Prologue
"Unity in the Face of Darkness"
Konohagakure no Sato, one of the most powerful and renowned shinobi villages on the continent, was governed by the young Hokage Minato Namikaze, known as "the Yellow Flash" by both allies and enemies alike. His achievements, feats, and lethal skills positioned him as one of the most outstanding prodigies ever witnessed in the shinobi world.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, chose Minato as his successor over the other two candidates. The first candidate was Fugaku Uchiha, leader of the powerful and proud Uchiha clan. While some members of his clan wished to see an Uchiha as Hokage, Fugaku declined the position, showing little interest in the accompanying responsibilities.
The final candidate was Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin and the most ambitious of them all. Although some in the Elder Council held high expectations for him, Orochimaru's hidden actions resulted in his expulsion from the village. Despite his crimes potentially deserving the death penalty, the Third Hokage, influenced by their shared past as master and student, decided to give him the opportunity of exile, though his name would be registered in the bingo book.
This was how Minato Namikaze, a young prodigy and disciple of Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, emerged as the answer to the call for a worthy successor. He was a man with strong ideals and a deep respect for peace, something that many had forgotten during the war.
However, the destiny of this young Hokage became intertwined with an unexpected person: Kushina Uzumaki, known as the Bloody Habanero, a descendant of the extinct Uzumaki clan. She was brought to the village to become the new Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox, a role that had previously been held by the First Hokage's wife.
Kushina arrived years before the destruction of the Whirlpool Country, the home of the Uzumaki clan, located in the northeast of the Fire Country. That tropical island with beautiful beaches and a warm, azure sea was known as the Island of Whirlpools due to the artificial whirlpools created by the Uzumaki, who were experts in Fuinjutsu.
After the Third Shinobi World War, the Whirlpool Country was destroyed, and few members of the Uzumaki clan survived. Many were forced to hide their identity and seek refuge in neighboring villages or small towns, as the Uzumaki were considered a threat due to their immense chakra reserves.
However, the situation in the Leaf Village was notably different. They now had a member of the Uzumaki clan within their midst, which sparked the interest of the old advisors. They longed to restore the Uzumaki lineage within the village and unveil the secrets it held.
However, the Third Hokage strongly opposed this from the beginning. The fact that the Uzumaki in question was married to the future Hokage granted powerful immunity to the advisors' plans. Furthermore, the argument was raised that the seal containing the Nine-Tailed Fox might weaken during childbirth, posing a danger to the entire village.
This raised concern in Konoha, especially when the upcoming birth of the Hokage's child was announced. The council advised Minato to keep the existence of his son a secret and to remain vigilant, as he had numerous enemies.
The advice proved invaluable during the night of Naruto's birth, the Hokage's firstborn. In the darkness of Konoha, a shadowy figure glided across rooftops, eliminating any guards, shinobi, or Anbu members who dared to stand in their way. However, as they neared the hideout where Kushina rested, a triple-pronged kunai suddenly appeared in their field of vision. With supernatural agility, the masked figure deflected the attack with their own kunai.
The thrown weapon bounced in the air, and in a fleeting instant, a man with blond hair flowing in the wind emerged. On his forehead, the Leaf headband reflected the moonlight. It was Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
The masked individual stepped back, and both of them found themselves on adjacent rooftops, facing each other in a deadly dance from separate buildings.
"Who are you?", Minato inquired, pointing his triple-pronged kunai at the masked figure. "Someone skilled enough to infiltrate Konoha and eliminate several of our Anbu cannot be a mere mercenary."
Silence was the response from the masked individual, although an intense red glow began to radiate from the small opening in their spiral-designed mask.
Minato instantly understood, and a name echoed in his mind: "Uchiha."
The masked figure rushed towards Minato, moving with such speed and force that the rooftop tiles sank beneath their feet. Drawing several kunai, they hurled them towards Minato, who swiftly and skillfully blocked them.
Just steps away from engaging in close-quarters combat, a sound pierced the air. Several kunai approached the masked figure, followed by shadows swiftly moving between rooftops.
Seeing his opponent momentarily distracted, Minato rushed forward and threw several kunai before attacking with his kunai in hand. However, his strike never made contact.
The sound of iron piercing the surface resonated on the rooftop, accompanied by the sound of a firm footstep coming to a halt. Minato turned and saw the masked figure still standing in the same spot. However, the kunai and his attack passed through them as if they were an illusion, like a distant mirage.
"Lord Hokage, are you alright?" the leader of the Anbu said, positioning himself by Minato's side.
The rest of the squad positioned themselves at the sides, ready to protect the Hokage in case of any eventuality.
"I'm fine," Minato responded, "but be cautious. This masked individual is very dangerous. My last attack just went through them as if they weren't there."
Suddenly, a gust of wind passed between the two groups, and the sun began to set. A faint warm light spread across the northernmost area of the village, slowly approaching them as the sun rose.
Minato stared intensely at the masked figure. The wind moved the cloak covering their head, and he could make out black hair, not too short but not too long. Taking a step forward, tightening his grip on his kunai, he asked:
"Who are you? How did you manage to infiltrate the village without being detected?"
The masked figure didn't answer. They covered the lone hole in their mask with their hand, through which an intense crimson red color shone. In that moment, Minato felt as if behind that mask hid a smile, not of happiness but filled with resentment, as if despite not achieving their goal, they had accomplished something else.
In the presence of everyone watching, they saw the masked figure being engulfed by a whirlpool emerging from their mask. There was no trace left of that mysterious masked individual on the rooftop.
—
This incident luckily went unnoticed by the rest of the shinobi villages and even the residents of Konoha. However, several clans were uneasy knowing that an enemy capable of infiltrating the village without detection, or at least without raising suspicion for a certain period of time, existed. They were aware that this enemy had the opportunity to cause irreparable damage if allowed to continue unrestricted.
The leaders of the clans secretly convened to discuss the situation. They knew they had to take measures to safeguard the village and protect its inhabitants from any potential threat. They decided to strengthen Konoha's defenses, increase surveillance at entry and exit points, and improve the ability to detect intruders.
Additionally, a special team of elite shinobi was formed, comprising members from different clans, whose main mission was to track down the masked figure and uncover their true identity. This team would operate covertly and report directly to the Hokage.
Tension and uncertainty gripped the Leaf Village. The shinobi and clans were on high alert, aware that any lapse in vigilance could endanger the village. Everyone eagerly awaited the resolution of this mystery and had faith that the Hokage and his elite team would succeed in finding the masked figure and putting an end to the threat they posed to Konoha.
—
Several weeks passed with the guards on constant alert. The village's finest sensors scoured every corner, both day and night, but it seemed that the masked figure wouldn't make another appearance in the village.
Minato often sought counsel from the elderly Hiruzen, the retired Second Hokage. He recounted in detail his brief encounter on the rooftops with the masked figure, emphasizing the opening in the mask that revealed a red light and the oppressive feeling emanating from him, as if that individual knew in advance what Minato would do at every moment.
Hiruzen listened attentively to the blond's account. He rose from his seat and took a puff from his pipe before speaking, lost in deep thought. The smoke rose slowly as Hiruzen's expression grew more serious.
"I'm afraid what you're telling me is concerning, Minato," Hiruzen said with a serious tone. "If that person managed to infiltrate the village without being detected, it means they must know it as well as the two of us, and the details you've given me about them seem incredibly familiar."
"Do you think you know who it is, then?" Minato asked, awaiting the response of the wise old Hokage.
"I'm not certain," Hiruzen replied after a brief pause. "I only have suspicions, disturbing suspicions. The way you described the masked figure reminds me of Madara Uchiha."
A silence fell over the small office, and for a moment, the sounds from outside were more audible than those within.
"How could that be possible?" Minato asked with bewilderment. "Madara Uchiha died many years ago. It would be impossible for him, even with his immense power, to be in a condition to fight."
Hiruzen remained calm and issued a cautious warning.
"Don't jump to conclusions," Hiruzen cautioned. "Madara's corpse was never found, nor were there any indications of his death. It is true that many believed him to be dead after his confrontation with the First Hokage, but we're not dealing with an ordinary individual here."
Minato pondered, holding his kunai as he paced back and forth in the room.
"So, what should I do?" Minato asked, pausing in front of Hiruzen with a worried look.
"Nothing," Hiruzen responded, his voice filled with seriousness. "Let's consider that moment as a mere ghost from the past that decided to appear. However, if you fear it might repeat itself, you should take measures to prevent something worse from happening in the future. But for now, forget about all of this. Enjoy this time; you've just become a father and you need to spend time with your family, especially your wife."
Minato looked at the pile of papers on his desk with evident frustration.
"But I can't leave the position empty," he said, his expression reflecting his concern for the responsibilities he was leaving behind.
Hiruzen placed a comforting hand on Minato's shoulder.
"Don't worry," he said with a warm smile. "Listen to this old sage. I've made many mistakes in my life, and one of them was spending more time in this office than with my own family. I'll take care of the paperwork and everything else for a while. Let me help you carry that burden for a bit."
Hiruzen accompanied Minato to the office door, almost forcing him to leave. A gentle breeze caressed their faces as the sun shone overhead. Minato made a gesture to go back, but Hiruzen stopped him with a friendly gaze.
"Go and enjoy your time with your family," he said firmly but affectionately. "The well-being of the village is in good hands, don't worry."
Minato nodded gratefully and left the office, leaving Hiruzen alone for a moment. However, the former Hokage couldn't help but step back into the office, bowing slightly and expressing his gratitude for taking care of the position for a few days, as Minato had requested before departing.
—
Minato decided to make the most of the time Hiruzen had gifted him and spend it with his family, but his mind couldn't help but wander to the masked figure and how they managed to infiltrate the village undetected. For an entire week, Minato dedicated his nights in secret, away from his wife and others, to conduct investigations on his own. He not only sought ways to defeat the masked figure but also considered the worst possible scenarios.
In three different books, he began to write down everything he had learned over the years: combat techniques, chakra usage, seals, and effective training methods for each of them. Minato had no intention of not being able to personally pass on that knowledge to his son. Even if he wasn't present when his son grew old enough to learn how to harness chakra and become a shinobi, at least a part of him would be with his son through the words inscribed in those books.
The three books bore distinct names that reflected their content: "Techniques and Applications," "High and Low-Cost Seals: An Advanced Study of Fuinjutsu," and "The Correct Use and Mastery of Chakra."
Minato dedicated endless hours to writing, drawing diagrams, and detailing the knowledge and experiences he had acquired throughout his life as a shinobi. He knew that these books would become an invaluable inheritance for his son, a guide for him to face any challenge and protect his village.
With each written page, Minato felt a mix of pride and sadness. Pride in what he had achieved and in the possibility of leaving a lasting mark on his family's legacy. Sadness because he knew that the time he spent immersed in these books meant being away from his family and missing precious moments that couldn't be regained.
However, duty and responsibility propelled him forward. It was his duty as Hokage and as a father to ensure the safety and future of his village and his son. Minato promised himself that once he had gathered all the necessary information, he would dedicate as much time as possible to be with his family and be a present father in his son's life.
Thus, between the shadows of the night and the dim light of his study, Minato continued his tireless work, writing each word with determination and love, hoping that one day his son would read those pages and understand the legacy he had left behind.
—
Minato decided to make the most of the time Hiruzen had gifted him and spend it with his family, but his mind couldn't help but wander to the masked figure and how they managed to infiltrate the village undetected. For an entire week, Minato dedicated his nights in secret, away from his wife and others, to conduct investigations on his own. He not only sought ways to defeat the masked figure but also considered the worst possible scenarios.
In three different books, he began to write down everything he had learned over the years: combat techniques, chakra usage, seals, and effective training methods for each of them. Minato had no intention of not being able to personally pass on that knowledge to his son. Even if he wasn't present when his son grew old enough to learn how to harness chakra and become a shinobi, at least a part of him would be with his son through the words inscribed in those books.
The three books bore distinct names that reflected their content: "Techniques and Applications," "High and Low-Cost Seals: An Advanced Study of Fuinjutsu," and "The Correct Use and Mastery of Chakra."
Minato dedicated endless hours to writing, drawing diagrams, and detailing the knowledge and experiences he had acquired throughout his life as a shinobi. He knew that these books would become an invaluable inheritance for his son, a guide for him to face any challenge and protect his village.
With each written page, Minato felt a mix of pride and sadness. Pride in what he had achieved and in the possibility of leaving a lasting mark on his family's legacy. Sadness because he knew that the time he spent immersed in these books meant being away from his family and missing precious moments that couldn't be regained.
However, duty and responsibility propelled him forward. It was his duty as Hokage and as a father to ensure the safety and future of his village and his son. Minato promised himself that once he had gathered all the necessary information, he would dedicate as much time as possible to be with his family and be a present father in his son's life.
Thus, between the shadows of the night and the dim light of his study, Minato continued his tireless work, writing each word with determination and love, hoping that one day his son would read those pages and understand the legacy he had left behind.
"This is an outrage," said a bandaged man with an indignant voice. "We have the right to know all the details of what happened that night. We have faced many difficulties in obtaining information. This matter concerns us as much as it does the Hokage."
The bandaged man was Danzo Shimura, a former comrade of the Third Hokage and someone who coveted the position of Hokage. However, he was never chosen for the role. His approach to resolving internal conflicts was controversial for some and disastrous for others. Nevertheless, he was not easily intimidated, as he had spent many years creating a shadow organization known as Root, whose purpose was to protect the village from any threat, whether internal or external, from the shadows. Root's methods of recruitment were questionable, as they used orphaned children whom they indoctrinated to turn them into weapons. During Hiruzen's reign, Root had protected the village more than the Hokage himself.
"I do not see this as an outrage," responded Hiruzen calmly. "Furthermore, your complaints do not contribute anything constructive to the discussion. You, more than anyone else in the council, are familiar with this matter, or am I mistaken?"
Danzo frowned and made a disapproving sound before falling silent, refraining from further participation in the discussion. Everyone in the room was aware that Root had been officially disbanded, but there were those who knew that the organization still existed in the shadows. However, there was no concrete evidence they could obtain, and interrogating Root members was out of the question, as they would rather die than reveal any information about Root.
The tense and secretive atmosphere prevailed in the room as the Third Hokage and Danzo observed each other with suspicion, aware that there was still much to uncover.
"This is a matter that should remain in the shadows," Minato interjected. "To this day, we have kept the defenses at their maximum around the village. The Uchiha patrol every corner of the city almost daily, and the Hyuga explore the forest day and night in search of possible threats. But so far, we have only encountered a few bandits and thieves."
"However, we cannot dismiss the possibility that the enemy may be within our own ranks," said an elderly man with glasses.
The man's name was Homura Mitokado, and along with Koharu Utatane, they were the elders with the greatest political power in the village. Like Danzo, they were also members of the former team led by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
"Homura-san, you are correct," Koharu chimed in. "We cannot ignore the possibility that the enemy is among us, and they may even be members of the village. We already know that not all clans can be trusted, especially those who don't even bother to attend an official meeting."
As she mentioned that, several of those present in the meeting glanced at the empty seat that should have been occupied by the Uchiha clan leader.
"It is not appropriate to make assumptions based solely on mistrust, Koharu-sama," said Shikaku Nara, leader of the Nara clan. "Fugaku-san is not only the leader of the Uchiha clan but also the head of the Uchiha police force. If he hasn't been able to attend, there must be a valid reason."
"A valid reason, you say," a faint smile formed on Homura's face. "Perhaps he is plotting something with members of his clan."
At that moment, the door opened and closed, capturing everyone's attention. Fugaku Uchiha had arrived at the meeting, albeit a little late, but just in time.
"If you have something to say about me, at least say it in my presence, Homura-san," Fugaku said, exchanging glances with the elderly woman.
He walked towards his seat and, before sitting down, nodded slightly to Minato before speaking.
"Lord Hokage, I apologize for the delay. I was busy attending to police matters," Fugaku apologized.
"No problem, I understand the situation. No need to apologize," Minato responded, trying to ease any discomfort.
With those words, Fugaku felt relieved for arriving late and took his seat. Although some people in the meeting still looked at him with suspicion due to the comments from the council elders, they were few and mostly followers of Danzo, so he decided not to pay them much attention.
If those glances had come from Shikaku or the Hokage himself, he would have felt unwelcome and would have left without hesitation.
"Very well, I believe we can now begin with the topic that has brought us together in this meeting," Minato said, resting his arms on the desk and intertwining his hands. He then called Shikaku, who stood up and positioned himself in front of everyone.
"Nearly a year ago, a masked intruder infiltrated our village," Shikaku continued. "We spent months contemplating how they managed to infiltrate and why they did it in the first place. The Nara clan has been studying the route they took that night for weeks. What were they after? We spent a long time reflecting on this and finally found the answer. The masked intruder appeared on the same day as the birth of the Hokage's son and was heading towards them. Their objective was the Kyubi; they intended to take advantage of the weakened seal that night to snatch the Kyubi from us."
There was a moment of silence followed by murmurs in the civil council. Some clan leaders, such as the Yamanaka and Uchiha, pondered their position. However, others, like Hiashi Hyuga, decided to speak up.
"Um... if that's true, how did they plan to leave the village with the Kyubi? There are few who can seal it within themselves or even contain it," Hiashi Hyuga commented, expressing the concern of many.
"I hate to say this, but we have a possible answer to that," Hiruzen intervened, capturing everyone's attention. He took a puff from his pipe before continuing. "During the battle against the masked intruder, Minato observed a red reflection emanating from their mask, very similar to the Sharingan."
The accusatory glances turned towards the leader of the Uchiha clan, but no one dared to speak. However, Danzo cleared his throat to draw attention.
"Any comments?" he said, looking at Fugaku. "Perhaps, one of your subordinates..."
Fugaku stood up from his chair, offended by Danzo's words. He stared directly into Danzo's eyes, activating his Sharingan. The tension in the room became palpable, and clan leaders prepared to intervene if a fight broke out. Hiashi activated his Byakugan, Shikaku was ready to restrain Fugaku, and Inoichi anticipated any movement from Danzo to neutralize him.
"Cease this at once," intervened Minato, raising his voice authoritatively. "Danzo, if you're going to continue like this, I ask that you leave this meeting, understood?"
The atmosphere calmed down with the Hokage's intervention. Fugaku stepped back and deactivated his Sharingan before returning to his seat. Danzo simply apologized to the Hokage and the rest of those present, completely ignoring Fugaku. The leaders of the clans present were able to relax and resume their seats.
"These are just speculations, which is why I have called all of you to this meeting," explained Minato. "Fugaku, I have several questions for you regarding the Sharingan, especially its potential abilities. Tell me, can the Sharingan use teleportation and intangibility?"
Fugaku crossed his arms and pondered before responding.
"There are only a few eyes capable of doing something like that: the Mangekyou Sharingan. However, none of us in the village have the ability to teleport or become intangible. If you're asking about other bearers, historically the closest one would be Madara Uchiha."
"Madara Uchiha!" exclaimed Danzo, raising his voice. "That's impossible; the First is supposed to have defeated him."
"Indeed, that's what everyone believes, but his body was never found. And we're talking about Madara," Fugaku replied.
"So, if the masked individual was Madara..." Hiashi interjected. "And he was on his way to the Fourth, that means he was after the Kyubi. He wanted to reclaim it to destroy the village, taking advantage of the weakened seal during childbirth."
"That's right," nodded Shikaku. "We believe those must have been his intentions from the beginning."
Everyone present knew about the legendary battle between Hashirama and Madara, how it left its mark on the land where they fought. Imagining Madara without the First to face him sent shivers down their spines. They had two Hokage-level shinobi among them, but it was well-known that Hashirama was the most powerful of all shinobi, and there was only one person in history who could match him: Madara Uchiha.
The name Madara was taboo, even within their own clan, and after the war, the last Uchiha directly related to him had dwindled considerably. However, loyalty to Madara had only grown over time. It was a problem that Fugaku couldn't handle alone.
"And that's why I've called for this meeting," said Minato. "Everyone present in this office has enough power to protect this village in case Madara or whoever that masked person is reappears."
"Why are you telling us this, Lord Hokage?" asked Hiashi. "Is there something else we should know?"
Minato sighed heavily, trying to relax and speak.
"I'm going to have another child," Minato felt the stares fixed on him. "Only Shikaku and Hiruzen-sama knew about this. I know I have no right to ask for your help in protecting my family if the masked person returns, but I ask for your assistance."
As he said this, he stood up and bowed his head to everyone present. Many felt uncomfortable; they had never imagined that the Hokage would bow his head to them and ask for their help. Even Danzo was surprised. He had been about to reproach Minato for being irresponsible to have another child while the masked person was still after the Kyubi, but he decided to remain silent.
"You're having another child knowing that the masked person is after the Kyubi," said Hiashi. "You're putting your family at risk just to catch a masked person who appeared a year ago and of whom we haven't heard anything since then."
"This isn't something I decided," Minato responded as he scratched his cheek. "I found out a few days ago. Believe me, if my wife wants something, she'll get it even if the whole world opposes."
They all looked at each other; they had forgotten that the current Hokage was an inexperienced young man who still relied on the Third Hokage's guidance, and to make things even more complicated, his wife was the Bloody Habanero. They had no doubt that his life must be challenging.
Fugaku observed Minato with compassion, recognizing that he was not to blame for the situation. He knew Kushina well and knew that she and Mikoto had been close friends in the past. Both had strong personalities, although Mikoto had become more feminine over time. Kushina, on the other hand, maintained her strong and fearless character. Fugaku looked at Minato once again before making his decision.
"You can count on me," he stood up and assumed a firm stance. "If there truly is an Uchiha behind all this, it is my responsibility and the responsibility of the Uchiha clan to confront it. Furthermore, if we have the support of the Fourth Hokage, it could help alleviate the tension between the Uchiha clan and the village."
He silently contemplated these last words, aware of the delicate political situation that existed between his clan and the village.
"Minato," Shikaku also stood up. "I said it in private, but now I'll say it in front of everyone. The Nara clan will support you in any way we can. Our best shinobi will be at your disposal, including myself."
Soon, everyone present stood up in support of their Hokage, ready to face any challenge that may arise if Minato's fears were indeed real. Even Danzo stood up and, with a courteous voice, promised to help his Hokage if the circumstances required it, setting aside their differences momentarily for the benefit of the village.
Determination and a spirit of unity filled the room, making it clear that everyone was willing to confront any looming threat and protect both the village and Minato's family.
