On the other side, Kushina looked at her dejected husband, her heart aching with distress.
She knew all too well how much Minato had sacrificed to become Hokage.
"It's alright, Minato," she said with a gentle smile.
"Think positively.
Kai-kun pointed out your weakness—then find a way to make up for it!
For those you already get along well with, deepen the ties, build emotional bonds.
Don't think it's shallow—you're different from others.
Your heart truly beats for the good of the village.
And don't forget—Uchiha Kai's Uchiha clan? They're at odds with the village leadership.
That's something you can use.
If you calm down and think, you'll always find a path forward.
And your teacher—Jiraiya, that lecherous old man.
You're his pupil. Once you become Hokage, justice itself is on your side.
Do you really think he wouldn't help you?
Hasn't he always said you're the Child of Prophecy, the savior?
If the savior takes action, how could he not support you?
Think about it—
Your backing isn't small at all. So don't belittle yourself!"
Her voice was solemn.
For the sake of lifting her husband's spirits, she even set aside her burning hatred for the fall of the Uzumaki clan.
But Minato didn't quite like this talk.
He didn't want to fight for power. That wasn't his vision of Hokage.
And yet… maybe this was reality.
His heart tangled in knots, he could only give a bitter smile.
"Let's leave it for later.
Right now, I only care that you're safe.
The rest… we'll take it one step at a time."
Yes.
After long silence, he chose avoidance.
Kushina didn't press him.
She knew Minato needed time.
"Alright, no more talk of it then." She smiled faintly.
"But promise me one thing.
Find out the truth about the Uzumaki clan's destruction.
My parents, my kin—all slaughtered.
Even if I don't avenge them, I need to know the truth.
Don't overthink it, Minato.
Even if you never become Hokage, I won't complain. I don't care about such things.
As long as our family is safe and together, nothing else matters.
But this—you must help me!"
Minato fell silent.
How could he refuse his wife?
Even if it troubled him, after a moment's hesitation, he nodded firmly.
"Alright. I promise."
His voice was grave. His eyes flickered, thoughts shifting in ways he himself didn't notice.
They chatted a little longer, then had dinner, washed up, and went to bed.
Late at night.
As Kushina slept, her eyes suddenly opened.
And she found herself standing in a prison of dark waters.
"The Nine-Tails… it's you again!"
Her brows knitted.
Before her loomed the beast, chained on all sides.
Every chain was inscribed with dense seals—the adamantine binding of Uzumaki sealing arts.
"Kushina, still so blind?"
The Nine-Tails' deep voice rumbled.
"I heard your talk with Minato just now.
That Uchiha brat wasn't lying.
Konoha is your enemy.
Think of your parents, your kin—
Don't you want revenge?
Release my seal. Give yourself to the darkness.
I will lend you my power.
With me, you can crush Konoha!
Come… just a twitch of your finger, and I'll help you avenge them!"
Its blood-red eyes burned with madness and hatred.
Chained, sealed, yet still it tried to lure her closer.
These chains were crafted by Uzumaki Mito herself.
Only Kushina held the key.
If it could sway her, freedom was within reach.
But Kushina's face shifted between light and dark, before she spoke coldly.
"Is the information Minato received… true?"
"Of course it's true!" the beast roared.
"I am the strongest of the Tailed Beasts.
Within Konoha's walls, nothing escapes my senses.
The fall of the Senju, the truth of the Uzumaki massacre, even the schemes against the Uchiha—
I know it all!
So release me…
And I will help you avenge them!"
But Kushina remained calm.
"Then tell me everything you know."
"Never!" the Nine-Tails howled.
"Free me, and then I'll speak!"
"If you don't tell me, I'm leaving." Kushina sneered.
She had dealt with the fox long enough to know its patterns.
The beast fumed.
But if she walked away now, who knew when it would next get a chance to reach her?
Its seal was too strong—normally it couldn't touch her mind at all.
Tonight's chance only came because Kushina's heart was unsettled.
Otherwise, not even the Nine-Tails could have breached the barrier.
So it gambled.
And after a moment's hesitation, it spoke.
It spilled everything: the filth within Konoha, the plots of Hiruzen, Danzo, and others…
all of it.
"There. Satisfied?" it growled.
"Now honor your word—release me!"
But Kushina stood frozen in silence.
The ugliness of it all left her numb.
So it was true.
Uchiha Kai hadn't lied to Minato.
But how?
Why?
Just because the Uzumaki clan was too strong, and Konoha coveted their sealing arts—so they allowed her people to be destroyed?
They accepted her only because she was the perfect vessel for the Nine-Tails?
Her relationship with Minato had been encouraged… to bind her heart, to keep her willingly tethered to Konoha?
And it worked.
Through Minato, she had handed over nearly all the Uzumaki sealing techniques she carried.
Minato in turn gave them all to the village.
The higher-ups' plan was complete.
She had willingly stayed in Konoha, becoming the Nine-Tails' host.
Even the Uzumaki secrets were now theirs.
And in the future—
Even if she died, her child would inherit the fox.
A child raised in Konoha, with no ties to the Uzumaki.
A child who would more willingly accept being the Nine-Tails' jailer.
Such a venomous scheme!
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