Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

Controlling the golden chains, Mito Uzumaki pulled the limp Senju Hisajin to her side, slowly raising a jade-like finger, the tip of which ignited with a ghostly blue flame.

"What do you want to do?"

At this moment, Senju Hisana didn't even have the strength to lift her hand, and could only let Uzumaki Mito hang her up, her eyes filled with resentment.

"Don't worry, it will only hurt for a little while and then it will pass."

Mito Uzumaki smiled slightly, her fingertips, flickering with blue flames, lightly touching the other's forehead. The moment the flames touched the skin, they transformed into a tadpole-like black rune, crawling up Senju Hisama's fair skin.

"Hmm, this is..."

Senju Hisama felt the unfamiliar chakra enter his body, and his brows immediately furrowed.

"It's just a simple sealing technique, nothing to worry about."

Clapping her hands, leaving a bewildered Hishima Senju behind, Mito Uzumaki turned away with a flourish.

"Who told you to be so energetic? Go get some rest and don't bother us again."

"A small seal?"

Touching her burning forehead, Senju Hisama, through the reflection of the kunai in her hand, finally saw the complex jutsu mark that had appeared above her head. Her expression fell.

The Four Symbols Seal is only used when dealing with tailed beasts. Is it really necessary for you, red-haired sea goddess?

"The bystanders have been cleared out; it's time for us to settle things once and for all."

Having dealt with the last remaining threat, Mito Uzumaki gracefully walked up to Hikaru Uchiha, a slight smile playing on her lips, her brown eyes burning with raw fighting spirit.

"Are you sure you want to get serious here?"

Uchiha Hikaru squinted and glanced around the bustling audience, his tone questioning.

If the two were to truly fight each other without restraint, not only this small examination hall, but even the entire Hidden Leaf Village might not fare well.

"Of course I'd like to, but unfortunately the conditions don't allow it. Since we're taking an exam right now, why don't we use the exam questions to compete?"

Mito Uzumaki gently shook her head; she was still able to prioritize. She then suggested that the two of them conduct a competition based on the content of the Tailed Beast Rider test.

"Exam questions?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Hikari was slightly taken aback. She had only decided to take the exam on a whim and hadn't even bothered to learn the details of the exam.

"That's right. Obtaining the Tailed Beast Card is only the first test. The second test is to utilize the power of the Nine-Tails."

As Mito Uzumaki spoke, she flipped the Nine-Tails card she was holding over, showing the ferocious beast on the card to Hikaru Uchiha.

"Let's use the power of the Nine-Tails to have a contest."

"Hmph! You're asking for trouble. Since you're so eager to lose, I'll grant your wish."

Uchiha Hikaru snorted coldly, then pulled out the Yin Nine-Tails Card he had just acquired. A red light flashed in his eyes, and a chilling ocular power instantly poured into it.

The ferocious beast on the card seemed to sense some danger, its nine tails instinctively tucking into its rear end, making the whole fox look furtive and suspicious.

On the other side, Danzo, carrying a metal briefcase, pushed open the door to the VIP room with a solemn expression, his brows furrowed as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing intently by the window.

"Monkey, we've got the driver. What's next?"

"The drive may not be needed for the time being."

Upon hearing his childhood friend's voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was watching the exam, turned his head with a very strange expression.

"ha?"

Danzo frowned even more upon hearing this. Could it be that there was something wrong with the Nine-Tailed Fox Card?

"Danzo, come quick! The two of them can control the power of the Tailed Beast Cards without even using the Actual Driver."

Just then, Akimichi Torifu's loud voice pulled Danzo back to reality.

"Qu Feng, what nonsense are you spouting? How is that possible?"

He's not unaware of the Tailed Beast Cards; without a driver, they're just pretty pieces of paper.

"It's true."

Uchiha Kagami, standing to the side, nodded and spoke, a hint of surprise in his crimson eyes.

"Jing, you're not going to join in their nonsense, are you?"

Since these words came from Uchiha Kagami, Danzo wavered. He quickly walked to the window overlooking the entire examination hall, and as he looked down, the doubt on his face instantly turned into deep shock.

"I'll blanch it!"

"roar!!!"

Suddenly, a gigantic fox formed from fiery red chakra appeared in the arena. It was half the size of the Nine-Tails' true form, but its aura of savagery remained undiminished.

"Aaaaaah!!! Run away!"

The sudden appearance of the Nine-Tails shattered the cheerful atmosphere in the audience. Terrified civilians sensed the danger of death and, without even grabbing their unfinished drinks and snacks, scrambled towards the exit in a panic.

Of course, not all spectators panicked like ordinary people. The ninjas with decent strength quietly rose to their feet. As members of Konoha, they had a duty to protect the safety of the villagers.

"Big cousin, isn't this going a bit too far?"

As Uchiha Izuna looked at the Nine-Tails who had suddenly broken free, a faint crimson glint appeared in his eyes.

In Konoha right now, there are very few people capable of restraining the Nine-Tails. If he doesn't intervene, the ferocious tailed beast could very well inflict irreparable damage on Konoha.

"Stay calm, stay calm."

Uchiha Gin remained completely unperturbed, not even glancing at the tyrannical Nine-Tails. Instead, he curiously observed the few trembling brats behind him who hadn't retreated an inch.

"Why aren't you running?"

"We are Konoha ninjas. If even we run away, who will protect the village?"

Suppressing his fear, Jiraiya, clutching his still-wet ink-stained masterpiece tightly, straightened his back, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

"Don't underestimate us just because we're young; we're legitimate, officially registered ninjas."

"Jiraiya."

Jiraiya's words seemed to reassure his friends. Hiruko looked at his childhood friend with starry eyes and an expression of adoration.

"He's all talk and no action, even though he's clearly a loser."

Orochimaru, his face deathly pale, his eyes filled with complex emotions, had been trembling just moments before. But after Jiraiya's words, his legs, which had been shaking like a leaf, miraculously returned to normal.

"This is the fearless spirit of youth!"

After calming his fear, Matt Damon gave a thumbs-up and flashed a bright smile.

"This is troublesome. There are still so many powerful ninjas."

Sakumo Hatake scratched his head helplessly, his gaze sweeping over the group of elite ninjas who hadn't retreated. This kind of high-level competition was beyond the reach of lowly ninjas like them.

"Jiraiya-kun is still as dazzling as ever."

Kato Dan, with his long, light blue hair, smiled slightly, patted Hatake Sakumo on the shoulder beside him, and his gaze fell on the short sword that the other was gripping tightly in his hand.

"Sakumo-kun may say that, but his actions tell a different story, don't they?"

"I don't have the bad habit of abandoning my companions."

"What a bunch of arrogant brats."

Seeing that the others hadn't wet themselves in shame before the Nine-Tails' terrifying aura, Uchiha Gin's eyes held a hint of admiration.

It seems quite interesting to entrust the future of Konoha to these kids.

Gin Uchiha stroked his chin thoughtfully, then turned to look at his younger cousin, who was standing at attention. Noticing that the pattern in the cousin's eyes seemed to be sticking together, he spoke up to remind him...

"Don't rush, take a look at its eyes first."

"Eyes. What?!"

"Monkey, are you sure we don't need to evacuate the villagers?"

Danzo nervously wiped the sweat from his forehead. If the Nine-Tails had gone berserk during the exam he organized, he would bear full responsibility for the incident. The Shimura clan, which hadn't even taken off yet, would have no hope of turning things around and would have to go back to their hometown to raise pigs.

"No need, the Nine-Tails hasn't gone berserk. Look into its eyes if you don't believe me."

Uchiha Kagami shook his head, then pointed to Kurama's narrow eyes. Danzo, belatedly realizing, then noticed that Kurama's vertical, beast-like pupils had been replaced by three black tomoe.

"The Sharingan? Uchiha Izuna made his move?"

"No, look at the top of its head."

"That's...Uchiha Hikaru?"

Danzo rubbed his eyes hard, and after confirming that he wasn't hallucinating, he asked incredulously,

"That's right, Aunt Hikari is controlling this Nine-Tails."

In the arena, atop the ferocious head of the Nine-Tails stood a tall, black-haired woman—none other than the arrogant Uchiha Hikaru.

Looking down at the tiny whirlpool on the ground, a slight smile involuntarily crept onto her rosy lips.

"Red-haired amphibious diver, aren't you going to admit defeat?"

Mito Uzumaki has really bitten off more than she can chew. Of all things to compare, why did she have to challenge Hikaru Uchiha to a contest of controlling tailed beasts?

It's important to know that all nine tailed beasts scattered throughout the ninja world had backdoors implanted in their bodies by Uchiha Hikaru before they were sold, and their bodies were branded with Karma marks formed from his eye power.

The purpose was so that Konoha could easily end the battle when the Tailed Beast Wars occurred, and make the Tailed Beasts that other villages were proud of become their watchdogs.

Even though the Nine-Tails is sealed in a card, as long as Uchiha Hikaru activates the Karma seal she left behind, the Nine-Tails' chakra can be used by her.

"I didn't expect you to have this trick up your sleeve."

Faced with the colossal Nine-Tails, Mito Uzumaki remained surprisingly calm. Far from showing any fear, she instead gazed curiously at the snarling Nine-Tails.

"I can, much more than you can."

With a proud puff of his chest, Uchiha Hikaru uttered a pointed remark that instantly aroused jealousy in Uzumaki Mito.

"Really? Then why is Gintoki still acting like he's never seen anything like this before, rushing towards me?"

But she quickly adjusted her mindset, and while driving, she wore a somewhat doubtful expression.

"you!"

Uchiha Hikaru hardened his fist, his gaze involuntarily sweeping towards the audience, quickly locking onto Uchiha Gin, who was secretly eating children's snacks.

Um... Why is Xiaoguang glaring at me?

What did Mito say to her?

Scratching his head in confusion, Uchiha Gin continued to devour his snacks without slowing down at all.

"Grandpa Yin, those are my spicy strips!"

Little Orochimaru watched as the spicy strips he had just torn open, which he hadn't even touched, disappeared at a visible speed, his face turning increasingly pale with anger.

"Spicy strips are junk food. Eating them will stunt your growth. I'm only doing this for your own good."

After swallowing the last spicy snack and feeling the weight, Uchiha Gin patted his stomach contentedly, then casually wiped the grease from his fingertips onto Orochimaru's clean jacket.

I eat lemons.

Looking at the oil stains blooming on his new clothes, Orochimaru wanted nothing more than to jump up and punch Uchiha Gin in the knee.

"You're welcome. Just take good care of me when you grow up."

With a very generous wave of his hand, Uchiha Gin turned his head with a smile, his gaze meeting that of a disciple beside him.

"Little administrator, do you have a question?"

Looking at Uchiha Gin's hesitant expression, Uchiha Gin asked curiously,

"Mr. Gin, Hikari-senpai will win, right?"

It turns out she was after Xiao Guang. But then again, their relationship has always been good; they often go shopping together and even occasionally go on trips to the moon.

"That's hard to say, after all, the other party is Mito."

He gently shook his head. As the saying goes, both are flesh and blood; the two women fighting below had close ties to him, and he couldn't show favoritism towards either of them—that would be irresponsible to the other.

Meeting the disciple's questioning gaze, Uchiha Gin explained softly,

"In terms of controlling tailed beasts alone, Uzumaki was several generations ahead of the Uchiha."

"You're so glib and flattering. Don't go to Ah Yin and tell her I bullied you."

Uchiha Hikaru suppressed his anger, a flash of red light in his eyes, and the Nine-Tails beneath his feet immediately received the command, raising its sharp claws high and smashing down towards Uzumaki Mito below.

Upon seeing this scene, Tsunade's heart tightened. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity towards the red-haired woman in the room.

"what!"

Seeing that her opponent was about to be smashed into a pulp by the Nine-Tails, she couldn't help but cry out.

"boom--"

A muffled thud was heard, followed by a massive cloud of dust that billowed into the arena, obscuring visibility. For a moment, no one knew what had become of Mito Uzumaki, or whether she had truly become a two-dimensional character.

"Um?"

Uchiha Hikari, who was controlling the Nine-Tails, learned from the feedback of the tailed beast beneath her feet that she had hit it, and a faint smug look appeared on her face. However, before she could feel smug for more than a few seconds, she discovered that the massive body of the Nine-Tails beneath her feet was uncontrollably retreating.

"Look! That woman isn't dead!"

As the smoke finally cleared, the remaining spectators were utterly astonished by the unbelievable scene unfolding before them.

Mito Uzumaki, who should have been crushed into a pulp by the Nine-Tails, was standing perfectly fine, her body enveloped in a tangible blue chakra cloak. Her right hand was raised, steadily catching the Nine-Tails' descending claws.

Not only did she catch it, but the monstrous strength she wielded also pushed the enormous nine-tailed fox backward, creating two huge chasms.

"Such incredible strength."

Because Uchiha Hikaru also possessed superhuman strength, she understood the terrifying nature of Uzumaki Mito's power. It seemed that when she said she only used 30% of her strength, she wasn't exaggerating.

"Nine-Tails, spray her!"

Uchiha Hikaru's gaze darkened. He activated his eye power, controlling the Nine-Tails to open its massive maw, and a dazzling black sphere of light rapidly condensed.

"That's a really rudimentary way to use it."

Mito Uzumaki gently shook her head, looking at the Tailed Beast Ball brewing in Kurama's mouth, and gave a very fair evaluation.

"Heh, then give me a sophisticated one. Anyone can talk big!"

"Since that's the case, then let me show you the foundation upon which our Uzumaki clan stands."

Facing Uchiha Hikaru's mocking face, Uzumaki Mito smiled and raised the Nine-Tails Card, several golden chains inserted into it. Senju Hisama, who was panting nearby, tensed her legs at the sight.

What does that red-haired female diver want to do?

Are they trying to pull out the Nine-Tails?

When the large fox on the card was bound like a dumpling with golden chains, Mito Uzumaki's lips curled into a smirk.

"Nine-Tails, hand over your power to me."

The next second, the tailed beast chakra drawn from the card instantly dyed her blue chakra cloak a dazzling gold.

Looking down at her new look, a hint of disdain flashed in Mito Uzumaki's eyes.

"Tsk, this form looks like it's good at gua sha (scraping therapy)." (End of Chapter)