"Seal!" Be Feng Shuimen roared. His expression twisted in pain, and his body trembled slightly. Clearly, the immense chakra of the Nine-Tails was not something easily endured!
"ROAR!! Aaaahhh!!!"
The Nine-Tails howled in agony as its massive form rapidly shrank, a sign that it was being forcefully suppressed.
"It really is the Dead Demon Consuming Seal… Be Feng Shuimen actually used that technique!" the Third Hokage muttered in shock as he watched the scene unfold.
The Third Hokage was well-acquainted with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Once invoked, the soul of the caster would be devoured by the Shinigami. Realizing this, tears welled in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
Be Feng Shuimen had been a brilliant heir to the Will of Fire.someone the Third Hokage believed could entrust with Konoha's future. And now, such a promising life was about to be extinguished.
Though the Nine-Tails had broken free, Be Feng Shuimen bore some responsibility. But the price he was paying was far too steep.
With the defection of the Sannin and now the impending death of Be Feng Shuimen, Konoha's remaining high-level combat power consisted only of the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo. Perhaps one should now also include Chao Yanqian.
The Third Hokage reflected on Chao Yanqian's actions that day. Though he had once disapproved of Chao Yanqian's decision to let Orochimaru escape viewing him as someone obsessed with power his performance during the Nine-Tails' attack had softened that opinion. Chao Yanqian had fought valiantly on the front lines.
With Konoha's ranks dwindling, the loss of yet another powerful shinobi would leave the village dangerously exposed to future invasions.
Fortunately, thanks to Chao Yanqian's timely intervention, Konoha's casualties had been minimal. Buildings could be rebuilt, especially with the Fire Daimyo's support those were not the real concern.
"Has the seal failed? The Nine-Tails has shrunk, but it hasn't vanished," Chao Yanqian asked, feigning ignorance.
"Be Feng Shuimen likely has another plan in place," said the Third Hokage.
Inside the barrier, Be Feng Shuimen took several labored breaths, then said weakly, "Next comes the Eight Trigrams Seal. I'll seal the Nine-Tails into Naruto."
"Cough!" After holding on for so long, Kushina Uzumaki was barely able to stand. The chakra chains restraining the Nine-Tails had grown weak.
"It's now!" sensing the chains weaken, the Nine-Tails roared and lunged its claw straight toward Naruto.
Thud!
At the critical moment, Be Feng Shuimen and Kushina leapt in front of Naruto, and the Nine-Tails' claw pierced through both of them.
Mustering the last of her chakra, Kushina reinforced the Adamantine Sealing Chains, binding the Nine-Tails tightly once more.
"Damn it!" the Nine-Tails snarled, its power restrained.
Taking advantage of the moment, Be Feng Shuimen summoned the sealing altar and called upon Gerotora, the scroll toad, to record the seal's key.
"So that's his plan… Be Feng Shuimen wants to entrust the future of the village to his own child!" the Third Hokage murmured.
"That child is he Be Feng Shuimen's son?" Chao Yanqian asked.
"He must be. Without Uzumaki blood, no one could endure the Nine-Tails' chakra," replied the Third Hokage.
The Hokage could see that Chao Yanqian respected Be Feng Shuimen deeply, and so he did not hide Naruto's identity from him.
Little Naruto was about to lose his parents. The Third Hokage hoped Chao Yanqian, also an orphan, might one day understand him and give him the support he would desperately need.
"Kushina, I don't have much time left. Let's begin the Eight Trigrams Seal," Be Feng Shuimen said. "I want to leave some of our chakra with Naruto. If there's anything you want to say, do it now."
"Naruto… don't be picky, eat well… grow up strong…" Kushina whispered.
As she spoke, Be Feng Shuimen felt a warmth in his heart. If only none of this had happened… they could have had a peaceful life as a family of three.
"Naruto, what I want to say is… pretty much the same as your naggy mother," Be Feng Shuimen said with a soft smile.
[Eight Trigrams Seal]
As the final sealing technique activated, the massive chakra of the Nine-Tails surged into Naruto's small body, sealing it within him. The barrier around them slowly faded and eventually disappeared.
Seeing this, the Third Hokage rushed toward Be Feng Shuimen, followed by Chao Yanqian and several other Konoha shinobi who had found the scene.
"Be Feng Shuimen" The Third Hokage's voice cracked as he gazed upon the weakening forms of Be Feng Shuimen and Kushina. Words failed him.
"Cough… Lord Third, please take care of Naruto…" Be Feng Shuimen said hoarsely.
With the sealing complete, all of Be Feng Shuimen's strength had left him. His former brilliance seemed like a fading memory.
He let out a sigh, avoiding the eyes of others, and gazed up at the sky. Now that the Nine-Tails had vanished, the dark clouds had begun to disperse. The moonlight broke through once more, casting a cold, sorrowful glow on the village.
There would be no more Fourth Hokage in this world.
"Farewell… Be Feng Shuimen," Chao Yanqian said in a low voice. Even he wasn't sure what he was feeling grief, perhaps, or a strange sense of relief. With Be Feng Shuimen gone, no one would be able to keep him in check.
"Senior Be Feng Shuimen… is there anything else you want to say?" Chao Yanqian asked softly, kneeling beside him.
Be Feng Shuimen shook his head, silently reached out, and gently stroked Naruto's cheek. Then, he finally closed his eyes.
"Sigh," the Third Hokage exhaled deeply. He suddenly looked years older.
"My apologies, Lord Third," Chao Yanqian said as he composed himself. "There's still much to do Be Feng's funeral, rebuilding the village, investigating the one behind this attack… and preparing for any further threats from the other villages."
"You're right," the Third Hokage said, drawing himself up again with renewed determination. "This incident is to be classified as top secret. No one is allowed to speak of it."
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