Yōkō stood on the wall outside the Senju clan compound.
Inside the Senju lands, a gloomy aura drifted everywhere.
This was a cursed shinobi clan, with important members dying one after another.
On the brink of certain destruction, the more the Senju clan did, the faster they fell.
It was like the end of dynastic eras, where any reform only accelerated the society's collapse.
[Mochizuki's Arc activated!
Reward: One draw opportunity:
1 - S-Rank Sealing Technique: Four Symbols Seal (Beginner);
2 - Special Jōnin-level Chakra Reserve (Stackable);
3 - Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai (Medium-High).]
Judging by the reward content, he wasn't killed by the Nine-Tails, but by Uzumaki Kushina.
Probably because Uzumaki Kushina was sealing more than half of the Nine-Tails.
Among these three options, Yōkō first eliminated the Special Jōnin-level Chakra Reserve.
Even if his chakra reserve doubled, he still wouldn't survive the Night of the Nine-Tails Seal.
The first option, S-Rank Sealing Technique: Four Symbols Seal, was extremely precious.
This sealing technique was second only to the Adamantine Sealing Chains for Tailed Beast sealing.
With this technique, Yōkō could later scheme to seize a Tailed Beast and become a Jinchūriki himself.
A cold wind crept up from his legs, rushing upwards along his calves, making his whole body feel icy.
The Nine-Tails' chakra caused waves of negative emotions to rise in his heart.
Yōkō carefully recalled the battle from his previous life. Even if he had the Four Symbols Seal, could he have sealed part of the Nine-Tails' chakra in that scenario?
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, the ANBU, the Senju clan – everyone was watching the Nine-Tails. He wouldn't have had a chance.
This technique was extremely precious, but useless for that night; he would still be swatted to death by the Nine-Tails.
Therefore, he could only choose the third option, the Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai.
Choosing the Uzumaki bloodline to help Uzumaki Kushina catch her breath at the critical moment might offer a sliver of a turning point.
After making his choice, Yōkō's physique changed once again.
A wave of churning sensations rolled through his body. All his muscles, except his bones, twitched and convulsed.
Yōkō's mask seemed to sink slightly – not because it was loose, but because his flesh was squirming.
The spasms lasted for a minute, then the pain quickly faded. He hurriedly checked his status panel.
[Host Status:
Chakra Reserve: 2.5x Special Jōnin-level.
Chakra Affinity: Earth, Water, Yang.
Kekkei Genkai: Senju of the Forest (Medium-High), Uzumaki Clan (Medium-High).
Ninjutsu: Earth Release: Earth-Style Rising Spears, etc.
Taijutsu: Body Flicker Technique (Proficient), etc.
Sealing Techniques: Self-Cursing Body Binding Seal (Proficient), etc.
Special Abilities: Stress Reflex (Second Breakthrough), Natural Chakra Growth, Self-Healing Recovery (Slow), Sealing Technique Aptitude.]
The Uzumaki clan's Kekkei Genkai began slowly improving his constitution.
First, his chakra reserve increased from 1.7x Special Jōnin-level to 2.5x, a significant boost.
The Uzumaki clan was also famous for their large chakra reserves; without substantial chakra, one couldn't suppress a Tailed Beast.
Secondly, there were improvements related to sealing techniques.
Among sealing techniques, the Self-Cursing Body Binding Seal progressed from Beginner to Proficient.
The Self-Cursing Body Binding Seal originally required three hand seals; now it only needs one.
Originally, the sealing range was two meters around his feet; now the sealing script could quickly extend four meters, almost becoming a medium-range sealing technique.
Most crucially, 'Sealing Technique Aptitude' appeared in his special abilities.
This meant his chakra innately carried sealing power.
The reason Uzumaki Kushina was chosen as the Jinchūriki by two villages was precisely because her chakra had a naturally strong sealing capability.
Her sealing techniques were far more effective than others'.
Contemplating his new Kekkei Genkai, Yōkō slowly formulated a plan in his heart, hoping to survive the Night of the Nine-Tails Seal.
He had to do something to preserve the Senju clan and prevent Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo from gaining power too quickly.
If the Senju clan were annihilated, Danzo would obtain the Uzumaki clan's Sealing Scroll, acquiring the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, and then Danzo would dominate the ANBU completely.
The plot developed the same as in the previous life.
Outside the Senju clan lands.
Danzo argued with Senju Rinoki. Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed to Senju Rinoki's proposal, letting the Senju clan handle the Nine-Tails' seal.
Danzo disappeared, only reappearing on the Night of the Nine-Tails Seal.
When he reappeared, his right eye was already bandaged.
At the critical moment of the Nine-Tails seal, Danzo used the Mangekyō Sharingan hidden under his right eye to briefly clad the Nine-Tails in the Armored Susano'o.
Though only for an instant, it disrupted Uzumaki Mito's seal.
Uzumaki Mito died prematurely because of this, and the seal became precarious.
When the Senju clan had suffered heavy casualties, the ANBU entered the fray.
Yōkō had already died once in this full moon cycle; dying again would mean true death.
He followed Yellow Dog, quickly approaching Uzumaki Kushina.
Senju Rinoki's wife was crushed to death by the Nine-Tails due to Yellow Dog drawing its attention.
More of the Nine-Tails' chakra was pulled out from Uzumaki Kushina.
This time, Yōkō was more cautious and did not provoke the Nine-Tails.
He used Water Release: Water Formation Wall symbolically to block, guarding Yellow Dog's back.
With Senju Rinoki's wife dead, the Senju clan abandoned the Combined Sealing Technique and joined the ANBU shinobi in fiercely attacking the Nine-Tails.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Senju Rinoki's Water Release was exceptionally powerful. A water dragon over a hundred meters long erupted from the ground, coiling around the Nine-Tails and biting one of its forelimbs.
The Nine-Tails' forelimb was actually immobilized by a Water Release technique.
The Nine-Tails simply stopped moving and began forming another Tailed Beast Ball.
Senju Rinoki roared, and the water dragon bit down hard on the Nine-Tails' forelimb, yanking it sideways.
The Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball exploded at the edge of the battlefield, killing dozens of Senju shinobi and ANBU.
Yōkō thought, This is the chance!
Pretending he had to dodge because the Nine-Tails tilted and used its other forelimb to support itself, he jumped.
The direction of his jump was towards the Adamantine Sealing Chains in mid-air!
Dust clouds billowed skyward all around.
Using the dust as cover, when his back hit the Adamantine Sealing Chains, Yōkō quickly gathered his chakra and channeled most of it into the chains.
Uzumaki Kushina on the ground was shocked!
What?
Why was there such a familiar chakra?
This was clearly the chakra unique to the Uzumaki clan, and specifically the sealing chakra possessed by Uzumaki clan members skilled in sealing techniques!
With the support of a large amount of Uzumaki chakra, Uzumaki Kushina gained the upper hand.
The Nine-Tails' form instantly shrank significantly. Kushina pulled more of the Nine-Tails into her body.
Half of the Nine-Tails' chest was also sealed.
The Nine-Tails' height decreased until only its shoulders and head remained outside.
Senju Rinoki was overjoyed: "Kushina! Excellent!"
All the remaining Senju clan members were instantly elated. The over four hundred surviving Senju shinobi redoubled their efforts, faces full of joy.
In the distance, both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo were startled.
Why did Uzumaki Kushina suddenly surge in power?
If the Nine-Tails were sealed just like this, what use were all their plans?
This was a perfect opportunity to weaken the Senju clan and obtain the Sealing Scrolls of both the Senju and Uzumaki clans.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo, who nodded.
Danzo lifted his eyepatch again.
Beneath it, the crimson Sharingan with its three tomoe spun rapidly.
In the center of the battlefield, the Nine-Tails had long been annoyed by Senju Rinoki. This Senju shinobi, relying on his high strength, jumped around like a flea.
It raised its claw and swatted at Senju Rinoki.
Senju Rinoki was very familiar with the Nine-Tails' attack rhythm. He pushed off with his legs, preparing to dodge.
However, at that moment, his eyes suddenly froze.
His gaze passed through the desperately fighting Senju shinobi, past the ANBU throwing explosive tags outside, and landed on a single Sharingan eye!
His smooth dodging movement instantly faltered.
Danzo had transplanted a Sharingan!
Danzo wants to kill me?
Before the Nine-Tails transfer seal, Senju Rinoki had proactively visited the Uchiha clan.
Only the Uchiha clan's Sharingan could affect the Nine-Tails seal.
The Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Kane, promised that the Nine-Tails transfer seal was a major village event, and they would absolutely not cause trouble. On the contrary, he said if help was needed, they wouldn't stand idly by.
Senju Rinoki naturally didn't accept the Uchiha clan's offer. The Senju and Uchiha had many unresolved grievances. Some clansmen still said the First Hokage's death was due to Uchiha Madara's repeated provocations.
Where did Danzo get a Sharingan with such powerful ocular jutsu?
The Nine-Tails' claw pierced through Senju Rinoki!
At that moment, Yellow Dog, seeing Fox nearby, shouted: "Fox! Check on the Senju Clan Head!"
Yōkō's heart leaped with joy. His diligent performance within the battalion meant Battalion Commander Yellow Dog still trusted him more at critical moments.
He used the Body Flicker Technique to appear before Senju Rinoki.
Getting a bit of your bloodline ability wasn't easy, was it? Now I have to be your power bank, charging up Uzumaki Kushina and now charging you up.
Bet you didn't expect it, my Senju bloodline is also Medium-High, with self-healing ability.
(End of Chapter)