~ Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter! Your votes keep this climbing. Thanks!
A blur of yellow. Minato reappeared in his home, Miyuki Uzumaki cradled in his arms.
"Why…" Miyuki began, confused.
Minato offered no explanation for why he hadn't stopped the masked man. "Don't ask. Stay with Naruto."
He carried her to the bed, laying her beside their son. Naruto slept soundly, unaware. Miyuki could feel her own life force draining away, a cold tide pulling her under. A sob caught in her throat. She pulled Naruto close, pressing her cheek against his small face, nuzzling him with a desperation that stole the air from the room.
"Naruto…"
Minato watched, his fist clenching so tight his knuckles turned white. The gentle warmth in his eyes vanished, swallowed by a raw, seething hatred. He moved to the closet. The white haori with 'Fourth Hokage' emblazoned on the back went over his shoulders.
He didn't look back. "I'll be right back." Then he was gone.
The night in Konoha was peaceful. Even now, the streets were lively.
In the Uchiha district, Itachi held a sleeping Sasuke, his gaze fixed on the moon. A heavy, inexplicable dread settled in his chest.
"What is this feeling…"
Sasuke began to fuss, then cry. Itachi rocked him gently. "Shh, it's okay… don't cry. Something's wrong. Of all times for Mother and Father to be out…" He held his brother tighter. "No matter what happens, Sasuke, I'll protect you. I promise."
At the Sarutobi residence, Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, staring grimly out the window at the same moon. Smoke curled from his lips. The same unease churned within him.
"It can't be…"
In Orochimaru's hidden base, Kushina Uzumaki stared blankly at a television screen, her mind miles away. A strange, heavy pressure sat on her heart. Outside her door, Kakashi stood guard, his expression tense. Down the hall, Orochimaru worked uninterrupted, utterly absorbed by the unique cellular structure of the White Zetsu specimen.
Meanwhile, in a deserted Konoha alleyway, Obito Uchiha placed his palm on the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
BOOM! A shockwave of pure force tore through the air, scattering debris and shattering windows for blocks. As the smoke cleared, it revealed the towering, monstrous form of the Nine-Tails.
The fox threw back its head and roared. The sound shattered the night's peace.
Konoha's villagers froze. Stared.
"Is that…?" "You've got to be kidding me." "Run! RUN!"
Panic erupted. The streets became a river of fleeing bodies. The Nine-Tails moved, a force of nature. Its tails lashed out, reducing buildings to rubble with casual sweeps of its claws.
Qianyu materialized in Minato's living room. His footsteps were silent as he walked to the bedroom.
Miyuki, hearing someone, turned. Hope flickered and died. "Qianyu? What are you doing here?"
He glanced at the sleeping infant. "A cute kid. Congratulations." He knelt beside the bed. "You're Kushina's clansman. Her friend. That makes you my friend as well. My issues with Minato run deep, but for you… I only have gratitude. So neither Kushina nor I want you to die."
He pulled a scroll from his pouch. "When a tailed beast is extracted, death is certain. But your Uzumaki vitality bought you time. It's enough." He unsealed the scroll. "I took a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra earlier. I'm going to seal it back into you now."
Miyuki looked at Naruto. The desire to live, to see him grow, was a physical ache. "Thank you, Qianyu."
Qianyu's hands flew through seals, slamming onto the scroll. "Evil Sealing Method: Release!"
A dense, malevolent red chakra erupted from the scroll, contained by his will. More hand signs. He pressed a single palm to the floor. Poof. Eight candles appeared in a circle, their flames burning with a steady blue light.
He helped Miyuki to the center of the circle. She lay back, pulling up her shirt. The intricate pattern of the Eight Trigrams Seal was gone, leaving only smooth, pale skin over her navel.
Qianyu began another sequence, longer and more complex. "Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!"
His five fingers drove into her abdomen. Black lines spread from the point of contact, spiraling outward to reform the lost seal. He twisted his hand clockwise. The center of the seal spiraled open like a vortex—a gaping, dark hole.
"Seal!"
The red chakra streamed from the scroll, screaming silently as it was sucked into the void. When the last wisp vanished, Qianyu twisted counter-clockwise. The seal closed, settled, and faded from view.
Miyuki let out a shaky breath. The cold drain had stopped. She was anchored again.
"It's done." Qianyu helped her back into bed.
As he turned to leave, her voice stopped him. "Qianyu… thank you. But I have one more request. I know it's too much to ask, but… please. Help Minato."
Qianyu paused. He didn't turn fully. "I'm sorry, Miyuki."
She bit her lip, forcing a fragile smile. "It's… it's alright. It was a greedy request. You've already saved me."
He offered no explanation. None was needed. Minato was walking his own ninja way. And Qianyu… he simply didn't want to help.
He knew he was petty. He could hold a grudge. Minato siding with those bullies against Kushina all those years ago? He remembered. Every placating word Minato ever spoke to appease the ignorant villagers? He remembered.
He disliked Minato Namikaze. He wasn't the type to help someone he despised. Not when he had a prior agreement with Obito Uchiha. Their first collaboration… he wasn't about to break that deal now.
"I'll ensure your safety," Qianyu said finally, his back still to her. "That is my promise to Kushina."
A flicker, and he was gone.
Miyuki touched Naruto's cheek, her whisper barely audible. "Minato… please be careful."
From the highest rooftop at the village's edge, concealed and watching, Qianyu observed the carnage. Cold. Detached.
An ANBU found Hiruzen, already pulling on his battle attire.
"Lord Third! The Nine-Tails… it's inside the village!"
"Where are Minato and Qianyu?" Hiruzen barked.
"The Fourth's location is unknown! Lord Qianyu appears to be engaging an enemy outside the village perimeter!"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. Engaging an enemy… So someone attacked Miyuki directly. That's how the seal was broken. All our precautions… worthless.
He straightened, the Monkey King's staff materializing in his hand. "I will handle the beast! You mobilize all units—evacuate the civilians! Now!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/GoldenLong
Happy reading, everyone!