"It was actually Obito? That must be because of what happened to Rin."
Although he still found it unbelievable...
Since his son had already said so, Minato had to choose to believe it, even if he didn't want to. Reasoning backwards from the outcome, Minato could easily grasp the core reason. Minato had witnessed the relationships between Obito, Kakashi, and Rin in the squad he led back then.
Even though Obito was from the Uchiha clan...
Minato could be certain that in Obito's eyes, Rin Nohara and Kakashi held a status far exceeding anyone else—especially Rin. Minato knew all too well how Rin had died. If Obito had learned that piece of intelligence and fallen directly into darkness, Minato wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.
"However, Menma, what you just mentioned about the three disciples Teacher Jiraiya took in... what is that about?"
Minato frowned, looking at Menma with confusion. He knew about Jiraiya taking in three disciples in the Land of Rain, but he didn't know the specific details.
Jiraiya didn't say much, and with Minato's personality, he naturally wouldn't pry.
But looking at it now, the problem seemed quite significant.
"It's all the inevitable result brought about by so-called war, I guess."
The faces of Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan surfaced in Menma's mind. He shook his head gently, a look of emotion appearing on his face.
Then, he concisely explained the general situation of the three to Minato. He even revealed the relationship between the three and Obito, as well as the mastermind behind the scenes, Madara Uchiha, without any concealment. After all, there were no other outsiders here. By the time anyone else could learn this, Menma would either be dead or victorious, so there was no need to worry about extra risks.
Of course, Menma didn't mention certain unnecessary intelligence.
Including some specific information, Menma narrated it using a speculative tone. He couldn't really make himself out to be a prophet.
Hearing Menma's words, Minato's expression became wonderfully varied.
This Fourth Hokage truly hadn't expected the truth to be so bizarre.
The most important members of a dangerous organization were all related to their Hidden Leaf, and their ultimate intention was actually to collect all the Tailed Beasts.
Minato didn't doubt Menma, nor did he ask where Menma's intelligence came from.
Because it wasn't necessary.
Minato could also roughly guess why Menma was explaining so much.
Immediately, he patted Menma's shoulder gently and said, "Since you are already very clear about the truth of all this, I won't say more. If there's anything you need that I can provide, just say it, Menma."
"Yes, Father. I hope to obtain the core of some important jutsu from you, especially the Flying Thunder God Technique. Also, I hope you can help me break this Eight Trigrams Sealing Style, Father. Although you left the key with Jiraiya, I think as the caster, you should be able to undo this jutsu directly. Additionally, I have another request: when the time is right, I will summon you using the Reanimation Jutsu. I need the other half of the Nine-Tails' chakra sealed within your body!"
Menma looked up at Minato, who was close at hand, and spoke in a deep voice with unprecedented seriousness.
The words he spoke...
Leaving Minato aside for a moment.
The Nine-Tails below, who had been so disappointed by the lack of a more intense father-son confrontation that he was about to fall asleep, raised his head again at this moment. His gaze seemed to look at Menma and Minato very fervently.
Half the chakra amount.
This was split off when he was resealed 12 years ago.
Half remained in Menma's body, and the other half was sealed into Minato's own body, taken away into the Shinigami's belly together.
The main reason Minato did this back then was that Menma was just a newborn. Although he had the dominant Uzumaki bloodline, this was the Nine-Tails, after all. Minato was still somewhat worried that the infant Menma couldn't withstand the full chakra amount of the Nine-Tails.
As for not sealing the other half into Naruto's body, it was because in this life, with Menma present, and Naruto having inherited his blond hair, Minato subconsciously felt Naruto wasn't suited to be a Jinchuriki.
"The other half of the Nine-Tails? Hmm, that's no problem. However, Menma, you have to solve the side effects of the Reaper Death Seal first. Otherwise, you won't be able to summon me."
Minato reacted immediately after his initial daze, then nodded and responded.
"Ah, I understand, Father."
Menma nodded gently in return.
"Also, I will give you the core of the Flying Thunder God Technique you need, along with everything else. Menma, consider this a small final help from me. As a father, I was derelict in my duty. It's understandable if you blame me. But Menma, I still hope you can always stay true to your heart and not go astray. Your life is still long."
Minato looked at Menma with a gentle expression, speaking softly.
The final moment could be felt approaching.
The next second.
Before Menma could say anything more.
Clap!
Minato formed a seal with both hands.
The resulting seal.
Buzz!
This fluctuating aura of chakra permeated the air.
The next second.
After a flash of pale golden light...
Whoosh!
Minato's figure in front of him gradually became blurred.
"Menma, I'm sorry..."
The last words spoken.
The next second.
Minato's figure instantly turned into specks of golden light, rushing toward Menma's body at high speed, merging completely into Menma's body without a trace left.
After Minato's figure disappeared completely...
A look of loss appeared in Menma's pupils.
Without any shared experience, naturally, there couldn't be any so-called sincere familial affection. But this was his biological father, after all. Given that Minato hadn't subjectively wronged him, saying he had no special feelings toward Minato would be false.
This was the first time Menma had truly "seen" his father in this life.
Now, watching his father disappear before him...
Menma's heart naturally felt a little complicated.
"Father, I am destined not to become the existence you expect, but at least I will keep my promise to you—provided that group of pests know their place."
Menma let out a breath of turbid air gently. Clenching his hands slightly and then slowly releasing them, he muttered in his heart.
Immediately after.
Menma turned around and returned to the front of the rune paper with the large character "Seal" written on it.
"Kurama, wait a little longer. I'll break this Eight Trigrams Sealing Style right away!"