If I Were Naruto, Konoha Would Already Be Destroyed... (Continued)

At the same time,

he marveled to himself once again.

That much power in a single finger...

His teacher really was incredible!

Inside the cage,

the Nine-Tails climbed to his feet.

His savage face

was twisted with fury.

Once his fear subsided, Naruto looked at Aogetsu Hyuga in confusion.

"T-teacher, why did you bring me here?"

"Was it just to beat up that fox?"

Aogetsu Hyuga shook his head and led Naruto beneath the seal.

He snapped his fingers, and the water below rose, lifting them both.

"I came here to make you stronger." He placed a hand on the seal.

"This is the seal the Fourth Hokage placed on you when he sealed the Nine-Tails years ago," Aogetsu Hyuga explained.

It was Naruto's first time seeing it, but his expression remained calm.

The Fourth Hokage might once have been his hero,

but things were different now. Aogetsu Hyuga was his only hero. He felt little excitement about the Fourth Hokage, though he still respected him.

Without another word, Aogetsu Hyuga wedged his fingers into a corner of the seal.

The Nine-Tails watched from the corner. He resented Aogetsu Hyuga bitterly,

but if Aogetsu Hyuga tore open the seal, he would seize his chance to escape this body and regain his freedom!

So he watched Aogetsu Hyuga eagerly, hoping he would rip the seal open.

Then he would burst out and swallow that damned human and the brat whole!

Rrrip! Smack!

A corner of the seal peeled away. A hand, small but strong, seized Aogetsu Hyuga's wrist.

Naruto stared in surprise. The man who had suddenly appeared wore a Hokage cloak bearing the words "Fourth Hokage"!

Aogetsu Hyuga smiled. "Hello, Minato Namikaze."

"Minato Namikaze..." The Nine-Tails glared at him with seething hatred.

Naruto raised a finger and pointed at