nonsense."
"Here. This is for you."
He tossed a scroll directly to Yamato.
Yamato caught it and opened it, discovering it was a formula—yes, a ninjutsu.
Its name was: Kakuan Entering Society with Bliss-Bringing Hands.
"What is this?"
Yamato looked at the scroll in confusion. From his observation, it seemed somewhat like a sealing technique—but not quite.
"It's just a technique. Minato, give him that necklace."
Namizake Minato nodded, took out the First Hokage's necklace he had obtained from Tsunade, and handed it to Yamato as well.
"What's this?"
Yamato accepted the First Hokage's necklace. Staring at the green gemstone pendant in his hand, he grew even more puzzled.
Yet for some reason, he felt a strange sense of mutual attraction coming from it.
"Try injecting your chakra into it."
Yamato nodded. He began gathering chakra in his hand and infused it into the necklace.
As his chakra flowed in, the First Hokage's necklace suddenly burst forth with a green glow.
It was a chakra aura belonging to Wood Release.
Sensing that aura, the four people present displayed completely different expressions.
Gekko Chizan looked as though it was only natural.
Namizake Minato appeared astonished.
Kushina's brows knitted tightly together. Under the shroud of this chakra, she felt a faint weakness spreading through her body.
As for Yamato, his face showed pure comfort.
Chakra of the same origin made him feel at ease. Even the strength within his own body seemed to slowly surge forth.
"It's just as we expected."
"As expected, it's chakra of the same origin."
"With this, all the theories are validated."
"Kushina, how do you feel?"
Both Gekko Chizan and Namizake Minato had noticed the change in Kushina.
Kushina shook her head at the two of them.
"I'm fine. I just feel that this chakra has a suppressive effect on me. I don't think it's aimed at me."
"It should be aimed at the Nine-Tails."
At this point, everyone was satisfied with the current progress. After all, they had gathered here specifically to deal with the Nine-Tails' strength.
"Yamato, from here on, we'll need your strength."
"Yes."
"First, finish learning Kakuan Entering Society with Bliss-Bringing Hands."
With Wood Release combined with Kakuan Entering Society with Bliss-Bringing Hands, Yamato would become the core of the formation to suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra.
And with the First Hokage's necklace added in, it would be absolutely foolproof.