Mai and Sasuke

In another world.

As an Uzumaki clan member, the Jinchuriki of Kurama, and bearer of that immense Yang Power within her, Uzumaki Mai had recovered from the severe injuries she had just suffered in only a few moments.

She slowly straightened up. Her golden hair fell over her shoulders, its ends still stained with dust and debris thrown up during the battle. Yet the bruises, burns, and bone fractures caused by being crushed by taijutsu—all her injuries—had healed one by one under the nourishment of Yang Power.

She flexed her wrist, her joints giving a faint crack, then raised her eyes to look at the boundless ruins stretching out around her.

This was Konoha, and it was also a battlefield. The war she had launched in order to become the complete Ten-Tails Jinchuriki had ended in her defeat. At the same time, her ambitions had been completely exposed.

"Mai... the leader of Akatsuki... how could it be you?"

A woman's voice slowly came from behind her. Mai turned around and saw the Fifth Generation Hokage, Tsunade. A tiny crack had been shaken into the lens of the glasses on Tsunade's nose by the earlier shockwave, but she paid it no attention.

She stared at the blonde girl before her—the Jinchuriki of Kurama who, in her memories, had always been the cold and aloof girl ostracized by the villagers of Konoha, yet had never caused any trouble. Her face was full of disbelief.

She had only just hastily said farewell to Hashirama Senju. Before leaving, her grandfather had patted her shoulder and said, "Tsunade, I'll leave the rest to you," before being sent back to the Pure Land with Tobirama. She had not even had time to wipe away her tears before rushing here.

"Yes, it was me." Mai's voice was