What Must Come Will Come (Give Me Some Motivation)

The three of them chatted idly until it was time to eat. It was nothing but small talk, things like "Have you eaten?" and "The weather's nice."

Qingfeng finally voiced the question on his mind.

"Did the Clan Head ask me to come over for something?"

Fugaku: ...

Did a father need a reason to invite his son's friend over for a meal?

But he absolutely could not say that in response to Qingfeng's question. A Clan Head needed to maintain his dignity. [Solemn]

He needed to come up with a reason quickly.

"I just wanted to let you know that I already spoke with the Third Hokage about the method you mentioned last time. Something this important requires the higher-ups to sit down and discuss it. There should be a result after some time."

"Itachi already told me about that!"

Fugaku: ... "Let's eat first."

Uchiha Sasuke in Mikoto's arms flailed his little hands around wildly, shouting and babbling as if saying something, though no one knew what.

Mikoto, who had been focused on taking care of Sasuke, casually mentioned something.

"A few days ago, I ran into Kushina. She's about to become a mother, yet her personality hasn't changed at all. She even asked me, 'Does giving birth hurt?'"

Fugaku's expression remained unchanged. He had no intention of involving himself in women's gossip.

Upon hearing that, Qingfeng put down his chopsticks. The food before him suddenly seemed far less appetizing. He had a feeling that a certain Masked Man would come looking for him again.

Wait...

Clan Head Fugaku had just said he had spoken with the "Third Hokage." Did that mean the Fourth Hokage was nowhere to be found? Could it be...

It couldn't be that much of a coincidence, could it?

Night fell, and a bright moon hung high in the sky.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the Hokage Building, with Akimichi Torifu by his side. The two had been chatting the entire time.

Akimichi Torifu had been doing perfectly well at home when the Third Hokage suddenly summoned him. Then they had started chatting in the Hokage Office, and even now, he had no idea what Hiruzen Sarutobi was up to today.

Outside Leaf Village.

The Fourth Hokage waited anxiously outside the barrier. Anbu guards stood watch in every direction, protecting Kushina during her delivery.

Unfortunately, the Masked Man had bypassed Minato's senses and already entered the Nine-Tails' sealing space.

The Nine-Tails immediately roared in fury when it saw the Masked Man suddenly appear before it.

It had never forgotten the humiliation of being dominated by eyes like those. It could tolerate being beaten down by Hashirama Senju's Wood Style because it had simply been weaker, but being controlled by someone else was utterly intolerable!

Its hatred for Uchiha Madara even surpassed its hatred for Kushina Uzumaki.

Outside, Kushina, who had still been able to suppress the Nine-Tails, suddenly sensed its abnormal rampage. But she could not spare any focus to strengthen her suppression.

Scarlet, violent Nine-Tails Chakra began leaking uncontrollably from her body.

"The Nine-Tails is rampaging..."

Biwako suppressed the unease in her heart and focused on dealing with the child about to be born.

"Perhaps seeing me reminded you of unpleasant memories. But I came today to help you break free from the Jinchuriki's suppression. Soon, you'll be free..."

Obito remained calm and composed even in the face of the enraged Nine-Tails.

"Damn Uchiha! If you dare control me again, I'll definitely kill you someday..."

Unfortunately, before the Nine-Tails could finish speaking, its eyes had already transformed into the shape of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Still as disobedient as ever. Unfortunately, it won't do you any good."

The controlled Nine-Tails had no chance to resist at all. Obito directly placed it under a contract.

Because Minato Namikaze was guarding the outside, Obito could only abandon his original plan of taking Kushina away directly. He had risked confronting the Nine-Tails face-to-face instead, and now everything appeared to be going smoothly.

With a newborn's cry, Kushina and Minato's child was finally born. As the Chakra in her body diminished, the Sealing Jutsu loosened. Her ability to suppress the Nine-Tails had now become extremely weak, and the Nine-Tails had completely gone out of control.

Hearing the baby's cry, Minato thought everything was over and rushed over in an instant.

Unfortunately, giving birth was not the end. It was only the beginning of everything.

The first thing he saw was Kushina wrapped in Nine-Tails Chakra. The seal had loosened, and he immediately stepped forward to reinforce the Sealing Jutsu.

Unfortunately, he was already too late.

Obito had already reached the outskirts of the village. Without hesitation, he formed Hand Seals with both hands.

"Summoning Technique!"

In an instant, the massive Nine-Tails appeared beneath him. It threw back its head and let out a howl, its nine tails sweeping about and toppling trees and rocks in every direction.

"Leaf Village and its false peace will be erased from the Ninja World today. Nine-Tails, destroy to your heart's content. The village before you was founded by those you hate. Destroy it!"

The Masked Man controlled the Nine-Tails as it charged toward Konoha. The village-protecting barrier was like paper before the Nine-Tails' claws, shattering completely. At the sight of this, the civilians fled in panic!

Everyone was awakened by the sudden upheaval, staring in terror at the monster steadily making its way into the village.

"What is that thing?"

"Is that the legendary Nine-Tails Demon Fox?"

"Lord Hokage, hurry and drive it away!"

Seeing the Nine-Tails attack, Danzō Shimura immediately realized this was an opportunity—an opportunity to reclaim power.

"All Root Ninja are to remain still and await my orders."

With that, he headed out directly.

Back at Fugaku's home, Qingfeng wanted to slap himself twice. What a crow's mouth—whatever he said came true. The Masked Man had suddenly appeared in the village before, so they had already been on guard. Yet the Nine-Tails had still escaped.

Now he could only hope that Minato had prepared for the worst beforehand and already had a way to control the Nine-Tails. Otherwise, tragedy would repeat itself.

"Clan Head Fugaku, we need to go provide support as soon as possible."

Fugaku felt relieved. He finally no longer needed to make up a reason for inviting Qingfeng to his home. But the Nine-Tails outside was obviously a far more troublesome matter.

Qingfeng left with Fugaku, while Itachi remained home to take care of his younger brother, who could not yet speak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Nine-Tails, which stood taller than the Hokage Building, and bitterly complained inwardly. Although he could not defeat it, he could only grit his teeth and face it now.

"Torifu, let's fight side by side for the village."

He removed his robe, revealing the flak jacket beneath.

"Summoning Technique!"

The Summoning Beast Enma appeared and immediately transformed into the Adamantine Staff.

As the Nine-Tails was about to charge into the streets, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaped onto a rooftop. The thickened, lengthened Adamantine Staff struck the Nine-Tails at once, knocking it backward.

Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura also arrived.

"Where is the Fourth?"

The problem was, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know where Minato Namikaze was either. But what did it mean for these people to arrive and immediately ask about the Fourth Hokage?

"Forget where the Fourth is for now. Deal with the Nine-Tails first. Most importantly, evacuate the civilians immediately and minimize casualties as much as possible."

Fugaku and Qingfeng arrived as well.

Danzō's eyes lit up. "I believe the Leaf Village Guard should handle the evacuation of the civilians. Maintaining Public Order in the village is their responsibility to begin with."

"And look at the Nine-Tails' eyes. It is clearly being controlled by the Sharingan. We do not yet know who it is, but only the Uchiha can achieve this level of control. We must be on guard."

Fugaku's face darkened instantly. Ever since they had been on the front lines, Danzō had harbored designs against the Uchiha. He had even wanted to conspire with the Uchiha to assassinate Minato. Yet at a time like this, he was still thinking only of his own interests.

At the same time, Fugaku wondered who could possibly possess such immense power as to control the Nine-Tails.