A warm yet steadfast hand gently rested on Kushina's head.
Her palm was not strong, even somewhat thin and withered, yet it carried a strange, tranquil power capable of calming raging storms.
She did not even look at the terrifying fox head in the air, only turning her head slightly.
She gave the pale-faced Kushina an exceptionally gentle, faint smile.
"Child, don't be afraid."
Mito's voice was calm as water. It pierced through the Nine-Tails' violent roar and reached Kushina's ears clearly.
"It looks terrifying because it has been imprisoned for too long, too lonely, until nothing but anger remained.
But fear cannot solve anything. The strength of our Uzumaki Clan comes from tenacious life and the conviction to protect.
Remember, you are not bearing this alone.
I will help you. Everyone in Leaf Village will support you as well. Look into my eyes and take a deep breath..."
Kushina met Mito's calm, profound eyes, which seemed capable of embracing everything, and listened to her steady words.
Her wildly pounding heart miraculously began to settle.
She nodded forcefully. Determination returned to her eyes. Though her body was still trembling slightly, her spine straightened a little.
After calming Kushina, Mito Uzumaki turned back to face the rampant phantom of the Nine-Tails' chakra in the air.
The gentleness on her face vanished in an instant, replaced by an inviolable solemnity.
She held two fingers together like a sword before her abdomen as the purest and most immense life force and sealing power of the Uzumaki Clan surged within her!
Adamantine Sealing Chains!
Buzz—!
Several dazzling golden chains, seemingly formed from pure energy and runes, burst violently from Mito's abdomen!
Though these chains had no physical form, they carried the power of laws that could suppress all things, moving as fast as lightning.