"It's my fault that he's on a dark path, and I know if there's anyone who can bring him back, that person has to be you.
Just make sure Naruto gets stronger, he'll face many problems someday, but I'm confident he'll be alright, because…
Because he's with you." Ryuu's eyes widened, and he wiped the tears from his eyes.
"Big brother…"
This was Minato's message to Ryuu.
Ryuu looked at Kushina.
"Ryuu, you're my favorite kid, it's true, I've always said this to Minato, you've been a younger brother to me.
I want you to become a role model to Naruto, you'll be his elder brother, make sure he doesn't become a picky eater, make sure he bathes every day and stays warm, also, make sure he sleeps well and makes good friends as well.
As long as he completely trusts them, make sure that, unlike me, he studies hard, and make sure he doesn't get depressed because he's not good at something, and when he goes to the academy, make sure he respects his teachers.
Oh, and this is important, it's about the shinobi prohibitions, no alcohol, not until he's of age, too much is bad for him, teach him about lending money, make sure he takes his pay and he keeps it in a savings account.
Another prohibition is women.
I am one, so… I don't know too much about it, keep in mind that this world is made up of men and women and so, at some point, he'll notice girls.
Ryuu, you must make sure you keep him from the bad ones.
Make sure he finds one who's just like me, or… nevermind me, speaking of the three prohibitions, keep him away from Jiraiya-sensei's influence, and that doesn't mean you're perfect too, you know."
Minato weakly smiled at Ryuu.
"Naruto, there will be plenty of hardships and painful times ahead, just stay true to yourself, make sure to have dreams and confidence to make sure those dreams come true, oh Naruto, there's so much.
Oh, so much more… I wish I had time to pass it on to you…
I wish I could stay with you so much longer.
I Love you both so much. Minato, I'm sorry… I used up all your time."
Ryuu was trembling and crying.
"I can still save you both," Ryuu whispered.
Ryuu sat down and crossed his legs, then closed his eyes.
"Ryuu, it's too late," Minato said, but Ryuu didn't listen.
'I'll use the seal I placed on you, Kurama.'
Ryuu formed a hand sign and opened his eyes.
'I can feel it… I can feel Kurama's chakra, but I have to hurry, it's still depleting.'
Ryuu felt a jolt of chakra surging through him, but he also felt the chakra draining from him.
Ryuu activated his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan again.
'Now I have enough chakra to save both of you.' Ryuu teleported them to his dimension.
"Ryuu, what're you doing?" Minato asked.
"Saving both your lives." Ryuu controlled the ash around them and it started attaching itself to their wounds, filling them up.
"This will slow the injuries down and it will at least stop the bleeding."
Ryuu stated as he controlled the ash.
"I don't know what it feels like to be in there. I assume you'll feel like you're in a dream.
I hope it'll be a pleasant dream both of you deserve it.
Big sis… I don't think I'll be able to help you that much… Kurama did a number on you.
As soon as I get enough power, I'll bring you back. I promise!"
Kushina weakly smiled.
"I want Naruto to become a shinobi like you.
You've grown into a fine shinobi, thank you for everything."
Ryuu Covered Kushina's body in a solid cube of ash.
"No… thank you, big sis," Ryuu said as he wiped his tears.
"I don't have enough energy to explain, but from the looks of it.
Reviving you will be easier and faster than Kushina, but I promise I'll bring her back, big brother."
Minato weakly nodded.
"I know you will. Kushina was right, you are an amazing shinobi, please take care of Naruto. I leave him to you, make sure they recognize him as a hero."
Ryuu covered his body and clenched his fist.
The surrounding ash pulled them in and took their bodies to the ground.
Ryuu used his Mangekyou and teleported back near Naruto.
'Kurama's chakra is all done now.
I can still force myself near Naruto…
I think…'
The barrier made by Kushina had fallen, and the Third Hokage and the other shinobi headed towards Ryuu and Naruto.
"Naruto." Ryuu limped towards Naruto.
His Sharingan turned off, his body was extremely sore, and some parts were still bleeding.
'My vision... it's blurry…'
Ryuu held his hand out, reaching toward Naruto.
'I can make it…'
"Ryuu!" Sakumo caught him before he hit the ground.
"Sakumo, take him to Tsunade!"
Lord third said.
Sakumo nodded and left.
"What happened here?" Choza asked.
"Minato sealed the nine tails within his child and then sacrificed himself for his child.
Listen, whatever happens here, don't tell anyone who doesn't need to know, especially before Ryuu wakes up.
He's the only one who can tell us what really happened…
Go! Help the other villagers! Count and tally the deaths and arrange a funeral.
We will conduct an emergency meeting, the village has lost the fourth Hokage, and they will need a new leader.
We've barely recovered from the last shinobi war…
But we settle that after the funerals."
The Anbu members and Jonin nodded and left.
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha compounds, many Uchiha's hid in a shelter.
Shisui sat next to Itachi, who held Sasuke in his arms while his mother and father talked.
"Shisui, have you heard anything about Ryuu?" Shisui nodded.
"I saw him on my way back, Sakumo-sama was carrying his unconscious body.
From the shape, I saw him and that massive explosion that happened earlier.
As impossible as it sounds, I'm guessing he fought someone just as powerful as he is or even more, but it looks like he won in the end.
Just as expected from Ryuu-sensei."
Itachi's eyes widened.
"As powerful as Ryuu?" Shisui nodded.
"Even though he won… I hope he's okay."
"He has to be," Itachi replied.
'Big brother, you said you and I would take responsibility and protect Sasuke, don't die here, there's still a lot more I can learn from you.'
Itachi said to himself as he stared at the moon, holding Sasuke as he slept.
After Sakumo took Ryuu to Tsunade, he ran back to Hiruzen, and Hiruzen handed Naruto to Sakumo.
"Sakumo, take care of this child. I'll go see what happened at the birthplace."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of him. Minato was my son's sensei after all."
Lord third nodded and left to investigate the secret location where Kushina gave birth to see what happened to his wife.
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Tsunade and Ichika were treating Ryuu.
'Ryuu, you better not die here. I won't forgive you if you do.'
Ichika said as she looked at Ryuu's wounded body.
She couldn't even look at the state he was in.
"Do you know who could've done this to him? I've never seen wounds like these," Tsunade asked as she looked at Ryuu's body.
"I don't know who did this, but I know how to find out."
Tsunade looked at Ichika.
"Nobu, show yourself, it's alright, Ryuu trusts my aunt."
Nobu didn't respond.
"Who or what is Nobu?"
"Ryuu is a Jinchuriki of a Phoenix, it's a long story there's no time to explain."
"Ichika." A deep voice called to her and Tsunade.
They quickly looked at Ryuu, and the Phoenix was above Ryuu's body, like an aura of fire hovering above him.
"Tsunade, I apologize for wasting time.
Fighting that person took a toll on both Ryuu and me."
Tsunade nodded.
"How can we save him? I've seen no one survive such injuries."
Nobu kept quiet…
"The truth is, the only thing you and Ichika can do for Ryuu is to support him and restore his chakra.
None of your techniques can save him."
Their eyes widened, but they nodded hesitantly.
"But how do we restore his chakra? It's like it keeps draining itself, we've tried everything."
Ichika asked.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Tsunade opened the door.
"Sensei?" Lord third walked in with a gloomy expression on his face.
"Tsunade, what's his condition?"
"His chakra has completely dried up.
I'm surprised he's still alive, no technique I've done for him has helped his recovery, but I can feel him getting better."
Hiruzen nodded.
"What about you, sensei? What happened?"
"It's Biwako…" Tsunade frowned and clenched her fist.
Tears fell from her eyes.
"I'm sorry, sensei." Hiruzen nodded.
Three Anbu members appeared out of nowhere.
"Lord third, the emergency meeting is beginning." Hiruzen nodded.
"Please inform me of when he wakes up." Ichika and Tsunade nodded.
Lord third left and headed to the Hokage's office.