As he advanced, Zou Hyuga gradually entered Sage Mode. A faint halo appeared around his body, the glow of his black markings mingling with the gathering natural energy.
In Sage Mode, he instantly sensed the Nine-Tails' terrifying reserves of chakra. It was like facing nature itself. If such a fearsome creature could use ninjutsu, it would surely have long since become a beast king reigning above all the villages.
Scanning the surrounding ground, Zou Hyuga noticed signs of battle in the woods.
Several scattered leafy branches lay there, along with bloodstains left on the ground-traces of a battle between ninja. The branches must have come from Wood Release, but whose blood it was remained unknown.
There was no way the Fourth Hokage was no match for Obito Uchiha. The current situation also proved that the Fourth Hokage had won their earlier clash.
As Zou Hyuga headed toward the Nine-Tails, the panting Fourth Hokage noticed him and looked over.
Then a Flying Thunder God kunai flew toward him. Zou Hyuga caught it, and the Fourth Hokage appeared before him, still cradling a bundle in his arms. Inside was a blond baby.
He was the fruit of the Fourth Hokage and Kushina's love. Naruto's eyes were closed in sleep; it seemed he had fallen asleep from hunger.
Handing the baby to Zou Hyuga, the Fourth Hokage said little and turned back toward the Nine-Tails, leaving him with a view of the Hokage Ceremonial Robe on his back.
"Lord Fourth..." Zou Hyuga called after him and explained the method he had thought of earlier.
After hearing him out, the Fourth Hokage shook his head with a bitter smile. His steps toward the Nine-Tails never stopped, and a Rasengan gradually took shape in his hand.
"Your method might work! But I'm the village's Fourth