Hey there. Finished the series a while ago and like I mentioned at the end of it, I had another story in the works. Didn't want to feel like I was just rehashing things and I think I did a good job. Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.
Cause & Effect
Chapter 1
Intervene
"The nine-tailed fox is on the rampage. Everyone get to safety." The advice from the shinobi wasn't really heard as the frightened civilians were already trying to get away from all the carnage.
Within the boundary of Konoha, a gigantic fox was going on a warpath, destroying anything in its path. Shinobi from the village tried to fight but the attempts were having little success. Some of them unfortunately were killed during the chaos.
"We're in trouble." announced one of the shinobi fighting. "Where is the Hokage? We could use his help here." That was something that everyone was asking.
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"Don't worry. Everything's going to be all right." Grabbing his coat, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze went over to the nearby bed. "I promise you Kushina. I won't let anything happen to our son."
In the bed was his wife, Kushina and beside her, wrapped in a blanket was their son. "There's got to be another way." exclaimed the woman. Her voice slightly labored. "Can't we just seal the nine-tails back in me?"
Understanding the worry, Minato gave the most reassuring look possible. "We both know that isn't an option. You're in no condition for a resealing." Although he made a valid point, Kushina wasn't happy about it. "Believe me, I wish there was another way but this is the only one we have." He picked up their son but took a moment to share a quick let tender kiss with his wife.
"Promise you that this'll be over soon and both you and Naruto can live out the rest of your lives." Giving her one final look, Minato disappeared. Only when he was gone did Kushina allow the tears that she had been holding into to flow freely.
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Thanks to his trademark technique, Hiraishin, Minato was able to reach the Hokage building in seconds. After making a few last preparations he was going to put his plan into motion. Before he could someone stopped him.
So here you are." Standing at the doorway was one of the legendary Sannin. They noticed the baby bundled in a blanket. Immediately they recognized what was being planned. "You're going to do it, aren't you? You're going to make your son the new jinchuriki of the nine-tailed fox. Believe that's wise?"
"Don't have much of a choice, Jiraiya." confessed Minato as he was continuing to get things ready. "Kushina isn't strong enough and I can't ask anyone to do so. This is the only choice."
"You must realize what'll happen to the person performing the jutsu." Jiraiya reminded. By his posture, Minato knew of the requirement. "How do you think your wife and son will be by going through with this?"
Minato gave no reply as he took in what was said by his former sensei. "They'll be all right. Kushina will be there for Naruto. Sarutobi can resume the role of Hokage until a suitable replacement is found." Stopping for a moment, he thought about the situation. "It's the job of the Hokage to do everything possible to protect their village those who live within in. Sometimes the need of the many outweighs the need of the few." Look as though what was going was finally starting to get to Minato as he no longer could hide his anguish. "Hopefully the ones I love won't suffer the consequences for the actions I'll be committing tonight."
Jiraiya kept quiet as he looked at the father and son. Surprisingly, Naruto had remained quiet throughout the whole situation. "When you accepted the title of Hokage you knew that you'd have to make difficult choices." While giving the reminder, a seldom look came over his face. "However, there are times when those choices aren't ones that you can make."
That didn't make sense to Minato but before he could ask about it, he was punched in the gut by Jiraiya. Falling to his knees he looked up at his former sensei. "Wh-What are you doing?" he gasped in-between attempts to regain his breath.
"I can't let you go through with this." No further explanation was given as the Sannin delivered another punch, this time to the back of the head. "You're needed. Not just for the village but for your family."
Jiraiya picked up Naruto and headed for the door. He stopped at the doorway and looked back at the still unconscious Minato. "I'm proud at how you turned out. You're like the son I never had. The least I can do is taking your place for this." Leaving he closed the door and headed to fulfill what was needed to be done.
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"Where do you think you're going?" After leaving the office, Jiraiya was making his way to where the destruction was happening. He was halfway there when he was stopped as Hiruzen Sarutobi, the former Third Hokage, blocked his path. He noticed the bundle in the man's arms. "Why have you brought a child here?"
"Here to put an end to all of this." Sarutobi's confusion was apparent. "It's Minato and Kushina's son. He's the key to stopping the nine-tails." The additional piece of information was all the former Hokage needed to understand what was being attempted. "You're going to make him a jinchuriki. Neither of them would agree to such an option."
"Minato was the one who came up with the idea. I merely inserted myself in his place." Jiraiya cleared up. "It's the only option we have."
"Don't be observed. There are always choices." argued Sarutobi with sternness. "The reason for the past jinchurikis was necessary but to do it to a baby is unthinkable."
"Look around sensei." While Jiraiya wasn't fond of the tongue lashing, he wasn't going to take it lying down. "Konoha is getting torn apart and people are dieing. Sealing away the nine-tails is the only way to stop it. We have no other choice."
There wasn't any counter from Sarutobi as he couldn't come up with a reasonable argument. "You're right. Given the situation, there's nothing else that can be done. However…" Without warning he got behind Jiraiya and elbowed him in the back of the neck. "…They'll be a change."
As with Minato earlier, the Sannin fell to the ground unconscious. While falling, Sarutobi grabbed Naruto. "You still serve as a valuable part for Konoha, Jiraiya. I've become so old that I can barely keep up with the younger generation. I can at least use what remains of my life to protect the village."
Being sure that his former student would be safe, Sarutobi made his way toward the epicenter of the destruction. Taking a few seconds to collect himself, he got things underway. He began to perform an odd set of hand signs. What came was a ghostly figure hovering behind him. It was transparent, long hair and a short blade in its mouth.
What was happening wouldn't go unnoticed as the nine-tailed fox stopped its rampage and looked at what Sarutobi was doing. Apparently recognizing what was being attempted the demon charged toward the man. Although seeing the oncoming danger, Sarutobi maintained his composure.
Before being torn to shreds, the former Hokage peered down at the recently born child who amazingly hardly made a fuss. "I wish you luck. The road that you'll be embarking on will be torturous. Hopefully you'll be able to endure what's to come." Resolving himself, Sarutobi continued with the intended plan and ignored the consequences.
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Hours Later…
"What should we do about this?"
"Its obvious." someone answered. "We kill it." The 'it' that was being referred to was Naruto who was sleeping in a small crib. "It's the only way to be sure that it won't try to kill us all.
"Don't be foolish callous, Fugaku." argued Tsume. "You're taking about killing a baby. How could you suggest such a thing?" Those thoughts weren't just hers as other were in agreement.
Not wavering, the Uchiha clan leader stared right back. "Be carefully what you say Inuzuka. One day that thing could get free and I rather prevent it from ever happening." As with Tsume, there were supporters to that idea.
A heavy argument started and would've continued if it wasn't for someone intervening. "Enough!" That got the desired response as everyone immediately got quiet. All the attention was now focused on the Fourth Hokage. 'Let's remain calm and discuss this rationally."
"What's there to discuss?' questioned Fugaku. "You have to realize that while that's your son, it also holds one of the most dangerous entities in existence." Warning glares was sent toward the Uchiha to advice him to watch what he said but they were ignored.
"Perhaps this should be considered." voiced one of the senor elders of the council, Homura Mitokado. "A day may come that the nine-tailed fox might get free and what occurred today will happen all once again."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi gave up his life so that the beast was stopped." added the other elder, Koharu Utatane. "To leave the possibility of it getting free would disgrace his sacrifice." Stopping for a moment she considered what she was going to say next. "I know that it's asking much but perhaps we should-"
"Kill my son?" Minato finished. There was an edge to his voice that put everyone on alert. "You say that it would disgrace Sarutobi's sacrifice if we don't make certain that the demon fox doesn't roam free again. I believe the opposite. Spilling the blood of an innocent child wouldn't justify what may or may not happen."
Leaning down, Minato picked up his son and started to make his way out room. Before leaving he gave a few parting words. "My son may now be the new jinchuriki but he will not be held responsible for what the demon did. Anyone that tries to go after him will be dealt with accordingly." The edge in his voice from earlier returned as he made certain that no one thought that his warning wasn't just words.
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"All right, that should do." Wiping the sweat from their brow, the person turned to the nearby observer. "She's going to be fine."
Hearing the final diagnosis, Minato allowed a sigh of relief to be released. "Thank you, Tsunade. I really appreciate you showing up as fast as you did, all things considering." There was no need to elaborate as both knew what that meant. Not wanting to go into it, the Sannin waved it off.
"Not necessary. Kushina is a good friend of mine and despite my apprehension with being in this village it wouldn't stop me from helping." Checking on her patient's vitals, she saw that they were stable. "She'll recover in a couple weeks. However, the ability that runs in her family has been affected. She could use it once, maybe twice, but anymore and she'll likely not survive."
Before the conversation could go further, the door to the room opened and in walked Shizune with Naruto in her arms. "Sorry for the intrusion but this little guy was getting finicky. I think he's hungry."
"Then we better feed him." muttered Kushina. Although still weak, she managed to sit up. "Let me see my son." Doing as requested the baby was given to his mother. "It's okay Naruto. Everything's going to be okay." Wanting to give the family some privacy, Tsunade and Shizune exited the room.
"Will it though, Minato?" questioned Kushina once they were alone. "Will everything be all right?" Minato wanted to say that they would but honestly couldn't answer.
There goes the first chapter of this story. I know that there has been other stories that had either one or both of Naruto's parents alive but it's probably because it can lead to things that isn't done in the cannon. Expect other changes as the story goes on. Hope to have the next chapter out middle of next month.