Ulquiorra stood silently at his side.
In the distance, the Yang Nine-Tails was locked in a fierce battle with the Konoha ninjas led by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The light of exploding Tailed Beast Bombs lit up the night sky again and again.
The crash of collapsing buildings, the screams of ninjas, and the Nine-Tails' roars intertwined into a symphony of destruction.
"How beautiful," Liuyu murmured in admiration, as though watching a grand fireworks display.
"Your Majesty," Ulquiorra said, "the Yin Nine-Tails has been successfully sealed, and the Yang Nine-Tails is sowing chaos. The plan is proceeding smoothly."
"Mm." Liuyu nodded. "Obito did well."
He raised his hand, the reishi vessel containing the sealed Yin Nine-Tails hovering above his palm.
The Hōgyoku Fragment inside greedily absorbed the Nine-Tails chakra, the red glow on its surface growing ever brighter.
"The Nine-Tails' chakra really is pure." Liuyu felt the pleased pulses coming from the Hōgyoku.
"With this, the Hōgyoku's fusion should advance to the second stage."
"Shall we return now?"
"No." Liuyu shook his head. "There's one last act to watch."
He looked toward the streets below Kage Rock.
A golden flash was tearing through the battlefield between the Nine-Tails and the Konoha ninjas at astonishing speed.
It came straight toward Kage Rock.
Namikaze Minato.
He had donned the white Hokage Robe embroidered with the words "Fourth Hokage" and carried the unconscious Kushina and the crying Naruto in his arms.
Despite the exhaustion and wounds on his face, a cold fire burned in his blue eyes.
It was the anger of a protector.
The resolve of a husband and father.
Minato gently laid Kushina and Naruto behind a safe stretch of rubble, then turned and looked up.
His gaze met Liuyu's atop Kage Rock.
Neither said a word.
But the killing intent in the