Boom...
The Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball exploded within the Forest of Death, while Minato Namikaze got there first and pulled his wife from the hair fixed to the Nine-Tails' forehead.
"My chakra is almost completely depleted, but I have to deploy the barrier immediately!"
"I can still do it! Don't worry! Sealing Technique: Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Pale-faced, Kushina Uzumaki answered Minato Namikaze before using the sealing technique meant to suppress the Nine-Tails. In an instant, countless chains erupted from Kushina's back, wrapping around the Nine-Tails and pinning it to the ground.
"Vermin! I'll crush you all!"
The Nine-Tails glared furiously at Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, speaking in human words.
"Waaah..."
"Cough, cough, cough... We still woke Naruto up. Why did you bring this little one here? Could it be that you...? Cough, cough, cough..."
The child's cries rang out again from Minato Namikaze's arms. His face filled with worry as he looked at Kushina and asked anxiously.
"Kushina! Are you all right?!"
Her hair gradually faded to a light red, and her complexion had become as white as paper. Though Kushina Uzumaki looked scarcely different from a corpse, she still smiled at Minato Namikaze. "I'm still fine. I'll drag the Nine-Tails back with me and perish alongside it. That way, I can delay the Nine-Tails' revival. With the little chakra I have left, this is the only way. All this time... thank you so much for taking such good care of me!"
Looking at the resolute Kushina, Minato Namikaze kept shaking his head, speaking to her apologetically. "Kushina! Don't do this. Ever since becoming Hokage, I've worked hard to protect everyone. Whether it's you or Naruto, I should be the one protecting you. And the Nine-Tails was something I made you..."
"Waaah..."
Before he could finish, Naruto's crying interrupted