Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 126: Opening Ceremony—Nine-Tails vs. Mahoraga

The past two days had seen a remarkable improvement in decorum among the assembled shinobi.

Gone were the petty squabbles and posturing.

Those who had arrived from other lands began to realize that Konohagakure offered more than just strength—it offered innovation and culture.

From recreational facilities to public academies, the visitors found themselves both impressed and perplexed.

Many wondered aloud why the village invested so much in its civilians instead of focusing solely on shinobi.

For them, such resources seemed wasted if not used to train more warriors.

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Night fell over Konoha, yet the village remained vibrant and lively, illuminated by countless lanterns.

Uchiha patrol units, though present, kept a low profile to ensure they wouldn't disturb the revelers.

After all, even the visitors knew better than to stir trouble here—especially given the swift and publicized punishment dealt to a certain inattentive Uchiha guard.

Here, discipline was paramount. Uchiha patrol standards required at least three-tomoe Sharingan proficiency and mastery of the Izanagi technique.

There was no room for negligence.

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Atop the Hokage's towering headquarters, a meeting was underway.

Uchiha Kagami stood by, joined by Minato, Kushina, Orochimaru, and three of the White Snake Sage's heralded snake-priestesses.

The tension in the air was palpable.

"Kagami-sama, it's been a long time," one of the snake-priestesses began cautiously.

"What is it that you require of us?"

The priestesses had arrived with dismissive disdain for Orochimaru's earlier warnings about Kagami.

But now, standing in his presence, their arrogance had all but vanished, replaced by trembling unease.

Even Orochimaru, known for his poise, tread carefully.

Kagami's tone was calm but commanding.

"Tomorrow marks the beginning of the tournament. Tonight, however, we need a spectacle—an opening act."

He turned his sharp gaze to the snake-priestesses.

"I understand that the three of you can create quite the impressive mirage. What's the maximum range you can cover?"

After some hesitation, the oldest of the trio, Tanishi, stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"With our combined strength, we can conjure a mirage large enough to cover half of Konoha," she said.

"However, it's a mere visual illusion. It lacks offensive power and would pose no challenge for your Sharingan to see through."

Kagami nodded once and shifted his attention to Kushina.

"Release the Nine-Tails."

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"W-what?!"

Both Minato and Kushina stared at Kagami, stunned.

"Are you out of your mind?" Kushina demanded.

"If I release it, it'll kill me!"

The snake-priestesses exchanged puzzled glances.

This fiery-haired woman was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki?

And yet, she dared to shout at Kagami with such familiarity.

Kagami spoke slowly, firmly.

"Kushina, you're not the ideal host for the Nine-Tails. I've been considering this for a while now."

Both Minato and Kushina froze, their eyes widening.

"I have a way to extract the beast without harming you," Kagami continued.

"And I've already decided on a new host—Minato."

---

Inside Kushina's seal, the Nine-Tails roared and thrashed.

"Fools! You dare think you can control me?"

The beast's snarls echoed within her mind.

"You think that brat will succeed where the rest of you have failed? I will not bow to him!"

Kushina stood quietly in the sealed space, her expression calm.

"I believe in Minato," she said softly.

"I trust Kagami, too."

Turning to the Nine-Tails, she spoke one final time.

"Goodbye."

---

Above the village, a colossal illusory landscape unfolded.

Under the moonlight, a mirage of intricate pavilions and serene lakes shimmered into existence.

It was breathtaking, yet undeniably surreal.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered.

A massive, furious fox with burning red fur emerged from the mirage.

Its crimson eyes, adorned with three spinning tomoe, gleamed menacingly.

From the darkened shadows, an immense humanoid figure—Mahoraga—stepped forth.

Enveloped in ghostly energy, it exuded an overwhelming sense of dread.

Then, under the watchful eyes of thousands, the Nine-Tails and Mahoraga charged at each other.

With a thunderous crash, the two titanic figures collided, shaking the very air around them.

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This chapter is really short so I am going to release 2 chapter today, this is the first chapter.