As the light faded, a... creature appeared on the office carpet.
It was only about the size of an adult cat, covered in fluffy, soft orange fur that gleamed like the finest silk.
Its signature nine tails had not disappeared, but shrunk proportionally. They swayed restlessly behind her, like a cluster of lively, dancing flames.
Those crimson slit pupils, once filled with brutality, still held a trace of vigilance and displeasure on that tiny fox face. Yet paired with its furry ears and petite nose, they somehow seemed less ferocious and more... awkwardly adorable?
"Pfft—"
Kushina, who had been resting against the sofa, saw the miniature Nine-Tails and her eyes went wide. Then, unable to hold it in, she burst out laughing.
All her previous resentment toward the Nine-Tails—the pressure and danger she had endured because of it—seemed to have been greatly washed away by the absurdly adorable contrast before her.
"Th-this is the Nine-Tails? That legendary... most vicious tailed beast?" Kushina pointed at the little fox on the floor, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over, tears welling in her eyes. "Hahaha... so... so tiny! It looks... it looks like a stuffed toy!"
"Shut up, woman!" Miniature Kurama's fur instantly bristled, all nine little tails standing on end. It bared its teeth and tried to let out a fierce roar, but its voice had become shrill and utterly lacking in intimidation. It sounded more like it was acting cute instead.
"Roar—! I'll kill you!"
That completely unthreatening "roar" struck Kushina's funny bone even harder. She laughed louder, and even the discomfort from her weakened body seemed to lessen.
Uchiha Ling also watched the little fox on the floor with great interest, all bark and no bite.
He had to admit, Kyoka Suigetsu's application in manipulating forms had worked unexpectedly