The sky screen repeatedly showing Naruto's death made Minato in the Shinigami's stomach frown. 'The Great Toad Sage also had the power of prophecy, and Fukasaku and Shima said predictions always come true. But this priestess's visions seem different from the Toad Sage's—maybe there's a way to change them.'
After all, in a crisis, Naruto also had the Nine-Tails' power inside him. If the fox didn't want to die, it would have to protect Naruto.
Thinking of this, Minato asked the Nine-Tails, "What do you think, Kurama? If Naruto's life is in danger, would the other half of you save him?"
"Hmph!" The dark Nine-Tails snorted maliciously. "Who knows. After all, I'm the embodiment of hatred—maybe I'd help that demon Mōryō kill your son instead."
Minato smiled. "That's not really like you. You even told me your name: Kurama."
"Hmph! Don't get too optimistic. The one sealed in that kid isn't me. As long as that hatred remains unhealed, Naruto won't be truly safe." With that, the dark Nine-Tails fell silent.
Minato sighed helplessly at the sky screen. With no solution for now, he chose to trust Naruto.
[The scene shifted to a canyon, its cliffs lined with explosive tags, while the endless Ghost Army stretched through the gorge.]
[Explosions rained rocks onto the army. Then Konoha's interception team appeared, but even after the explosions, the Ghost Army walked out unharmed. The Konoha shinobi stood helpless.]
[Tsunade's voiceover echoed: "The Konoha ninja tried ambush after ambush, but couldn't wipe out the Ghost Army. They ignore all attacks and head straight for the sealing shrine. As expected, only the priestess's sealing jutsu can stop them."]
["What the heck? Konoha's interception force is so weak!"]
["Yeah, they just set off some tags and that's it. Isn't Hatake Kakashi there? Why not fight them head-on?"]
["Don't talk if you don't understand. In this terrain, using explosive tags is the most cost-effective attack. If you jump down and fight, your chakra would run out fast and you'd just get slaughtered."]
["We fought that Ghost Army too—using the terrain to slow them down was the only way. You have no idea how tough it is to fight endless enemies!"]
[Up in the shrine, Shion watched her soldiers eagerly volunteer to guard her, a pained look on her face.]
["Ridiculous!" Neji returned to the room, fuming. Lee, packing his bag, asked, "How long are we supposed to wait?"]
["Ashihoko said he's gathering guards," Neji explained. Sakura also looked frustrated. "At a time like this?"]
["Exactly. Those guards are loyal, sure, but most are just civilians. This is when ninja squads should handle it!"]
["Neji, as team leader, can't you be a little tougher? This is a global crisis!"]
Tenten covered her mouth, laughing. "He's tough in battle, but Neji's not great at saying no to people."
Neji, stone-faced, didn't appreciate the comment. "Tenten, that's unnecessary."
[Just then, Naruto burst into the room, covered in steel plates front and back, grinning smugly. "Look! No blade can pierce me now!"]
["Naruto, to be shaken by one priestess's prediction—how pathetic," Neji said, arms crossed.]
[Feeling belittled, Naruto hastily explained, "No, I was worried everyone would be scared about me dying, right? So this way you'll feel better!"]
[Then Sakura's cold words hit him. "The world might end. Who's got time to worry about you?"]
[Lee chimed in too. "Naruto, now's the time to protect what's important, not worry about yourself!"]
[Frustrated by their attitude, Naruto thumped his chest plate. "Fine! I'll smash that prediction and save the world, using this!"]
["He's really not taking the priestess's prediction seriously, huh."]
["I can't even tell if Naruto's serious anymore!"]
["Neji's the kind of captain who'd sacrifice Naruto to finish the mission. Those blank eyes say it all."]
["Dude, that's the Byakugan—no pupils!"]
Neji remained stoic, ignoring the chatter.
Naruto shot him a suspicious look, as if weighing the comments.
Lee spoke up. "Naruto, Neji's not like that. Everyone believes in you—that's why no one's panicking."
Sakura bopped Naruto on the head. "Stop overthinking! Anyone would dismiss a crazy prediction like that! Besides, you decided to change the future, right?"
Even so, she still worried deep down. Naruto might be strong in the future, but would he really overcome the priestess's prediction?
["The prediction can't be changed," Shion's voice came from the doorway.]
["You…" Naruto stared at her as she stepped inside. "I had another vision. You'll die with your throat cut."]
["Throat…" Naruto clutched his neck in horror, then bolted into the side room. Moments later, he returned, even more armored. "How about this?!"]
["Just wait for death." Shion poked his armor, toppling him. Then she turned to the others. "Shinobi, let's go."]
[Naruto struggled on the ground, unable to get up.]
(To be continued)