Minato's shocked voice cut through the clearing, "You are telling me… you are about to become its Jinchūriki?"
Kyojiro nodded once, steady. "I know we haven't told you many things… Kakashi here already knows and will eventually tell you anyway." His voice deepened, serious. "But if you trust me, Minato… then we need you. We need that seal."
Minato stared at him for a long second, his gaze shifting between Kyojiro and the massive tailed beast standing calmly behind him.
From every memory he had, Tailed Beasts were not like this. They weren't quiet. They didn't speak in human tongue. They didn't negotiate. They roared—they brought carnage, destruction, despair.
And yet, this image… was nothing like that.
Isobu stood still, composed, almost dignified—more like an ancient, intelligent being than a rampaging monster.
"You need to give me something, Kyojiro," Minato finally said, his voice steady but heavy. "I can't just blindly do this." Despite trusting his friend, he was still the Hokage. He couldn't act without understanding the situation completely.
Kyojiro nodded. "These tailed beasts, Minato… they are not like the mindless animals we imagine them to be." He gestured toward the Three-Tails. "They're intelligent. And before the hidden villages were formed—before humans started capturing them—they were free. They didn't kill or disturb anyone. They simply lived."
He continued, a conviction simmering beneath the words. "After Hashirama captured them and divided them among the nations… they were tortured. Locked away. Treated like weapons. Like I was." His voice roughened for a moment, the memory of his own imprisonment bleeding through. "I want to build a safe haven for them. A place like the Sage Lands—where they can be free. No more Jinchūriki. No more war built on their backs."
But instead of agreeing, Minato slowly shook his head. "And how do you plan to do that? I don't doubt your strength, Kyojiro… but one man can't change the world. You can't go against entire nations, even as a Jinchūriki. I can't let you throw your life away." His voice wavered with concern.
He wasn't aware of Kyojiro's chakra limitation. And even if he had been, he still would have believed the plan impossible.
One man couldn't change the world. Not everyone was Hashirama Senju.
But Kyojiro shook his head. "Once I am a Sage… I can, Minato." He stepped closer, eyes steady behind the blindfold. "And most of all, Minato… this doesn't end here. I want to bring peace to this world—true peace."
He spread his hands slightly. "And I want to guard that peace with my life. I want to save the weak… and those who have been wronged."
Minato froze for a moment, staring at the outstretched hand.
Save the world?
He looked at Kyojiro again—the blindfold, the sunken cheeks, the frail-looking frame that still somehow radiated strength.
Even if I believe him… as a friend, can I let him do this?
His voice came out tired, heavy with worry. "Even if I believe you… the transfer of a tailed beast into a human body is dangerous. If your vitality can't withstand it, it can kill you."
But instead of backing down, Kyojiro's voice rang firm. "Vitality isn't a problem for me, Minato. I can handle it."
Minato fell silent, everything he had witnessed tonight swirling in his head—the calm beast, the talk of peace, the conviction in Kyojiro's voice.
Every instinct screamed at him that this was a bad idea.
But then—Kyojiro's next words shattered everything.
"It's also to save your disciple… Obito."
Minato and Kakashi both stiffened, their bodies trembling at the mere mention of the name.
Their voices overlapped—shocked, raw, almost breaking. "What do you mean?"
Kyojiro slowly raised a hand. "Obito is alive, Minato… and Kakashi, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. But he's alive." His voice softened. "However… he has been misguided."
Sensei and student went silent instantly, letting the words sink in.
"The day he was crushed beneath the boulders… he never actually died. Someone saved him." Kyojiro's tone hardened. "Madara Uchiha saved him."
Both Minato and Kakashi stepped back at that name.
Everyone knew him—the ghost of the Uchiha, a man rivaling Hashirama Senju himself.
"But he is dead!" Kakashi's voice cracked as he shouted. "Don't lie to me or give me false hope—Madara is dead, and Obito can't—he can't be alive!"
Tears spilled uncontrollably, like something inside him had suddenly shattered. Kakashi collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest as if in physical pain.
Before he could fall face-first into the dirt, Kyojiro caught him.
His voice was gentle, steady. "I'm not lying, Kakashi. He truly is alive." Turning to Minato, he added, "Remember the mission where Rin died… that was also orchestrated by Madara."
Minato's eyes darkened immediately, a murderous aura leaking from him like dense, burning fog. "Explain."
"It was all to awaken Obito's Mangekyō." Kyojiro sighed. "I'm an Uchiha—I know how this works. And now… he believes it's your fault. Both yours and Kakashi's."
Kyojiro took a breath, delivering one final blow. "And it may be hard to believe… but on the day your child is born… Obito will come to kill you and Kushina."
Minato didn't speak for a full minute. His fists clenched so tightly blood seeped from the skin. Red, tangible chakra seeped from his frame like a toxic fog.
Finally, he whispered, "I believe you."
He looked up, eyes burning. "Tell me what I need to do."
Kyojiro held his gaze for a moment, then nodded. "Don't worry. He hasn't crossed the final line yet. We can still save him."
Minato nodded grimly.
Kyojiro gestured toward Isobu, who had been listening intently the whole time. "For now… I need to regain my strength."
Minato inhaled, steady. "A Four Symbol Seal?"
Kyojiro nodded before looking at Isobu. "Make it so that Isobu has the option to escape at any time… I don't want him bound to me."