Chapter 23: Kushina's Choice
"No wonder you're the Fourth Hokage… I didn't expect you to injure me this badly, and even break my control over the Nine-Tails."
At this moment, Minato was still facing off against Obito. Although Obito was gravely wounded, it was only thanks to his body being largely replaced by White Zetsu cells that he was still alive. A normal human would've died instantly from the combined damage of a Rasengan and a kunai piercing the chest.
"But the Nine-Tails will be mine eventually," Obito declared. "I am the one who will bring unity to this world—and I have no shortage of means to achieve it."
Knowing that he was in no condition to continue fighting, Obito realized he needed to retreat and recover. With those final words, his right eye activated Kamui, slowly warping his body out of sight until he completely vanished.
Despite Obito's departure, Minato was filled with unease. The Third Great Ninja War had just ended, and now the world faced yet another looming threat.
Turning his attention toward the raging Nine-Tails in the distance, Minato wasted no time. He activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and teleported to the scene.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a thunderous crash, a giant crimson toad dropped from the sky, pinning the Nine-Tails beneath its massive weight just as it was about to launch a Tailed Beast Bomb. This toad wore a deep purple robe with the kanji for "shrimp" (蝦) written on the back, a deep scar over its left eye, a smoking pipe in its mouth, and a massive short blade strapped to its waist—imposing, stylish, and deadly. This was none other than Gamabunta, a top-tier boss toad from Mount Myōboku.
Standing atop Gamabunta's head was none other than Minato, the Fourth Hokage, his white cloak billowing in the wind.
Seeing the symbol of hope appear, the exhausted Konoha shinobi on the battlefield were immediately reenergized. Even the Third Hokage, kneeling and gasping for breath, allowed a relieved smile to cross his face.
But even with Gamabunta restraining the Nine-Tails, Minato couldn't think of any strategy that wouldn't cost him dearly. In that brief moment of contemplation, his resolve, shaped by the Will of Fire, crystallized—he would sacrifice himself and his family for the peace of the village.
Commanding Gamabunta to hold the Nine-Tails firmly, Minato summoned all the chakra within him and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport both himself and the beast to an isolated clearing outside the village.
Seconds later, a brilliant light flared in the distance—the Nine-Tails had unleashed the Tailed Beast Bomb it had been preparing.
"Now's the time!"
Yusuke, watching from afar, realized what was about to happen. Minato was going to use his final move—to seal the Nine-Tails.
Without hesitation, Yusuke raced toward the explosion, using the Body Flicker Technique in rapid succession. He had to reach the place that would soon become known as the final resting ground of the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
According to the plan, Yusuke had to arrive before Minato performed the Reaper Death Seal. Otherwise, the Yin chakra of the Nine-Tails would be sealed into the Shinigami's stomach along with Minato.
"I'm sorry, Kushina," Minato gasped apologetically.
At that moment, Minato held a weakened Kushina with his right hand and cradled Naruto in his left. After teleporting the Nine-Tails and exhausting most of his chakra in the earlier battle with Obito, Minato—who wasn't known for having a vast chakra reserve—was already in a state of severe depletion.
"No need to say more. I support you," Kushina shook her head gently, smiling despite her condition. She then forced herself upright and activated a secret technique of the Uzumaki clan—Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Eight golden chains burst forth from Kushina's back, tightly restraining the massive Nine-Tails. Simultaneously, a barrier formed, enclosing the beast along with everyone inside.
Despite the Nine-Tails' ferocious struggle, it couldn't move an inch under the power of the eight chains—a testament to Kushina's formidable strength. Even in her near-death state, she could still suppress the fully-formed Nine-Tails with such force.
Gently placing Naruto on the ground, Minato quickly formed hand signs and used the sealing technique Kushina had once taught him.
"Eight Trigrams Seal!"
To ensure that Naruto's young body wouldn't be overwhelmed by the Nine-Tails' power, Minato used the Eight Trigrams Seal to split the fox's chakra, sealing only the Yang half into Naruto.
Two layers of Four Symbols Seals appeared on Naruto's belly, forming an Eight Trigrams pattern, which then gradually faded into his skin.
Stripped of its Yang chakra, the Nine-Tails immediately shrank to half its original size. The golden chains restraining it began to loosen, leaving noticeable gaps.
"Die!" the enraged Nine-Tails roared. Seizing the moment, it lunged at Naruto with its massive, razor-sharp claws, hoping to kill the child and reclaim the sealed chakra.
Just then, after using Body Flicker continuously to rush over, Yusuke finally arrived—only to witness a heartbreaking scene. To protect Naruto, Minato and Kushina had thrown themselves in front of the attack. The enormous claw pierced through their bodies, but they had managed to shield their son just in time.
With a scream, Kushina coughed up blood and summoned all her remaining strength. The loosened Adamantine Chains immediately tightened again, pinning the Nine-Tails down once more.
Minato and Kushina, their chakra spent and mortally wounded, had clearly reached their limit.
Their eyes met—no more words were needed. Beside them, Naruto began to wail as if sensing the tragedy unfolding.
"I wish I could see Naruto all grown up…" Kushina's eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed lovingly at her crying son.
From behind, Minato gently embraced his beloved wife one last time and whispered, "Soon, I'll use the Reaper Death Seal to seal a fragment of your chakra into Naruto. That way, you'll be able to see him again one day."
"What? Why the Reaper Death Seal? That would mean your soul will be devoured by the Shinigami… you'll never be at peace!" Kushina cried out in horror, trying to stop him.
Both of them were already fatally wounded. She had assumed Minato would use a standard sealing technique to trap the Yin half of the Nine-Tails—but he was choosing the ultimate sacrifice.
"It's the only way to make sure a part of you remains with him," Minato said with a gentle smile.
"No, the cost is far too high!" Kushina grabbed his hand tightly, pleading with him.
"Fourth Hokage! It hasn't reached the worst-case scenario just yet!"
Suddenly, a cloaked figure in a white mantle and a demon-faced mask appeared outside the barrier.
It was Yusuke, who had finally made it.
Seeing yet another unknown ninja appear, Minato coughed and questioned warily, "Who are you? Appearing now—what is your purpose?"
Kushina, too, looked at Yusuke with guarded eyes, her heart full of anxiety.
If she couldn't maintain the barrier, they were all helpless—especially baby Naruto.
"I only came to help you seal the Nine-Tails. At this point, I have no reason to deceive you. Frankly, I doubt you can hold out another five minutes," Yusuke said calmly.
"Then why hide your identity? If you won't show us who you are, I can't open the barrier," Kushina responded, her tone firm.
Facing the couple who had given everything for Konoha, Yusuke paused for a moment before making his decision. He removed his mask, revealing his true identity.
"Uchiha Yusuke!"
Seeing Yusuke beneath the mask, the couple exchanged surprised glances. As a gifted Jonin already well-known in the village, Yusuke was someone both Minato and Kushina recognized.
Yusuke spoke, "When the Nine-Tails started wreaking havoc in the village tonight, the clan leader immediately wanted to lead the Uchiha to assist the Third Hokage in stopping it."
He sighed. "But the Third agreed to Danzo's proposal to restrict the Uchiha, forbidding any of us from leaving the clan compound tonight. That's why I had to hide my identity and sneak out here."
Minato and Kushina exchanged looks again. Minato's eyes were still filled with doubt, but in Kushina's, a faint glimmer of hope had begun to shine.
"Even if you're here now, what can you possibly do?" Minato asked.
"Although I'm known as 'Blazing Blade,' I also specialize in sealing techniques. I believe sealing this remaining Yin half of the Nine-Tails' chakra won't be a problem."
Minato frowned, clearly torn.
Yusuke was indeed a village ninja, but if Danzo had locked down the Uchiha compound at this critical time—and with the Third's approval—there had to be reasons he didn't know yet.
Better to be safe than sorry. I can't let him into the barrier.
After some thought, Minato made his decision.
Seeing the shift in Minato's expression from doubt to resolve, Yusuke understood—Minato wasn't going to take any chances. Knowing he wouldn't win him over, Yusuke turned to Kushina instead and spoke sincerely:
"You don't have much time left. Your life force is draining rapidly. If you wait any longer, even this last glimmer of life will be gone."
"Kushina-sama, you make the decision."
"Kushina, we still can't trust him!" Minato said urgently. "Just hold on a little longer until the Third gets here. Then I'll use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to finish the job—that way there's no risk."
But right after he spoke, a coughing fit overtook him. Blood spilled from his lips.
"If you wait until then, both of you will really die," Yusuke warned, locking eyes with Kushina.
At this moment, the choice was entirely in her hands.
Kushina lowered her head in silence for a few seconds. Then, gently cradling Minato's face in her hands, she softly stroked his cheek.
"Forgive me… just this once. This time, I want to choose for you."
"Kushina, you—" Before Minato could finish his sentence, Kushina's slender fingers slid behind his neck.
With a gentle press, Minato lost consciousness.
Seeing this, Yusuke let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"You've made the right choice, Kushina-sama."
"Let's hope so," she replied, then lowered the barrier.
Time was running out. Yusuke didn't waste another word. He pulled out two syringes from his coat and injected one each into the sides of Minato's and Kushina's necks.
"Seal of Vitality!"
Yusuke quickly formed hand seals, pressing his fingers to the injection sites on both of them. Two circular sealing marks formed under his touch.
The moment the seal was completed, Kushina felt her body lighten, her energy beginning to recover. Even Minato, though still unconscious, looked a little less pale.
This "Seal of Vitality" was a byproduct of the "Yin-Yang Seal" Yusuke had developed with Orochimaru. Used in combination with a serum containing Hashirama cells, it could stimulate the immense life force of those cells while suppressing their invasive side effects.
"Thank you. I never thought someone from the Uchiha Clan could be so skilled in sealing techniques," Kushina said.
But Yusuke's expression remained tense.
"We wasted too much time. It's not as effective as I'd hoped… Your injuries are just too severe. Especially you, Kushina-sama—if you were an ordinary person, even ten lives wouldn't be enough to survive this."
Kushina didn't seem to hear him. She turned to look at Minato, her eyes filled with longing.
Then, after a few seconds, she smiled through her tears.
"It's not too late. You should begin the sealing now."
Even as she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Seeing Kushina crying and smiling at the same time, Yusuke couldn't quite grasp what she was thinking. But he didn't have time to dwell on it—he had to complete the sealing before the Third arrived.
Turning around, he faced the massive form of the Nine-Tails, bound tightly by Adamantine Sealing Chains.
The beast glared at Yusuke with fierce, bloodthirsty eyes, as if warning him not to try anything foolish.
"The Nine-Tails, huh?"
Yusuke narrowed his eyes.
"This is where it ends for you."
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