Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

Rather than saying she was mentally prepared, it would be more accurate to say that Kushina forced herself to face reality.

Fantasy is ultimately just fantasy.

She had already foreseen this day when Minato Namikaze committed suicide with her lover.

[But... I didn't expect it to happen so quickly.]

For her, it might only take a few seconds.

[It should be said that this applies to her in this state.]

But Kushina knew that there was a significant chance that those few seconds... might not even amount to a few seconds.

[If there is such a thing as... then those few seconds of waiting time represent an extremely arduous and lengthy period of growth for Naruto.]

[Actually, Naruto's current appearance surprised Kushina quite a bit.]

I originally thought...Naruto would be short, thin, and very small.

To my surprise, my son has not only grown up, but he's also quite large, showing no signs of malnutrition.

[Leaving aside his strength (chakra) for now, his mental state doesn't seem like he's been corrupted by the Will of Fire.]

To do all this...it must be incredibly difficult and exhausting.

[Because of the close proximity, Naruto was able to sense Kushina's emotional changes almost instantly.]

[He sighed inwardly.]

【"never mind.'】

[The finger twitches slightly.]

[Then, outside the golden sphere (Kushina's sealed space).]

[Minato Namikaze, who had been restrained, suddenly shuddered.]

The body became increasingly solid.

Of course, Minato Namikaze was oblivious to all of this. At that moment, his eyes were vacant as he stared at the small golden sphere, lost in thought.

"I'm sorry... Naruto, Mommy can't always be by your side to watch you grow up... I can't always protect you..."

Before Naruto could even speak, Kushina couldn't help but start talking herself.

That little pearl just fell off like that.

"Let's put that aside for now... let's break the seal on the Nine-Tails first."

Kushina wipes away her tears.

Naruto: "..."

Is it because your thinking jumps around quickly?

Or is it... a test?

If I've truly been bewitched by the great fox, then once the sealed gate is opened, the great fox will definitely be unable to resist, and I will reveal my weakness.

Judging from Mom's current chakra levels... if combined with sealing techniques, it should be enough to reseal the giant fox.

Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze is still outside, and should such an event occur, he can immediately modify the 'key' to the inner four-element seal.

【"good."】

Breaking his train of thought, Naruto nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Kushina happily took Naruto's arm.

[They took a few steps forward with Naruto, and then the golden world shattered, revealing Naruto's sealed space.]

The placement of this item is very deliberate.

Minato Namikaze was nowhere to be seen.

Kushina arrived at the sealing gate, looked at the 'Four Symbols Sealing Lock' with the sealing talisman torn off, and pondered for a while, stroking her chin.

"I see, it's not too difficult..." Kushina said, forming a few hand seals and placing her hands on the 'lock'.

[After a few breaths.]

The four elemental seals opened on their own.

[Bang—]

The two massive iron gates opened by themselves.

Naruto felt the changes within his body.

The great fox's chakra seemed to merge with his own chakra the moment the Inner Four Symbols Seal was released.

The subtle damping sensation is gone.

Furthermore... Naruto sensed a qualitative change in the chakra that the giant fox could transfer.

[It seems I've unlocked a new Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.]

"Okay~"

Kushina turned around, the large fox with its back to her now facing Naruto, a faint smile playing on her lips.

[As expected, he still had the intention of testing us.]

Naruto felt a warmth in his heart.

That "Mom" was definitely not a mistake.

"Don't worry, Mom, the big fox and I are already one."

Hearing this, Kushina nodded, "I know, my son is the best~"

Naruto had heard praise many times, but this was the first time he'd received praise like this.

It takes some getting used to.

However, you'll get used to it.

[He noticed the hesitation deep in Kushina's eyes.]

Naruto decided it was best to take the initiative and cut the Gordian knot.

[Then, Naruto raised his hand. "Mom, Ninjutsu, please."]

"And...don't resist later."

"Everything you want to know will be there."

"Also... for the other decision, you don't need to ask me; just make the decision for me."

【Om—】

As soon as he finished speaking, Minato Namikaze appeared before the two of them.

[Is this the power after the seal on the Inner Four Symbols is broken?]

Naruto was just testing the waters, but he didn't expect Minato Namikaze to actually teleport over.

Kushina paused, then her gaze softened as she looked at Naruto.

However, she didn't even glance at Minato Namikaze standing before her.

【"good."】

【clatter--】

Kushina's fist collided with Naruto's fist.

At the same time, Naruto's hand was also lifted by Naruto's chakra, clenched into a fist, and they bumped fists.

"Alright, let's begin." The big fox rolled its eyes incredibly fast when it saw Minato Namikaze bump fists with Naruto.

[Minato Namikaze, after exchanging fist bumps, regained his focus.]

[Just about to speak.]

"Don't resist," Naruto said.

Although they were doomed from the moment they joined the Ninja Clan, Naruto still offered a word of advice.

Upon hearing this, the two fell silent.

[A moment later.]

Naruto set Kushina and Minato aside.

The big fox curled its lip and said, "Kushina is one thing, but why keep that guy around?"

"Okay, I think we should leave the decision to Mom."

"Remember to keep an eye on their condition, and help replenish their chakra if they're lacking it."

Since that's been said, the big fox could only pout and express its dissatisfaction.

Naruto shook his head and smiled, then looked at Kushina.

At this moment, both Kushina and Minato Namikaze were trapped in a genjutsu world.

[Anything you want to say, anything you want to ask, you can find the answers here.]

[Slightly calm your mind and enter the world of illusion.]

[With just one glance, Naruto saw Kushina's chakra, which was now raging with anger.]

This was just the beginning, shortly after Naruto was old enough to remember anything, the day he was expelled from the Sarutobi clan's territory.

[He didn't linger for too long, nor did he let Kushina and Minato Namikaze notice him.]

Orochimaru: "Kushina will definitely break down."

Orochimaru: "If it's this serious even through the screen, how much worse must it be when we're just watching helplessly?"

Heitu: "Place your bets! Place your bets!"

Kurotsuchi: "Will Minato Namikaze be kept alive?"

Heitu: "Place your bet now!"

The atmosphere, which had been somewhat serious, suddenly changed when Hei Tu appeared.

Naruto Uzumaki: "I bet... Mom will keep him."

Naruto Uzumaki: "However, he definitely won't have an easy time. Maybe... he'll be even worse off than the future Second Hokage."