Four years have passed since Naruto was sent to a new world. He enjoyed his time with Emilia and Puck, but the only downside was the lack of Ramen and his inability to train or understand much. However, Kurama has been going insane after four years of having to listen to Puck's parental guidance that he was now giving to the young Naruto.

Naruto and Emilia are twelve years old and have yet to leave Elior Forest. Naruto has wanted to since the first few days of his arrival but cannot. Due to Naruto's arrival, Emilia matured much faster compared to how she would've if Naruto had never arrived. However, Naruto has had a different reaction as he's never been around only a few people for an extended time. He did enjoy not being treated like how he was in Konoha.

Naruto watched as Emilia shot icicles at a frozen tree. He wanted to learn magic, but Puck never told him any details on how to do so. However, Naruto encouraged Emilia to train, which Puck was against at first, but Naruto's persistence eventually resulted in her training her magic.

Naruto sighed, looking around at the forest surrounding him that had remained solid the entire time he's been there. He was beginning to wonder if he'll ever leave this forest since if he couldn't train to become stronger, he won't be able to leave and explore the outside world.

Emilia noticing Naruto looked uninterested, poked Naruto's face, "What did you think?"

Naruto snapped out of his thoughts, "It was awesome. I wish I could do some sort of magic or train."

Emilia noticed Naruto's sad expression, "Puck said you had potential but needed to wait before you could use it… maybe now you can?"

Puck, watching the interaction, commented, "Naruto is still not ready… but he will be soon."

I'm so tired of listening to this spirit's nonsense. Naruto, at this point, could kill him if he knew how to use his chakra. Not to mention he's teaching Naruto a bunch of nonsense. Sheltering Naruto and the girl by spewing lies, babies come from kissing, the world outside this forest is dangerous, and his weird overprotective nature drives me insane. I have no idea why this spirit is attempting to be a father figure, but he's terrible at it.

Naruto looked at Puck and remarked, "I don't even want to learn magic. I want to learn Jutsu."

Naruto continued, "When are we going to leave this forest? We've been here for, like, uh, a while. Puck, you always say the outside is dangerous, but I'm a shinobi. If I want to find a way to help the frozen elves… so shouldn't we try leaving, ya know?"

Puck, looking irritated, repeated what he'd said many times, "Naruto, you wouldn't survive the outside world. We should wait until you and Emilia become stronger to leave. You are both only twelve… Naruto, why don't you fear leaving?"

Naruto grinned, "My age has nothing to do with it, believe it. Even if I'm in a different world, I'm still a shinobi."

Emilia decided, "Naruto is right, Puck. Why can't we leave the forest?"

Puck was annoyed. Before Naruto's arrival, Emilia always listened to whatever he said. After three years of Naruto being in the forest with her, Emilia has begun questioning his decisions or input. Puck didn't like the idea of losing control over Emilia. He wanted to be her parental figure, and at first, he thought Naruto would help her not feel as lonely as she did before. however, now he thinks Naruto is putting Emilia's life in danger with his influence on her over the years.

Naruto noticed the look on Puck's face. It was the look he thought he had forgotten, but after seeing it remembered. The same look everyone in Konoha gave him. He was used to it in Konoha, but after three years of feeling welcomed and having a friend, it affected him far more than usual.

Naruto declared, "Fine, if you don't want me here, Puck, I'll leave alone."

Emilia didn't know what to say. She didn't want Naruto to leave, but she didn't want to leave the forest. She then begin to wonder if Naruto leaving meant he was going to break the promise he made to her about saving the frozen elves. However, Emilia had no idea that a promise was far more important to Naruto than she thought.

Emilia, with a look of sadness, asked, "Does that mean you're breaking your promise?"

Naruto turned his eyes towards Emilia, "Emilia, I will never break a promise I make. I'm leaving the forest to find a way to help the elves."

Wait, I can't leave her here… I might never see her again if I go alone.

Naruto looked at Emilia with mixed emotions. He was tired of staying in the forest, and Puck's unwillingness to let him do anything drove him crazy. But Emilia was the first friend he ever made. He's spent four years with her, and the more he thought about leaving, the more it felt like abandoning rather than leaving.

Naruto sighed with a slight blush, "Nevermind… sorry, Emilia."

Emilia looked at Naruto with confusion, "Wait, why?"

Naruto replied, "I don't want to abandon you. I mean… I don't want to leave unless you are coming to believe it!"

Emilia's confusion turned into a smile, "Naruto, you don't haveee to stay just because of that… but thank you."

What the fuck is going through this cat's brain? While Naruto is focused on his little crush, this cat is planning ways to kill him. While his intent is futile, as even if he attacked while Naruto was sleeping, my chakra would shield him, it further annoys me.

The day passed on, and eventually, night drew near. Naruto now had his own bed, but despite Puck's wishes, there was nowhere nearby that Naruto could live alone. Puck thought of a plan to eliminate Naruto without Emilia ever discovering what happened.

Puck waited for the two to fall asleep and then began to creep closer to Naruto, intending to freeze his body as if any noise would wake Emilia. Puck floated closer, and the moment he put his paw on Naruto's head, Puck's entire body trembled.

Puck stared at the nine-tailed fox, the aura admitting he could only compare to the likes of the Witch of Envy from what he saw. Puck's ability to sense intent almost caused his mind to shatter at the amount of hatred and killing intent the beast he saw contained. Puck's instincts told him to return to Emilia's crystal, but his body was frozen in fear. After what felt like an eternity but was merely a few seconds, the vision Puck saw slowly faded, and Puck was left in complete fear.

What a joke, I didn't need to use my chakra to form a barrier. The cat was too afraid to function after feeling my aura. Thinking such a weak-minded spirit has been raising Naruto and his new friend is annoying. I think it's about time I have a chat with Naruto.

Naruto eye's shuttered, but he felt he was somewhere else. He then realized he was already standing on what looked like water.

What is this place? Where am I?

He then adjusted his eyes to see what looked like a giant cage.

What is this?

Naruto got closer to the cage before he saw the nine-tailed fox. At first, Naruto felt fear, but the nine-tailed fox almost seemed tame. He was confused, staring at the very thing that destroyed Konoha and killed the fourth hokage.

"Naruto, it's about time you learn the truth."

Naruto stared at the ominous yet calm voice the giant fox spoke, staring at the beast's red eyes.

What is going on? How is the nine-tailed fox here?

"Did you ever wonder why the people in Konoha treated you like a monster? Nobody ever told you I was sealed within you."

What? That the nine-tailed fox was sealed within me? How would that even happen? I don't understand, but it solves why I was hated in the village. Everyone seemed to be hiding something from me… but why would the nine-tailed fox be so calm?

Naruto, after thinking, spoke with a shallow tone, "I don't understand… how are you here? I thought I was sent to some different world?"

"You are correct. However, since I was sealed within you since your birth, I was transported to this world with you. I have kept you alive in temperatures that would've easily killed you for the past four years."

Emilia always said she never understood why I wasn't cold… even though she was cold sometimes, I only felt cold when I was first sent here. Ever since then, I felt warm… I'm so confused.

"Naruto, get it through your head and accept it. I'm not here to harm you. I am growing sick of listening to that idiot cat try to parent you and the other brat. If you unleash the seal, you will have access to all my power, and in exchange, I will be able to teach that cat many things I've wanted to say for the past four years."

Wait what? The power of the nine-tailed fox would be enough to leave the Forest. If the nine-tailed fox were sealed within me since my birth, he'd know who my parents are…

Naruto hesitantly said, "Nine-tailed fox, do you know who my… parents were?"

"The seal used to contain my chakra within you has two other people's chakra infused. Simply put, you will discover your father's identity if you attempt to break the seal, and my name is Kurama, not the nine-tails."

Naruto stared as Kurama used his chakra to put the young Naruto in front of the massive seal that bound the cage Kurama was within. Naruto had doubts, but at the same time the more he thought about what Kurama told him and why the village hated him, why he survived being sent to another world in freezing temperatures, he couldn't deny what Kurama said. He was at first afraid, but his curiosity and sense of urgency yearning to learn the truth of his origins convinced him.

Naruto begins pealing the seal, but the moment he peals the paper off, a hand stops him.

"Are you giving up? Are you-"

"Minato, things have changed."

Minato looked at Naruto for a moment, surprised. He never expected him to open the seal so young. Not to mention that Kurama was… tame. He wondered if Naruto had already befriended the nine-tails as he wished, but he knew something was off.

Naruto stared at the fourth hokage in shock and spoke barely audibly, "Kurama, is he really… my dad?"

"Minato, go explain your actions to your son. Then I'll explain to you what exactly happened. I need you to do something, but Naruto should come first."

Minato's mind was beginning to break at the words he was hearing. Naruto somehow, at age twelve, befriended the nine-tailed fox. But I don't understand how he knew about my sealing formula… or that I would show up. Naruto should come first? He spoke that in almost a caring tone.

Minato regained composure and continued by bringing Naruto to another landscape. Naruto looked around, still confused, as he saw the light surround him. After he blinked, he was no longer in the dark, ominous area that contained the Kurama and his seal. He stared at the fourth hokage, still wondering if he was his father.

Minato stared at Naruto's clothing: "Never thought my son would wear white and black. Naruto, I'm very proud of you. It seems you befriended the nine-tailed fox at such a young age… I knew you had it in you."

Naruto stared at the fourth hokage, thinking about the events he knew related to him. He knew he died fighting the nine-tailed fox, and it was sealed within him… he remembered how Hiruzen always looked shameful when Naruto asked about the fourth hokage. However, he didn't even know his name… Minato was the name that Kurama said, right?

After a long silence, Naruto spoke, "I'm so confused… if you were my father, why did the village treat me so terribly?"

Minato responded, "Naruto, that burden was a trial you must have faced. I always believed that you would overcome the burden and gain the power of the nine-tails. I sealed him within you because I believed in you. I am your father, Minato Namikaze." Minato, then forming a proud and amazed look, continued, "The fact that you befriended the nine-tails at such a young age is remarkable. I'm truly proud of you, my son."

I don't get it? Sealing the nine-tails was the only way to help me? Does he still think I'm in Konoha?

Naruto smiled for a moment out of the happiness of finally learning who his father was, but a frown quickly followed as tears began to spread on Naruto's face. He didn't understand what his father meant in any of the words he said. Proud of what? He couldn't determine whether he was missing something or if Minato didn't understand.

Naruto shedding tears, still mumbled, "Dad…. do you think I'm still in Konoha?"

Minato questioned what Naruto meant, "Naruto… what happened?"

Naruto summoned the courage to speak clearly and pointed at Minato, "I was sent here to this other world four years ago. Kurama has been with me this entire time, and I didn't even know… all this is too much I can't understand… but dad, I'm not sure where I am, but after four years, I think it's another world."

Minato's mind began racing to understand what his son was talking about. Space-time ninjutsu? That couldn't create a new world… what does my son mean? Kurama… that must be the name of the nine-tailed fox. Wait, he said he would explain everything to me and that he needed me to do something?

Minato snapped out of his thoughts to comfort his son, "Naruto, I'm not sure what happened or what you went through, but please tell me that you haven't suffered in this world you speak of."

Naruto smiled, "At first, it was just a frozen forest, but I met a half-elf girl. Her name is Emilia. In this world, strange forms of humans exist, and well, uhm, I've spent the last four years in this forest with her and a flying cat. I was eight when I was brought here, and now I'm twelve."

Minato was speechless at the words he had just heard. Naruto confirmed to him that he was, in fact, in another world. Minato began to fear what exactly happened to cause him to be sent here and if there was any way for him to return. That is, if he even wanted to.

Minato approached the confused Naruto and hugged him, "From the sounds of it, you don't seem to dislike this new place. You even seem to have met a girl you seem quite fond of."

Naruto's face blushed, and Minato continued, "Naruto, how about we have a conversation with Kurama too? I'm missing a few key details, but I'm happy you found somewhere you are happy to be in."

At first… I hated my father for what he did, but if he didn't, I would've died the moment I was sent here. I would've never had four years of being around someone that didn't think I was a monster. I honestly do… really like her.

The bright light began to fade, and Naruto and Minato were back within the area containing the Kurama seal.

"Minato, I'm sure Naruto did a great job explaining what happened."

Minato noticing that the nine-tails was speaking sarcastically, dumbfounded him even more. He couldn't comprehend how the nine-tailed fox could act in such a way. However, Minato did not know that any living being would go crazy after being sent to where Naruto and Kurama were sent.

"Regardless, I will try to keep this brief. I have no idea how long you can stay here. Before Naruto was sent to this world, my fath- the Sage of the Six Paths- warned me of the coming event. We were sent to this world shortly after he gave me this warning, and for the past four years, I've been keeping Naruto alive and dealing with an annoying flying fucking cat."

Minato begins to understand somewhat what Kurama is saying. However, the Sage of the Six Paths warning Kurama was something he found hard to accept. But Minato was no fool, and given all the evidence he's seen so far, the only explanation could be that everything Kurama and Naruto had said was correct.

Minato looked at Naruto, "I hope you do well in this new world. This is certainly something I foresaw to occur, but as long as you are happy, I will be as well."

Naruto smiled, accepting everything that happened much easier thanks to living a peaceful life for the past four years.

"I will, dad. My dream was to become Hokage, but I'm unsure if that exists in this world… I will find something to replace that dream… I guess I already have it."

Minato nodded and patted Naruto's head, "I have no doubt you will accomplish anything you set your mind to. I wish I could've been present in your life, but I will always be by your side, always supporting you."

Naruto smiled, and Kurama interrupted their father-son reunion before he could speak.

"Minato, release the seal. Your chakra is fading."

Minato nods as he begins to unseal Kurama breaking the cage and releasing Kurama to aid Naruto. He never would've thought something like this would occur, but he accepted it as he had no other choice but to assume what was happening was the truth.

Okay, so let me know how you think I did on Minato's reaction.

Also, the fight with the spirit that came to kill Emilia is yet to happen even though in Re:Zero cannon, it already did by this age. I'm going to change the timeline a bit to fit this better.

Naruto and Emilia are both twelve, so I guess you can compare how Naruto feels about Emilia to his crush on Sakura, only this time, his crush isn't useless or a bitch.

There will probably be twenty thousand words before we get to around the start of Re:Zero or more words. Not sure yet.

Also this wasn't beta-read so lmk any grammar mistakes or anything else.