Splinters of light flew from the seal as it slowly disappeared into the ether. Not hesitating for a moment, the Kyuubi violently swung open the cage door and lunged fiercely at Naruto, "Foolish boy!" Within an instant, Naruto was trapped between the Kyuubi's claws, bathed in a golden light as the beast began the take over of the young Hokage's body. Something the great fox longed to do, ever since Naruto stumbled into his prison so many years ago.

Off to the side, Minato contemplated, "Who will win? The Spirit of Malice? Or the Will of Fire?"

The Kyuubi chuckled malevolently as Naruto struggled between his claws, "You think you can defeat me?" The golden glow between the claws grew more intense as the beast was confident he was going to win.

Weakening, Naruto began to slump over, then he remembered Kakashi-sensei's vow, "I won't let my comrades die." Then he remembered Haku's words, "When you have someone special you want to protect, only then you can become strong." Then his own father's words to him only moments ago, "Your love can overcome the great beast and you can become something more."

Determination filled Naruto's eyes as he knew that the village was counting on him to defeat the Demon of Hell, and not only them, but Sakura and her baby. With his love for all which he cares, his strength grew exponentially and quickly began to overpower the demon fox. Working his right arm free, Naruto placed his hand squarely on the Kyuubi's nose, "I'm going to kick your big, furry ass!"

The great fox became greatly agitated, "You think you can defeat me, boy? Then we shall see who which one of us will be the owner of this body." More power began flowing out the demon's body into his palms in attempt to overwhelm Naruto. Though the Kyuubi's spirit was strong, Naruto's spirit was stronger for the Will of Fire inside him burned brighter than the sun itself. A light so bright that it overwhelmed the darkness the fox and began to break the spirit into red chakra bubbles. The Kyuubi screamed in agony, "Nooooooooooooooo!"

Streams of the red chakra flowed out of the Fox and changed to a golden aura in mid-air, then began flowing inside Naruto. The power of the chakra began to overwhelm the young Hokage as he threw his head back in pain, "Aaaahhh!" Then as quickly as it started, the battle ended. The Nine-Tailed Fox was no more and Naruto was now stronger than before. With deep breaths, he clinched his fist in victory and felt his body tingle with the sensation of his new found power.

Minato smiled happily, "I knew you could do it. You take after your mother."

"Mother, huh?" Naruto put his hands behind his head and chuckled happily. Then he began wondering about his mother and his cheerfulness calmed down into melancholy, "I wish she was here."

His father walked up to him and calmly said, "She was never far from you." He points to the homemade patch that Naruto always worn.

Naruto smiled serenely, "Somehow, I always knew."

The Spirit of Minato began to fade away. But before he did, he put his hands on his son's shoulders in praise, "Naruto, I'm proud of you. You have grown to be a great Hokage and a great Hero."

Words he longed to hear all his life, his fathers praise. Tears of joy began streaming down the young blonde's cheeks, longing to have more time with his father, "Father! Don't go!"

As the spirit disappeared from sight, he said one last thing, "Naruto, remember. We will always be a part of you. Now go save those you love."

Naruto once again was in the middle of the Konoha Forest with the Demon of Hell beginning to climb out of the pit. The time was now or never, he had the full power of the Kyuubi, and knew that this going all-out, he wouldn't be able to return. But everyone was watching, and everyone was counting on him. He was the Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.