"Is that... the Nine-Tails? Is that Naruto?"
The Third froze, staring at the Nine-Tails wrapped in Golden Light and Naruto's silhouette visible within it. He could hardly reconcile this sight with the Nine-Tails in his memories, the living calamity that had once brought destruction upon Konoha.
Even with the naked eye, he could tell that the Nine-Tails formed from Golden Light lacked every trace of the savage aura he remembered. Instead, it radiated a profound sense of peace.
"It's Kura... Lord Nine-Tails." Minato had reached Jiraiya and the others by then. He looked up at the Nine-Tails and sighed in relief.
He smiled at everyone. "Since he's willing to come out, we can relax. Lord Nine-Tails was actually the greatest safeguard in my plan."
Minato also noticed a tiny red-haired girl sitting atop the Golden Light fox's head, cheering excitedly and waving at them.
"Is that... Kushina?" The Third noticed her too. He glanced at Minato beside him, then back at the Nine-Tails, Naruto enclosed within him, and Kushina on his head.
His vision grew slightly blurry.
For some reason, the sight of this family together in the past rose before the Third Hokage's eyes, forming a stark contrast with the present.
He didn't even notice his grip loosening around the Nyoi Staff. Enma fell to the ground and wordlessly returned to his original form, looking up at his pact partner. The man really had no consideration for this old ape.
But the Third failed to notice Enma's gaze. He simply stared, unaware even of the faint tears glimmering at the corners of his eyes.
"Stinking fox..."
The Nine-Tails' appearance put all three Tailed Beasts on high alert. Shukaku, who was pinning the Two-Tails down and pummeling her, turned his head first. Though his fists never stopped, his voice was