"Bzzzt..."
A burst of piercing static came through the amplification ninja tool, instantly drowning out all the noise in the arena.
Tens of thousands of eyes locked onto Minato like spotlights.
Expectancy, longing, and a trace of humble pleading.
Minato took a deep breath. The cold air filled his lungs, steadying the heart that had wavered slightly under the villagers' pleas.
He glanced at Kushina beside him. His wife gave him a firm nod, her reddened eyes full of support.
Then he looked beneath the stage at his son, Naruto, who was waving his little fists at him with a curious expression.
The last trace of hesitation in his azure eyes froze into solid ice.
"Everyone... my fellow people of Konoha."
Minato finally spoke.
His voice, carried by the amplification ninja tool, rang clearly through every corner of the arena.
Hoarse and weary, yet carrying an indescribable distance.
"Thank you... thank you all for still remembering me, Minato Namikaze."
Minato slowly gave the dark mass of people below him a deep bow.
"Lord Minato! Please don't say that!"
"You're our hero! You always will be!"
Even more emotional cries erupted from the crowd.
Minato straightened up, a bitter smile more painful than crying appearing on his face.
"A hero? I'm no hero."
He shook his head, his voice filled with self-mockery.
"What kind of hero is a man who can't even protect his own wife and son?"
Minato's voice was not loud, but it struck every heart present like a heavy hammer.
He slowly raised a hand and pointed toward Naruto on the stage.
"You've all seen him."
"His name is Uzumaki Naruto. He is my son."
"And back then, to seal the Nine-Tails, he became the new generation's jinchuriki... its vessel."
"But how did your Hokage, your higher-ups, treat