The Eight Trigrams Seal was often described as nothing more than two overlapping Four Symbols Seals.
However, that description only scratched the surface.
In reality, the complexity, precision, and sealing power of the Eight Trigrams Seal were far beyond a simple equation of one plus one.
The true essence of the technique lay in the intricate coordination between the inner and outer sealing layers.
Every control point had to be perfectly synchronized.
Every sealing formula had to interlock with absolute precision.
Only when the inner and outer circuits resonated flawlessly could the seal achieve its intended effect.
Previously, Menma's understanding of the Eight Trigrams Seal had been based largely upon his knowledge of the Four Symbols Seal.
But after receiving Minato's chakra imprint and the vast amount of fūinjutsu knowledge it contained, Menma finally realized how simplistic his earlier assumptions had been.
Using the Four Symbols Seal as a foundation for reverse-engineering the Eight Trigrams Seal was not entirely impossible.
However, the difficulty was extraordinarily high.
Even skilled seal masters would struggle to accomplish such a feat.
A single mistake could create conflicts within the seal's structure.
And when the seal in question contained a tailed beast, the consequences became even more dangerous.
If the balance was disrupted carelessly, the tailed beast's chakra could spiral completely out of control.
Fortunately, Menma did not have to worry about such a possibility.
At this point, Kurama was no longer a threat lurking behind the seal.
He was effectively Menma's ally.
Even so, avoiding unnecessary complications remained the preferable option.
After all, there was no reason to make a difficult task even more troublesome.
Floating before the enormous gate, Menma carefully reviewed the information Minato had left behind.
The countless formulas and control points of the Eight Trigrams Seal flowed through his mind.
Compared to the crude methods he had attempted before, his current understanding had reached an entirely different level.
"The Four Symbols Seal…"
Menma murmured softly.
His gaze moved across the sealing formula.
Following Minato's instructions, he reconstructed several of the outer-layer control marks.
One after another.
The modified formulas connected together seamlessly.
Only after every preparation had been completed did Menma finally move.
Without hesitation, he reached out and removed the sealing tag affixed to the center of the gate.
Sizzle
The intricate sealing formula beneath it was immediately exposed.
The moment it appeared, Menma's hands moved.
Hand seals flashed rapidly.
Chakra surged through his body.
Then
"The Eight Trigrams Release!"
A powerful chakra fluctuation erupted.
"Break!"
With a low shout, Menma slammed his palm directly onto the spiral sealing formula.
Buzz!
The massive gate trembled.
The entire chamber shook violently.
Click!
A sharp metallic sound echoed throughout the inner world.
Directly before him, the complicated locking mechanism embedded within the seal began rotating.
One layer after another.
Like the gears of an enormous machine.
The lock slowly turned counterclockwise.
Each completed rotation weakened another segment of the seal.
Far below, Kurama could clearly feel the change.
The oppressive force that had restrained him for over a decade was steadily disappearing.
His massive body straightened instinctively.
A dangerous light flickered within his scarlet eyes.
The anticipation was impossible to conceal.
The lock continued turning.
One circle.
Then another.
Then another.
Until finally
Only the final layer remained.
Menma narrowed his eyes.
His perception locked onto the seal's core.
There.
The critical point.
The final weakness.
A greater amount of chakra surged into his palm.
"Open!"
Boom!
The last seal lock split apart.
Cracks spread rapidly through its surface.
A moment later
Bang!
The entire locking mechanism exploded into countless fragments.
The pieces scattered through the air before dissolving into nothingness.
The seal had been broken.
Completely.
At that exact moment, the gigantic metal gate imprisoning Kurama shook violently.
The oppressive force that had bound him vanished.
Freedom.
For the first time in years, Kurama felt true freedom.
"ROOOOAAARRR!"
A deafening roar erupted from the Nine-Tails.
The sound echoed throughout the entire inner world.
Boom!
An ocean of chakra exploded outward.
Cold.
Savage.
Ancient.
The floodwaters beneath the chamber surged violently.
The shattered remains of the gate were instantly swept away.
The prison was gone.
The seal no longer existed.
Kurama stood completely unrestrained.
The overwhelming chakra pressure soared into the sky like a raging storm.
The surrounding air trembled.
Menma's clothes fluttered wildly beneath the force of the chakra currents.
Then
Kurama slowly lowered his enormous head.
His massive eyes locked onto Menma.
The distance between them was negligible.
The killing intent radiating from his body was enough to crush most shinobi instantly.
Only a single step remained.
One step.
If he wished, he could attempt to seize control of Menma's body right now.
Freedom.
True freedom.
The temptation was immense.
Even for a tailed beast that had lived for centuries, imprisonment remained intolerable.
Kurama hated being treated as a weapon.
He hated being used by humans.
And now, the opportunity to cast off those chains stood directly before him.
To claim that he felt no temptation whatsoever would have been a lie.
The restless chakra swirling around him made that abundantly clear.
His gaze burned with dangerous intent.
The atmosphere became tense enough to erupt into battle at any moment.
Yet Menma remained calm.
His posture did not change.
His expression did not waver.
He simply looked back at Kurama.
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
Several seconds passed.
Then Kurama snorted.
"Hmph."
The enormous fox narrowed his eyes.
"You're really not afraid that I'll attack you right now, brat?"
A faint smile appeared on Menma's face.
"Kurama."
His tone was casual.
"I've told you before."
"We're partners with the same objective."
"If I die, you might gain freedom for a while."
"But what happens afterward?"
Menma spread his hands.
"The moment Akatsuki learns you've escaped, they'll come after you."
"The moment Obito learns you're free, he'll hunt you down."
"And if Madara's plans continue moving forward, you'll eventually become nothing more than a tool again."
His eyes met Kurama's directly.
"At that point, you'll be facing everything alone."
The smile on Menma's face widened slightly.
"So tell me."
"Why would you choose the riskier option?"
Kurama fell silent.
Because he knew Menma was right.
Menma was not Naruto.
He did not speak about friendship.
He did not preach understanding.
He did not attempt to win others over with idealism.
Whether it was Orochimaru, Sasuke, or Kurama, Menma always approached people the same way.
By laying out reality.
By presenting interests.
By showing the consequences of every choice.
Mutual understanding?
In Menma's eyes, such things were often little more than beautiful fantasies.
No one could completely understand another person.
Even among humans.
Even among family.
The gap between different individuals would always exist.
What truly connected people were shared goals and mutual benefit.
Menma had long accepted that reality.
Kurama stared at him for several moments.
Then he snorted again.
"Hmph."
For the first time, the hostility in his eyes lessened slightly.
"You win, brat."
The Nine-Tails lowered his head.
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Since we're talking honestly…"
"Tell me everything."
A dangerous light flashed across his scarlet eyes.
"I know you're still hiding information."
His voice grew colder.
"Especially about Madara Uchiha."
The killing intent in the chamber intensified immediately.
Among all the humans Kurama had encountered throughout history, none inspired greater hatred than Madara Uchiha.
Hashirama had defeated him.
But Madara had humiliated him.
Madara had enslaved him.
Controlled him with the Sharingan.
Used him like nothing more than a pet or a weapon.
For Kurama, that humiliation was unforgettable.
It was a stain that had remained for decades.
A debt he desperately wanted repaid.
"Tell me."
Kurama's eyes narrowed.
"Is Madara Uchiha still alive?"
Menma was silent for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
"Madara is already dead."
Kurama's eyes narrowed further.
However, before he could speak, Menma continued.
"At least, his original body is dead."
A meaningful look appeared in his eyes.
"But make no mistake."
"The current situation in the shinobi world exists because of him."
"Obito is merely carrying out the plan he left behind."
"Akatsuki is only a piece on the board."
"And the collection of the tailed beasts is merely one step in a much larger scheme."
Menma's gaze became increasingly serious.
"If everything proceeds according to Madara's design…"
"He will eventually return."
The chamber fell silent.
Even Kurama's expression changed.
Because he could hear the certainty in Menma's voice.
This was not speculation.
This was a warning.
And for the first time since his release, the Nine-Tails began to realize that the true enemy standing behind the shadows might be far more terrifying than he had imagined.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 288 ON PATREON.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED CHAPTERS BEFORE PUBLIC RELEASE OR PURCHASE THE BOOK FOR LIFETIME ACCESS!
Patreon.com/HACKDWORLD