Author's Notes: Had help in writing this chapter from SasusRedhead and LadySesshy. So one can consider this chapter was co-authored.

Chapter 3 – Accepting

Time for Minato seemed to move by slowly as he began to feel Kiyoko was right. Once a week she would leave the small house to venture to the village to get fresh supplies. In the first week while Minato was still recovering from his back injury, she had gone and returned with some clothes for him, giving him the standard Leaf shinobi clothes. At least with the standard issue clothing, it wouldn't look weird for her. It would have been hard for her to get clothes for men when everyone knew she didn't have a boyfriend.

Kiyoko didn't return from her trip until near nightfall. Minato was a bit confused why she would have been gone so long. Her trips to the village were usually an all day thing. In the coming weeks afterwards, she managed to always return with not only food but also something for Minato, including some books and photos of the village. In amongst the photos were people of the newer generation of ninjas. In time, Minato began to wonder what his son looked like. Kiyoko showed him an old photo of the boy when he first became a Genin and he had a lot of his features, including blonde hair and blue eyes.

Then the time came when Kiyoko returned and she did not return with food or anything else for that matter. She had a solemn face and at the first sight of her look, Minato knew something was wrong. While she was gone, he had helped her out by tending to her garden. Brushing the dirt off his panted knees, he rushed over to her.

"Kiyoko, what's wrong?" he immediately asked as she approached the house.

She looked up at the man before blinking. "Asuma has just been killed in the line of duty in front of his students."

"Asuma? As in Asuma Sarutobi?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I haven't been totally honest with you for the past month."

"Honest with me? Honest about what?" he was completely taken by her words. What could she have been dishonest about? His mind was still on the name though. Since he arrived in this time, there has been too many times where the two would talk about their past and often enough familiar names would pop up. The reality of the matter was he no longer could deny her words in what she said about it being 15 years since the Nine Tails attack.

"Naruto… your son…" she began slowly.

"My son?" he blinked. "I thought you didn't believe me."

"I didn't want to," she continued, pulling away from him. "After being with you for the past few months, I couldn't stop myself from wondering how our stories often sounded a bit similar alike. And then the day came when I happened to be in town getting supplies when I realized the truth."

He kept silent, allowing her to continue without interruptions. He wasn't a man to interrupt without cause and he couldn't blame her for being skeptical about his story. He had the same preservations about her story.

"About a two months ago is when it happened. Naruto and Master Jiraiya finally returned after their three-year training. I saw the boy and I nearly fainted. He grew up so much in the last three years, though he's still the same loud mouth from before. But now, he's more mature looking and he…" she paused and looked into Minato's face. "He looks a lot like you. I already knew, thanks to some classified records I became cleared for, he was the son of the Fourth Hokage, you."

His eyes sparkled with happiness knowing she now, finally, believed him. "My son…" he breathed. "But everyone thinks I'm dead…" His heart dropped.

She shook her head. "And with this sudden news about Asuma, I feel torn. I don't want to leave you but I'm going to have to. All available Shinobi are to attend his memorial service. It's the day after tomorrow."

Her heart was heavy and he could see this. He couldn't really feel sad for the man as he didn't know him. But Minato did know the man as a young teen who was very rebellious towards his father and the last he heard of the man, Asuma had talked about leaving the village to pursue a different career.

As she went to pass by him, he was quick to grab her arm, forcing her to stop moving. He had something he wanted to say to her. "When I was Hokage, Asuma was very rebellious to his father. He couldn't understand why Lord Third Hokage did things. He spoke about leaving."

She instantly stopped, giving the man the respect he deserved. "He actually did. He left for ten years became part of the 'Twelve Guardian Ninja' team but later returned. He did patch things with his father and even became a Sensei to a Genin team. But now he's gone, leaving behind nothing but his memories and a child."

"A child!?" he blinked.

"Yeah. He secretly hooked up with Kurenai Yuhi but kept it quiet. Guess the two didn't want the others to know. Some of us knew, though, and kept it quiet. And now, she's pregnant to a fatherless baby."

"Where is the memorial being held at?" he asked. He could remember both of those two but when he last saw them they were teenagers, not much older than his own former teenage student Kakashi once was. He could remember the day Kiyoko brought back some photos and one happened to be his old student. The man still wore the mask. Other than obvious height difference and clothing, the man still looked just about the same as he did when Minato knew him as an ANBU member.

"The cemetery," she replied. Realization then hit her. "You're going to appear aren't you?!"

"I feel as though I should," he answered.

"Minato, you can't! What if someone recognizes you? You've only been 'alive' for a few months and you somehow magically appeared out of thin air from the past. No one will understand until we figure out how you got here."

His eyes gave her a hard look. "You don't have to remind me of that fact. My son is only miles away from me and yet I can't even see him. Do you think I like this?" He released her arm.

She took a breath of air. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it sound like it did. I'm just a bit worried for your safety is all."

"I know and I appreciate that. Do you have a cloak or something that I could use? I could just hide in the trees. I won't actually be there, but I can be there in the trees."

"And what if you see Naruto?"

"I assure you I won't let myself be seen. After all, I am the Fourth Hokage."

She gave him a silent nod, seeing as he wasn't going to change his mind. She then continued her path to the house to pull out her formal clothing that would be needed for the memorial service.


Finally off the mountains, Sasuke and Naruto continued their trek through a nearby forest. They had taken their time coming off the mountains, considering they couldn't use their chakra in case someone had noticed them. It was already risky enough to live in the mountains for 15 years in the Land of Fire, but their old sensei, Kakashi told them they would be safest there and the man knew the terrain well since he was once a member of ANBU.

"You know I just realized something," Naruto said suddenly as he stopped.

"What's that?"

"Do you have any idea what today is?"

"Not really. You know I was still with Orochimaru at this time."

"Today is the day Asuma-Sensei died." Naruto lowered his head. "He was a great shinobi and now he's going to leave his unborn daughter fatherless."

"We could have left sooner and prevented his death. We are here to change what was," Sasuke suggested.

Naruto shook his head. "No. Asuma-Sensei's passing was very important to Ino, Choji and Shikamaru's lives. Especially to Shikamaru."

"Oh? What did the Nara kid do? He was the lazy boy genius in our academy class." Sasuke folded his arms over his chest.

Naruto looked back to the only companion he had in this time. "Asuma's death caused Shikamaru to look at the world differently. Yeah, he still had somewhat of a lazy attitude but he was more determined to be a better shinobi. Just as I have to let Pervy Sage's death happen. That hit home for me. I probably wouldn't have learnt sage mode if not for his passing."

"That I'll agree with. The day I heard Jiraiya was killed I knew that was going to hit home for you. He was your sensei," Sasuke agreed. "Are you going to save anyone?"

"I'm going to save those who died during the war. Hinata, Choji, Shikamaru… everyone! They deserve to live." Naruto's eyes held determination. "No way will I allow that to happen again."

"You know there may be a couple we could prevent to help in that," Sasuke ventured. "I mean your father is the key but what if there's others?"

"Like who?" Naruto was curious to know what his old friend had in mind.

"Orochimaru."

"Are you serious!?" Naruto squawked. "Didn't he try to kill you?!"

"Yes, but you know during the war when I revived him he decided to let the past go and help in the war. He realized the goals he was seeking was futile."

"Yeah and he brought my dad and the other Hokage back but when he was killed, it allowed the reanimation to become too weak to be sustained and that's when the tide of the war changed."

Sasuke could remember all too well how the war wounded up changing from in their favor when instead of Obito using his Tsukuyomi on Orochimaru he killed him. And it was then the poison gas was released killing everyone slowly. With the thought of Orochimaru, it brought the thoughts of someone who was long gone but in this time, was very much alive. He could still remember 'her' as if it was yesterday. He had known her since the day he arrived at Orochimaru's hideout when he was only 13 and the two became friends and remained that way even when he left Orochimaru to seek out his revenge.

[Flashback]

After doing some heavy jutsu practicing, Sasuke stopped and decided to take a breather. He was beside a nearby stream with his shirt off, showing off his growing muscles, sweat beads were all over his skin, causing his skin to glisten in the sun. He knelt by the water's edge, cupping his hands in it to take a drink. The cool liquid slid easily down his throat. He then cupped his hands again, splashing his face, ridding skin of the sweat. Feeling the water slid down his face, helped to sooth his throat and abs.

No longer was he the boy who first arrived at the hideout, seeking training from one of the three Sannin. He was a young man, nearly ready to seek his goal. Nearly three years had gone by since that day when he decided to abandon all ethics he was taught at the academy. He left everything; his friends, his memories, his pain... not once giving a sideways glance to what he was leaving behind.

A well-known redheaded girl to Sasuke would often spy on him training, in secret. Whether he knew it or not, it was never known and he never gave any indication of it either. At times like this he'd manage to turn her face red without even trying. To her, he was extremely sexy when he was shirtless. Cursing in her head for acting foolishly. She was glad she was hidden to hide the color of her face.

Sasuke lifted his head from the stream. His black eyes darted around before glancing behind him from the corner of his eye. He then gave a smirk. He knew she was there watching him. He had always known she was there, but often he'd let her watch him.

"How long do you plan to watch me, thinking I don't know you're there?" he asked out loud, finally letting the cat out of the bag.

She flinched hearing him say that, causing her face to almost matched her hair. Stepping out of the cover of the trees to reveal a fairly tall girl with long blood red hair, going past her shoulders. She wore a short black wrap around dress with a purple shirt and pants underneath, matching the purple cord around her waist. The sound ninja headband she usually wore was removed since they weren't too far from the lair. Her turquoise eyes were diverted to the ground, off to the side, arms behind her back. "I'm sorry…I…" her voice trailed off.

"Why apologize?" he asked, still smirking. He noted her embarrassment and passed it off as being caught.

She took a deep breath quietly as the blush went down some, finally making eye contact with him. "I didn't want to bother you..."

Sasuke watched her a moment before turning away, going back over to where he left his shirt. He then took a seat, crossing his legs. His posture indicated to her that he was satisfied with her answer. "Would you like to sit down?" he offered.

Looking to him she then smiled, giving a nod before making her way over to him, taking a seat beside him.

"I've been meaning to ask you," Sasuke began after she sat down. "Why have you been watching me train? Has Orochimaru been wanting you to keep an eye on me?"

Surprised by this, she shook her head. "No not at all. I'm not even sure if he knows I do it."

"Is that so?" Sasuke smirked again. "What? You have a crush on me or something?" He had no idea how close to the truth it was. He had plenty of girls tell him they loved him, but for some reason with this young girl beside him, it was different. He didn't want to turn her away.

Almost on cue her face lit up again. Quickly covering it with her hand, though she couldn't completely hide her blush. She looked away. "No… I mean..." her words bumping into each other.

He quirked a brow. Did he just guess right? "I'm right aren't I? You do like me?" He thought a moment. "At least you're better than Sakura or even Ino." He shook his head and rolled his eyes. "They are so annoying."

Glancing back to him. "I don't want to be annoying...what you want matters more to me," finally taking her hand away. "I know you probably are still cautious of me because of my loyalty to my lord. But you were nice to me… not many people are. I think of my lord more of a father figure than a master. So I accept what he does. It's not my place to question it. But…I do also consider others." Not looking at him the whole time she said this.

"I can tell you're considerate of my feelings. I'm only here for one purpose and that's to get stronger and then I'll leave to get my revenge." He looked at the ground.

"I know..." her voice saddened, but serious. She never expected those feelings to be returned. "I wish you luck. And I hope you find what you're looking for," Placing a hand on his shoulder she gave him a soft smile. The girl not wanting to be a burden on him anymore, she went to get up.

Sasuke was quick to snatch her wrist. "Leaving so soon?" he asked.

Looking back to him curiously. Not sure what to do.

Sasuke lowered his head. "I don't want you to go," he whispered, nearly inaudible.

She blinked a moment before sitting back down. "Are you alright?"

Sasuke thought a moment. "I hate being lonely. Since meeting you, I haven't felt so alone."

Surprised by this, she smiled again. "I know the feeling."

"From what you've told me, I can just imagine." He let go of her wrist. "Do you know why Orochimaru wants me?"

She frowned, having a pretty good idea. She nodded.

"He wants my Sharingan, which means he'll try and take control of my body. I will stop him before he can. I've known nearly from the start what his reasons were. I've been using him to get stronger so I can defeat Itachi. He will die by my hands for what he did." He clenched his fists in anger.

That reminded her that neither of them had really gone into detail about their pasts, only bits and pieces. They understood from that, that they were similar but they didn't know exactly how similar they really were.

He looked over to her. "You seem to know and understand my feelings. Why is that? Yes, you have told me bits and pieces but not enough to really see why you can understand what I've been through."

"Yeah…" she agreed. "It's kind of hard for me to say though... The memory still hurts."

Taking in on what she said, an idea began to form. "What if you don't have to tell me? I could use the sharingan and see for myself. Itachi did it to me before to show how he killed our clan."

She was curious by the idea, but nervous as well. She didn't fear him and wouldn't prevent him from doing it. "Maybe...that could work."

Sasuke closed his eyes and when he opened them again, they were no longer the charcoal black eyes she was used to seeing. They were the brilliant red color of the sharingan, which matched her red hair. "Then focus on my eyes and I'll have us be transported into your past."

Looking into his eyes. Turquoise met red.

As he stared at her, he felt his mind start to attach to hers and in his own mind he began to see images come to light. First started out blurry but then started to focus in to show what she was willing to show him…

[End flashback]

"Sasuke?"

Sasuke blinked several times, realizing he was thinking of the past. He could vividly remember what his Sharingan saw and it brought back all the feelings he kept hidden all these years. He missed her deeply.

Naruto looked to his friend who had his back to him, kneeling on the ground. But that wasn't the only thing the man saw. Silent tears were falling from the Uchiha, splashing the ground below him.

"I miss her," Sasuke whispered as he punched the ground.

"Who?"

Sasuke took a few deep breaths before standing. At that very moment he realized elsewhere in another land, a few days journey from their location at least, his memory was taking place in real time. His younger self and the red head were having a conversation at that very same time. "Akari…" he breathed.

"Akari? Isn't she the one who…"

"Forget it!" Sasuke yelled.

"Coming back here isn't just because you want to stop your younger self is it?" Naruto pressed.

"Not going to let up are you?" Sasuke asked. He sighed. "Fine. I'm going to save her."

Naruto was quiet so there was someone Sasuke cared for who died. "You remind me of Sai."

"I'm nothing like him," Sasuke retorted, getting his emotions back under control.

"No? You cared for someone from the world we left and so did Sai. I did too. You're still alive to see the one you cared for. Sai can't as he's dead."

Sasuke's black eyes looked at his companion. "What's it to you?"

"This!" Naruto hissed as he pulled his arm out of his cloak holding a black hair clip. "This is what Sai gave me. This proves he was in love."

"Yeah I remember when he wanted you to have it." Sasuke looked at the clip as he remembered Sai's passing.

[Flashback]

"Sai, this can't be happening," Naruto rushed out as he kneeled by the young man. Team Kakashi had only been in the past for seven years. Sakura and Kakashi were already dead. With Sai leaving them, it now would only leave Naruto and Sasuke to complete the mission. Each person who passed was carefully disposed of to be sure no one from the past would find their remains.

"I'm sorry…" the young man said slowly. "I've tried… to hold on but I can't. The poison… is… is just too much. I've known for the last few… months my time was up, but didn't want… to inform you. And don't bother to try and… get on my case, you knew this was going… to happen sooner or later." He slowly lifted his hand and pointed to his pack, which was beside Sasuke. "When you destroy my things… there's one thing… I want you to keep."

Naruto wanted to get upset with the dying man but knew Sai was right. There was no way to avoid it. Seeing Sai was pointing towards Sasuke. He looked to see Sai's pack. "Sasuke, hand me that will you?"

Silently Sasuke bent and picked the pack up and tossed it to Naruto. The Uchiha male never thought it was right for the former ROOT member to be part of the team since the guy was only a replacement, but he couldn't argue. He had his own reasons for taking the mission. Naruto then opened the pack and pulled out the things until he reached one particular item.

"That…" Sai breathed.

"Really? It's just a hair clip," Sasuke replied.

"This hair clip!" Naruto gasped as he marvelled at the look of the dark hair clip. He could remember there was a female member added to the team during the war and she had vibrant red hair and wore a black hair clip, holding part of her locks out of her face. "This hair clip belonged to Reiko. How'd you get it Sai?"

"Right after she died. Please… when you find her. Give it to her…" Sai's breathing became laboured. "Naruto… please… promise me… she's in ROOT and my female partner. Please… tell her… about me…"

Naruto's eyes watered as he watched Sai close his eyes for the last time remembering the red headed girl. She had been very special to him as well and he lost her. She was like family to him. He turned to Sai, agreeing to his request, "I will…"

Sasuke turned away from the sight of the deceased man. "Naruto…"

"I know…" Naruto replied as he took the hair clip and slid it into his pocket of his cloak. He made the pocket after losing Sakura.

"We can't let…"

"I said I KNOW!" Naruto yelled. "Give me a damn moment!" Reaching forward and rested a hand on the pale man's forehead, giving a silent pray. "I'll do it and you deal with his things. Though there is one thing I want you to keep."

"Just like with Sakura and Kakashi. You want the book?"

"Yes."

"Fair enough." Sasuke turned back and walked over to the body of their comrade and gathered up the things he would never need again and gathered them into the bag. Picking the bag up, he moved far enough away and then lit the bag on fire.

"Sasuke, I just... I just miss Reiko so much," Naruto sighed. He took the clip out and looked at it again before putting it away. Every time he closed his eyes he could remember the girl's face.

"I know," Sasuke answered. For once he could feel Naruto's pain. Losing Reiko had hurt Naruto very badly. Sasuke knew exactly how it was to lose someone he loved.

[End flashback]

"So you're still going to honor his wishes?" Sasuke asked, bringing his thoughts back to the present time.

"My word is my bond," Naruto stated. "That's my ninja way. I never go back on my word."

"No, you don't." Sasuke shook his head. "Come on. We better get going if you want to see your father. We'll be there in a few days." Sasuke turned away and began walking towards the village.

"I will stop the war from happening. I swear!" Naruto tucked the clip back into his cloak and followed his companion.


As he promised, Minato donned on a dark cloak and the two ventured to the village. This was going to be his first trip away from the house since arriving. He wasn't too thrilled about going but he wanted to pay his respects. Asuma's name was now going to be engraved on the memorial stone. When the two approached the village gates, neither said a word. Minato's heart began to beat a bit faster as he neared his former home. Ignoring his feelings of wanting to go inside, he quickly took to the trees and made his way towards where he could remember where the cemetery was.

It took him several minutes to reach the wall and then sneak past the guards stationed there. He couldn't recognize any of the men but he didn't have time to really pay too much attention. He had to make his way to where the memorial was being held.

Once getting past the guards, he released a small smile as he activated his jutsu and was able to appear in the trees of the memorial. Crouching down, he kept himself well hidden as he saw many people he did recognize and many he didn't. One person in particular arrived, causing him to nearly slip out of the tree. Directly below was someone he never thought he would ever see, his own son, Naruto.

"Naruto…" he breathed very quietly.

The pictures Kiyoko showed him didn't do justice. He could see the boy was tall. Not as tall as he was, but Minato knew Naruto wasn't done growing yet. Boys usually never stopped growing until at least 18. Needing to get his mind off his son, Minato lifted his head to look around the area, searching for anyone he knew. His eyes soon fell upon a woman holding flowers. He'd recognize her hair anywhere. "Kurenai…" he breathed.

Never in his life had he thought a Yuhi clan member would fall for the son of the Third Hokage and now she was with child. He felt bad for her. He could sympathize. He missed his son's growing years and he missed his wife terribly. For him, losing his wife was still very surreal to him. He had finally come to terms that he was indeed 15 years into the future, but the question was how did he get transported.

Time Travel was something he had heard during his short time as Hokage, but he knew it was a forbidden jutsu to use and therefore was sealed up in the scroll of sealing. Only a member of the Uzumaki clan could decipher it and even then it was extremely difficult. Only certain members of the clan could know its exact location in the scroll. Not even any of the Hokage before him ever knew where it was.

As more people continued to arrive at the cemetery, they made their way to where Asuma's grave was placed. He kept himself well hidden after they went and began the ceremony. He couldn't hear from where he was, but he could see perfectly. He was even able to spot Kiyoko, dressed in her black top and skirt.

For an hour he watched and soon the service was over and everyone began to leave, but Kurenai remained behind. She crouched on her knees and began to cry as she curled her hands around her stomach. Minato could feel the anguish coming from her. He knew exactly how she felt as he was going through the same thing with the loss of his own wife. He truly missed Kushina.

He continued to watch until soon Kurenai left with Shikamaru at her side. Minato was shocked at the young teen. He knew the kid was the son of Shikaku Nara but he was surprised at how much he looked like his father. When the coast was clear, Minato jumped down from the tree and walked over to Asuma's grave.

"I'm sorry my friend," he began. "I wish I was here sooner to stop this from happening but I'm not even sure myself in why I'm alive or even why I've travelled into the future. I'm sure there's a purpose but as of yet I don't know what that is. I will do everything I can to protect Kurenai and your unborn chid, the King. Your father once told me you could never understand who the King was. I'm not sure if you ever did find the answer but the king is our children, the next generation."

Minato's eyes lifted up as he felt a presence from behind him. He went completely still as he waited for the intruder to announce themselves. His hand carefully went into the cloak he wore, grabbing a kunai and was ready for anything. He was glad for Kiyoko having a few kunais in her house so he could be prepared.

"Minato?"

Minato relaxed as he placed the kunai back where he had it and looked down at the grave. He should have realized her chakra signature. "I'm ok," he replied.

"Is this why you wanted to come? To speak to Asuma's grave?"

"I've lost so much time," he answered as he turned to the woman, his only friend in this new time that he didn't know.

Kiyoko nodded. "We should head back to the house now before it gets too late. It will take us some time to get back there."

He nodded. "I saw Naruto. He looks so much like me and he's not done growing yet."

She gave a sad smile. "He's not your conventional ninja but he does have his strong points. He never gives up no matter what and he does give many a run for their money. He's very predictable to be unpredictable. And he's been trained by Master Jiraiya."

"I just would like to know how I got here. What is the purpose?"

Kiyoko shook her head. "I don't know but it would be best to leave from here before you're caught."

He nodded. "I'll meet you outside the gates where we departed from." No sooner said he jumped into the trees and made his way back to the village wall to wait for her.


Night was vastly approaching as Minato and Kiyoko arrived back at her home. She was quick to make her way over to the swing, taking a seat. "I can't imagine what Kurenai must be going through right now." She looked up. "But you do."

He gave a nod. "I do. Everyday I wake up, thinking everything was all a dream but then I realize I'm waking alone and reality crashes into me like a brick wall. The pain is still very new to me." He leaned against the tree the swing was tied to, head down.

She looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I have somewhat an idea how you feel. I lost both my parents and to this day I miss them. My whole life has constantly spiralled out of control."

His head looked up. "What does that mean?"

Realizing what she was saying she shook her head. "Nothing. Don't worry about it. I should figure what we'll eat tonight."

She stood from the swing and began to make her way to the house but he was quick to get behind her, grasping her arm. "Kiyoko, talk to me. I can see something is bothering you."

"No more than you keeping to yourself about your wife's passing," she replied a little too coldly.

"Now, that's not fair and you know it. I was about to die with Kushina and now here I am. Your situation is completely different. Please, talk to me. You're the one who told me it's alright to talk about how much I miss my wife."

She sighed as she lowered her head. "I'm sorry. That was a bit harsh of me. I've had years to deal with the matter and you've only had months."

Staring at her with a solemn expression, he released her arm. "What are you not telling me?" he asked again.

Kiyoko thought a moment and then looked up in the man who should be much older than her and yet he was nearly her age. "I'm sorry, but I can't." She shook her head. "It's too embarrassing." She turned away from him, going to make her way around him.

"Then why do you live out here?" he asked, eyes narrowing. "You live where the Nine Tails attack happened, which years later is rebuilt and then I show up."

She stopped a moment. "I'm on medical leave due to issues that I don't want to talk about. I went on leave nearly a year ago, six months before you showed up."

Putting a finger to his chin, he began to wonder about that. "That reminds me. I've been here for a few months now and still don't know how I got here. I've come to terms that I'm 15 years into the future."

Kiyoko blinked and turned back to the blonde. "That's actually a good question. And you know I've finally come to terms that you're the Fourth Hokage. But how did you get here?"

"There is only one way I can think of. Kushina once told me there's a secret Uzumaki jutsu and it's kept well hidden under lock and key. Only certain clan members know of its existence and she was one of them but she didn't know where it was."

"What's it called?" With the subject changed her demeanour changed, allowing her to want to approach him again.

"Time Travel jutsu, which is an extremely forbidden jutsu and it's an Uzumaki secret," he answered. "But how would someone get a hold of that. Kushina, as far as I know, was the last of the Uzumakis though you say my son took her name."

She nodded. "Yes. Naruto Uzumaki. The Third Hokage named him. He didn't want people to know he was your son for fear your memory would be tarnished. Everyone knew Naruto was the vessel of the nine tails but as the next generation children were born, the kids were never informed but that didn't stop the parents from keeping their children away from Naruto."

"Naruto never had friends?" This took Minato by surprise.

"No, but he did have a few people who believed in him. Iruka-Sensei, his teacher, was one and after he became a ninja, more began to see the good side of Naruto."

Minato nodded. "If others knew Naruto was my son, he would have become a target and chaos would ensue."

"That is exactly why," a voice said from behind them.

The two whipped around to the uninvited guest. Minato pulled out the kunai he had and was immediately in a defence position, ready to attack if he had to. The kunai wasn't his style but it would do.

"Who are you!?" Minato demanded, eyes darting around. "Show yourself!"


Edited: March 15, 2107 – changed wording and sentence structure around and added nearly another 200 more words