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Prologue: The Beginning

It started out like any other day. Morning came and everyone went about their normal business, but unbeknownst to the hidden leaf village; this day would change their lives forever. This is the day that the nine tailed fox would attack.

"Seal" came a near death Minato. The Kyuubi gave one last final roar before disappearing into the seal of a newborn Naruto. Minato dropped to his knees as he felt death coming for him; blood profusely flowing from the hole in his chest. He looked to his son and smiled as Naruto began to cry.

"Shh... It's ok Naruto... You're safe now" His eyes moved to the seal on young Naruto's stomach.

"I'm so sorry Naruto... I hope you can forgive me" said Minato as a tear slid down his face. His eyes then drifted to his now dead wife. Another tear fell from his dark blue eyes.

"Kushina..." Minato managed to get out before coughing up a large amount of blood. His body began to fall back before being caught by an ANBU. The ANBU gently set the young hokage down. He was then joined by the third hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Kami…Minato… you… " said the old kage.

"Fox…summoned… Mask… Sharingan… got away…" Minato coughed out again. "K-Kushina…" The third hokage looked to the Anbu who was checking for a pulse. He looked up to the older hokage and shook his head. Hiruzen turned back to the dying kage.

"Minato, I swear we'll find out who did this" Minato looked at Hiruzen and smiled as he drew his last breath, the life leaving his eyes. Hiruzen closed Minato's eyes and tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Sleep well my friend" said the anbu as he lowered his head in respect of the dead kage. Neither had a chance to mourn before the crying of a new born baby shattered the silence. Hiruzen made his way to the infant and picked him up gently; cradling him in his arms.

"That child is a hero." said the anbu as he stood up. Hiruzen turned to the anbu and frowned.

"Yes, but unfortunately he will have a rough life ahead of him."

"Your orders, Sir"

"Right… Dragon, contain the area, and seal the bodies, report to my office when you're finished" The anbu nodded and with that, the old hokage bolted off towards the village. The anbu unrolled two scrolls and then proceeded to seal both bodies into the scrolls. He rolled up the scrolls and put them into his vest. A slight glimmer caught his eye and picked up the tri-pronged kunai of the fourth hokage. He sighed and vanished into the cold night air.

Hiruzen was pacing back and forth in his office, still trying to comprehend what happened tonight. The anbu member, known as Dragon, gracefully made his way through the open window. He laid the two scrolls down on the desk.

"Lord Hokage… Do you have any idea who might be behind this?" asked Dragon. Hiruzen continued to pace back and forth.

"What about the Uchiha? Minato did say this man possessed the sharingan." Dragon leaned himself against the wall.

"I will have them investigated, but I don't think it was anyone inside the clan." Hiruzen answered

"How so?"

"The only Uchiha I have ever known to be able to summon or control the kyuubi was Madara Uchiha and he is long dead. Though I do feel it was an Uchiha, it wasn't anyone from the clan"

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because the strongest Uchiha is the current clan head Fugaku Uchiha and he is nowhere near the strength that Madara possessed" Dragon glanced to the bundled baby lying down on the cushioned couch.

"What will happen to the boy?"

"He will be safe and will not know of his heritage until his sixteenth birthday or when he makes jounin. He will be Naruto Uzumaki"

"His mother's name?"

"Minato had many enemies; it would be unwise to claim him as the fourth's son."

"I see anything else, Lord Hokage?" asked Dragon. Hiruzen paced for a few moments then sat down at the desk.

"Yes Dragon, I have a mission for you. This is an SS class mission and will not be recorded in any mission logs until it is complete. You are to find this masked man and bring him back to the village dead or alive. Take as long as you need and only contact with updates, Understand?"

"What of my clan?"

"I will make sure your clan is protected, seeing as how you are the only member left in my ranks."

"I'm also its Leader"

"I understand, but you are the only one that can track this man down. I wouldn't ask if I had another choice, but you are my best shinobi"

Dragon stood silent for a few moments and then sighed,

"Not much of a choice I guess, Minato was also a good friend of mine. I accept."

"Thank you, I would suggest you talk to Iroh before leaving." Dragon nodded and placed his mask down on the desk before turning to the child one last time. His dark blue eyes glowing in the moonlight; hidden behind his deep brown hair. A single tear made its way down his face as he leapt out into night. The third hokage stared at the window for a few seconds before sighing.

"I truly am sorry…"

Hey everyone, thank you for reading and I hope you like it, this if my first fic so please be easy on the flames. If you have any suggestions on how to make my story, grammar, or writing better, please let me know. Thanks and I hope you enjoy! -Spirit