Chapter 312: Views on Life and Death
Slowly, Minato's body constructed of chakra began becoming transparent, like thin mist about to dissipate in morning light. The time of parting had ultimately arrived.
"The chakra is already insufficient..."
Minato felt his consciousness gradually blurring and his connection to the present world weakening, speaking with some reluctance and bitterness.
He lowered his hand from stroking Naruto's hair, looking at his gradually becoming illusory body, eyes full of deep regret. He truly wanted... to personally witness this child's future... But as someone who'd long since passed away, he understood he didn't have this qualification.
"You truly make me very proud," he worked hard maintaining a gentle smile. "And your mother... After I return, I'll definitely tell her your story in complete detail... She actually... also has so very many things she wants to say to you..."
Naruto watched his father's gradually disappearing figure, an impulse surging in his heart. He wanted to say something to hold him back. "Dad... it won't be too long! Once everything here ends, I'll definitely find the Shinigami's mask...?!"
However, both Minato's unfinished words and Naruto's urgent promise simultaneously halted!
Because the Fourth Hokage's figure—originally already mostly transparent, almost merging into spatial light particles—was actually becoming solid and clear again, as though time had reversed!
That power about to pull his consciousness back to the Pure Land was forcibly severed. His consciousness was like being "anchored" by something solid, forcibly nailed to this seal space!
"Alright, done."
The Nine-Tails' voice carrying some mockery rang out timely. "However, this isn't for you. I just didn't want Naruto to be sad. You really lucked out."
It looked at the two, especially at Minato's expression written full of surprise and awaiting explanation, swishing its massive tail as it continued:
"I injected a trace of my origin chakra into your remaining consciousness body. Of course, when the seal's shackles still existed, I couldn't do this—chakra simply couldn't flow to you so smoothly."
"Now, as long as my chakra continues recovering, I can continuously nourish this wisp of consciousness you left behind, letting you temporarily maintain existence." The Nine-Tails glanced toward Minato with a gloating grin. "Fourth... I'm very much 'looking forward' to you personally seeing what kind of faces those hypocritical folks in Konoha who once wronged Naruto will show."
It spoke mercilessly, then turned toward Naruto again, voice obviously more than one level gentler than when speaking to Minato just now.
"Also, I have some important matters that must be said clearly before you two. You," it pointed at Minato with its claw, "also need to listen well here, understand?"
The Nine-Tails spoke in commanding tone, then looked at Naruto again. Naruto was still in shock at his father's "loss and recovery," working hard to digest this sudden turn of events before him.
"Naruto..." The Nine-Tails' voice slowed. "Just now... through the chakra connection, I saw some memory fragments deep in your soul."
It observed Naruto's reaction. "So that's why when facing Kushina and the Fourth, you seemed somewhat... at a loss, not knowing how to interact naturally, right? Felt like something was separating you, correct?"
Memories? Not knowing how to interact?
Minato heard these words, brows furrowing slightly, heart full of incomprehension. Naruto... didn't know how to interact with him? What did this mean?
"Nine-Tails, what do you mean by this?" Minato couldn't help asking.
"Hmph," the Nine-Tails snorted coldly, answering in the simplest, most direct way. "Simply put, this kid's cognition has a slight deviation. He was misled by some complex memory fragments in his soul, doubting whether he... might not be your true child."
Watching Minato's suddenly contracting pupils and Naruto's somewhat dazed expression, the Nine-Tails swished its tail, continuing:
"Anyway, there's still some time until dawn. I'll explain everything clearly to you two here."
---
Some time later, within the seal space.
The Nine-Tails contentedly stretched its massive body, lying prone on the grassland that had become abnormally soft and comfortable, its huge tail occasionally lightly slapping the ground.
Naruto's main consciousness had already returned to rest in sleep. After all, mental conversations also consumed energy—his body instinctively needed sleep for recovery.
Minato Namikaze sat silently to the side, face appearing calm on the surface, but those familiar with his personality would know that at this moment his heart was plunged into deep contemplation.
The future... Naruto... had once sacrificed? Then his soul went to a completely different world, spending a peaceful life unrelated to shinobi... Finally returning here, yet forgetting most memories?
This information's impact was already tremendous enough. However, there was another revealed truth—that culprit who'd caused his wife's death, controlled the Nine-Tails to attack Konoha, causing countless casualties, that masked mysterious person... whose true identity actually was?!
"Obito..."
Minato murmured this name. He simply couldn't connect the enthusiastic, cheerful black-haired youth in his memories who was compassionate, somewhat reckless yet always persisted in the "protect comrades" conviction, with that cold, cruel demon who'd plotted the Nine-Tails Calamity.
"So noisy."
The Nine-Tails' disdainful voice came from the side, carrying obvious provocation. "You think I want to share a consciousness space with a guy like you? Normally stay far away from me when there's nothing—just looking at you is irritating."
Minato was pulled back from painful thoughts. He raised his head, looking toward the Nine-Tails. "Nine-Tails... I'm very grateful you kept me here. However, I'm ultimately someone who's already died, a deceased who shouldn't continue existing in this world... Shouldn't excessively interfere with the present world's order and fate..."
"Shut up!"
The Nine-Tails suddenly turned its massive head toward Minato, voice deep and full of oppressive force, eyes flashing with fury.
"You're even more foolish and rigid than I imagined, Fourth!"
It roared lowly. "'Dead people shouldn't come to this world again'? Who decided this narrow viewpoint?! Do you know what we Tailed Beasts are? We're condensed from massive chakra—the so-called 'death' you humans speak of simply doesn't exist for us! I've lived thousands of years—do I need you to deny the survival methods and choices I recognize?!"
Though now in a "roommate" relationship, the Nine-Tails' attitude toward Minato was obviously worse and more impatient than even its worst moments with Naruto.
Watching Minato's silent appearance, it snorted coldly, its huge claw impatiently scratching the ground.
"Naruto will wake soon... After dawn, I have some 'things' that I absolutely must make you witness with your own eyes."
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