A/N: So for future Obito analysis about what's actually underneath that mask, which won't be revealed until later: Refer to the Vitruvian Man drawing. That's not the entire concept I'm aiming for but it's the best hint I can give you all, and it kind of does canon justice without actually being canon...? …Yep. That sounds about right.
Replies to Guest Reviews at bottom!
Chapter 4: Only the Good Die Young
Death is life's biggest fear.
Naruto hadn't even grasped the concept of dying to it's fullest—like most humans hadn't—but he knew whatever the ordeal, he wasn't willing to accept such a fate for Minato. It didn't seem reasonable to gain a friend, only to have already lost him before the friendship had even started. The idea aggravated the child, knowing he couldn't win for losing, and he eventually cried himself to sleep.
Stray tears of rage and anguish fell from Naruto's concealed eyes as he dreamed of an alternate world where he had parents, with Minato being one of them. He couldn't quite envision a mother figure from his daily life just yet—having no female around that showed him enough compassion to consider her as a candidate, so he opted to make a woman with pale skin, long, black hair...
No.
Naruto had suddenly changed the color as he slept, dreaming of crimson strands to compliment the woman's fair skin and oval shaped face. Her hair was perfect in her eyes, rivaling a tomato—although he hated the fruit. He wasn't sure what color eyes he wanted her to have just yet, but he pictured her always smiling at him. Her name was unknown, but he just settled for calling her mama. For that brief moment, Naruto felt safe in his own little world, even if that world was a figment of his imagination.
Minato had been observing the way his son slept the entire time, while Naruto rested his head on the older blond's right shoulder. A small cooing sound could be heard as Naruto dreamt in his REM state, and his heartbeat felt relaxed. It was thumping in steady rhythms against his father's, who was holding him as if he'd never let go, and he smiled when he saw a bit of drool drizzling down from the corners of his son's mouth.
Kyūbi attack…? Minato thought, his pleasant gesture diminishing. Someone... released it…? "But what happened to the Kyūbi?" Minato asked from where he sat. "Who defeated it?"
Hiruzen's eyes remained fixated on Naruto, and he opted to remain silent. Minato...
It didn't take long for Minato to catch on to what the man was implying.
No... Minato was shaking his head in sluggish movements, trying his best to fathom the news. "A child isn't capable of holding—"
"Only half of it is contained within Naruto."
"…Half?"
"The Yang, yes…"
"…Where is the Yin?" Who in their right mind would be foolish enough to seal half of the Kyūbi's chakra in my son…? Surely Kushina wouldn't have suggested this…?
Unless…
"It died with you…" Hiruzen stated, watching Minato's expression carefully. "After you sealed it within yourself…" As Minato's face twisted into guilt, he added, "I understand that this must be difficult to process."
It took Minato longer than expected to respond, and he had a pained look in his eye when he gazed back at Hiruzen. It was subtle, not enough to make one question if he were on the verge of tears, but enough to make anyone that knew him understand that he was internally torturing himself for what he'd done—for the unfortunate, miserable life his son was living now.
Minato always put the village, his family, and his friends first—even before his own life. They were more important…
And yet… when he had to choose, Konoha was of greater value than being there for his son. That's all Minato's mind kept screaming at him the moment Hiruzen had revealed the secret.
I chose the village over my own son…?
Truthfully, he'd chosen both, saving everyone that night. However, victory was bittersweet—the justified scenario seemed a bit unpardonable when comparing it with the aftermath in question: Naruto becoming a jinchūriki and having the entire village Minato worked so hard to save treat his son as if he weren't even worth the dust under their ungrateful feet.
"…I did this?" Minato asked in a whisper, although it was more to himself. Weary eyes gazed down at Naruto. "I did this to you…?" His expression was a troubled one as he absently brushed a few of Naruto's spikes out of his eyes. Eventually, he asked, "Did you know my reasoning behind such a decision? Or was I simply protecting the village?" Was there no other solution?
Hiruzen took a moment to choose the appropriate words. "...I've always thought it to be solely for the village, and at the time of the sealing, using anyone else's child would've seemed cruel… Don't you think?"
Minato nodded, although it was grim and vague.
After clearing his throat, Hiruzen, said, "I didn't fault your judgment back then, Minato. No one did, and none of us who know about the circumstances ever will. You saved the village."
The village…?
Minato wasn't sparing Hiruzen a glance now, too absorbed in the precious life he was holding. I don't fault my judgment on protecting Konoha, either… but I do question the life I chose for my son—the life he had no say in because of me…
But he is my son. Minato sighed, taking in every little action Naruto made. When Naruto stirred, he carefully held the boy's right hand, rubbing his thumb over the small knuckles. "Naruto," he whispered, eyes clouded with regret.
I let you down... For you to grow up without your mother and I, to have this village neglect you because of a choice I made…
I'm sorry...
"Minato," Hiruzen called softly.
Minato gently squeezed Naruto's hand. I won't get to be there.
I'll miss everything…
He was only eager to see this mission through in hopes to see glimpses of Naruto now, even if the encounters were brief. This mission would hold the only memories he carried of himself and Naruto, and had he known he'd die in such a way on Naruto's birth, he would've requested that Kushina could've gotten the opportunity to travel on the mission with him.
Every moment he'd have with Naruto now was going to feel rare, precious, and restricted. He couldn't even tell the child everything he'd hoped to tell him due to what The Third had requested about not altering the future…
But if Minato were given the option, he'd have held his four-year old forever with Kushina by his side—or perhaps, if Kushina had her say, it'd be the other way around… He smiled fondly at that idea, wishing he could freeze time. Kushina, if only you could meet him…
It was a beautiful sight to see, such a lovely display of affection, and as his three teammates paced in with Ebisu and Kakashi leading the way, they observed quietly, appreciating the tender moment.
The older of the two Kakashi's looked on as he maneuvered to the farthest side of the room, masking his compunction and anxiety behind his lax stare, while Rin eyed the sleeping child with a doting gaze. It didn't take her long to figure out that the boy her sensei was holding was his future child; the blond spikes were proof enough.
It did, however, take her another second or two to zero in on her sensei's expression.
His brows were drawn together, and she could practically feel the tension in the room as The Third looked at him from where he sat. She also took note of the tear stains on the child's cheek, how they fell even as he dreamed, and the comforting way Minato used his thumb to brush the falling displays of sadness from his face.
Something's wrong… she thought. But what? What did The Third say to them? Rin carefully glanced around the room as Hiruzen began speaking to Ebisu and Kakashi, while her two teammates approached Minato. The room was large, beautiful—even down to the handcrafted wood—and upon first glance, she saw nothing out of the ordinary that could give away why the child had been crying…
Perhaps it was just a tantrum.
He could've been denied something, she thought. That seemed like the most logical explanation for a child his age.
It wasn't until she backtracked, and her eyes skimmed over the three pictures along the wall, that she did a double take.
There was a picture, three of them… the fallen Kages...
Is that really…?
'Minato-sensei…?' she mouthed to herself.
Somewhere in the afterlife, death was laughing at her—at all of them, really.
Rin's body involuntarily froze, and for a few seconds, she didn't hear any of the words being exchanged around the room. All she could think about was dying—her sensei—her teammate—her friend, forever gone …
Lifeless.
It made no sense to her whatsoever. She couldn't grasp the news because of the disbelieve clouding her thoughts.
"…This encounter is not to become gossip," Hiruzen had spoken. "But the Anbu guard has already been informed."
"Of course not, Third," Ebisu assured him. Kakashi hadn't spoken, but he gave a slight bow of his head.
When Rin found the courage to move, she felt eyes on her. Slowly, her eyes trailed over to the older Kakashi's. Is… is sensei really… dead? Her thoughts were clear to him, although she hadn't uttered a word.
Kakashi simply answered with a barely noticeable nod before focusing on what Hiruzen had started speaking again.
Rin took a step back to prevent herself from loosing her footing, her lips parting. The floor felt unbalanced, or perhaps her equilibrium was the cause due to the traumatic news, but she caught herself from completely toppling over by using the wall for leverage. Her right hand pressed against it with slight tremors in her fingers, and she was using her free palm to touch her forehead in her new, disoriented state.
Her confusion and sadness quickly morphed into rage, like her sensei's had earlier at the revelation, and she slowly shook her head. "Why?" she murmured to herself. Rin's right hand curled into a fist as she questioned this entire mission. "How did this happen?" The determination she had on the rooftop earlier deterred, and she wasn't sure what to make of her current status.
This wasn't what she envisioned happening to Minato, not dying and leaving his child behind, not this… and what about—
Kushina? she thought. Her emotions were becoming flooded with frantic 'what if' scenarios. Where's Kushina…?
Surely Kushina was still alive to care for her child…?
"Uh, Rin," Obito called her. "Are you okay…?" He hadn't noticed the picture just yet, even after Rin glanced at it for the final time.
Beside him, Kakashi had followed her line of vision, immediately wishing he hadn't while Minato carefully stood so he wouldn't wake Naruto. The silver-haired boy's eyes darted towards Rin, who was shaking her head at Obito as the Uchiha rushed over to check on her. A slight hitch of breath was heard coming from Kakashi, barely there, and it cut off as if he were being choked. His eyes had widened, but he forced himself to try and look unfazed when he noticed his sensei staring down at him.
Kakashi opted to turn his head away, shaking it in disbelief. This is…? Sensei… he… he dies in the future...? So early…?
The man he looked up to was going to die young if time continued…
The feeling the silver-haired boy felt was similar to when he saw his father's corpse, right after the man had taken his own life… Kakashi stiffened when Minato used his free hand to touch his shoulder, almost as if his brain had processed that Minato had already died and a mobile corpse was now touching his shoulder.
If this was the future, Kakashi wished that they'd forever be stuck in the past.
As Obito stood in front of Rin, he hesitantly said, "Please tell me what's wrong, Rin…" His hands hovered near her, as if he were preparing to catch her if she fell.
"Obito, I… I don't understand this," Rin said, causing everyone to gaze at her. She kept her eyes on the older Kakashi's while her vision blurred with tears, but they hadn't fallen just yet. They remained at the corners, on the brink of spilling out. "Kakashi…?" Her speech had come out in a whisper to the man.
A familiar pain twisted the man's heart upon hearing her use his name. "…Yes?"
"…Where's Kushina?"
The older Kakashi looked towards Hiruzen, wondering if it was acceptable to speak. When the The Third nodded, he glanced at Rin. "Dead." Even hearing the news for the second time, Minato felt the sting, closing his eyes briefly. The hand he had on the silver-haired boy's shoulder, tensed, and Kakashi peered up at him.
Sensei... Kakashi mused.
Obito appeared to be baffled, and he tilted his head. "W-what…?" His voice was rising. "What do you mean she's dead?! How'd she die?!"
"Dead?" Rin asked herself, shaking her head again. "She's dead..." It didn't seem real. None of this did. "But... how…?"
"That's gotta be a lie!" Obito protested, not realizing he was screaming.
The older Kakashi didn't spare the boy a glance as he said, "I see no reason to hide the truth." Although he sounded calm, there was a slight sullenness to his voice.
"But—!"
"Shut up." His teammate had spoken it with slight venom in his low tone, clearly not taking any of the news well. "It's sensei's business, not ours." Minato actually looked slightly surprised by the small outburst.
Obito glared at the boy, taking a step forward with his fists clenched. "We're a team! This is my business, too—it's our business!"
"Whatever…" It was spoken at a barely there volume, low enough that no one noticed the slight quiver in the broken tone, except Minato. The Yellow Flash could tell his student was daunted by the information, wishing the boy would let the wall he'd built up down, if only for a moment. He knew the boy was hurting as much as his two teammates. They all cared about her.
Kakashi's older self had yet to even give Obito a glance while he scrutinized Rin's face. It had twisted into various emotions, ranging from anger, a bit of betrayal, and resting on fear…
"And us…?" Rin asked, voice soft and unsure. Her brows knitted as she mustered enough courage to ask about herself. "I see you," she said. She removed herself from the wall, lifting her right hand. Her index finger aimed at Obito before she placed it on her chest. "But where are we?"
The man didn't speak, and Hiruzen picked up on his discomfited position. It wasn't within Kakashi to explain the situation to Rin, not her death. He'd never have it in him to explain, not to Rin, not like this—and in such unforgiving circumstances, too…
He was simply unable to reply.
"Where are we?" Rin asked again. "Please... Tell me, Kakashi."
Addressing him as if it were routine…
After such a gruesome end…
His silence indicated everything, and she began wishing she hadn't asked at all.
Hiruzen finally picked up his pipe and stood. "…Your tombstone can be found at the gravesite. Obito has a memorial in memory of him farther off." The way he just so casually explained the information while placing his pipe in his mouth made even Ebisu inhale a sharp breath of air.
However, there was no easy way to reveal something so grim. Everyone knew this.
Minato felt numb to the news, wishing for the mission to end sooner rather than later, until he remembered who their masked enemy was. Just Rin and I died then…? Did I have something to do with Rin's death…? He'd never forgive himself if that were the case.
Minato stiffened at the thought, and Naruto stirred in his arms again. Before he could ask further about the subject, Obito shouted, "That's a lie!"
"Obito," Minato chided. "That's The Third you're speaking to. Show some respect."
"But… we're not dead, Minato-sensei!" The Uchiha was shaking his head while he took a step back from everyone. "I…" His head shook with vigor. "We're just not, okay?!" Did I do this…?! Did I let Rin…? I let her die…?!
"Kakashi," Hiruzen spoke up. "You're dismissed."
The older Kakashi bowed at The Third. "Excuse me." He said nothing else as he briskly paced out of the room, his younger self hurrying after him in an attempt to find answers to these haunting revelations. Minato and Hiruzen said nothing as they watched them go, but eventually Hiruzen gazed at Ebisu once the commotion had ceased. "You may go as well."
Ebisu bowed and paced off, vagueness in his eyes. He hadn't spoken unless addressed, too stunned by today's events. He knew The Third would speak to him later and make sure that word didn't get around about The Fourth's surprise visit, though…
I did this… Obito was having a nervous breakdown. I let Rin die…? But how the heck...? He touched both sides of his head, gripping at his hair to try and figure out this misleading information.
That doesn't make any sense! Obito screamed. If we're going through time chasing me then… then… I'm not really dead… He peered over at Rin, who had sunk to her knees, hands touching the floor. But Rin is… Obito gulped, his mind guilt-ridden while he gazed at Minato.
Did I kill Rin…?!
"Sensei," he practically begged. Help me fix this…
"Obito," Minato finally spoke up. He was shaking his head. "I know what you're thinking, but stop. Blaming yourself won't—"
"But everything's my fault!" Obito shouted, rushing out of the room. I want us to go back to our time! His sentiments were similar to Kakashi's, both wanting to remain in the past in a never-ending cycle of familiarity. Nothing about this time seemed pleasant enough to accept.
Rin was frowning, and she quickly used her forearm to wipe at her eyes before any tears could fall. "I don't understand why we all…" She gazed at Minato. "Why did this happen? —How did this happen?"
"Confidential," Hiruzen stated.
She tried her best not to glare at him. "They're our lives," she retorted. "We'll find out eventually. Why not tell us now?" She had a point. Rin was always a rational thinker.
Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe, sighing. The smoke left his nostrils as he did this, and Rin patiently waited for a reply. Eventually, he turned to Minato. "Perhaps you should take Naruto home and say your final goodbyes. The man you're looking for has left."
Rin's face faltered slightly upon being dismissed, but out of respect for The Third, she bit her tongue to prevent anymore protest. Obviously he had a reason for not telling her what had happened…
"Sensei," she spoke up, standing. She'd found a bit of resolve, and it was best for her worry about fixing both her and Obito's death after they managed to leave this period and find his cousin. As a ninja, she'd put Konoha first and complete her mission. "May I come…?" She didn't want to intrude, but she needed a quick distraction from the news that had been revealed, and she was curious about where Naruto lived.
Blond brows lifted in surprise, until he offered her a weary smile. "Ah, yes. I'd like that."
Hiruzen nodded. "Obito and Kakashi shouldn't be difficult to find once you're finished."
Minato shook his head. "I just marked Kakashi." It had been in the shoulder touch. If I'm right, he and Obito should be arguing by the time I get there.
Kakashi chased after his older self, who was pacing down the stone steps of the residency. "Why are you running away?" he asked the man.
The older shrugged casually. "I'm not running. I'm walking with purpose."
Kakashi performed a high, aerial jump down the steps, landing in front of him with a slight click of his open-toe shoes. When he righted himself, he said, "I need to know what happened. Tell me."
"You're in no position to give me orders."
Under his mask, Kakashi was frowning. "Please," he said as the man passed him. "Tell me so I can fix it." He didn't want his teammates, and Kushina, to die.
The command made the man stop and he turned, facing him. After a short standoff, he began beckoning his younger self forward, curling his finger.
When the boy approached him, he touched both sides of his shoulders, examining how he used to look. There's little humanity in there…
The boy's brows were furrowing, and there was annoyance in his tone. "Look, can you help me, or are you going to stare all day? I just want to save my teammates." Upon blurting out this confession, he tensed, taking a step back. "I…" He felt embarrassed by the words, knowing that saving his team didn't pertain to the mission at hand. His only task was defeating Obito's cousin. Now I sound like… like Obito… He may have disliked the Uchiha at times, but he'd never wish the boy dead.
He'd also never admit it, either.
"You'll need those," his older self stated, tapping the boy's chest. He smiled with his right eye; the crinkles in the corner were proof of that—and the way he inclined his head. "They're worth more than you think."
"What is?"
"Your emotions," the man said simply. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, giving the boy a lazy stare. "I've always wondered what I'd say to my younger self if I could time travel… but now that I see you, I'd prefer not to tell you anything."
Kakashi glared at him, offended. "Why not?"
"Because those deaths are what made me," he stated, casually pacing away.
The boy didn't understand, and he gazed at the shinobi's retreating back. "Those deaths are what made you…? Then they're what made me…" But... what if I don't want to grow up to be like you. What if I want to be someone else? The man before him appeared to be a walker of nothing, and he didn't want that life for himself.
Kakashi debated on heading back inside to see about his sensei and Rin, but once he thought of Obito's retreat… He's always causing sensei trouble… The silver-haired child ran ahead in search of the boy, unmasked along the rooftops.
Obito had been blindly running through the outskirts of the village until he'd lost his footing. During his slip-up, he landed on his hands and knees, slamming his fists into the ground several times while crying out in an unbreakable feeling of woe and resentment. "Not fair," he whispered, sniffling a little. "What did I do...?" He'd spoken it so softly, so hushed as if he were afraid someone would answer. Eventually, he hunched forward and pressed his forehead protector against the dirt, feeling worn out. His breaths were ragged while fresh tears rolled down his cheeks and he gave the earth one final slam with his right fist before he sat up.
"Why would I do that to Rin?" he asked himself. Not her… It doesn't make sense.
He loved her.
"I couldn't kill her…"
"Couldn't you?"
Obito startled, jumping to his feet as he whirled around, and tripping in the process. He was quick to catch his footing before he could fall on his back, and his index finger rose towards his older self. "Y-you!"
The man simple waved in greeting. "Me."
"It was… you killed Rin!"
The older chuckled rather uncomfortably at the idea. "Did I? That's not how I remember it."
"What's wrong with you?!" Obito asked. His body was taut and his expression guarded by a heavy glower.
The man's head tilted at an odd angle while he spread his arms. "What isn't…?"
Obito's brow arched as heard the man speak, and he took a cautious step back. The way he'd spoken that sentence… Obito heard something in his tone—two distinct voices. The levels of his pitch rose and fell between that of a man and that of a boy as he spoke, reminding him of a seesaw effect. During the middle of the two pitch changes, his voice sounded mangled, not even close to having an ounce of benevolence—and it was clear to anyone from that simple question that he was less than sane.
"Who… what are you?" Obito asked, a bit of fear in his voice. What happened to me in the future?
When the man took a step forward, the little Uchiha retreated three feet back. "You've known me all your life, Obito. I'm you."
"W-why do you sound like that?" The boy hadn't realized he was whispering.
"Are you afraid?" His voice had returned to a deep, morose pitch, making Obito gulp, but when he spoke again, Obito could've sworn the voice he heard matched his own. "What's wrong?" The man shook his head. "I'm only trying to help you."
"The only way you'll help anyone is by dying," Kakashi said. The silver-haired child was standing a few yards behind him, his blade at the ready. He charged headfirst, not the wisest thing to do, but Kakashi was sure that his skills could outmatch Obito's cousin's. As a prodigy, he felt like he had the upper hand.
The enemy sensed this, of course, already knowing all of Kakashi's weaknesses. Headfirst… He briefly remembered the day that Kakashi rushed forward to show off his chidori attack, a maneuver that he was ordered to never perform again by their sensei… Foolish.
"You haven't learned yet," the man said. He easily stepped to the side and elbowed the boy's left arm in passing, sending him flying towards the wall. Underneath his mask, he looked a little disappointed when he saw that Kakashi had flipped at last minute to land on the wall with his feet and knuckles.
"I've learned plenty," the boy stated. During his rush earlier, he dropped an explosive tag which had fallen at the man's feet, and his fingers quickly performed a snake hand seal.
A grunt of surprise escaped the enemy, but he eluded the attack during the explosion by using his special jutsu, unfazed by the attack. When the smoke cleared, both teammates gasped, and the older Obito simply shrugged the blow off.
"This is all partially your fault," the man said. But the blame is mostly mine…
"What do you mean?" Obito asked him.
Kakashi had slid down the wall at this point, standing in a defensive stance. He shot a disapproving glance at his teammate, both appalled and aggravated. "Why are you stalling? Your cousin is the enemy now. We don't have time for hesitation."
Upon hearing this, the man inclined his head once more. "…Cousin?" Your cousin? Is that what you're telling them, little me?
Obito bit his lip as he watched his older self chuckle, hoping his cover wouldn't be blown.
"...All the more reason I'm going to enjoy killing you," the man said before he charged at Kakashi.
The silver-haired child barely had time to react before he was kicked into midair. The move was followed up by a series of hand attacks that the boy managed to block, but not without a price... a heavy price at that.
Down below, Obito hadn't budged an inch.
He wasn't sure what his older self was actually capable of, not after hearing that voice. But how come he sounded so normal when Kakashi came…? He shook his head. Kakashi's right. He pulled out his kunai. I can't just watch all this happen…
"You're not stronger than me, Kakashi," the older Obito stated above. He flipped backwards, landing on a dark rooftop, and he watched in amusement as the silver-haired boy did the same across the street. "What a shame."
"Fire style!" Obito shouted to his right. "Fireball Jutsu!" Neither had noticed his advance.
The man turned his head as a ball made of flames launched at him, engulfing his body in the blast, while Kakashi caught his breath. He felt as if a boulder had struck him, although he wasn't quite sure why. Every blow that Obito's cousin had given him felt as if he were being stabbed with kunai, and there were fresh, gruesome bruises forming on every place the man had touched him.
He barely touched me, though... He didn't even...?
Obito jumped over the rooftop to his friend, noticing the other looked extremely fatigued.
It wasn't like Kakashi to be worn out by simple attacks and blocks.
The Uchiha arched his brow, failing to notice that the ball of flames engulfing his foe were enlarging on the other rooftop, and their enemy had yet to be slain. In fact, the man was casually crouching inside the ball, consuming the element into his own chakra.
"Kakashi?" the Uchiha asked as he stepped towards his friend. There was hesitance in his tone as he reached forward to touch the boy, who was hunched over, with his hands resting on knees for balance. "Are you... okay?"
"There's s-something—" The silver-haired boy was straining to speak. "About his attacks…" Kakashi murmured, waving his teammate away when Obito tried to help him stand upright. When he caught his breath, he said, "It felt like there was more than one person attacking me…" When the man had advanced from the front earlier, other fists had also struck him in the same place, projecting the force with three times the strength.
Kakashi was amazed that he was still standing, thankful that only his upper half was on the receiving end of the blows, or he'd be completely immobile. I'm not having Obito carry me back to our time.
"…But he didn't use a clone jutsu," Obito stated. "It was just him." His brows were scrunching together.
Kakashi had a look about him, as if he'd been fighting multiple foes for hours on end with no victory in sight.
A few strikes did that much damage? Obito asked.
"I felt other hands beside each fist," Kakashi said again, lowering his head. He spit out some blood before wiping his mouth with his right forearm. He weakly pointed forward. "That flame…" he said weakly. "It's... getting larger…" Why hasn't he attacked yet? What's he waiting for?
Obito's eyes darted towards the other rooftop. The attack he'd used was now twice the size it had been before, and their enemy couldn't be seen within it. The Uchiha made a 'tch' sound, defensive and worried about his older self's next move. A blast that huge… "How many hands did you feel during each blow?" Obito asked. His eyes remained focused on the fire.
Before Kakashi could reply, the flaming ball separated into hundreds of round pieces, ranging in various sizes from two feet to four in diameter, before hurling in their direction.
"This isn't a place a four year old should be living." Minato was unable to hide his disapproval upon seeing his son's unwelcoming home. The walls were a light-green shade, with cracks and small chips missing from the plaster. The lower half of the wall was lined with brown wood, and the floor matched. The kitchen was about as messy as his son's room, and the small, square table was covered in a white sheet.
"No one is living with you?" Minato asked, peering down at his son. "You're four." Cruel and unusual punishment had reached a new high…
"People in masks come and drop off stuff," Naruto said, swinging their joined hands back and forth. "But they never stay and play..."
Beside them, Rin was frowning. "You don't live in an orphanage?"
Naruto pouted at her. "Not anymore, but the other kids with no mommies and daddies still get to." The thought seemed to sadden him. "They get to eat together…" It was then that Minato noticed only one chair for Naruto's table…
What a lonely place… "They've secluded you completely," he whispered to himself.
Naruto tugged on his hand, pointing in the direction of his small room. "I sleep in there!"
Upon hearing the proud way he'd spoken this, Minato chuckled lightly—especially after seeing how messy Naruto kept his domain. "When was the last time you made your bed, Naruto?"
"Dunno," the boy replied, guiding Minato through the threshold that divided the kitchen from his bedroom. A petite finger pointed at the Konoha wall scroll he kept above his bed. "Look, look! That's mine!" He seemed excited to give the man a small tour, and Rin waited politely at the door-frame, a tender smile on her face.
They completely abandoned him after Minato-sensei died, she pondered. That's… it seems so unforgivable... As she watched her sensei and Naruto converse with wide grins, her smile faltered. You'll never get to have another moment like this once we get back…
You're going to die...
Minato squatted in front of the boy as Naruto chatted about the mysterious, random caretakers that would drop off his food and leave. He referred to them as—
"Not nice," he stated with a pout.
Minato was holding the boy by his small torso, grinning warily at him. "Do they hurt you, Naruto? Please, be honest." If they physically abused him, Minato would show no mercy. No person was even considered a human if they'd strike a child for 'the fun of it'.
Naruto shook his head. "No. They just put the food there—" He pointed towards the table. "And leave." His bottom lip remained protruded.
Minato pursed his own upon hearing this, processing the news with an insightful look . "I see…" I should be leaving, though, unfortunately... "...Naruto?"
"Yeah?" Minato nearly melted at the sight of those wide, blue eyes peering into his own. The look his son was giving him was so genuine and innocently mindful... How could he leave...?
"There are so many questions I'd like to ask you, but I'm sorry to say that I can't right now."
Naruto tilted his head. "Why not?"
"Because I have to go." Those precious lips began to quiver and Minato carefully pulled the boy into a loving embrace. "Please don't cry," he murmured.
"But you're dead!" Naruto shouted into his shoulder. He stomped his foot as he dug his nails into the fabric of Minato's shirt. "You're gonna leave and never come back!"
"I'm never far," Minato assured him. "Even when I'm gone."
"You're dead, dattebayo!" the boy cried again. "You're gonna go away…!"
Minato closed his eyes, rocking the boy back and forth as he combed his hand through the child's blond spikes. How can I make you understand how much I love you—how much I want to stay…? "Naruto?"
He sniffled in response.
Minato broke their hug to position Naruto at arm's length. He grabbed the boy's left hand, placing it over his. "Feel that?"
Naruto nodded, his tears still falling down his cheeks. "Y-yeah…"
Minato took the boy's hand again, guiding it over the child's chest. "And now this...?"
Tiny brows furrowed. "Our hearts?"
Minato nodded slowly. "No matter where we go, when all is said and done, we'll still be right here." He cocked his head upon seeing the curious gaze his son was giving him. "Okay?"
The child slowly began grinning at him, and his infectious smile transferred onto Minato's lips as well. "Okay!" His expression was an excited one as he gave the man a vigorous nod. "I get it, dattebayo!"
Minato actually laughed at the outburst. You are your mother's child… "Then I'm glad," he admitted, brushing the boy's bangs out of his eyes. "I'm happy, and I'm proud of you, Naruto—so proud." Any child who can smile after all this daily torture… they must have a strong-willed heart.
If anyone can endure something like this, my son can—our son can, Kushina.
"R-really?" Naruto's voice had squeaked from his surprise of the revelation.
"I'll always be proud of you," Minato stated with a bow of his head. He took off his backpack, and pulled out one of his Flying Thunder God kunai. "I want you to hold on to this for a while." If Obito's coming back as Tobi later to visit him, I'll need to be able to get to Naruto as soon as possible.
Naruto's tears were forgotten as he gawked at the weapon, and as Minato stood, he tried to reach for it, gasping slightly when Minato lifted it higher so that Naruto wouldn't harm himself. The shinobi used his free hand to brush any stray droplet from the boy's face, loving the appreciative grin Naruto was giving him after he'd done so.
"How about we place this somewhere special, hm?" Minato suggested.
Naruto was frowning at the idea, hesitant. "The mean people won't let me keep it."
Minato regarded the statement with an affirmative nod, but he began wondering why they'd even care if he was so secluded like this. "Then why don't we keep it a secret?"
Large blue eyes practically danced with excitement. "A secret…?"
"Yes, we can hide it."
Mischief, every toddler's dream come true. The fact that an adult was helping him this time around made the child feel all the more honored.
Naruto seemed eager to do this, agreeing with vigorous head gestures of approval and a raised fist. "Yeah, yeah! Where?!"
Minato played coy, making a 'tsk' sound as he glanced around the small space. He knew the answer, of course, but any opportunity to play with his son would be taken at this point. "I'm not sure..." He stepped around Naruto while the boy began to think of a place to hide his new keepsake.
As Minato used his free hand to rub his jaw, he said, "It's difficult to decide." He cocked his head back slightly, peering over at his student. "What do you think, Rin?"
Rin clasped her hands behind her back, stepping into the room while she pretended to inspect the area. "Well, that's hard to say," she said, playing along. "But…"
Naruto was getting antsy, and he gazed up at the girl when she approached him. "But what?!" he asked, the anticipation getting to him. "What?! What?! Ya gotta tell me!"
When Minato gave her an encouraging smile, she gestured towards the corner of Naruto's room, gazing down at him. "How about... under the bed, Naruto?"
Naruto gave her a wide, approving grin. "Right! What Rin said!" He felt comfortable enough to use her name now, especially after she'd helped him in finding a secret spot—and because she'd used his.
It made him feel important.
She'd earned his trust, and when he took her hand, Minato couldn't help but feel a little satisfied at the endearing sight. There now, both of them seem comfortable. Any awkwardness, or form of intrusion, that Rin felt earlier was gone. The same could be said for Naruto's assumption of her.
"Alright then." As Minato knelt to complete his task, he said, "Naruto, are you—"
The sound of multiple crashes caused both ninja to become alert, and once Minato carefully placed his weapon under the mattress, he stood, righting himself. "Rin, we're going."
"Right," she agreed.
Minato turned to Naruto, kneeling to give the boy a final hug before he slipped his backpack on. "We have to go."
Naruto huffed, peering down at the floor. "…Okay," was the sullen, defeated reply.
It wasn't enough.
It'll never be enough, but know that I love you, Naruto and… "I'll miss you," Minato stated absently, thinking out loud. Given the circumstances, he was glad that he'd said it.
The confession made Rin blush. Sensei… why is it that bad things only happen to good people... good people like you? She still couldn't find any ounce of fairness in Naruto's situation, or her sensei's, but she'd have to accept it…
For now…
Just for now, she mused.
Naruto said nothing in reply as he folded his arms and turned his head, lips quivering. Minato knew he was extremely upset—too frustrated to respond. It was after he and Rin turned to leave through Naruto's window that the boy said, "I'll miss you, too, dad."
Minato whirled around upon hearing the name, taking an astonished step towards the boy. "Naruto...?"
Beside him, Rin's eyes were wide. He… he knows?
"…What did you just say?" Minato asked. He had to double-check the statement; the word 'dad' was a name he wanted to hear the child call him since he'd found out about Naruto's existence.
Naruto was frowning as he saw Minato's curious expression. "Sorry, dattebeyo! I just thought…" He shook his head, twirling his fingers while he ducked his head. "You were really nice—and I don't know why—" His lips began to quiver again. "Your hair and…" He pointed at his eyes. "Please don't be mad…"
"Naruto," Minato spoke up carefully.
"Gah!" The child kicked the air, gripping both sides of his head while he squatted. "I just wanted you to be him…"
"But I..." Minato offered him a sincere smile, stopping himself. So he figured it out, more or less … Naruto was smarter than most gave him credit for—even though the boy didn't quite believe it either.
"And if I ever have a son, I'd want him to be you." That was the best he could give his son without saying any more on the subject, and as Minato and Rin hurried out the window, the boy peered up in surprise.
To be me...? Naruto touched his chest pointing at himself, dumbfounded. A wide grin slowly morphed across his chubby cheeks, and he lifted his thumb. "Alright! Then I"m gonna be the bestest Naruto I can be, dattebayo!"
Flames spread onto multiple nearby houses while Obito and Kakashi were standing on a nearby rooftop, worn out by all the dodging. Even in Kakashi's fatigued state, he still managed to dodge all of the flames thrown his way... but Obito. His left arm had been scraped by a large chunk of wood that had struck him after he dodged a ball of fire.
Below, villagers were fleeing their engulfed homes, and it wouldn't be long before members of Anbu arrived to investigate. Sweat dripped down Obito's forehead while he called out to his older self across the way. "Is this what you want?! To destroy everything?!"
"Konoha means nothing to me," his older self stated simply. He stepped past the flames and as he jumped in diagonal movements, lifting his hand towards the duo.
Minato appeared in front of Kakashi before the man had time to do any damage, and Rin was beside him, her blade ready.
Upon seeing both their faces, especially Rin's, the older Obito faltered his movement, evading them completely by flipping to the left. He jumped a few steps back on some nearby wood while the smoke rose at high levels.
"Be careful, sensei," Kakashi warned. "He's…"
Obito was nodding beside him. "He's got help—lots of it." But how come I'm the only one who heard his voice earlier…? Why won't he show it again?
Minato kept his eyes transfixed on his opponent, narrowing them slightly. "Noted. Rin?"
"Yes?"
He took off his backpack, grabbing his custom made kunai. "Can you tend to their wounds?" Both boys had purple and black bruises on their visible flesh, so Minato assumed that they also had multiple on their unexposed areas as well.
"Of course," she assured him.
He jumped onto a nearby roof, careful to avoid any stray flames.
"Sensei," his opponent casually called further off. "Did you see Naruto?" There was a patronizing cooing undertone in his voice as he asked, "Isn't he adorable?" Just think, you'll miss everything because of me.
Minato made a 'tch' sound, unaccustomed to hearing his student in this manner. "Leave my son out of this."
"But he's needed," he said absently. "They both are. Besides, I owe him another visit… As soon as I take Obito first." It'll help my progress…
"You can try," Minato stated. There was an intent to kill behind his reserved tone.
Obito shrugged, making a quick grunt. "Challenge accepted."
They both dashed forward, airborne, and Minato had been hoping to slice Obito's jugular once he was within range…
But both bodies went straight through each other, making his enemy chuckle and land in the same spot that Minato had previously been.
Minato caught his footing near a patch of growing flames on the stacked tile, turning in his crouched form to see that the older Obito was watching him. He had a casual aura in the way that he stood, but his deep, threatening voice gave away his warning. "You can't defeat me, sensei," he said. "My jutsu surpasses yours." A bold statement; however, there was a weakness for every jutsu. Even Minato knew that.
That jutsu… the blond shinobi pondered.
"Something wrong, sensei?" Obito asked, spreading his arms.
Minato faltered slightly, still unsure if all humanity in his student had truly been lost. Obito... what happened to you? He stood cautiously, lifting his right hand. While he gripped his Flying Thunder God in his right hand, he brought his arm in front of him at slanted angle, and the tip of his kunai was almost touching the left side of his face. His sharp eyes began to calculate his next move, before they darted towards his team.
There was too much smoke to see their whereabouts, and all he could hear were the crisp popping sounds the wood from the houses made as they burned. Minato glanced back at his opponent, creases forming on his brows. I'll have to find a way to use my jutsu first… It'll be a game of chance, but...
Obito gave him no warning before he leaped forward again, and Minato quickly threw his Flying Thunder God at his head, rushing after it to feign a strike. In the midst of this, he hadn't anticipated eight Anbu officers lunging at them in the process.
He managed to use his teleportation jutsu to avoid being struck by three kunai coming towards his head, but because of having to evade the third party's weapons, he just missed landing an aerial hit over Obito's head, leaving the traitor to dash away and flee through a small opening within the rising flames.
"After him!" an Anbu guard commanded. He pointed at Minato. "You there!"
"That's The Fourth," someone stated. "The Third said The Fourth was here." I don't believe it… He's really here… He was gazing in awe underneath his mask, even going so far as to bow. "It's an honor to meet you, sir!"
Minato waved his right hand, sheepishly, hearing something cave in to his left in the smoke. "Ah, I'm not Hokage yet in my time," he said in a rushed voice, scratching the back of his neck. "There's no need for formalities, even if I have been in this time. We have an enemy to worry about."
"We just attacked The Fourth," someone stated, kneeling. "My apologies." Minato was over the praise. All that mattered were his teammates—even the older one, who'd slipped away…
Minato was giving his admirers a quick shake of his head, stepping away as the wind blew some of the smoke to the left. The spot that Kakashi, Obito and Rin were occupying was now empty and torched.
"We're truly sorry, Fourth," someone said.
"Never mind that." Minato's eyes were darting around in search of three familiar faces. "Where is my team?"
Rin was running below dodging falling debris as she rushed for cover. "Obito!" she called. "Kakashi!" She skidded to a halt as a large, flaming piece of a fallen fascia fell in front of her, and she took several steps back. The remaining rafter fell next, forcing her to retreat onto another street. "You guys!" She framed her palms around her mouth. "Where are you?!"
Earlier, while Minato and Obito's cousin were fighting, the building the trio were standing on had collapsed, but she was unable to find them in the thick smoke. She'd also heard Obito talking with his cousin before Kakashi butted in. That was the last she'd heard from either of them.
A harsh cough escaped her, and she muffled the noise by covering her mouth with her left forearm. So much smoke… it's filling my lungs.
"Rin!" she heard Obito call. "Rin, over here!"
She glanced around in swift movements, seeing no one. "O-Obito!" she called out.
"Rin! I'm here!"
"Where?!" Sweat dripped into her eyes, making them sting and forcing her to wince. "I can't see you!"
"This way!" The noise was coming from her right, and she snapped her head, seeing nothing but burning homes surrounding the clear path.
"Obito…?" she asked, slowly moving her feet. As she fully processed the voice of her friend, she picked up speed, rushing down the opposite street. "Obito!"
"Over here, Rin!" she heard him call. She made a sharp left. "Obi—mmmph!" She collided into the masked man, who wasted no time in covering her mouth and holding a kunai to her chest. There was no mission to kill her, but he needed to make sure she didn't move.
But how…?! she asked, panicking. I heard Obito's voice…
"I'd never hurt you, Rin," the man said. "But I guess you'll have to be first in order to get Obito to do as I say later." He wasn't making sense.
First for what? she asked herself.
"Rin!" Obito shouted. He and Kakashi had just rounded the corner.
The man chuckled. "There you two are. I was beginning to think you couldn't keep up."
"There!" an Anbu guard shouted.
Minato threw his Flying Thunder God at Obito and Rin, knowing he'd dodge it. Once it flew past their heads, he used his teleportation jutsu to appear right beside them. This time... His right hand slashed Obito right in the back of the head, regret in his eyes. I'm sorry, Obito.
Instantly, his former pupil released Rin, and she hurried over to Obito and Kakashi, hearing the eerie shriek of surprise from their target as Minato slashed the kunai out of the pierced skull.
When Minato fully landed, he took a good look at the blood on his kunai, frowning in disapproval.
There wasn't any, not even a drop.
But I pierced him, Minato stated, watching the man stagger away. I slashed him right in the back of…? "...What are you?" he asked his former pupil.
The man chuckled weakly, hunching over while he clutched at his head with his left palm. He used his right to pull one of Minato's custom kunai out of his cloak, throwing it on the ground. "Y-you up for r-round two?"
Obito...
Minato took a step forward, only to have the man disappear in a puff of white smoke, leading everyone to believe that he could've been a shadow clone. But a shadow clone would have disappeared the moment they were struck... He grimaced at the kunai that was left behind. This again… more following… He gazed back at the section of the burning village. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience," he said to the guard. Those homes that were destroyed…
Again, they bowed to him. "We'll handle things here, Fourth," one of them spoke up. "Not to worry."
"That enemy was mine, and he's probably going to return later," Minato said in a strained voice, kneeling before them. "Please forgive us for the trouble we've caused."
They weren't sure how to reply to this, stunned that a man so high would stoop so low.
Minato was no God, nothing to be worshipped, even if he died a hero. He hadn't become Kage in his time just yet, so the praise wasn't necessary to him, and even if he were, he still wouldn't be used to it.
He was a humble man.
Minato simply sighed as he righted himself, gesturing for his team to follow him as he picked up the kunai Obito had left behind. "Let's go."
As they ran up to him and touched his hand, he felt as if something were off about the way the enemy had just fled, and when the scenery around them began to morph into complete darkness, he tensed, feeling the palms of his teammates do the same.
"Don't release my hand," he instructed.
"Sensei," Rin whispered. "Where…?"
Minato couldn't see his students now, or even feel their grips. There was nothing but black abyss. "Rin?" Minato asked. "Obito…? ...Kakashi?"
"It's just you and me for this trip, sensei," his former pupil stated. When the darkness subsided, Minato was standing alone in a dark forest, the Flying Thunder God kunai Obito had used near his feet. He internally began to fret for the wellbeing of his students, and he used his jutsu to teleport back to the place in which he'd come, the burning scene of the village.
His teammates weren't there.
"Your teleportation jutsu is under my control for the places you'll visit from here on," Obito warned him. "Go back the way you came, sensei. You'll see them again." Dead or alive depends on what they do now... I'm sorry, Rin, sensei...
There was a lingering softness in his voice now, a kind of reassurance. Minato couldn't tell what his true intentions were. Obito hadn't exactly tried to kill him earlier… but…
With a glare of hesitation, Minato teleported back the way he'd came, kneeling in a familiar forest.
"Hand over the scroll, brat," he heard a man say.
His brows furrowed while he stood. What in the world...?
Where was his team?
In a distant time, Rin had awoken on a boulder to see her sensei seated calmly beside her. "You're awake," he said with a knowing gaze. She took in the four familiar faces, gasping when her eyes made contact with her own. "Wha… what mission is this?" She obviously hadn't been on it yet.
Obito blinked from where he stood on the grass beside his two teammates. "The one where we get to blow up a—ow!"
Kakashi elbowed him. "Don't talk so casually to her. She could be an enemy." She could be a fake.
The Rin on their team frowned at them. "I don't think she is." She gave herself a smile, making the younger Rin blush slightly.
"Time travel," Minato stated.
"But I don't remember this mission," Kakashi stated.
"Neither do I," Obito admitted. Beside them, the other Rin was nodding.
The original Rin frowned at them, not recognizing this mission. She peered up at her sensei. "Where's my team…?"
Obito and Kakashi, on the other hand, woke up on cliffs in a time that transpired after Rin's, seeing another Kakashi rushing below with his special group of Ninken, a summoning technique he hadn't learned yet. "Where are you going?" Obito asked as they watched him rush by.
"How should I know?" Kakashi asked, shrugging. "I haven't been on this mission yet." Must be top secret if I'm alone... They both began to follow him. Little did they know that they too were being followed.
…
A/N: Sorry in advance for the cliffhanger. I'm beginning to love those, really. I think I'll either be breaking up the next chapter into three parts for the three different areas or just make them each an entire three chapters that link up later, depending on what looks better after I write everything out, but as far as updating, please don't expect anything soon—to any lovely person that might be. I'm seriously busy supporting myself while getting my degrees right now. I'm not saying updates will be about an 'over a month' wait like last time, but I am saying it'll take time. If another chapter spontaneously gets updated, don't expect any updating patterns. It's kind of like a game of chance really. Sorry about that. -…-'
This chapter was longer than intended, even by my standards, but the wait to post it was also longer than intended. I plan to maybe hit over 100,000 words on this fic, give or take lol
Also, I'm truly surprised by the number of favs and alerts this fic has received, and I'm curious about opinions on this chapter, but if you can't spare a review I'd still appreciate an alert or fav any day of the week. Either is better than neither. :)
Thanks for taking the time to read,
-AJ
Replies:
Guest August 6: Thank you! I like young Naruto, too. Refer to my author's note for future updates, though. Sorry in advance.
Guest: August 13: Yeah, this was over a month ago, right? Was overdue... o.O Thanks for commenting!
Guest Sept, 8: Minato's character will for sure see some Jiraiya moments with Naruto and Jiraiya's death scene will also be in this fic. I wrote that particular scene out about the same time I posted chapter 3 and I loved it in a bit of a twisted way. I thought it'd be fitting for Minato to see because it just makes for perfect angst, right? I don't mind answering questions so don't feel hesitant to ask any. I'll answer them to the best of my ability without giving anything vital away. Thanks for reading!