Chapter 71: She Too Came to This World Because of Love
Minato ignored the enraged Nine-Tails and continued speaking solemnly to Yu: "The Nine-Tails' power is too dangerous. It caused massive casualties in Konoha back then. Sealing it here was the responsible choice for everyone."
But Yu turned his gaze to the demon fox in the cage: "If I give you freedom, can you guarantee you'll behave?"
The Nine-Tails' roaring stopped abruptly. It narrowed its vertical pupils in disbelief: "...What did you say?"
Minato hurried to dissuade him: "This is too risky! Even with your great strength, you can't guarantee—"
"I can." Yu interrupted, his Mangekyo slowly rotating. "But some insurance measures are needed." He looked at the Nine-Tails. "Like signing a contract?"
The Nine-Tails' tails suddenly stopped swaying.
In thousands of years, no human had ever proposed such terms—not sealing, not enslavement, but an equal contract.
The giant fox in the cage slowly lowered its body, scarlet chakra receding like the tide.
It remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a low response:
"...I am tired of being imprisoned."
"What are the contract terms?"
Yu spoke calmly: "Three years. I'll give you three years of freedom. During that time, you cannot harm innocents or destroy towns."
"If you break the contract, I'll personally return you to the seal. If you keep it, after three years you'll have complete freedom."
The Nine-Tails stared at the youth in a daze.
In those bewitching Mangekyo eyes, it saw no fear, greed, or hostility—only calm assessment, as if it weren't some calamitous incarnation but merely a subject for negotiation.
This guy... really is different.
Minato wanted to say something more but was stopped by Yu's raised hand. The entire consciousness space was left with only the Nine-Tails' heavy breathing.
After a long while, the demon fox slowly lowered its body: "...Deal."
Yu nodded, his fingertip lightly rising as the seal paper shattered.
The cage opened with a thunderous crash, the Nine-Tails' massive body slowly stretching. Its crimson fur flowed with eye-searing brilliance like molten lava.
"Finally... free..." The Nine-Tails howled to the heavens, shaking the entire consciousness space.
It first glared malevolently at Minato, then bowed its head low to Yu: "As thanks, I will leave part of my origin within this girl."
The Nine-Tails' chakra gradually condensed into a flowing crimson orb of light, quietly suspended in Naruko's mental space.
The remaining energy transformed into a red comet, breaking through the consciousness barrier and speeding toward the sky.
The orb left behind trembled gently, gradually transforming into a miniature crimson fox.
It wagged nine tiny tails, jumped onto Naruko's shoulder, and let out a soft cry: "Kyuu~"
Minato watched this scene in stunned disbelief.
The mini Nine-Tails tilted its head to examine the blonde young man, then suddenly mimicked in a sweet voice: "Big, big meanie!"
The little Nine-Tails shook its fluffy tails and continued in an adorably childish loli voice: "Meanie! Big meanie!"
It kept baring its tiny rice-grain teeth at Namikaze Minato. Though completely lacking intimidation, it made Naruko happily pull it into her embrace.
"The big fox became a little fox!" Naruko gently stroked the mini Nine-Tails' soft fur. The little creature comfortably made "gurgling" sounds while not forgetting to shoot Minato a disdainful look.
Minato was in complete bewilderment: "Is... is this really okay?" He looked worriedly at Yu. "Though it's cute, it's still the Nine-Tails'..."
The little fox suddenly interrupted him, pointing its tail tip at Minato to complain: "He used to poke me with shiny glowing things!" It said while burrowing pitifully into Naruko's embrace.
Yu replied: "Now it only has one-tenth of its power, and its personality will be closer to its juvenile period. It seems the Nine-Tails took away its malice toward humans, only retaining some vague memories."
He lightly tapped with his fingertip, and faint contract markings appeared on the mini Nine-Tails' forehead. "Besides, there's contract binding, so no need to worry."
The little Nine-Tails moved closer to Yu's finger and gently licked it: "You're a good person~" Yu ruffled its fluffy little head, and the creature immediately made comfortable humming sounds, its nine small tails wagging happily.
"The tailed beast problem is solved," Yu turned to leave. "I'll leave the remaining time for you father and daughter."
"Please wait!" Minato hurriedly called out to him. After Yu stopped, the blonde Hokage said solemnly: "From now on... please take good care of Naruko."
Minato's gaze fell tenderly on his daughter.
He'd noticed from earlier that Naruko looked at this youth with eyes full of trust and attachment, just like how Kushina used to look at him.
Though seeing his daughter show such expressions toward an unfamiliar youth made his feelings complex—the youth's actions had already proven he was no villain, and his strength was unfathomable.
Yu was somewhat puzzled by Minato's entrustment but still nodded slightly: "I understand." With that, his figure gradually faded, disappearing from the consciousness space.
Only Minato, Naruko, and the little Nine-Tails still baring its teeth at Minato remained.
"Meanie! Go away!" The little fox yowled in its sweet voice until Naruko gently stroked its back and it gradually quieted.
Naruko looked at her unfamiliar father, nervously wringing her clothes.
Seeing the obvious unfamiliarity in his daughter's eyes, Minato felt a piercing pain.
The years of absence had transformed into heavy guilt. His voice trembled: "Naruko... have these years been okay?"
He instinctively wanted to stroke his daughter's hair, but Naruko unconsciously stepped back half a step. Minato's hand froze in mid-air, his eyes gradually reddening: "I'm sorry..."
Seeing this, Naruko suddenly felt her heart soften and proactively nuzzled his palm: "I, I've been doing pretty well."
She counted on her fingers, "I have a place to live, can buy lots of instant ramen, get living expenses every month..." Her voice gradually brightened toward the end. "Yu-niisan treats me really well, Sasuko is always mean to me but teaches me homework, school teachers take good care of me..."
Hearing his daughter's simple words, Minato's tears fell silently.
He noticed Naruko recounted all the warmth given by others but didn't mention any grievances she'd suffered.
The small baby once held in his arms had grown into a kind child who thought of others.
Minato pulled Naruko tightly into his embrace. Naruko could feel her father's trembling arms and falling tears.
She hesitated briefly, then finally reached out to return the embrace of this "stranger" father.
Family affection had once been an unattainable luxury for her, but now Yu had long filled the void in her heart with gentleness.
"Your mother's name was Uzumaki Kushina," Minato said chokingly. "We truly, truly loved you..."
Naruko asked softly: "What kind of person was my mother?"
Minato smiled through his tears, nostalgia welling in his eyes: "She had beautiful long red hair, her personality... well... gentle. Though sometimes she'd get violent and hit people—" He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"She loved singing you lullabies, talking to you in her belly every day."
"She once said she wanted to give our little Naruko all the best love in the world."
"She wasn't great at cooking, but for you, she was willing to work very hard to learn."
"Once..."
...
Listening, Naruko's tears unknowingly streamed down her face.
So she wasn't some demon fox incarnation—those adults were all wrong. She too had a father and mother, she too came to this world because of love...
Minato gently wiped away his daughter's tears, though his own eyes grew even redder: "I'm sorry for making you bear all this alone..."
"It's okay." Naruko suddenly showed a brilliant smile, tears still sparkling on her eyelashes. "Though it's a bit late, knowing all this is really wonderful!"
In the consciousness space, Minato's figure began gradually fading.
"Looks like time's up." He reluctantly stroked his daughter's head. "Eat well, sleep on time, and..."
"I know!" Naruko stood on tiptoes to kiss her father's gradually blurring cheek. "I'll live happily for both me and Mom and Dad's sake!"
The instant before the light particles dispersed, Minato smiled gently. His fingertip lightly touched Naruko's forehead: "This is a small gift. I hope it helps you."
Countless golden particles surged into Naruko's consciousness—Minato's lifetime understanding of ninjutsu: the exquisite application of Flying Thunder God, the thousand variations of Rasengan...
Naruko dazedly touched the lingering warmth on her forehead, whispering softly:
"Dad..."