Naruto rubbed his eyes as he stepped out onto the balcony of his apartment. He hastily grabbed his nightcap and threw it back into the room. He wanted to scream out. Why had he gotten up in the middle of the best dream he ever had? His clock had read 4:53. He could have slept for another two hours.

He leaned against the cold metal railing. The wind blew through Naruto's hair. He sighed and placed his chin on his arms. At least he could see the sun rise. The moon was to his left, and the Hokage Monument on his right. A beam of light connected the two. The Hokage, Naruto thought. I'll be up there. I'll be better than all of them. Especially Granny Tsunade.

"Naruto…"

"Nani? I'm starting to hear things."

"Naruto, I have something to show you."

The wind blew swiftly at Naruto. It was not a regular gust of wind. Something was pulling him away. Away from his body. Away from the world. He was falling, falling into a world of pain, sorrow, and darkness.

"Hokage-sama! Let's give up! There's no way we can stop that… that, thing!"

"We're all gonna die!"

"It's almost here!"

Where am I? The thoughts rushed though Naruto's mind. It felt like he was cradled in someone's arms. He was being carried though dozens of screaming shinobi. They all looked so big. Naruto looked up. Kakashi-sensei?

Kakashi stopped behind a blond haired man. 'Yondaime Hokage' was written down his white cape. He stood there, looking out to the horizon, and the danger that was coming. Kakashi held Naruto closely and slowly approached the Hokage.

"Sensei…"

"How is she?"

"She's dead sensei."

"I guess she won't mind then. Can you hand him to me?"

The Yondaime gently took Naruto from Kakashi's grasp. Kakashi stood behind him. He curiously looked at his sensei, and then at the baby. The Yondaime rocked Naruto back and forth. He whispered something to the newborn.

"Naruto. I'm sorry. Forgive me for what I'm about to do to you. I hope you won't hate me. But, I want you to be strong. You'll be the one to surpass me. You, and only you."

"Sensei…?"

"Kakashi. Tell everyone in the immediate area to evacuate. I'm going to summon Gamabunta."

"What about Naruto?"

"Watch after him."

"But!"

"Kakashi. Make sure. It's one last request from this ninja. Please. Now go! The Kyuubi will be here soon."

A roar shook the ground. The Yondaime watched as he genius pupil ran off. A blur of red drew near with such speed. The Yondaime held Naruto closer. Within a few seconds he stood on top of Gamabunta.

"You know your gonna die, right?"

"As long as the village is safe. And Naruto, too."

"You were always crazy. Here he comes. Hang on tight. I'll only be able to distract him for a few seconds."

"Naruto…"

"Naruto. Wake up."

Naruto found himself neatly tucked into his bed. His clock said 6:17. He thought about what he saw earlier. Was it all a dream? His nightcap lay on the floor a few feet away from the door. Naruto ran out to the balcony and saw the sun rise to a new day. Naruto felt a hand on his shoulder, yet no one was there. And the face of the Yondaime seemed to smile a bit more today.

"To hell with everything! I'll beat you all! You'll see! It's training time!"