Now, he could feel Kushina's care and love directed at him.
The sealing space was silent, except for Kushina's muffled, broken sobs echoing softly.
Minato drew a deep breath, suppressing his anger and grief. He stepped behind his wife, placing one warm hand gently on her back.
His other hand moved slowly, carrying both the weight of understanding and the gentle affection of a father, to Sasuke's head, massaging it with quiet reassurance.
"Sasuke," Minato's voice was low, hoarse but steady, carrying calm strength, "I know this has been an unbearably painful path. But you have walked it, and you have become an incredibly strong ninja. I'm sorry we could not help you along the way."
"Your suffering, we cannot carry it for you. But your very existence is the greatest comfort to Fugaku and Mikoto."
He paused, his eyes filled with both deep sorrow and unwavering determination. "From now on, even if our encounters are brief, you don't have to bear everything alone. Naruto is here, and we are here too."
Naruto had already moved beside Sasuke, his blue eyes shimmering with tears. He was thinking of the past his parents had shared, the despair Sasuke had endured, and the surge of his mother's love at this very moment.
He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, silently offering his strength and support as a brother.
Your brother Naruto is here.
Hinata watched quietly, her own eyes brimming with tears. She stood beside Naruto, moved by this rare, heartfelt solace that crossed the boundaries of life and death.
After a long embrace, Kushina's sobs finally began to calm, though her shoulders still trembled slightly.
She lifted her head, dabbing at her face with her sleeve, her blue eyes now even brighter from the tears.
Gently, she loosened her hold on Sasuke, cupping the young man's face, which carried both his father's sharp features and his mother's elegant refinement.
"Look into my eyes, Sasuke," she said, her voice husky from crying, yet utterly sincere. "The pain of the past cannot be undone, but your aunt and uncle want to tell you this: Mikoto and Fugaku loved you more than life itself, just as Minato and I love Naruto."
"Their greatest wish would never be for you to remain trapped in hatred. You must live for them, and for Itachi, too. Live fully. Protect yourself and pursue happiness. That is the best way to honor them."
Sasuke looked into Kushina's eyes, which mirrored the maternal warmth he remembered from his own mother, filled now with deep, sincere concern. He heard Minato's steady affirmation and felt Naruto's silent hand on his shoulder.
The icy wall around his heart finally cracked, melting just enough to let a faint, long-forgotten warmth seep in: the warmth of being truly understood and cherished.
He slowly, barely perceptibly, nodded. He avoided Kushina's intense gaze, and with difficulty, choked out a short, restrained sound: "...Mm."
At that moment, Minato and Kushina began to emit a faint, gentle light.
Their forms started to fade, becoming transparent.
"It seems our chakra is running out, and we cannot remain here any longer," Minato said with a resigned smile.
"Is there anything else you want to say to Naruto, Kushina?"
Kushina cupped Naruto's face gently, tears mingling with a smile. "Naruto, seeing you now, with this strength, fills my heart with joy. But remember to rest on time."
"Even though you are a capable ninja, you must still take a hot bath after missions to ease your fatigue."
"As for friends, there is nothing to worry about! With Sasuke as a brother willing to face life and death with you, and Hinata as such a wonderful girl by your side, you already have bonds far more precious than I ever could have hoped for."
She playfully tapped his forehead. "Do not overdo your training! But..." She laughed suddenly, "convincing that fox proves my son is far stronger than his mother!"
Her voice lowered into mock sternness. "Remember the Three Prohibitions! Especially with money. Save your mission rewards properly; you will get married one day!"
"And alcohol is only after twenty. Do not overdrink it harms your body, so be disciplined!"
"Most importantly, stay away from Jiraiya-sensei!"
She glanced at Hinata and laughed. "As for girls, now that Hinata is looking after you, I can finally be at ease."
She hugged Naruto tightly. "There may still be storms ahead, but seeing you chase your dreams to this day, I am certain more than ever you will become a Hokage who lights the world."
Minato placed his hand over Kushina's, smiling gently at Naruto. "Your mother has said everything she wanted to, Naruto. Follow the path you have chosen. You have already become our pride."
Watching Minato and Kushina fade together, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata all had tears in their eyes.
Though the meeting was brief, the genuine love Kushina and Minato had for Sasuke and Hinata touched them deeply.
Sasuke, especially, felt grateful for this fleeting encounter with them. For a moment, he could almost see his own parents.
Even a brief moment of love was enough.
Naruto wiped his tears. He had cried more today than in all the years before combined. That was enough.
He clapped his hands once, and the three of them returned to the grassy field under the blue sky. Kurama had calmed down and lay back on the grass.
Seeing Naruto return, Kurama let out a soft snort.
"Kurama, now, let's continue!" Naruto shouted in his usual cheerful voice.
Without hesitation, he floated up, tore off the talismans on the iron gate, and twisted the seal on his stomach with his right hand.
The seal on the gate began to unlock in sections.
Kurama surged forward, eager to break free from the iron gate that had confined him for over a decade.
Hinata and Sasuke watched tensely, prepared to defend Naruto if necessary.
But Naruto remained calm, his gaze fixed steadily on Kurama.
Stretching its massive body, Kurama lowered its head and looked into Naruto's trusting, unwavering eyes. "Are you ready, Naruto? If your mind is consumed by negative emotions, your will could vanish immediately!"
"I'm ready! That is the one I must face, sooner or later!" Naruto answered firmly.
Kurama wasted no more words. Its scarlet chakra poured ceaselessly into Naruto, enveloping him entirely in an instant.
The intense negative emotions once again wrapped around his heart.
The crimson, icy, soul-piercing chakra assaulted him, twisting his vision into darkness.
But at his core, his will, strengthened by the warmth from reuniting with his parents and the trust of his friends, anchored him deep within his soul.
"Ugh..." A muffled groan escaped through clenched teeth as his body trembled violently on the grass in the sealed space.