Konoha Can't Stand Still
With Naruto's permission, Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina exchanged glances before arming themselves and rushing to aid Tsunade, who was struggling in her battle.
They were all shinobi who had grown up in Konoha. No matter what they had experienced in life, the village remained an inseparable part of them.
They couldn't stand by and watch as Orochimaru attacked Konoha, attempting to destroy their home.
Naruto understood this, which is why he loosened the restrictions on the Edo Tensei and allowed Minato and Kushina to engage Orochimaru, hoping to hasten his departure from Konoha.
Although he held resentment toward the village's higher-ups—especially the Third Hokage—Naruto did not extend that hatred to Kushina, who had always loved him.
Since their actions did not interfere with his own interests, he had no issue respecting their choices. Moreover, demonstrating his power now would make future negotiations with Konoha much smoother.
As Naruto arrived at the edge of the Four Purple Flame Formation, he rested his chin on one hand, ignoring the tense ANBU surrounding him, and mentally entered his sealed space.
The Tailed Beasts' Dispute
Inside the sealed space, Shukaku and Kurama were in the middle of a heated argument.
"Hah! If it isn't the so-called mighty Ichibi! Why'd you lose so badly just now? Looks like your Jinchūriki wasn't all that impressive."
"Shut up, you damn fox! What does my Jinchūriki's failure have to do with you? Do you want to fight again? Being sealed inside a human isn't exactly enjoyable, you know!"
Kurama snorted. "Tch, what do you know, tanuki? I chose to stay here. All I have to do is give up a tiny bit of chakra, and in return, I get to roam the shinobi world with Naruto, eating all sorts of delicious food. Can your Jinchūriki offer you that?"
Shukaku's expression darkened.
As much as he despised being sealed inside a human, hearing Kurama brag was even more unbearable. It was true—he hadn't eaten anything good in decades. His past Jinchūriki had either been strict monks or clueless kids who didn't know how to enjoy themselves.
Mulling it over, Shukaku turned toward Naruto, who was observing them nearby. A bold idea came to mind.
"Hey, brat! You took some of my chakra to gain my power, right? If you're willing to ditch the fox, I might consider making you my Jinchūriki instead. How about it?"
Naruto frowned and shot a suspicious glance at Kurama.
Did Shukaku spend so much time in the desert that his brain dried out? Who in their right mind would give up being the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki just to become the host of the One-Tail?
Kurama's eyes filled with mock pity before he turned to Naruto. "Ignore the sand rat, Naruto. If you ever need One-Tail chakra, just take it. I'll handle the rest."
Naruto nodded. With Kurama as the undisputed leader of the Tailed Beasts, he had little to worry about when it came to managing their coexistence inside him.
Still, to some extent, Shukaku's personality was strikingly similar to Kurama's. His mind drifted to the future—his inner world was definitely going to be a lot livelier from now on.
The Bigger Picture
After Naruto exited the sealed space, Shukaku shifted his gaze to Isobu in the distance and spoke meaningfully.
"So, the Three-Tails is here too, huh? That makes three different Tailed Beast chakras inside this kid. Kurama, you better explain what's going on."
Kurama remained expressionless. "I told Naruto to collect Tailed Beast chakra. And yes, it was my idea for him to beat you up."
"…Your idea?"
Shukaku narrowed his eyes, his claws twitching slightly.
Kurama, sensing the hostility, sighed and continued. "Listen before you start throwing a tantrum, Shukaku. This all started a few years ago when Naruto and I encountered White Zetsu—or rather, Zetsu as we know him."
Shukaku's expression grew serious.
Kurama went on, "Not long after, Naruto and I met a shinobi with the Rinnegan. You understand what that means, don't you?"
Shukaku rested his chin on his paw, deep in thought. "You're saying someone's planning to revive the Ten-Tails and turn us all into chakra again?"
Kurama scoffed. "Obviously. Why else would I let Naruto seal you inside him? I don't like sharing a Jinchūriki with other Tailed Beasts—especially not an egotistical tanuki like you."
Despite their usual bickering, when it came to their survival, the Tailed Beasts stood united.
The Battle's Conclusion
While Kurama and Shukaku continued their debate, the battle between Tsunade and Orochimaru reached a stalemate.
Even though Orochimaru controlled Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, Minato and Kushina were formidable opponents. The combination of Flying Thunder God and Adamantine Sealing Chains posed a serious threat to the Edo Tensei bodies.
However, Orochimaru's attention remained fixed on Naruto. The boy's stance in this battle would ultimately decide its outcome.
As Naruto leaped down from the rooftop, Orochimaru stepped back cautiously. Without hesitation, he abandoned his control over Hashirama and Tobirama, choosing to retreat.
His objective had been achieved—there was no need to risk an all-out fight with Naruto.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
"Hiding in Ash and Dust Technique!"
The reanimated First and Second Hokage unleashed jutsu to obscure the battlefield, filling the surroundings with dense foliage and darkness.
However, as Naruto reached the battlefield's center, he casually formed a seal, dispersing the darkness with a burst of chakra.
Just as he prepared to engage Hashirama and Tobirama, their figures vanished like dissipating mist—Minato had likely marked them with Flying Thunder God and transported them elsewhere.
Minato was probably pursuing Orochimaru.
Naruto considered it for a moment but decided against interfering. For now, Orochimaru was still a valuable ally, and there was no need to burn that bridge just yet.
Even if Tsunade wanted to pursue him, she wouldn't dare.
This battle had revealed her biggest weakness—her lack of experience against equally skilled opponents. Against Jōnin and Chūnin, she could dominate. But against other Kage-level shinobi, she struggled.
If not for the intervention of two mysterious warriors, she would have lost to Orochimaru.
She turned toward Minato and Kushina, her eyes narrowing as a vague sense of familiarity struck her.
"Senior Tsunade, it's us—Minato and Kushina," Minato said, offering a small smile.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "Minato and Kushina? But you… you both…"
It didn't take long for her to realize—they had been revived through Edo Tensei.
She had fought against the reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama, only to be saved by other reanimated shinobi.
Her gaze then shifted to Naruto.
Had he known about Orochimaru's attack on Konoha all along? He must have. Yet, he had chosen to watch from the sidelines.
She wanted to question him but hesitated. Naruto was not her subordinate. He wasn't even a Konoha shinobi anymore.
This was not her battle to dictate.
Tsunade sighed and looked at the Third Hokage's body.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had died fighting like a shinobi.
With that thought, she steeled herself. Konoha could not afford to stand still. There was no time to grieve—the village still needed protecting.
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