Hokage : My Nine tails are getting more and more

Rumble!

From the sky, a massive claw descended, its shadow stretching across the battlefield before enveloping Shukaku completely. The One-Tail's beady eyes widened in shock as it tilted its head up to see Kurama towering like a colossus among the clouds. The sheer magnitude of Kurama's presence sent waves of terror coursing through Shukaku.

Kurama reached out, gripping Shukaku like one might a toy. With a ferocious glare, Kurama growled, "One-Tail, what did you just say to me?"

"I... I meant to say it's been a long time! That's all!" Shukaku stammered, his ears folding down in submission.

Though Naruto had depleted a significant portion of Shukaku's chakra, Shukaku still retained enough size and power to be formidable. However, compared to Kurama's immense stature, Shukaku was as insignificant as a pebble against a mountain.

Kurama began laughing mockingly. "Shukaku, I always thought you had the toughest mouth. But I never imagined you could cower like this!"

Furious and humiliated, Shukaku snapped, "Stupid fox, don't push me too far! I'm not afraid to die again, you know!"

In his rage, Shukaku lunged forward and bit down on Kurama's thumb with surprising ferocity. Kurama hissed in pain and hurled Shukaku across the battlefield. The One-Tail tumbled through the air, finally crashing into the ground hundreds of meters away. Dazed, Shukaku groaned.

"What's going on with that fox?" Shukaku muttered to himself. "I don't remember it being this strong before. Forget it, I'm too injured. It's better to retreat now and avoid further humiliation."

Muttering his excuse for a retreat, Shukaku began channeling his chakra back into Gaara's body.

Meanwhile, Kurama stood triumphant, mocking the retreating Shukaku from a distance. "Coward!"

Within moments, Shukaku disappeared, fully returning to Gaara.

Naruto's system chimed in his mind, signaling the completion of his mission.

[Ding~ Congratulations, Host! S-level rating achieved: Simulation chances +5.]

Naruto glanced at his system panel, which now displayed ten remaining simulation chances. He smirked, knowing this would significantly enhance his future abilities.

With the battle resolved, Kurama returned to Naruto's body. Naruto took a deep breath, intending to retreat and regroup with Sasuke and Haruto. However, as he soared through the air, he suddenly heard a faint and familiar voice.

"Naruto... save... me..."

His expression darkened. He didn't recognize the voice, but something about it unsettled him deeply. He stopped mid-air, focusing on the direction it had come from. Below him lay the ruins of the central tower, now nothing more than a pile of rubble.

"Am I imagining things?" Naruto muttered to himself. "I've never had auditory hallucinations before... No, something feels wrong."

Turning inward, he asked, "Kurama, did you hear that voice just now?"

Kurama's voice resonated in his mind. "Yes, I heard it too. That girl you saved earlier—Setsu—she's in trouble. She's dying."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "What? Where is she?"

Kurama replied, "She's trapped in the ruins of the central tower. When you were fighting Shukaku, she hid in the basement. But when the tower collapsed, the debris buried her alive."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Naruto rushed to the site without hesitation. Arriving at the ruins, he summoned several Shadow Clones to assist in clearing the wreckage. As they worked, Setsu's faint cries for help grew louder and clearer.

Finally, they uncovered a peculiar wooden structure buried beneath the rubble. It was a defensive dome made of wood, strikingly similar to Yamato's Wood Style techniques.

"Wood Style?" Naruto murmured in confusion.

Kurama's voice answered in his mind. "That's not Yamato's work. This is Senju Hashirama's Wood Style."

Naruto frowned, stepping closer to examine the structure. "Wait, how do you know it's from Hashirama?"

Kurama chuckled dryly. "Because this area is tied to my history. Decades ago, Hashirama used this very technique to seal me. I recognize his work anywhere."

Naruto sighed, brushing off the debris as he muttered, "No wonder this feels different from Yamato's jutsu."

He placed his hands on the wooden dome, pulling it open with brute force. Inside was Setsu, bruised and battered but alive. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at Naruto. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, throwing her arms around him.

"Naruto!" she sobbed, clinging to him as though her life depended on it.

Naruto held her gently but firmly. "Setsu, you're safe now. But we need to get you to a hospital immediately!"

Setsu shook her head, her voice trembling. "No, I'll heal on my own. It's just a matter of time. My body regenerates quickly."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Regenerates? How? I'm an Uzumaki too, but I've never seen this before."

Setsu managed a weak smile. "It's part of my heritage. I have special healing abilities that activate when I'm injured."

Though still skeptical, Naruto let it go for now. He needed answers, but Setsu's safety took priority. "What happened? Why didn't you escape with Sasuke and Haruto?"

Setsu hesitated before explaining. She had wanted to help Naruto during his battle with Shukaku. Thinking the central tower would provide a vantage point, she had hidden there. However, the battle's intensity far exceeded her expectations. The explosion that destroyed the tower caught her off guard, forcing her to retreat to the basement.

There, Setsu and a few other candidates were trapped when the tower collapsed. Amid the chaos, a wooden dome—presumably created by the shockwave—had landed over Setsu, shielding her from further harm.

Naruto frowned at the mention of other survivors. "You weren't alone down there?"

"No," Setsu admitted. "Most of them didn't make it. Only one other person survived, and that was sheer luck. He was in a corner where part of the wall collapsed, creating a makeshift shelter."

Naruto's heart sank at the thought of those who hadn't been as fortunate. He glanced around at the wreckage, feeling the weight of responsibility.

"Setsu, you're incredibly lucky," Naruto said softly. "If that Wood Style hadn't activated, you..."

Setsu nodded solemnly. "I know. That's why I owe you my life. Thank you, Naruto."

Naruto smiled, though his thoughts were still troubled. The presence of Senju Hashirama's techniques here was a mystery he would have to unravel later. For now, he had to focus on getting Setsu and the other survivor to safety.

As Naruto lifted Setsu into his arms, Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind. "Naruto, don't let this distract you. You've accomplished your mission. It's time to regroup with your team and prepare for what's next."

Naruto nodded inwardly. "You're right. But first, I need to make sure Setsu and the survivor are safe."

With that, he carried Setsu toward the remaining Sand and Konoha ninja who had gathered to assess the situation. They stared at Naruto with a mix of awe and apprehension. His display of power during the battle had left a lasting impression, and the sight of him carrying Setsu only added to their confusion.

Naruto handed Setsu over to the medical team before turning back toward the battlefield. He had more questions than answers, but one thing was clear: this was only the beginning.

The Chūnin Exam had been disrupted beyond repair, and Naruto knew that his actions would have far-reaching consequences. But for now, he would focus on his team and their safety. Everything else could wait.

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