Chapter 325: Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails (Part 1)
Hokage's Office.
Minato Namikaze and Hinata Hyuga exchanged glances.
"Well, I'll be leaving then."
Realising his trip was in vain, Minato gave a helpless smile and turned to leave.
"Please, take care." Hinata stammered, bowing to Minato.
At that moment...
"Fourth Hokage, did you meet Naruto that quickly? Are you having trouble finding topics to discuss with your son?"
As a voice echoed from outside the door, a figure wearing a rabbit mask, Black Zetsu, walked in.
"You're the ANBU member from the Sixth Hokage's side."
Minato's eyes narrowed.
"Since you're done here, please follow me. Dan-sama is waiting for you." Black Zetsu gestured politely.
"Lead the way." Minato replied calmly.
Thus, the two left the Hokage's Tower, quickly arriving at the massive underground palace behind Konoha.
"What is this…"
Minato looked up in astonishment at the towering, terrifying statue in front of him. The chakra it emitted made him uneasy.
Black Zetsu also observed the statue, but from its perspective, the withered statue was beautiful and enchanting.
Facing Minato's question, Black Zetsu removed its mask and explained with a sigh:
"This is the shell of the Ten-Tails, also known as the Gedo Statue.
It had been sealed within the moon for thousands of years. Until our great Sixth Hokage shattered the moon with a punch, it finally saw daylight again.
Now, the Gedo Statue has absorbed eight Tailed Beasts; only the Nine-Tails remain.
And that is why you are here."
Black Zetsu glanced at Minato mockingly, like a lamb to the slaughter.
Minato was undoubtedly shocked.
So, if this statue absorbs the Nine-Tails from within him, it will fully revive and become the legendary Ten-Tails?
Minato knew well how terrifying the Nine-Tails' power was. He and Kushina had risked their lives to seal it barely.
And the Ten-Tails, a fusion of all nine Tailed Beasts' chakra plus the Gedo Statue's body, what kind of monster would that be? Unimaginable.
"Where is the Sixth Hokage?"
Minato took a deep breath and asked.
"Don't worry, here he comes." Black Zetsu pointed to the air.
Just then, a vortex appeared in the air, and a majestic figure descended. It was the Sixth Hokage, Dan Uchiha.
Seeing this, Minato's eyes narrowed.
Such a technique, is it some sort of space-time ninjutsu?
He had heard from Kakashi that the Sixth Hokage could freely traverse space, having once transported Naruto and Madara Uchiha to the moon.
Compared to his Flying Thunder God Technique, Dan's ability seemed superior. After all, the distance between Konoha and the moon was at least hundreds of thousands of kilometres.
Minato's Flying Thunder God couldn't reach that far.
Kakashi intended to warn Minato that even his Flying Thunder God might not ensure freedom in the face of the Sixth Hokage.
However, after witnessing Konoha's changes, hearing Kakashi's accounts, and meeting Naruto, Kogu, and others, Minato was less resistant to handing over the Nine-Tails.
As long as the Sixth could provide a satisfactory answer.
Thus, upon seeing Dan, Minato stepped forward and straightforwardly asked:
"Sixth Hokage, are you planning to revive the Ten-Tails and become its Jinchuriki?"
Despite hearing many rumors, he needed to confirm it from Dan himself.
"You could say so."
Dan looked down at Minato, responding calmly as if discussing something trivial.
But Minato frowned and questioned intensely:
"Don't you think it's dangerous? Are you confident you can control the Ten-Tails and not be controlled by it?"
"Hmm, you have a point. I've worried about that too."
Dan replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, and gave Black Zetsu a meaningful look.
Needs improvement.
Black Zetsu was alarmed. Its plan was about to succeed, and Minato's words couldn't disrupt it.
It sneered, mocking Minato:
"You know nothing of the Sixth Hokage's power. He is the strongest ninja in history. Even if the Ten-Tails revives, it's just a tool in his hand.
Moreover, the Sixth's revival of the Ten-Tails isn't for immortality or invincible power as rumoured, but for—love."
"Love?"
Minato was stunned, standing in place.
"Black Zetsu."
Dan's face turned displeased, reprimanding, "This is my private matter. How could you mention it to others?"
"Sorry, I got too excited and couldn't help but say it. I was wrong, Father."
Black Zetsu immediately apologized, kneeling on the ground.
"Father?"
Minato was even more confused, mouth agape, face filled with shock and bewilderment.
"Sigh."
Dan sighed, waving his hand at Black Zetsu, "Leave us. I need to talk to Minato alone."
"Yes, Father."
Black Zetsu didn't dare disobey; he stood up and obediently left.
Watching Black Zetsu's retreating figure, Dan's expression was a mix of amusement and disdain.
Then, without moving his lips, his voice echoed in Minato's mind:
"That guy has lived for over a thousand years, a liar. To accomplish an evil plan, it's willing to kneel before me, calling me father."
What?
Minato was further shocked, "Then why do you…"
"Just playing along."
Dan resumed, "Black Zetsu plans to ambush me after I become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, using me as a sacrifice to revive its mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki, the progenitor of chakra.
She ruled the world for over a thousand years until she was sealed by her two sons, the Sage of Six Paths and his brother.
Unfortunately, the first thing I'll do with the Ten-Tails' power is kill that thing."
"I see."
Minato murmured, processing this astonishing information, slowly understanding everything.
After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but ask, "Must you revive the Ten-Tails? What if something goes wrong…"
"I must, because the ninja world faces a greater threat." Dan's expression remained calm, resolute.
"Who?"
Minato asked, unable to imagine who could make the powerful Dan wary.
"Kaguya's kin, they come from outer space, aiming to plunder the ninja world's chakra and kill everyone."
Dan's casual words were chilling.
"..."
Minato was utterly shocked.
He didn't doubt Dan's words, as there was no need for lies.
And so...
"I understand. What do you want me to do?" Minato took a deep breath, spread his hands, and decided to hand over the Nine-Tails within him.
"Just stand still."
Dan's eyes suddenly turned to the purple Rinnegan, which resembled tree rings and emanated a mysterious and noble aura.
In the next second.
"Roar!"
The Gedo Statue behind him let out a roar, awakening abruptly from its slumber, and opened its abyssal mouth.
Then.
A chakra dragon shot out from the statue's mouth, piercing Minato's body, lifting him off the ground and causing him immense pain.
The Yin half of the Nine-Tails within him was extracted, and despite its futile struggle, it was slowly drawn towards the Gedo Statue.
This process lasted for several hours.
Finally.
When the Yin half of the Nine-Tails was completely devoured by the statue, the chakra dragon disappeared, and Minato fell to the ground with a thud.
As an Edo Tensei body, even having the Tailed Beast extracted from him wouldn't kill him, after all—
He was already dead.
"Hah...hah..."
Minato supported himself on the ground, gasping for breath, and looked up to see the Gedo Statue's nine eyes opening one by one, exuding a soul-stirring aura.
The Ten-Tails was about to awaken from its slumber.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Dan paid no attention to the changes in the Ten-Tails behind him and instead focused on Minato, asking.
Minato smiled with relief:
"My mission is complete, isn't it? So, I'll return to the Pure Land to be with Kushina."
"Alright."
Dan nodded.
"Sixth Hokage, I wish you all the best. The future of the ninja world is in your hands."
Minato glanced at the Gedo Statue, solemnly speaking to Dan, then added somewhat sheepishly, "And please, take care of Naruto."
"Don't worry, Naruto has the reincarnated chakra of Asura, the Sage of Six Paths' second son, so he is destined to be a main player on the stage of the ninja world. After all... this is a world that values bloodlines, isn't it?"
Dan said indifferently.
The information he casually revealed undoubtedly shocked Minato once again.
After a long while, Minato regained his composure and finally felt at ease.
"Then... goodbye."
With those words, his body disintegrated into dust, his soul transforming into a white light that slowly ascended.
If a deceased person revived by Edo Tensei fulfilled their wish and resolved their regrets, the technique would automatically dissolve.
After the Fourth Hokage disappeared.
"Come in."
Dan called out towards the hall entrance.
"Father."
Black Zetsu, waiting outside, eagerly ran in. Upon seeing the Gedo Statue's nine eyes open, it was overjoyed.
Clearly.
It hadn't overheard Dan and Minato's conversation, as their communication was almost entirely telepathic within Minato's mind.
Otherwise, Black Zetsu wouldn't be so happy.
"Although missing half of the Nine-Tails' chakra isn't perfect, my chakra should fill the gap. Gedo Statue, Nine Tailed Beasts, after so many years, finally gathered."
Dan looked up at the statue, speaking to himself.
His words fell on Black Zetsu's ears, making it even more delighted. Then, cautiously, it asked:
"Father, when do you plan to start..."
"Of course, right away. Why wait?"
Dan said decisively, his eyes burning with determination, "After all, I've been yearning to see Kaguya for so many years."
Hmph, you think you can commune with Mother, self-righteous fool.
Black Zetsu sneered inwardly but outwardly remained excited, continually flattering Dan:
"Mother will undoubtedly fall in love with you the moment she sees you, I guarantee it."
Its strategy was to flatter Dan relentlessly, making him overconfident and believe he controlled everything.
Because.
Kaguya Otsutsuki was the progenitor of the chakra. Every living being in the ninja world, whether Tailed Beasts, ninjas from the Five Great Nations, or even Dan Uchiha, their every bit of chakra—
Originated from Mother.
She had absolute control over the chakra.
Thus, Black Zetsu firmly believed that once Mother was revived, she would reclaim her chakra immediately, and no one could resist.
Dan Uchiha, dreaming of the impossible, was on a path to ruin.
Clap.
Dan snapped his fingers, and two ANBU members silently appeared, kneeling on one knee, awaiting his orders.
"During my fusion with the Ten-Tails, there might be some commotion, so preparations are necessary. Gather everyone."
Dan instructed, staring at the Gedo Statue.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The two disappeared in a flash.
Soon.
The Uchiha clan members, including Fugaku, Itachi, and other Mangekyo Sharingan wielders, arrived.
Kakashi also brought a group of ANBU to set up a perimeter and prepare for village evacuation if necessary.
Additionally, with Dan's permission, Naruto and Konan arrive at the underground palace to witness his transformation into the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Is it starting?"
Tsunade's voice echoed as she hurriedly arrived with her disciples, Shizune, Anko, and Karin.
With such an event, Tsunade would take it.
"Tsunade-sama, if Hokage-sama encounters any mishap, please be ready to assist."
Kakashi whispered his request. If Dan failed, Tsunade might be the only one who could help with her unparalleled medical skills.
"I'll see what I can do. Kakashi, you're becoming more loyal to him."
Tsunade glanced at Kakashi mockingly, then turned her gaze to Dan standing atop the statue, murmuring to herself,
"He's really doing it. Isn't he afraid of becoming a monster after merging with the Gedo Statue? No, he's already a monster."
"Konan-sensei, do you think the Sixth Hokage can succeed?"
Naruto asked gravely, sensing the violent energy within the statue—its soul awakening after absorbing the Nine-Tailed Beasts' chakra.
Even the power of the Rinnegan might struggle to suppress the revived statue.
Konan responded in her cool voice:
"Wait and see.
But, if Dan Uchiha fails and the Ten-Tails go berserk, bringing disaster to Konoha or the entire ninja world...
Promise me, Naruto, don't intervene. Escape with me immediately."
(End of Chapter)