---
Kurama was absolutely serious. He didn't even need to think with his tails to know that if he hadn't spoken up, Minato definitely would have volunteered. While Kurama believed Minato might actually succeed if something did go wrong, would their family ever be the same again?
Besides, no one here understood the power of the Sage of Six Paths better than Kurama himself. He had the best chance of successfully suppressing the Ten-Tails.
Since Kurama had taken the initiative and was clearly confident, no one opposed the idea. Tenten immediately volunteered to retrieve Utakata, the Six-Tails' Jinchūriki, while Yagura extended a hand and injected the Three-Tails' chakra into one of the miniature Demonic Statues.
The next step was clear: infuse the two statues with Tailed Beast chakra, seal them immediately afterwards, and most importantly—keep Obito occupied in the meantime.
To that end, Guy, along with Gen, Daiki, Jiro, and Kimimaro—who had been brought over by Naruto—erupted in streams of blue steam and surrounded Obito.
Obito stared at the group, all dressed in similar green jumpsuits, feeling an inexplicable stinging sensation on his cheek. Don't tell me these guys all fight like that madman too? And are those Sharingan real!?
"My youth is burning! Our youth is endless!" Guy shouted with enthusiasm, thrilled to be fighting alongside his students again. He was the first to charge in.
"Please witness our youth, Guy-sensei!" ×3
Gen, Daiki, and Jiro echoed his battle cry.
"…." Kimimaro, of course, said nothing—he clearly couldn't match their energy or… aesthetic.
Their five-man assault caught Obito off guard. Despite his power, he found himself overwhelmed at first.
But gradually, he began adapting.
With his Mangekyō Sharingan and Rinnegan, Obito's visual perception allowed him to track all their movements. As a Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, he had the reflexes and durability to keep up.
Obito could afford to take a few hits, but if any of them got hit by a Truth-Seeking Orb, they'd be in real danger.
Once he got used to their rhythm, the tide slowly shifted in his favour.
---
"Success!"
With nine types of Tailed Beast chakra infused, the first miniature Demonic Statue transformed into a Ten-Tails.
But before it could even comprehend its new existence, it was met by the "evil" sealing trio: Minato, Kushina, and Naruto—masters of sealing arts.
The poor little Ten-Tails barely opened its eyes before being slammed into a seal inside Kurama's mini-clone.
It was brutal. Even Orochimaru shivered. Damn sealing specialists... the worst.
This mini-Kurama, originally known as "Little Orange," was now no longer orange at all.
He had turned pure white—possibly due to being a chakra construct, or maybe because the chakra composition of the mini-Ten-Tails was balanced.
He even skipped the usual cocoon phase. Two small horns sprouted from his forehead, nine tomoe floated behind him, his tails remained at nine, and nine miniature Truth-Seeking Orbs drifted lazily at their tips.
Naruto picked him up, flipping him this way and that, pinching his face. He felt just as soft as before, though now less fluffy.
"Are you done playing?" Little Orange gave him a sidelong glare.
The familiar tone and expression eased both Minato and Kushina's nerves—this was definitely still Kurama's will.
"Not done—uh, I mean this is academic research!" Naruto defended, pointing at Obito. "Anyway, why don't you go blast him real quick, and then we can continue playing?"
"Blast him? As if! I only match him in power now. I could seriously injure him given the chance, but I still don't have enough chakra to finish him off," Little Orange grumbled. Who would've thought he, of all beings, would one day be annoyed about not having enough chakra?
"Let me go."
"Huh?" Naruto released him.
Little Orange floated behind Naruto and, under everyone's astonished gaze, began melting like ice cream under heat—transforming into a sleek white cloak draped over Naruto's shoulders.
The nine miniature orbs merged into three full-sized Truth-Seeking Orbs that floated behind him.
Though the cloak shimmered like silk, it had the weight and gleam of metal. Nine tomoe initially decorated its back, but they soon melted into a fox motif, with faint flame patterns along the hem.
To Naruto, it looked suspiciously like it was modelled after Minato's Hokage cloak.
And—wait—it billowed even when there was no wind!
Bonk! One of the orbs turned into a black staff and tapped Naruto's head.
Kurama's voice echoed in his mind, "Stop daydreaming and get used to your new power!"
"Oh, right." Naruto rubbed his head, feeling the surge of strength. "Wait—did I just get a major power-up?"
He slowly floated off the ground.
The three Truth-Seeking Orbs drifted into view. Naruto sized them up, then formed giant chakra hands and gently cradled two of them.
Yep… feels nice. Smooth and firm… definitely Yin-Yang Release quality.
No, wait—focus, focus.
Naruto realized he could now channel the mini-Ten-Tails' power at will, thanks to Kurama's fragment acting as an intelligent firewall. The Ten-Tails couldn't influence him at all.
"Amazing, Big Fox!" Naruto couldn't help but praise. "And Snake Uncle too—he really made a functional Demonic Statue!"
In the sealed space, Kurama grinned smugly, satisfied with Naruto's admiration.
Orochimaru, linked to the scene via remote vision, blinked… then licked his lips with a soft chuckle.
'Snake Uncle'? Not a bad ring to it. Is this how rogue ninjas should be treated?
Seeing the plan actually work, Minato smiled. "Alright, time to prepare the second one. Guy and the others are almost at their limit."
---
Soon, the second white cloak was completed—this time for Minato.
With both him and Naruto in the field, each wielding Flying Thunder God and Six Paths-level power, their agility and synergy made them a deadly pair.
Everyone realized something important:
As long as they had Kurama's approval, anyone could potentially access this level of power.
The two mini-Kuramas weren't just chakra avatars—they had essentially become living, breathing, legendary gear with spirit companions included.
Minato flicked a kunai, spun it around his fingers, then gripped it tightly and stood beside Naruto.
Kushina looked on, pride welling in her chest. Her son had truly grown—able to fight alongside his father as an equal. So strong. So reliable.
Father and son locked eyes.
They nodded solemnly.
"I'll go first," Naruto declared. "Let's call this outfit… Six Paths Celestial Robe!"
"Wait—you were just thinking of a name!?"
WHAM! WHAM!
Kushina smacked both father and son on the head.
Two matching forehead lumps popped up.
The two held their heads in perfect unison—
Totally failing to stay cool for more than three seconds.
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