3.

After a few more hugs and some explanations from his seriously injured student, Minato left the tent with instructions to have Obito shipped back to Konoha and his other two students made aware of what was going on. Rin and Kakashi hadn't been the same in the last few months since Obito's "death."Shaking his head at the thoughts of his students' reactions, he flared his chakra to hear which way to go for the other ninja. Immediately hearing the loud booms coming from outside of the field hospital, Minato knew that the other three ninja were defending the perimeter of the field hospital as caravans of injured or dead were carted back the fifteen miles to Konoha.

Pressing his com button in, he asked, "Any more identifying features to the remanding Shinobi?"

"Yes, sir. One is an Uchiha. Pale with dark hair and obvious Sharingan eyes. We've already petitioned another Uchiha clansmen to come and identify him." He knew then that he didn't have to bother with going toward the Uchiha's side. The Uchiha were loyal to Konoha and had been since its founding.

So he knew to go to the silver haired man's side. When he arrived, he was immediately told that he'd disappeared toward the blond's part where the majority of the attacks were happening.

"Ne, Namikaze-san, Did Kakashi have a growth spurt or something?"

Baffled, Minato replied to the young Akimichi, "No, he didn't, Chozu-san. He's still the same short little shit he's always been."

The young man frowned but shrugged his beefy shoulders. "Well, it looked like him or Sakumo-san. But we know Sakumo-san is dead." He waved Minato off toward the battlefield. "Trust me, you'll know him when you see him."

Now, doubly curious, he focused on the single Hiraishin kunai he'd been told that had been put about twenty yards from the outside edge of the perimeter and warped to hear a loud, "Taijuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" as he landed.

He nearly fell off the branch he'd landed on as he saw a field of green and sunshine hair. He nearly felt sorry for the few remaining brave Iwa and Kumo Shinobi that hadn't ran on sight. He'd heard screams of "Konoha no Kiiroi Senkou! Run!" but hadn't understood how they'd seen him until he'd seen the blond hair of the man below. Jumping off the tree, Minato snuck up behind the furthest row of Kage Bunshin.

Quickly, he hit the button to intelligence and reported his findings, "Blond unknown has massive chakra capabilities. Has created, "he took a quick count, "at least two hundred Kage Bunshin." He let that sink in for a moment.

"WHAT?! Minato you'd better not be fuckin' with us!"

At the indignant squawk of Yamanaka Inoichi in his ear, he grimly replied, "No, I'm not fucking with you. And yes, I can count."

Before he could comment more, one of the blonds yelled out, "SAKURA!"

The pink haired medic came running out of the tent like the hounds of hell came after her. Three clones were surrounding a badly wounded Konoha Shinobi. Two were attacked then popped by two Iwa Shinobi. As the two enemies cleared out the clones, Minato knew that the wounded man was going to die.

"SHA-NA-RO!" The pink haired medic screamed and punched the Iwa Shinobi with monstrous strength. They flew back into the retreating forces and created a crater a few feet deep. Minato gulped and realized that she had strength he hadn't seen since Tsunade-hime of the Sannin. Calling two more of the blond's clones, the three quickly started to work on the wounded shinobi enough to cart him over to the hospital.

"Mother of God. That pink haired medic is scary." He whispered. "Unbelievable strength."

"Namikaze-san! Namikaze-san, what did she do?" Inoichi's voice penetrated his thoughts enough to realize where he was at find another hiding spot.

As Minato landed and was going to press the button, he heard a drawled, "Maa, maa. We have a spy in our midst, I think."

Minato froze at the shadow over his crouching form. Looking up, he was stunned to see the scarred visage of his young student. Only, he didn't look so young now. "Ka-Kakashi?"

The silver headed man smiled his little eye smile that to all who knew him informed people of tricky business. "I haven't seen you in a while, sensei." He motioned to the numb fingers still pressing on the COM button. "Go ahead and confirm, Sensei. We're not here to hurt you. We're actually here to help."

A blond headed form poked over Kakashi's shoulder, his face pale in the shadows. "Ah, Hi, Da- err, ah, Namikaze-san."

Minato's nerveless fingers fell off his COM button at the sight of this face he only remembered in his dreams from after the mission to Rouran a few years before. "Na-Naruto-san?"

The young Hokage's head cocked to the side, "Eh, I don't know how you know me, but, yeah. I'm Naruto." He rubbed the back of his head, "Well the boss is. I'm a clone." And with that he popped into a puff of smoke and a much dirtier real version appeared a few moments later. The original rolled his right shoulder a moment before smiling and holding out a hand, "Don't worry, Namikaze-san. Iwa and Kumo shouldn't be attacking us any time soon after what I just sent after them."

Staring at a face of a man who looked to be the same age if not a year or two younger or older than himself, Minato took the proffered hand and stood. The young man stood at his height, perhaps an inch or two taller and had the same sunshine blond hair that Kushina always teased him about. But he was built differently than before, much more muscular and his eyes… Still the same colored eyes as himself, but the shape… it was…

"I did not expect to see you here, Naruto-san."

"Ah-ehh well, it's my fault. Messing with a seal and all that."

Minato laughed at the sheepish look on the young man's face. "How old are you now?"

"Twenty-five. Why?" Naruto cocked his head again, "You act as if you know me."

"Rouran? Maybe a few years ago, a team and I were on a mission to save the Queen."

Naruto's eyes crunched up for a few minutes before widening, "Ahhh!" he pointed towards the other blond. "You! You sealed our memories! With your Hiraishin kunai! Wooooow. That was a long ass time ago." Minato watched with amusement as the jovial blond scratched his head. "Ten or so, I would say, for me at least."

"Ah really? It's only been two here."

"I remember that mission, sensei. Somehow." Kakashi turned around and pushed his headband down over his Sharingan eye. "We weren't supposed to remember at all. But I guess since we are here, that seal is null and void." The silver haired man sighed before brushing his hands down his pants and turning toward the field hospital. "Now that the pleasantries are over, let's check on the wounded along with Sasuke and Sakura."

"The other two members of your unit?"

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, Kakashi was our Jounin sensei when we first graduated. So he naturally became one of my advisors when I was elected. Sasuke and Sakura filled the other two spots."

Minato nearly tripped. "Elected?" He knew of one spot that required advisors and you had to be elected.

"Yeah, elected. I'm the Rokudaime Hokage, Namikaze-san." He grinned evilly. "I totally enjoyed kicking the old bat Homura and that evil woman off the advisory board."

Minato laughed as Naruto directed some of his remaining shadow clones to check on the rest of the wounded and cart them the short distance to the field hospital. "What of Danzou?"

"He was killed some years before." Kakashi answered quickly.

"Killed?" Minato gaped. "B-but, I know we've had some internal issues with him, but he's always proven to be loyal." The old war hawk was vying for his own chance at the chance to become Yondaime along with Uchiha Fugaku, himself and his fiancé.

Kakashi nodded slowly and reluctantly said, "It was bloody, messy affair. We were there and we'd found out by a few of our spies that he was found to be a traitor, in the end."

Naruto sighed. "Just… don't mention him in front of Sasuke unless you want to see and hear the biggest Uchiha tantrum known to man."

"Mention who, dobe?"

"Ah, Sasuke-teme!" Naruto jerked around, startled.

As soon as Minato saw the dark haired man, he was immediately reminded of Mikoto, but he dismissed it as a common Uchiha look. And he definitely knew that he was an Uchiha by the uchiwa fan on his coat.

The young Uchiha looked at him oddly for a moment before glancing at Naruto and saying evenly, "Are you injured, Hokage-sama?"

Naruto glared at Sasuke and Minato couldn't help but notice similarities to a certain person. Perhaps they are cousins? He wondered. They did have aspects of the same personality.

"I'm fine, teme. Like they could defeat the Rokudaime Hokage."

"Tch."

"Maa, maa, Naruto, Sasuke." Kakashi attempted to mediate. He flinched when Minato laughed softly. "Sensei- er, Namikaze-san, is obviously here for a reason." He gave Minato his little eye smile. "I'd call you Sensei, but I am nearly twice your age, now."

Minato eyed the three Shinobi. "How far into the future are you from?"

"Ah, about twenty-seven years."

Minato did a quick count in his head and gaped at the elder Kakashi. "You are thirty-nine now. You are nearly twice my age. I'm only twenty."

Sasuke snickered, "Ne, dobe, you are older than him now."

Naruto grimaced and glared at his friend. "By only five years. Better than twenty." Sasuke knew because of the Edo Tensei that Minato Namikaze was the blond's father. The entire ninja world knew it by now because of what they had seen the Yondaime do when he'd hugged his son.

Anyone with a brain would know especially after that.

"Ah, dobe, why do you have to be so flashy?"

"Shut it, Sasuke! I happen to be proud of who I am!"

Kakashi sighed and looked at his sensei, exasperation on his visage. "I'm sorry, Minato-san for ever being like this with Obito."

Minato laughed heartily. "Yes, well. I got used to it pretty quickly and Rin was always there to stop you too."

Kakashi's entire expression flattened then at the mention of his teammate. "Yeah, Rin... She liked me and I never realized it. Obito liked her too."

"Kakashi?" Minato wasn't stupid. "She died didn't she?" At his former student's hesitant nod, Minato grit his teeth. "How?"

"I killed her."

Kakashi was thankfully spared that explanation when Sakura came storming out of the medical tent to hit both her teammates on the head. "SHUT UP!"

"Ah! Sakura!"

"Woman!"

Sakura glared, "Shut up! Do you realize I have patients that are sleeping? I just rescued a very badly injured ninja from the field and saved his ass." She glared at her teammates and at their various injuries. "Where did you get these cuts, Sasuke? My God, Naruto, can you boys not take care of yourselves without me?"

They both looked away from her, pouting.

"Maa, maa. Evidently not, Sakura." Kakashi sighed.

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei, I think you're right. Oh!" Her pretty green eyes widened at the sight of Minato. "Yon- er, ah Namikaze-san!"

Minato tilted his head curiously at the pink haired medic. "You know me?"

"Y-yes, I do. You are quite well known where we are from and Naruto and Kakashi speak highly of you. So does Obito-san for that matter."

Minato winced and laughed, "I'm famous? Ugh, I bet Kushina's a bit put out about that."

"I wouldn't worry about her, Minato-san. Kushina-nee can handle your fan-club." Kakashi sighed, shaking his head.

Minato sighed with his former student. "Yeah, she sure can." As he was about to question his wayward student he noticed an Uchiha clansmen heading towards their general direction. He waved, "Hello, Uchiha-san!"

The Uchiha glanced at Minato and gave him a wave, but the blond Jounin could tell that the man's eyes were on Sasuke. Oh yeah, they are from the future… so the Uchiha wouldn't know Sasuke yet. Minato grimaced and took a stand behind the tall young Uchiha. The clansmen flicked on his Sharingan and eyed the Sasuke from head to toe which made the young man stiffen. Naruto stiffened himself as Sasuke's own Sharingan flickered on and began to spin, indicating Sasuke's irritation.

"You won't know me, Uchiha-san." Sasuke's voice could have been cut from a glacier, it was so cold and formal. "I, along with my teammates, have been out on…extended missions. Several that are for Sandaime-sama's eyes only. We were called back for the war." Naruto came up behind him along with Sakura and Kakashi, creating a solid wall of Shinobi muscle and intellect. Minato's gaze softened as he realized that they were a true unit of teamwork.

The Uchiha clansmen took a step back as Sasuke's killer intent began to leak out from his tight control. "Understood… ahh..."

"Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke."

The clansmen nodded and took off in the vicinity of the hospital. Naruto let out a gusty sigh. "Man, that was too tense." He turned and put his palm on the pale boy's shoulder. "Next time, if we have issues with your clansmen and you can't handle it, let me."

Sasuke's eyes clenched shut, hiding the red and black orbs from view. "It's just… it's…"

The sunshine blond sighed. "I know, Sasuke. I know." Sasuke gave a short nod and opened his eyes to reveal that the Sharingan had been deactivated.

Minato glanced at the four team members and knew something was going on that he didn't know about. Something serious enough to leave emotional damage on the young Uchiha. He wouldn't pry, unless he had to. Shaking himself out of the depressing reverie, Minato clapped Kakashi and Naruto on the shoulders. "Well, I'm on standing orders to bring the five unknown chakra signatures," he looked pointedly at the four future Shinobi, "to Konoha for interrogation. I've already confirmed Obito's identity, so he's fast on his way back to the Konoha hospital and Uchiha compound to be with his family. I've already alerted Rin and Kakashi," he gave an amused glance to the elder Kakashi, "so they should be arriving and waiting on the hospital for him. But, now that I know you are of Konoha, because who wouldn't mistake that white chakra from you Kakashi and that single Sharingan eye that the Kakashi here has barely began to master, I'm going to take you to Sandaime-sama instead."

Naruto visibly brightened, "Old man Hokage?! I haven't seen him in ages. Let's go! Chop-chop, Namikaze-san!"

"Please, Rokudaime-sama, call me Minato." Minato rubbed the back of his head as he remembered politeness for a Hokage, "Namikaze-san makes me feel old."

"Sure, if you call me Naruto." The Rokudaime hiked his thumb at his teammates." I get enough Hokage-sama and Hokage-dono and," he glared at Sasuke who was studiously looking a different way, "dobe from these three."

Minato just bobbed his head, "No problem. But, Kakashi..." The temperature dropped a few degrees as the Konoha no Kiiroi Senkou's killer intent manifested in rolling waves not seen by the four present since the Fourth Shinobi World War. "You will tell me what will happen to Rin."

"I have no doubts that I will eventually tell you." Kakashi blinked, his face carefully blank. "But you won't be able to stop it on your own." He held up his hand as Minato gasped. "I'll tell you when we get back. Rin would kill me if she knew what I had planned for her to save her." Kakashi touched Naruto's shoulder and gave a nod. Sasuke touched Kakashi's shoulder and quickly asked Sakura if she was ready. She simply rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand.

"Well, see you there, Minato!" The future blond Hokage gave a bright grin and disappeared in a flash of yellow light.

Minato could do nothing but gawk at the sight of his Hiraishin.

So that's what it looks like from another perspective. No wonder people are awed.

The future Shinobi landed at the gates of Konoha mere seconds ahead of Minato. The gate guards let out a huge gasp as they took in the newcomers and the fact that Minato was winded and low on chakra from having to use Hiraishin so many times in a row to get to Konoha from the borderland.

The new blonde, however, was not even close to winded.

"How… are you not tired?" Minato huffed out, annoyed that he was so low on chakra.

Naruto smirked, "This? This is nothing. I've had Jounin chakra levels since I was a Genin. Imagine growing from that?" He patted his belly. "I have great stamina and huge chakra levels."

Kakashi poked his wayward student in the side. "Huge is an understatement, sensei. He's been at Multi-Kage levels since he was fifteen." Kakashi smiled his little eye smile. "We knew he had some huge potential when he learned Kage Bunshin when he graduated from the academy. And then went on a trip with Jiraiya-sama and learned Rasengan in a week."

Minato could only nod with his shock. He vaguely remembered the blonde doing his original jutsu when they were in Rouran, and he'd known it since he was a Genin and learned it in a week? He frowned and wondered why now is his memory seal malfunctioning? He'd have to ask Jiraiya-sensei when he seen him next.

It hit him like a boot to the face.

"You were trained under Jiraiya-sensei too?"

Naruto grinned like the sun, "Yep! Ero-sennin, took me on that first trip then again later for two years to help me... ah, with extreme chakra control." Minato snickered at the name for his old teacher. It fit, right down to the super pervert's bones and he knew it. He also didn't miss the other blond's stutter and knew one thing.

He was lying. And he was horrible at it too, but the expression in his blue eyes begged him to not ask about it.

He would respect that decision.

"So… what did… ah," Minato snickered again, "Ero-sennin teach you besides Rasengan?"

Naruto scoffed, "Pfft, does peeping into women's bathhouses and not getting caught count? Or what about proofreading the porn that he writes?"

Minato wilted and beckoned the group with him inside the gates as they began to walk toward Hokage Tower. "Why am I not surprised?"

Naruto looked down towards his feet as they walked, unable to meet his father's gaze. "Well, don't be too hard on him… he… died less than a year after we got back."

"WHAT? How? He's the Toad Sage for God's sake."

"They were able to overpower him, even in Sage form. And we were at war. The very beginnings and it hadn't been formally announced to all the nations, but we were at war... with an organization. One I hope to eradicate before it ever has a chance to grow." Minato glance at the other blonde with his voice grew tinged with venom.

Must be pretty bad to make a man like Naruto hate them.

As they were walking, Sakura ventured, "We'll have to take out Ob- ah, Tobi first."

"Tobi?"

"The leader of the Akatsuki. Well, one of the leaders." Kakashi supplied.

"And I am guessing that the Akatsuki is the name of this organization." Minato snorted when his student nodded. "Hmpf. Well, we'll see what Sandaime-sama has to say and I'll do anything in my power to help you change the future."

"Well, we already can't go back." Naruto said softly. Sasuke and Sakura stiffened and rounded on their errant Hokage.

"What was that, Hokage-sama?" Sakura's voice grew dangerously quiet.

"Yeah, dobe, why don't you answer that."

"You heard me. There is no way we could go back, we are stuck here."

"Won't that mess up stuff even more?" Kakashi asked, alarmed himself.

Naruto thought for a moment, wishing he had a chance to confer with his partner on exactly how he was supposed to tell them, before shaking his head slowly, "No, time moves in one direction… sorta. Because what would be the point of time travel then if we don't change anything? If we changed it and remembered both, who's to say that when we get back to the future that it would be the same as before? We'd have created a parallel dimension. As to why Kakashi didn't disappear, I can't say." He gave a meaningful glance to his teammates and they stiffened. Naruto knew they got his point.

"Ah, but Naruto, us three aren't even a twinkle in our parents' eyes yet. So... does that mean we will disappear?"

Naruto looked annoyed as he looked at Sakura, "Didn't I just say that I can't explain why we won't disappear." He pressed a hand to his stomach, "I knew we couldn't go back as soon as I... ah, well..." He leveled another glance at his teammates that made Minato very curious. Two glances of weird? Hmm… "But anyway, that's why we are stuck here." The Rokudaime gave a decisive nod.

"Ah, great." Sakura looked like a kicked puppy and Sasuke wasn't far behind her.

"It's not so bad. We can be like... the great aunt-uncle-cousins that we never had! We can do what we need to do."

"Yes, that's true, Naruto. But some things can't be changed. Some things will remain the same." Kakashi's voice injected a voice of reason in to the Rokudaime's happiness.

And, he wilted. "Yeah, I know. But if I don't at least try, that will mean I have given up!" He stopped walking a moment, "And I don't give up. That's my nindo. It's helped me so far!"

A few ANBU landed in a semi-circle around the small group. "Namikaze-san."

"Yes?"

A cat shaped mask stepped forward. "We will be escorting you to Hokage-sama."

"Of course."

"We didn't expect any less, Cat-san." Naruto chimed in.

There was a brief silence as they reached the Hokage Tower and doors were opened. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke managed to force their errant teacher through the door this time instead of the window, knowing that Sandaime would probably send his ANBU forces after the man.

As they reached the door, Minato smiled slightly. "Any worries?"

Naruto slowly shook his head. "It's been a while for us to see him."

Sasuke sighed, "Just open the door."

Minato shrugged and turned the knob.

"Ah, Minato. Nice to see you." Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes were shrewd as the blond Jounin walked in. "I see you apprehended our invaders." He had to catch his pipe as Kakashi walked in, visibly older than the young boy he'd visited in the hospital. "What is this?" He hissed and activated silencing seals.

Naruto stepped forward and executed a flawless formal bow that stunned his teammates, "Greetings, Hokage-sama. I am Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage from twenty-seven years in the future." He turned to show off his cloak, "I am also the Gama Sennin as well. These are my teammates and my Genin squad leader. Haruno Sakura, she has been trained by Tsunade, our Godaime."

He snickered as Sarutobi couldn't catch his pipe this time as he and Minato choked. "Tsunade-hime? GODAIME?"

"Yep! The Uchiha is Sasuke, my best friend. And of course, Hatake Kakashi, the copier of 1000 jutsu." He rubbed his head, "My other temporary teammate, Sai could not make it with us." The future Hokage then couldn't help himself as he stared Sarutobi and bounded over to the older man and gave him a hug. Naruto grimaced at Kakashi's sigh and Sakura's facepalm. He backed away and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, sorry. I just… I missed you, jiji."

There was a very pregnant silence before Sarutobi spoke and bent to retrieve his pipe, "Well, that's some introduction, young man. And impressive for somebody I've never met to miss me."

"Ah, yeah, you sorta took care of me when I was a kid. I was an orphan with.. a special… problem."

"Problem, my lily white ass," Sasuke muttered. "If you call having nigh invincibility a problem…"

Naruto glared at his wayward teammate, having heard his little whisper, giving him his best and fiercest Hokage look he could muster. The Uchiha visibly wilted.

"And.. so you became Rokudaime."

"Yes, several years after you passed, but I still made it." He grimaced again as Sarutobi grew more alert. "Sorry to bring bad news. But hopefully we can save you from dying fourteen years from now."

"Please," Hiruzen held up a hand, "I don't wish to know anymore. It is very dangerous to leak secrets such as yours. Things could change dramatically from what you know."

"We're actually counting on that, Hokage-sama." Kakashi spoke up from reading a little green book. "Yeah, where we come from is peaceful and amazing, but the road to get there is harsh and unforgiving. We lose many good people on the way, many who shouldn't have died. We already arrived too late for two people but I believe that we can save more."

"Um, what Kakashi-sensei and Naruto are trying to say is, we hope you can trust us and aid us in the future to protect your future." Sakura's voice was solemn.

But they were all relieved to see the old Hokage's sage nod.