Hello all Storm here with a new story! One with a unique concept, as it'll be a "What If" of how things could've changed in the Elemental Nations depending on how certain events could've gone. We'll be seeing the changes that come from it, both good and bad. And this is a triple update, which can be considered the prologue. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

"The Elemental Nations, a land filled with fantastic sights and wonders. Home to numerous Hidden Villages protected by Ninja, powerful warriors who possess an energy known as Chakra. With it, they can manipulate the elements, cast illusions, walk on any surface and even water as if it was solid ground, even create seals capable of what many thought to be impossible feats. But the Elemental Nations is not without conflict, having once been embroiled in an endless battle known as the Warring States Period, where many children were lucky to survive to adulthood.

It wasn't until the formation of Konohagakure, the first Hidden Village, that many more soon rose. Bringing an end to the Warring States and into a new era, the Shinobi Organizational System and the Five Great Shinobi Villages. The ones who started it all being Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, hoping to fulfill their shared dream of bringing an end to the conflict. To create a world where children could grow and live, without fear of war.

And yet…it wasn't to be.

No matter the system in place, no matter the era, conflict it seems is an inevitability with Hashirama's death being the catalyst of the First Shinobi World Wart. Then many years later, it was the Second Shinobi World War that followed. It's here that many Ninja rose to prominence, such as Sakumo Hatake earning the moniker of Konoha's White Fang, Granny Chiyo who became known for her mastery of poisons and Kugutsu, Hanzō of the Salamander regarded as one of the strongest Ninja to have lived and finally the students of the Sandaime Hokage. Jiraiya, Orochimaru and Tsunade Senju the granddaughter of the Shodai Hokage, Hashirama Senju, they became known as the Legendary Sannin. Earning their title for being the only to Ninja to have faced Hanzō and lived to tell about it, with Tsunade herself becoming famed as the most skilled Medical-Ninja in the world for being the only one capable of countering all of Chiyo's poisons.

With it being her skills, knowledge and ideas that revolutionized Shinobi squads to include Medical-Nin that she personally trained, increasing mission success and survival rates.

But for all her skill and talent…there were two people Tsunade failed to save.

The first being her brother Nawaki, having died in battle after running into an explosive trap only a day after being gifted their grandfather's necklace by Tsunade.

And the second was the man she loved, Dan Katō."

"Hang on, Dan! You'll be alright!" Tsunade said, desperately as she used as much Chakra as she could to heal Dan, not wanting to lose him like she lost Nawaki.

"Tsunade…I don't want to…die yet… There are…so many things…left to do…" Muttered Dan, gritting his teeth in pain, not wanting to die but feeling like his time was coming.

"Try not to talk!" Said Tsunade, wanting him to save his strength as she continued working.

'He's all torn up inside. No one can save him now, not even one of the Sannin.' Thought one of the Ninja, having seen Dan's injuries and knew not even Tsunade had the ability to save him.

"In many timelines, Tsunade failed to save Dan's life. No matter how hard she tries, in the end it's hopeless as she's forced to watch the love of her life die before her very eyes. Such an event had shattered Tsunade's pride as a Konoha Kunoichi and a Medical-Ninja, with the blood loss that her late love suffered from leading her to develop hemophobia. Before leaving behind everything she knew while bringing along Dan's niece, Shizune, as her apprentice."

"It can't be… I can't die here… Not this way… Not yet…" Dan coughed, feeling his strength fading with each passing second.

"D-Don't worry, Dan. I've…stopped the bleeding, just-just save your strength…you're going to be all right." Said Tsunade, trying to reassure herself and Dan that he wouldn't die, that she wouldn't fail again.

"Thank goodness… That's a relief." Muttered Dan, much to Tsunade's horror.

"Wait, hang on! No!" Tsunade screamed while channeling more Chakra to speed up the healing, only to see Dan closing his eyes to her growing horror.

"But here, in this timeline, who can say what lead to such a change. Perhaps it was Tsunade's desperation to not lose another, perhaps it was Dan's remaining strength letting him hold on, or perhaps it was just a strange twist of fate. All that can be said is that in this timeline, and so few others, Tsunade did not fail."

"No. Don't leave. Come back, Dan. Don't go. Please don't go. Don't leave me. Don't go. Don't go. Don't go, don't go, don't go! Don't go, don't go!" Tsunade cried as she kept channeling more and more Chakra into her hands.

"That's enough! He's dead!" Shouted the Ninja, knowing it was hopeless, with Tsunade's eyes widening in horror at his words.

Only for Tsunade and the Ninja to be completely shocked at what happened next, when Dan's hand actually began shaking as it moved.

"…Not…yet…" Dan muttered, putting his hand over Tsunade's, making the Senju let out a choked cry of relief.

"D-Dan?" Tsunade said, not sure if she's going crazy or he's actually still alive.

"Made…a promise…to be…Hokage…to protect…the village…and…you…" Muttered Dan as they looked at him disbelief.

"That's…not possible." Said the Ninja, having seen Dan's injuries and knew they were fatal even with Tsunade's help.

"She…actually saved him." The other Ninja said, looking at Tsunade in amazement.

"We need get back to the village now! He needs more help!" Tsunade shouted, not even sure herself how Dan's still alive, but knew they needed to get him back to the village for proper treatment or else he will die.

"R-right!" The Ninja said, snapping out of their shock before they carefully lifted Dan up before rushing back to Konoha as quickly as they could.

"A miracle many claimed, the power of the Shodai's granddaughter and the greatest Medical-Ninja to ever live that she could even save someone on the edge of death. Yet no one, not even Tsunade, truly knew how she was able to save Dan. Only that she did. Having returned him to Konoha safely, where she continued his treatment and give him a blood transfusion to restore all he had lost. Though Dan survived, he was left to recover for the remainder of the Second Shinobi War.

After the conclusion of the war and his recovery, Dan had gained a new sense of determination, training harder than he ever had before. Having come so close to death, having seen the impact it had on Tsunade and Shizune, how it would have affected them had he died just as his sister and Tsunade's brother had. Dan had sworn to never be put in such a situation again, where his death would hurt those he loved, intending to grow stronger. To show they would never fear losing him, though this experience did not change Dan alone. Having nearly lost him, Tsunade delved deeper into her studies as a Medical-Ninja while pushing harder for her Medical-Ninja program to include one in every team.

Never wanting to risk coming so close to losing someone she loved, again.

It was also from this experience that Tsunade and Dan had grown closer than ever before, neither wishing to lose any time they could spend together. Having seen how they could lose each other in an instant, it was this that soon lead to their marriage. With both Dan and Shizune to take the Senju name, wishing to be part of her clan.

Though their happiness did not last, as not long after their marriage the Third Shinobi World War soon broke out. And just as with the Second Shinobi War, many new Ninja rose up making names for themselves and developing feared reputations.

Konoha's Yellow Flash.

Wicked Eye Fugaku.

Kakashi of the Sharingan.

And thanks to his training, Dan was given the chance to rise alongside these legends while gaining a reputation for his signature Spirit Transformation Jutsu. With Tsunade having helped train a new generation of Medical-Ninja and improving her own skills in the art. Allowing many Konoha Ninja that would have fallen to return home safe and alive.

It was in the midst of the Third Shinobi War, that a great change occurred, a change that solidified the fate of many."

"People of Konoha! For many years, it has been my honor and privilege to have served as your Hokage! To have seen the rise of so many splendid Ninja, to have fought side-by-side with so many of you!" Said the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking out over the gathered crowd of citizens.

With everyone cheering as they looked up to their Hokage, Hiruzen letting them do so for a few moments before holding his hand up.

"But there comes a time when the old generation must entrust the future to the next! And during these hard times, now more than ever a strong, enduring and determined leadership is needed to protect the village! And now I wish to introduce you to the leader I know will safeguard Konoha and all its inhabitants!" Hiruzen said, stepping aside with Dan stepping forward, look out at the crowd.

"Dan Senju, the Yondaime Hokage!" Announced Sarutobi, making the crowd cheer loudly at seeing a new Hokage be named, with Dan smiling and waving out at the crowd.

"Thank you Sandaime-dono, it's an honor and I can only hope to be half the Hokage you, as well as Shodai-dono and Nidaime-dono, were." Dan said, bowing to the Sandaime.

"I know you will. After all, you'll have Tsunade around to make sure you don't do anything stupid." Hiruzen said jokingly, making Dan chuckle before looking towards his wife behind them, smiling happily and proudly at him achieving his dream.

"That we can agree on. She's already made it clear what'll happen if I do anything foolish…and heal me just to do it all over again." Said Dan, knowing Tsunade isn't above knocking some sense into him if he ever gets in over his head.

Before the new Yondaime turned to address the crowd, looking out over the village and people he loved so much that he swore to defend and protect.

"To every citizen of Konoha, I may not have been born into a prestigious clan like my predecessors. But I swear to you now, that so long as I draw breath, so long as I am your Hokage, then I will put my life on the line to see that Konoha is guarded against any who would seek it harm!" Dan declared, getting more cheers from the crowd, everyone believing Konoha had a bright future with their new Hokage.

"It was in the fires of war that Dan achieved his dream of becoming Hokage, knowing he would do everything in his power to prove himself worthy of the title as he continued fighting on the frontlines. Refusing to let any Ninja risk their lives without him sharing that same risk in defense of their home, yet it was in the final battle against Kumogakure that a heavy blow was struck with the Sandaime Hokage giving his life as he faced off against the Sandaime Raikage in a battle where both Kage fought to the bitter end. The battle ending with them striking each other down.

It was under Dan's leadership that a ceasefire was reached between Konoha and Kumo, helping to bring an end to the Third Shinobi World War. Or…it would have, if not for Iwagakure's refusal to surrender. Only for the Sandaime Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, to be forced to accept defeat when Iwa was dealt their greatest humiliation since the time he and Mū faced Madara Uchiha. With it once again being at the hands of a sole Konoha Shinobi…

Minato Namikaze, Konoha's Yellow Flash and, in another time, the Yondaime Hokage.

With his Hiraishin and Rasengan, Minato had single-handedly wiped out over a thousand Iwa Ninja in a single battle. Shattering Iwagakure's pride at such a devastating loss, a loss that had forced Ōnoki to accept surrender. Not wishing to send more of his forces to the slaughter.

It was this battle that truly brought an end to the Third Shinobi World War, allowing peace to reign…for a time that is.

Not long after the end of the war, Dan and Tsunade had been given the best news either of them could have hoped for, news that came to fruition nine months later."

"You're almost there, Tsunade-sama! Just keep pushing!" Shizune encouraged, smiling at her aunt-in-law only to wince as Tsunade let out another scream.

"What do you think I've been doing?! Fuck! Why does it hurt so much?!" Screamed Tsunade, having never experienced pain like this, feeling like she was being split in half.

"Oh, grow a spine, Tsunade! Honestly, you're a veteran of two wars and have seen far worse injuries, giving birth shouldn't be a problem." Biwako Sarutobi said, having come to help with the birth, while not being fazed when Tsunade glared murderously at her.

"You're not the one trying to push out something bigger than your damn head!" Tsunade retorted before leaning back in bed, gritting her teeth as she felt another contraction.

"No, but I've done it twice already. And you! Stop being such a baby and come here to comfort your wife!" Snapped Biwako, looking at Dan, who had been slowly inching towards the door only to freeze at her look.

"I uh…I'm fine here, I don't want to get in the way." Dan said nervously, gulping in fear when Tsunade glared at him next.

"You. Are. DEAD! I'm going to tear you apart then put you back together, just so I can do it again! And then I'm gonna put my fist-" Tsunade threatened, only to scream again as she started feeling the baby coming.

While Dan couldn't help but shiver at the threats, fully knowing Tsunade would carry them out and be able to fix any damage she does. Before he looked at Jiraiya and Orochimaru, the two having come to support their teammate on such an important day. Or Jiraiya had come while dragging a reluctant Orochimaru with him.

"Don't take it personally Dan, Tsunade loves you too much to do anything bad to you." Jiraiya assured while patting him the shoulder, with the Yondaime smiling weakly.

"I hope so, Jiraiya-senpai. She can be rather…creative with all the way she can hurt someone." Said Dan, having learned her skill in Medical Ninjutsu made her just as talented in taking someone apart as she was putting them together.

Dan would be a liar if he said that what his wife could do, particularly when she's really mad, didn't utterly terrify him.

"Yes…if it helps, I'm sure she'd make it quick, you probably wouldn't even feel any pain." Orochimaru said with a dull expression, wondering why Jiraiya had to bring him along.

Honestly, the only reason he even let himself be dragged here is the interest on seeing the newest members of the Senju Clan and a direct descendant of the Shodai Hokage at that. Making the Snake Sannin intrigued if they would have potentially inherited the famed Mokuton.

"You're just a ray of sunshine as always, Orochimaru." Jiraiya stated dryly before they looked back at Tsunade when she let out another scream.

"We can see the head! Just a little longer!" Biwako said, making Dan move closer upon hearing that their child was almost here.

After a few agonizing-filled moments, which felt like multiple eons to Tsunade, the room was soon filled with the sound of a crying child.

"It's a girl!" Shizune said, smiling at her uncle and aunt, happy for them and to meet her new cousin.

'A…girl…a daughter…' Dan thought, looking at the wrapped bundle in amazement, with it really sinking in that he's now a father.

"A…a daughter…let me…let me see her." Tsunade said, smiling tiredly, wanting to see her daughter.

"Have some patience, you waited nine months you can wait another two minutes." Said Biwako as they cleaned and wrapped the baby before bringing her over to Tsunade.

"I'm…I'm really a father…could I-" Dan said, reaching out to take his daughter, only to flinch when Biwako smacked his hands.

"Ah! Don't even try it. It's always the mother that sees the child, first." Biwako said sternly, only to smile as she went over and handed Tsunade the baby.

Moving the blanket, Tsunade looked at her daughter in amazement. Honestly feeling like she's dreaming, having never imagined that she'd actually be a mother. With Dan moving over to get a look at her, smiling happily when he saw their daughter.

The baby having wisps of blonde hair, a few shades brighter than Tsunade's own, along with pale skin, while her eyes were closed.

"She looks like you, thank Kami." Said Dan while quickly wiping his eyes, wanting to look strong, but felt like he wanted to go to the top of the Hokage Monument and announce to the entire village that he's a father.

"No, I can see you in her too. And she's so perfect." Tsunade said, smiling tearfully while placing a kiss on her forehead, her smile growing as her baby squirmed at the contact before her eyes began opening, showing a bright blue color.

"Her eyes…they look like my sisters." Dan said, smiling in awe at seeing her eyes were the same color as his sister's.

"Then it seems like she wanted to remind you what they looked like." Said Tsunade while holding her out, with Dan shakily taking her in his arms.

"Hello, I'm your Tou-san and that's your Kaa-san. We've been waiting a long time to meet you." Dan said gently, seeing the way his daughter looked at him in fascination.

"Uncle, did you two think of a name for her?" Shizune asked, smiling at her little cousin, hoping for the chance to mentor her just like Tsunade did for her.

This made Dan and Tsunade look at each other, having thought of several names for a boy or a girl, before looking at their daughter as they knew exactly which one to give her.

"January Fourteenth, a day Tsunade and Dan would remember as one of the best days in their lives, the day Miu Senju was brought into their lives. And for many months, the new family was happy and content with their lives, believing that all the hardships they faced together were worth it in the end for this moment.

Only…they would soon learn the hardships were far from over as nine months later on October Tenth, another child was born. One in far more dangerous circumstances, being the child of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki the second Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi no Yōko. As when a female Jinchūriki gives birth, not only did it take ten months instead of the usual nine before they gave birth, but their seal weakens. Allowing the beast within the chance to regain its freedom.

And so it was on October Tenth that something went wrong, resulting in Kushina's seal failing and unleashing the Kyūbi once more as it laid waste to the Hidden Village that had kept it sealed away for decades. It was this day that Dan was faced with one of the most important decision since becoming a Hokage. A decision that would decide the fate of his family, the village and possibly the world itself.

And he chose wrong."

"Tsunade!" Dan said, bursting into his home, looking around frantically for his wife.

"Here! We're here and we're okay." Said Tsunade, running out while holding Miu close, having rushed home after making sure the hospital was evacuated the moment the Kyūbi suddenly appeared.

While normally she would've gone to help fend off the Bijū, she needed to make sure her daughter was safe. Knowing Minato would be able to handle it with Gamabunta. Plus Orochimaru was in the village as well, meaning they would also have Manda to help fight off the Kyūbi as well. So the Senju was sure they'd be fine without her.

Though she did send out portions of Katsuyu to find anyone injured and get them out of the way of the fighting.

"Thank goodness." Dan sighed in relief that his wife and daughter were safe, only to gain a conflicted expression on his face.

"Dan, what is it? Is it the Kyūbi?" Tsunade asked, worried that the fox was still rampaging through the village.

"No, we…we managed to at least push it back outside the walls with the aid of Orochimaru and Manda, but nothing we do is so much as scratching it. It nearly destroyed the village with a Tailed Beast Bomb, but Minato arrived in time and teleported it away before summoning Gamabunta and teleporting the Kyūbi away from the village. But I don't know what's happening, if Kushina and their baby are safe or what even happened that made her seal break. Something needs to be done or else the entire village will be destroyed. And…there's…there's only one way the Kyūbi could be stopped." Dan said, looking at her and Miu, with Tsunade immediately giving him a warning look.

"No…no! Don't even think of trying to seal that thing in Miu!" Tsunade said, knowing what he meant, and she'll be damned before she lets her daughter become a Jinchūriki.

"There might not be any choice! Miu is Shodai-sama's and Mito-sama's great-granddaughter, she could have the potential to awaken the Mokuton! And it's expected for Jinchūriki to be connected to their villages Kage! Miu…Miu might be our only hope of stopping the Kyūbi and saving the village." Said Dan, not liking it either, but if he was going to save Konoha from being destroyed then he'd have to seal the Kyūbi into Miu.

"I said no! I'm not letting Miu suffer the fate of being a Jinchūriki, of being looked at like she's a monster or a weapon!" Tsunade retorted, having no intentions of letting Miu have such a fate forced on her.

"We don't have any other options! If nothing's done then the entire village, Miu included, will be destroyed by the Kyūbi! It needs to be sealed away!" Dan said, knowing they're running out of time.

"And what happens if the seal fails again?! Granny Mito is the one who sealed the Kyūbi into Kushina and even her seal ended up failing, do you think any seal you use would be strong enough?! Do you really want to take that risk and seal the Kyūbi into Miu only for it to simply break free, killing our daughter in the process?! I doubt that the Kyūbi will just stand by and do nothing after you tried to seal it away again! What do you think will happen if you don't even get the chance to seal it away, will you just throw yours and Miu's lives away on a gamble?" Demanded Tsunade, causing Dan to look hesitant.

If a seal made by Mito Uzumaki and maintained by a Fūinjutsu Master of Minato's level ended up failing, then what chance did he have at sealing the fox away? What if the seal proved faulty, killing Miu once it broke free? Not only that, but…Dan was also terrified at the idea that he could actually end up dying. The scars and trauma from his near death experience in the Second Shinobi War still fresh in his psyche. He could still sometimes feel that cold darkness creeping in on him. The feeling of his strength leaving him as everything grew dark while he heard Tsunade's fading screams.

It honestly terrified him to experience something like that again, even more so if it'd also end in his daughter dying as well.

"I…I need to do…something." Dan said, feeling helpless, he's the Hokage and meant to defend the village.

But how can he do that if it meant sacrificing Miu in the process, especially if it ended up being for nothing.

"There…there's another option, if Minato's alive then he must've gotten Kushina and their baby to safety. Granny Mito was able to survive a few weeks after transferring the Kyūbi to Kushina and Kushina's a full-blooded Uzumaki as well, so she must've managed to survive the Kyūbi escaping. Plus she was chosen to hold the fox because of her special Chakra, which made her an even better Jinchūriki than my grandmother, with their son being half-Uzumaki and likely inherited that same Chakra." Said Tsunade, not saying it out loud but made it perfectly clear what the other option is, much to Dan's disbelief.

"How…how could I ask another parent to make that kind of sacrifice when I'm unable to even do it?" Dan asked, wondering how he could ask another parent to turn their own child into a Jinchūriki when he couldn't even take the burden on himself.

"You won't need to; Minato will understand what needs to be done. He loves the village just as much as you do, so you don't need to sacrifice yourself. Not when the entire village will need you after this, Miu and I will need you." Tsunade said, knowing Minato would be willing to put his life on the line to save Konoha, even if it meant having to seal the Kyūbi into his own child.

Dan didn't like it, he really didn't like it, but…he knew Tsunade was right. He couldn't make that sacrifice, not when Konoha will need its Hokage to help everyone through this tragedy. Not when he needed to be there for his family.

"It was a selfish act, one born out of love and a desire to keep their family together…but a selfish act, nonetheless. And in doing so, Konoha had lost two of its strongest Ninja and two amazing people. Those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, not just for the sake of their home, but for their son as well. To ensure that he would live, that he would have the power to face the dangers that will come. But because of this act of selfishness, their son has been left alone. Forced to grow up an orphan with no family, no friends, all while being hated for a burden that should have been another's.

All because of one selfish act, one that will soon have dire consequences. Not just for Dan and Tsunade, but all of Konoha. They will all soon learn…of the monster they had made."

So, what did you think, good. Yep we see that the big change here is Dan survives, something no one not even Tsunade is sure how it happened, but it did. With Dan being left out of commission for the rest of the Second Shinobi World War, before throwing himself into his training once he recovers. Not wishing to come so close to death again, to let his loved ones feel the pain of losing him.

As we see the training pay off during the Third Shinobi War, where he earns a name for himself alongside the likes of Minato, Fugaku and Kakashi. Allowing him to fulfill his dream of becoming a Hokage when the Sandaime steps down in the middle of the war, letting Dan take over. Before Hiruzen gives his life against the Sandaime Raikage, taking him down with him in the process. While Minato crushes Iwa single-handedly, forcing the Tsuchikage to surrender. Allowing Dan to forge a ceasefire between the villages.

Finally we see another change as Dan and Tsunade have a daughter, Miu Senju (Miu Fūrinji from "History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi") with them believing the hard times are now behind them. Only to learn they're far from over as nine months later Naruto is born, leading to the Kyūbi Attack. With them holding it off thanks to the presence of Orochimaru and Manda assisting them, along with Minato.

While Dan is then forced to make the decision to turn Miu into a Jinchūriki, given her heritage and tradition for Jinchūriki to be connected to their villages Kage. Only for Tsunade to refuse to let her daughter be made a Jinchūriki, believing it'd only fail with how Kushina's seal failed, a seal made by her grandmother and maintained by Minato. Refusing to take the risk of the Kyūbi escaping killing Miu and then Dan in the process.

With Dan soon accepting her reasoning, still having psychological scars from almost dying himself and was terrified of experiencing it again, even more so if it got his daughter killed. But knew he still had to do something as Hokage. Only for Tsunade to remind him there's another who could take Miu's place, since if Minato's alive then Kushina and their baby would be too. That their own child would be a good choice as a Jinchūriki rather than Miu.

Also quick sidenote, keep in mind that when she was younger Tsunade was spoiled rotten by Hashirama (who even despaired at the idea of her being Hokage because he spoiled her), which could make her rather selfish. Combine that with her than losing her brother and almost losing Dan, then later having a daughter, it'd make her want to maintain and keep her own family safe, even at the cost of another.

Leading to Dan allowing Minato to make the sacrifice sealing the Kyūbi into his own child, while he stays behind with his family, knowing Konoha will need its Hokage to get it through this tragedy. All while Tsunade and Dan are unaware of what will come from this act, of the dire consequences that will soon come. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.

Storm out