NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: System Arrives!
Hokage Minato Namikaze whispered something to his wife, Kushina Uzumaki. While the words were inaudible, the unfolding scene made it clear what was about to happen. Even if Kushina resisted, nothing could alter their fate. The decision had been made, and time was running out.
Reluctantly, Kushina was persuaded by Minato. Her hands trembled as she handed their newborn son, Naruto, to him. Though her hands shook, her determination was clear. She already knew what had to be done.
Naruto, aware of the inevitable from the moment he was born, didn't resist. Deep down, he understood that struggling would be futile. With a heavy heart, Minato vanished in a blur, heading toward the outskirts of the village, where the battle with the Nine-Tails raged. His delay had already stretched the situation to its limit. The Third Hokage and Toad Bunta were struggling to hold their ground.
"Water Release: Water Iron Cannon!" Toad Bunta's massive mouth unleashed two powerful water blasts, each hurtling toward the Nine-Tails.
At the same time, the Third Hokage cast his own technique, "Earth Release: Quicksand," turning the ground beneath the Nine-Tails into quicksand and forcing the beast to sink. But the Nine-Tails leaped out of the trap with a simple jump. Just as it seemed the Nine-Tails would retaliate against the water blasts, it extended two of its tails and swatted them away.
"Phew. The Nine-Tails truly lives up to its title as the leader of the Tailed Beasts," the Third Hokage gasped, standing atop Toad Bunta.
Toad Bunta exhaled a cloud of smoke from his pipe. "The Nine-Tails is known for having an infinite supply of chakra. Even if it fought for another hundred years, it wouldn't run out. And with the Nine-Tails enraged, its reason is nearly gone. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to hold it off this long."
Bunta's voice softened as he thought to himself: Despite that, my chakra is nearly depleted. If I had more time, maybe I could hold on a little longer... but the Third Hokage is old now. His chakra reserves have already begun to decline...
Sensing the growing weakness in their defense, the Nine-Tails paused and turned its attention to them. Though it had no rational mind at the moment, its instincts told it that these two were the only ones capable of seriously threatening it. A temporary stalemate ensued.
"Third Hokage, Bunta, are you all right?" A flash of golden light heralded the arrival of Minato, who appeared above Toad Bunta, holding Naruto in his arms.
"We're holding up for now," the Third Hokage replied. "But if you don't hurry, things will get worse."
Bunta puffed on his pipe. "By the way, I thought you were supposed to bring the container for the Nine-Tails? Don't tell me…" He trailed off, eyeing Naruto.
The Third Hokage glanced at the baby in Minato's arms, realization dawning on him. "Minato, you're not telling me... your child is the container, are you?"
Minato nodded solemnly. "Yes, this is my newborn son, Naruto."
The Third Hokage's eyes widened in shock. "You're crazy. Using your own child as a container for the Nine-Tails?!"
Minato nodded again. "I know. But to seal the Nine-Tails, it requires a container. Whoever it is will face great danger. I couldn't put anyone else in that position, so I've chosen my son to bear this responsibility." He paused, his voice softening. "Naruto is very smart. Even though he's just been born, he seems to understand what's happening. He hasn't cried or resisted."
The Third Hokage, despite his shock, knew there was no time for second thoughts. Minato's resolve was unwavering, and the seal had to be completed. "Then let's move quickly."
Minato began forming hand seals, his movements a blur of speed. He had been preparing for this moment his entire life, and now the time had come to protect his village, his family, and the future.
A powerful wave of deathly energy emanated from Minato as he initiated the ritual. Naruto, cradled under his father's arm, could sense the danger and felt an overwhelming surge of energy flow through him. His tiny body trembled as the Nine-Tails' chakra surged closer.
The Nine-Tails, enraged by the growing presence of death, became even more violent, thrashing and howling as the power that had once been its own now flowed toward the newborn child.
Minato continued the ritual, silently chanting, "Sealing Technique: Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Seal the Nine-Tails within!"
With tremendous effort, Minato touched the Nine-Tails and immediately felt a searing pain as the demon fox's chakra burned him. He fought through the agony, holding firm as the seal took shape.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Nine-Tails' roar began to subside. Minato, nearly drained of chakra, released the seal and transferred the Nine-Tails' chakra into Naruto's body. Naruto screamed in pain as the violent energy tore through his tiny form, distorting his body as it struggled to control the beast's chakra.
For a moment, everything went dark. The pain was unbearable, but somehow, Naruto's body managed to survive the transformation. The seal locked the Nine-Tails' chakra inside him. The intense red chakra that had overwhelmed him faded, leaving Naruto's body as it had been before, though six whisker-like marks remained on his face.
Minato, barely able to stand, looked at his son one last time. Exhausted, he handed Naruto to the Third Hokage.
"The Sealing Technique is successful. The Nine-Tails is sealed inside Naruto," Minato said, his voice barely a whisper. "Please, take care of him. He'll be Konoha's future." He paused, his gaze lingering on his son. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I know you'll grow up to be a great ninja... Just like your father. Protect this village, and carry on my will of fire."
As Minato collapsed, his body completely drained, the Third Hokage stepped forward to catch him. But it was too late.
Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had given his life to protect his son and his village.
"Minato!" the Third Hokage cried out, but the man who had been a hero to the village would never respond again.
A masked ninja appeared on Toad Bunta's head, his red eyes burning with a bloodlust that reflected the pain and loss the village now faced. "Sensei…" he murmured, as the world seemed to fall silent in the wake of the Fourth Hokage's death.
But the work was far from over. The seal had been placed, and Naruto's life had been changed forever.
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