Minato Namikaze sensed the Nine-Tails' chakra within Naruto.
Could he be...?
"Minato, long time no see!" Orochimaru's raspy voice rang out.
At that, Minato Namikaze turned to look at Orochimaru, his brow furrowing.
"Lord Orochimaru?"
"Was I revived with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu?"
"Alive... He's alive?"
Naruto and Sasuke stared wide-eyed in shock as the Fourth Hokage stepped out of the coffin and spoke.
Although they had seen the Fourth Hokage's name countless times on the Hokage Rock and in their textbooks, and knew he was a hero,
seeing someone who had "died" come back to life and speak before their eyes was still an enormous shock.
Wasn't the Fourth Hokage supposed to have died ages ago? Why was he still alive?
Orochimaru stepped aside a little, his voice tinged with mischievous delight. "Minato, allow me to introduce you!"
"These three before you are all outstanding shinobi of Konoha."
"This is Uchiha Yao, and this is Uchiha Sasuke. As for that little blond one over there..."
Orochimaru looked at the bewildered Naruto, the corners of his mouth lifting further. "He's the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
"!!!"
Minato Namikaze shuddered violently, his golden pupils contracting as he fixed his gaze on Naruto!
From the moment he had just awakened and regained his senses, he had sensed the Nine-Tails' chakra inside Naruto.
He simply hadn't dared—hadn't dared to confirm the possibility...
But now, Orochimaru's words had confirmed it beyond doubt!
He really was Naruto!
His own son!
Minato Namikaze gazed at Naruto with longing: the dazzling blond hair, exactly like his own, those bright blue eyes, that familiar face...
"Naruto..."
Minato Namikaze's voice was dry and faint, trembling. "You... You've... grown so much?"
"You... know me?"
Naruto pointed at himself, his face full of shock and confusion.
As far as he knew,