3 The sacrifice of Minato and Kushina

"After all, Nine Tails represents only half of the sealed chakra. If it were to take Naruto's life as the new Jinchūriki of the Nine Tails at this moment, Minato's seal would automatically become null and void.

Presently, Naruto is but a newborn, unable to even resist, let alone sit up.

Witnessing Nine Tails' menacing claws abruptly lunge towards the vulnerable Naruto, it seemed as if the young child might be reduced to a puddle of flesh upon impact.

'Puff.'

There was a splatter of blood, but it wasn't Naruto's.

Before placing the infant Naruto down, Minato and Kushina, their strength already waning, instinctively shielded their child with their own flesh and blood, acting as a protective barrier.

Nine Tails' razor-sharp claws swiftly pierced their bodies.

Yet, it couldn't advance any further, trapped futilely in front of Naruto.

Naruto's eyes widened, observing this spectacle in stunned silence.

He had previously encountered such a scene, but back then, he was merely a reader engrossed in comics. Now, witnessing it unfold before his eyes, he was profoundly moved.

Could this be the selfless devotion and immense love of parents for their offspring?

"I'm sorry, Naruto, we won't be able to be there with you as you grow up."

Kushina gazed at the little one before her, her son, the very flesh and blood she had given birth to just months ago.

Regret and sorrow filled her voice as she continued, "Naruto, eat well and grow quickly. Don't be a picky eater, remember to take daily baths, get enough sleep, and make friends. You don't need many, just a few trustworthy ones."

"Moreover, my dear, I may not excel, but you must work hard and master ninjutsu. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, so don't lose heart if you struggle with your studies. Show respect to your teachers and elders at school."

"Oh, and there's something vital to remember about the three ninja prohibitions, especially the one about borrowing money. Be cautious with your earnings from missions, and don't start drinking excessively until you're 20. Excessive drinking isn't good for your health. Keep that in mind."

"Now, the most crucial of the Three Prohibitions is related to women. I may not fully understand women, but remember, the world is comprised of men and women. While you'll develop an interest in them, be cautious of unfamiliar women. Seek someone like your mother. And, speaking of the Three Prohibitions, be wary of Mr. Jiraiya."

As Kushina mentioned Jiraiya, Minato, standing behind her, couldn't help but smile, for Jiraiya had been his own teacher, though he refrained from elaborating.

"Naruto, you'll face hardships and challenges ahead, but always maintain your self-assurance and hold onto your dreams. Believe in your ability to make those dreams come true."

"And there's one more thing... there are many more things I wish to teach you, and I wish I could be there with you every step of the way. I love you."

As Kushina spoke, tears streamed down her face. She turned to Minato apologetically, saying, "I'm sorry, Minato, I've been talking non-stop."

Minato, ever patient and loving, smiled and replied, "It's alright, what Dad wants to say is no different from your loving mothers guidance."

Finally, Naruto couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears, crying out loud, 'Wow.'"

His heart was far from being made of steel. He had personally witnessed and experienced this heart-wrenching scene. Touched and shattered by the tragic fate of this family, he was overcome with sadness and empathy. It felt as if this wasn't just a "dream" but an actual event that had happened to him.

Naruto wept uncontrollably, understanding all too well that Minato and Kushina had given up their lives for him.

As Minato sealed a portion of Chakra between himself and Kushina into Naruto's body, and then sealed the last remnants of Nine Tails' Chakra into himself, he was drawn into the belly of the Shinigami along with it.

In the end, the couple fell to the ground and perished together.

On that fateful day, Konoha Village suffered a tremendous loss. Not only did it lose the invaluable combat strength of the Nine Tails Jinchūriki, but it also mourned the passing of the Fourth Hokage, who had recently taken office.

Namikaze Minato had risen to the rank of Hokage, surpassing even the Sannin. He was not just renowned for his strength but was also a symbol of popularity. During the early and middle stages of the Third Ninja War, he had earned the nickname "Konoha's Yellow Flash."

Even other Shinobi villages issued orders: If you encountered him, you were to turn and flee, abandoning your mission without facing blame or punishment.

You see, for ninjas, missions held more importance than life itself. Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Kakashi's father, had forsaken his mission to save his comrades and had been censured by the village. He had ultimately chosen to atone with his life.

The incident with Madara served as a grim reminder of this principle.

Moreover, the destruction caused by the Nine Tails' rampage went beyond measure for Konoha Village. Countless buildings lay in ruins, and numerous lives had been lost.

Even though Konoha Village, under the leadership of the Third Hokage, reacted swiftly by evacuating the populace to prevent further destruction, many brave ninjas had still perished.

After all, it was the Nine Tails.

What's more, in that chaotic situation, there were those who secretly fanned the flames of discord. Not only did they abstain from assisting, but they also redirected nearly half of the Anbu forces and even blocked certain ninja families from entering the battlefield.

If the Sharingan from that family had been available, perhaps the Nine Tails' rampage could have been contained.

Under the guise of Konoha, a certain conspirator had seized this opportunity to inflict immense damage upon the village.

However, all of this was beyond Naruto's understanding; he had fallen unconscious.

After all, he was just a newborn baby. What could a baby possibly do? He had grasped the events transpiring around him, but his fragile spirit couldn't bear the weight, and he slipped into a deep slumber.

Even as he lost consciousness, Naruto couldn't help but wonder: "This is such a vivid experience, but when will I wake up from this dream? Ah, I need to get up early for my morning shift tomorrow and get some 'sleep' now."

Perhaps he still believed he was in a dream?

But this dream felt all too real.

It wasn't until the following morning, when Naruto awoke to the gnawing hunger, that he opened his eyes, revealing a pair of beautiful blue irises, and gazed around in confusion.

The room and ceiling remained unfamiliar. It resembled a hospital, as everything was pristine white. There was a white ceiling, white walls, and a white bed. A young woman in a white nurse uniform sat beside him, a baby bottle prepared.

"Why am I still here?"

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