The heavy snow melted beneath the raging flames. Rising waves of heat distorted the sky, exposing the dry, cracked ground.
At the center of the battlefield, where lava mingled with scorched earth, Naruto lay like a drifting leaf. His orange jacket had burned to tatters, and blood and ash covered his chest.
His face was deathly pale, his blond hair caked with dirt. His eyelids drooped, as though even his last shred of consciousness had vanished on the wind.
"Naruto!!"
A piercing cry cut through the roar of the battlefield.
Sakura Haruno's eyes filled with horror and disbelief. Without a moment's hesitation, she charged into the flames as though struck by lightning. The scorched earth nearly burned the soles of her feet, but she felt no pain.
She dropped to her knees beside Naruto, bracing her hands against the ground as chakra surged into her palms.
"His heartbeat... it's weakening... his chakra... it's almost gone...!"
Her voice trembled. It felt as though a boulder pressed against her chest, leaving her unable to breathe.
Nearby, Tsunade came racing over.
Her usual stern composure had vanished, replaced by unprecedented panic and tension.
Green medical chakra gathered in her palms, and she pressed them firmly against Naruto's chest.
"Stay calm. Let me take a look."
Cold sweat quickly beaded on her forehead. She slowly moved her hands over Naruto's body, searching for any lingering signs of life.
But her frown only deepened, and her voice grew low and strained.
"This is bad... all the tailed beast chakra inside Naruto has disappeared. He... no longer has the Nine-Tails."
"Minato-sensei..." Kakashi turned toward the blond figure slowly approaching them.
Minato Namikaze stood quietly before them. His cloak had been burned full of holes, but the word "Hokage" remained clearly visible on its back.
Snow, wind,