Hello, everyone!
I'm happy you all enjoyed the first chapter and I'm sure you all will be pleased to know the memory watching starts in this chapter! I hope this chapter meets all your expectations!
And without further ado, onwards to the chapter~! ^_^
As the foggy mist finishing consuming the three genin, the three ninja opened their eyes to find themselves in a pitch black tunnel.
"Ugh…unh…." Boruto moaned as he opened his eyes.
"Well…that was certainly something…" Sarada muttered rubbing her eyes. Oddly enough, Mitsuki seemed to have come across that experience the least affected.
"Where…are we?" Mitsuki asked as Boruto and Sarada looked across the room, equally as confused.
"Dunno." Boruto tilted his head as he started to walk around the room.
"Do you think the jutsu worked?" Sarada asked.
"It must have if it was a lost scroll." Mitsuki remarked as Boruto's eyes widened in dread.
"Oh crap! Where is it!? Where the hell is that scroll!?" Boruto yelled as Sarada immediately ran to clamp her hands over her idiotic teammate's mouth.
"Shut up, you idiot! What if someone hears us!?" Sarada chided her teammate.
"But if it's a memory, who cares, right? Now lemme go, ya know!" Boruto wheezed as Mitsuki immediately got in between the two.
"Both of you, enough." Mitsuki said, separating the two.
"Ugh, what am I gonna do with you?" Sarada groaned as Boruto rubbed his sore neck.
"I can say the same to you, ya know." Boruto moaned, glaring at Sarada.
However before anymore arguing could occur between the two, several footsteps got the attention of the three.
"Oh crap!" Boruto pointed as he and his team noticed several people wearing medical garb running to the three of them.
"Were we spotted?" Mitsuki raised an eyebrow as Sarada could immediately tell they were in trouble.
"Hold on, medical ninjas! We mean you all no harm!" Sarada tried to reason as they appeared not to hear her. However…that was the least of Team Konohamaru's worry as much to their shock…..
The medical ninjas passed right through the three of them, almost as if they were ghosts!
Team Konohamaru, even Mitsuki, could only stare with their expressions being dumbfounded.
"Uh…what…just happened?" Boruto blinked.
"Wait a second…I think I realized something. If this is a memory that means that since this is something that's already happened, the people in the memory can't see us or interact with us." Mitsuki theorized as he walked forward to press his hand through the wall only for it to pass through.
"Wait a second, you mean like we're ghosts!?" Boruto cheesed as Sarada cringed.
"….That's….kinda creepy…" Sarada muttered as Boruto had sparkles in his eyes.
"That's so cool! I've kinda wondered how it'd be being a ghost!" Boruto laughed as Sarada smacked Boruto's skull.
"Chill out and act your age for once!" Sarada chided as Boruto glared at her.
"Listen you, you can't be smacking me around forever!" Boruto argued as Sarada waved him off.
"In any case, where's Lord Seventh?" Sarada asked.
Almost as if the memory heard her….
"IT HURTS YA KNOW!" A loud feminine voice echoed through the hallway, as if the memory itself decided to answer the Uchiha.
Team Konohamaru's eyes widened at the familiar saying, however.
"Wait a second, did she just say 'Ya Know'?" Boruto asked as that was a term only he and his father used.
"I think so!" Sarada added.
"Let's go see who or where that came from." Mitsuki said as he ran down the dark hallway to where the light at the end of the hallway was with his teammates trailing behind him.
As they reached where the light was, the team of three entered a room with candles lit along the entire room with several doctors lined in the room.
However, what caught their attention was a man with spiky blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes.
"Wait a second! D-Dad!?" Boruto yelped, running to the man.
"No way! Lord Seventh?" Sarada blinked as she followed with Mitsuki.
However as they got a better look at the man, they saw it wasn't Naruto.
"That isn't Lord Seventh." Sarada blinked.
"You're right, it's the Fourth Hokage!" Mitsuki remarked, not believing his eyes as he remembered the pictures Orochimaru showed him of the late Minato Namikaze.
"Yeah, I remember seeing the pictures dad kept of him in his office! So this is my grandpa, huh?" Boruto remarked, his eyes literally sparkling at the sight of the young man. If his dad was an uber powerful ninja, Boruto could only wonder how strong of a man his grandfather was.
"No freaking way!" Sarada remarked, amazed at the sight of the legend she had heard legends about. The fact that someone like Naruto was related to a previous Hokage didn't surprise the young Uchiha. She supposed family greatness was inherited. At least that's how it was with her and Sasuke, anyways.
While he had Naruto's spiky blonde hair and deep blue eyes, the team were quick to note his eyes were more narrowed than Naruto's wide eyes and his facial features were different.
"Huh, he doesn't really look that much like Lord Hokage when you look at him closely…" Mitsuki observed.
"I….guess you have a point?" Sarada tilted her head. Although his hair was longer than the current Naruto's and his eyes were more narrowed, she could see that the Naruto that she knew had Minato's more mature appearance.
"Not to mention…I can see where Lord Seventh gets his blue eyes from." Sarada remarked with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Oh cry me a river, if you love him so much, why don't you marry him?" Boruto snorted as Sarada growled.
"Oh shut up!" Sarada flared her nostrils as she gave Boruto a hard hit to his skull, leaving a huge lump on his skull.
"Ouch! Ugh…when are you gonna stop hitting me?" Boruto moaned as Sarada scoffed.
"Whenever you grow up." Sarada scowled at her teammate.
Before Mitsuki could act as the mediator for his teammates, he noticed the woman whom Minato loomed over with his hand on her stomach. The woman had long red hair with a black hairclip in her head, although her eyes were clenched closed and she was covered in sweat as she grimaced about as if she were in pain.
"I wonder who this broad is?" Boruto raised an eyebrow as Sarada fought off the instinct to reprimand her teammate for his rude use of the term "broad".
"I dunno but she looks beautiful!" Sarada exclaimed, despite the woman being covered in more sweat than an Akimichi after they finished running.
"She looks like she's in pain." Mitsuki noted.
"Yeah she looks like me that time I drunk expired milk, haha." Boruto joked as Sarada slapped Boruto upside the bump on his noggin, igniting a jolt of pain through the bump.
"Time and place!" Sarada spat, ignoring Boruto's cries of pain.
"But wait a second, if Lord Fourth is here, then where's Lord Seventh?" Sarada asked as Boruto immediately started looking around.
"Yeah, I'm wondering that too," Boruto wondered, turning his head left and right in an attempt to locate his father.
"I've never seen Kushina in so much pain that she's out like this. I-is she really gonna be okay!?" The voice of Minato Namikaze asked, ending the conversation between Team Konohamaru as they all ceased their talking as they gathered around to listen. Minato was sweating just as, if not more than Kushina, as his facial expressions screamed "I'm nervous! Help me!"
"So that's how grandpa sounds, huh? I wonder why dad's balls never dropped." Boruto asked, slightly amused that unlike his dad's, his grandpa seemed to have reached puberty.
"I wonder why he looks so nervous like he's about to jump out of his skin…." Sarada asked, not even bothering to dignify Boruto's statement.
"I suppose we'll find out soon." Mitsuki said before he suddenly had an epiphany. Before he could tell his teammates what was on his mind, a voice cut him off.
"Yes, she's going to be fine. Now forget about that and just stay focused on the Nine Tails' Seal." A woman with long brown hair reminded Minato in annoyance. This woman was Biwako Sarutobi, the late wife of the late Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Her statement astonished Team Konohamaru.
"Wait a second, did she just say Nine Tails Seal?" Sarada asked.
"So there was someone else before dad?" Boruto asked.
"It would appear so." Mitsuki furrowed his brow.
Minato only frowned in concern for his wife.
"Okay…but she's so…" Minato muttered as Biwako looked like she was at her wits end with Minato.
"You're the Fourth Hokage, Minato. Now act like it and get a grip! Most men would've dropped dead from such pain long ago. But women are stronger!" Biwako chided Minato as the team's eyes widened as they realized what was happening with the pained Kushina.
"Wait, it looks like she's in childbirth!" Sarada noted in realization, remembering the times she would see her mom performing such experiments.
"And if she's in childbirth with Lord Fourth then…." Mitsuki added as Boruto's eyes grew as wide as plates.
"This woman must be my grandma!" Boruto shouted pointing at the pained Kushina who only continued to scream.
"It would appear so!" Mitsuki noted.
"Whoa….no kidding….this Kushina lady is Boruto's grandma, huh?" Sarada muttered, wondering if this woman was Boruto's grandmother, then who was her grandmother?
However the Team soon noticed the seal on Kushina's stomach was starting to morph, almost as if it was starting to open.
"Uh oh, it looks like the seal's going to be undone." Mitsuki narrowed his eyes.
"But why are they getting so bent out of shape? With all of the Kurama dolls nowadays, I thought he was always big and popular." Boruto said.
"Idiot, this must've been before people knew that the Nine Tails was on Lord Seventh's side." Sarada shook her head at Boruto's stupidity.
Before Boruto could argue, he remembered Jiraiya's words about how the Nine Tails attacked the Leaf Village.
"Long ago, the Nine Tails attacked the village." Jiraiya told Naruto, following Naruto's attack on him during a scuffle with Urashiki who nearly succeeded in stealing the Nine Tails from Naruto.
"He's so strong….The Nine Tails is writhing to get out…..Tch! Hang in there, Kushina! Naruto, come on!" Minato stated, ready to assist his wife in any way he could.
"No way! We're gonna see dad's birth!" Boruto's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at the thought. Never in a million years did he'd ever think he would see the birth of his father.
"The birth of Lord Seventh?" Sarada blinked. She was both curious and slightly weirded out at the opportunity.
"I only wish I had a camera of some kind to film Boruto's reaction." Mitsuki joked with a laugh as Boruto blushed, realizing how lame he sounded.
"Hey, now!" Boruto yelled as Sarada got in between the two.
"Now, now." Sarada said as everyone calmed down, the three crowding around Kushina like a group having a group meeting.
Kushina only continued writhing in pain as Boruto frowned, feeling sympathy for his grandmother.
"C'mon grandma! You can do it!" Boruto chanted as he tried grabbing her hand in an effort to calm her nerves only to slip through it.
"What the?" Boruto asked.
"Like I theorized, since this is an event that's already happened, we can't do anything to change it." Mitsuki said to his friend who growled in frustration.
"Damn it! This is bad…..because Jiraiya said if the beast leaves the body or if it's extracted, people who hold the Tailed Beasts in them die!" Boruto clenched his forehead in frustration as Mitsuki's and Sarada's eyes widened at this revelation.
"Are you serious!?" Sarada demanded more than asked.
"Yeah. He might be goofy and perverted but even he knows what he's talking about!" Boruto noted as Sarada and Mitsuki were speechless.
"I wonder…is this how Lady Kushina died?" Mitsuki put his hand to his chin in thought.
"What're you saying!?" Boruto growled.
"If what you said is true then maybe that's what led to the Nine Tails attacking the village like Lord Jiraiya said." Sarada theorized.
"Whatever the case, something tells me we're gonna see what happened whether we like it or not." Mitsuki's eyes narrowed.
"C'mon, grandma! Don't lose, ya know!" Boruto yelled. Even though his grandmother couldn't hear him, he at least wanted to do something; support her in any way he could if he could. Do anything to ease her pain.
"I can see the head now. You're almost there, Kushina!" Biwako told her head in an attempt to encourage her to finish the birth.
"Just hang in there. You're doing great!" A random nurse added.
"Naruto, hurry up! Come out! You stay in, Nine Tails!" Minato closed his eyes.
Eventually Kushina's screams began to wane as the cry of a newborn baby rang through the air.
"Hot water! Now!" Biwako commanded the nurse.
"Right!" The nurse said as she ran to fetch a bucket of hot water along with other cleaning items.
Team Konohamaru were nothing short of speechless at the sight of the newborn baby before the infant was cleaned, disinfected and wrapped in an orange blanket.
They quietly walked up to the infant as they all took a good look at the newborn version of Naruto Uzumaki.
"D-dad….." Boruto remarked, the corners of his mouth lifting upwards into a smile. He couldn't believe it as he watched his newborn future father cry as he took his first breaths into the world.
This tiny baby…..would grow up to be his lame but badass father who was regarded as an international, global scale hero?
"I really wish I had a phone here so I could snap a picture Boruto's face." Mitsuki joked, although this time, Boruto was paying the son of Orochimaru no mind.
"T-this is…" Boruto teared up as he felt proud tears prickle his eyes. The fact this innocent little baby grows up to become a hero made Boruto felt pride….pride for his father…
Sarada put a comforting hand on Boruto's shoulder as she smiled at him before smiling softly at the newborn Naruto who continued crying.
This newborn baby was her idol….her hero who she idolized….
"How precious." Sarada smiled as she held out her arms to hold the baby Naruto Uzumaki only for arms to pass right through him.
"Memory, remember?" Mitsuki reminded Sarada who blushed in embarrassment before sighing.
"Man…this makes me feel…so good for some reason. I….can't explain it." Boruto smiled, wiping his eyes as a thought suddenly came to him.
"Wait, if dad doesn't have the Nine Tails in his yet, why does he have whisker marks?" Boruto pondered as Sarada and Mitsuki wondered the same thing too.
"You know, that's a good question." Sarada furrowed her brow in thought before Mitsuki came up with something.
"If…Lady Kushina had to carry the Nine Tails within her as well as carry Lord Seventh, maybe his whiskers came as some sort of side effect along with that?" Mitsuki theorized as his teammates looked at him.
"I…guess that makes sense?" Sarada asked as Boruto tilted his head, seeming somewhat satisfied with Mitsuki's theory.
"I gotta ask dad when we get out of here." Boruto told himself more than he told his teammates.
However, if Team Konohamaru were amazed at the sight of a newborn Naruto, their reaction was paltry compared to Naruto's parents.
Kushina let several tears fall from her eyes, all out of either relief from being done with the long and strenuous process of childbirth, exhaustion from bringing a baby into the world, realization that she was a mother or either happiness that her baby was into the world safe and sound.
Minato looked lost for words. Almost as if he took a step, he would shatter into a million pieces like a puzzle.
"…He's…really here…." Minato could barely get the words out as proud tears filled his eyes. He couldn't believe it. After twenty four years, he had found the love of his life and was now a father! The feeling of being a father now…he couldn't explain it. It was too much to simply put into words!
Minato teared up as he wiped his eyes before donning a very happy father.
"Today….I'm a father!" Minato smiled through his tears. Although Team Konohamaru could only stare somberly at the man.
"…Yeah…but not for long…." Sarada muttered as the realization of Minato dying soon was enough to nearly bring her to tears.
"….Especially because Grandpa Minato was dead by the time dad was a kid…." Boruto teared up.
"…I…can only wonder what caused the deaths of Lord Fourth and his wife?" Mitsuki pondered as both Boruto and Sarada were curious as to what could have caused their ultimate demises.
"Yes, you've got a healthy baby boy, Minato." Biwako smiled tenderly at the sight of the newborn Naruto as she steadily made her way over to where Minato and Kushina were.
"Naruto!" Minato grinned, eager to hold his son although Biwako was quick to jerk him from Minato's grip.
"Hands off you! Mother first, father second!" Biwako scowled, disregarding Minato's look of disappointment and defeat although the nurse seemed apologetic as she sent Minato an apologetic glance.
Team Konohmaru found this funny however as they snickered uncontrollably.
"Okay that was messed up but really funny." Sarada laughed.
"Poor grandpa!" Boruto snickered.
"I really wish I had a phone so I can snap Lord Fourth's face right now." Mitsuki chuckled.
"….Okay…." Minato muttered, secretly wishing she would get this out of the way so he could hold his son. He was his father for god's sake!
Kushina weakly turned her head as Naruto was put by her side as she gave him a warm, tender smile.
"Naruto…we finally meet….." Kushina smiled as her tears hit Naruto's face.
"That's so sweet…the love of a mother is really something…" Sarada wiped her eyes as she immediately thought back to the time when she was sick and Sakura stayed by her side all day and night.
Boruto could say nothing as he couldn't stop himself from crying. The scene was too heartwarming and sweet.
"Are you crying, Boruto?" Mitsuki teased as Boruto blushed.
"N-no way! I-I just got something in my eye!" Boruto lied as his teammates laughed at Boruto's reaction. He might act all tough but inside he's such a softie. His interactions with Himawari prove it, after all.
Much to Minato's relief, he was finally given his son.
Minato could only stare at his son with eyes as wide as saucers as he could hardly breathe.
"…N-Naruto….my son….." Was all Minato could say as Naruto continued wailing in Minato's arms.
"H-hey there…little guy…." Minato nervously said as the Team could tell this was one of the scariest moments in Minato's life. Heck, he had lived through the Third Great Ninja War and was credited with defeating over a thousand Shinobi yet the birth of his own son was enough to give him chills?
"I-I'm…a father…I'm a father now!" Minato repeated as proud tears coursed down his cheeks. He was going to give this child all he needed and deserved and would give his own life for him if need be.
"Naruto….as your father, I promise to always keep you safe." Minato promised through his tears.
Kushina, Biwako and the nurse weren't that far off from being teary themselves along with the majority of Team Konohamaru.
Although….unlike the three women whose tears were from happiness, Boruto and Sarada's were from sadness as they knew in the end, Minato and Kushina wouldn't be around to raise their son.
The only question is….how?
Biwako smiled at Minato before she gingerly took Naruto from Minato's arms.
"There, there…you'll have more time later. There, there my child." Biwako smiled as she held Naruto in an attempt to get him to stop crying.
Minato walked to his wife before putting a comforting hand on hers.
"Kushina…are you feeling alright now?" Minato asked, giving his wife a smile that reminded Boruto and Sarada of the warm, gently smiles they would see Naruto and Sasuke give their respective wives. The smiles that showed how much the women meant to the global scale heroes.
"I'm okay…" Kushina weakly smiled back as she looked into the deep sapphire eyes of her husband. Right then and there, Team Konohmaru could tell the two genuinely loved each other.
"Thank you." Minato gave his wife a warm, gentle smile as she looked at her husband with a look equivalent to a woman after being proposed to.
"Minato…." Kushina smiled through whatever tears were left.
"Aww…that's so sweet! Kind of like how dad and mom are." Sarada smiled as her hands went to her forehead, remembering how Sasuke poked her forehead before leaving after the whole Shin clone incident.
"It really is heartwarming." Mitsuki cheerfully smiled.
"I wish I could meet my grandparents! I can't wait to learn more about them!" Boruto grinned, hoping these memories would shed some light onto more about his grandparents.
"Alright! Now I realize what you've just been through but we need to reseal the Nine Tails!" Minato pumped his fist before assuming a hand over Kushina's seal.
"Hell yeah!" Boruto pumped his own fist in his palm.
However, before things could get too happy, pained screams filled the air.
Team Konohamaru turned their heads only to find, Biwako and the nurse who helped deliver Naruto lying on the floor in pools of blood that only seemed to get bigger and bigger….It was obvious the two were dead along with the other nurses and doctors who were stationed in the room.
"What the hell!?" Boruto demanded more than ask.
"How did that happen!?" Sarada asked, wondering what could have happened.
"It's because of him." Mitsuki's eyes narrowed as he pointed behind Boruto and Sarada.
Boruto and Sarada turned around to see a man clothed in a dark black cloak with an orange mask with black flames.
"Who the hell is that!?" Sarada pointed, wondering how someone like that could've gotten in undetected.
"Something tells me, we'll be finding out soon…." Mitsuki answered.
"And what the hell is he holding!?" Boruto yelled, noticing in his hands was the infant version of his father!
"Lady Biwako! Taji!" Minato yelled.
"Fourth Hokage, Minato. Step away from the Jinchuuriki or else this child will die in its first minute." The masked man warned, his voice very deep and gruff and sending a chill down the spines of Boruto and Sarada.
"Bastard!" Boruto yelled, summoning a Shadow Clone as he charged at the masked creep only for him to phase right through.
"Hey what the hell? Why can't I do anything!?" Boruto growled in frustration at this bastard. How could anyone be as sick in the head as to threaten a helpless baby!?
"Lord Seventh!" Sarada yelled as she threw one of her own Kunai that also phased through the masked man.
"Like I said, since it's a memory of events that have already happened, we can't interfere." Mitsuki reminded his teammates who only growled in frustration.
This was frustrating. Naruto as a baby was in danger, not even ten minutes after being born, and all they could do was stand there and watch?
"How the hell did he get past the barrier? Who…who is he!?" Minato took a step forward, ready to save his son only for Kushina to grit her teeth in pain.
"Grandma!" Boruto yelled, turning his attention to Kushina.
"What's wrong!?" Sarada asked.
"The seal's acting up again." Mitsuki answered as he pointed to the black spot in Kushina's stomach as it started to bulge upwards like a bubble.
"Kushina!" Minato turned his head to his wife in concern. Although this did nothing to deter the masked man.
"Get away from the Jinchuuriki. Don't you care what happens to the brat?" The masked man demanded, pulling out a Kunai, which only ignited Boruto's fury more. How dare he!?
"You bastard! Let him go!" Boruto yelled, summoning a vanishing Rasengan as he threw it at the man only for it to go right through him.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Boruto yelled.
"I know how you're feeling…how can anyone be so psychotic to threaten an innocent baby?" Sarada asked, just as disgusted.
"It can't be helped….This is the Shinobi World after all." Mitsuki reminded his friends although his answer didn't seem to make the two feel any better.
"Yeah but…." Boruto was at a loss for words. Despite the trials he and his friends went through, they grew up in a relatively peaceful time. Their parents however grew up in a time of complete and utter turmoil.
"W-wait! Just stay calm!" Minato yelled, frantically waving his hands.
"Why doesn't he just go over there and knock his ass out!?" Boruto glared at Minato.
"It can't be helped….he has to make sure the Nine Tails doesn't come out of his wife because if that happens, everyone dies." Sarada replied, not liking the situation herself.
"Speak for yourself. I am as calm as can be, Minato." The masked man almost scoffed at Minato before throwing the helpless infant into the air.
"DAD!" Boruto yelled in panic and fear as he lunged at Naruto. Even if this was a memory, he didn't care. If he didn't act soon enough, he would lose his father!
"Lord Seventh!" Sarada yelled just as frantic as she also jumped at Naruto.
However, Mitsuki held them both back by stretching his arms.
"Mitsuki? What're you doing?" Sarada asked.
"Yeah! That's my dad!" Boruto glared at his friend who shook his head.
"Remember, this is an event that's already happened so we can't do anything to alter or change it." Mitsuki reminded his friends yet again as they grit their teeth in anger and frustration.
However, much to their relief, before the masked man could carve baby Naruto's brains out with the kunai, Minato appeared and caught Naruto in his arms, within the blink of an eye.
"Whoa! So fast!" Sarada noted.
"Yeah, he's just as fast as dad is!" Boruto pointed at his grandfather, amazed at Minato's speed as he remembered how fast Naruto was during Momoshiki's invasion.
"As expected from Lord Fourth." Mitsuki noted, impressed as he remembered Orochimaru stories about Minato being hailed as "The Yellow Flash of the Leaf".
"Leave it to the Yellow Flash of the Leaf." The masked man noted, slightly annoyed yet respectful.
"Yellow Flash?" Boruto asked.
"Indeed. It was said during the Third Great Ninja War, Minato Namikaze had been able to single handedly wipe out an entire army of a thousand Stone Village Shinobi. He was even given a flee on fight order." Mitsuki explained as Sarada and Boruto were in amazement at what they had heard.
"…No way….then again I guess if he's Lord Seventh's father….it's to be expected…" Sarada muttered.
"How big of a badass is my grandpa?" Boruto asked.
"But what about the next one?" The masked man asked, almost amused.
"What next one?" Sarada asked as the sounds of something about to be set off rang through the ears of the three genin.
"Don't tell me, paper bombs!" Boruto yelled out in frustration.
"Minato! Naruto!" Kushina yelled in fear of both her husband and newborn son.
Thankfully, Minato had enough initiative to remove the towel from baby Naruto. However, just as they teleported away, the house behind them blew up in a large explosion as the two landed in an open grass field with the light of the moon shining in the distance.
To say that Team Konohamaru was shocked by everything that just happened, was an understatement.
"What was all that Gramps was using?" Boruto asked to his teammates.
"That was Lord Fourth's teleportation ninjutsu." Mitsuki began.
"Teleportation Ninjutsu?" Sarada asked.
"It allowed him to move from Point A to Point B not in a second but in an instant and he could bring anything being weapons, tools, place or people be it that they were marked with his special seal and it often required a certain amount of chakra depending on the person. It was because of that he was hailed as the fastest shinobi in the history of the Shinobi World before his death and he could be undetected using only the Body Flicker technique and could cover a considerable distance within seconds." Mitsuki explained, much to Sarada and especially Boruto's amazement.
Despite the situation at hand, Boruto couldn't stop the broad grin from forming on his face.
"No way…my grandpa really is a badass!" Boruto grinned, wishing he could've met him at least once in his life.
"I wonder if Lord Seventh is even faster." Sarada stated, although this was accidental as she meant to think the question.
"Of course he is. He wouldn't have been the Seventh Hokage for nothing." Boruto stated as he couldn't believe Sarada would say something so ridiculous.
However, the sound of a baby crying interrupted any further power scaling discussions.
"Thank goodness, Naruto wasn't injured!" Minato noted, his face and voice full of relief.
"Heh well of course he wouldn't. He's dad after all." Boruto smirked as Sarada and Mitsuki smiled their agreement.
Minato however grimaced in pain as he noticed a small piece of wood wedged in the bottom part of his leg near his ankle.
"He forced me to use the Flying Raijin Jutsu…." Minato dimly noted, pulling out the blood covered piece of woo with little to no effort.
"Flying Raijin? Is that what he calls his Flying Raijin Jutsu?" Sarada asked her teammate.
"That's right." Mitsuki confirmed, "It was first created by the Second Hokage but the Fourth Hokage managed to hone the technique and its power." Mitsuki clarified.
"….Okay….how do you know so much?" Boruto tilted his head, this Sarada also needed answering.
"Hehe, well remember who my father is. He has his intel and research properly kept up to date. I suppose you could say I'm a Ninja Encyclopedia." Mitsuki smiled his usual smile.
"…..Uh….I guess so….." Sarada sweat dropped.
"Heh, so if we see anything that confuses us in these memories, we can just ask you!" Boruto laughed.
"I suppose you can." Mitsuki returned Boruto's jovial mood as Minato's eye narrowed.
"His target was Kushina and he succeeded in separating us. Gotta hurry!" Minato noted, throwing the bloody piece of wood in the air before teleporting with Naruto. Indirectly, he caused Team Konohamaru to teleport with him.
"Whoa, what was that!?" Boruto asked.
"I guess since these memories are from Lord Seventh's perspective, wherever he goes, we go to." Sarada theorized.
"Yes that seems most likely." Mitsuki agreed.
"That's…cool but freaky." Boruto noted as his teammates couldn't disagree with him.
Minato tucked in Naruto in his bed as he made sure Naruto was in deep and tight.
"You'll be safe here. Naruto, please be patient, okay? I have to go and rescue your mother, right now." Minato gave his son a gentle smile before fazing out of the room.
"It's kind of weird….leaving a baby all by himself." Sarada said.
"It can't be helped. Lady Kushina would die if he wasted time." Mitsuki stated as Boruto glared at Mitsuki.
"Saving dad is wasting time? And besides….it's not like it would've changed much because in the end…grandma and grandpa are both dead…." Boruto bitterly sighed.
"Boruto!" Sarada chided her teammate for his comment but Mitsuki put a hand on her shoulder.
"Dad…." Boruto frowned as he looked at his father's sleeping form.
"….I never thought his birth would've been so….much of a drag as Shikadai would've said…." Boruto stated, laughing mirthlessly as he was glad his future father had stopped crying.
"Yeah….to be held at kunai point when you're only a minute old…..it's maddening…" Sarada looked down.
"I hope grandpa kicks that masked guy's ass." Boruto growled, hating the fact that he couldn't do anything to help in this situation.
"We all want to do something to help." Mitsuki said, putting a comforting hand on Boruto's shoulder, making him smile slightly.
Before Boruto could say his thanks, Minato appeared in a flash with Kushina in his arms.
"Well he definitely kept true to the 'flash' in his name." Boruto muttered, wishing he could learn the Flying Raijin Jutsu. He wonder if his father had any of his grandfather's kunais.
"…Why?" Kushina asked, her voice raspy and weak.
"Nevermind…just be with Naruto." Minato smiled, although Team Konohamaru were quick to note it was completely forced.
Kushina let out quiet sobs as she cradled baby Naruto, holding him close to her forehead.
"This…..is so sad…." Sarada tried keeping her tears at bay as her heart went out to the mother of Naruto.
"Hold on…she looks so pale and weak….did that bastard….take the Nine Tails out of her?" Boruto gasped out in horror.
"….It would appear so…" Mitsuki solemnly nodded.
"Wait….if she lost the nine tails then…." Sarada gasped in horror as the implications of Boruto's earlier words hit her like a ton of bricks.
"That bastard! She's gonna die soon!" Boruto growled, feeling utter hatred for the masked man. Whoever the heck he was.
"It can't be…Lady Kushina…." Sarada frowned as Mitsuki donned a sorrow expression.
Minato donned the same expression as Mitsuki before his expression turned to that of righteous anger, as he knew his wife's end was coming soon. All of his dreams of living a nice peaceful life with his wife and his son were crashing down like a stack of dominos all because of some evil, heartless creep who would dare attack an innocent infant.
Whoever this masked bastard was, he was going to pay for holding his son hostage, killing his wife and attacking his village. They would!
Boruto and Sarada were quick to notice how his expression mirrored that of Naruto whenever he got serious in battle.
Team Minato then noticed Minato open the door to the closet in the room before pulling out a cloak with the Kanji for "Fourth" on it.
"Whoa…that looks like dad's cloak!" Boruto noted.
"Although this one has 'fourth' instead of 'seventh' on it." Sarada added.
"Minato….thank you…..and good luck…." Kushina weakly turned her head to her husband who put on his ninja gear followed by tightening his ninja headband before finally donning his Hokage cloak.
"I'll be right back." Was all Minato said before he was gone in an instant.
"And there he goes…." Sarada noted.
"I hope he kicks that masked guy's ass!" Boruto growled, feeling hatred for the man who would help to cause his dad the pain he learned he would later go through in life.
"In a just world…maybe." Mitsuki sighed as Boruto also sighed.
Maybe…in an alternate universe, the family of three weren't attacked and Naruto could've been allowed to grow up peacefully.
Team Konohamaru weren't sure how much time had passed but they were at least glad Naruto had gotten some peaceful time with his mother, even if he wasn't aware of it.
"Dad….." Boruto frowned as he never imagined Naruto's birth would have been so tumultuous.
"I wonder…how Lord Fourth is doing…" Sarada said as Mitsuki was silent, not willing to break the spirits of his teammates as he genuinely cared about them.
Kushina weakly smiled at her son as she cradled him close.
"Don't worry…your father will…get rid of that bad man soon…" Kushina smiled despite her exhaustion and pain.
"….Something tells me that's easier than it sounds…." Boruto sighed sadly.
However the sound of explosions suddenly rocked the safe house they were in.
"Don't tell me…that's the nine tails…" Sarada clenched her jaw.
"Unfortunately it seems like that's the case." Mitsuki's eyes narrowed as the abrupt shakes caused Naruto to cry in his sleep.
"Dad!" Boruto said as he tried to cradle his dad the same way he would cradle Himawari when he was a baby only to pass right through, much to his frustration.
"Ugh!" Boruto growled.
"It's so frustrating not being able to help!" Sarada growled out, just as frustrated.
"…It is what is is…" Mitsuki frowned, sharing the feelings but ultimately understanding this was all just a memory.
Kushina's eyes looked upwards to the shelf where a toy was shown. It was a simple drum like toy.
"She wants the toy?" Sarada asked as she noticed Kushina was literally trying to drag herself along the dresser to get to the toy.
"Granny!" Boruto said.
"That's not safe." Sarada said as they tried to help her only to pass right through.
"Ugh…." Boruto groaned as Kushina tried her best to reach it only to fall to the ground.
"Granny!" Boruto yelled, trying to help his grandmother up only to pass through her.
"Don't say it, Mitsuki!" Boruto growled to his teammate who only grimly nodded in response. Mitsuki honestly felt empathy for Kushina and Naruto. He felt empathy for Kushina as she would die without ever knowing the invigorating feeling of being a mother while he felt empathy for Naruto as he would grow up never knowing how much his mother loved him.
Much to the team's amazement, through sheer willpower, Kushina pushed herself up onto the shelf where she retrieved the toy before she practically crawled her way back to the bed where Naruto cried. The scene reminded Boruto of the time when Naruto nearly had a panic attack and ran home in a panicked hurry when Himawari was sick. It was the same warm tenderness and care.
Boruto and Sarada had to turn their heads as it was too much seeing someone like Kushina in such a state while Mitsuki was the only one watching, albeit reluctantly.
"Look….your father…bought this…for you….everything's….going…to be okay…" Kushina weakly smiled as the sound of the toy seemed to calm Naruto as he smiled in his sleep.
"There, there…what a good boy…..Thank you…Minato…." Kushina said before she practically fell next to Naruto. Although that didn't stop her from pulling Naruto close to her.
"Naruto…my little…baby….Finally….we've finally met…but…." Kushina weakly smiled.
"Why….why is this all happening? Dad should be able to live with grandma and grandpa…." Boruto tried blinking the tears that threatened to fall.
"I know…Lady Kushina and Lord Fourth didn't deserve this…." Mitsuki solemnly shook his head as Sarada tried gulping back her own tears but to no avail.
A family such as them deserved a happy ending…..
Before anyone knew anything, Minato suddenly appeared right near the two of them, his clothes soiled from battle as he held Kushina and Naruto close before they phased out of the room into an open field in the forest.
Before Team Konohamaru knew anything, a loud explosion erupted nearby as the house they were previously in were blown to bits.
"The nine tails really is strong!" Boruto noted, remembering the devastating power it displayed during the Momoshiki battle.
"You're telling me." Sarada muttered as Team Konohamaru noted it in the distance.
"And it doesn't look too happy to see Lord Fourth and his family." Mistuki noted as Boruto and Sarada shuddered as they could literally feel the hatred emanating from the fox.
"I wonder….what made him and dad become such efficient partners." Boruto questioned, remembering how much of a team Naruto and the Tailed Beast were against Momoshiki and Kinshiki.
"These memories are definitely gonna tell us…" Sarada said, suddenly starting to at least slightly regret coming into Naruto's memories. She wasn't prepared to see this yet.
"Are you okay?" Minato managed to smile at his wife and son despite his exhaustion.
"Minato…." Kushina muttered, holding her baby close.
"Somehow I managed to get this far….but I don't have much chakra left…." Minato huffed, nearly falling over in the grass below.
"What's wrong with him?" Boruto asked.
"I'm guessing the teleportation ninjutsu took a lot out of him along with battling that masked creep." Sarada surmised.
"The Space Time Ninjutsu can be taxing on an individual if they continuously use it over a long period of time." Mitsuki confirmed Sarada's observation.
"I'll stop him…one way or another…." Minato said as he began brainstorming the ideas of a sort of barrier that could restrain the Nine Tailed Fox.
"There are still things…I must protect…precious things….and as long as I have that…I swear….I'll never give up!" Minato vowed, putting his hand signs together.
Mitsuki's eyes widened, realizing what hand signs those were as Boruto's mind immediately flashed to the time where Naruto protected the Leaf Village from the Otsutsuki invasion.
"Grandpa…" Boruto blinked, realizing where Naruto's badassness had come from.
"Wait. I can still do it…Minato…." Kushina grimaced in pain before several chains erupted from her back and the ground below befre the Nine Tails fox was literally forced to the ground as he was restrained by chains full of chakra.
"What the heck!?" Boruto asked, amazed at what he was seeing, "Chains!?"
"That's like what Auntie Karin used!" Sarada's eyes widened remembering Karin use a similar technique during the whole Jugo fiasco.
"From what my father told me, that's an Uzumaki bloodline technique. The ability to use chakra chains that can pin down and used to combat anything." Mitsuki clarified as his teammate's eyes widened.
"Seriously? And even Auntie Karin could only use one chain not several like Lady Kushina can!" Sarada noted.
"….I wonder…if I can learn how to do that…." Boruto tilted his head in wonder as the Nine Tails was anything but pleased with being held down like a sack of potatoes.
Kushina coughed a mouthful of blood, much to the team's concern.
"Granny!?" Boruto ran to Kushina's side in concern.
"The chakra chains are extremely taxing. Especially when you realize everything that Lady Kushina's went through….." Sarada frowned.
The sudden noise woke up baby Naruto who wailed in alarm.
"I woke you up, huh? I'm sorry, Naruto." Kushina smiled at her son apologetically.
"Kushina!" Minato looked at his wife in astonishment, something that shocked the members of Team Kushina as they had only seen the man calm and reserved, even in the face of danger.
"I'll take the Nine Tails with me to my death. That way, we can reduce the interval…between now and when he reemerges. It's all I can manage…..with all the chakra that I have left…but I'll be able to save you both….so thank you, for everything you've done." Kushina smiled, despite the blood trailing down her skin as Team Konohamaru could hardly believe their ears.
"Wait, she's gonna what?" Sarada asked.
"There's no clear way in killing a Tailed Beast. To elaborate, you can take it out but it'd be reborn at a later date." Mitsuki explained, much to his teammate's dread.
"It can't be….Granny…" Boruto clenched his fist in sadness.
Minato's eyes widened in just the same amount of dread as Team Konohamaru while baby Naruto had calmed down in his crying although almost as if he could sense the trouble of what was going on, he sniffled and shifted uncontrollably before falling back asleep, almost as if to block out everything that was going on.
"Kushina…you're the one….it was you who made me the Fourth Hokage. You made me a man and you made me this baby's father and yet…" Minato trailed off, getting choked up.
"For grandpa to lose grandma so soon after having their first child….." Boruto clenched his fist, feeling even more hatred for the masked man.
"Oh Minato…..please don't give me that sad look….I-I'm happy….because you love me…and what's more, today is the birthday of our beautiful child…." Kushina weakly smiled and almost as if baby Naruto could understand his mother's words, he smiled in his sleep.
"But most of all….if I were to imagine me alive and our future with the three of us together as a family, I can't really picture us as being anything but truly happy….I guess if I were allowed just one regret, I wish I could've seen Naruto, all grown up….I wish I could've seen it…." Kushina closed her eyes as she made up her mind to die, as Boruto and Sarada were barely keeping down their tears.
"If only….if only Lady Kushina would be alive today….she'd be proud of the man Lord Seventh became…." Sarada's eyes filled with tears.
"Yeah….even if dad can be a joke at times…." Boruto tried blinking the tears back as he tried to make a joke to defuse the situation.
Losing a wife is heartbreaking for anyone, especially Minato, evident by the way that several tears cascaded down his eyes. Why? Why couldn't he be allowed to live peacefully with his newborn child and his wife? It was almost like…it was a cruel joke by fate.
"Kushina….there's no need for you to die….in order for you to kill the Nine Tails. Preserve what little chakra you have for your reunion with Naruto." Minato wiped his eyes as his wife stared at him in disbelief.
"I'm going to seal the rest of your chakra inside of Naruto. It'll be part of an eight signed seal…and then I'll take the Nine Tails with me. Since I'm not a Jinchuriki, I'll have to use the Reaper Death Seal." Minato explained as Mitsuki gasped in realization.
"I knew those were the hand signs for the Reaper Death Seal!" Mitsuki noted in remembrance of Orochimaru telling him about the jutsu.
"What's the Reaper Death Seal?" Sarada and Boruto asked, simultaneously.
"It's an extremely powerful sealing jutsu that can seal virtually anything in it. Although…it comes at a catch. The user will die as a side effect of the jutsu…." Mitsuki looked down as his teammates couldn't believe it as they went pale with shock and dread.
"No way…." Sarada gasped out.
"…So that's how…." Boruto's eyes widened in dread, having a clearer understanding of how his grandfather had died. Although, he couldn't stop this sinking feeling in his gut.
"You can't! If you cast that, then you'll-!" Kushina tried talking her husband out of his plan although internally she knew that was impossible. When he made up his mind, he was as steadfast and determined as Naruto….
"And he's gonna do it anyways….like father like son I guess…." Sarada dimly noted.
"And there's one other thing. I'm only going to seal away half of the Nine Tails." Minato stated.
"Wait what? Only half? How come?" Boruto asked.
"Because it's physically impossible to seal away that much power….and if Lord Fourth is going to seal away half of it in the Reaper Death Seal…" Mitsuki trailed off as Boruto and Sarada felt the air leave their longs.
"Then that's how dad ended up with the Nine Tails…." Boruto finished, feeling as though he had finishing solving all the pieces of a puzzle.
"It's physically impossible to seal this much power…..but it's also strategically unwise. If you take the Nine Tails with you, there will be no Jinchuuriki until he reemerges. This will upset the power between Tailed Beasts. With the Reaper Death Seal, we can at least seal away half of the Nine Tails forever…and the other half of the Nine Tails…." Minato expanded on what he said earlier as he went silent and closed his eyes, almost as if he were remembering something important.
Boruto however clenched his fists as he was literally shaking in rage.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Boruto's jaw clenched as his teammates stared at him.
"Boruto?" Sarada asked.
"Preserve the balance of Tailed Beasts!? How could Grandpa be so selfish!? Didn't he care about everything dad would go through!? Because of this, dad would spend his childhood alone and hated!" Boruto shouted, venting and getting everything off his chest.
"Boruto, you can't say that. I'm sure Lord Fourth didn't want to leave his child behind with such a heavy burden." Sarada tried reasoning with his teammate.
"Sarada's right, Boruto. Also do remember what we saw with that masked man earlier. To combat such an enemy who could slip in and out detected to where not even Lord Fourth could detect him, he would need the power of the Nine Tails." Mitsuki added, reminding his teammate who scoffed.
"Be that as it may, I still don't think Grandpa should've died. There should've been someone with him to help him carry along and ease the pain of containing the Nine Tails!" Boruto spat as both Sarada and Mitsuki were at a loss for words. They couldn't disagree whole-heartedly with Boruto's words as Minato didn't actually have to die in this situation.
"You may be right but remember….they're Shinobi….parents pass alongside burdens to their children all the time…" Mitsuki closed his eyes thinking of Log and Orochimaru.
"Tch." Boruto scoffed.
"I'll seal it inside of Naruto, with the Eight Signed Seal." Minato stated again, opening his eyes as Kushina gasped in horror as she realized the implications of Minato's statement.
"I know what you're going to say but remember what Master Jiraiya said about world upheaval? And also…all of the calamities that would accompany it. I've become convinced of two things today; first, that masked man who attacked you will bring catastrophe to the world….And second, the one who will stop him is this child! This infant….whose godfather is Master Jiraiya, he will open up the future as a Jinchuriki! I know it, somehow I'm sure of it." Minato smiled in confidence at his wife as he had complete and utter faith in his student.
"…Well…dad did become the hero of the world after all…." Boruto sighed, still not agreeing with the decision of his grandfather.
"Okay I've heard the term 'Jinchuuriki' get thrown around several times since we've started this memory. What is that?" Sarada asked.
"It's the name given to those who have contain a Tailed Beast such as the Nine Tails inside of them." Mitsuki explained.
"And to think….Master Jiraiya is dad's godfather….I guess I can't be surprised…." Boruto chuckled mirthlessly.
"But Minato!" Kushina gasped through her blood, realizing what kind of life Naruto would have if he ever became a Jinchuriki although Minato would hear none of it.
Minato quickly went through several hand signs before saying, "Reaper Death Seal!"
As he finishing his saying, a large translucent specture that had a huge demonic vibe to it that was very large in size that had long, shaggy white hair along with purple colored skin as it was dressed in a large white Kimono with prayer beads trailed down its arm and a large tanto sword in its mouth. However, directly at the bottom of the Reaper was the soul of Minato.
"…So that's the Reaper…." Sarada took a step back as she and Boruto were slightly creeped out at its appearance.
"I guess so…." Boruto muttered as Mitsuki was silent, getting a chance to see it for the first time. After all, his father had quite the experience with it, not too long ago from what Orochimaru had told him.
"Let's believe in him! This child is our son." Minato said to his wife, keeping his hands together, readying the seal.
"After I've completed this seal, I'm going to seal your chakra inside of Naruto too. You won't have much time but I want you to help him control the Nine Tails' power as a Jinchuriki." Minato said as his wife's dumbfounded expression morphed into one of anger.
"But he's our son Minato! Which is exactly why I don't want him to bear such a heavy burden!" Kushina glared at Minato who only stared at his wife somberly as Team Konohamaru could tell he was barely holding back the tears that threatened to fall. He didn't want to leave behind his son all alone and would've loved seeing his development.
But….this was for the fate of the Shinobi World.
"And tell me, why use the Reaper Death Seal!? If it's just so that I can meet Naruto when he's grown up, especially if it's going to be for a short time, then there's no need for you to die! I'd rather you stay with him and watch over him….I just don't understand….why it has to be this way! Why does Naruto have to be sacrificed for the balance of power amongst Tailed Beasts? For this nation? For this village? Why do you have to sacrifice at all? Just for me!? Please!" Kushina choked out as several tears fell.
"Like I said, grandpa didn't have to die just for the balance of the Tailed Beasts. This was just selfish, to put it not on just any baby but his own son!" Boruto growled out. Had it been him in that situation, he would've punched Minato in his gut the moment they had their reunion.
"Lord Fourth didn't want to. But he understood that for the world itself, Lord Seventh, needed to be the Nine Tails' jailor." Mitsuki said as Boruto turned his head to the side in anger and sadness. Anger at his grandfather and sadness for his father.
"And not to mention…Lord Fourth had faith in his son. He knew he would save the world and he was right." Sarada put a comforting hand on Boruto's shoulder as he looked at her. Despite their squabbling, Boruto and Sarada did indeed care for one another.
Boruto only sighed and nodded.
"To forsake one's nation and one's village…is exactly the same as forsaking one's own child. Your very own homeland was destroyed so you should know that." Minato somberly stated as Team Konohamaru jerked up, taken aback at what they had heard.
"Wait, Granny's clan is gone?" Boruto asked.
"Way back during the three great ninja wars, the village was destroyed, it being believed as being too powerful to allow to be continued." Mitsuki explained as Boruto grit his teeth.
"…Just how messed up was our world?" Boruto clenched his fist, this information not helping his current mood.
"A harsh life awaits those without a land to call home. Besides, our family is Shinobi!" Minato said as Boruto's eyes widened, remembering back to when he desecrated all over the Hokage monument when Naruto told him what was important as a Shinobi was to endure.
Kushina could only gaze at her husband silent as he continued to try to console her about his decision.
"And finally…even if I did live, I could never be a substitute for you." Minato said as Kushina's eyes widened as she realized Minato was right. Despite his goofiness at times, he was still smarter than her by a landslide.
"You won't have much time with him but there's something only you can tell Naruto. Something that I just can't. That's a mother's role. I'm not doing this just for you. I'm doing it for Naruto. I will die my son. It's my duty…as his father." Minato took Naruto from Kushina's arms as they gazed at each other before Kushina finally relented.
"…You see now, Boruto…" Sarada asked as a few tears fell despite her efforts. The way Minato and Kushina loved each other….it was definitely couple's goals.
"….Yeah…." Boruto turned his head away as his eyes welled up with tears again. He was being reminded of his father's sacrifice against Momoshiki too much in these memories.
The arm of the Reaper stretched in the soul of Minato before extending its arm to where the Nine Tailed Fox was, marking it, causing it to shrink slightly in its appearance.
"Damn you…..Fourth Hokage!" The Nine Tails growled out as it bared its fangs, mentally vowing to make him pay.
"Unh….the seal!" Minato grit his teeth as pain coursed through his body as an Eight Tetregram seal appeared on his abdomen where the Reaper had gotten Minato's seal.
"It's started." Mitsuki noted as Boruto and Sarada's hearts fell. Despite not knowing them for long in these memories, they didn't want to see Minato and Kushina die.
Minato then summoned an altar before placing his infant son on the cushioned seat of said altar.
"I'm not sure I can stand to watch this…" Boruto grit his teeth.
"Same….I don't think I'm ready for this…." Sarada noted, slightly regretting coming into Naruto's memories. But…it was too late now….
The Nine Tails growled as it bared its fangs at the Uzumaki family. To say he wasn't happy about its upcoming fate was an understatement.
Boruto's eyes widened as he saw the Tailed Beast raise its claws before catching where his eye was directed towards.
"Oh no! He's going for dad!" Boruto yelled, much to his team's disbelief.
"What!?" Sarada asked.
"Dad!" Boruto yelled as he saw one of the Nine Tails claw slowly race towards his dad.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Boruto said as he summoned a clone to help get his dad to safety only to phase right through.
"Tch! That's right, it's just a memory…" Boruto growled as he felt his heart stop as the claw made its way toward his sleeping, infant father at a speed that seemed too fast to dodge or stop.
At least that's how it was before a splash of red filled the memory.
Team Konohamaru's eyes widened at the image before them.
Boruto's hands flopped to his side as he fell to his knees, a look of utter horror on his face as tears came to Sarada's eyes as she put her hand to her mouth. Even the usually calm Mitsuki looked unnerved at what he had seen.
Minato and Kushina were impaled by the claw of the Nine Tails, the appendage piercing their chests as they were able to get the claw stirred back to mere centimeters over the sleeping Naruto who was still unaware of the events that were transpiring. Blood leaked onto Naruto's abdomen as Minato and Kushina vomited blood.
"…Grandpa…..Grandma…." Boruto barely steered himself to his feet as he couldn't turn away from the image, no matter how long he tried. He was immediately reminded of Naruto's near death with Momoshiki.
"Oh no….Lord Seventh…." Sarada blinked back tears as she thought back to Sasuke protecting her from Shin while Mitsuki could only sorrowfully stare at the sleeping Naruto followed by the dying Minato and Kushina.
"I said…I was his father…..dying for him…is my duty…." Minato weakly wheezed as he glared at his wife. Despite the excruciating pain she was in, Kushina managed a small smile.
"Yes but….I'm his mother….it's mine too….I think this might be….the first time….I've lost an argument…I guess it proves…just how serious you are about you doing this…" Kushina meekly laughed.
"Despite the fact they're going to die…." Mitsuki sadly noted.
"….They can still joke around….." Boruto mirthlessly smiled.
"They really are something…." Sarada unhappily shook her head, being reminded of Sasuke teasing Sakura for a kiss.
"So…this is really it…huh….." Boruto frowned, asking no one in particular.
"…Yeah…..that attack pierced their innards and intestines…probably their hearts….even if they weren't using the Reaper Death Seal, there was still too much internal damage." Mitsuki sighed, not liking that this was happening. It was funny in a way; not too long ago he could've watched a scene like this and have no qualms about doing so but now? He felt horrible for watching such a tragic scene.
It seemed like his teammates were really having quite an effect on him. Human beings were really something….
"I thank you, Kushina…" Minato softly smiled before getting some of the blood on his lip before conjuring hand signs.
"Summoning Jutsu!" Minato weakly said as a tall black and orange toad appeared.
"That's kind of a big toad." Boruto noted.
"It's a scroll toad which can act as a sealing scroll. Meaning, it's probably what's going to be used as the key to Lord Seventh's Seal." Mitsuki explained.
"The Nine Tails!? And Lord Fourth too!? What is going on here!?" The toad exclaimed not expecting to see the Nine Tails restrained with Chakra Chains along with Minato at death's doorstep.
"Gerotora…I'll give you the sealing formula's key. When I'm done, take it to Master Jiraiya to store it." Minato said to the toad who nodded, a bit numbly still at a disbelief as to what's happened.
"U-uh…okay….just let me have the sealing key then." Gerotora said before he was handed the information as it expanded its torso, revealing the scroll underneath as it was given the necessary information.
"I confirm I received the key. Alright, I'm off now!" Gerotora said before body flickering away, leaving Minato and Kushina alone with their baby with the Nine Tails nearby.
Minato smiled in thanks before turning forward to his wife who was impaled in front of him.
"And now we're safe. Kushina, I'm not gonna last much longer. I'll start the Eight Signed Seal right now. I still want to put some of my chakra in Naruto. We won't see him…for quite a while. So let's tell him what we want to say…." Minato said, regretfully at the end as Team Konohamaru's hearts fell.
Finally…this was it…..This was the moment when Naruto would lose his parents forever….
The start of a chain of events that would change his life forever…..
"Naruto…don't be a picky eater….just eat a lot so that you grow up big and strong." Kushina began as Sarada's eyes startle to fill with tears as she realized Naruto was going to lose his mother while Boruto chuckled a little.
"Heh…he definitely didn't do that for you, granny…" Boruto joked although Mitsuki was there to note that his voice didn't have the same zing it usually had.
Then again, considering the situation they were in….
"And make sure….that you bathe every day and that you stay warm. Also…don't stay up too late and make sure that you get plenty of sleep." Kushina smiled warmly at her sleeping child.
"Heh, he definitely passed those two parts…" Boruto shook his head, trying to find some light in the darkness of the current situation.
"Don't forget to make friends as well. You don't need a ton of them, okay? Just a few is fine. As long as they're ones that you can really trust…." Kushina added.
"He definitely fulfilled that for you…" Mitsuki softly smiled as he turned his head towards his two teammates. He definitely trusted them with his life. They saved him and he would give his life for them in a heartbeat.
"And…your mom wasn't real good at this but make sure you study hard and learn your ninjutsu. Always remember, everyone is good at somethings and not so good at others so even if something doesn't go well, don't get depressed, okay?" Kushina added.
"Y-yeah…." Sarada bit her lip as several tears fell despite her efforts. The scene was just too heartbreaking.
"When you're at the Academy, respect your teachers and the upperclassmen." Kushina appended as Boruto laughed despite the tears in his eyes.
"Hehe he definitely learned that, grandma. He makes us call him 'Lord Seventh' all the time in his office." Boruto laughed as his teammates half-heartedly laughed.
"Oh, now this is important. Regarding the three prohibitions of the Shinobi. Be extra careful about lending and borrowing money. Take your pay, put it in a savings account. No alcohol, not until you're of age. Too much Sake is bad for you practice moderation. And…another prohibition is women. Remember, I am one so I don't know too much about it. Keep in mind that this world is made up of men and women and so at some point you'll notice girls and that's normal, just be careful. Don't fall for the bad ones, just go out there and find someone like me." Kushina closed her eyes in a pained smile as Boruto immediately remembered his trip to the past and remembered how smitten his father was with Auntie Sakura years before he would eventually fall for and get with his mother, Hinata.
"Oh…that reminds me. Speaking of the three prohibitions, you should be wary of Jiraiya-Sensei, ya know?" Kushina weakly laughed as Minato gave a small smile while Boruto laughed.
"Hehe you're right about that, granny. He was irresponsible, pervy and slobby and no one would ever believe he was one of the Legendary Sannin but he was definitely a cool Shinobi with a heart of gold." Boruto laughed as more tears fell. Even with the humor he was trying to make, it couldn't take away the tragedy of the situation.
"Naruto…I'm sorry to say….there will be plenty of hardships and painful times ahead…Just be true to yourself….make sure to have dreams…and the confidence to make those dreams come true…" Kushina connected her previous statements as there was no humor in her tone but completely and utter grief and desolation in her words.
"Y-yeah Granny….he wanted to become Hokage since he was a kid and he reached that dream!" Boruto grit his teeth as he put his hand over his eyes as he tried to make his tears stop falling but failed. Damn it! Why was he so sad? He never even met his grandparents but here he was, feeling that his heart was being ripped out and stopped on.
Sarada didn't even bother hiding her tears as she quietly sobbed in Mitsuki's arms who, although he wasn't crying like his teammates, donned a downcast expression.
"…Yeah…he became a noble, righteous man with a heart of gold." Sarada sobbed out as Mitsuki stared at his teammates melancholically.
Why was the Shinobi World so harsh where young infant lose their parents not even an hour after being born?
"Oh Naruto…there's so much….oh so much more….there are so many things I wish I had time to pass onto you. So much more I want to tell you. I wish I could stay with you longer….I love you!" Kushina sobbed as those words were enough to make Boruto and Sarada cry even harder.
"…I-it's…not fair….dad….should've grown up with both his parents…he didn't deserve any of this!" Boruto sobbed in the sleeve of his jacket.
"It's all because of that masked bastard." Sarada spat his name like she ate a hot pepper as both she and Boruto were eagerly looking forward to the memory where he would get his just desserts.
"He will meet his justice." Mitsuki said, feeling anger. Although he had no idea why. These were people he never even met yet he felt angry for them. And empathy for the hard road the lay ahead for Naruto.
"Minato…I'm sorry, I used up your time." Kushina apologized though she didn't stop her tears.
Although Minato felt like breaking down into tears himself, he ultimately composed himself and kept his cool.
"No….it's alright….Naruto…my words to you…well…I guess your talkative mom said it all…" Minato chuckled although the team could've sworn they saw several tears leave his eye sockets.
"Eight Signed Seal…." Minato said as a bright light brightened around Naruto before the team felt the same bluish-purple fog surround them as the memory ended.
How's that for a first memory guys!?
Now I know some of you might be shocked that I started off the memory viewing with the stuff pertaining to Naruto's birth rather than starting at the beginning of the series with the events that happened in Episode 1/Chapter 1 with Naruto becoming a ninja.
Well my reason is simple; since this is a story with Naruto's own "Hero's Journey", I figured it'd be appropriate to start at the actual beginning followed by his childhood and events that led to him being the person he was at the start of the series followed the actual events thereafter. Now for those who might be unhappy at the sound of that, those kinds of chapters won't last much longer, I promise ^_^
But speaking of memories, man Naruto sure had one JACKED UP childbirth that started with a kunai at his throat and ended with him losing his parents with them not even being around for an hour. And it's just tragic how Minato and Kushina's love story ended up, isn't it? So beautiful and yet so tragic...
While this chapter might not have been much, the small MinaKushi moments made up for it, right? XD
And I hope I had the reactions of Boruto, Sarada and Mitsuki in lines with how they would've reacted in terms of their characters and personalities.
I also know some of you might be upset that I didn't show more with Kushina getting the Nine Tails extracted or Minato's fight with Obito in this chapter but please keep in mind one thing:
Since this is from Naruto's P.O.V. he wasn't around to see those events.
However, I have a way for them to see those events when the time is…right for a lack of better words! ;D
Also, I hope you all like how I had Mitsuki explain the mechanics of jutsu that Boruto and Sarada wouldn't logically be aware of as that's going to be his role in my story as the person who will provide exposition to certain jutsu. I figured since his father was Orochimaru and given his immense and vast knowledge that it's not that too far out of possibility that he would share some information about jutsu and other information with his son. His "son" anyways since Mitsuki is a synthetic human.
Next time is when the memory watching actually starts and Team Konohamaru will get to see what made Naruto into the man he is today and you can all expect that chapter to come out this coming Friday, December 27th so please look for it then!
Now until Friday, please let me know your thoughts on this chapter and the story as a whole and please remember to have a VERY MERRY Christmas! ^_^