The Nine-Tails chakra inside Naruto Uzumaki was steadily being stripped away, while Madara Uchiha pinned him firmly to the ground, leaving him unable to move.
Agonizing pain spread through his entire body, and Naruto wailed silently.
"L-let Naruto go!"
Not far away, Sasuke lay in a pool of blood and raised his head with difficulty, fury flashing in his eyes.
Because of the goal he had long since settled on, Sasuke intended to part ways with Naruto in the future and sever this bond with his own hands.
But only he could do that. Sasuke would not allow anyone else to threaten Naruto's life.
"Oh?"
With his foot planted on Naruto's back, Madara looked over his shoulder at Sasuke, who was struggling desperately to stand, and surprise flashed through his eyes.
Despite such serious injuries, he could still stand. This descendant of the Uchiha Clan had considerable potential.
Looking at Sasuke's face, which so closely resembled his younger brother's, Madara fell silent for several seconds before making a rare show of kindness and offering to recruit him.
"For the sake of our shared Uchiha blood, I can give you one chance!"
"As long as you're willing to join forces with me, I can save your life!"
Faced with Madara's offer, Sasuke said nothing. His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan remained fixed on Naruto, without so much as a glance at Madara.
"Very well." Madara nodded. He understood what Sasuke meant. It could not have been a clearer refusal.
There was only one chance. Since Sasuke had refused, there would not be another.
That was Madara's creed.
"Slower than I expected..."
Madara lowered his head to watch the chains steadily strip the Nine-Tails from Naruto's body, somewhat dissatisfied with the pace.
Still, he could understand it, barely. After all, extracting a Tailed Beast