My dear boy,
I regret that I'll never be able to watch you grow up. I'll never see you off to school. I'll never teach you how to throw a ball or how to use chopsticks. Oh how I wish I could read you the stories of our ancestors and take you fishing or swimming or anything you'd like. But, life doesn't seem to be accommodating to us.
I will be dead soon. The time has come for me to fulfill the oath I took when I became Hokage. I just hope it's enough. I have stumbled across a horrifying truth that explains many of the atrocities that have plagued this forsaken world of the shinobi. Unfortunately, there will be much to do after I'm gone. Though talented I am, my efforts will only delay the revelation of this great darkness and its subsequent attempt to seize control of everything. So, I'm afraid I'll have to leave the rest to you.
I never wanted to be one of those fathers who lived their dreams through their children, but, as I said earlier, it doesn't appear that either of us will get what we want. Along with this letter, I'm leaving you all of the information you'll need. In addition, there are many good people in the village that can help you set this plan into motion. I know you can count on my old sensei Jiraiya and I'm sure my star pupil Kakashi will be a powerful, reliable shinobi by the time you are of age. You'll have help. You won't have to worry about that.
Unfortunately, you'll have to endure many hardships because of what I now must do. Many will undoubtedly see you as a monster; the very thing I must defeat tonight. But, it is my hope that you will instead be seen as a hero for having to carry a burden most can only imagine.
But no matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you son. I'll watch over you always. Make me proud, Uzumaki Naruto."
The Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato, placed the envelope in his orange knapsack. He swallowed hard and gazed vacantly ahead. On any other night, he'd take the time to admire the beautiful forest that he was currently traveling through. But, tonight he set his sights forward; forward to the end.
"Are you ready Minato?" asked the giant toad king Gamabunta.
Seated on Gamabunta's back, Minato smiled bitterly. "Yeah, it's done. Make sure the Third gets this," he said holding up his knapsack.
"Sure thing, kid."
Minato glanced up and saw a massive figure in the distance. For the first time in years, he felt apprehensive about going into battle. It wasn't that he hadn't faced a strong opponent in a while; it was the fact that he would die here regardless of how well he did.
A short distance away was Kyuubi, the nine-tailed Demon fox. Gamabunta came to a stop on the opposite side of the town of the red-furred bijuu. Standing on the highest limb of a nearby tree was a dark haired shinobi. In his arms, bundled up in a blanket, was a blonde-haired baby with light blue eyes.
"Hokage-sama" the man said, "I got him to safety as you requested. But I have to ask, are you sure about this? I mean, it's your son we're talking about?"
"I am."
"Okay." The ninja jumped atop the toad and stood next to his old friend. Minato gazed lovingly at his son and kissed the boy's forehead. In a flash, he performed a number of hand seals.
"Put the child here," said Gamabunta sticking his tongue out. The shinobi did as instructed and, with a solemn nod at the Hokage, jumped off the amphibian's back and into the night.
Minato sighed in resignation. "Tell me 'bunta, how did it come to this?"