Disclaimer

I, Syraxes, do not own the Naruto manga, Naruto anime, Naruto Shippuden anime, the Boruto manga or anime, video games or Naruto novels. They are property of Masashi Kishimoto and Studio Pierrot. I am a fan making this for the enjoyment of other fans. Please support the official release.

The sound of lightning filled the air. Sakura and Naruto disengaged, moving away from the target. Sasuke started to run before Mizuki had even looked at him. Kakashi-sensei had said this jutsu created a tunnel vision when someone performed the jutsu. The Sharingan was able to mitigate that weakness. It was a jutsu perfectly suited for him.

Mizuki turned around, just in time to see Sasuke shoot at him like a bolt of lightning. The world around him remained in perfect clarity despite the speed the jutsu carried him at. Mizuki didn't have time to counter and even with his enhanced speed, Sasuke's jutsu was just faster.

The Chidori pierced his stomach, cutting into it like butter. Even in his monstrous form, his flesh offered no resistance.

As the lightning faded, Sasuke tried to pull back his arm. With a hole in his stomach, Mizuki wouldn't present nearly as much of a problem as he had been-

Mizuki's hand shot out and he grabbed the front of Sasuke's face. The world around him darkened, but the Sharingan made note of every small detail. In the palm of his hand, a black circle.

"You little brat! If Orochimaru didn't want you, I'd crush your skull right here and now! Instead, I'll just take it from you."

At first Sasuke didn't know what he meant, and a snappy comeback was on the tip of his tongue when he felt it; his chakra was being siphoned out into the circle. Sasuke tried to move, but his body wouldn't respond; his arm twitched, but otherwise remained in place.

"What are you doing to him?" Sakura yelled.

"Another gift from Orochimaru-sama! This hole in my chest hurts and Sasuke is going to help me fix it. In this form, I can gather chakra quickly; I should almost have enough to patch up the wound he created."

Sasuke knew he was right; he could feel his chakra fading, leaving his body. At this point, he wouldn't be able to perform another jutsu.

Sasuke could hear footsteps moving towards them. Mizuki threw him and Sasuke crashed on top of tree roots.

His strength seemed to leave him with his chakra, but Sasuke summoned up as much as he could muster and sat up. Naruto and Sakura were once again attacking him. Mizuki looked exactly like he had been just moments ago, before Sasuke's attack.

Sasuke tried to stand, but his legs gave way under him and he crashed to the ground.

No. I have to move.

So consumed with his thoughts, Sasuke didn't notice when the world lost its sharp focus. His Sharingan receded. Sasuke was left to watch helplessly as Naruto and Sakura did their best against Mizuki, but even without his Sharingan, he could see them losing ground. It was a bit frightening, watching how that formula turned Mizuki into that monster. If it could do that to him, what could it do to him?

"You're still weak."

Damn it! Get out of my head! That voice; that cursed voice. Sasuke could remember it clearly from the nightmare the Cursed Seal caused when Orochimaru put it on him. He didn't want to see the apparition that haunted those dreams; he didn't want to see his face staring back at him.

"You can't even save your teammates. They'll die, just like your parents. Just like the Uchiha Clan. Because of you. Because of your weakness."

Sasuke could see it now; his younger self, standing just inside his field of vision, wearing the same clothes as that night. A twisted smile etched on his face.

I don't want you!

"Without me, without power, your friends will die."

Mizuki's kunai found its mark in Naruto's stomach. Sakura was slammed onto the ground. They got up but each time they were knocked out, but always coming out worse for wear.

"Stop holding the power back; it's the only thing that can save them now."

Sasuke remembered waking up; he had been intoxicated by the power. He attacked Kakashi in his jubilation, wanting to test his new abilities against someone. Anyone. The same reason his brother murdered the clan.

"Will you watch them die, Sasuke? Is that what you are? A bystander, condemned to watch those you love die? What happened to being an avenger? Will you avenge your teammates?"

It was right. Mizuki was just playing with them now. Once the game was over, Sakura and Naruto would-

No. I won't let anyone else I care about die in front of me! Not when I can save them!

Sasuke could feel it now, more clearly than it had ever called before. The call for power, the desire for it. It swept through his body like a torrent, infusing him with that dark power. His lack of energy was gone. Chakra filled his body.

Sasuke could hear distant laughter.

Mizuki turned to face him, dropping Naruto to the ground. Sasuke could see the shock written all over his face.

It felt so good. The power made him feel like he could do anything. Nothing was impossible; saving Naruto and Sakura was child's play.

Sasuke leaped at Mizuki.


Hiruzen wasn't as young as he used to be. Anyone who looked at him could attest to that. His reaction time had dulled; his strength, while still impressive, had weakened. Speed, agility, chakra, control, all were deserting him in his old age. Saratobi Hiruzen was by no means a pushover; there was a reason he still held the title of Hokage.

Orochimaru on the other hand, seemed to have decided that aging was beneath him. His immortality jutsu seemed to have spared him from the same fate. Which put Hiruzen at a disadvantage in this fight. Orochimaru looked like he did when he was twenty; more than that, he moved like he was a spring chicken. Hiruzen firmly believed life wasn't fair, not in the shinobi world he lived in, but nothing made that more clear than his student.

Hiruzen grabbed Orochimaru's fist, ducking down and pulling his student with him. Hoping to knock him off balance, Hiruzen kicked out his legs in a sweep. Faster than he himself could recover, Orochimaru pulled away, weaving hand seals. The ground below him turned to a muddy river. Focusing his chakra, Hiruzen put force behind his legs and jumped up over the river. Hiruzen threw three shuriken at him, creating the hand seal.

"Shuriken Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"

They multiplied a hundred times their number, following towards his student. A wall of mud was created in front of him, protecting him from Hiruzen's shuriken.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Hiruzen took a deep breath and released the ball of fire towards the mud wall. The wall and the area around it was engulfed in red hot flames.

Hiruzen knew that wasn't enough to stop his student and he decided he would climb. Landing on the floor they had just fallen from, Hiruzen jumped again, channeling his chakra through his arm and punching a hole in the roof, coming to a stop on top of the stadium.

Orochimaru wasn't slow in joining him; coming out of the hole he created, the two clashed again. Punch, kick, dodge, leg sweep, fire jutsu, substitution and repeat with minute differences. Orochimaru wasn't like what Hiruzen remembered; his Taijutsu had improved so much and he wove it through with his Genjutsu and Ninjutsu flawlessly.

Hiruzen wished he was in his prime; the thought of facing his student, in a body that wasn't weakened from age. Now that would have been fun. Even now, knowing it was kill or be killed, knowing how much pain he would be in if he won, Hiruzen couldn't help feeling excited. It had been so long since he really let loose and went all out.

The feeling of freedom and elation couldn't stop his mind from thinking it was only a matter of time until Orochimaru overpowered him. Perhaps if he was a younger man, or if his student had been ravished by time like he was supposed to be, Hiruzen could have won. Or at least had a better chance of winning. It wasn't so. His beloved Biwako and his student Jiraiya weren't able to come to his aid; with Minato and Kushina here, he doubted they would be able to get past them long enough to really be of help.

It seemed Orochimaru was right; today might be his last day alive. What would happen after his death, if he allowed Orochimaru to walk out of here alive? Someone else would take up the mantle of Hokage; Jiraiya and Tsunade would be around to continue watching Orochimaru. The Will of Fire would remain and others in Konoha would continue to flourish.

Orochimaru was dangerous and Hiruzen couldn't leave this world in good conscience without trying to fix his mistake. The question was how? Even now, as he continued to alternate between attacking and dodging, the prospect was a dim one. He couldn't win; he just didn't have the strength needed in his old body.

Seeing Minato fighting Jiraiya, his student desperately trying to get to him. Minato, who used the Shiki Fūjin to seal the Nine-Tails away in his new born child. If you seal a great chakra demon inside of a newborn, would it be possible to seal something else? Like a whole person? Or just their arms? If Hiruzen could remove Orochimaru's ability to use Ninjutsu, then he might just be able pass on in peace.

Hiruzen blocked the punch, slashing his kunai at Orochimaru's neck, who leaned back just in time. Hiruzen kicked him and he was soaring towards the edge of his barrier.

Hiruzen knew he wouldn't have long until Orochimaru recovered, so he leaned down to catch his breath. He couldn't help his eyes drifting over to Minato. If only Hiruzen had been able to save Minato that day. If he had been the one to seal the Nine-Tails instead. He wished he could leave the village in Minato's hands. Who better than Konoha's Yellow Flash?

Hiruzen froze, his mind started to work in overdrive. The idea was there, just forming. Taking Orochimaru's arms wouldn't stop him. If he had learned how to unseal Minato's soul, what would stop him from retrieving his arms? It would be better if he could be assured that someone would be here to watch out for the village. A Hokage who could protect it. Hiruzen had no doubt whoever was selected to be the next Hokage after his death would carry on the Will of Fire, but what if he didn't leave it to chance?


Sasuke charged Mizuki, extending his hand in a feint. He took the bait and Sasuke dropped off, pulling back and switching to his other arm, slamming his fist into the side of Mizuki's chest. He could hear the bones crack, causing Sasuke to let out a jubilant laugh.

"What's so funny, you little brat!" Mizuki screamed. It was so clear now, it was laughable. Mizuki wasn't the monster that he had been picturing. He was a gnat that Sasuke was going to squish.

Effortlessly, Sasuke ducked back out of the way of his swipe. Sasuke slammed his hand into the back of Mizuki's arm, the snapping of his bone the funnest thing Sasuke could imagine.

He stepped back, dodging Mizuki's strike. Sasuke brought his leg forward, kicking Mizuki's knee in. The gnat wailed, but Sasuke didn't care. Bringing his fist down on the side of his head, seeing it make contact with the ground.

"You're funny."

Mizuki recovered quickly, flashing up and grabbing his face. Sasuke could see the mark on his palm again.

"Funny, am I?" Mizuki hissed. Sasuke could feel the pressure increase on his face and knew he must be squeezing harder now. "Let me have the rest of your chakra. Then we can see how funny I am."

"If you want to keep that arm, I'd move it."

"What was that brat? Was that a threat? I don't think you're in any position to make threats-"

Sasuke pulled the dark chakra into his fist and struck this arm, forcing him to let go. "Your arm is still connected to your body. I thought I put enough power to take it off. Here, let me fix that."


Hiruzen didn't know if it would work. He had never performed the jutsu and he didn't know how it would affect them. If Hiruzen was going to die though, doing this was his best option, and he could only put his faith in it. If it failed, he would die fighting Orochimaru; if it succeeded, he would die sooner.

How was he going to tell Biwako? His first thought was not telling her; he could do it without her knowing. No goodbyes, no one trying to stop him. Just him and destiny. But Hiruzen quickly discarded that idea; Biwako was the love of his life. They had four children together and he had spent more of his life with her than without her. He could never leave her like that. Hiruzen would tell her; she deserves nothing less.

The only question was how. He had to get away from Orochimaru for a few moments and at the same time, remove Kushina from Biwako's presence. Kushina couldn't know about it or the cat would be out of the bag.

Orochimaru and Kushina were two incredible shinobi and pulling it off wouldn't be easy. Not even for him. But Hiruzen did have one trick he could use. He brought his thumb to his lips and bit down. He wove the hand seals a moment later, slamming his hand to the ground.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

Smoke exploded from the summoning. When it cleared, two figures were standing; Monkey King Enma and his son, the Prince Kong. Enma looked around, his eyes landing on Hiruzen.

"It's been a long time, my old friend."

"It has, Enma. I hope we can fight together one last time?"

"One last time, huh?" The king's eyes scanned the area around them, no doubt taking in the situation. "Quite the predicament you've gotten yourself in, Saratobi. We will be honored to help."

While the Prince did not speak, he inclined his head to Hiruzen. "Thank you. Enma, for now, I need you to distract Orochimaru. Can you hold him off?"

"Need you even ask?" Without waiting for a reply, Enma shot forwards towards his target. Hiruzen and Enma were always strongest together, but his old friend should be able to hold his student off for a little bit. "Kong, see the woman there? With the red hair? Think you can stall her?"

"Of course," was the boy's brazen answer. He wasted no time getting in between Biwako and Kushina. Hiruzen saw his wife and the surprise written on her face. She turned to look at him; when she met his gaze, he waved her over. They didn't have long.


For the first time since he took that form, Sasuke saw the fear in Mizuki's eyes. The realization that he wasn't going to get out of this alive. This was the end of the line for him.

"S-sasuke? Is that you?"

He stopped and turned around. Naruto and Sakura were staring at him, the shock clearly written on their faces.

The humor of the situation vanished. Mizuki was down; the enemy before him vanquished. All that was left was to kill him. Or so he had thought; two more enemies presented themselves to him. Mizuki wasn't going anywhere. These two hadn't been fighting; they still posed a threat.

He'd get rid of them first and then come back for Mizuki once he was done... Right? No, that wasn't right. Sakura and Naruto weren't his enemies. They were his-

The pain was sudden and intense; his whole body was on fire. His head felt like it was being crushed.

"Kill them."

No.

"What if they want to harm them? What if they're like Mizuki and only want to kill your team? You have to remove the danger Sasuke."

The danger? They're not dangerous.

The voice was so loud, it felt like someone was screaming in his ear. "Of course they are. Do you want to let them die, Sasuke? You made the choice not to stand on the sidelines. You chose to act-"

No! Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi. They were his precious people; the only ones alive who he loved. He had almost forgotten that.

"Are you sure about that, Sasuke? What if they betray you like Itachi-"

"GO AWAY!" That voice was worming its way further into his mind. Making him think things he didn't want to. It was so persuasive; if he allowed himself to give into it, who knew what it might make him do. Sasuke couldn't allow that.

The apparition appeared in front of him. Child Sasuke looked at him, that cruel smile on his lips. "You can't get rid of me, Sasuke. You're not strong enough. Your hate's not-"

NO! Sasuke was the one in control, not the phantom haunting him. Whatever it was, Uchiha Sasuke would not allow it to manipulate him. Not even when he used his own brother's words against him. Sasuke felt the power of the Curse Seal coursing through him. His will, not the Cursed power or this phantom mattered. Go away!

Sasuke pushed the Cursed power out of his body, back to the seal on his neck, making it recede. It was his body and he wouldn't allow anyone to have a say over it. Not his brother, not a snake, and not a curse.


Hiruzen explained his plan quickly. He knew Biwako wouldn't stop him when they had so little time. So little time for him to say goodbye. When he finished, Biwako didn't rage or curse or scream; she was the definition of composed, even after what he had told her.

"Hiruzen, I can't let you do this."

That surprised him more than anything; Biwako was a shinobi and she had seen her fair share of sacrifices over the course of her career. Somethings were worth dying for, and the future of the village was one of them. When he opened his mouth to protest, she stopped him with a look.

"Hiruzen, my beloved. Do not ask me to live in this world without you. I could endure it, but I don't want to. I've seen too much of this world and the thought of being here without you..."

She trailed off. Hiruzen could read the emotion in her eyes, her love for him. She reached up and cupped his face, bringing her lips to his, in a salty, tear stricken kiss. Her lips had become so familiar over the years. He leaned into the kiss, returning.

When she broke apart, her eyes were hard; one way or another, Biwako had made her decision.

"I will not allow you to undertake this alone. Do not ask that of me. Hiruzen, when you leave this earth, I will be right beside you, to face whatever is after this life."

"Biwako."

It had been a very long time since Saratobi Hiruzen had tears in his eyes; the last time he could remember, it was the death of his oldest son, Toya, during the Third Great War. He had been killed on the Kumo front and for that day, he had been inconsolable.

These were not tears of sadness, but one of joy. Like him, Biwako had lived a long life. She was ready to die.

"I will deal with Kushina, Hiruzen. Focus on Minato; do not worry."

"Worry about you? Never." Hiruzen touched her cheek one last time.

Enma went flying past him; they were out of time. Hiruzen drank Biwako's appearance one last time, before turning away. Jiraiya was still fighting with Minato, holding his own, though he saw cuts and slashes all across his body. Minato was truly a frightening enemy.

Hiruzen pushed his chakra through his legs, activating the Shunshin. Moving as fast as he could, Hiruzen kicked Minato away from Jiraiya, landing by his student's side.

"Sensei-"

"Jiraiya, I don't have much time. I have a way to end this and I need you to fight Orochimaru for me. Work with Enma."

"What are you planning sensei?"

Hiruzen gave him a laugh, but chose not to answer. Instead, he ran forward again, meeting Minato. His kunai clashed against Minato's, the sound of metal against metal. "Hiruzen-sama."

"How many times have I told you just call me Hiruzen?"

He smiled. "More than I can count. Why are you here, Hiruzen-sama? I have to get past you; my target is Jiraiya-sensei."

"Yes, about that. I'm sorry Minato, but I cannot let you pass."

"How will you stop me?"

"Your space-time Ninjutsu is amazing, Minato. You took the Nidaime's jutsu and perfected it. Very effective and it isn't easily countered."

Hiruzen moved out of the way, letting go of his kunai. His hand touched Minato's chest and his successor stopped moving.

"Why can't I move?"

Hiruzen gave a tired laugh. "It's a paralysis jutsu I created. As long as I keep physical contact with you, and have the chakra to sustain it, neither one of us will be able to move. You won't be able to perform any jutsu."

"I see. So we're at an impasse."

"Not quite. If you were anyone else, that would be the case. But I have something special to use for you, Minato."

"Oh? What is it, Hiruzen-sama?"

"A life transfer jutsu."

Hiruzen could see the confusion written on his face. "Life transfer?"

"Yes. A jutsu developed by R&D. It was developed based on the jutsu Chiyo of the Sand created."

"Chiyo? Her jutsu allows the caster to bring back someone from the dead, provided they died recently. At the cost of the caster's own life. Hiruzen-sama, what-"

"Minato, the village needs you."

"Hiruzen, that's crazy. I died a long time ago; I'm not one of the recent dead."

"I know, Minato. But this jutsu doesn't require you to be recently deceased. All it needs is an intact body. The body you have right now could work."

"Could? And what if it doesn't? Hiruzen-sama, is it worth your life for a gamble?"

"If the jutsu does not work Minato, I will be fine. No life will have been exchanged. I can't defeat Orochimaru."

"What about Biwako?"

"She knows how to perform the jutsu, Minato. She's with Kushina now."

"Hiruzen-sama, I can't ask you to do this."

"It's a good thing I don't need your permission, Minato. Promise me one thing; if this works, tell my children I love them, won't you?"

Hiruzen didn't give Minato a chance to reply. He had already made the hand seal needed to perform the jutsu. His chakra was molded and ready to go. Now or never.

"Kinjutsu: Seikatsu Kokan."

All the sound around him faded into a bright, white light. The pain he was in vanished, replaced by an unnatural warmth. Every part of his body relaxed and a feeling of peace washed over him. Was the jutsu working then? If it was, then this was the end. Hiruzen was ready to die; to give up his life for the village. But he was afraid. What sort of afterlife would he be facing? Or did only oblivion await him?

Was this the final chapter of his story? The end to a long life? It's not a bad ending. If it worked, he secured the future of the village; every unspeakable thing he did to protect the village, every order he gave, it all came to this. Every Kage had blood on their hands; they all made the most horrible choices to safeguard their villages and Hiruzen was right there with them. Minato hadn't been the Hokage long enough to dirty his hands, and if this worked, it would firmly be on Hiruzen, when Minato had to make those choices.

Hiruzen was starting to get tired. He could feel the exhaustion wash through him. Now it was time for sleep. He had done what he could and he was ready to see his father. Hashirama-sensei. His son, Toya, who he dearly missed.

The light surrounding Minato was bright; had he been alive, it might have blinded him. Bright whiteness surrounded him in all directions. It left Minato to wonder if this was the afterlife. Then, something strange happened; since his revival in his immortal body, all sensations have been lost to him. He couldn't feel the temperature change, he couldn't feel pain, even as his body was destroyed.

For the first time since he returned to this world, Minato could feel. A gentle warmth filled his body. Relaxing, peaceful. Like a current of warm air.

That was how it started, but as more time passed, the warmth got warmer. Uncomfortably warmer. The warmth turned into heart and soon it became painful. White hot fire burned its way through his body and Minato screamed, writhing in agony. He was dead; he shouldn't be able to feel this pain. It hurt. It was all consuming; if this was an afterlife, Minato was in hell.

How long would he continue to burn?

Gradually, the burning sensation started to fade. Back into an uncomfortable warmth. The white all around him vanished with the pain and Minato found himself lying on the ground. His ears were ringing and the distinct taste of copper filled his mouth.

Where am I?

Minato sat up, his body feeling a little stiff, like he hadn't moved in a while. Minato coughed, covering his mouth with his hand. When he finished, he drew his hand away and saw blood. Not a lot, but enough to shock him; he didn't have any blood. Not in his new body.

His new body...

The memories of what just happened returned; Hiruzen-sama and his jutsu. Minato quickly stood up, taking care to keep his balance. Only a few feet from him, Hiruzen-sama was laying on the floor. Minato ran over to him, leaning back and checking his pulse.

"He's not breathing," Minato said, muttering to himself. A smile was etched on his face; it seemed he had died happy. It only just occurred to him; the connection he had with Orochimaru, the power that made Minato bend to his will, was gone. He couldn't feel it anymore.

The ringing finally faded and the sounds of the world returned to his ears. Minato could hear the sounds of battle only a little ways off. He looked and saw Jiraiya-sensei fighting Orochimaru.

Minato slowly turned back and stared at Hiruzen's body. The Sandaime Hokage was dead. Minato coughed up blood. The connection to Orochimaru was gone. The sensations of feeling had returned to his body. Which concluded only one thing; Hiruzen-sama's jutsu had worked.

Still, Minato had to make absolutely sure. He reached into his holster, pulling out one of his special kunai; on the hilt, his jutsu formula. He opened his left palm and held it up, cutting across it with his kunai.

His skin broke and he started to bleed.

Author's Note:

The chakra absorption Mizuki uses here, is not part of his tiger form in canon. The formula he used here was different than the one he took in canon.

Prince Kong, the son of Monkey King Enma, is an OC. He gets his name from Wukong,

Toya is also an OC.

As a lot of you will probably know, bringing Minato back to life isn't my original idea. Rising from the Ashes is one of my favorite Naruto fanfictions and is the main inspiration for this part of the story. Of course, this story is set in a very different Naruto world and Minato will be facing different problems. One of the main differences, is Kushina is also restored to life. I know from the beginning of writing this Fanfic that I wanted to bring them both back to life. How will this effect the world at large? Or Naruto himself? Who can say? (Well me, but no spoilers)