Sakura paced nervously, her hands fidgeting as she glanced around the dimly lit room of the research facility. The sterile walls and flickering fluorescent lights seemed to close in on her, amplifying the anxiety that bubbled within. "How did we end up in this mess?" she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. "Hiding from our own ANBU? What the hell is going on?"

Hinata, stood nearby with her eyes trained on the door, leaned closer to her friend. "Sakura, we don't have a choice. We have to defend ourselves. If we don't…"

"I know, I know!" Sakura interrupted, her voice rising. "But it feels wrong! We're supposed to protect our village, not hide from its shadows!"

Hinata offered a soft, reassuring smile. "We will protect it, but we need to survive first. Here." She produced a small dagger, its blade glinting in the low light, and handed it to Sakura. "Just in case."

Sakura took the dagger, her grip tightening around the hilt. "I guess we should prepare for an attack." She glanced around the room, her mind racing. "We need to find anything we can use as weapons or defenses."

"Agreed," Hinata replied, her tone steady. "Let's split up. I'll check the other side of the room."

"Okay," Sakura said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just… be careful."

Hinata nodded, her resolve firm, and moved deeper into the facility. As she stepped into a section that resembled a hospital ward, something caught her eye. A baby crib stood innocently against the wall, draped in a soft blanket. She approached slowly, her heart pounding.

When she leaned closer, her breath caught in her throat. Inside the crib lay a baby, peaceful and asleep, oblivious to the chaos surrounding them. The child's skin tone was unmistakable—tan and smooth, echoing the lineage of a mother and father she knew all too well. "Hakari…" she whispered, recognition flooding her mind.

Without a second thought, Hinata carefully lifted the baby from the crib, cradling him gently in her arms. "We have to get you back to your mom," she murmured, a fierce determination igniting within her.

Rushing back to where she left Sakura, she was startled to see her friend holding an unusual-looking object, a bulky rifle that seemed more suited for a military assault than a stealth operation.

"What the heck is that?" Hinata exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Sakura turned, her brow furrowing in concentration as she adjusted her grip. "I think I found an experimental weapon," she said with a grin. "Thought we could use it if those ANBU come back."

"Experimental?" Hinata asked, raising an eyebrow. "How do you know it's an experimental weapon?"

Sakura shrugged, glancing at the weapon. "I found it in a pile of stuff. It's labeled as an 'experimental gas operated, long stroke piston, open rotating bolt machine gun.' So… yeah, that sounds about right." She added with a touch of sarcasm, "I'm sure it's perfectly safe."

Hinata bit back a laugh, studying the strange device. "Do you know how to use it?"

Sakura sighed, her expression turning sheepish. "Well, not really. But one of the guards here was flirting with me the other day, and he let me mess around with his rifle. So, it counts for something, right?"

Hinata couldn't help but chuckle softly. "I suppose that's close enough. Just be ready to use it if we're attacked."

"Right," Sakura said, trying to sound confident. "But, uh… if this thing runs out of ammo, I have no idea how to reload it."

Hinata shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips despite the circumstances. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, we need to figure out our next move if the ANBU decide to show up."

"Agreed," Sakura replied, shifting her stance with the weapon. She glanced at the door, the tension in the air thickening. "Let's just hope we have some time before they find us."

Hinata nodded, cradling Hakari closer to her. "We will protect him. No matter what."

As they shared a determined look, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside, sending a chill down their spines. Their eyes locked, a silent agreement forming between them. They were ready to fight.

Naruto sprinted down the narrow streets of Konoha, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to find Minato. Every second felt like an eternity, and the weight of his actions hung heavily on his shoulders. The village had erupted into chaos following the battle with the Kage, and he needed to see his father—now more than ever.

Suddenly, a shadow darted in front of him, blocking his path. Naruto skidded to a halt, recognizing the figure before him. It was Sasuke, his expression cold and filled with a burning fury.

"Sasuke," Naruto said, his voice taut with tension. "I don't have time for this."

"Of course you do," Sasuke retorted, his fists clenched at his sides. "You have time to face justice for what you did."

Naruto's heart sank. "You can't be serious. I didn't set out to kill Shisui! I was defending myself, you know that!"

"I know nothing of the sort," Sasuke shot back, his eyes narrowed. "You were the one who killed him. You have to pay for that."

"Sasuke, please," Naruto pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice. "This isn't the time to settle scores. We're all fighting for our lives! I'm trying to fix things."

"Fix things?" Sasuke scoffed. "You think you can just run around like a hero after everything you've done? You're nothing but a coward hiding behind your title."

Naruto took a step forward, trying to reach out to his friend. "I'm not hiding! I'm trying to make things right. We're all in danger, and fighting each other won't help anyone!"

Sasuke shook his head, a dark determination radiating from him. "You don't get to decide what's right or wrong anymore. Not after you took Shisui from me. I won't let you walk away."

Naruto's eyes softened, his heart aching at the pain in Sasuke's voice. "Sasuke, I'm sorry for your loss. I really am. But fighting me won't bring him back. You have to see that."

"I don't care!" Sasuke shouted, the raw emotion spilling out of him. "You think your apologies will change anything? I've lost too much because of you!"

Naruto's fists clenched, feeling the weight of Sasuke's anger. "Then let me pass. I don't want to fight you, Sasuke. You're my friend."

"Friend?" Sasuke's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You lost that right the moment you killed Shisui."

"I didn't mean to kill him!" Naruto insisted, his voice rising in frustration. "I'd never hurt him intentionally. You have to believe me!"

Sasuke took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Belief doesn't matter anymore. You've made your choices. Now it's time to face the consequences."

"Don't do this, Sasuke!" Naruto said, shaking his head. "I don't want to hurt you. We're on the same side!"

But Sasuke was already moving, his hand forming the seals for a jutsu. "You've made your choice. Prepare yourself, Naruto."

Naruto instinctively took a defensive stance, his heart racing. "I don't want to fight...Please, just let me go!"

Sasuke's Sharingan flared to life, and he charged at Naruto, the air crackling with tension. "You're not going anywhere!"

In that moment, Naruto knew he had no choice. He had to defend himself, even against someone he considered a friend. As Sasuke lunged forward, Naruto braced himself, his mind racing with memories of their past camaraderie, the bonds they shared.

But in this moment, all that mattered was survival.

"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, his voice filled with anguish. "You're making a mistake!"

The clash of their wills echoed through the empty streets as they prepared to fight, both determined but torn by their conflicting desires.

The research facility hummed with tension as Hinata and Sakura huddled in the room, the weight of impending conflict hanging heavily in the air. Hinata, with her bow and arrows at the ready, crouched behind a sturdy pillar. Sakura, meanwhile, stared nervously at the unfamiliar light machine gun she'd found amongst disassembled experimental weaponry.

"What am I doing here?" Sakura muttered under her breath, fidgeting with the gun's awkwardly shaped grip. She could feel her heart racing, a frantic pulse that mirrored the chaos brewing just outside the door.

Hinata glanced over, her voice steady despite the palpable anxiety. "Sakura, focus. We need to be ready. I can't use my Byakugan in here, so we might be taken by surprise."

Sakura nodded, swallowing hard as she forced herself to steady her breath. "Right. What do we do?"

Hinata's expression turned serious. "Let's turn off the lights. The corridor outside will highlight any intruders, and you'll be able to see them."

Sakura quickly switched off the lights, plunging the room into darkness, save for the faint glow filtering in from the corridor. The tension grew thick as they prepared for the inevitable clash.

"Make sure Hakari is safe," Hinata instructed, watching as Sakura hurriedly found a secluded corner to hide the baby. With a protective instinct, Sakura nestled him in a stack of crates before darting back to the machine gun, positioning it on a thick metal trolley.

"Ready when you are," Sakura whispered, her fingers trembling over the weapon.

"Stay alert," Hinata urged, taking cover behind her pillar, bow in hand, her senses heightened. The silence stretched, oppressive and heavy, as they waited for the card scanner to beep.

When the scanner's light turned green, time seemed to stop.

The door slid open slowly, revealing a shadowy figure. Hinata and Sakura held their breath, poised for action. A single heartbeat passed before the Anbu stepped inside, weapon raised, scanning the room in the darkness.

Without hesitation, Hinata loosed an arrow, the projectile slicing through the air and striking the Anbu in the throat. He crumpled silently to the floor, and the moment of calm shattered.

"Man down!" a voice cried out from outside the room.

Hinata raised a hand, signalling Sakura to hold her fire. Holding their breaths, they waited as shuffling could be heard from outside the room. After what seemed like an eternity, the silhouettes of two more operatives could be seen, carefully peeking into the room.

Sakura reacted instinctively, the roar of the machine gun breaking the silence as it erupted in a torrent of gunfire, the room briefly illuminated by flashes of light. She hit one enemy, but the other ducked behind the wall.

"Pin them down!" Hinata shouted, drawing another arrow.

Sakura fired wildly, struggling to control the recoil. The deafening noise of the gunfire filled the air, plaster exploding from the walls around them. As the Anbu took cover, Hinata moved stealthily toward the entrance, her focus laser-sharp.

She raised a hand, and Sakura abruptly stopped shooting, sensing the shift in strategy. The remaining Anbu, thinking they were safe, leaned out to return fire. That was when Hinata struck again, her arrows finding their marks.

The Hyuuga carefully made her way outside, intending to scan for movement with her dojutsu.

"Get ready! More are coming!" Hinata called out, darting back into the room as bullets whizzed past her. "They're in the right corridor!"

Sakura's heart raced as she took cover behind the trolley again. "How many?"

"Six! We need to hold our ground," Hinata warned, nocking another arrow.

With tension mounting, they braced themselves. Hinata leaned from behind the wall, waiting. An enemy popped into view, and with deadly precision, she shot him down.

"Sakura, move!" she shouted, retreating to the room's heart as bullets tore through the air.

Sakura repositioned herself near the entrance, the machine gun ready, when a chakra-based barrier suddenly emerged, blocking their view. "They're trying to regroup!" she yelled, firing wildly into the red barrier.

Luckily for her, the gun fired ammunition imported from Kirigakure and developed to counter chakra based defenses. As a result, it tore through the barrier, cutting down four enemies and driving the others back.

Hinata could feel the encroaching enemy presence. "You did great Sakura but they're gonna regroup and push again!"

"Okay..." Sakura gasped, her heart threatening to burst out of her chest. "Okay!"

Hinata darted to the side, assessing the situation. "Go set up inside, there are five more!"

As the Anbu strategized behind cover, Hinata quickly relayed the information. Sakura nodded, steadying her breathing as she set up her weapon behind the trolley inside again, preparing herself for the next wave.

"On my mark, we'll make our move," Hinata said, feeling the vibrations of footsteps approaching.

They waited, pulse racing, until the Anbu rolled in smoke canisters, filling the room with choking fog.

[Eight trigrams: air palm]

Hinata acted quickly, creating an air palm to disperse the gas.

The moment the fog cleared, she took aim and shot an Anbu, but he reacted quickly, erecting a mud wall just in time.

Sakura unleashed another burst from her machine gun, the bullets ricocheting off the walls. Baby Hakari's cries echoed, and Sakura's heart tightened with fear.

"Hinata, we can't let them get to Hakari!" she yelled, ducking behind cover the cover of the trolley as bullets pinged off it. "We're getting overwhelmed!"

"Fall back, we'll draw them inside and ambush them!" Hinata called out. "Move! I'll cover you!" she added as she sprinted to Sakura's position behind the metal trolley.

Sakura grabbed the gun and ran as fast as she could to the secluded part of the room. Hinata waited till she saw she was safe, then she took off towards Sakura while the medic covered her as best as she could.

Three Anbu slipped into the room, weapons raised. "Search everywhere!" one shouted.

Hinata leaned out from behind the wall, aiming carefully. The second an operative entered her field of view, she released another arrow, dropping him before retreating to safety.

But the remaining two returned fire, and one of the bullets struck Hinata in the stomach before she got to safety.

Sakura wanted to cry out but she covered her mouth with a hand, watching in horror as Hinata staggered back.

"Hostile down," one Anbu shouted as they advanced, approaching Hinata's position.

Sakura's breath quickened, adrenaline flooding her veins. She crouched low, weapon in hand and ready to protect her friend.

As the two Anbu drew closer, she sprang up from her hiding spot, unleashing a storm of bullets.

"Gotcha!" she shouted, taking them both out before they could react.

"Hinata, are you okay?" Sakura rushed to her side, panic swelling within her as she knelt beside her friend.

"I… I can still see…" Hinata winced but managed to speak. "Four more are on their way."

Sakura looked at Hakari's safe spot, then at Hinata, determination hardening her resolve. "I have to hold them off. Stay here!"

"No! We need to stick together!" Hinata insisted, but the urgency in Sakura's eyes was unmistakable.

"Just hold on! I'll get them!" Sakura replied, grabbing the machine gun and moving back toward the entrance.

Gunfire erupted as bullets rained down, forcing her to take cover behind a wall. "There's three behind the mud wall," she whispered, her mind racing for a plan.

In a split-second decision, she searched the body of a downed Anbu at her feet, her hands finding several explosive tags. With a deep breath, she tied them to two kunai and hurled them toward the enemy position.

The explosion shattered their barrier, and she immediately opened fire into the smoke, her bullets finding their targets.

The deafening blasts echoed through the room as the dust began to settle. "One more!" she said to herself, but just as she took aim, a bullet struck her in the thigh, sending her crashing to the floor.

"Ugh!" she grunted, pain radiating through her leg, but the fight wasn't over. From her prone position, she continued to fire at the last agent taking cover behind the thin wall, squeezing the trigger until she heard a body thump on the floor.

When the gun fell silent, she groaned, resting her head against the ground. As she healed her thigh, relief washed over her. "We survived… we actually survived…"

But as the dust settled and silence enveloped the room, Sakura knew the battle was far from over. She glanced toward Hakari and the injured Hinata, determined to keep them safe.

The dimly lit corridors of the research facility felt like a maze, shadows stretching in all directions as Sakura and Hinata sprinted for their lives. The only sounds were their heavy breaths and the faint whimpering of the bundle Sakura cradled tightly in her arms.

"Keep running, Hinata! We have to get out of here!" Sakura shouted, glancing over her shoulder.

"I'm right behind you!" Hinata replied, her heart pounding in her chest.

The pair finally made it to the exit, running into the empty streets. As they rounded a corner, the sound of muffled footsteps reached their ears. Sakura's eyes widened in alarm as she spotted several ANBU agents making their way towards them, their faces obscured by masks, but their intentions clear.

"Damn it!" Sakura cursed under her breath. "Take cover!"

With instinct kicking in, both girls dove behind a nearby wall just as bullets started flying in their direction. The sharp sounds of gunfire echoed around them, ricocheting off the walls and filling the air with tension.

"Hinata, what do we do? We can't stay here!" Sakura hissed, adrenaline surging through her.

Hinata strained her ears, listening intently. The gunfire continued for a moment, then gradually thinned. Suddenly, a shout broke through the silence, tinged with panic.

"Fall back! Fall back!" one of the ANBU agents yelled before his voice was abruptly cut off.

Hinata dared to peek out from their hiding spot. What she saw sent a wave of relief washing over her. Standing amidst the fallen ANBU was a figure cloaked in burning blue chakra, emanating strength and confidence. It was Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails jinchuriki.

"Hurry, Hinata!" she whispered, her heart lifting at the sight of her ally. Without hesitation, Hinata dashed out from behind cover, her instincts overpowering her caution.

"Hinata, wait!" Sakura shouted, panic rising in her voice as she watched her friend rush toward a potentially dangerous jinchuriki.

"It's okay, Sakura! It's Yugito!" Hinata called back, her voice filled with certainty.

As Yugito turned her gaze towards the two kunoichi, her eyes widened upon spotting the bundle in Sakura's arms. "Is that…?"

Sakura's heart raced as she stepped forward cautiously, holding the baby closer to her. "Hinata mentioned that you were his mum."

Yugito's chakra flickered as she deactivated her cloak, her features softening with disbelief. "Hakari?" she whispered, taking hesitant steps forward.

With trembling hands, Sakura carefully handed the crying baby to Yugito, who cradled him gently in her arms. Tears streamed down Yugito's cheeks as she gazed at her son, finally reunited with him. "Oh, Hakari…" she murmured, her voice breaking.

Hinata watched, her heart swelling with emotion as Yugito dropped to her knees, cradling her child close, rocking him back and forth as tears of joy fell. "I missed you so much..." she cried softly.

Sakura's voice shook slightly as she joined in. "We went through hell to get him out of there, but we did it. He's safe now."

Yugito looked up, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you… both of you. You don't know what this means to me." She gently began to check Hakari for any injuries, her expression shifting from joy to concern as she traced a finger over his skin.

"What's wrong?" Hinata asked, stepping closer, sensing the change in the atmosphere.

Yugito's hand paused, her breath catching as she found a mark on Hakari's back. "No… no, no, no…" she murmured, panic rising in her voice. "It's a seal… a teleportation jutsu seal from the Fourth Hokage."

Hinata's eyes widened. "What does that mean?"

Yugito's expression turned grave. "It means he's marked."

Hinata did little to hide her gasp. "What are we going to do?"

Yugito rose to her feet. "I have two choices: I can get him to a Fuinjutsu specialist in Kumo who can counter it, or I can find Minato and disable his connection to him directly."

"Why would he mark your child?" Sakura asked, confusion lacing her words.

"Because he wanted to raise him as a glorified test subject," Yugito spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "He sees him as potential, not a person."

Determination filled Yugito's eyes. "I need to find someone who can help remove this seal before it's too late. I'm leaving Konoha to meet someone who can help."

Before she could move, a new presence suddenly loomed in the distance, chilling the air around them. The trio turned to see Minato standing at the far end of the street, his expression calm but his eyes narrowed with intensity.

"Why are you taking away the boy?" he asked, his gaze fixated on Hakari.

Yugito's grip tightened around her child, anger surging through her. "He's not your property! He's my son!"

Minato stepped forward, the confident aura of a Hokage radiating from him. "If you think you can take him away, you're delusional. I can reach him whenever I want."

Yugito's heart sank as she felt the weight of his presence bearing down on her. She glanced at Hakari, her mind racing.

"I guess it's plan B," she whispered to herself.

She handed Hakari to Hinata, whispering urgently, "Take him to Samui of Kumogakure. She'll know what to do. You need to go now!"

Hinata's eyes filled with panic. "No, Yugito! You can't—"

"I can't let him get Hakari!" Yugito interrupted, her voice fierce with resolve. "I'm going to confront Minato and fix it. You two need to get out of here. Now!"

Sakura grabbed Hinata's arm, pulling her back as she called for Yugito. "We can't leave you!"

"Go!" Yugito shouted, her determination unyielding. "I'll buy you time!"

With heavy hearts and dread filling their chests, Sakura and Hinata turned and fled down the street, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the tense silence.

As Yugito stepped forward, a fire ignited within her. Memories of Bee's death fueled her resolve, and she prepared herself to confront Minato, the weight of her child's future resting heavily on her shoulders.

"I won't let you take him from me," she vowed, her heart pounding in her chest as she readied for the battle ahead.

Minato stepped forward, his gaze steady on the jinchuriki. "You made a mistake coming here Two-tails. But I guess I shouldn't complain about you making my job easier, capturing you some other time would've been much harder."

Yugito's breathing quickened as she fought to control her anger. "I'm going to kill you, for everything you've done to me and my people..."

Minato smiled weakly at her threat. "Tough words, but let's see if you can back them up."

The sun hung high in the sky, beating down on the streets of the village as Minato Namikaze stood confidently across from Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails jinchuriki. Though his demeanor remained calm, a storm of nerves brewed beneath the surface. He could feel the tension in the air, a prelude to the violence that was about to unfold.

Yugito, driven by the pain of losing Bee and their child Hakari, glared at him with fierce determination. "You'll pay for what you've done!" she hissed, her claws glinting menacingly in the sunlight.

Minato retained his usual confident demeanor, but a flicker of unease coursed through him. The loss of the Eight-Tails and her child had twisted Yugito's heart into a relentless weapon. He couldn't afford to underestimate her. "You're consumed by your anger, Two-tails. But vengeance won't bring them back to you."

Without warning, Yugito lunged forward, her speed a blur as she charged at him, aiming to land a devastating slash. But Minato was faster. In an instant, he threw a kunai into the wall beside him and teleported away just before her claws could find him.

"Got to be quicker than that," he taunted, his voice echoing from a nearby building where he had thrown a kunai. Before she could regain her footing, he tossed another kunai in her direction, and time seemed to stretch.

The kunai hovered, almost tauntingly, above her. Yugito turned, eyes wide with surprise. A rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins as she saw Minato reappear above her, a swirling Rasengan at the ready.

"Got you,"he thought, the words echoing in his mind as he slammed the Rasengan into her back with tremendous force.

But as his Rasengan made contact, Yugito flickered out of sight. Minato's eyes widened as he stared at the crater left in the ground, the dust still swirling from the force of his attack.

He turned, only to see Yugito leaning against a wall, panting heavily, her vest torn and damaged from the impact. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it aside, exposing her bruised skin on her back.

"Not bad," Minato conceded, his eyes narrowing. "But how long can you keep it up?"

With a roar, Yugito charged him again, claws outstretched. Minato instinctively tossed another kunai her way, time slowing again as the weapon sailed toward her. Yugito's instincts kicked in. In a flash, she spun mid-air and sent the kunai flying aside with a kick.

Minato reappeared at the kunai's impact point, but Yugito was ready. She lunged again, forcing him to teleport just in time. The fight was a deadly dance of speed and precision.

Minato's kunai flickered in and out of existence as he took advantage of his Space-Time Ninjutsu, striking with Rasengans and retreating before she could counter. She felt the ground shake underfoot as she struggled to keep pace with him.

"Why won't you just die?" Yugito growled, slashing at him again. He vanished, appearing at another kunai. She felt the air behind her shift and spun just in time to see his Rasengan hurtling toward her.

"Because I have a job to do," Minato retorted, appearing behind her to slam another Rasengan into her back. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs, and she staggered forward, only to see him launching several kunai into the air above her.

But she evaded again, her instincts sharp as she dashed up the nearby wall, flipping off it to launch her jutsu at him.

[Mouse hairball]

"Got you now!" she thought triumphantly, the flaming projectiles soaring toward Minato.

He scattered several kunai, teleporting around erratically as he dodged her flames. Yugito followed closely, her claws outstretched, searching for a mark."Where are you?"she thought, spotting a kunai embedded in a wall.

"Got you!"she thought, charging at it. She felt a rush of excitement as she saw Minato appear at the kunia. But as she reached it, Minato vanished once more. In the instant she turned, he was behind her, a mark placed on her back.

"Damn it!" she cursed, realizing too late.

As he lunged, ready to strike with his Rasengan, she ducked low, narrowly evading the attack. She kicked back at him, but he vanished again, sweeping her leg and sending her tumbling.

"Enough games!" he shouted, unleashing another Rasengan that slammed into her torso mid-air. She crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath as he leaped upwards and tossed several kunai her way.

Time slowed as she saw the kunai coming toward her, their edges glinting ominously. Panic surged within her, but she stood her ground, preparing to evade. As they neared, Minato appeared at one kunai, and before she could react, he teleported again, this time behind her.

Yugito's mind raced, scrambling to predict his next move. She sensed him behind her and ducked low, narrowly evading a strike. Her instincts kicked in; she kicked out, but he teleported again, appearing behind her to land another brutal blow.

Minato's jutsu connected with her back, and she staggered forward again. Desperation clawed at her heart. "If I can just reach the seal…," she muttered, scanning for a kunai.

[Massive rasengan]

Minato surged above her with a massive Rasengan, but she narrowly avoided it, flipping onto a wall and launching herself off it. "I won't let you win!" she yelled, sending a stream of blue flames towards him, but he vanished from sight.

As she pursued him, Minato appeared again, and she was ready this time. Claws ready, she aimed to slash at him, but he vanished just as she struck, appearing behind her once more.

The world spun as she felt his chakra rod pierce her, blood spilling from her mouth as he twisted it inside her. "What did I tell you?" he mocked, stepping back to admire his hand work. "You should have known better than to face me unprepared."

Yugito yanked the rod free, staggering back, pain coursing through her. "I'll kill you!" she shouted, charging again, her claws ready to tear him apart.

But it wasn't fast enough.

Minato appeared at another kunai planted in the ground, delivering a devastating kick that sent her crashing into a nearby wall. Before she could regain her composure, he vanished, reappearing behind her to impale her with two more chakra rods.

[Massive Rasengan]

Minato teleported behind her to slam yet another Massive Rasengan into her, sending her flying into a building.

Bloodied and battered, Yugito stood in the wreckage, collapsing on the ground as blood pooled beneath her. Her wounds healed slowly, the chakra rods still suppressing her healing abilities. But she didn't have time to rest; she could feel Minato's presence looming over her.

"Had enough yet?" he taunted, a smirk dancing on his lips.

But as she looked up, memories flooded her mind—Bee, Hakari, the family she had lost. Rage ignited within her, a flame roaring to life. "Not yet..." she grunted, forcing herself to her feet, every injury a reminder of what she fought for.

Yugito hobbled out of the wreckage, each movement sending sharp jabs of pain through her body. She collapsed to the ground, blood oozing from her wounds, mixing with the dust of the ruined building. Her breaths were ragged, her vision hazy, but she couldn't afford to give in to despair. This battle was far from over.

Minato observed her with an amused look. "You've grown weak, Two-tails. If only you had joined us, your own people in Konoha. But instead you lay your life on the line, fighting for those... animals." He spat, his voice laced with disgust.

Yugito fixed him with a glare, breathing heavy. "Shut up, you disgusting, hateful pig... I'm nothing like you."

Inside her mind, she felt Maatatabi's presence. "I'm working on healing you, but the chakra rods you were impaled with are interfering,"the beast murmured, its voice strained with concern.

Yugito winced as she reached for the rods embedded in her body, their cold metal a grim reminder of her vulnerability. With a surge of determination, she yanked out the first rod, pain shooting through her like a bolt of lightning. She coughed up blood, tasting iron on her tongue. The second rod followed suit, and she gasped as the pressure inside her dissipated.

She studied Minato carefully from the ground, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to her turmoil. The realization hit her hard: she wasn't going to win this fight with half-hearted attempts. "I need to surpass my limits," she muttered to herself, her heart pounding with resolve.

"What are you planning?"Maatatabi asked, sensing the shift in Yugito's energy.

Yugito took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus through the pain. "I need you to do something for me," she said, her voice firm.

"What is it?"Maatatabi replied, apprehensive.

"I need you to channel as much of your chakra into my network as you can. Everything you can muster."

Maatatabi hesitated."Yugito, no. I need to heal you first. You're losing blood rapidly."

Yugito shook her head, gritting her teeth against the pain. "There's no time! If I wait, Minato will finish me off. I've been marked, he won't let me just hide until I'm better. I can't fight him like this. I need to be stronger."

"You're not thinking clearly. Your body is in no condition to handle such an influx of chakra,"Maatatabi protested.

"But I can't let him win! He's already taken Bee from me, I can't let him hurt Naruto, or Hakari too..." Tears filled Yugito's eyes as she thought of her loved ones, her heart aching with desperation. "The Hokage has to die. I won't let my family suffer anymore."

Maatatabi felt the weight of Yugito's plea."You're putting yourself at risk. You may not survive this,"the beast warned, its voice softer now, tinged with sorrow.

"I need you to trust me. Just this once," Yugito insisted, her resolve hardening. "I'll heal later, but right now, I have to become stronger."

With a reluctant sigh, Maatatabi relented."Fine, but this better not kill you."

Yugito felt the surge of chakra rushing through her as she bent over, slowly pushing herself upright, leaning against a post for support. Her chakra cloak flickered to life, flames igniting at a much higher intensity. The warmth enveloped her, but instead of soothing her wounds, she felt the sharp pain intensify. Blood still trickled from her injuries, but she fought through it, her willpower igniting her spirit.

"More!" she gasped, reaching for Maatatabi again. "Give me more chakra!"

Maatatabi hesitated, knowing the risks involved."Are you sure?"

Yugito nodded, her voice filled with desperation. "Please! I can't back down now!"

With a deep breath, Maatatabi complied. Yugito felt an overwhelming surge of power coursing through her, igniting every nerve in her body. Her chakra cloak transformed, burning bright until it turned pure white, flickering with flames that danced like living entities. Dark feline-like markings crisscrossed her skin, a beautiful yet terrifying sight.

Despite the incredible power rushing through her, the pain of her injuries remained. She clenched her fists, glaring at Minato as she breathed heavily, each exhale a reminder of what was at stake.

Minato, standing calmly amidst the chaos, raised an eyebrow. "The power of the Two-tails... Are you confident this will turn the tide for you?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, but his gaze was sharp, assessing.

Yugito straightened, her body still trembling but her resolve unwavering. "You have no idea what I'm capable of," she replied, her voice stronger than she felt.

With a Kunai in hand, Minato beckoned her forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "Show me your motivation, then. Engage me if you think you can."

As she met his gaze, a fierce determination burned within Yugito. "I will," she whispered to herself, the heat of her chakra enveloping her. With every fiber of her being, she prepared to unleash the power she had just tapped into, her mind focused on one thing—defeating Minato.

Ryu dropped his sword, the clatter of steel echoing through the desolate landscape as he collapsed to his knees, clutching his side where crimson stained his clothing. The fight had taken its toll, and pain radiated through his body like wildfire. He took a shuddering breath, his vision swimming.

"Ryu!" Kurotsuchi's voice broke through the haze, and he felt a presence at his side. She hobbled toward him, panic etched across her face. "No, no, no… stay with me!"

"I'm… alright," he managed to say, though even he could hear the uncertainty in his own voice. The ache was becoming unbearable, and he could feel the warmth leaving him.

Her eyes widened as she examined his injuries. "You're not alright! You're hurt badly!" Her heart sank, the worry pouring from her like an overflowing cup.

Ryu forced a smile, even as he felt the darkness creeping closer. "I've had worse."

"Stop lying!" she insisted, her voice trembling. "You need to stay awake! Please." She frantically checked his wounds, trying to apply pressure and stop the bleeding. "I-I can't lose you, Ryu!"

"Just… breathe," he said softly, though he felt his own breath becoming shallower. He took her hand, gripping it weakly. "It's okay, Kurotsuchi."

"No, it's not!" she cried, her voice cracking with emotion. "You can't say that! We still have things to do together! We haven't even blown up Konoha's sights yet! You can't just… leave me here!"

A weak chuckle escaped him, and he managed to squeeze her hand slightly. "I was looking forward to that."

"Ryu, don't say things like that!" Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, desperation clawing at her heart. "Just… just stay with me, please!"

His breathing slowed, and Kurotsuchi's heart sank as he grew still. "Ryu! No!" She pressed her hands against his wounds, sobbing. "Don't you dare go to sleep! Stay with me!"

But his vision blurred, and the world began to fade. In that moment, a voice echoed in his mind.

Ryu…

He felt the presence of Kokuo, the five tails.I'm only doing this once, so don't get used to it.

Ryu blinked in confusion, but then a warmth enveloped him. He felt the chakra flow through him, easing the pain and closing the wounds. He gasped as the sensation washed over him, the ebb of darkness retreating.

Kurotsuchi gasped, her eyes wide as she witnessed the miraculous healing. "Ryu?"

He slowly sat upright, astonished by the sudden shift. "I… I'm okay?"

She surged forward, enveloping him in an embrace. "You're alive! I thought I lost you!"

Taken aback, Ryu hesitated before wrapping his arms around her, returning the embrace. "I didn't know what happened," he admitted, still processing the surge of energy. "But Kokuo… it healed me."

"Thank you, Kokuo," Kurotsuchi murmured, wiping away tears of relief. "I wish I could talk to the five tails directly."

They shared a smile, but an awkward silence settled between them. Ryu scratched his head, unsure of how to navigate the newfound tension. "So, um, what do we do now?"

"I guess we should go to the meeting hall," she said, her voice steadier but still filled with warmth. He attempted to rise but winced, still feeling residual pain.

Kurotsuchi chuckled lightly. "Guess I expected too much from the five tails, huh?"

Ryu laughed softly, the sound a mixture of relief and lingering pain. As their eyes met again, he noticed something deeper in her gaze—an admiration mingled with longing that made his heart race. Embarrassed, he shifted his gaze to the ground.

"Uh… we should probably get going, right?" he stammered, trying to regain composure.

"Yeah, definitely," Kurotsuchi replied, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "But, um, about earlier…"

Ryu raised an eyebrow, unsure where the conversation was heading. "What about it?"

She hesitated, her voice softening. "I meant what I said about wanting to sightsee with you… even if it's not in Konoha."

His eyes widened in surprise, and he stumbled over his words. "I, uh, yeah! I mean, I'd love to—"

Kurotsuchi suddenly cut him off, leaning in and pressing her lips against his cheek. Ryu's mind went blank, his heart racing as he processed the warmth of the kiss. When she pulled away, she smiled at him, that same light in her eyes.

"I don't want anyone else with us," she said, her voice a mix of confidence and shyness.

Ryu finally understood the unspoken words between them, and his cheeks flushed as he stuttered out an agreement. "Yeah, okay… I'd like that."

Her giggle filled the air, easing the tension between them. Feeling bolder, he reached for her hand, embracing its warmth as he took a breath. "So, um… how about we start planning our little adventure?"

"Definitely," Kurotsuchi replied, squeezing his hand in return, a bright smile on her lips. "And this time, we'll make sure to check out Konoha's sights together."

Ryu laughed, the sound light and full of promise. As they began to walk side by side, he felt a newfound sense of hope and connection. Maybe there was more to their journey than just battles and conflict; perhaps it was about finding joy in the little moments, together.

And as they ventured forth, hand in hand, Ryu couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something wonderful.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange hue over the village of Konoha. The air was thick with tension as Yugito stood opposite Minato, the Fourth Hokage. She could feel Maatatabi's energy coursing through her, urging her to channel everything she had.

"Are you done?" she murmured to the spirit within her.

"Give it your all, Yugito. I've channeled all of my chakra into you,"Maatatabi replied. The warmth of their bond enveloped her like a protective cloak.

Yugito nodded, bending low and focusing her energy. With a rush, she vanished from sight in a flash, leaving a gust of wind in her wake.

Minato, ever vigilant, felt the disturbance in the air. His demeanor remained calm, but inside, he was calculating, trying to predict her next move. As he scanned the surroundings, he saw a faint streak of light darting toward him.

He barely managed to dodge Yugito's claw swipe, the air slicing past him as he kicked her in mid air, sending her crashing into the wall behind him.

"Nice try," Minato said, his voice dripping with mockery.

But Yugito was quick. She sprang back to her feet, her chakra flaring around her, and with a flicker, she vanished once more, leaving Minato disoriented.

"I see you're playing it safe," he mused, eyes narrowing.

Suddenly, a torrent of flames erupted from the direction she had vanished. Minato's instincts kicked in; he scattered kunai across the area as he vanished from his spot, teleporting to one of the pinned kunai.

He reappeared behind her, slamming a Rasengan into the ground where she had just been standing, the explosion sending debris flying. But once again, she had dodged his attack, reappearing in a flash, leaving Minato stunned.

"Now's my chance!"

Quickly, she placed a hand on his back, a seal begining to take form. But the Hokage vanished before she could complete it.

Yugito's speed had increased dramatically, her form now a white streak zipping around the battlefield, leaving sonic booms in her wake. Minato gripped several kunai, preparing for the onslaught.

As Yugito paused for just a moment to gather her breath, she unleashed another fire attack, but Minato teleported away again, moving from one kunai to another in quick succession, unleashing a barrage of slashes as he zipped around her, trying to take her down.

Yet, Yugito danced through the air, dodging all of his strikes with graceful precision. She was almost ethereal, her movements a blur that confounded even the skilled Hokage.

Catching him off guard, she appeared by his side, injuring his side with her claws.

He moved to counter but Yugito was faster, slashing his thigh, causing him to drop to a knee. Minato could barely react before the jinchuriki sent him tumbling back with a fierce kick.

"We're not done!" Yugito snarled, eyes focused on Minato's injured form. In the midst of the chaos, she lunged at him again, her claws poised to strike.

Her sharp eyes caught sight of a marked Kunai from Minato, and Yugito deftly evaded.

Waiting for the right moment, she reached for the Kunai in mid air, watching carefully as time seemed to slow.

As expected, Minato appeared at the weapon, Rasengan in hand. But his opponent was ready.

"No.." he gasped, as Yugito's hand grabbed his neck, slamming him into the ground.

With a fierce grunt, Yugito flung Minato into a wall, watching the structure give in to the force of the impact.

But just as she approached, Minato vanished again, reappearing at a kunai pinned to a nearby rooftop, panting slightly, trying to catch his breath. He spotted Yugito from a distance, her determination burning bright.

He infused a kunai with his chakra, sending it across the town into a building at the other side. Minato teleported to it instantly, seeking a moment to catch his breath.

'I have to be more careful, she's much faster than before...'

Minato observed Yugito through a pair of binoculars, watching her to prepare for her attack. But in an almost poetic sense, Minato blinked and reopened his eyes, peering into the binoculars.

And she was gone.

Before he could strategize his next move, he sensed a presence behind him. In slow motion, he turned, but Yugito was already there, about to strike.

[Rasengan]

He countered with a Rasengan, but she flickered out of existence just as his attack made contact with the air.

"Too slow!" she taunted, appearing behind him and delivering a fierce kick that sent him flying.

Minato crashed against a wall, the impact rattling his bones. But he was quick to recover, pinning a kunai into the wall nearby and teleporting just before hitting the ground.

He landed on his feet and looked up to see Yugito staring him down, determination etched across her face.

Minato locked on to a kunai he had left at their initial battleground, aiming to put distance between them once more. But to his surprise, he found he was unable to jump to it.

"What did you do to me?" he shouted, realizing she was now a genuine threat.

"I placed a seal on you," she called back, her breath strained but her voice unwavering. "You won't be able to teleport far anymore."

Minato felt a jolt of panic but quickly pushed it down, anger replacing it. "I'll make you pay for this," he retorted, anger bubbling beneath the surface.

But Yugito was relentless. She dashed forward, the air crackling around her as she pushed herself to the limit. Memories of her loved ones flooded her mind, fueling her resolve. She had to win—she had to protect Hakari and Naruto.

"I need to finish the seal," she said inwardly to Maatatabi, her body trembling under the strain of the surge of chakra.

Time seemed to freeze as she bolted toward Minato, everything around her blurring into nothingness. The world around her slowed as she approached the Hokage, her heart racing. Yugito weaved around motionless shinobi, pushing herself to reach her opponent.

Minato stood atop a building, poised to escape. Yugito managed to reach him but as soon as her fingertips made contact, he vanished.

You're not getting away, Hokage!

Brimming with determination, Yugito locked onto his kunai not too far away. With the last of her energy, she pushed herself towards it with a speed that seemed to defy reality itself. She positioned herself behind the kunai before Minato appeared, only to find his opponent waiting.

"Not this time!" she shouted.

But as she reached for him, ready to complete her seal and completely disable his teleportation, her body faltered.

The strain was too much; her chakra cloak flickered off, and she fell to her knees, gasping for breath.

"No!"Maatatabi cried."You have to stay strong!"

With a final burst of will, Yugito pushed forward, trying to make contact, but Minato vanished just as she lunged, leaving her grasping at air.

Minato landed a distance away, panting and glaring back at her. "You're stronger than I expected, but it's over," he said, a cruel smile on his lips.

Yugito struggled to stand, her injuries catching up with her. "You'll never get to Hakari," she gasped, blood dripping from her wounds.

"Oh, but I will," Minato said coldly. "He will be the next two tails jinchuriki, after I relieve you of your burden."

"No...you physically can't get to my baby," Yugito added, forcing a smile. "I've made sure of it, you teleporting bastard."

Minato felt his anger swell as he remembered that she had drastically reduced the distance he could teleport across. "And you will pay dearly for it, jinchuriki!"

In a swift motion, he produced a chakra rod from his pocket and, with a malicious intent, thrust it into her chest.

Yugito gasped, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. "No…" she whispered, pain flooding her senses.

"It's over for you," he said, turning away from her, leaving her bleeding out as he walked away.

As the warm terrain turned cold beneath her, Yugito lay gasping, the life slowly draining from her body. Blood pooled around her, dark against the grey terrain, and she struggled to focus on the soft whispers of Maatatabi in her mind.

"I couldn't finish it...I… I can't believe it's…ending like this," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won't make it..."

"Yugito,"Maatatabi said gently,"I'm unable to heal you right now but you have to stay strong. You have Hakari. He needs you."

Yugito's gaze drifted to the sky above, her breaths coming in gasps. "Please, tell him… tell him I love him. That I want him to grow up happy… to make lots of friends." Tears streamed down her cheeks, mixing with the sand as she fought to hold onto her consciousness.

Maatatabi's voice was soft and soothing. "He will feel your love, Yugito. He has some of my chakra; I'll reach out to him."

A weak smile flickered across Yugito's face. "Atleast you'll be free again...Maatatabi."

"I will never forget you, Yugito,"the beast said gently, her voice carrying emotion.

"Thank you… And please, watch over my baby for me." Yugito took a shuddering breath, her heart heavy with regret. "He deserves so much more than this."

With a trembling sigh, she turned her thoughts to Naruto. "I should leave a message for him."

She knew he was out there, fighting for them all. Yugito reached into her mind plane, determined to leave a message for her comrade. "Naruto… please be careful of Minato. He's exactly the man you think he is, don't hold back."

The words came out in a rush, desperate and filled with urgency. "I've done my best… but you all must carry on without me. Good luck."

As she spoke, a single tear escaped, falling silently onto the sand. Apologies lingered in her heart for the man she loved, for the family she was leaving behind. "I'm so sorry, Bee… for joining you so soon."

She caught movement in the corner of her eye, but Yugito paid it no attention, too weak to move.

With one final, shaky breath, Yugito closed her eyes, surrendering to the darkness. A sense of peace washed over her as she whispered her last thoughts. "I'm sorry, Hakari…"

As her vision faded, she heard a feminine voice call out to her, but she paid it no attention, surrendering to the darkness.