Namikaze Minato wiped away the streak of blood that stained the corner of his lips.
He smeared the crimson across his palm, and with solemn, deliberate motions, began to weave a sequence of hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A small cloud of white smoke unfurled into the air.
When it cleared, the silhouette of a green toad stood revealed.
"Ah—ahhh!"
"The Kyūbi!"
The instant its eyes landed upon the monstrous fox, the green toad erupted into panic.
But as its gaze shifted toward Minato and Kushina, it froze in bewilderment.
"Fourth Hokage… what in the world is going on here?"
"Gerotora," Minato's voice was calm but resolute, "I entrust the key to the sealing formula to you. Ensure that Jiraiya-sensei safeguards it from this moment onward."
The weight of Minato's intent became clear to both Kushina and Amamiya Rei.
He was preparing to seal the Kyūbi into Naruto's body, to make his infant son a jinchūriki, sacrificing everything to save the village.
Kushina lowered her eyes to the swaddled infant not far away. Without speaking a word, she silently acknowledged Minato's decision.
Minato swiftly inscribed the sealing key upon a scroll.
Gerotora clutched it tightly, then, without hesitation, vanished in another puff of white smoke.
Turning back, Minato's gaze softened as he addressed Rei with quiet earnestness.
"Rei, please… bring Naruto to us."
Rei pressed his lips together, but complied. He stepped forward and gently placed the tiny child in Minato and Kushina's reach.
The parents' eyes melted with infinite tenderness as they gazed at their son.
"Now… I can finally be at peace," Minato whispered.
Minato's hands moved once more. Behind him, the ominous shadow of the Shinigami rose, its form looming like death itself.
"Kushina… we cannot hold on much longer. It is time to invoke the Eight Trigrams Seal..."
To seal away the Kyūbi quickly — that was what mattered most now.
"I also want to seal as much of my chakra as possible into Naruto's body…"
His voice faltered. Minato's gaze lingered on his child, asleep and unknowing in Rei's arms, his heart heavy with sorrow and reluctance.
"It seems… we must part ways for a while. If you have anything you wish to tell him, Kushina… say it now."
Minato's eyes never strayed from the fragile infant wrapped in cloth.
Tears welled and spilled from Kushina's eyes.
"Listen, Naruto… do not be a picky eater. Eat well, every day. Grow strong and healthy…"
A faint smile touched her lips, though blood mingled with her tears as it slipped into her mouth.
"And remember… always take warm baths. Don't stay up late, make sure you get proper sleep…"
"Make friends, Naruto. Even if you don't have many, what matters is finding companions you can truly trust."
"Though your mother is not very good at it… you must study hard. Work to master ninjutsu."
"But know this — everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Even if something doesn't come easily, never bow your head in despair."
Minato listened to Kushina's heartfelt words, his own eyes dampening with emotion. He leaned closer, and with quiet warmth said,
"Naruto… Everything I want to say to you is the same as what your endlessly talkative mother has already told you…"
"Eight Trigrams Seal!"
Before Rei's eyes, the immense body of the Kyūbi began to dissolve.
Upon Naruto's pale belly, the intricate formula of the Eight Trigrams Seal surfaced, glowing faintly.
Then, almost in unison, Minato and Kushina collapsed to the ground.
Rei rushed forward, catching Kushina before she could fall further.
Her lips curved into a faint, warm smile as she looked up at him.
A green glow burst forth from Rei's hands as he pressed them desperately against her chest.
But no matter how hard he tried, the gaping wound torn through Kushina's heart refused to close.
Her hand rose slowly, pressing gently upon Rei's trembling palm.
"It's no use…"
"Rei…"
"I have only one request…"
"Please…take care of Naruto… for us."
Her voice was faint, each word a struggle.
"I will," Rei choked out, his vision blurring with tears. "I swear it. I will!"
With the last of her strength, Kushina lifted her arm and pressed it to Rei's lips.
Rei's body froze.
He understood immediately what Kushina intended.
But he also knew the truth — the Blood Curse of Muzan had not revealed itself from their flesh.
Even so—
"Though I do not know who you truly are, Rei," Minato said softly, his voice faint but steady, smiled through his pain,"Kushina and I… we both believe in you."
"Devour us."
"…"
Rei's heart shook.
Were Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina truly saints?
"Our Naruto… we entrust him to you."
Minato, too, extended his hand toward Rei.
Shaken to his core, caught between awe and sorrow, Rei bowed his head and obeyed — and devoured them.
[Ding!]
[Scanning in progress…]
[Scan successful.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained "Uzumaki Kushina Flesh Chunk" ×1]
[Analyzing…]
[Analysis complete.]
[Abilities contained within "Uzumaki Kushina Flesh Chunk": Fūinjutsu-Adamantine Sealing Chains, Four Symbols Seal, Four Red Yang Formation, Eight Trigrams Seal, Dead Demon Consuming Seal…]
[Converting…]
[Conversion complete.]
["Uzumaki Kushina Flesh Chunk" ×1 = Eight Trigrams Seal + 10,000 minutes Sunlight Value + 100,000 Chakra]
[Host, please strive to obtain more high-quality flesh chunks!]
[Ding!]
...
[Host, please strive to obtain more high‑quality flesh chunks!]
...
[Abilities contained within "Namikaze Minato Flesh Chunk": Sage Mode, Flying Thunder God Technique, Summoning Technique,
Rasengan, Dead Demon Consuming Seal…]
...
["Namikaze Minato Flesh Chunk" ×1 = Rasengan + 100,000 minutes Sunlight Value + 1,000,000 Chakra]
[Host, please strive to obtain more high-quality flesh chunks!]
...
...
[Ding!]
["Uzumaki Kushina Flesh Chunk" ×1 = Four Red Yang Formation + 10,000 minutes Sunlight Value + 100,000 Chakra]
...
[Ding!]
["Namikaze Minato Flesh Chunk" ×1 = Sage Mode + 100,000 minutes Sunlight Value + 1,000,000 Chakra]
...
[Ding!]
[Scanning in progress…]
[Scan failed.]
Rei swallowed the last of the flesh.
But the scan had failed.
Minato and Kushina's life signatures had vanished entirely.
Amamiya Rei sank heavily to the ground.
At some point, Naruto had awakened, wailing with helpless cries in his arms.
The sound was piercing. He was hungry.
Yet Rei had no idea where to find milk for the child.
All he could do was hold the infant stiffly, whispering broken words of comfort.
Rain began to fall.
With vines, Rei wove a net, shielding the lifeless bodies of Minato and Kushina, and sheltering the fragile child pressed to his chest.
Within the reach of his perception,countless chakra signatures were rushing swiftly toward them.
***