Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

There is great terror between life and death.

The Nine-Tails' former pride was based on the premise that it would not be truly harmed or die.

When true death loomed before him, the Nine-Tails, with its infinite lifespan, finally realized how precious life was and how dignity could not compare to it.

Therefore, Kurama, feeling threatened with death, gave in.

The nine-tailed fox let out a whimpering sound, and even rolled over under immense pressure, exposing its belly like a wild fox.

It used this shameful gesture to express its submission to Xia Zuo.

Seeing that the Nine-Tails had submitted, Xia Zuo stopped suppressing it.

Just now, he had confirmed the immense research value of Kurama by erasing its chakra mark, so naturally he wouldn't kill it.

Even if he dies, Kurama should die on his dissection table.

As Xia Zuo pondered this, he looked around, contemplating how to study the Nine-Tails.

Nine-Tails instinctively sensed a chilling yet murderous terror, growing increasingly afraid of Xia Zuo, to the point that its entire body was trembling.

Seeing Kurama so terrified, Naruto couldn't stop laughing: "Hahaha, that big fox is such a coward, he's even trembling with fear because of Brother Xia Zuo."

Naruto's arrogance made Kurama feel ashamed, but it was truly afraid of Natsume, so angry that its eyes were bloodshot and it didn't dare to turn over.

This kid really knows how to hit people where it hurts, and he's somewhat deliberately ignoring Kurama. But if Kurama really falls out with Naruto, it won't be a good thing.

"Alright, Naruto."

Seeing Kurama shed tears of humiliation, Xia Zuo quickly interrupted Naruto: "After all, Kurama lives in your heart. You should be good partners, not enemies who attack each other."

He looked up at the Nine-Tails and asked, "Is that so?"

Nine-Tails shivered and nodded repeatedly, "You're right! That's exactly it!"

Naruto Uzumaki quickly released the fox tail and loudly replied, "Brother Xia Zuo, I will get along well with the big fox, and we will definitely become the best partners."

Xia Zuo smiled and said, "Very good!"

"Naruto, you will have many more opportunities to spend time with Kurama in the future. Now it's time to meet your parents."

Naruto was struck dumb, his voice trembling as he said, "Brother Xia Zuo, what... what should I do to see my father and mother again..."

Xia Zuo pointed to the talisman on the fence: "Go, tear that paper down, and you'll see it."

Naruto Uzumaki trusted Xia Zuo very much and longed for his parents very much. As soon as Xia Zuo finished speaking, he jumped up and grabbed a corner of the talisman.

Just as the blond-haired boy was about to unleash his power and tear off the talisman, a slender, fair hand suddenly appeared and grabbed his wrist.

A gentle, mature voice rang out: "Naruto, the Nine-Tails' seal cannot be broken."

As Naruto looked at the other person's face, at that warm smile like a little sun, the throbbing of blood ties made him unable to suppress the surge of excitement and affection.

Naruto Uzumaki took several deep breaths to calm his racing heart and asked in a trembling voice, "Are you my father?"

Minato Namikaze replied gently, "Yes, Naruto, I am your father."

Naruto's tears streamed down his face, but he didn't cry loudly. Instead, he tried his best to smile and show his father his smile.

Seeing his son so sensible, Minato Namikaze felt a pang of sadness. He hugged Naruto tightly, stroked his son's hair, and murmured, "Naruto, you're amazing, really, you're the best son. I'm so proud of you."

Xia Zuo couldn't help but nod in approval at Naruto's performance. Naruto Uzumaki did indeed have a gentle side hidden within him, and bringing him to see Minato Namikaze was definitely the right thing to do.

Just as the father and son embraced each other tenderly, a wisp of red chakra leaked from the seal, condensing into a bright red-haired woman.

"Uzumaki Kushina!!!"

The moment it saw the woman, Nine-Tails forgot its fear of Xia Zuo. Anger made its fur stand on end and swell to its limit.

There are always things that are more unbearable than death.

Kushina glanced back at Kurama and sneered indifferently, "Oh, it's you, you stinky fox."

"After all these years, you're still as irritable as ever."

The Nine-Tailed Fox roared in fury: "I'll kill you! I'll definitely kill you!"

"I'm going to kill Minato Namikaze, and I'll kill you all!!"

Kushina Uzumaki shook her head helplessly: "What a stupid fox. We're already dead, do you want to kill two more dead people?"

Nine-Tailed Fox: "(⊙﹏⊙) Aww?"

"Yes, you are all dead. You can't kill the dead."

Suddenly, it had a brilliant idea: "Haha, it's okay, it's really okay!"

"You have sons, and I live in your sons' hearts!"

"Hehehehe, I will kill Naruto Uzumaki, I will definitely kill him..."

Upon hearing Kurama say that he wanted to kill her son, Kushina Uzumaki was displeased and pointed at Kurama.

Golden chains sprouted from the Nine-Tails' body, instantly binding it like a rice dumpling, tightening their grip until even its chakra leaked out.

Kushina Uzumaki reached out, and the Nine-Tails' chakra flowed into her palm, swirling and circling between her fingers like an orange ribbon.

Kurama's anger and frustration reached a new peak: "That's it! It's happening again! You've stolen my chakra again!"

"Damn it!"

"Minato Namikaze, don't you care about your woman?!"

Minato Namikaze put his left arm around his son and scratched the back of his head with his right hand: "Hahaha, Kurama, you're really good at joking."

Kushina was very satisfied with the Fourth Hokage's answer and gave her husband a bright and charming smile.

Then she strode up to her husband and pulled Naruto into her arms: "Naruto, I'm your mother."

Naruto stared at the red-haired woman in disbelief, forgetting even to shed tears or feel excited.

Xia Zuo sighed with satisfaction. He had finally witnessed Kushina's famous scene of taming her husband. The Fourth Hokage truly deserved to be called the strongest henpecked husband in all the generations of Hokage.

But his expression immediately changed.

Listen to the nonsense that Kushina Uzumaki and Naruto are spouting.

She said: Son, never lose to anyone. Your old mom was invincible in the Ninja Academy back in the day.

He said: Son, don't worry about the old man. Your mother used to barge into his office and grab his beard to make demands.

She said: Son, no matter who you like, just go and pester her. With your handsome face, I don't believe any girl can resist you.

She also said: Son, don't be afraid of losing face when you're chasing girls. Your mom never cared about saving face back then, which is why she was able to win over your dad.

The blood-red chili pepper recklessly spewed out adult language, causing Naruto Uzumaki's eyes to widen in shock, while Minato Namikaze covered his face with his hands, too ashamed to face his son.

However, the Fourth Hokage was henpecked. Not only did he not dare to stop his wife from spouting nonsense, but he even showed a sycophantic grin, proving that Kushina Uzumaki was right.