Returning Empty-Handed

It was only natural that after learning the truth, Kushina Uzumaki would lose faith in Konoha and in herself.

But Konoha truly no longer had that kind of power.

It had regained that power now, with Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha's return. But gaining power after everything had happened couldn't change the past.

What did it matter if Kushina Uzumaki had already lost hope?

Minato Namikaze looked at Kushina Uzumaki and pressed his lips together. Only after a moment did he speak again.

"Lord Li Ke, Lord Hashirama told me you have the power to resurrect the dead. Perhaps you could hand over the Nine-Tails, and then Lord Li Ke could bring you back to life. I don't know what Lord Li Ke's ability requires, or whether it has any side effects, but I'm willing to help you achieve true freedom..."

Minato Namikaze truly didn't know the inside story of Li Ke's ability. Hashirama Senju hadn't had the nerve to tell him, and Tobirama Senju hadn't had the chance to explain it properly.

So Minato Namikaze really didn't know that Li Ke needed to do certain things with women in order to gain energy.

Otherwise, he would never have said those words.

But to Kushina Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze already knew Li Ke's name, which meant he must know about Li Ke's ability. And yet he still said that...

"You really are an outstanding shinobi, Lord Minato Namikaze."

Kushina Uzumaki, who already understood that she and Minato Namikaze could never be together again, gave him a smile that sent a chill down his back. Then she looked at Naruto Uzumaki.

"So don't worry. I'll also free Naruto from his fate as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki!"

Although he wasn't her biological child, Kushina Uzumaki had still decided to save Naruto Uzumaki!

Minato Namikaze,