Disclaimer: *raises hand* I solemnly swear that I own nothing except the plot... that isn't much. (ノ**)

All characters and etc. are the sole rights of Kishimoto.

Best Regards,

AJ

Chapter 1: The Horizon of Disaster

You're going to die today.

It was the only thought residing at the forefront of Minato's mind while he gazed into the dark eyes of the enemy before him. Said foe, who was secured in a chair by black restraints, had long, brown hair and dark, beady eyes that were filled with mirth—having already seen the fate of several living souls in the events to come, particularly Minato's. His cunning gleam of knowing also reflected in the smirk he was directing at the blond shinobi. However, he feared Minato as if they were still dueling, and the bruises on his pale skin were painful, purple and black reminders to never cross paths with the Yellow Flash of the Leaf again.

He'd encountered Minato while he and his team were heading back to Konoha from a mission earlier that day, and the moment the spy had barely uttered the name of his student, Minato took him in for questioning instead of killing him, like he'd initially intended. Minato also had yet to inform Obito of the ordeal, opting to keep the discovery to himself. This was so, because the idea that his tiny pupil—his ally—one day becoming his foe seemed unimaginable in his eyes. The facts the informer had spoken just weren't adding up, not in his mind.

But…

If what the informer had just spoken were true…

The lights in the interrogation room were dimly lit, welcoming torment at it's door for any poor soul foolish enough to be on the receiving end of Konoha's finest shinobi. It shined down on the spy as if it were the bearer of all damnation, condemning the stranger by it's random flickers.

"Are you saying that he's a traitor to this village?" the interrogation officer in black asked.

Minato's blue eyes narrowed at the wicked grin the man was giving him, and his blond brows furrowed, tension in them—even displaying in the creases that formed on his forehead. His student, Obito Uchiha, wasn't a traitor—and he knew the good that resided in the boy's heart... However, if Minato knew the horrors of war that doomed his team during the future years to come, his view of the situation would certainly perform a one-eighty.

"Not yet," the spy answered, chuckling at the idea. Guile lingered his voice, reminding Minato of a snake recoiling back before a strike. "That's why he's here—to lure his younger self."

"Lure him for what?" the interrogation officer asked at the same time that Minato had been pondering it.

The spy chuckled again, a raspy sound to every ear in the room, and it warranted another strike to his already bruised face.

"Answer me!" the officer demanded in a thunderous shout. He struck the informer again, continuing his assault the longer he received silence in response. "What do you know?!"

"That's enough," Hiruzen spoke up from the doorway. The Third Hokage was wearing a white robe with a red conical hat. His pitch had sounded low and hoarse, yet somehow equable—key signs of growth from previous experiences throughout his lifetime.

Dark eyes examined the spy while Hiruzen walked forward, with light steps being heard as he paced. He gave his successor a nod as he passed by, and the head gesture spoke volumes. It even commanded Minato to exit the area, and Hiruzen's raised brows signaled that he'd like Minato to return to his office with Obito—immediately by the looks of it.

Minato had known the man well enough to understand, given that the current situation did in fact pertain to his student, and he began exiting in a composed manner while he went to go check on his comrades. Team Minato had been through a rough mission over the past few days, and finding that random enemy had just added to their fatigue. He also knew the heat would eventually get the better of Obito, and an argument of some sorts would break out between the little Uchiha and Kakashi by a simple taunt…

Sudden, fond reminisces of the trio—of Rin, Obito and Kakashi—flooded his thoughts. And on a normal day, in a normal setting, he'd have a loving, warm smile on his lips as he'd interact with them, and he'd chuckle nervously whenever Rin asked him if he'd be proposing to Kushina in the near future. He also remembered the numerous times he'd scold Obito during training for crying, but later encouraged the boy on his dreams to become Hokage…

Obito… he pondered. What have you done…?

Rushed steps were heard as Minato brushed past several officers, and his blond side bangs shifted with every swift movement. He had a determined gaze in his eyes, wanting nothing more than to understand why his student had been labeled as a future traitor… The only thing logical explanation he suspected was—

Time travel, his inner voice spoke up as he exited the building. It's possible, but that would require a lot of chakra to keep up, wouldn't it…? It explained why the spy had spoken of Obito returning to fix the past, though. There was ninjutsu for it, after all.

Minato watched his three pupils arguing on the landing of the facility's steps from where he stood at the peak, their usual banter soothing him. He saw that Obito was fixing his goggles while giving Kakashi a rueful look, and sweat was dripping down his face, making his dark brown spikes stick to his forehead. They were all sweating under the afternoon sun, really, and Minato felt the urge to treat them to a frozen snack when the rays began to discomfort him, but he gave no indication of his discomposure as he eyed his students.

No, his expression was masked by an array of neutralities, ones that often appeared when he was in combat on the battlefield.

"Oh yeah, well I'm going to be Hokage one day," Obito retorted to Kakashi with a bit of soul in his unwavering tone. It sounded like he'd wanted to stick his tongue out, but the bravado he displayed whenever taunted by Kakashi was endearing to his sensei.

Ever the resolute one, that Obito Uchiha; it was a trait that Minato valued.

It caused a small smile to form on the man's lips as he observed them, and for a moment, he negated the merciless musings of the boy betraying him. Hang in there, Obito, he thought. We'll both become Hokage one day.

They'd promised each other they would.

Kakashi scoffed, folding his arms while he turned his masked head away from his teammate. "Sure you will," he said in a disinterested voice. His silver spikes blew about in the light breeze just as much as Rin's short, dark-brown hair did, and both welcomed the winds. "You lack basic skills to even be a ninja. How can you become Hokage?"

"What'd you say?!"

Rin stepped between the duo when Obito took a riled step towards Kakashi. "Will you two stop fighting?" she asked wearily. Not again… She knew something about today had them more vexed than usual, as if the aroma of disaster was drifting around the atmosphere. It just feels like... maybe something's wrong.

Obito pointed an accusing finger at Kakashi. "You know he always starts it, Rin!"

Kakashi shrugged, his gaze lax. "Right. Because I'm your scapegoat. You should own up to your fights." Obito bit his tongue at the taunt.

Obito, Minato contemplated from where he stood, giving him a sympathetic gaze. An older Obito… a traitor...?

Rin spotted her sensei with a pleasant expression. "Minato-sensei!" She ran up the stairs to him, eager to hear about the man they'd help capture, and her open-toe shoes made small pitter-patter sounds against the stone treads. When she arrived at the height of the steps, she peered up at her sensei, dark eyes hopeful. "So," she said, leaning forward with her hands folded behind her back. "Who is he?"

"Yeah! Who is he?" Obito asked. He approached Minato with enthusiastic strides, while Kakashi placed his hands in his pockets, taking his time to walk up the stone.

"You all know that's confidential," Minato stated in a level tone. He gave them a small smile, mirth in his eyes as they all pouted.

"But we helped catch him!" Obito responded. He hadn't realized how loud he sounded due to his zealous persona, but even so, Rin gave him a grin. She was used to his outbursts. Beside them, Kakashi nodded.

At least they agree on something, Minato thought, grinning warily. Blue eyes glanced at the little Uchiha, and Minato lifted his right hand, preparing to ruffle his hair... but he paused during the gentle gesture, and instead, he turned his palm up, curling his fingers towards his student. "Obito, come with me."

Obito blinked in surprise, words unable to escape him while he watched the retreating back of his sensei reenter the building. It took him a moment before he ran forward, hurrying after him. "R-right!"

Rin gave Kakashi a perplexed gaze while Kakashi looked on with his usual lax stare.

Inside, Obito hurried behind Minato.

"Why only me, sensei?" Obito asked. "Was it because I fumbled my part in the mission?"

"No," Minato answered. "I told you not to dwell on that any further, Obito. You need to simply—"

"Learn from it," the Uchiha finished, having heard the statement time and time again. "But Sensei… did I do something wrong…?"

Not yet… Minato paused, touching his temple with his right hand as he used his free fist to place a knuckle on his hip. Poor choice of words… He wasn't used to being ruffled by missions—or anything in particular for that matter—but this was his student… "The Third would like to speak to us…"

"Oh!" The Uchiha raised both fists, only to draw them back towards his sides in a form of silent cheering. He balanced his weight as he semi-squatted, practically bouncing with exhilaration. "Are we going on another mission together—just the two of us?!"

"Obito—"

"We just got back—but you're picking me over Kakashi?!" Obito was grinning wildly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Heh! I knew you trusted me more, sensei!" Wait 'til I tell Rin! He grinned at the idea. That'll show Kakashi, too…

"Obito," Minato said softly. As he looked over his shoulder, he parted his lips, wanting to explain the situation to his enthusiastic student… but he knew better. It wasn't his place, so he opted on slowly shaking his head. "…Follow me." If Obito hadn't been so excited, he'd have seen the brief look of dismay in his sensei's eyes.

"Alright!" the Uchiha agreed, fist pumping the air. He began following Minato up several flights of stairs, and it was after they arrived at the door of the Hokage's office that Minato halted, causing Obito to bump into his back. Minato gave him a small smile over his shoulder as he peered down at the younger before he lightly tapped the wood with his knuckles.

"Enter," Hiruzen said. After Minato opened the door, they stepped inside to see that Hiruzen's chair was empty, and his wooden desk looked abandoned, save for a few documents, and a necklace, that rested in the right corner. Only part of the balcony was visible, and upon stepping further into the large, wooden room, they saw that Hiruzen was standing on the least visible side of the exterior area. His back was to them, but Minato and Obito bowed, nonetheless.

"The spy," Hiruzen told them, turning to meet their gazes. "It is believed that he works for a man in an orange mask. I've suspected that they're both from a different time…"

"From the future?" Obito asked innocently. His brows rose with intrigue. Seriously…? "Cool! Are we gonna meet him?" He glanced at Minato, his excitement getting the better of him. "Are we going on a mission with him, too?!"

"Obito," Minato warned. "Have some respect."

The Uchiha blushed, eyes drifting to The Third. "Whoops…"

Hiruzen's face faltered at the naive action, but he was quick to compose himself, his expression becoming stern. "Yes... the masked, rogue ninja has been reported roaming about three times now from various teams—and each attempt at capturing him has been unsuccessful…" He glanced at Minato, eyes expectant. "Your entire team is required to go after him now that we've at least been able to identify him and the…" His eyes darted briefly to Obito. "Critical circumstances he's trying to achieve," Hiruzen finished, earning an excited gasp from Obito as he pulled out a small scroll.

He handed it to Minato, using his free hand to cover the shinobi's right one once he'd grasped it. "Kill him by any means necessary." With a firm squeeze, he released Minato's hand, and Minato felt his own arm going limp at his side upon hearing the grim command.

Traitor or not, young or old, Obito was still his student...

Slowly, Minato nodded, taking in the information with a calming breath. None of this seemed real, and just when he finally thought he had his life figured out, one element—someone very dear to him—had changed—or he was eventually going to.

"So wait! Are you saying we get to time travel?!" Obito asked, voice rising. He was thrilled. "This is so awesome! We get to go see—"

Minato touched his shoulder, squeezing it in a gentle manner. "Obito," he reprimanded him again. That wasn't the appropriate behavior for a shinobi to display in front of their Hokage.

Obito gave his superiors a sheepish grin, cheeks slightly pink as Minato released him. "Sorry…"

Hiruzen remained quiet for a moment, scrutinizing Obito with an unreadable gaze. Such innocence… I wonder what face you'll show once you return—if you return… "…Be wary during your plight." His eyes never left Obito's. "You are not to alter the scenarios of the past, present, and future. Do you understand?"

Minato gave him a nod. "Of course, sir." Beside him, Obito gave him a few vigorous nods.

"Leave by nightfall to trail him, and see how he travels to and from his time," Hiruzen spoke up. "Head gear will be provided for concealment purposes. Expect that your provisions won't last you as long as the amount of time you're away. You'll have to find other sources during whichever time period you enter."

Obito and Minato nodded again while Hiruzen stepped around them and paced over to his desk. He grabbed a leaf necklace embroidered with brown gems, and he handed the fine-crafted item to Minato. "If I'm there, show me this, and I'll allow you resources, should you re-enter Konoha during your trip, or should you find yourself being labeled as anything more than you are now." I should remember a mission like this... if I'm alive.

"I understand," Minato said. Suspicion would be drawn to them if they ran into their older selves, or someone who knew them… in more ways than one.

When Hiruzen gave him a knowing look, Minato glanced down at Obito, who looked all too hyped to go on their mission.

"Obito," Hiruzen spoke up. There was compassion in his tone, one that hadn't been there before. It would be wrong to kill you now… He took a moment to choose the right words to confess to the boy, and another to wonder where he'd left his pipe. It wasn't the easiest conversation in the world to explain to a youth that they'd grow up to become a traitor without a confidence booster of some form. "…You're going to witness some... vile encounters that you've performed—as well as some cruel scenarios that we may have done ourselves."

The expression on Obito's face was a stumped one, and he gazed back and forth between his superiors. "I… I don't get it." What's he mean by 'vile encounters…?' I haven't done anything wrong.

Minato placed a firm hand on his shoulder again, watching the younger peer up at him. "Obito." There was caution in his tone. "Know that whatever you see, and whoever you don't see, you must endure it, and, by any means necessary, we must complete this mission. Do you understand?"

Brown brows furrowed. "But, why would I…?" A harsh realization flashed in Obito's eyes, and he knew this had been the reason as to why his sensei wanted to talk to him alone.

All was silent for countless seconds and Obito tried his best to stop his hands from shaking in sudden fear. His view of himself had changed for the worse. "...The man the spy was talking about when we caught him," Obito spoke up. "The traitor in the mask… it's... it's me, isn't it?"

Their remorseful gazes told him everything he needed to know.

"I…" Obito curled his hands into fists, his urge to go on the mission lost while his eagerness to crumble had come at him like getting struck in the throat. He felt as if he couldn't breathe, let alone look into the eyes of his superiors, and it was after a pregnant pause that he got the courage to gaze at them again, nodding. His hands uncurled, and he tried his best to appear unruffled under their fretful gazes.

"I… I understand," he replied, shaking his head. "I won't mess with anything… I'll—" He gulped. "I'll behave. Promise." He didn't sound like his usual self. Minato even picked up on how the Uchiha sounded rehearsed and fatigued, emotionally drained of life.

"Thank you," Hiruzen said. He gestured towards the door. "Go inform your other teammates about the mission. Leave out who we are after, for your own sake. If they should ask, tell them it's one of your relatives. Your name will remain unknown to them, unless your older self reveals it during the mission." I pray that doesn't happen…

Obito nodded sluggishly, taking his betrayal in while he trudged out of the room. The thought of traveling into the future to find a possible dead comrade was a daunting feeling, but Obito had hope that everyone he cared about during this mission would still be there as the years went by. Besides, even if he couldn't alter the future while he was there, he could still make sure that when he returned to the present he could change the way he handled certain situations to prevent any disastrous event that he'd seen… couldn't he?

I won't betray Konoha, he thought to himself. Besides, I'm going to be Hokage! How could I betray a village that I love so much...?

Once Obito was out of hearing range, Hiruzen gave Minato a grave stare. The silence was enough to ensure that Minato was going to learn some truths about his student that he wasn't ready to handle—as well as revelations about himself. Considerations of his future self entered his mind, and it plagued him like a slow killing ailment, the anticipation building. He was excited to see what his life was going to be like—and look back on what his life once was compared to everything there…

Did he get the courage to marry Kushina in the future yet, or were they still taking baby steps? Courting her was becoming more and more difficult with the never-ending shinobi war. It was impossible to plan a decent meeting without being interrupted by either their duties, or banter from Minato's team, so wedding plans were the last thing on their minds…

But settling down and raising a family after all was said and done, Minato knew it would be a fitting end for them. What a blissful dream it was...

"Minato," Hiruzen spoke up, breaking him from his thoughts. "There's one more assignment to your mission."

Minato straightened up, giving The Third his absolute attention. "Yes?"

Hiruzen stepped past him, walking towards the door of his office. "I wanted Obito go to on this mission and correct his wrongs in order to prevent killing him now, while he's in the present—a second chance of some sorts…"

Minato held back his protest by pressing his lips together, producing a small noise of disapproval that was similar to a barely audible 'tch' sound. That was the second time he'd almost lost his composure today—almost. "We were ordered not to change the future, so why...?"

"I don't want you to change anything... unless..." He sighed.

"Unless...?"

Hiruzen lifted his right hand, urging Minato to remain quiet. "I find no faults in him at this age, Minato, and we do not yet know what effects killing him in this time would bring on Konoha… For that reason, I wish to keep him alive..." He glanced over his shoulder at his successor. "But for the protection of this village, know that if he shows any signs of disloyalty, you will be required to kill him, Minato—both of them."

Blue eyes closed upon hearing the despairing order.

"Come." As Hiruzen opened the door of his office, Minato opened his eyes and turned, numbly walking after him.

…Kill my own student? he asked himself. When the time came, could he really go through with it? Could he live with himself knowing that Obito's blood was on his hands?

"I wish there were another way around this, Minato," The Third spoke up softly as they walked. I can't imagine what you must be going through. "But of all the shinobi I could select for a situation such as this, I'd still choose you." As my successor, I know you'd do anything to protect this village, even if that meant defending it from someone you care about...

I've never failed a mission yet, Minato thought. He didn't intend to start today, either.

Or so he'd thought.

…

A/N: I decided to make a huge what if time travel fic featuring Minato getting a chance to see what's become of his team, and his life in general. Don't be surprised if Naruto spontaneously goes from being twelve, to three, and then sixteen. The time events won't be in order (due to a specific plot twist), but Team Minato will be bouncing through each event chasing an older Obito. I realize this will interfere with some missions too, especially The Lost Tower mission in terms of time travel, but I've already thought that through. I'm not sure how many chapters I'll be posting, because I might break up some if they're too long, but I've already written out the ending that I want.

Thanks to anyone who bothered reading this! It's my first Naruto fanfic, and idk if it'll be my last, but who knows. I typed it up over the weekend because it was bothering me so much so I don't even know if it'll be read, but if it is, feel free to leave a comment if you can spare the time, or press a button below. I don't mind either. Completely your decision :)