Chapter 104 - Chapter 102: Minato’s Decision, The Truth Behind It!

---"Nine Tails…"Namikaze Minato's gaze fell upon the towering beast beside him, and his expression froze for a moment.Even he hadn't expected that his reunion with the Nine Tails would happen like this.According to his original plan, when Naruto lost control and exposed eight tails of the beast's power, he would appear just in time to stop it—sealing it again and reinforcing the seal within Naruto. That way, Naruto would survive the rampage, and the Nine Tails would remain suppressed.As for Kushina, she was meant to appear later, when Naruto tried to wrestle control of the Nine Tails' chakra after being acknowledged by Jiraiya and given the key to unlock the seal.With the Uzumaki Clan's exceptional sealing techniques, Kushina could suppress the Nine Tails effectively and assist Naruto in mastering the tailed beast's power.This was all they could do now—as parents. Their final gift to their son.---Kurama, the Nine Tails, sat silently for a moment before his eyes twitched."You people from Konoha… are truly despicable!"Watching from within Naruto's subconscious, Kurama felt like he had just been slapped across the face by a mountain's worth of trickery.This was too much!His original plan had been simple: subtly manipulate Naruto into using his chakra more and more, weakening the seal little by little. Though this would take time, Kurama had nothing but time. He was a tailed beast, virtually immortal.Eventually, through persistence and careful maneuvering, he believed he could break free.But now, learning of Minato's two-layered contingency, Kurama's fury erupted.The Fourth Hokage—always so calm, gentle, and bright in appearance—had pulled off the ultimate deception. He'd quietly set the perfect trap for Kurama.A sneak attack. A trick. An ambush on a fox hundreds of years old.The young Hokage had no shame!---Naruto: "Kurama, are you angry?"Kurama: "Hmph! I'm not speaking to anyone from Konoha!"Shukaku (One Tail): "Chu chu chu~ I'm so happy! Watching you suffer is so satisfying!"Kurama: "Get lost, you stinking raccoon cat!"Matatabi (Two Tails): "Wow, after all these years, you two still haven't changed."Isobu (Three Tails): "Two-Tails, you're here too?"Son Goku (Four Tails): "Roar! Seeing Nine Tails in this pathetic state really lifts everyone's spirits!"Kokuō (Five Tails): "I heard a saying from the human world—'When one is in trouble, everyone gives a thumbs up!'"Saiken (Six Tails): "Haha, he's far ahead in the race for misery!"Chōmei (Seven Tails): "It's such a good day~!"Gyūki (Eight Tails): "Come on, guys, we're tailed beasts. We should be united. Don't forget the teachings of the Sage of Six Paths."Kurama: "Tsk. Too noisy. All of you, shut up!!"Naruto (laughing): "Kurama, you guys actually get along pretty well!"Kurama remained silent.---As the commotion between the tailed beasts settled, Kushina looked at Naruto with misty eyes.She still couldn't believe how much time had passed. In the blink of an eye, the baby she had held in her arms was now a strong and independent young man.While Kushina was feeling nostalgic, Minato suddenly turned serious. He sensed something amiss in Konoha—an unsettling aura from outside the barrier."That presence… Orochimaru!"How could Minato ever forget him?Back in the day, his strongest rival for the position of Fourth Hokage had been none other than Orochimaru—one of the Legendary Sannin. If it hadn't been for Hiruzen Sarutobi's strong support, a commoner like Minato would never have ascended to the highest seat in the village.It was precisely because of that backing that Minato swore his unwavering loyalty to the Third Hokage… even unto death.But now…Minato (frowning): "Naruto, what exactly is going on?"Seeing his father's puzzled expression, Naruto didn't hesitate. He gave a brief summary of everything that had happened—his mistreatment, the villagers' scorn, and the manipulation by Konoha's leadership."What!? Those bastards dared to bully my son!?"Kushina's face turned red with rage. Whether in this world or another, a mother's fury was the same.She and Minato had both sacrificed their lives for the sake of the village. They had even used their only son as a vessel to imprison the Nine Tails.And this was the thanks they received?Though Kushina hadn't seen Naruto's lonely childhood herself, she could already feel the pain etched deep into his heart.Minato, too, remained silent. Though he once swore allegiance to the Will of Fire, the sight of his own child suffering from the actions—or inaction—of the village filled him with a deep and burning fury.He was, without a doubt, a great Hokage… but not a good father.---Ohnoki: "Looks like the Fourth Hokage of that world is now standing firmly on Naruto's side."Terumi Mei: "Naturally. What parent wouldn't be angry after seeing their child treated like that?"Fourth Raikage: "This whole mess is the fault of the Third Hokage. What he did was truly disgraceful!"Sarutobi Hiruzen: "You all fail to understand the Will of Fire! Whether in this world or that one, I have always been willing to sacrifice for Konoha! For the village, I'd gladly give up my life!"Sarutobi Hiruzen: "The Hokage's destiny… is sacrifice!"Orochimaru: "Teacher Hiruzen, is it really for Konoha? Or for the Sarutobi clan? Only you know the truth."Shimura Danzo: "Hmph. I told you not to spare Orochimaru back then. Now that the truth is out, don't expect my help!"Hiruzen gritted his teeth.This shameless old man!He hadn't even tried to shift the blame onto Danzo, and yet Danzo was already pushing it back on him.When Orochimaru was conducting human experiments using children from the Konoha Orphanage, was Danzo not secretly backing him?And those Sharingan Danzo possessed… Who helped transplant them?You think I don't know?!Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Orochimaru… Danzo… don't get too comfortable. Naruto has acquired the scroll detailing the darkest secrets of the ninja world! Soon enough, the truth will come to light. Then, we'll see who the real sinner of Konoha is!"Danzo: "Tch…"---Back inside Naruto's mindscape…Minato: "Naruto, there's something else I need to tell you."He turned toward Kurama, who was lounging lazily behind Naruto.Kurama: "What? Where else can I go? This place is tiny!"Minato smiled helplessly. Kurama hadn't changed at all.But he wasn't here to argue with the fox.Minato: "Naruto… The truth is, the other half of the Nine Tails' chakra is still sealed inside me."Naruto: "Huh? Why are you suddenly telling me this?"Minato's expression turned solemn as he carefully looked over Naruto.His son had grown. Not only in strength, but in character. He had become a man who could stand tall on his own.Maybe it was time to reveal the truth.Minato: "Naruto… the Nine Tails' attack… might not have been so simple."Even Kushina was stunned by Minato's words.She had long harbored distrust toward Konoha, especially after the fall of the Uzumaki Clan. But now… Minato, the strongest supporter of the Will of Fire, had begun to question it as well?She couldn't believe it.But the evidence was undeniable.Someone in the village had knowingly allowed the Nine Tails to run wild—risking not only the lives of Minato and herself, but the very safety of Konoha.Minato, understanding this, had chosen to sacrifice himself to preserve peace. But his heart was no longer as blindly loyal.Minato (softly): "Naruto, I know you're already strong. But I hope you'll become even stronger."Minato (firmly): "Whether or not you choose to strike back at Konoha someday… Your mother and I will always believe in you."Naruto was speechless.The burden of truth, the pain of the past, and the love of his parents weighed heavily in his heart.But he understood one thing more clearly than ever—He was not alone anymore.---End of Chapter 102