Seal
Minato Namikaze, using the Flying Thunder God Technique, returned home carrying Miyuki Uzumaki in his arms.
"Why…?" Miyuki asked weakly, confusion and pain in her eyes.
Minato did not explain why he hadn't stopped the masked man earlier. Instead, he said softly, "Don't worry about it. Stay with Naruto."
He carried her into the bedroom. Naruto slept soundly in his cradle, unaware of the chaos outside. Miyuki, feeling her life slipping away with each breath, embraced him gently. Her cheek pressed against his tiny face, full of maternal reluctance.
"Naruto…"
Seeing this, Minato clenched his fists. The usual warmth in his eyes was replaced by grim resolve. Without another word, he pulled on his Hokage cloak and turned his back.
"I'll be right back."
---
Elsewhere in the Village
Despite the late hour, Konoha's streets were still lively. None of the villagers sensed the disaster about to befall them.
Within the Uchiha compound, young Itachi held baby Sasuke in his arms. He stared at the full moon, unease gnawing at him.
"What is this feeling…?"
The air felt heavy, suffocating. Sasuke suddenly burst into tears, and Itachi rocked him gently.
"Don't cry, Sasuke. Big brother will protect you… no matter what."
At the Sarutobi household, Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, gazing out the window. His brows furrowed.
"This ominous feeling… it can't be…"
In another part of the village, Kushina Uzumaki sat silently in Orochimaru's hideout. Though the television was on, her eyes were distant, her heart heavy. Outside, Kakashi stood guard with a grim expression. Orochimaru, meanwhile, was absorbed in his research, utterly indifferent.
---
The Attack
In a deserted alley, Uchiha Obito emerged. He placed his hand on the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
A massive cloud of smoke erupted. The ground shook as the Nine-Tails appeared, its roar splitting the night.
Villagers froze in terror.
"Th-the Nine-Tails?!"
"Run for your lives!"
Panic spread as the beast rampaged, tearing through buildings with colossal swipes of its tails.
---
Minato's Home
At that moment, Chi Yu appeared in Minato's house.
Miyuki, thinking Minato had returned, turned her head—only to see Chi Yu. "Chi Yu? Why are you here?"
He glanced at Naruto, then at her. "A very cute child. Congratulations."
Solemnly, he continued, "You're Kushina's clanswoman, her close friend… and mine as well. Though Minato and I have our differences, I owe you gratitude. Kushina and I both don't want you to die tonight. When a Tailed Beast is extracted, death is almost certain—but your Uzumaki bloodline gives you a chance. You still have time."
From his pouch, he drew a scroll. "I extracted a fragment of the Nine-Tails' chakra. I'll help seal it back into you."
Miyuki's eyes trembled. Looking at Naruto, her heart screamed to live—to see him grow, day by day.
"Thank you, Chi Yu…"
He unrolled the scroll, forming rapid hand seals.
"Evil Sealing Method!"
The chakra sealed within burst forth. Chi Yu summoned eight burning candles, arranging Miyuki in their center. She bared her abdomen, where the Eight Trigrams Seal had faded with the beast's removal.
Hands flashing through another sequence of signs, Chi Yu pressed his palm against her stomach.
"Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!"
A seal reappeared, spiraling into a black vortex.
"Seal!"
The stolen chakra was absorbed into the formula, locking into place. Miyuki gasped as the drain on her life force ceased. Color slowly returned to her face.
"…It's done."
Chi Yu helped her lie back down. As he prepared to leave, Miyuki whispered, "Chi Yu… thank you. But—please, could you help Minato?"
Chi Yu froze, then shook his head. "I'm sorry."
She forced a small smile. "It's alright… you've already saved me. Asking for more is selfish."
Without another word, Chi Yu vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
---
The Battle Outside
From the rooftops at the village's edge, Chi Yu concealed his presence, watching the Nine-Tails' rampage with cold detachment.
Meanwhile, Anbu rushed to the Sarutobi residence.
"Third Hokage-sama! The Nine-Tails has appeared inside the village!"
Hiruzen, already donning his combat gear, demanded, "Where are Minato and Chi Yu?"
"Fourth Hokage-sama's location is unknown. Reports suggest Chi Yu is engaged outside the village against an enemy."
Hiruzen's expression darkened. So… was the seal broken after all? Were all our precautions meaningless?
He inhaled deeply. "I'll suppress the beast. You—protect the civilians!"
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters