The tension eased slightly on Namikaze Minato's face as he turned to look at Jiraiya, a hint of relief as if he had narrowly escaped death: "Long time no see, Jiraiya-sensei…"
"Minato…"
Jiraiya's gaze remained fixed on his golden Chakra Armor, as he asked in a low voice, "What on earth is going on?"
"This matter…"
"Fourth Hokage!"
Just as Namikaze Minato was about to explain, he suddenly felt the will of Uehara Naraku descending upon his mind again!
Within the Spiritual World.
Namikaze Minato stood amidst a vast lake.
Uehara Naraku's face appeared god-like above him, his voice shadowed with darkness: "Fourth Hokage, there are some things you shouldn't say. Initially, my task for you was to entangle them; if you say too much, I can only have you kill them."
"..."
Namikaze Minato looked up at the enormous face above in his Spiritual World, and asked grimly, "At the very least, you should tell me what your purpose is!"
"Don't ask too much."
Uehara Naraku looked bleakly at the golden figure in the Spiritual World, speaking quietly: "I thought the Second Hokage would regain his senses first, yet it was you. But it doesn't matter; should you dare to leak information, I can control your body to kill them!"
After finishing, Uehara Naraku added, "A friendly reminder: the current Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, is right by my side. I can kill her at any moment, eliminating all Konoha's leadership!"
Feeling insecure, Uehara Naraku went on: "Since you're utilizing the Nine-tail's Chakra, you should be able to sense your son's location, right? Uchiha Obito is near him, and I could easily kill Uzumaki Naruto and Hatake Kakashi at any time!"
Namikaze Minato: "..."
This guy… is really ruthless!
Namikaze Minato had just regained his senses and was trying to secretly convey some information to Jiraiya, but Uehara Naraku immediately threatened Jiraiya's life.
It must be said, this threat was incredibly effective.
Because Namikaze Minato knew well, with the power of the Nine-tail he could use now, Jiraiya and Nara Shikaku weren't his opponents.
If Jiraiya received the information and the entire leadership of Konoha was eradicated, what use would that information be?
No, perhaps there's another way?
Like using codes?
"Don't think about using codes or gestures to leak information."
Uehara Naraku coldly spoke, scripting Minato's end directly: "I never care about the process, only the result. If I sense anything amiss, I will eliminate them immediately, so you'd better decide where you stand!"
Uehara Naraku, looking at the silent Minato, coldly added: "Don't think you're the only pawn; to me, you're just a mouthpiece easily replaced. If you wish to do more with this body in the future, you'd best follow my orders."
Uehara Naraku, with that massive face in the Spiritual World, booming again: "If all Konoha's leadership is slaughtered, you know what awaits Konoha, right?"
"I understand."
Namikaze Minato slowly lowered his head.
This threat was straightforward and brutal, yet extremely effective.
Compared to talismanic methods, Uehara Naraku's manipulation of his emotions and bonds was undoubtedly more effective, even able to force Minato into submission.
After all, Minato's desire to leak information was for Konoha's safety; if Konoha was destroyed, what would be the point of leaking it?
But if he didn't leak it…
Konoha would face a slow death?
Namikaze Minato felt he must find a foolproof plan.
Uehara Naraku gazed down upon Namikaze Minato from his Spiritual World, suddenly revealing a sinister smile: "Just in case, I have to give you another warning. Besides the previous threats, I might add something else."
Inside the Spiritual World, Uehara Naraku's massive grin was the smile of a demon to Namikaze Minato, as he softly said: "If Jiraiya and the others find out my true identity, I will use Reanimation to resurrect Uzumaki Kushina and control her to fight your son, Uzumaki Naruto. To prevent this earthly tragedy, I'm sure you'll obediently comply, right?"
"..."
Namikaze Minato couldn't help but clench his teeth.
Forcing the never-met mother and son, Uzumaki Naruto and Uzumaki Kushina, to fight each other—could a person actually do this!
This demon had considered everything from every angle.
Teacher, wife, son, apprentice, companion.
Each threat was deadly to Namikaze Minato; it was his first time encountering such an evil being!
This demon!
Especially one as strong as him.
Namikaze Minato clenched his teeth and looked up at Uehara Naraku's face, asking, "I have to know why you're doing this, don't I?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Uehara Naraku's voice slowly became ethereal: "Rest assured, what I'm doing isn't necessarily bad for Konoha; I do it to defeat a hidden menace behind the scenes, so I must conceal myself."
"Then…"
Namikaze Minato raised his head, coldly saying, "I'll work with you for now, but I don't want to harm Jiraiya-sensei!"