Chapter 169:  the Sage of Six Paths broke the seal 

Minato stood protectively in front of Kushina and Naruto, his expression serious. While the two of them were caught up in their warm reunion, he remained silent and alert, his eyes fixed on Kurama.

Kurama, lying on the ground, glanced at the heartwarming scene between Naruto and Kushina, then turned his gaze to Minato. With a hint of disdain, he muttered, "No wonder your son doesn't like you much."

He kept his voice low, not wanting to ruin the moment. But honestly, Minato really hadn't done a great job as a father. Even after watching everything from inside the seal, he still didn't trust Kurama. Instead of focusing on reuniting with Naruto, his first thought was to be wary of Kurama.

He deserved to get scolded.

Minato looked at Kurama calmly and, to Kurama's surprise, shook his head slightly. In a quiet voice, he said, "I've seen how you've been with Naruto. I know you've changed because of the memories from another world. I've seen it all, and I believe you wouldn't hurt Naruto now."

Kurama tilted his head, surprised.

"But I haven't forgotten the things you encouraged Naruto to do, or how you tricked him," Minato took a deep breath. "I won't let Naruto turn out like you! So don't even think about leading him astray again!"

Kurama: "..."

Wow, so you're not wary of me—you just don't like me!

But too bad, Naruto's already taken after me! Hehehehe...

*Cough* Laughing like that really hurts the throat. Should've eaten a few more Soul Palace elders.

Kurama grinned. "Minato, you've been watching your son for so long. Don't you know his personality by now? Does he even need me to lead him astray? That kid's already got a sneaky streak."

Minato had no comeback. "Regardless, I won't let you influence him anymore."

"Do you even have the power to stop me?" Kurama glanced at him. "If your real body were here saying this, maybe it'd mean something. But you're just a chakra construct. You don't have the ability, you know?"

Minato clenched his fists. He had to admit, Kurama had a point.

He was just a chakra construct, unlike Kushina. She had left behind a large amount of chakra, allowing her to not only talk to Naruto but also use various ninjutsu. But Minato couldn't do the same. The chakra he left behind was only meant as a safeguard to unlock the second seal.

Plus, his memories weren't shared with his real body. His real self had no idea what Naruto had been through. On the other hand, Kushina's chakra, due to the amount she left behind, shared memories with her real body.

In short, what Kushina left in Naruto's seal was her soul, connected to her real self. What Minato left behind was just a bit of energy, something even his real body couldn't sense.

By the way, even if Minato's real body could sense this chakra, it wouldn't matter. His real body had been swallowed by the Shinigami and was currently stuck in its stomach, dancing the "New Treasure Island" with half of Kurama.

"Minato!"

Just then, Kushina's voice rang out, filled with joy.

Minato instinctively turned his head, his previously troubled expression instantly shifting into a bright smile. "Kushina."

Kushina, holding Naruto tightly, happily moved closer to Minato. "Minato, look! It's Naruto, all grown up! He's still a bit young, but he's become the strong, dependable man we always hoped he'd be!"

Her voice was full of excitement, though there was a hint of sadness hidden deep within. Perhaps it was because she couldn't be there to watch him grow up.

Minato nodded gently, his sunny smile turning toward Naruto in Kushina's arms. Seeing the tear stains still on Naruto's face and recalling everything he had witnessed, a deep sense of guilt washed over him. "Naruto, I..."

"Mom, can you let me go for a second?" Naruto suddenly interrupted, looking up at Kushina.

Kushina nodded softly, sensing what Naruto was about to do. "Go ahead."

"Okay," Naruto said firmly. Unlike the vulnerability he showed with Kushina, his expression when looking at Minato was a mix of joy, gratitude, and seriousness. "Dad..."

Minato's face was full of pride. "Naruto."

"Thanks to you, I've been through so much!" Naruto raised his fist and, without hesitation, punched Minato in the face.

Despite his tough words, his tone sounded more like a child throwing a tantrum.

Kushina blinked but stayed silent.

Minato held his left cheek, his face filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Naruto. For Kushina... for the village... I had to do it. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

He had never felt like he made the right choice. Minato always believed he had failed Naruto. But he had no other option.

"Of course, I blame you!" Naruto shouted, clenching his fists. "Do you have any idea how hard it was for me? If it weren't for Iruka-sensei, Uncle Teuchi, the Third Hokage, Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba, Shino, Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, and Hinata..."

"Do you know they're my best friends? If it weren't for them, I would've been bullied so badly at school!"

Minato's face was full of pain. He couldn't bring himself to say that he had always been watching, and he knew Naruto was aware of it too. "I'm sorry..."

That was all he could say.

"Why are you apologizing?" Naruto puffed out his cheeks.

Minato was taken aback. He lowered his hand from his face, unsure how to respond. "I left you alone, sealed Kurama inside you, and let you suffer in the village. And..."

"But did you do the wrong thing?" Naruto's gaze was steady. "Do you think you made a mistake? Do you regret your choices?"

Minato was silent for a long time before finally shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Naruto..."

"I don't think you were wrong either," Naruto said, his eyes still firm.

This time, Minato was completely stunned.

Naruto puffed out his cheeks and turned his head away, looking a little awkward. "Even though I've been through a lot of hardships, I've also met so many friends. Even though you left me alone, you were always there for Mom. Even though you sealed Kurama inside me, it's because of that I became close friends with him."

"Even though I was treated badly in the village, it's because of that I learned how important the word 'bonds' really is."

Naruto took a deep breath, his eyes shining brightly. "You didn't do anything wrong. As a Hokage, as a husband, I think you're really cool. That's why my dream is to become a Hokage as great as you, and then surpass all the Hokage who came before me, earning everyone's recognition!"

"So!" Naruto declared firmly, "You're my favorite father!"

Minato's mouth hung open, unsure of what to say. He just stared at Naruto, as if seeing his son for the first time.

After a moment, he broke into a smile, laughing with pure joy, just like when he first met Kushina. "Naruto, you're also my favorite child."

Kushina stepped forward and hugged Naruto, while Minato wrapped his arms around both of them.

At that moment, their hearts connected, as if a bridge had formed between them. Love and warmth flowed through them, and their chakra glowed like a gentle sun, bathing them in its light.

No words were needed to describe what they were feeling.

Naruto closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of his parents. As the three of them held each other, he opened his eyes and looked at them with a hint of reluctance. "Of course, I'll never abandon my own child like you did."

Minato's body froze.

Kurama, who had been watching the whole scene, finally couldn't hold back a cold laugh. "Heh, don't be so sure about that."

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