Six years before the Kyuubi Attack, a certain couple was rejoicing at the new bundle of joy that had just entered the world.
The nurse had said that the baby was a girl. The moment Kushina and Minato laid eyes on her, their eyes began to sparkle wildly.
"She's so cuuuuute!" Kushina couldn't stop gushing about her newborn child. Minato didn't react that extremely, but he shared Kushina's sentiments toward their child.
"Kushina, what do you want to name her?"
"Minako. I have no doubt that she will grow up to become a strong, independent, and beautiful kunoichi."
Minato smiled and chuckled softly. "She's so perfect."
Beaming, the couple took their child back into the village.
FIVE YEARS LATER:
"Hana, you're it!"
"I got you, Ayame!"
"Mina-chan's it!"
"I got Shisui!"
Shisui did not seem happy. Even if Minako was the only one who could keep up with him, he'd never actually been caught before.
Kushina, Mikoto, and Tsume laughed at their children's antics. The three women had to agree that it was totally adorable.
Shisui tried to chase Minako and tag her back, but he could only match her speed and she had a headstart. He smirked, however, because now he could use that ace he had been keeping up his sleeve. He channeled his chakra and activated the Jutsu that would earn him his title.
"Shunshin!"
All of the children watched in awe. Given his lack of experience with the Shunshin, Shisui wasn't all that fast, but it was more than enough to destroy any of his friends at any game involving speed. Minako was shocked. WHOA! She thought. Shisui's so fast! At this rate, he'll pull ahead of Itachi and me in no time! I have to ask Dad to teach me how to be as fast as he is!
Later that day:
Minato was coming out of the bathroom, having washed his hands after dinner. He felt a tug on his sleeve. He smiled down at his daughter. "What's up, Minako?"
"Daddy! Teach me the Hiraishin!"
Minato sweat dropped. "Uhh… Minako. The Hiraishin is a very advanced Jutsu. Even I had to spend years on it to even use the most basic form. You've barely even learned the fundamental Jutsu at your age. But I promise we'll work even harder on your training from now on. I just want to know one thing. Why are you suddenly so intent on doing this?"
"Because I can't fall behind Shisui-kun and Itachi-kun! Shisui used the Shunshin today! At this rate I'll be left in the dust!"
Minato hesitated a bit. "Okay," he said after a bit of thinking. "But we'll also have to try to get you in the Academy in about a year, okay?"
Kushina butted in. "Minato! She's just a little girl! Don't you want her to have a normal childhood?"
Minato chuckled. "But Kushina, war is imminent right now! And Kakashi's about to become a jounin! I hate to do this to my own daughter, but in war, we have to take everyone we can get."
Kushina was a little sad. "She'll have to grow up so fast…"
Minato chuckled again. "Kushina, I'm quite sure that Itachi and Shisui will be doing the same thing. These three are no ordinary children. I can see great potential in them. I'm sure the council will approve of my decision to enroll them early, along with any other children from prominent clans who wish to do so."
Kushina had gotten pregnant recently. The whole family was ecstatic. And the village was excited, too. Even Jiraiya had dropped by to congratulate them.
"Jiraiya-jisan!" Minako was happy to see him.
"Minako! My, look how you've grown!" Jiraiya was happy to see his goddaughter again. He then turned to Kushina. "And now you're going to get a sibling."
"It's a boy, I know it," said Kushina matter-of-factly. She glanced at Minato. "And we've also decided to name him after the main character in your book, Ero-Sennin!"
"Ero-Sennin?" said Minako innocently.
The three adults sweat dropped. "Don't worry about it right now, Minako!" said Minato quickly. "It's Jiraiya-jisan to you!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily. "Anyway, why do you want to name him Naruto?"
"We believe he will become a great shinobi, and we just liked the name. Besides, we want you to be his godfather!"
Jiraiya sweat-dropped again. "I'm no good with kids!"
Kushina and Minato raised an eyebrow at him. "Yeah, sure. As if you and Minako don't get along," they said in unison.
"Yeah!" agreed Minako. "Jiraiya-jisan is the coolest! After Dad of course!"
"What about Kakashi?"
Minako frowned. "Too serious. He's so boring!"
Minato got a sad look in his eyes. "You know, Minako, Kakashi has been through a lot. I wouldn't hold the way he's acting against him," he said softly. "Anyways, how about you and I go do some training, Minako?"
Minako nodded vigorously, evidently excited.
October 10 (Minako turned six on the tenth of September)
Minako had been sent to stay at Mikoto's place that night, since Minato and Kushina would be gone for Naruto's birth. Presently, Minako was having a casual spar with Itachi.
But things weren't going so smoothly for Kushina and Minato. Kushina's labor had been long and painful, but Naruto was born at long last. Unfortunately, there was no time to celebrate, as a masked man took Naruto and held a knife to his neck. Minato had managed to get him away, but when he teleported back to get Kushina, the masked man had already chained her up. He had begun extracting the Nine-Tails from her. Minato had managed to get her away for the time being, but now there was a huge Tailed Beast looming over them.
The masked man laughed. "Now, it is time to crush Konoha."
Minato quickly took Kushina back to the village and decided to leave her and Naruto with Mikoto. Before Mikoto could respond, Minato was already gone. Moments later, shinobi were moving out, helping with evacuations.
Minato tried to fight the Kyuubi, but it was no use. He was being controlled by a Sharingan, as evidenced by the change in his eyes. Minato focused his trained sensory abilities. He went after the chakra signature he had picked up.
He found the masked man there. He promptly engaged the man in combat. It was tough, since all of Minato's attacks passed through him. But he was able to deduce that the man needed to be solid to attack. And so, he teleported behind him before he could react and drove him into the ground with a large Rasengan.
The masked man got up after a few seconds. He figured it was best to just not mess with Minato, so he left.
Minato sighed in relief. But then he remembered the Nine-Tails. I have to seal that beast away, but who should bear such a burden? Kushina's weakened significantly, so maybe I could… no! Not Naruto! But Minato knew there was no one else. It had to be Naruto. He teleported to Naruto and took him and Kushina to the Nine-Tails.
"Kushina, I need you to restrain the Nine-Tails with your chains. Can you manage?"
She simply nodded. Within seconds, a barrier had enveloped the Nine-Tails and it was restrained by chains. Minato started forming hand signs.
"No, Minato! Not that seal!"
He smiled back at his wife. "Nothing else will work. Reaper Death Seal!"
He had Kushina go outside, and he set everything up himself.
Kushina's chains kept the Nine-Tails under control, while Minato was able to split it in half and seal part of it in Naruto. He took the other half with him.
The sealing went quite smoothly. Before the Shinigami took Minato away from good, he took one last look at Kushina and Naruto, and a tear rolled down his face.
"I guess this is goodbye. I'm sorry for not being able to raise them with you, Kushina."
And with that, the Fourth Hokage was taken by the Shinigami and his life came to an end.
That's a wrap! Sorry for the short chapter, and sorry if it feels a little rushed. I was trying my best to keep the pacing comfortable enough.
Next chapter: Team 12