244. Capturing Kyubi

On that day, the Nine-Tails finally remembered the fear once instilled by Mokuton users and the humiliation of being confined in a wooden cage.

“Hashirama!!!”

The crimson beast bared its massive jaws full of sharp teeth. A gray energy orb emanating destruction formed, aimed at a landscape already riddled with devastation.

“Wood Style: Wood Dragon Jutsu!”

A composed long-haired man clapped his hands, and several fearsome wooden dragons burst forth from the ground beneath him. They surged forward with overwhelming force, coiling toward the frenzied beast.

“Boom!”

The Nine-Tails, busy preparing its meal, was caught off guard. It could only watch helplessly as the familiar wooden dragons wrapped around it with unnerving agility.

Desperate, it launched its incomplete Tailed Beast Bomb at one of the dragons’ open jaws.

The devastating attack obliterated the dragon’s head, but the residual energy surged toward Hashirama, whose brow furrowed in response.

“I can’t let my big bug get hurt, or I’ll have nothing to brag about to Madara!”

Hashirama glanced at the towering wooden golem behind him, which carried a majestic beetle on its back. Refocusing his chakra, he summoned another wooden golem of equal size. Its massive hand reached out to intercept the incoming Tailed Beast Bomb.

“Boom!”

A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield, filling the air with smoke and the scent of scorched earth. Yet, the towering wooden figure remained unshaken. It had obliterated the Tailed Beast Bomb with its bare hands.

“Did the Tailed Beast come to us on its own? Is this a coincidence?”

Standing atop the wooden golem, Hashirama gazed at the frenzied Nine-Tails, his eyes narrowing in thought. According to intelligence, the Nine-Tails had been roaming the northeastern Fire Country. Why had it crossed the entire nation to wreak havoc in the Land of Waterfalls?

“Chomei, you idiot...”

The Nine-Tails, slightly calmer after seeing its signature move nullified so easily, cursed its unconscious companion.
“That stupid bug! Why didn’t it mention this human was an Ashura descendant? His Mokuton already resembles Ashura’s to some degree.”

Regret filled the Nine-Tails’ mind as it began considering a retreat. Its enormous beastly eyes flickered with human-like calculation.

Better to live to fight another day. Those fools will revive eventually; why should I care?

I just won’t brag in the chatroom anymore to avoid that wretched tanuki’s mockery.

Feigning madness, the Nine-Tails glanced behind itself to confirm a clear escape path. Then, it opened its jaws as if preparing to go all out, steaming breath pouring out to sell the act.

“You’re really going to fight to the death?”

Seeing the Nine-Tails’ defiant posture, Hashirama quickly dismissed his wandering thoughts. He clasped his hands and focused on the fox’s next move.

“Roar!!!”

The Nine-Tails raised its head, releasing a foul-smelling breath that stung the eyes. At the same time, chaotic energy churned in its massive maw.

“Wood Style: Masking Jutsu.”

Believing an all-powerful attack was imminent, Hashirama, concerned for the beetle behind him, summoned a wooden shield shaped like a demonic face. It stood tall to block the expected onslaught.

“Huh? No attack?”

From behind the shield, Hashirama waited for a long time. Suspicious, he peeked around the edge.
“What?! It ran away?”

The once imposing Nine-Tails was now a distant figure, its nine tails wagging across the horizon. The retreat was so swift and practiced that it had to be habitual.

“Humph! Think I got chosen as the leader for nothing? It takes brains to control all these tails!”

The shameless Nine-Tails sprinted across the plains, its beastly face betraying a smug, human-like grin. Recalling the naive human it had just mocked, it couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Haha, that guy’s as dumb as Ashura. What’s the point of being strong if you lack brains?”

“I didn’t catch that. Care to repeat yourself?”

A strange voice interrupted. The Nine-Tails instinctively replied, “I said that guy’s as dumb as... Wait, how are you so fast?!”

The Nine-Tails turned to see the wooden golem running alongside it. Despite carrying the unconscious Chomei, it kept pace effortlessly. Hashirama stood atop it, glaring indignantly.

“Stay still!”

Before the Nine-Tails could react, countless wooden tendrils sprouted from the golem, forming a massive wooden hand that pinned it down.

“Sealing Jutsu: Grasp of Tranquility!”

Unable to muster any strength, the Nine-Tails could only watch as a wooden hand marked with the word “seat” pressed against its forehead.

“Subjugation Complete.”

The next moment, the Nine-Tails’ vision went black, its mind drifting back to its carefree youth when it was still an innocent, friendly fox.

“Phew... Success!”

Looking at the subdued Nine-Tails blowing snot bubbles on the ground, Hashirama relaxed, flashing a bright smile.

With three Tailed Beasts now in his grasp, Hashirama felt victory within reach. He hoisted the Nine-Tails onto the golem and began heading back to Konoha, triumphant.

“Sorry, Madara. I win again this time!”



The Nine-Tails, indifferent to the fate of humanity, casually unleashed several small Tailed Beast Bombs at the Hidden Falls' ninja outpost. Sensing Chōmei's fading trail, it swayed its massive head and pursued the direction Senju Hashirama had taken without sparing a glance at the ninja present. Eventually, a fateful encounter between man and beast led to the epic battle at the beginning of this tale.


---

Konoha.

“Ah~ Cousin hasn’t come back yet?”

On a bustling street, a handsome but vacant-eyed man with curly hair yawned deeply, glancing lazily at the lively crowd. As he scanned the surroundings, he muttered complaints about the days-long absence of Uchiha Madara, who left without any word.

“Older women really know how to be considerate~”

Freshly escaped from Uchiha Eimi's tender embrace, Uchiha Gin felt rejuvenated.

The mature charm and experience of the woman left him savoring every moment, contrasting starkly with youthful naivety. The lingering sweetness on his lips sent his thoughts adrift.

He couldn’t help but lament that there were only seven days in a week—hardly enough to enjoy everything.

“Hey~ Curly Ape, what are you doing here?”

A crisp voice abruptly interrupted Gin’s musings. He reflexively rolled his eyes, recognizing the familiar tone. Turning lazily, he saw Senju Itama’s skeptical face, with Uchiha Haruka standing thoughtfully beside her.

“Why? Is this street your family’s property? Why can’t I be here?” Gin retorted with a smirk.

Ironically, the lively commercial street they stood on was indeed part of his private estate, crafted by artisans from the Land of Waves.

“You said earlier you wouldn’t leave the house today,” Itama countered, frowning slightly and tilting her head, suspicion evident in her gaze.

Gin, caught off guard, rubbed his neck sheepishly and casually fabricated a response.
“Just had a feeling something interesting might happen today. Can’t a guy be proactive for once?”

As Gin spoke, Haruka stepped forward, her cool gaze scanning his neatly dressed figure. Her sharp senses caught a peculiar scent lingering on him—faintly familiar yet out of place.

“Gin-san, have you eaten?” she asked, her soft yet probing tone cutting to the heart of the matter.

“Yes, yes! Ate my fill!” Gin hastily replied, breaking into a wide grin and mimicking the satisfaction of relishing a fine meal.


---

Just as Gin endured the women’s interrogation, a joyous voice called out behind him. He turned to see a group of debtors led by Sarutobi Sasuke, who beamed at him.

“Ah, Sasuke! How’s Takizuke doing these days?” Gin called out, seizing the chance to change the topic.

“Thanks to you, my teacher is hale and hearty. He’s even mentoring Hiruzen lately,” Sasuke replied with gratitude in his tone.

Another voice chimed in—this time Akimichi Shinji, who approached eagerly, mentioning his uncle’s recent lack of appetite and asking for the recipe of the dungeon’s meals, which his uncle seemed to fondly reminisce about.

Gin, somewhat baffled but amused, joked, “If the dungeon weren’t closed, I’d gladly let you stay there a few days to experience it firsthand!”

As the conversation continued, others like Yamanaka Minako and Shimura Kenichi joined, each bringing their unique concerns or grievances about their clans’ debts. The interactions revealed Gin’s sly humor and the subtle power dynamics he held over Konoha’s allied clans, leaving him both amused and slightly exasperated.

Finally, amidst the chatter, someone brought up the competition for the Hokage position, specifically the growing strength of Senju Hashirama, who had already captured two tailed beasts. Gin feigned concern outwardly but inwardly rolled his eyes, well aware of the events unfolding in the distance.

Though he had no real ambition for the Hokage title, Gin couldn’t resist cheering internally for his brother, Uchiha Madara, to at least win this symbolic rivalry with Hashirama. After all, even if they didn’t fight for leadership, pride demanded they claim some victories.

As the conversation meandered toward alliances and future support for the Uchiha clan, Gin found himself unexpectedly moved by the rare moments of camaraderie, even if they came wrapped in debts and schemes.

"Hmph, no matter the era, it’s always a game of connections and power." Gin chuckled to himself, stepping forward with a mix of mischief and resolve, prepared to navigate the chaos of Konoha’s early days.