Yes, another Naruto story. As you see, I'm trying to engage the use of honorifics. Also, Kushina is alive again in this fic as well, just like another one of my fics. And Naruto won't be a dunce either. You see, I think he had problems in the academy because no one was there for him, because of the lack of emotional support in his young years. This is how his life would have been had Minato's last words been enforced.

Prologue

Footsteps pounded the down the hallway of the Hokage Tower, intent on reaching their destination quickly. Their destination was the office of their Hokage, Minato Namikaze. He was also known as the Yellow Flash, probably because of the fact that he was an expert in taijutsu and he had bright yellow hair. He had been leading Konoha well for quite some time now. But it was ill fate that brought this event on this day. This day Kushina, his wife, had given birth to their first child. News of the baby had quickly spread around the town. On this day, a boy had been born to the Hokage and his wife. He had been given the name of Naruto. Already, rumors stated , he was already looking exactly like his father.

But this day, a nine-tailed fox demon, a demon that had been troubling them for quite awhile, had also attacked again. Several shinobi had already lost their life's to this monster. And when the monster attacked again, Minato had sworn he would be there on the front lines with his fellow shinobi, defending Konoha at all costs, even if it meant his life. That, Minato had said, was the duty of not only the hokage, but of all the shinobi of Konoha.

"Hokage-sama!" One of the aides of the hokage called out loudly. "Please excuse me, but I'm coming in." Everyone rushed into the office only to find it devoid of any life. It was completely empty. "Where is he?" Someone noticed a thick scroll on his desk. Upon further examination, it was noted to be addressed to the elders of Konoha.

"Be quiet!" Sarutobi, formerly the third hokage, ordered. "Let me read me this in peace."

To the elders of Konoha,

As you have probably noted, the demon is attacking Konoha again. Also, something which you have also noted, I am nowhere to be found. An aide told me that demon had begun attacking again and I rushed to confront it. I've had this written for awhile. For I have found only one way to stop the nine-tailed fox. If there had been another way, I would have taken it.

I am going to seal the demon into a human host. And not only any human host, but my newborn son. I would not dare choose another, as whoever I pick will most likely lead a hard life. There is a price for me doing this though. I am going to die if I succeed in this venture. And if I fail, I will also likely die.

Kushina will most likely be angry at me for doing this. But there is no other option. I ask only that you treat my son with mercy, as a hero if possible. He will be saving this village even as he is not aware of it. When sealed away, the demon will have no power. I beg of you to see my son as the human that he is, not as the human who has a demon sealed away inside of him. Let no one blame him for this demon's actions. He is my son. My final official order as Hokage will be this: Let Naruto be Naruto, and let him be treated as a hero. Kushina will raise him well.

As for the leadership of Konoha, I am not leaving Konoha without a leader. Sarutobi, my old friend and mentor, I would ask that you temporarily assume this position once again. See to it that my final order is enforced. I wish that it could have been someone other than Naruto. But it could not have been anyone else. I will bear his blood on my own head, even to my death, which will happen shortly.

Please pass onto Kushina my apologies and love, as well as my hope. She has made me the happiest man in this world. I die knowing that Konoha will not only be safe, but my wife and son will lead a life that has a bright future. I have also left my official Will with this letter. Sarutobi-sensei, please see it done.

Minato Namikaze, Fourth Hokage.

Next to the signature of the fourth, his official seal was stamped. A messenger rushed into the office, looking relieved when he saw Sarutobi and the other elders of Konoha. "I have a message for Sarutobi-sama." He announced formally. Sarutobi gave the man permission to continue. "The demon is defeated. The Fourth Hokage sealed it into the body of a newborn baby. But ANBU has secured the area and are waiting for you. I regret to say that the Fourth Hokage is dead." The messenger finished delivering his message, bowed formally, and left. He had many other messages to deliver that night.

"Shall we go?" An elder of Konoha asked gently, seeing the Third's tears come gently down his face.

"Yes, we will. I ask one of you to go tell Kushina the events of this night. Tell her Naruto will soon be back in her arms safely." The Third said with full authority. One of the elders nodded and rushed out of the room. The rest of them headed to the center of the town, where ANBU had the entire town square surrounded. They let the elders pass through, not saying a word, and quickly reformed their perimeter.

The Fourth's body lay nearby, pale in death. His robe had been taken off. Sarutobi looked for it. As his eyes roamed the scene, he saw a female ANBU cradling something in her arms. It was a newborn baby, wrapped in the flame robes of the Fourth Hokage. "We found him like this, Sarutobi-sama." She said in way of an explanation. Sarutobi took the blonde child into his arms and saw the child already did indeed look exactly like his father. Already his body was showing signs of a demon sealed inside. He had faint whisker marks on his cheeks and he could see the sealing formula on the infant's stomach.



"Behold," Sarutobi declared, holding the child high, "the birth of a hero. The Fourth knew what he was doing tonight. He knew he would die while protecting his home village. In his will, he asked that I temporarily assume the role of Hokage again. Also, he has asked that this child, his only son, be treated like a hero. I will see that this final wish of our Fourth Hokage be fulfilled."

With that said, Sarutobi left the enclosed and guarded area, followed by his equally solemn fellow elders. He walked slowly to the hospital, calming the frightened infant as he went. He came upon the hospital, it having taken only minor damage somehow. He made his way to Kushina's room, where he could hear her crying loudly, praying with all her might that Kami-sama might watch over her son.

With a heavy heart, Sarutobi knocked and entered the room. Naruto quieted at once, as if he sensed that his mother was nearby. He went next to her bed and handed the distraught mother her son. "Naruto!" She cried loudly, gently hugging him to her chest, her tears falling on his cheek with soft splashes. "Naruto, thank goodness you're ok!" She exclaimed, letting the child breathe properly now. Sarutobi placed a hand on Kushina's shoulder.

"Kushina-san, I'm so sorry for your loss. Minato has asked me in his will to become the Hokage again for a short time. He also asked me to see to it that your little boy be treated like a hero. And Naruto will be treated as a hero. You have my word on that."