Fleeing from Konoha-Chapter 639 - 97: Curtain Falls

Thunderclouds gathered in the distant sky. Even though the incident took place far from the limits of Konoha Village, that heart-stopping Power of Celestial Calamity still pressed heavily on everyone’s chest, spreading through the air. The villagers unconsciously turned their heads, staring blankly as the ominous Nine-tails rampaged through the forest outside Konoha.

Terrifying waves of violent wind surged through the air, and the tremors on the ground nearly reached the entire Konoha Village. Many buildings shuddered endlessly, deeply affected by the monstrous chakra unleashed by the Nine-tails.

"Damn it!"

Minato had never imagined the Nine-tails’ seal would be undone so soon. Compared to tangling with the enemy here, Kushina’s safety and resealing the Nine-tails were now the most critical matters.

Turning into golden light, he vanished from his spot. Nagato simply watched Minato leave, making no move to block him. In truth, even if he tried, with his power, there was no way he could stop Minato.

If Minato wanted to escape, there was no one in this world who could hold him back.

The Yellow Flash’s power was far from a mere legend—if they fought for their lives, he was far more likely to die.

But his objective was achieved. Even for the Yellow Flash, sealing the Nine-tails would extract a terrible price, from him and from countless Konoha Ninja.

Most importantly, his plans to sow discord had worked. It was time to retreat in triumph.

"You let me appear before Konoha’s eyes, but you won’t escape your own fate... In the end, we’re just using each other. You need to hide in the shadows, and so do I."

Nagato murmured softly to himself, slowly walking deeper into the forest.

Chiba Hakushi wanted him to draw Konoha’s attention. Coincidentally, he had the same idea, and secretly pointed the blame for this event at Hakushi.

He believed Konoha would not let this slide.

His plan to retake the Land of Rain would go much more smoothly as a result.

◎

"Quick, evacuate everyone! Get all the civilians to the shelters! And summon the Uchiha Clan ninja!"

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi issued his orders with a grim expression.

"Yes, sir!"

The Anbu Ninja who had followed him sprang into action, fully aware of the urgency of the situation. The orders had to be delivered without delay.

Hiruzen could feel the Nine-tails’ wild and violent aura, and that presence was steadily advancing toward Konoha.

It would not be long before it reached Konoha directly.

By then, even if Konoha managed to suppress the Nine-tails, the cost would be devastating.

Moreover, the fact that the Nine-tails had appeared in the forest outside the village meant something had gone awry with Minato.

How could that be? Hiruzen began to doubt what had happened. Not only was Minato immensely powerful, but to ensure Kushina’s delivery went smoothly, he’d sent all his most elite Anbu Ninja to protect her. How had the Nine-tails escaped?

With Minato’s proficiency in Sealing Techniques, a mistake like this was simply impossible.

As he ran toward the incident site, Hiruzen turned these questions over in his mind.

But for now, the most urgent task was to reseal the Nine-tails. Everything else could wait until it was contained. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

For that, the power of the Uchiha must be used as well.

The Sharingan could effectively control Tailed Beasts—he didn’t know to what extent, but even a few seconds would help, so the Uchiha Clan ninja had to be summoned immediately.

The gates of Konoha swung open. With the eruption of the Nine-tails’ power, no one in Konoha Village could sleep in peace.

Countless ninja poured through the gates, rushing toward the forest to stem the Nine-tails’ rampage.

Nine long, massive tails—like giant serpents—whipped through the woods, raising storms as thunder rumbled and lightning flashed across the sky.

Soon, the first wave of Konoha Ninja reached the front lines. They beheld a monstrous fox, as massive as a mountain, its eyes ablaze with a strange crimson light. At that sight, all the Konoha Ninja were nearly petrified, frozen where they stood.

The sky roiled with black clouds, lightning swirling and illuminating the pitch-black night, while wildfires broke out in the forest below.

The Nine-tails swung its claws; the ninja’s mortal bodies were torn to shreds. Those claws, honed sharp as blades, were dyed red with blood, droplets dripping down its razor talons.

"D-don’t be afraid! Stop that monster!"

The surviving Konoha Ninja forced themselves to muster every ounce of courage and fight.

After all, Konoha Village was right behind them. If the Nine-tails broke through, their families would be in mortal danger.

So fear and death would never be their reason to retreat.

No matter how terrified, their only thought was to risk their lives to block the Nine-tails’ advance.

Fireballs shot at the Nine-tails’ eyes; water bullets, harder than steel, hammered its flanks. Sharp stone pillars burst from the ground, jabbing into its jaw and twisting its face into a hideous snarl.

Kunai, shuriken, explosive tags—every ninja technique and ninja tool capable of harming it—rained down upon the Nine-tails.

Even as strong as the Nine-tails was, the relentless onslaught left it struggling to cope, howling in pain and fury.

Slowly, the attacks forced it back, taming its rampage for the moment. The Konoha Ninja, seeing this, grinned with hope and pressed their assault, desperately trying to keep it suppressed.

Dense dust and smoke drifted apart. After over ten minutes of constant attacks, the form of the Nine-tails came into view before the Konoha Ninja.