Kushina's Training Progress; Was I... Really That Strong Just Now?!

The morning mist over Shikkotsu Forest had yet to fully disperse. Sunlight filtered through gaps between towering ancient trees, casting dappled shadows across the tangled roots.

Kushina Uzumaki stood quietly in a clearing.

Today, she was not wearing her usual combat attire, but a lightweight white training outfit.

Her fiery red hair was tied high into a ponytail, exposing her slender, fair neck.

Most striking of all was the faint Nine-Tails Chakra seeping from her body.

"Are you ready?"

Chiyo stood at the other end of the clearing, dressed in simple dark clothes, his hands hanging naturally at his sides.

His expression looked relaxed, but his Rinnegan had silently opened, the purple ripples slowly turning within his eyes.

"I've been waiting for this."

A radiant smile rose at the corner of Kushina's mouth.

"Big Brother Chiyo, don't hold back. I want to know... just how far I can go now."

"Alright, I won't!"

The instant his words fell.

Golden and milky-white light erupted from Kushina's body!

A faint golden Chakra cloak covered her entire body, its hem flickering like flames.

This was the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

But then, the changes began.

Milky-white patterns emerged within the golden cloak. Like living things, they spread and intertwined, gathering into a tomoe-like design over her chest.

Kushina's eyes changed.

Her pupils became Vertical Pupils, the whites of her eyes taking on a faint golden hue, while the corners of her eyes extended into the black markings unique to Sage Art.

And that was not all.

Three tails formed entirely from golden Chakra unfurled behind her. The tip of each tail was wrapped in milky-white Sage Art energy, like moonlight flowing through fire.

"So this is... my new power?"

Kushina spoke softly.

Surprise flashed through Chiyo's eyes.

In his vision, Kushina had become an