Chapter 311: Understanding
This power... has already far surpassed my own peak during life...
Minato Namikaze gazed at his son before him, enveloped in brilliant golden light with an aura vast as the sea, his heart receiving unprecedented shock.
Among all opponents he'd seen, whether that mysterious masked man who controlled everything during the Nine-Tails Night, or other renowned Kage-level powerhouses, even himself in his prime—hailed as the "Yellow Flash" through countless battles—he'd never felt such pure yet powerful presence, as though directly facing a rising sun.
Within the seal space's inner world, Naruto had reached such an astounding height just like this! Recalling before the Konoha Crush Plan began when Naruto had vaguely worried whether butterfly effects might make Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation of Hashirama Senju stronger, but at this moment, there was completely no need to worry about that!
Simultaneously, the final massive stone in Minato's heart completely settled. The bond between the Nine-Tails and Naruto was real—that mutually understanding emotion was absolutely not an act.
His own son... didn't need his guidance, had no confusion requiring his answers, didn't even have a single word of complaint toward himself, this derelict father... He'd become so mature, so powerful.
But... this maturity surpassing his age—what price had been paid behind it? Thinking this, Minato felt waves of sourness and guilt surging through his heart. He didn't know how to compensate for these ten-plus years of absence, didn't know how to repay this heavy debt.
Moreover, according to this situation... the remaining chakra and consciousness should also be reaching their limit soon... Not much time left.
He instinctively wanted to extend his hand, like ordinary fathers do, to pat his son's head and give him encouragement and praise. But his arm raised halfway, then froze.
But did he... truly have this qualification?
Time was running out... In the end, what should he say to Naruto?
"Thank you... Naruto, for forgiving this incompetent father."
"You truly make me incomparably proud. And your mother... When I return to that side, I'll definitely tell Kushina your story in complete detail."
As Minato mentally composed these words, Naruto—entire body enveloped in golden chakra—slowly turned his head. Beast-like vertical pupils looked toward Minato, seeing the intertwined guilt, reluctance, and profound affection on that handsome face.
"Dad..." Naruto spoke softly. "I... can call you that, right?"
Hearing this address, Minato actually felt inexplicably nervous. He nodded forcefully, his throat somewhat tight.
He carefully studied Naruto's face. On that face far too young, he couldn't find even a trace of blame or resentment—only calm and understanding.
"That night..." Naruto continued. "When that culprit made his move, Mom was still very weak from just giving birth... You desperately protected me when I was still an infant, right?"
The Nine-Tails beside them, watching this warm father-son conversation scene, though probably knowing in its heart that Naruto would ultimately forgive this father, still felt extremely displeased. It released a heavy snort from its nose, turning its head away, too lazy to watch this mushy scene.
"The Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself, protected the village, plus his just-born son..." Naruto looked at his father, tone affirmative. "...You could say it that way."
Minato listened blankly to his son's words, indescribable emotions surging through his heart.
"You protected me when I was just born, and entrusted future hope, along with Kurama, to me."
"So mushy." The Nine-Tails hugged its paws from the side, speaking in a tone everyone could hear, trying to ruin this overly sentimental atmosphere.
But Naruto merely smiled helplessly, not paying attention to his partner's complaints, continuing to speak to his father:
"Without it, there wouldn't be the me now. Kurama and I began accompanying each other when I was small—from initial confrontation, to later understanding, ultimately becoming important partners fighting side by side like now."
"The two of us... were actually both lonely," his gaze swept across the Nine-Tails before returning to his father. "So we could understand each other's pain and longing even more. You—through this seal, brought me a unique family member we could depend on each other."
He took a deep breath, speaking final words.
"So, thank you, Dad. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for entrusting it to me."
"...I see... That's how it is..."
Minato's peaceful words carried uncontrollable trembling. He finally no longer hesitated, stepping forward and extending his hand to gently, affectionately stroke his son's golden hair—slightly shorter than himself.
On that gentle, handsome face, a drop of "tear" condensed from pure chakra and intense emotion, shimmering with faint light, slowly slid down his cheek.
This time the Nine-Tails didn't speak out to disturb. It merely crossed its arms, quietly watching this somewhat mushy scene. Perhaps Naruto's earlier words about "family" and "partners" had also affected it somewhat.