Kakashi: Can I Let You Show Off, Obito?

Naruto's scalp tightened under her stare, his mind crammed full of questions.

All those questions clogged his throat, and in the end, only a stammer came out.

"N-No, that's not it, but... huh?"

The moment he said it, he felt embarrassed himself.

There were too many things to say, too many questions to ask, and Naruto had no idea which one he should say first.

However, Kushina gave him no chance to explain. Nine golden tails whipped through the air with a howling gust, lashing down at him head-on.

"So you're the one who didn't celebrate my granddaughter's birthday?"

The first tail slammed into Naruto's shoulder, sending the golden Nine-Tails skidding far to the side.

"So you're the one who sent a Shadow Clone to deliver the cake?"

The second tail swept across his waist, and a dull impact rang out.

"So you're the one who didn't even come home on your daughter's birthday?"

The third blow sent Naruto flying into the forest.

Trees snapped one after another, and flocks of birds burst from the branches into the night sky.

Naruto did not dare fight back, nor did he dare run far. He raised his arms to protect his head and retreated all the way.

"Mom, listen to my explanation first! I really had something urgent to handle!"

The Nine-Tails, staying inside him, took several hits along with him. It glared at the rampaging member of its kind outside, its nose practically crooked with anger.

"This is your family matter, so don't drag me into it! Deal with your own mother yourself. I'm getting out of here!"

The Nine-Tails ran faster than anyone. Its massive form flickered and dispersed into Chakra, all of it retreating deep into the seal.

"Deal with your own mother yourself!"

Only those words echoed through