Qian hid within the dimensional space constructed by Ame no Minaka, glancing at everyone present from the corner of his eye as he quietly waited for their next move.
Namikaze Minato stepped forward alone and came to Kushina Uzumaki's side.
Only now did an obvious expression show on his face—a heartfelt tenderness.
And as if she had sensed his presence, Kushina Uzumaki opened her eyes as well.
It was clear that her eyes had dimmed considerably, the result of a massive loss of vitality.
At the same time, her expression was filled with exhaustion.
Even so, she still struggled to sit up and reached out toward Namikaze Minato.
Seeing this, Namikaze Minato quickly crouched down, took Kushina Uzumaki's hand, and said softly, "Be good. Lie still and don't move."
However, Kushina Uzumaki paid no attention to what he said at all. She only asked anxiously, "Minato, tell me, is Naruto all right?"
As she spoke, her eyes were full of worry.
Seeing this, Namikaze Minato smiled and said, "Don't worry. Naruto is fine, fair and chubby. He just won't stop crying."
Hearing this, Kushina Uzumaki finally relaxed. She looked at Namikaze Minato again, at his weary expression, and her lips moved slightly as she prepared to leave her final words.
But Namikaze Minato seemed to have predicted her thoughts and spoke first. "Kushina, don't worry. I've already found a way to save you."
"What?"
Kushina Uzumaki was startled at first, then suddenly smiled and said, "Minato, don't lie to me. Having lost the Tailed Beast, there's no way I can survive. From now on, Naruto—"
But before she could finish, Namikaze Minato took out a scroll.
Sensing the familiar Tailed Beast aura within it, Kushina Uzumaki's eyes widened at once, and she said in disbelief, "This is... the Nine-Tails?"
"That's