Naruto: I'm Nine-Tails and My Host is Kushina-Chapter 41 - : Hiruzen is Frustrated

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**"Well, that's because their Jinchūriki is dead!"**

**"What?"**

Mikoto Uchiha and Hikari Hyūga turned to Kushina Uzumaki, their eyes wide with disbelief.

A Jinchūriki—someone with a Tailed Beast sealed inside them—was a force to be reckoned with.

They possessed power beyond ordinary shinobi, often feared and respected on the battlefield.

And yet, Kushina had just admitted to taking down the Sand Village's Jinchūriki.

Did that mean she was stronger than they had realized? Stronger than them?

Even as friends and comrades, there was always an unspoken rivalry between them. No one wanted to be left behind.

Mikoto narrowed her eyes. "Kushina... are you saying you were the one who killed the Sand's Jinchūriki?"

Kushina let out a small chuckle and shook her head. "Nah, not really. I only took out his guards. The Jinchūriki was already an old man. The moment he stepped outside and saw the world again, he laughed himself to death."

Hikari blinked. "You're kidding, right?"

Kushina stretched her arms behind her head, feigning nonchalance. "Not at all. Poor guy had been locked up for decades. Guess seeing the outside world was just... too much for him."

Mikoto and Hikari exchanged glances.

It sounded ridiculous, but when it came to Jinchūriki, nothing was ever simple. Their existence was nothing like that of an ordinary shinobi.

"No wonder the Sand is so on edge," Mikoto muttered.

"Yeah. Makes sense." Hikari crossed her arms. "Jinchūriki aren't like normal people. Wouldn't be surprised if a lifetime of isolation messed with his head."

Kushina's brow twitched slightly. "Are you talking about him or... me?"

Hikari smirked but said nothing.

Before the conversation could continue, Kushina changed the subject. "Listen, we don't need to report this to the Third Hokage, alright? It wasn't part of our mission."

Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying we should lie?"

"Not lie," Kushina corrected. "Just... not mention it. Our main mission isn't over yet, right?"

Hikari shrugged. "Fine by me."

Mikoto sighed but nodded. "Alright. But if this blows up later, it's on you."

Kushina grinned. "Deal."

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### **Konoha – Hokage's Office**

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, read through the mission report with a satisfied smile.

Uzumaki Kushina, Hyūga Hikari, and Uchiha Mikoto had successfully eliminated the Sand shinobi threatening the Land of Fire's borders.

The enemy had retreated back into the Wind Country, and for now, the border was secure.

"You three did well," he praised, setting the report aside. "This mission was crucial, and you carried it out flawlessly."

Kushina and her teammates gave small bows.

The Third Hokage took a long puff from his pipe, watching Kushina closely. She was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, but more than that, she was growing into a capable kunoichi.

This was good.

He had always believed in instilling the *Will of Fire* into the younger generation, and Kushina's loyalty to Konoha seemed firm.

As they left, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, exhaling smoke.

Then—

A knock at the door.

"Hokage-sama, urgent news from the front!"

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Enter."

A messenger rushed in, face pale. "The mission to attack the Sand Village's outpost... it failed."

Hiruzen's pipe slipped from his lips.

"What?"

The messenger handed over a casualty report. "Most of our forces... were wiped out."

Hiruzen's hands trembled as he unrolled the parchment.

Of the 100 shinobi he had sent—

- **60 Chūnin.**

- **10 Jōnin.**

- **30 reconnaissance and support personnel.**

Only **35** had returned.

Among them:

- **23 Chūnin.**

- **4 Jōnin.**

- **8 from the support and recon teams.**

Even the logistics team—usually the first to retreat—had been nearly obliterated.

The Sand's counterattack had been brutal.

Hiruzen clenched the report in his fist, his heart heavy with anger and regret. He had personally authorized this operation, believing it would weaken the Sand before they could launch a full-scale war.

Instead, Konoha had suffered a humiliating defeat.

"Dammit..." he muttered, throwing the crumpled paper into the trash. "Did they set a trap for us?"

As if the situation couldn't get worse—

The office door slammed open.

Three figures entered.

Danzo Shimura.

Koharu Utatane.

Homura Mitokado.

The moment Hiruzen saw them, his irritation grew.

Danzo wasted no time. "Hiruzen, how do you plan to take responsibility for this failure?"

Hiruzen's expression darkened.

Of course, they had found out already.

"I was handling a delicate operation. There was no time for consultation," he replied curtly.

Homura scoffed. "That's not how we do things, Hiruzen. You may be Hokage, but this village isn't yours alone to command."

Danzo smirked. "Exactly. You should have consulted us."

Hiruzen exhaled sharply. He knew where this was going.

Danzo didn't care about the mission's failure. He just wanted leverage against him.

Still, Hiruzen wasn't about to let Danzo use this as an excuse to seize power.

"You want me to take responsibility?" Hiruzen said, voice steady. "Fine. Should I resign and let you take over, Danzo?"

Danzo's smirk faltered.

Koharu quickly stepped in. "That won't be necessary."

Homura nodded. "Every Hokage makes mistakes. Even the First and Second Hokage had their failures."

Danzo huffed. "Tch Hiruzen You will Regret this."

He had come to humiliate Hiruzen, but it seemed his chance had slipped.

Still, he had made his point.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and left.

Koharu and Homura followed soon after.

Alone once more, Hiruzen sat back down, rubbing his temples.

The anger in his chest burned.

"Sand Shinobi... you think Konoha is weak?" His fingers tightened around his pipe. "You'll regret that."

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### **That Night – Kushina's Home**

Steam filled the air as Kushina soaked in her bath, letting her muscles relax.

She had completed another mission.

Another step forward.

Her thoughts drifted as she leaned back, her vibrant red hair floating in the water.

Then—

She smirked.

"You in there, Kurama?" she murmured.

Deep within her mind, in the vast, dark space of her seal, the massive form of the Nine-Tails shifted.

One red eye opened.

"What do you want, girl?"

Kushina tilted her head, amused. "I was just wondering... do you really know how the Uchiha awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?"

Kurama let out a low, rumbling chuckle.

"Of course I do."

Kushina's smirk widened.

She had a feeling this was going to be an interesting conversation.

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