Some burdens were finally named. Some bonds were finally acknowledged.
"Big brother Alaric… that big fox looks like it's crying…"
At Naruto's words, Alaric glanced sideways.
The massive body of the Nine-Tails was indeed trembling slightly, shoulders shaking as if it were trying—and failing—to hold itself together.
For a moment, even Alaric didn't quite know what to say.
This was a tailed beast.
One of the strongest existences in the shinobi world.
And it was… crying after getting beaten up.
"Can you have a little dignity as a tailed beast?"
"What are you crying for?!"
Alaric snapped irritably.
The result was immediate.
The Nine-Tails cried even harder.
What had been quiet sobbing instantly escalated into full-on wailing, the sound echoing through the sealing space like Alaric had just committed some unspeakable atrocity.
Alaric's brow twitched.
"Cry again?"
"Keep crying and I'll beat you some more."
The effect was miraculous.
The Nine-Tails shut up instantly.
Though the look it gave Alaric afterward was so resentful it might as well have been dripping with blood.
Seeing that the fox had been completely mentally broken, Alaric decided not to continue testing.
He'd already confirmed what he needed.
Bullying half a Nine-Tails any further felt unnecessary.
He could always test again later—once the fox was whole again.
As that thought crossed his mind, the Nine-Tails suddenly felt a chill run through its fur.
Its hair stood on end.
A terrible premonition crept into its heart.
Alaric turned to leave the cage.
The Nine-Tails almost cried tears of joy.
It's finally leaving.
That monster is finally leaving.
But just as Alaric stepped past the bars, he stopped.
The Nine-Tails' heart nearly stopped with him.
"Oh, right," Alaric said casually.
"From now on, don't interfere with Naruto's training."
"Otherwise, I'll come beat you up every single day."
The Nine-Tails nodded furiously, afraid that even a second's delay would earn it another beating.
Satisfied, Alaric left the cage.
Naruto stared at him with eyes full of worship.
Only then did Alaric remember—
He'd spent so much time beating up the Nine-Tails that he'd forgotten the actual point of coming here.
For Alaric, explanations were a hassle.
Luckily, Naruto already had a perfectly qualified employee inside him.
No reason not to use it.
"Naruto," Alaric said.
"See the seal on that cage?"
"Tear it off."
"Then you'll get all the answers you want."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
With a heart full of anticipation—and no small amount of nervousness—he stepped forward.
Years of loneliness had left him desperate for answers.
Why was he human, yet called a demon fox?
Why did everyone hate him?
Questions flooded his mind as he reached out and tore at the seal.
Rip—
Just as the seal peeled halfway—
A hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere, stopping Naruto.
"Half is enough, Naruto."
Naruto froze.
Standing before him was the Minato Namikaze.
Naruto stared in confusion, unable to understand why the Fourth Hokage was here.
Minato understood immediately.
But instead of explaining right away, he gave Naruto an apologetic smile.
"Come with me, Naruto."
Naruto hesitated.
He looked at Minato, then back at Alaric.
Only after Alaric nodded did Naruto follow Minato deeper into the sealing space.
As Minato turned to leave, he cast a long, meaningful look at Alaric.
Though this was the sealing space, Minato's remaining chakra had been monitoring the Nine-Tails all along.
What he'd just witnessed—
Alaric beating the Nine-Tails senseless—
He had seen it all.
He chose not to comment.
Left behind, Alaric stared lazily at the fox in the cage.
The Nine-Tails nearly shed fur from fright, terrified Alaric might suddenly decide to come back in for another round.
Inside the deeper sealing space, the early timing of their arrival meant something different—
Not only was Minato present.
Kushina Uzumaki hadn't faded yet either.
It didn't take long for Naruto to learn the truth.
About the Nine-Tails.
About his birth.
About the two people standing before him—
His parents.
Naruto broke down completely.
Tears poured out as a family of three, separated by death and fate, finally reunited—if only briefly.
How much time passed, no one knew.
Eventually, Naruto and Minato returned to the outer sealing space.
Naruto's face was bright, happier than Alaric had ever seen it.
Alaric couldn't help but think—
As expected of Minato Namikaze.
A walking sun.
Minato noticed Alaric's gaze and smiled warmly.
"Alaric," he said,
"From now on… I'll be leaving Naruto in your care."
Alaric nodded.
Naruto was his subordinate now.
Of course he'd take responsibility.
No way the main character should be doing everything personally—how undignified.
"Dad," Naruto said seriously,
"I told you—big brother Alaric is really, really a good person!"
"And I'll take care of myself too!"
Minato fell silent.
Guilt. Relief. Gratitude.
Too many emotions tangled together.
After a long pause, he smiled again—warm as sunlight.
"Of course. You're our son."
He reached out and rubbed Naruto's head.
Only then did Alaric speak again.
"Fourth Hokage, your chakra should still be able to last a while, right?"
Minato paused, sensing his condition.
"Yes. Compared to Kushina, I can hold on much longer."
"Good," Alaric said calmly.
"Then you'll train Naruto."
"The Nine-Tails won't interfere anymore."
"No problem, right?"
Minato had no objections.
After learning what Naruto had been through, the guilt in his heart was heavy.
If all he had left to give was his ninjutsu—
Then he'd give all of it.
Training Naruto would also mean staying by his side.
"Then it's settled," Alaric continued.
"Naruto will come train with you at night."
"And one more thing—if you want to maintain your presence…"
"Replenishing chakra should help."
"How you figure that out is up to you."
Minato's gaze drifted to the Nine-Tails in the cage.
After a moment's thought, he nodded.
He already had an idea.
With everything settled, Alaric and Naruto left the inner world.
Back in reality, Naruto looked completely different.
Lighter. Brighter.
And when he looked at Alaric, his gratitude was unmistakable.
Perhaps Minato had said something more to him before they parted—
Because the moment they returned, Naruto spoke earnestly.
"Big brother Alaric! I'll train hard!"
"I'll catch up to you!"
As his words fell, a familiar, pleasant chime echoed in Alaric's mind.
[Ding!]
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