Kushina's Tailed Beast Training Passes the First Level

At Yugito's reminder, Kushina suddenly realized that she could not attack her own inner demon.

So when the inner demon attacked, Kushina did not dodge.

The inner demon's sharp claws came slashing in, seeming capable of tearing Kushina in two in an instant. Kushina was terrified, but she trusted Yugito's words.

Still afraid, she closed her eyes rather than face the inner demon's attack.

The instant the inner demon's claws reached Kushina, they stopped. The claws hung in the air before Kushina's face, separated by no more than a finger's width.

Kushina opened her eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

The inner demon asked Kushina, "Why didn't you dodge?"

Scratching her head, Kushina grinned foolishly. "Yugito told me not to dodge. Yugito wouldn't lie to me!"

The inner demon shot Yugito a hateful glare.

Kushina stepped forward, opened her arms, and hugged the inner demon.

"You are my past. I will never forget my past."

"But I think I've already been very fortunate to have met Grandmother Mito, Tsunade-nee, Minato, and the others."

"Every one of them is a part of my soul. It is because they exist that I can be so carefree."

"But now, it is my turn to protect them. I don't want to see my comrades crying anymore!"

The black sclera in the inner demon's eyes faded away. The inner demon kissed Kushina on the forehead. "Kushina, you are no longer that crying little girl you used to be!"

"Go. Defeat the Nine-Tails and obtain its power. Teach Madara Uchiha and Uchiha Ryobu, that grandfather-and-grandson pair, how to behave."

"As if you needed to tell me that!"

Kushina revealed a bright smile.

The inner demon slowly dissipated before Kushina, saying at last, "Kushina, protect Minato and the child in your belly well!"

"Be careful...