Kushina Becomes the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki

Tsunade and Rogge arrived at the Hokage Building and entered the Hokage's Office.

Sunlight streamed through the windows into the Hokage's Office, yet it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his expression grave, his brows slightly furrowed, deep concern visible in his eyes.

Rogge and Tsunade stood quietly to one side, and the atmosphere was somewhat stifling.

Rogge was expressionless, with no trace of emotion in his eyes, as though none of this had anything to do with him.

Tsunade, on the other hand, frowned slightly, her eyes filled with worry.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly spoke. "Rogge, during the time you were away, Lady Mito passed away. Kushina succeeded Lady Mito and became the second Nine-Tails jinchuriki. Rogge, in the name of the Third Hokage of Konoha, I am now assigning you a long-term S-rank mission: remain by Kushina's side and protect the Nine-Tails jinchuriki."

Rogge frowned slightly as he silently weighed the advantages and disadvantages of this mission.

His gaze remained cold, as though he were merely listening to an insignificant order.

After hearing this, Tsunade voiced her own opinion. "Lord Hokage, although Rogge has some strength, isn't it inappropriate to have him shoulder such an important responsibility alone? Closely protecting the Nine-Tails jinchuriki is no simple task."

Tsunade's face was full of concern as she took a slight step forward and looked steadily at the Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly. "Tsunade, Rogge stands out among the younger generation. He is among the best of the elite jonin, and he also has some connection with Kushina. I believe he is capable of handling this mission."

The Hokage's tone revealed his trust in Rogge.

Tsunade was still somewhat uneasy. "But the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan are watching Rogge like hawks, and there have been rumors about him spreading throughout the village lately..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment. "That is indeed a problem. But we cannot abandon the protection of the Nine-Tails jinchuriki because of these difficulties. I will arrange for other ANBU members to assist Rogge in secret. At the same time, I will explain the rumors to Konoha's people in the name of the Hokage and clear Rogge's name."

Rogge spoke at that moment. "Lord Hokage, Teacher Tsunade, I am willing to accept this mission. I will do my utmost to protect Kushina."

Rogge's voice was utterly flat, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

A barely noticeable trace of cunning flashed through his eyes, but inwardly, he was considering how to use this mission to achieve his own goals.

Tsunade looked at Rogge and said softly, "Rogge, you must be careful. Protecting the Nine-Tails jinchuriki is an extremely difficult mission. You cannot let your guard down in the slightest."

Tsunade's eyes were full of concern and worry as she gently patted Rogge on the shoulder.

Rogge nodded. "I understand, Teacher Tsunade. I will proceed cautiously."

Rogge's face remained expressionless, but he was already calculating his next plan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Rogge and Tsunade and smiled. "All right, Rogge. From now on, you must remain vigilant at all times and protect Kushina well. Tsunade, you should also keep a close eye on Rogge's movements and support him when necessary."

There was a trace of expectation and trust in the Hokage's smile.

Rogge and Tsunade answered in unison, "Yes, Lord Hokage."

After leaving the Hokage Building, Rogge headed toward Kushina's residence with an expressionless face.

Sunlight fell upon him, but it could not warm his cold heart.

His footsteps were steady and powerful, and his heart remained without a ripple. To him, this new mission was merely a means of achieving his objective.

The streets were bustling with people and full of life.

Yet Rogge seemed to be standing in an empty world, turning a blind eye to everything around him.

Only his own plans occupied his mind. Though he had some intention of using Kushina, he did not mind offering her some false warmth when necessary.

When he arrived at Kushina's door, Rogge knocked lightly.

A gentle breeze passed by, lifting the hem of his clothes.

A faint sound came from inside, and the door slowly opened. Kushina appeared in the doorway.

Her eyes were red and swollen. She had clearly just been crying.

The breeze swept through her hair, making her appear even more haggard.

When she saw Rogge, surprise flashed through her eyes, followed by another surge of sorrow and unease.

"Rogge... why are you here?" Kushina's voice was hoarse and weak, and her eyes were filled with confusion and grief.

Seeing Kushina's haggard appearance, Rogge felt no guilt at all, yet he put on a concerned expression.

A trace of gentleness appeared in his eyes, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

"Kushina, I heard what happened to you. From now on, I will stay by your side and protect you." Rogge's voice was soft and warm, like a spring breeze brushing across her face.

Kushina trembled slightly, her eyes filled with confusion.

"Protect me? Why? You and Teacher Tsunade..." Kushina's eyes were full of suspicion and unease. She bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes.

Without hesitation, Rogge began weaving a lie.

"Kushina, don't misunderstand. There is nothing between Teacher Tsunade and me. It was only a misunderstanding." A trace of sincerity showed in Rogge's eyes.

Kushina bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Really? But I saw you in the room..." Kushina's eyes were filled with doubt and unease, and her body trembled slightly.

Rogge gently held Kushina's shoulders, his eyes appearing utterly sincere.

"Kushina, believe me. I came here because I accepted the Hokage's mission to protect you, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. I will protect you with my life and never allow you to suffer any harm."

Kushina looked into Rogge's resolute eyes, and the unease in her heart eased somewhat.

Yet she still hesitated. "Rogge, I'm really afraid of becoming the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. I don't know what I should do."

Kushina's eyes were full of fear and helplessness, and her body trembled slightly.

The corners of Rogge's mouth lifted into a gentle smile, but there was not the slightest bit of sincerity in it.

He gently stroked Kushina's hair, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Don't be afraid, Kushina. You are not alone. I will always be by your side. We'll face this together." Rogge's voice was soft and warm, like a spring breeze brushing across her face.

Kushina's tears burst forth again. She threw herself into Rogge's arms and began sobbing loudly.

Rogge gently patted her back, but inwardly, he was calculating how to deceive her into becoming utterly devoted to him and allowing him to use her.

Because he wanted to collect a small portion of the chakra of all nine Tailed Beasts and become an incomplete version of the "Ten-Tails" jinchuriki!

Under Rogge's gentle deception, Kushina gradually let down her guard around him.

Her eyes were full of trust and reliance, and she came to believe that Rogge was her only support in Konoha Hidden Village.

Seeing that the time was right, Rogge softly said to Kushina, "Kushina, I want to study the Nine-Tails' chakra. It will be a great help in protecting you better. Could you loosen the Nine-Tails' seal a little?"

"Okay. I trust you."

Although Kushina hesitated somewhat, she nodded and agreed out of trust in Rogge.

She slowly closed her eyes, focused her mind, and began loosening the Nine-Tails' seal.

A gentle breeze passed by, lifting her hair and making her appear even more beautiful and moving.

Rogge immediately focused his own chakra as well, carefully probing it into Kushina's body.

His gaze was focused and cautious.

Upon entering Kushina's mental world, he immediately saw the enormous Nine-Tails, radiating overwhelming pressure.

The Nine-Tails glared furiously at Rogge with its red eyes and let out thunderous roars.

A violent wind howled, making Rogge's clothes flap loudly.

Rogge was unafraid. He fixed his gaze on the Nine-Tails and began a special game of "tug-of-war" with it.

He mobilized all of his chakra and pitted it against the Nine-Tails' power.

At first, the Nine-Tails' power was incomparably strong, and Rogge felt as though his body were about to be torn apart.

A pained expression appeared on his face as sweat ran down from his forehead.

But he gritted his teeth and gradually stabilized himself through his tenacious will and formidable strength.

After a grueling struggle, Rogge ultimately won.

He successfully seized a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra and kept it within himself.

When he withdrew from Kushina's mental world, his heart was filled with excitement and anticipation.

He knew that this portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra was an important step toward his goal of becoming the "Ten-Tails" jinchuriki.

However, Rogge also knew that no one could discover what he had done.

He looked at Kushina tenderly once more and said softly, "Kushina, thank you. With this research, I believe I can protect you even better."

Kushina looked at Rogge, her eyes full of trust and reliance, completely unaware that Rogge had already used her.

Rogge silently calculated his next plan. He had to continue acting with great caution and could not let anyone notice his true purpose.

A trace of cunning flashed through his eyes, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.