That night, the names Uchiha Ran, Hyūga Hiashi, Nara Shikaku, and Kakashi Hatake spread throughout Konoha.
Everyone knew that these four had openly encouraged one another in public. That alone was enough to make it clear—they were the core of Konoha's future and the key figures who would guide the village forward.
So when Kakashi Hatake returned home, he was surprised to see his teacher, Minato Namikaze, already there, calmly brewing tea.
Using Naruto's body, Minato smiled at Kakashi and said,
"Kakashi, I truly didn't expect you to be entrusted by Hokage-sama at such a young age."
He lifted a teacup and respectfully offered it forward.
"This cup is for you, my student—future pillar of Konoha."
Kakashi froze in shock and immediately stepped forward, accepting the cup with both hands.
"Teacher, please don't do this," Kakashi said hastily. "You're my mentor. No matter how far I go, I will always be your disciple. How could I accept tea from you?"
His heart was in turmoil. A master serving tea to a disciple—such a thing completely overturned the natural order.
Minato smiled gently. Beneath that calm expression, however, was a quiet sense of relief.
"Kakashi," he said softly, "my time is almost up. After I'm gone, I want you to take good care of Naruto for me."
"This is not only a teacher's request… but a father's as well."
Kakashi felt his chest tighten. He nodded without hesitation.
"I promise you, teacher. I'll protect Naruto."
Minato laughed, truly relieved.
---
Naruto's Inner World
Naruto didn't fully understand why his father had done this, but warmth spread through his chest. For the first time, he truly felt his father's love.
Kurama let out a quiet sigh.
"Your father really gave everything for you. Since ancient times, it's always the disciple who bows to the master. Today, the master begged the disciple instead. He abandoned his pride for your sake."
Naruto's eyes slowly reddened.
"Kurama… when Father leaves, you'll be the only one I have left. You'll stay with me, right?"
During their recent heart-to-heart talks, Kurama had told Naruto her true name and asked him not to call her 'Nine-Tails' anymore—a title given by ignorant humans.
Naruto had agreed.
Hearing his words now, Kurama felt an unfamiliar ache in her chest. After a long pause, she nodded.
"If nothing unexpected happens… I'll probably stay inside you for the rest of your life."
The words were half-serious, half-lighthearted, but they carried genuine sincerity. Kurama could clearly sense Naruto's sadness. He was too pure, too kind—and because of that, she felt closer to him than she ever had to any human.
Here, the "master" referred to the Sage of Six Paths.
Naruto laughed through his tears, his face a mess but his smile still bright and sunny.
Kurama watched him with soft eyes and reached out a tail, gently patting his head.
Naruto wiped his tears—and snot—onto her tail.
Kurama immediately bared her teeth.
Damn it. She shouldn't have pitied him.
---
Outside
Kakashi looked at Minato with a conflicted expression.
"Teacher… Hokage-sama needs your help. If you go to see him personally, he might be able to protect Naruto for the rest of his life."
Minato's eyes lit up.
Over the past few days, he had been quietly observing Uchiha Ran. This man valued loyalty above all else. If someone helped him, he would remember it for life.
If not for his sensitive identity, Minato would have liked to act during the coup and leave a good impression back then. Now, it wasn't too late.
"Kakashi," Minato said urgently, gripping his wrist, "tell me what he needs. For Naruto's sake, I'll do anything."
Kakashi explained,
"Hokage-sama plans to bring all the Tailed Beasts in the world to Konoha. By centralizing them, Konoha's safety can be guaranteed, and the entire Ninja World will be deterred."
"But to do that, advanced sealing techniques are required."
He stopped there.
Minato immediately understood.
"I see," Minato said with a smile. "After acquiring the Tailed Beasts, ordinary sealing techniques wouldn't be stable enough. Jinchūriki could lose control. So he needs the Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains and the Five Elements Seal."
Kakashi nodded.
"That's correct. Hokage-sama plans to ask you tomorrow."
Minato shook his head.
"How could I let Hokage-sama come personally?"
"Kakashi, take me to the Uchiha Clan compound. I'll present the Uzumaki sealing techniques myself."
Minato's thoughts were entirely focused on Naruto.
After the Third Hokage incident, he understood one thing clearly—no matter who was entrusted with Naruto, it was never as reassuring as securing protection himself.
His time was running out. He feared that after he was gone, Naruto would continue living in neglect, even struggling to eat properly.
Now that Uchiha Ran needed sealing techniques, this was an opportunity he absolutely could not miss.
If Naruto gained Uchiha Ran's protection, then his future would be safe.
---
Naruto's Inner World
Kurama suddenly shuddered, baring her teeth.
"This Uchiha Ran… he actually wants to gather all Tailed Beasts? Who does he think he is—Uchiha Madara?"
She paused.
Then, sensing the immense power within herself, her expression turned complicated.
Naruto frowned slightly.
"So… Hokage-sama wants to bring all of you to Konoha so you can be together?"
Kurama's ears snapped upright.
"That's right!" she exclaimed. "How did I not think of that?!"
Naruto… is a genius.
From a different perspective, the meaning changed completely.
That meant she could reunite with her brothers and sisters.
Being alone in Konoha was unbearably dull. If the others came, they could talk, argue, and pass the time together.
After all, Tailed Beasts could communicate freely through chakra connections.
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