Naruto: All depends on the Nine-tails Fox

Perhaps the appearance of Minato was so shocking that Naruto's emotions remained in a strange state—neither truly happy nor truly surprised.

Although he couldn't deny that hearing he could meet his father again brought him a certain level of joy, the fact that he had a family, a father, was the best news he could have hoped for!

But to be honest, facing this "ghostly fire" figure, he couldn't quite bring himself to feel entirely happy.

In fact, compared to his reunion with his "father," what shocked him more was the Nine-Tails. He never imagined that the beast within him could actually summon his father's spirit from the afterlife.

This was the first time he had truly encountered a "ghost," and it was eye-opening—so much so that there was even a trace of fear.

"Naruto, it's been a while, and you've grown so much."

Minato's chakra wavered, his tone gentle.

"Dad... wait, are you really my dad?"

Naruto stuttered, still trying to comprehend this surreal scene.

"Minato, maybe you should change your appearance before speaking."

The Nine-Tails finally couldn't hold back, speaking up with a sarcastic remark.

Minato: "…"

"What's wrong?" the Nine-Tails asked, confused.

"Well... it's not that I wanted to appear like this. It seems that I can't quite revert to my human form just yet," Minato explained awkwardly. After awakening, he had rushed to meet Naruto, but now that he was here, he realized his chakra was still in a form that couldn't fully change back to his human shape.

"…Can you at least try a little harder?" the Nine-Tails grumbled, though its actions betrayed its words as it helped Minato adjust his chakra.

As the Nine-Tails' red chakra slowly flowed into him, Naruto looked on in shock as the ghostly fire, which had claimed to be his father, began to gradually reveal a human figure in the light.

Yellow hair, a shade darker than his own, sapphire blue eyes, a straight nose, and lips—he was more mature and handsome than Naruto.

"Ah, wait a minute?"

Naruto stared at Minato and felt a strange sense of familiarity.

[Where have I seen this before?]

When Minato's form solidified and his crimson and white patterned Hokage cloak materialized, Naruto finally recognized him.

It was the faces of past Hokages, carved into the iconic rock faces of Konoha!

"Fourth... Hokage?"

Naruto mumbled, staring at Minato's figure, his Hokage cloak fitting perfectly on him.

"Is that my father?"

In an instant, Naruto's mind raced, thinking about the legendary hero of the Fourth Hokage, the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, the villagers' attitude toward him at first... But it felt as though his mind couldn't quite grasp everything, and all he felt was a sense of chaos.

"So this is how you look... So, you've mastered Sage Mode with the Nine-Tails' help, huh?" Minato smiled gently, his figure returning to normal after taking human form.

His eyes, filled with gratitude, turned toward the Nine-Tails behind Naruto, who simply flicked its ears, seemingly uninterested in interrupting their father-son reunion.

"Are you really... my father?" Naruto continued to stare at him, still dazed, repeating the question.

"Yes, Naruto. No doubt about it. You are my son, Minato Namikaze," Minato said seriously, almost as if worried Naruto might doubt him. "You've worked so hard, Naruto. I've been watching you the whole time."

Minato observed Naruto closely. He had previously entered Naruto's body and used the Nine-Tails' power to activate Sage Mode, but now, seeing Naruto in person, he couldn't help but marvel. Though Naruto's Sage Mode didn't resemble Jiraiya's, it gave off a natural, calm energy that reminded him of his old teacher.

As Minato reached out to pat Naruto on the head, unexpectedly, Naruto acted.

No one could have predicted this moment. Minato didn't expect it, especially since this punch came while Naruto was in Sage Mode. The force of it hit Minato in the stomach, causing him to bend over in pain, his face contorted.

Though Minato was just a chakra form, the pain was transmitted through Naruto's mind to Minato's own chakra, making the sensation all the more real.

"Huh?" The Nine-Tails was taken aback, surprised, yet also intrigued.

[So Naruto reacted like this?]

"You! It's you, isn't it?" Naruto lowered his head, his tone laced with reproach, and there was even a slight quiver in his voice as if he were about to cry.

"Are you angry that I sealed the Nine-Tails inside you, and then left you alone? Did I leave you to grow up lonely, without the happy childhood you deserved? I'm so sorry..." Minato's eyes widened in pain, rushing to apologize, his voice full of regret.

But Naruto withdrew his fist and suddenly embraced his father tightly.

At his age, he could only bury his face against Minato's stomach, but he clung to him with all his strength, crying out: "The voice I always heard in my dreams... was you, wasn't it? I recognized it! I recognized it! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why did you hide it from me?

Why didn't you tell me you were watching over me? That I wasn't alone, that I have a family, that I was growing up under my father's watch... I... I was never alone!"

Naruto's words struck Minato's heart, and he realized what Naruto had truly longed for all this time.

Moved, Minato returned the embrace, holding his son tightly. Minato Namikaze was never one to openly express his feelings, but at this moment, he said nothing.

As father and son embraced, after a long while, waiting for Naruto to calm down, Minato began to speak of his past and mentioned Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki. Naruto, in turn, shared stories from the past year that Minato had never known.

The Nine-Tails quietly watched them, its gaze softening.

The Nine-Tails had lived for a long, long time, with memories spanning two lifetimes. It now regarded Minato and Naruto not just as precious companions, but with a certain elder's mentality.

It had once told Minato not to tell Naruto the truth too early, as it might put the young boy in danger.

But now, Naruto had solid foundations. He had mastered techniques like the Flying Thunder God and Sealing Jutsu, and his Sage Mode had unlimited potential. This strength would only grow with time.

Soon, the threats to Naruto would fade, and the few who could stand as his enemies would be few and far between. As for future foes, once the seal was lifted, they would be no match for him.

So now, Naruto was ready to understand his own life and future. The Nine-Tails was confident that he would choose the right path.