Ahri's Fear! That Man Was Back!

Unreliable God of Ninja World: "Group Leader, I saw the Fourth Hokage's son you mentioned."

Primordial Great Expert [Group Leader]: "Well? I wasn't wrong, was I?"

Unreliable God of Ninja World: "Indeed. Judging by his financial situation, he was receiving nothing like the treatment afforded to a hero's son. The villagers around him also looked at him with hatred. It seems Konoha Village really has rotted away."

Istar Battle Spirit: "Though I'm not well versed in politics, I strongly condemn this kind of treatment as well."

Witch Satella: "Mm-hmm. Once I inherit the throne, I'll absolutely treat the descendants of any heroes who died for their country well."

Plain Reaper: "Treating the descendants of heroes well is indeed a good way to win the loyalty of one's subordinates."

Aizen Sosuke pushed up his glasses and calmly assessed the situation.

As someone in a position of power, unless one possessed strength capable of crushing everything, taking in a group of utterly loyal subordinates was extremely important.

Hueco Mundo had no descendants, so power alone was enough to suppress them.

But Death Gods had friends and family. After one's subordinates died in battle, all it took was paying a small price to look after them.

One would surely gain the support of countless Death Gods. After all, in their eyes, this could be considered a righteous and benevolent act.

Aizen Sosuke utterly scorned the methods of Konoha Village's higher-ups.

Foolish!

They were merely digging their own graves!

If the Fourth Hokage's son developed darkness in his heart, the consequences would absolutely be unimaginably severe.

[ Ding, 'Unreliable God of Ninja World' has started a Livestream. All group members, please come watch. ]

Ichiraku Ramen Shop.

Two steaming bowls of ramen were placed before the pair.

Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Naruto chatted nonstop. They seemed to get along quite well and quickly became friends who could talk about anything.

The same thick nerves, the same train of thought.

It was as though they were the same person reincarnated, filled with a sense of familiarity.

Moreover, this uncle was one of the few people who did not discriminate against him and treated him kindly.

"I'm digging in!"

"Then—I'm digging in too."

Senju Hashirama placed a hand on Uzumaki Naruto's shoulder as he spoke.

As though some ninjutsu had been triggered, the surrounding view suddenly spun, and they entered Uzumaki Naruto's mental world.

Eight Trigrams Seal, a pitch-black space!

A crimson demon fox radiating terrifying auras of frenzy and hatred lay within an enormous red cage.

The embodiment of calamity—the Nine-Tails!

As though sensing someone's arrival, the Nine-Tails' ears twitched slightly.

"Hm? Did that brat Uzumaki Naruto come in?"

"Yo, Nine-Tails. Long time no see."

A familiar voice rang beside the Nine-Tails' ears.

A fear engraved into its very bones instantly surged through its heart. That voice was...

The Nine-Tails sharply sucked in a breath and opened its eyes. Looking at the figure who had entered the sealed space, it knew it could never mistake that vast chakra.

That shouldn't have been possible. That guy should have died decades ago!

"Senju... Hashirama!"

"It seems you still remember me a little. I thought I'd been completely forgotten."

"You bastard, you should have been dead long ago!"

Its fur standing on end, the Nine-Tails spoke warily.

Even after several decades, it had never forgotten how this man's single Head-pat Kill had forcibly suppressed it. Even when it joined forces with Uchiha Madara, it had been unable to gain the upper hand.

"With help from a Big Boss, I returned from the Underworld."

"Returned from the Underworld?!"

"There's something I'd like to understand. Since you've been inside Naruto, you should know everything about his memories over the past twelve years, right?"

"Ah. Since I've been treated as a demon fox, naturally I know it all."

"Show me those memories, and I'll help you undo the seal. How about that deal?"

Senju Hashirama said with a smile.

Although he had already understood most of the situation, he still held onto one last shred of hope.

Unless it was truly unavoidable, he did not want to come to blows with Konoha's current higher-ups.

"No, I refuse!"

If Uzumaki Naruto were the one undoing the seal, the Nine-Tails would naturally be willing.

But letting Senju Hashirama undo the seal? Unless it had grown tired of living, it would never do something so idiotic.

What a joke. The God of the Ninja World was still alive, and that Wood Release was still the Nine-Tails' Nightmare!

If it dared to break out of the seal, it would probably be smashed into a little pancake in an instant, without even room to resist. Rather than get beaten up and sealed again after escaping, it was better off behaving itself.

"Refusal denied."

Riiip—

Senju Hashirama leaped up and instantly tore off the Sealing Tag.

At the same time, a golden flash streaked past.

A blond young man wearing a Konoha flak jacket and a handsome Hokage cloak instantly appeared. The words "Fourth Hokage" were embroidered on the cloak, and like a warm little sun, he inspired goodwill at first glance.

The Fourth Hokage—Namikaze Minato!