Snow fell softly around a glowing lamppost. Naruto opened his eyes. "Are you…" he mumbled, words fading. He rubbed his head, confused, and looked around. The village street was familiar, quiet under the snow.
He checked his clothes. His red scarf and jacket were neat, no tears. "Was it a dream?" he whispered. No giant railing stood before him. No huge fox loomed. Yet the memory felt sharp, not like a normal dream that slipped away.
Naruto was just a kid. He thought he fell asleep by the lamppost. He stood to head home but paused. "It's snowing, but I'm not cold?" He rubbed his hands. They were warm, not red from the chill. A cozy feeling wrapped his body.
He grinned, happy. Then he remembered why he was here. He had walked a girl with strange white eyes home. Maybe he wandered too long and dozed off. "I'm too weak," he muttered. "Need food tomorrow… but I've got no money. Maybe I'll find something."
Naruto shuffled off, lost in thought. He did not notice a Konoha ninja appear behind him. The ninja wore a forehead protector and scribbled in a notebook: "Target dazed for three minutes. Odd chakra spikes detected. Likely emotional after visiting Hyuga estate. Suggest supplying food to gain trust."
The ninja snapped the book shut and vanished. No footprints marked the snow. Perfect stealth.
Two pairs of eyes watched from the dark.
"This is how your son is treated, Minato," Kurama said, lying behind the sealed railing. He yawned. "Naruto is three years old now."
Minato stood outside the bars, his face dark. "This could be your illusion to trick me into freeing you," he said. He exhaled slowly. "But I cannot fool myself. This feels true."
"Lying is for humans," Kurama snorted. "I don't play those weak games."
Minato glanced at his body. Kurama's red chakra flowed around him, strong but wild. It lacked the sharp malice he remembered from Kushina's time as a Jinchuriki.
"I'm still sealed," Kurama said, reading Minato's look. "I can only share this much chakra. But it's enough to keep your soul here longer."
"Why help me?" Minato asked.
Kurama did not answer. He thought of Naruto—a small boy, alone, shunned by the village for no crime. Used by others to control him. Naruto, who saved the world, only learned his past too late. That life was wrong.
"I cannot teach ninjutsu," Kurama said. "You're his father. Teach him." It was a weak excuse. Minato saw deeper reasons but stayed silent. Kurama would not share more.
For Minato, who died with guilt, seeing Naruto and guiding him was enough.
"Why not let Naruto unseal you?" Minato asked.
"Not yet," Kurama said, eyes sharp. "My chakra would overwhelm him now. I sensed something dark in it. Those who attacked you before would return. Konoha cannot protect us."
"The masked man? Uchiha Madara?" Minato's voice was heavy.
"No. Madara is dead. It was your student, Obito," Kurama said.
Minato froze. "Impossible!"
"Calm down," Kurama said. "I'll explain everything." He knew Minato distrusted him but did not care.
Kurama's revival in this time was a mystery. The Otsutsuki threat loomed, chilling even a tailed beast. But pride burned stronger. He and Naruto had defeated Otsutsuki Isshiki, a god-like foe. If time reset, Kurama would change it all. The Otsutsuki would fall.
In Konoha's Hokage office, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, listened to a report. He puffed his pipe, his aged face calm. "A child's jealousy can stir the Nine Tails' chakra a bit. No need to worry."
"Yes," the ninja said, bowing. "I'll continue my mission."
"No need," Sarutobi said, standing. He smiled. "Rest. I'll take a walk."
Sarutobi left, hands behind his back. The ninja stayed, then sighed. He pulled out his notebook and passed it to a shadow.
A hand took it. A voice spoke from the dark. "Sarutobi knows you're from Root. Return there. Leave the Nine Tails matter."
"Yes," the ninja said.
The Hokage office, once bright, sank into darkness as the night deepened.