Chapter 146 – Conversation with Minato
"Rinnegan… with six tomoe?" Kurama's voice trembled slightly. "That aura—it's similar to his, but… no, even the Sage himself only had one Rinnegan with six tomoe. And you… someone who doesn't share his bloodline… how could you possibly reach this level?"
The massive fox's eyes glowed brighter, reflecting the man before him—a being far too calm, far too composed, yet carrying a power that sent chills through even a tailed beast.
"These eyes indeed originated from Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo," Yusuke said plainly.
"That's impossible. Even he only had one Rinnegan with six tomoe. And you—switching between forms like that? Not even the Sage could do it. The only way that's possible is if those eyes are truly yours. Even among the Uchiha, transplanted Sharingan can't just be opened and closed at will."
(Note: The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan is the only exception—requiring blood kin from both sides who have awakened the Mangekyō themselves.)
"Technically, they're not his eyes," Yusuke explained, folding his arms. "But the power inside them is. I separated the essence of his eyes and merged that power into my own."
In truth, Yusuke's eyes were far from complete. A normal Rinnegan gained tomoe only after reaching a certain level of evolution—but his hadn't yet fully stabilized. Once his Tenseigan energy fused entirely with the Rinnegan's power, his eyes would ascend to the next stage: the Crimson Rinnegan with nine tomoe.
(Lore explanation)
The base Rinnegan is purple.
The Six-Tomoe Rinnegan evolves into the Crimson Rinnegan when fully awakened.
The Golden Rinnegan represents the highest form of ocular power.
The Blue Rinnegan, a mutation intertwined with the Tenseigan, grants temporal manipulation—wielded uniquely by Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.
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Even Kurama—once known as the embodiment of malice—found himself shaken. Could such evolution truly exist…?
"You know so much about that old man," Kurama said slowly. "Then my guess is right—the boy you're training… he's one of their descendants?"
"You mean Toneri?" Yusuke nodded. "Yes. Ōtsutsuki Toneri—from the Moon. A descendant of the Sage's younger brother."
"Then tell me this," Kurama pressed, his voice rumbling through the chamber. "How did you acquire the Sage's eyes?"
"The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku gave them to me," Yusuke replied casually.
"So the old frog chose you…" Kurama muttered. "Then you're the variable he spoke of."
"Oh?" Yusuke tilted his head. "You know something about that?"
"I don't know the full story," Kurama admitted. "But before he disappeared, the Sage said a man would come—one who would call us by our true names. Before that man appeared, however, a 'variable' would emerge… the one who would determine the world's fate. It seems you were the one he meant. That's why he entrusted his power to you."
Yusuke went silent, thoughtful. In the original timeline, Hagoromo's Rinnegan was never fully shown. Even death hadn't bound the Sage—his will lingered, enough to bestow his strength upon Naruto and Sasuke.
He also understood now—Kaguya, Black Zetsu, and everything that followed. Perhaps his own Takamagahara ability allowed him to perceive what others could not—time itself, rewritten and reshaped.
Time manipulation was exceedingly rare in this world. Urashiki had wielded a form of it through his mutated Rinnegan, but even then, his power paled before the complete Red Rinnegan of Six Paths.
"Well," Yusuke finally said. "Then tell me where Ōtsutsuki Indra's body is."
"I don't know for sure," Kurama replied. "But the Sage once mentioned that Indra's summoning beast was a massive red serpent—its power rivaled the Tailed Beasts."
Now that Yusuke bore the Sage's mark, Kurama no longer spoke with hostility. There was even a trace of respect in his tone.
"I see…" Yusuke murmured. "Then one last thing. I want to speak with Namikaze Minato."
"Minato? That man's dead," Kurama said, puzzled.
"Not entirely," Yusuke said calmly. "His soul was devoured by the Shinigami—but part of it still remains sealed here."
He stepped closer to Naruto's seal and pressed his forehead against it. His chakra flared, pulling faint energy from deep within the mark.
In the next instant, a faint light formed beside him—shimmering, golden, and familiar.
"Stop, Yusuke," said a voice.
The light solidified into the figure of a blond man in a Konoha flak jacket, blue eyes gentle yet sharp.
"Haha, Minato-nii. Long time no see," Yusuke greeted casually.
"If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have answered. This was supposed to be a failsafe—for Naruto," Minato said with a sigh.
"Oh, come on. With me here, everything's under control," Yusuke chuckled.
"Regardless, don't bring Naruto here yet," Minato said firmly.
"What? Why not? You've never even met your own kid properly."
"I'm dead, Yusuke. If he sees me now, it'll only confuse him… and burden him further."
Yusuke folded his arms, frowning slightly. "Always so dramatic. He's a ninja now—you should at least tell him the truth."
Minato smiled faintly. "How… is he doing?"
Yusuke's tone darkened. "Not great. Hiruzen kept his heritage a secret. The boy grew up hated and alone—like a stray dog surviving on scraps."
Minato's shoulders sagged. "I failed… as a father. I'm so sorry, Naruto…"
"Enough guilt. What's done is done," Yusuke said flatly. "I'll look after him now. I promised you I wouldn't meet him until he became a shinobi—and I've kept that promise. But now, as his uncle, it's my turn to guide him."
Minato bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Yusuke. Truly."
"Oh, right—one more thing. About that death mask in Uzumaki territory. I couldn't find it last time I went there."
"That mask can only be accessed by pure-blooded members of the Uzumaki Clan," Minato explained.
"Figures. No wonder I couldn't sense it," Yusuke muttered. "Fine. I'll try again later."
"There's no need—"
"Don't start," Yusuke cut in, smirking. "You owe me, remember? And since you're dead, you can't exactly pay me back unless I help you first."
Minato sighed but smiled. "You haven't changed at all. Still as reckless as ever. But… thank you, Yusuke. My chakra's running low. It's time for me to go."
"Oh, not yet," Yusuke said, raising his hand. "Give me your hand, Minato-nii."
Minato hesitated, then obeyed. Their palms met—and a surge of light enveloped the room.
The fading glow around Minato's body solidified, his outline stabilizing once again.
"There. I've restored your chakra and locked your form in this state. Time won't flow for you here," Yusuke said with a grin. "So… I'll leave the rest to you, Minato-nii."
And with that, Hatake Yusuke vanished, leaving behind only the quiet hum of chakra and the soft flicker of Minato's golden aura—lingering between life and memory.
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