Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

He wanted to find Orochimaru immediately and crush this venomous snake who dared to covet his brother.

But reason told him that now was not the time.

The Third Hokage infiltrated Konoha a few days ago after realizing that Orochimaru was hiding among the examinees.

Therefore, the Anbu had already been instructed to strengthen security in the village, and besides, they couldn't find where Orochimaru was hiding.

Acting rashly would only alert the enemy and could even put Sasuke in a more dangerous situation.

"I tried to temporarily strengthen the seal on its surface using the power of the Sharingan, which can slightly suppress its activity and its erosion of your mind."

Itachi looked at Sasuke's pale face, a hint of heartache flashing in his eyes: "But this is only a temporary measure. To eradicate or completely control it, we need a more powerful sealing technique or... to find the caster himself."

Sasuke gritted his teeth, enduring the lingering pain from the seal, but his eyes remained even more determined: "As long as my brother is here, I will try my best to control the cursed seal!"

"Don't be blinded by power, Sasuke."

Itachi stroked Sasuke's head, his voice softening considerably: "The power of the Cursed Seal is inherently evil; using it is like drinking poison to quench thirst. This past month, focus on enhancing your own power and solidifying your foundation—that's the key. As for the sealing..."

Itachi's gaze seemed to pierce through the wall, looking towards a certain direction in Konoha: "Perhaps... there is another way."

Sasuke looked at Itachi with a puzzled expression.

Tonight, I'm going somewhere.

Itachi didn't explain, but simply told Sasuke, "You should rest well and not force yourself to train. The cursed seal has just been suppressed and needs to be stabilized."

After saying that, he turned around silently, just as he had appeared, and his figure disappeared into the shadows.

Sasuke looked at the spot where Itachi had disappeared and touched the cursed seal that was temporarily dormant behind his neck.

He decided to follow his brother's advice first, since his brother would never harm him.

Chapter 98 Jiraiya's Warning and Minato's Help

In the stillness of the night, Konoha Village fell into slumber.

Only the occasional footsteps of patrolling ninjas echoed through the silent streets.

In Naruto's small apartment, deafening snoring filled the air.

Jiraiya lay sprawled on the only bed, drool dripping onto the pillow, clutching the book "Make-Out Paradise" in his arms.

Naruto, wrapped in a blanket, was curled up on the floor mat next to the bed, sleeping soundly as well.

A satisfied smile still lingered on his lips, clearly indicating that the eight bowls of ultra-luxury ramen had had a remarkable effect.

A ghostly figure appeared silently outside the apartment window.

The moonlight shone down, illuminating Itachi Uchiha's handsome but expressionless face.

His crimson Sharingan shone like two will-o'-the-wisps in the darkness, silently watching the two people sleeping soundly inside the room.

His goal was clear—Naruto Uzumaki.

More accurately, it is Naruto's ancestor, Uchiha Madara.

And... the chakra soul of Minato Namikaze residing within it.

To completely resolve the troublesome cursed seal on Sasuke, especially the part involving mental erosion.

The Fourth Hokage, who is proficient in sealing techniques and has a unique soul state, might be able to provide crucial assistance.

Itachi's figure blended into the shadows like smoke, and the next moment, he appeared directly in Naruto's small bedroom.

His movements were as light as a feather, without making the slightest sound.

His Sharingan swept over the sleeping Naruto and the snoring Jiraiya, and after confirming that they were indeed the same person, he slowly raised his hand.

A tiny amount of chakra gathered at his fingertips and approached Naruto's forehead.

This is a secret technique of the Uchiha clan.

Itachi wanted to briefly connect with and enter Naruto's mental world without waking him.

However, just as his fingertips were about to touch Naruto's forehead!

"Tsk tsk tsk... sneaking up to my apprentice's bedside in the dead of night... Itachi-kun, that's not a good habit."

A lazy yet incredibly sharp voice rang out behind Itachi like a ghost!

Itachi's movements froze instantly!

A chill ran down my spine and straight to the top of my head!

He turned around abruptly, and his Sharingan instantly activated to its maximum!

Just moments ago, Jiraiya was snoring loudly in bed, but now he was sitting up!

There was no trace of drunkenness or sleepiness on his face.

Those eyes that usually carried a slightly lewd smile.

At this moment, it was as sharp as a hawk, flashing with an all-knowing glint, looking at him with a half-smile!

A massive and subtle chakra surge, as vast and deep as a mountain or ocean, silently locked onto Itachi like an invisible cage!

The atmosphere in the room instantly plummeted to freezing point! The air seemed to solidify!

The weasel's nerves were stretched to the limit, and all the muscles in his body were ready to be used.

He had no chance of winning against one of the legendary Sannin.

But he didn't panic. His Sharingan calmly analyzed the situation, looking for an opportunity to escape or explain himself.

Jiraiya slowly got out of bed, stretched his limbs, and made a few soft cracking sounds.

He walked up to Itachi, his tall figure exuding a strong sense of oppression.

He looked Itachi up and down, his eyes playful: "Let me guess... that bastard Orochimaru planted a troublesome cursed seal on Sasuke, and you, his 'good older brother,' are helpless, so you want to ask 'that person' inside Naruto for help?" His words were like a thunderclap, directly exposing Itachi's purpose!

Itachi's pupils constricted sharply! Jiraiya knew it!

He actually knew the secret within Naruto! He knew about Minato's existence!

Seeing Itachi's reaction, Jiraiya's smile deepened, carrying a hint of understanding and... a complex and profound meaning.

"Looks like I guessed right. Don't be nervous, Itachi." Jiraiya waved his hand, and the terrifying pressure that had been locking onto Itachi receded like a tide, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly relaxed.

"Since you know about the 'tenant' inside Naruto's body, and you also know that Minato is still here..."

Jiraiya's tone became casual, as if he were talking about his neighbor: "That means you're not an enemy. At least... we have a common goal in protecting Naruto."

Itachi remained silent, his Sharingan still warily watching Jiraiya, but his tense body relaxed slightly.

He understood that since Jiraiya had brought it up, it meant there was room for negotiation.

"Want to go in and talk to him?"

Jiraiya pointed to the sleeping Naruto, then to his own head: "Okay. But..."

His tone shifted abruptly, his gaze turning unusually serious: "Remember, your purpose is solely to seek help in resolving Sasuke's problem. Don't harbor any ulterior motives, and don't try to provoke those other two 'troublesome tenants,' especially that short-tempered old man. Naruto's mental state is fragile right now and can't withstand any further turmoil. If I sense even the slightest threat from you..."

Jiraiya's tone suddenly turned cold, "Even if you are Uchiha Itachi, I will show you what the wrath of a 'Sage' is."

This is both a warning and a permission.

Itachi gave Jiraiya a deep look and nodded. He understood the weight of the words. "I understand. I know my ancestor's personality."

Jiraiya waved his hand, sat back down on the edge of the bed, and even yawned again, as if the tense standoff had never happened: "Be quiet, don't wake my apprentice. He's tired enough today."

After saying that, he actually closed his eyes again, as if he was about to fall asleep again. However, a sharp glint still flashed in the slit of his slightly open eyelids, like a tiger in a slumber, always on guard.

Itachi no longer hesitated. He turned to Naruto again, and this time, there was no obstacle.

He extended his slender fingers, the tips of which were enveloped in gentle spiritual energy, and gently touched Naruto's forehead.

An extremely faint chakra fluctuation spread out.

Itachi's consciousness quickly connected with the sealed space.

When Itachi opened his eyes again, the familiar, enormous room came into view.

At the same time, a huge fox face stared straight at him: "Fine, when can I stop seeing any other Uchiha besides Madara?"

Sitting on its head, the man in red Sengoku-era armor said, "If you don't want to watch, you can go back to your cage and sleep."

Unlike the other two, the blond man in the Hokage robe said gently, "Itachi, you've grown up since we last met."

Itachi knelt on one knee and politely greeted the two, "It's been a long time! Ancestor! Fourth Hokage!"

One of these two was the ancestor who changed the Uchiha's situation, and the other was the Fourth Hokage whom he admired.

Therefore, Itachi held these two in high esteem.

Seeing that there was nothing for her to do, Nine-Tails simply got up and went to sleep.

Madara naturally knew why Itachi had come: "You can ask Minato about the cursed seal. I'm better at fighting, but he's better at sealing techniques than me."

Minato also pondered, "I'm actually trying to figure out a way to deal with the cursed seal. It's not something that can be sealed off by a simple sealing technique."

Itachi looked up and asked, "Isn't there any other way?"

Minato pondered for a moment and said, "I can teach you a sealing technique now to forcibly suppress the cursed seal, but it will also limit the Sharingan's abilities, such as perception and copying."

"Oh? There's such a sealing technique." Madara, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened them.

It's important to know that insight and copying abilities are the Sharingan's main strengths. Once these are suppressed, the Sharingan's advantages are essentially gone.

Minato explained, "I heard Kushina mention before that this sealing technique was created by a certain clan to target a certain Uchiha weapon, but it was abandoned because the technique could not affect Sharingan with three tomoe or more."

Nine-Tails raised its head: "Then why use this sealing technique on the cursed seal?"

Minato explained, "Later, the Uzumaki clan discovered this technique and modified it to seal some strange powers acting within the body. This technique can be used to suppress the power of the cursed seal."

As he spoke, Minato looked at Itachi: "The final Chunin Exams are just around the corner. Personally, I don't recommend using it, since it concerns Sasuke. But whether or not to use it is up to you."

"Thank you, Fourth Hokage. I will think about it carefully."

Chapter 99 On the Eve of the Decisive Battle (Part 1)

As the sun and moon alternate, time flies by. A month has passed quietly amidst daily practice, sweat, setbacks, and small improvements.

The smoke and pain of the preliminary rounds seem to have been temporarily sealed away, replaced by intense preparations for the upcoming final stage.