Clang!
After two fierce clashes, Naruto and Minato separated immediately.
At this moment, Naruto had already entered the full-power Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, while Minato had not.
This was because he hadn't obtained the recognition of the Nine-Tails within him this time.
After all, the Nine-Tails was completely on Naruto's side now, and its resentment toward Minato ran deep.
The reason Minato was able to use Sage Mode in the past was because he had reconciled fully with the Nine-Tails.
As for making progress in that regard now... Minato simply had no time to think about it.
Looking at Naruto with a heavy expression, Minato said, "Naruto, I really don't want to fight you."
"Don't want to fight? Fine," Naruto sneered.
"Then stand by my side, and let me see if you truly don't care about Konoha!"
Minato fell silent. As the Fourth Hokage, betraying Konoha was something he could never do.
Seeing his hesitation, Naruto's smirk deepened.
"Hey, have you ever wondered why your location was leaked on the day I was born?"
Minato's expression froze. Of course, he had been puzzled by this.
Naruto's birth was a major event for Konoha, and only a handful of people knew the exact location.
Yet somehow, at the exact moment Naruto was born, that masked man had appeared to attack.
It was no coincidence.
"My teacher already found out," Naruto said coldly. "The one who leaked your location was Danzo!"
"And my dear Third Hokage knew about it afterward!"
Minato's eyes widened. "Don't talk nonsense, that's impossible!"
Naruto's gaze didn't waver. "Ever since I followed my teacher, he's told me many of Konoha's secrets. Think about it — since you became Hokage, have you ever truly had control of Konoha?"
"The Third was always by your side, meddling in your affairs, using your position as Hokage to wield his own power."
Minato stayed silent. He wasn't a fool — deep down, he had already realized as much when he was alive.
"And Danzo," Naruto continued, "has always coveted the Hokage's seat. You were younger, your wife was a jinchuuriki, you were the darling of the Hokage faction, and you were the greatest hero of the Third Great Ninja War. In age and qualifications, you were no match for him."
"So only if you died could he have a chance to become Hokage."
Minato closed his eyes. As much as he didn't want to admit it, his reason told him Naruto was right.
Naruto's voice grew colder. "Those two old relics never intended to give up power. And to get the Nine-Tails jinchuuriki, they've always been scheming. Konoha's so-called leaders — do you really want to be their dog?"
Minato's body trembled. "Things are different now," he said. "The First and Second Hokage have been resurrected. They'll punish Danzo and the corrupt leadership, and give Konoha a new beginning. Naruto, I beg you, believe in me just this once — let's rebuild Konoha together."
But Naruto's expression didn't soften.
"If you're prepared to rebuild Konoha," he asked, "why not join my teacher instead? My teacher has declared openly: 'What I want to change is the pattern of this world!' It won't be long before the entire ninja world is united under him — and then there will be a true world without war."
"That's just Kaede deceiving you!" Minato snapped. "Think carefully — he sent an eight-year-old to the battlefield, filled your heart with hatred. That's proof he doesn't care about lives, that he has no kindness in his heart!"
"You're wrong," Naruto replied coldly. "I came here to bring down Konoha and to honor my teacher. My teacher has never filled me with extreme ideas. My enemies are only Konoha. If he truly wanted me as a tool, I wouldn't be wasting time talking to you now."
Naruto's voice softened slightly. "He told me that no matter what, my mother and I are my family, and he would never have me harm you. And since you gave me life, I will never disrespect you."
"So…" Naruto extended his hand toward Minato. "I don't hate you. There's no need for us to fight."
"...Naruto." Minato's eyes grew moist, a tear slipping down his cheek. For the first time, he felt that Madara's feelings toward Naruto might be genuine.
But then his gaze drifted to the frightened villagers of Konoha.
He was Hokage — he had to protect them.
Caught between his son and his people, Minato felt suffocated.
Seeing this, Naruto's expression darkened. He sighed, closing his eyes. "Then let's just wait and see."
Minato frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The outcome of this war isn't for you or me to decide," Naruto said. "It will be settled between my teacher and that man."
Minato smiled faintly, sensing that Naruto didn't truly want to fight him. "If your teacher loses, will you come back to Konoha with me? I promise, the past will never repeat itself."
Naruto hesitated — then an idea flashed in his mind. "I can agree. But if that man loses to my teacher, you must join me."
"Alright," Minato said with a smile. "This is a promise between father and son. And… I hope that one day, you can call me 'Dad.'"
"Tch!" Naruto turned away with a proud snort. "I haven't acknowledged you yet!"
But in his heart, he still longed for a father's love — so he didn't refuse outright.
He also remembered something his teacher had once told him: in this world, there was a great power that could bring the dead back to life.
"I hope one day," Naruto thought silently, "you can truly become the father I recognize…"
(End of Chapter)
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