"Ten years ago, I gave the key to the Nine-Tails to my master Jiraiya."
Minato Namikaze glanced at the Nine-Tails behind him as he spoke.
Nine-Tails snorted and turned its head away.
"A few years ago, I gave you that key, and I wanted to ask you for a favor."
As he spoke, Minato Namikaze's face turned serious.
"Unless absolutely necessary, let this key never be used."
Even if it was just Chakra reincarnation of a person from thousands of years ago, Minato wouldn't feel at ease.
"I see."
Hagoromo nodded; he shared the same thought.
Unless it's absolutely certain that Asura's Chakra poses no risk, Hagoromo wouldn't hand the key to Naruto.
"Then I'll trouble you." With that, Minato bowed to Hagoromo.
"Alright, I'll leave now. You should think about how best to say goodbye to Naruto."
Hagoromo waved her hand, then looked at the Nine-Tails.
"Hey kid, what are you doing?" Nine-Tails glared at Hagoromo with obvious displeasure.
Hagoromo did not respond and disappeared directly into the Sealing Space.
"Damn it! What kind of attitude is this kid?!" Upon seeing this, Nine-Tails stood up and shouted, cursing.
"Just kidding~"
Beside them, the Eight-Tails, also trapped in the Sealing Space, casually uttered a few words.
Nine-Tails pursed its lips in displeasure, after all, this might be the first time in many years that Naruto would have an emotional breakdown.
If he wanted to take this opportunity to manipulate Naruto, he might actually succeed.
However, Nine-Tails glanced at Minato with its eyes lowered, then lay down again.
He didn't believe Minato wouldn't have a backup plan, especially considering the past few years.
If I really wanted to do something like that, I would have done it long ago.
As Hagoromo returned to his body, he looked at Naruto had fallen into a deep sleep, and couldn't help but sigh.
What was bound to happen eventually did happen.
--
Inside the Sealing Space.
When Naruto woke up, he stared blankly at the sight of Minato Namikaze in front of him.
"Why do you have to do this? I can take my time too."
Although he was stupid, everyone could see that something was wrong with Minato's condition.
"If you just stay here, even if most of the time you're just nurturing yourself..."
"Naruto, I'm actually quite content," Minato interrupted Naruto.
"You know, I've witnessed your growth inside you over the past few years, and I've even celebrated your birthday with you."
Minato reached out and touched Naruto's head.
"For me, this is already the greatest gain."
Looking at Minato's gentle smile, Naruto felt a lump in his throat, even though he couldn't cry inside the Sealing Space.
For a moment, Naruto forgot what he wanted to say and just stared blankly at Minato.
"I've been watching you grow over the past few years; you've been very serious about your cultivation."
"Whether it's your Chakra reserves or the techniques you've mastered, you're more than qualified to be considered an excellent ninja."
Minato looked at Naruto's face and continued speaking gently.
Naruto lowered his head and did not respond to Minato's words.
"I remember, Naruto, your goal is to become Hokage, right?" Minato asked, his eyes narrowed.
"Yes, I will become Hokage even stronger than you, Father!"
Naruto nodded, tears welling in his eyes, his voice trembling with emotion.
"I believe in you. No matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, face them head-on and strive to grow."
Minato silently watched Naruto and slowly spoke.
"You know, your mother also had this dream."
"Really?!" Naruto looked up, his face filled with disbelief. This was the first time Minato had mentioned his mother to him.
"Really." Minato nodded.
In the next instant, countless fluorescent lights began to rise from Minato's body.
Is it time?
Minato looked at Naruto, a hint of guilt in his eyes.
"Dad, I will grow up well! I will gradually become stronger! I will always remember everything you taught me."
Naruto squinted, watching Minato gradually disappear, and shouted loudly.
Upon hearing this, Minato blinked but didn't speak, simply staring intently at Naruto.
He wanted to see Naruto a little longer in his final moments.
This child of his and Kushina's was also the son on whom he placed high hopes.
I really want to spend more time with you, Naruto...
Goodbye, Dad!
Naruto shouted again.
"Goodbye···"
The words were spoken as Minato's figure gradually disappeared.
Within the space, a burst of fluorescent light drifted out, briefly illuminating the lower Sealing Space.
"I still have so much to say..." Naruto stood in the now somewhat dimly Sealing Space.
He muttered to himself.
The Nine-Tails, which had been pretending to be asleep, slowly raised its eyelids. Then, a fluctuation of Chakra caused Naruto's spirit to be expelled from the Sealing Space.
"Kurama, why don't you take advantage of this opportunity..." The Eight-Tails couldn't help but tease when it saw this.
"I have no interest in bullying a child, and do you want to be absorbed by me?" The Nine-Tails Fox grinned, revealing its blood-red maw.
He said with a dangerous expression.
The young Eight-Tails was taken aback, then fell silent.
Even the Kurama has changed a bit.
Inside the room, Hagoromo, who had been waiting, looked at Naruto.
Seeing the Chakra fluctuations around Naruto, Hagoromo's eyes flickered.
The next instant, Naruto opened his eyes.
"Teacher, Dad's gone," Naruto said directly.
Hagoromo's expression froze. In fact, Minato Namikaze had already left ten years ago; what was leaving now was his spiritual imprint.
Call--
Hagoromo sighed softly, reached out and touched Naruto's head, and said:
"Naruto, if you want to cry, just cry."
Naruto's eyes flickered upon hearing this. This was the first time he had seen Hagoromo, when his teacher had mentioned it.
You can't cry, because you can't be weak if you want to become a ninja.
Now, the teacher says he can cry.
Naruto had been holding it in, suddenly felt an overwhelming surge of pent-up resentment erupt within him.
Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
"Ah... Teacher!"
Seeing Naruto's face covered in tears and snot, Hagoromo couldn't help but sigh and gently hugged Naruto.
He gently patted Naruto's back without saying a word.
This crying caused the already exhausted Naruto to fall into a deep sleep.
Seeing this, Hagoromo breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Naruto could fall asleep; otherwise, Hagoromo would have tried to get Naruto to sleep for a while.
An emotional outburst is not a good thing for Naruto.
Even if the Nine-Tails doesn't intend to bewitch Naruto right now, once the threshold is reached Chakra within Naruto's body will spontaneously erupt.
Looking at the sunset outside the window, Hagoromo sat quietly by Naruto's bedside, waiting.