Utatane Koharu’s face was grim.
"I sent an order to the Security Team from the very beginning, but the Uchiha Ninja still haven’t shown up. It’s definitely suspicious."
Hiruzen frowned; he was puzzled by this as well.
Before Minato arrived, using the Sharingan to stabilize the Nine-tails was the best approach.
"Then, what is that?"
Koharu pointed at the Nine-tails’ red eyes, with their intricate patterns—far more complex than the basic Three Tomoe.
The other Konoha Ninja might not know what that was, but as disciples of the Second Hokage, they all understood exactly what it ant.
Mangekyo Sharingan!
The supre eye that surpasses the ordinary Sharingan.
Once, Uchiha Madara had used this very eye to control the Nine-tails.
Hiruzen fell silent, the enormous Mangekyo in the Nine-tails’ eyes and the Uchiha Clan’s delay in showing up... Was this all orchestrated by the Uchiha in secret?
Decades ago: Uchiha Madara.
Five years ago: Uchiha Ruri.
Now, was there another Uchiha capable of controlling the Nine-tails?
Hiruzen began to speculate, his expression deeply conflicted.
Right then, a chilling aura swept through the air, snapping Hiruzen back to reality.
The Nine-tails had retreated a large distance, its nine snake-like tails flattening the land around, causing heavy casualties among the Konoha Ninja in pursuit.
The ground collapsed, forming cliffs.
The sky was covered in dark clouds, lightning flashing within them
It started to roar loudly, and blue and black Chakra balls began forming rapidly in front of its fangs. These Chakra balls fused together into one gigantic black Chakra sphere.
The mont the black sphere ford, the world seed to freeze; an icy chill made everyone’s bodies tremble.
"Damn!"
Hiruzen’s face changed drastically—he stepped forward wielding the Adamantine Staff to intercept.
That black sphere—a Tailed Beast Ball—was aid right at Konoha.
If that thing hit, the Nine-tails could destroy the entire village.
Thunder crackled through the forest as the black sphere shot forth. The earth and woods were swallowed, turned to dust that scattered in the wind.
It sailed over the heads of countless Konoha Ninja, flying toward Konoha Village.
The Third and the others were stunned, forced to watch as the Tailed Beast Ball descended on Konoha, powerless to stop it.
Just as the Tailed Beast Ball was about to fall on the village, black curse markings appeared in midair above the village’s huge walls, enveloped the black sphere, and made it vanish instantly.
It disappeared so suddenly, even the Nine-tails and the Konoha Ninja were stunned.
"Is that Minato?"
Hiruzen saw the face of the Ninja using Space-Ti Ninjutsu to transfer the Nine-tailed Tailed Beast Ball.
On Konoha’s high wall, Minato appeared, a battered figure with Kushina slung over his shoulder, clearly having endured a fierce battle.
Minato stood there, not acting right away, but thinking hard about how to deal with the Nine-tails.
Normal Ninja Techniques wouldn’t work: the Nine-tails’ body was too tough. Only special thods could harm it.
"Minato... take over there..."
On Minato’s shoulder, Kushina suddenly coughed and spoke.
"Kushina?"
"Hurry... I don’t have much ti left anyway. But before I go, I want to take the Nine-tails with ..."
Kushina could feel her life force slipping away—not even the Uzumaki Clan’s vitality could hold out much longer.
Minato saw the determination in Kushina’s eyes; he looked pained.
"Don’t look so sad... Naruto’s future is in your hands. And be careful—I feel like the enemy will strike at Konoha again. After all, you’re the hero that Jiraiya calls the Child of Prophecy..."
Kushina forced a smile; she had made her decision.
If she could drag the Nine-tails down with her using what little life she had left, then at least she was doing her final duty for the village.
The only regret was not being able to watch her son grow up, day by day.
"I understand... But the village can’t lose the Nine-tails. So let be with you, Kushina. That way, at least, you won’t go on alone."
Minato spoke as if accepting his fate.
"What do you an? Minato, what are you going to do? Don’t do anything foolish!"
Kushina sensed the deeper aning in Minato’s words, her face anxious.
Minato just smiled, not answering her question.
He turned toward the Nine-tails, his expression turning solemn.
This turmoil was finally about to end.
◎
The sudden disappearance of the Nine-tails left the Konoha Ninja—ready to die in battle—in stunned confusion, not knowing what just happened.
"Flying Thunder God Jutsu, huh?"
Hiruzen murmured, staring at the spot where the Nine-tails had vanished.
Then, he looked toward a certain direction, sensing the Nine-tails’ presence there, taken away by Minato’s Space-Ti Ninjutsu.
"Anbu, move out! All other Ninja, stand by!"
After issuing this command, Hiruzen set off with the Anbu Ninja toward Minato’s location.
Advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura followed as well. The Nine-tails was too important—despite having the Yellow Flash there, they still felt uneasy.
About five minutes later, just as they neared their destination, Hiruzen suddenly noticed sothing—a shocking scene unfolded before him.
A gigantic, ethereal shadow separated itself from the Nine-tails, falling in a certain direction.
"What is that?"
Koharu and Homura doubted their eyes—was that light the Nine-tails?
But why did it look so ghostly?
"That jutsu is..."
Hiruzen recognized it, his heart sinking.
Without answering the others, he quickened his pace.
Rushing through the dense woods, the scene ahead was revealed.
The glow of a barrier warding off the outside world was slowly fading, with only a gentle wind stirring the dust.
The imnse Nine-tails had vanished from the clearing.
At the center of the sealing altar, a baby, still in swaddling clothes, was wailing loudly.
Kushina, covered in blood, lay beside the altar, already lifeless.
Minato barely stood, a hideous, demonic phantom looming behind him, like sothing from hell, dissolving into mist as it faded away.
"Minato..."
Hiruzen called out Minato’s na. Especially after glimpsing the ghostly figure vanish behind Minato, he knew things had gotten even worse.
Minato heard Hiruzen’s cry and slowly turned his head, coughing up blood. With his last breath, he forced out his final words for Hiruzen:
"Lord Third, please take care of Naruto for ... and the village must beware of Chiba Hakushi... and the Mangekyo Sharingan with Space-Ti Donjutsu... The Nine-tails was... them... cough..."
His voice faded to a whisper; his body collapsed onto the ground, passing away with a faint smile.
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