Chapter 38 : Identity Exposure!

No one responded to him, and even the insects' chirping faded away in this moment of eerie silence.

A horrifying dead silence hung in the air, as if foretelling that his future life would be just the same – a perpetual existence in solitude, forever trapped in darkness, with no means of escape!

[Scene Transition]

[In this instance, even the mighty Minato found himself unable to contain his emotions any longer and broke down into tears.]

[Kushina fixed her gaze on Naruto, her words intermittent as she expressed a mother's deepest longing:]

["I truly wish to meet Naruto as he grows up..."]

[What kind of person will Naruto become in his adulthood?]

[Will he retain his cheerful disposition, or develop a tender and compassionate heart?]

[Will there be girls who will take a liking to him?]

[You must have been handsome at your wedding...]

[Kushina pondered...]

[…..]

[Minato wiped his tears away, his resolution firmly set.]

["Kushina, there's no need for you to perish alongside the Nine-Tails. I intend to seal your remaining Chakra within Naruto so that you can see Naruto in future!"]

["And as for the Nine-Tails, that's my responsibility."]

["I plan to seal away half of it permanently, otherwise future tragedies will befall us!"]

[Amidst Kushina's shocked gaze, Minato began the sealing process!]

["That technique…!"]

[She could see at once that the seal Minato was using was exactly what she had taught him...]

[The spirits were being sealed!]

[It was the ultimate sealing art at the cost of one's own soul!]

[As the final seal merged, a colossal and awe-inspiring transparent phantom emerged!]

[The Shinigami had appeared!]

In the Pure Land, Kushina's tears flowed as she uttered in a frenzy:

"I regret teaching you this technique... Minato."

In that moment, everyone finally grasped why, despite possessing the enigmatic Flying Thunder God technique, Minato was destined to meet his end.

Because the only one capable of ending his life was himself.

He was doing this in order to resolve the repercussions of the Nine-Tails!

To allow mother and child to reunite!

In this moment... he was willing to sacrifice himself!

[Kushina suddenly recollected something... She looked up at Minato in disbelief.]

[Minato's eyes glistened with tears, yet his voice was resolute:]

["That's right! The other half of the Nine-Tails, I intend to seal it within Naruto's body."]

["I believe he'll be able to handle it in the future."]

Boom!

At that instant, it was as if a lightning bolt had struck Naruto's soul!

Every single detail from just before played on a loop in his mind!

The child of the Fourth Hokage was named Naruto, and this baby named Naruto had the Nine-Tails sealed within him!

Naruto quivered, muttering to himself in disbelief:

"My name is Naruto, and I carry the spirit of a demon fox within me..."

"I am... the Fourth Hokage's child!"

In that moment, Naruto burst into tears, releasing all the pent-up grievances he had borne over the years!

"I have parents. I'm not a malevolent demon fox..."

In the Uchiha clan, Sasuke was left flabbergasted!

Naruto, who had lived in isolation since childhood, who had been despised by all and led an exceedingly bleak existence, was the son of the Fourth Hokage!?

He even recalled a time when Naruto had confided in him secretly, sharing how he sometimes couldn't even afford to buy milk.

But he never dared to voice this, for he knew no one would believe him.

How could this be!?

It was entirely beyond his comprehension!!

…..

Amidst the foliage!

Ordinary civilians seemed to catch on, but every ninja was astounded by this revelation!!

Sealing the Nine-Tails within a baby's body – wasn't that what a Jinchūriki was?

And a Jinchūriki being the child of a hero!?

Uzumaki Naruto, scorned and loathed by all, was the son of the Fourth Hokage!?

How was this possible!?

"Goodness gracious... What have we been doing all these years!?"

A ninja fell to his knees, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

By this time, many ninjas within Konoha had turned their attention to the Hokage's office, ready to confront Sarutobi Hiruzen!

Why had they allowed this young soul, who should have been treated kindly, to endure such wretchedness!

…..

Within the Cloud Shinobi Village, the Raikage couldn't help but chuckle.

He sneered!

"To shirk responsibility, the hatred of the Nine-Tails was passed on to a mere child!"

"That Sarutobi Hiruzen of yours, he's quite the mastermind!"

Now he understood fully the motives behind the Third Hokage's actions!

The chaos caused by the Nine-Tails had led to countless deaths!

The grieving masses required a target for their hatred to vent upon.

And Jinchūriki fit the bill perfectly.

However, if the Jinchūriki were also known to be the offspring of a hero, it would complicate matters. Hence, Sarutobi Hiruzen had concealed this fact.

"Making the child of a hero bear the brunt of everything – in terms of cruelty, you truly are unparalleled, Third Hokage!"

Raikage shook his head with a derisive smile, incapable of stooping to such a level!

…..

Within the Hokage's office, Danzo sneered at the silent Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Even he, as the leader of the secretive ROOT, had been taken aback by the Third Hokage's decision at the time.

…..

Within the cave, Uchiha Itachi was equally flabbergasted.

He knew the boy named Naruto!

Every time he carried Sasuke by the river, he would notice the little figure, lurking in the shadows, casting envious and hopeful glances.

It was as if he was witnessing something he deeply desired, something he held within his own heart...

"Is it all for the sake of the village..."

In that moment, a conviction in Uchiha Itachi's heart crumbled completely.

…..

Jiraiya gazed up at the sky: "It's been a while since I've returned. Naruto must be in his teenage years now. I wonder how things are going..."

[Scene Transition]

["Why should our son bear such a monumental burden!"]

[Kushina's voice quavered, knowing full well, as a Jinchūriki herself, the disdain such an existence would attract.]

["Furthermore, I hope you'll be there for Naruto's growth!"]

[Minato's eyes held a tinge of apology.]

[But he couldn't make the decision to subject other people's children to the life of a Jinchūriki.]

[Simultaneously, he held the belief that, as the Fourth Hokage's son, after sacrificing himself for the village, Naruto's life should not be as grievous as other Jinchūriki's.]

[In the next moment, the Shinigami unsheathed its sword!]

[The final moments commence...]

*****

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