While Mebuki and Kizashi ran toward the shelter with their children in their arms, they could see the chaos consuming Konoha. The desperate screams of parents searching for their children and civilians trying to save their belongings filled the air.
—Kizashi, we have to help the people! —Mebuki said in anguish.
—Mebuki, I know you want to help everyone, and believe me, so do I, but right now we need to worry about our survival and our children's. Especially now that Kiseki awakened the Haruno bloodline.
At the mention of that, Mebuki felt a mixture of joy and deep concern. She loved her son with all her heart, but she wished he had never awakened that bloodline because of the massacre it had brought upon the Haruno clan itself.
—I'm sorry, Kizashi… I didn't think about that. Come on, we're almost there.
Meanwhile, outside the village…
The one who had sent the Tailed Beast Bomb away from the village was none other than the Fourth Hokage. Appearing alongside Gamabunta, the giant toad partially crushed the Kyūbi beneath him.
When Hiruzen saw this, he quickly approached Minato to ask what had happened, but before he could speak, Minato, Gamabunta, and the Kyūbi disappeared.
"The Flying Thunder God Jutsu…"
Understanding the situation, Hiruzen quickly adapted to the chaos around him.
—Recover the wounded! Save as many lives as possible!
As he watched ninjas, civilians, and clan members helping one another, he thought:
"This is the Will of Fire…"
But then he noticed something strange.
Not a single Uchiha was helping.
Combined with the Kyūbi's eyes, this caused Hiruzen's suspicions to grow intensely. He began considering the possibility of an Uchiha rebellion, or perhaps they were trying to weaken Konoha before making a move.
Before he could continue thinking, a Hyūga ninja appeared before him.
—Lord Third! The Kyūbi has appeared ten kilometers south of Konoha!
Hearing that, Hiruzen immediately understood.
"That's where Kushina gave birth…"
He wanted to leave at once, but he feared that if he abandoned the village, someone could attack Konoha or another disaster could occur without anyone capable of managing the situation.
Before he could think further, Koharu and Homura appeared.
—Don't worry, Hiruzen —Koharu said—. We'll handle things here. Besides, Danzō is still inside the village.
—Yes, Hiruzen —Homura continued—. Even if Danzō hasn't helped yet, I doubt he'll simply stand by if something worse happens. After all, there wouldn't be a Konoha left to govern. But without a doubt, we'll make him pay for this.
Hearing that, Hiruzen's expression hardened. He quickly summoned two ANBU squads and ordered the Hyūga ninja to guide them.
As they advanced, everyone wondered how it was possible not to feel the beast's overwhelming chakra presence. But when they finally arrived, they understood why.
A massive barrier, together with Kushina's Adamantine Chains, had completely sealed off the area.
Before Hiruzen could break through to help, he saw Minato performing the seals for the Shiki Fūjin.
—Minato, don't do it! —Hiruzen shouted desperately—. Let this old man fade away so the new leaves of Konoha may continue to grow!
Before completing the final seal, Minato remembered everything that had happened. He remembered fighting the mysterious enemy who possessed the Sharingan and Wood Release, how Kushina had been freed from the seal, and how everything had ended like this.
Originally, he had planned to use a simpler seal and keep the beast contained while continuing to live alongside Kushina and Naruto. But during the battle, that strange man had partially trapped him using Wood Release. From the trees, strange flowers had bloomed, and their fragrance turned out to be poison.
Minato could feel his body failing more and more.
Even if he survived, he would never return to his former strength. At best, he would become nothing more than an ordinary civilian.
And besides…
He couldn't bear the thought of living without Kushina.
He loved Naruto deeply, but even so, he couldn't stop thinking about his wife more than anything else.
That was why, upon hearing Hiruzen's words, he became even more certain of his decision.
—No, Third… this is something I must do myself. Shiki Fūjin Jutsu!
Seeing this, Hiruzen felt immense pain. His greatest disciple was about to die before his eyes.
"Orochimaru… Sakumo… Tsunade… and now Minato… If only I had been faster… if only I had said the right words… Konoha would have been stronger than ever…"
But all of them had either abandoned the village or died because of his own indecision.
Before he could continue thinking, the Kyūbi roared violently as it resisted the seal.
In fury, it thrust one of its claws toward the child while roaring:
—I refuse to be sealed again, especially inside some brat!
Seeing that, Hiruzen tried to use the Adamantine Staff, but he could not break through the barrier created by Minato and Kushina.
Everyone watched in horror as Minato and Kushina stepped in front of Naruto to protect him.
The massive claw stopped only centimeters away from the baby's face.
Hearing all the noise and sensing the danger, Naruto began crying intensely, almost as if he could feel that his parents were about to leave him forever.
—Minato… I can't hold on much longer… —Kushina whispered.
—It's okay, Kushina… Shiki Fūjin: Complete.
Little by little, the Kyūbi began to compress while roaring furiously. It had barely tasted freedom again, only to be sealed once more.
Finally, the beast was reduced to a sphere of chakra and sealed within the small infant Naruto.
Seeing that everything was over, Kushina deactivated the barrier and began speaking to her baby for the first and last time, holding back her tears with all her strength. The ANBU and Hiruzen remained completely silent.
But while this was happening, something occurred that had never happened in the original story.
As Minato looked at Hiruzen, he began making secret hand signals, codes known only to the disciples of the Hokage lineage. Hiruzen paid close attention and managed to understand part of the information regarding the enemy who had attacked Konoha.
The doubts and suspicions he carried slowly began to clear.
However, before they could continue exchanging information, Kushina finished speaking.
—I'm sorry, Minato… I took up your time.
Minato gave a weak smile.
—Don't worry, Kushina. Naruto… your mother just said exactly what I wanted to say too. We love you.
Then he looked directly at Hiruzen.
—Lord Third… please protect our son.
Hiruzen, still processing all the information Minato had passed to him, came back to his senses and answered firmly:
—Don't worry, Minato. I will protect this child no matter what.
—Thank you, Third… —they both said at the same time.
Finally, Minato and Kushina closed their eyes forever.