Note: Naruto What If Story A Heroes Journey AU with Naruto, Hinata and Sasuke on Team 7 as a twist. Sakura will be on Team 8 while Sai will be on Team 7 after Sasuke leaves the village. The New Era teammates seeing the memories will be Boruto, Sarada, Sumire and Tsubaki). Also Naruto is an anbu in this alternate universe where he never became the Hokage. Naruto is also adopted in this alternate universe as well. And Minato never became the Fourth Hokage either because Sakura's dad is the Hokage in this alternate universe. Also Naruto will get the curse mark instead of sasuke as a twist. The only thing that will be similar to the canon series is that the Uchiha clan will be dead and that Hiruzen will be the Hokage during the start of Naruto's childhood. This story was inspired by mugiwara-no-lucy's A Heroes Journey and another fanfic story call Scroll of Jiken including another archive our own story that's call Tapes of the Knucklehead. For this chapter I took main inspiration from Naruto Road to Ninja. And one last thing Iruka and Kakashi's generation are young adults when the nine tails attacks the village.
Voice Cast
1. Naruto: voiced by Maile Flanagan (young), Johnny Yong bosch (adult)
2. Boruto: voiced by Maile Flanagan
3. Sumire: Erica Lindbeck
4. Tsubaki (samurai): Erica Mendez
5. Sarada: Laura Bailey
6. Minato: Tony Oliver
7. Kushina: Laura Bailey
8. Obito: Michael Yurchak
9. Kurama: Paul St. Peter
10. Kizashi: Steve Blum
11. Mebuki: Kate Higgins
12. Hiruzen: Steve Kramer
13. Biwako: Mona Marshall
Chapter 2
As the foggy mist finishing consuming the four genin, the four kids opened their eyes to find themselves in a hospital setting.
Boruto moaned as he opened his eyes.
"Well…that was certainly something…" Sarada muttered rubbing her eyes. Oddly enough, Tsubaki seemed to have come across that experience the least affected.
"Where…are we?" Sumire asked as Boruto, Tsubaki and Sarada looked across the room, equally confused as her.
"I seriously don't know" Boruto spoke while he tilted his head as he started to walk around the room.
"Do you all think the jutsu worked?" Sarada asked in curiosity.
"It definitely worked. Since we all are not in Mr Naruto's bedroom with his wife and Iruka" Tsubaki remarked as Boruto's eyes widened in shock.
"Oh crap! Where is it!? That scroll!" Boruto yelled as Sarada immediately ran to clamp her hands over her idiotic teammate's mouth.
"Shut up, you idiot! We are in a genjutsu right now!" Sarada chided her teammate.
"Yeah a genjutsu memory. Now let me go, ya know!" Boruto wheezed as Sumire immediately got in between the two.
"Both of you, please stop it" Sumire said, separating the two.
"Ugh, Boruto you are so annoying?" Sarada groaned as Boruto rubbed his sore neck.
"I can say the same thing about you four eyes" Boruto moaned, glaring at Sarada.
However before anymore arguing could occur between the two, several footsteps got the attention of the four.
"Oh no we been spotted!" Boruto pointed as he and his team mates including the samurai noticed several people wearing medical garb while running to the four kids.
"I think we should leave" Tsubaki said as sheraised an eyebrow, while Sarada could immediately tell they were in trouble.
"Hold on! We mean you all no harm!" Sarada tried to reason as they appeared not to hear her. However…that was the least of Team Mirai's worry as much to their shock!
The medical ninjas passed right through the four of them, almost as if they were ghosts!
Team Mirai, even Tsubaki, could only stare with their expressions being confused and shocked.
"Ok what…just happened?" Boruto blinked.
"Wait a second…I just realized something. If this is a memory, that means that this already happened. Think about it you three the people in the memory can't see us or hear us at all" Tsubaki theorized her point as she walked forward to press her sword through the wall only for it to pass through.
"Oh no! Now we're ghost!?" Boruto cheesed as Sarada cringed.
"That's….just creepy…" Sarada muttered as Boruto had sparkles in his eyes.
"Yes now that's so cool! I always wondered what it would be like being a ghost!" Boruto laughed as Sarada smacked Boruto's skull.
"Why don't you act your age for once!" Sarada chided as Boruto glared at her.
"Stop smacking me around four eyes!" Boruto argued as Sarada waved him off.
"Um you guys where's Mr Naruto?" Sumire asked while being scared.
Before anyone can say anything all they heard was…
"MINATO! HELP ME! IT HURTS!" A loud feminine voice echoed through the hospital hallway.
Team Mirai's eyes widened however they thought of something.
"Wait a second, did she just say 'Minato'?"Tsubaki asked as that was a name she and everyone would hear.
"Come to think of it. I heard it too!" Sarada added.
"We might as well go see where that came from" Sumire said with confidence as she ran down the hospital hallway. Where the lights show each door with a random patient was with her teammates trailing behind her.
As they reached where the last room was, the samurai and team of three entered a room with anbu and the entire room with a doctor and nurses lined in the room.
However, what caught their attention was a man with spiky blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes.
"That isn't Mr Naruto" Sarada said as she blinked.
"You're right, it's not the famous shadow Anbu!" Tsubaki remarked, not believing her eyes as she remembered the pictures Mifune showed her of the late Minato Namikaze.
"Oh that's right this is grandpa! I remember seeing the pictures dad kept of him in his and mom's room!" Boruto remarked, his eyes literally sparkling at the sight of the young man.
If his dad was a powerful ninja, Boruto could only wonder how strong his grandfather was.
"No freaking way!" Sarada remarked, amazed at the sight of the legend she had heard legends about.
While he had Naruto's spiky blonde hair and deep blue eyes, the team were quick to note his eyes were more narrowed than Naruto's wide eyes and his facial features were different.
"Huh, he doesn't really look that much like Mr Naruto when you look at him up closely…" Sumire said while she observed the man.
"I….guess you have a point there Sumire?" Sarada said while she tilted her head. Although his hair was longer than the current Naruto's and his eyes were more narrowed, she could see that the Naruto that she knew had Minato's mature appearance.
"Well at least…I can see where he gets his blue eyes from" Sarada remarked with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Not to mention that Mr Naruto's hairy is spiky like his dad's. But Mr Naruto's hair is more wild and unruly's than Minato's" Sumire says in amazement.
"Oh come on! Is that all you girls can think about! Good looks at a time like this!" Boruto says in a fit as Sarada was about to smack him upside his head.
Before Tsubaki could act as the mediator for Sumire's teammates, she noticed the woman who Minato loomed over with his hand on her stomach. The woman had long red hair with a black hairclip in her head, although her eyes were clenched closed and she was covered in sweat as she screamed about being in pain.
"I wonder who this hot chick is?" Boruto raised an eyebrow as Sarada fought off the instinct to reprimand her teammate for his rude use of the term "hot chick".
"Look I don't know who she is. But she looks beautiful!" Sarada exclaimed, despite the woman being covered in sweat.
"I think she's pregnant and is giving birth right now" Tsubaki noted as Sumire agreed saying, "I think you're right Tsubaki".
"I've never seen Kushina in so much pain. I-is she really gonna be okay!?" The voice of Minato Namikaze asked, ending the conversation between Team Mirai and Tsubaki as they all ceased their talking as they gathered around to listen.
Minato was sweating just as, if not more than Kushina.
"So that's how grandpa sounds. Good thing he and dad have deep voices" Boruto asked, slightly amused that unlike him his dad and grandpa seemed to have reached puberty.
"I wonder why he looks so nervous…." Sarada asked, not even bothering to dignify Boruto's statement.
"I think you two will find out soon" Tsubaki said with a smirk confusing the two as Sumire laughed a little. However a voice cut everyone off.
"Yes, she's going to be fine. Just stay focused on the Nine Tails' Seal". A woman with long brown hair reminded Minato in annoyance. This woman was Biwako Sarutobi, the late wife of the late Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Her statement astonished Team Mirai and Tsubaki.
"Wait a second, did she just say the Nine Tails Seal?" Sarada asked freaking out.
"So there was someone else before my dad?" Boruto asked in confusion.
"Yep" Tsubaki said while answering Boruto's question.
"Wow who knew? I always thought the Nine Tails only had been seal inside of a female" Sumire say in a shock expression.
Minato only frowned in concern for his wife.
"But she's so…" Minato muttered as Biwako looked like she was at her wits end with Minato.
"You're a shinobi, Minato. Now act like it and get a grip! Most men would've dropped dead from such pain long ago. But women are stronger!" Biwako chided Minato as the team's eyes widened as they realized what was happening with the pained Kushina.
"Wait, Tsubaki I could have sworn you said she's in childbirth!" Sarada noted in realization, remembering the times she would see her Hokage mom performing such experiments.
"That means this woman is giving birth to my dad. And that means she's my grandma!" Boruto shouted pointing at the pained Kushina who only continued to scream.
"Took you both long enough to notice! Me and Sumire had been figure it out" Tsubaki noted with a laugh and smirk.
"If she's Boruto's grandma! Then where are mine from mom's side of the family and dad's side of the family?" Sarada muttered, to herself in curiosity.
However the Team and samurai soon noticed the seal on Kushina's stomach was starting to morph, almost as if it was starting to open.
"That seal's going to pop!" Tsubaki said as she narrowed her eyes.
"He's so strong….The Nine Tails is writhing to get out…..Tch! Hang in there, Kushina! Naruto, come on!" Minato stated, ready to assist his wife in any way he could.
"Wow this so cool! We are actually seeing childbirth for the first time" Sumire say while smiling in happiness.
"Not only that it's the birth of my idol. I love my mom but even I don't want to follow in her or my dad's footsteps" Sarada blinked. She was both curious and slightly weirded out at the opportunity.
"I seriously didn't want to see this my dad's birth. However unlike like you Sarada, I don't intend to train under your dad. I actually want to learn things from my dad as I dream of being the first Uzumaki Hokage. Since my dad and grandpa Minato never became the Hokage. Thanks to your grandpa and mom" Boruto exclaimed with seriousness in his eyes.
"I only wish I had a camera to take a picture of Boruto's reaction" Tsubaki laughed as Boruto blushed.
"Hey, I'm serious you samurai!" Boruto yelled as Sarada got in between the two.
"Now, now" Sarada said as everyone calmed down, the four crowding around Kushina like a group having a group meeting.
"Hang in there grandma!" Boruto chanted out loud.
"I wonder…is this how Lady Kushina died?" Sumire put her hand to her chin in thought.
"What're you saying Sumire" Boruto said to Sumire in curiosity.
"You know what. I think today is September 10 as in the night that the Nine Tails attack the village" Tsubaki theorized while looking around the hospital room.
"Whatever the case, something tells me that a lot of people we care about are going to die whether we like it or not" Sumire said as she narrowed her eyes to the scene in front of her.
"I can see the head now. You're almost there, Kushina!" Biwako told her head in an attempt to encourage her to finish the birth. "Just hang in there. You're doing great!" A random nurse name Taji added.
"Naruto, hurry up! You stay in, Nine Tails!" Minato closed his eyes. Eventually Kushina's screams began to stop as the cry of a newborn baby rang through the air.
"Hot water! Now!" Biwako commanded the nurse. "Right!" Taji said as she ran to fetch a bucket of hot water along with other cleaning items.
Team Mirai and Tsubaki were speechless at the sight of the newborn baby. As the infant was cleaned, disinfected and wrapped in an orange blanket. They quietly walked up to the infant as they all took a good look at the newborn version of Naruto Uzumaki.
"D-dad….." Boruto remarked, the corners of his mouth lifting upwards into a smile. He couldn't believe it as he watched his newborn future father cry as he took his first breaths into the world.
This tiny baby…..would grow up to be his cool badass father who was regarded as an international, global scale Anbu hero!
"T-this is…" Boruto teared up as he felt proud tears prickle his eyes. The fact this innocent little baby grows up to become a hero made Boruto felt pride….pride for his father.
Sumire put a comforting hand on Boruto's shoulder as she smiled at him before smiling softly at the newborn Naruto who continued crying.
"How precious is this?" Sarada says while smiling as this newborn baby was her idol….her hero who she idolized.
"Wait, why does dad have whisker marks?" Boruto pondered as Sarada, Sumire and Tsubaki all wondered the same thing.
"That's a good question" Sarada furrowed her brow in thought before Sumire came up with something.
"If…Lady Kushina was carrying the Nine Tails within her as well as Mr Naruto, then his whiskers came as a side effect" Sumire theorized as her teammates looked at her.
"You could be right Sumire. Maybe this explains how Boruto and Hima got it too" Sarada said out loud. While Boruto tilted his head, satisfied with Sumire's theory. However, if Team Mirai and Tsubaki were amazed at the sight of a newborn Naruto, their reaction was nothing compared to Naruto's parents.
Kushina had tears fall from her eyes, either from relief from of going through childbirth, and exhaustion from bringing a baby into the world. While Kushina now realized that she was a mother after bringing her baby into the world safe and sound.
"He's…really here…." Minato could barely get the words out as proud tears filled his eyes. He couldn't believe it. After twenty nine years, he had found the love of his life and was now a father!
Minato teared up as he wiped his eyes before donning a very happy father.
"Yes….I'm a father now!" Minato smiled through his tears. Although Team Mirai and Tsubaki could only stare somberly at the man.
"Not for long…." Sumire muttered as the realization of Minato dying soon was enough to nearly bring her to tears.
"I agree since Grandpa Minato was dead after dad was adopted by Iruka by the time dad was born" Boruto said as he tried not to tear up.
"I…can only wonder what caused the deaths of Minato and Kushina?" Sumire pondered as both Boruto and Sarada were curious as to what could have caused their ultimate demises.
"Yes, you both have a very healthy baby boy" Biwako smiled tenderly at the sight of the newborn Naruto as she steadily made her way over to where Minato and Kushina were.
"Naruto!" Minato grinned, eager to hold his son although Biwako was quick to jerk him from Minato's grip.
"Hands off! The Mother gets to see him first!" Biwako scowled, disregarding Minato's look of disappointment and defeat although the nurse seemed apologetic as she sent Minato an apologetic glance.
Team Mirai and even Tsubaki found this funny however.
"Okay that was really funny" Sarada laughed.
"All he wanted to do was to see his child's face. Even I would have done the same if I was in his shoes!" Sumire says while holding her stomach.
"Oh man poor grandpa!" Boruto snickered.
"His reaction was priceless" Tsubaki chuckled.
"Okay" Minato muttered, secretly wishing she would get this out of the way so he could hold his son.
Kushina turned her head as Naruto was put by her side as she gave him a warm, tender smile.
"Naruto I get to finally meet you!" Kushina smiled as her tears hit Naruto's face.
"That's so sweet…the love of a mother and child" Sarada says as she immediately thought back to the time when Sakura stayed by her side all night after her Hokage duties.
Boruto couldn't say nothing as he started crying. As the scene was kinda like when he learned that Himawari was born safe and sound.
"Wait a minute Boruto dude are you actually crying?" Tsubaki teased as Boruto blushed.
"In case you haven't noticed! Dad says it's okay to cry when you're happy!" Boruto says as Sarada and Tsubaki laughed at Boruto's reaction.
"It's ok Boruto I still cry when I think about my mom. As I cry about the happy times that I had with her" Sumire says as she reassured her teammate.
"Thanks Sumire" Boruto said as he hugged his life long crush.
Much to Minato's relief, he was finally given his son. Minato could only stare at his son as he could hardly breathe.
"N-Naruto….Thank goodness you are here safe and sound….." Was all Minato could say as Naruto continued wailing in Minato's arms. "It's alright I'm right here for you…little guy…." Minato nervously said as the three females and his grandson could tell this was one of the scariest moments in Minato's life.
"Naruto….as your father, I promise to always keep you safe" Minato promised through his tears.
Kushina, Biwako, Taji, a male doctor that wrote the birth certificate down and then a female nurse weren't that far off from being teary themselves along with the majority of Team Mirai and Tsubaki.
Biwako smiled at Minato before she gingerly took Naruto from Minato's arms. "You'll have more time later. There, there my child". Biwako smiled as she held Naruto in an attempt to get him to stop crying. As she and Taji decided to leave the hospital room.
Minato walked to his wife before putting a comforting hand on hers.
"Kushina…are you okay now?" Minato asked, giving his wife a smile. "I'm okay…Just a little tired that's all" Kushina weakly smiled back as she looked into the deep sapphire eyes of her husband. Right then and there, Team Mirai could tell the two genuinely loved each other.
"Thank you for everything Kushina. We can finally be a family now" Minato said with pride as gave his wife a warm, gentle smile while she looked at her husband with a look of a woman being genuinely happy.
"Minato" Kushina smiled through whatever tears were left.
"Aww…that's so sweet! It's kinda like how your parents are Boruto" Sarada smiled as her hands went to her stomach, remembering how Hinata would hug Naruto in genuine love after seeing him come home safely from a hard earn mission.
"This really is heartwarming, I have to agree. As I definitely love seeing a love from parents being real" Sumire cheerfully smiled while thinking about her own parents.
"Oh man I wish I could meet my grandparents! I mean I am glad I have grandpa Iruka and grandpa Hiashi, but this is definitely more entertaining!" Boruto grinned, as he wanted to know more about his grandparents.
"Alright! I know you're tired from giving birth. But we need to reseal the Nine Tails!" Minato says as he pumped his fist before assuming a hand over Kushina's seal.
However, before things could get too happy, two female's screams filled the air.
Tsubaki and Team Mirai turned their heads only to find, Biwako and Taji who helped deliver Naruto lying on the floor in pools of blood that only seemed to get bigger and bigger. It was obvious the two were dead along with the other Anbu who were stationed outside of the room in the hallway.
"All these Anbu lying on the floor like this. I hope the nurse and doctor that is in Kushina's room doesn't come out" Sumire said while getting scare and worry at the same time.
"What the hell!?" Boruto demanded more than ask.
"How did that happen!?" Sarada asked, wondering what could have happened.
"Everyone I think we found our answer" Tsubaki's eyes narrowed as she pointed behind Boruto and Sarada.
Boruto and Sarada turned around to see a man clothed in a dark black cloak with an orange mask with black flames.
"Who the hell is that!?" Sarada pointed, wondering how someone like that could've gotten in the hospital undetected.
"This guy is bad news that's what…." Tsubaki answered in fury while grabbing her sword.
"And he's holding dad!?" Boruto yelled, noticing in his hands was the infant version of his father!
"Lady Biwako! Ms Taji!" Minato yelled.
"Minato Namikaze. Step away from the Jinchuuriki or else this child of yours will die in one minute" The masked man warned, his voice very deep and gruff and sending a chill down the spines of Boruto Sumire, Tsubaki and Sarada.
"That Bastard!" Boruto yelled, how could anyone be as sick in the head as to threaten a helpless baby!?
"Oh man Mr Naruto!" Sarada yelled as she was scare to see someone kill her idol.
"It's like Tsubaki said this already happened. So therefore Naruto is alive as he is shown in our timeline" Sumire reminded her teammates who only remain calm in frustration.
"How the hell did he get past the barrier? Who…who is he!?" Minato says in his mind. He then summons two shadow clones. As his clones brought the unharmed doctor and nurse out of the room by teleporting them away. This was a relief for Sumire but trouble wasn't over just yet.
Minato then took a step forward, ready to save his son only for Kushina to grit her teeth in pain.
"Grandma!" Boruto yelled, turning his attention to Kushina.
"What's wrong!?" Sarada asked him.
"Her seal's acting up again" Tsubaki answered as she pointed to the black spot in Kushina's stomach as it started to bulge upwards like a bubble.
"Kushina!" Minato turned his head to his wife in concern. Although this did nothing to deter the masked man.
"Get away from the Jinchuuriki. Don't you care what happens to your child?" The masked man demanded, pulling out a Kunai, which only ignited Boruto's fury more.
"You bastard! Let him go!" Boruto yelled, but he was grabbed by Tsubaki.
"Seriously…how can this man be such a psychopath by harming an innocent baby?" Sarada asked, just as disgusted.
"It doesn't matter as this is the Shinobi World after all" Tsubaki reminded her friends although her answer didn't seem to make the three teammates feel any better.
Boruto was at a loss for words. Despite the stuff he and his friends went through, as they grew up in a peaceful era. Their parents however grew up in a time of complete and utter chaos.
"W-wait! Just stay calm!" Minato yelled, frantically waving his hands.
"Why doesn't he just go over there and kill this man!?" Boruto glared at Minato.
"Well he has to make sure the Nine Tails doesn't come out because if that happens, everyone dies" Sarada replied, not liking the situation herself.
"Speak for yourself Minato. I am as calm as can be" the masked man scoffed at Minato before throwing the helpless infant into the air.
Boruto was in panic and fear as he saw the infant version of his father in the air. Kushina also yelled out her son's name.
"Mr Naruto!" Sarada yelled just as frantic. However, Sumire and Tsubaki held them both back by grabbing them.
"Sumire? What're you doing?" Sarada asked her teammate. "Yeah! Tsubaki you better let me go! That's my dad!" Boruto glared at his friend who shook her head.
"Remember, we can't do anything to alter or change it" Tsubaki reminded her friends yet again as they grit their teeth in anger and frustration.
However, much to their relief, before the masked man could carve baby Naruto's brains out with the kunai, Minato appeared and caught Naruto in his arms, within the blink of an eye.
"Whoa! He's fast!" Sarada noted while fixing her glasses.
"Yeah, he's just as fast as my dad is!" Boruto pointed at his grandfather, amazed at Minato's speed as he remembered how fast Naruto was during the attack at the Chunin Exams.
"As expected from Mr Minato" Tsubaki said being impressed as she remembered Hanabi's stories about Minato being hailed as "The Yellow Flash of Konoha".
"You really are the Yellow Flash of Konoha" the masked man noted, slightly annoyed yet respectful.
"Yellow Flash Wasn't that his nickname?" Boruto asked in confusion.
"During the Third Shinobi War, Minato Namikaze had been able to single handedly wipe out an entire army of a thousand Stone Village Shinobi" Sumire explained as Sarada and Boruto were in amazement at what they had heard.
"No way….I guess if he's Mr Naruto's father. it's definitely expected" Sarada muttered.
"How much of a badass is my grandpa?" Boruto asked in shock.
"Very good. But what about the next one?" the masked man asked, almost amused.
"What's he talking about?" Sarada asked as the sounds of something about to be set off rang through the ears of the four genin. "Don't tell me!" Boruto yelled out in frustration.
"Minato! Naruto!" Kushina yelled in fear of both her husband and newborn son.
Thankfully, Minato had enough initiative to remove the towel from baby Naruto. However, just as they teleported away, the hospital room behind them blew up in a large explosion as the two landed outside three buildings away from the hospital. The two were on the street as a large crowd gathered around them. Even the doctor and nurse that Minato's clone escaped with was with the crowd.
"Minato are you ok? Where's your wife?" The doctor asked in shock.
"Thankfully your son isn't harm. We heard an explosion a few minutes ago" the nurse say in concern.
To say that Tsubaki and Team Mirai was shocked by everything that just happened, was an understatement.
"We are outside now" Sumire says with happiness.
"Did Gramps just teleported?" Boruto asked to his teammates.
"Yep that was Minato's teleportation Jutsu" Tsubaki began saying to the three genin.
"Teleportation Ninjutsu?" Sarada asked in shock.
"It allowed him to move from Point A to Point B not in a second but in an instant and he could bring anything being weapons, tools, place or people be it that they were marked with his special seal and it often required a certain amount of chakra depending on the person. It was because of that he was hailed as the fastest shinobi in the history of the Shinobi World before his death and he could be undetected using only the Body Flicker technique and could cover a considerable distance within a matter of seconds". Tsubaki explained, much to Sarada and especially Boruto's amazement.
Despite the situation at hand, Boruto couldn't stop the broad grin from forming on his face.
"Yes I knew it…my grandpa really is a badass!" Boruto grinned, wishing he could've met him at least once in his life.
"I wonder if Naruto is even faster" Sarada stated, although this was accidental as she meant to think the question in her mind.
"Of course he is. He wouldn't have been the Sneaky Anbu for nothing". Boruto stated as he couldn't believe Sarada would say something so ridiculous at this time.
However, the sound of a baby crying interrupted any further power scaling discussions.
"Thank goodness, Naruto wasn't injured!" Minato noted, his face and voice full of relief.
"Heh well of course he wouldn't" Boruto smirked as Sarada and Sumire smiled their agreement. While Tsubaki also smirked like Boruto.
Minato however grimaced in pain as he noticed a small piece of glass wedged in the bottom part of his leg near his ankle.
"He forced me to use the Flying Raijin Jutsu…." Minato dimly noted, pulling out the blood covered piece of glass with little to no effort.
"Flying Raijin? Is that what he calls his Flying Raijin Jutsu?" Sarada asked her samurai friend.
"Yeah that's right" Tsubaki confirmed, "It was first created by the Second Hokage but Minato managed to hone the technique and made it his own" Mitsuki clarified.
"Okay….Tsubaki how do you know so much?" Boruto tilted his head, as Sarada also needed answering.
"Hehe, I learn a bunch of history by researching about this village. As Mifune taught me a lot about the Land of Iron and about your village. Especially since Mifune helped Mr Naruto during the last war. I was definitely fascinated, long before I met you three as I wanted to be kept up to date. As I'm a Ninja Encyclopedia", Tsubaki smirked with her usual smirk happy that all that studying on history wasn't a waste of time.
"Tsubaki you're amazing and here I thought Sarada was an Encyclopedia" Sumire says with stars in her eyes.
"Uh….ok….." Sarada sweat dropped.
"Heh there you have it four eyes! We can just ask Tsubaki for information instead of you!" Boruto laughed as Sarada finally met her match.
However Boruto's jovial mood was interrupted as Minato's eye narrowed.
"His target was Kushina and he succeeded in separating us. Gotta hurry!" Minato noted, throwing the bloody piece of glass in the air. As the nurse and doctor grabbed onto him before teleporting with Naruto.
Making Tsubaki and Team Mirai to teleport with him. "Whoa, what was that!?" Boruto asked. "Well since these memories are from Naruto's perspective, wherever he goes, we go to" Sarada theorized.
"This era is definitely more mysterious than I thought" Tsubaki agreed. "That's…kinda freaky" Sumire noted as her teammates and Tsubaki couldn't disagree with her.
Minato tucked in Naruto in his bed as he made sure Naruto was in deep and tight. While the doctor and nurse stayed behind to keep the baby safe from harm.
"You'll be safe here. Naruto, I have to go and rescue your mother, right now. As I don't want to lose either of you" Minato gave his son a gentle smile before fazing out of the room.
"It's kind of weird….leaving a baby with a nurse and doctor" Sarada said.
"It can't be helped. Lady Kushina would be dead if he wasted time" Tsubaki stated as Boruto glared at the samurai.
"So saving my dad's life over my grandma's is wasting time? It doesn't matter because in the end…grandma and grandpa are both dead…." Boruto bitterly sighed.
"Boruto!" Sarada chided her teammate for his comment but Sumire put a hand on her shoulder.
"Dad…." Boruto frowned as he looked at his father's sleeping form while the nurse and doctor decided to check and see if the baby was injured. The nurse was also writing medical reports down in case if Minato needed them for later.
"I never thought his birth would've been so….tragic" Boruto stated, as he was glad his future father had stopped crying.
"To be held at kunai point when you're only a minute old…..it's sickening…" Sarada looked down.
"I hope Lady Kushina is alright" Sumire says while trying not to worry the three.
Before Boruto could say anything to his crush, Minato appeared in a flash with Kushina in his arms.
"I wish I can learn that jutsu. I wonder if dad learn it too" Boruto muttered, wishing he could learn the Flying Raijin Jutsu.
"Minato…Why?" Kushina asked, her voice raspy and weak.
"Nevermind that…just stay with Naruto" Minato smiled, although Tsubaki and Team Mirai were quick to note it was completely forced.
Kushina let out quiet sobs as she cradled baby Naruto, holding him close to her forehead. While Minato told the doctor and nurse to head to the evacuation shelter. He also told them to give the medical reports to the Third Hokage just in case.
Sarada tried keeping her tears at bay as her heart went out to the mother of Naruto.
"Hold on…did that bastard….take the Nine Tails out of her?" Boruto gasped out in horror.
"The seal is definitely not on her stomach no more…" Tsubaki sadly nodded.
"Wait….if she lost the nine tails then…." Sumire gasped in horror as the implications of Boruto's earlier words hit her like a ton of bricks.
"That bastard! She's gonna die soon!" Sarada growled, feeling utter hatred for the masked man. Whoever the heck he was.
"It can't be… my grandma…." Boruto frowned as Tsubaki donned a honorary sorrow expression.
Minato donned the same expression as Tsubaki before his expression turned to that of righteous anger, as he knew his wife's end was coming soon. All of his dreams of living a nice peaceful life with his wife and his son were torn to pieces like a mirror breaking all because of some evil, heartless creep who would dare attack an innocent infant. Whoever this masked bastard was, he was going to pay for holding his son hostage, killing his wife and attacking his home village.
Boruto and Sarada were quick to notice how his expression mirrored that of Naruto whenever he got serious in battle.
Team Mirai then noticed Minato open the door to the closet in the room before pulling out a bunch of weapons.
"Minato….thank you…..and good luck…." Kushina weakly turned her head to her husband who put on his ninja gear followed by tightening his ninja headband before finally donning his signature kunai in his hand.
"I'll be back in a flash" Was all Minato said before he was gone in an instant. "And there he goes…."Tsubaki noted.
"I hope he kicks that masked guy's ass!" Boruto growled, feeling hatred for the man who would help to cause his dad the pain he learned he would later go through in life.
"Maybe your dad was raised by his parents in another world" Sumire sighed as Boruto also sighed.
Maybe…in an alternate universe, the family of three weren't attacked and Naruto could've been allowed to grow up peacefully.
Team Mirai weren't sure how much time had passed but they were at least glad Naruto had gotten some peaceful time with his mother, even if he wasn't aware of it. As Kushina was putting clothes on her son to keep him warm and comfortable, during this tragic time.
"I wonder…how he is doing…" Sarada said as Sumire was silent, not willing to break the spirits of her teammates as she genuinely cared about them. While Tsubaki also chose not to answer Sarada's question.
Kushina weakly smiled at her son as she cradled him close. "Don't worry…your father will…get rid of that bad man very soon…" Kushina says as she smiled despite her exhaustion and pain.
"Something tells me that's easier than it sounds…." Boruto sighed sadly.
However the sound of explosions suddenly rocked the safe house they were in.
"Don't tell me…that's the nine tails…" Sarada said as she clenched her teeth.
"Something tells me that you're right Sarada. Plus we ain't the only ones that heard it" Sumire said when her eyes narrowed as the abrupt shakes caused Naruto to cry in his sleep. Making Kushina rush to calm her son down.
"Seeing this is starting to make me wish it didn't happen" Sarada said while being angry. "Why can't we do anything to help. I'm starting to feel like a burden just standing here" Sumire says while looking at the scene right in front of her. "Come on gramps! Grandma and Dad need you right now!" Boruto says in rage.
"This is a battle of life and death… No matter how hard we look at it" Tsubaki says as she frowned, sharing the feelings but ultimately understanding this was all just a memory.
Kushina's eyes looked upwards to the shelf where a toy was shown. It was a simple drum like toy. "She wants the toy?" Sarada asked as she noticed Kushina was literally trying to drag herself along the dresser to get to the toy.
"Granny! This is reckless even for her!" Boruto said in concern. "That's not safe" Sumire said as she was scare for the older women as the house was shaking hard.
Kushina tried her best to reach it only to fall to the ground. Tsubaki honestly felt sympathy for Kushina and Naruto. She felt bad for Kushina as she would die without ever knowing the wonderful feeling of being a mother while she felt pity for Naruto as he would grow up never knowing how much his mother loved him.
Much to the samurai and team's amazement, through sheer willpower, Kushina pushed herself up onto the shelf where she retrieved the toy before she practically crawled her way back to the bed where Naruto cried.
The scene reminded Boruto of the time when Naruto nearly had a panic attack and ran home when Himawari was sick.
Boruto, Sumire and Sarada had to turn their heads as it was too much seeing someone like Kushina in such a state while Tsubaki was the only one reluctantly watching.
"Naruto….your father…bought this…for you….don't worry everything's….going…to be okay…" Kushina weakly smiled as the sound of the toy seemed to calm Naruto as he smiled in his sleep. "What a good boy…..Thank you…Minato…." Kushina said before she practically fell next to Naruto. Although that didn't stop her from pulling Naruto close to her.
"Naruto…my little…baby….I'm happy we finally met…but…." Kushina said as she weakly smiled.
"Why is this happening? Dad should be able to live with grandma and grandpa…." Boruto tried blinking the tears that threatened to fall. "For that masked man to cause this tragedy…This is low even for him!" Sumire yelled out loud in rage.
"I know…Lady Kushina and Mr Minato didn't deserve this…." Tsubaki solemnly shook her head as Sarada tried gulping back her own tears but to no avail. A family such as them deserved a happy ending…..
Before anyone knew anything, Minato suddenly appeared right near the two of them, his clothes soiled from battle as he held Kushina and Naruto close before they phased out of the room into an open field in the forest.
Before Team Mirai and Tsubaki knew anything, a loud explosion erupted nearby as the house they were previously in were blown to bits.
"The nine tails really is strong!" Boruto noted, remembering the devastating power it displayed during the Chunin Exam battle.
"You're telling me" Sarada muttered as Team Mirai noted it in the distance.
"And it doesn't look too happy to see Minato and his family" Sumire noted as Boruto and Sarada shuddered as they could literally feel the hatred emanating from the fox.
"I wonder….what made the fox and dad become such wonderful partners" Boruto questioned, remembering how much of a team Naruto and the Tailed Beast were during a battle by protecting Sakura.
"These memories are definitely gonna tell us…" Tsubaki said, suddenly starting to regret coming into Naruto's memories. She wasn't prepared to see this at all.
"Are you okay?" Minato managed to smile at his wife and son despite his exhaustion.
"Minato…." Kushina muttered, holding her baby close. "Somehow I managed to get this far with Kizashi Haruno's help….but I don't have much chakra left…." Minato huffed, nearly falling over in the grass below.
"Wait did he just say Kizashi? That's the name of my mom's father! That's mean he's my grandfather" Sarada said in complete shock.
Kizashi is a kind-faced man with blue eyes, and dull-burgundy hair which is styled into the shape of a cherry blossom. He wears the Shinobi uniform but with a cloak that reads Fourth Hokage on it. Unlike his wife and daughter, he has a darker skin-tone. He also has sideburns which flow into his angular moustache and a bit of stubble on his chin. Kizashi like Minato was exhausted from being in a fight. While Mebuki was holding her 6 month old daughter in her arms.
"No way! My mom's father is the Fourth Hokage!" Sarada shouts as she walks up to him. To be honest she was more shock on how her grandfather didn't look anything like her mom. While seeing a lady that stands right next to him.
Mebuki Haruno is a fair-skinned woman with shoulder-length, blonde hair with a single bang which falls down into her face. She also has green eyes and wearing the standard Konoha-nin attire complete with a flak jacket. Sarada can see that at least her mom got her looks from her grandma.
"My grandma looks so calm and serious. And I can tell that my mom got my grandma's personality" Sarada said with happiness in her voice.
The two shinobi ran to Minato's aid.
"What's wrong with him?" Boruto asked in concern.
"I'm guessing the teleportation ninjutsu took a lot out of him along with my dad helping him battle that masked creep" Sarada surmised.
"The Space Time Ninjutsu can be taxing on an individual if they continuously use it over and over again" Sumire said as she confirmed Sarada's observation.
"Minato you done enough to stop this beast. Let me handle the rest as your Hokage that is my duty!" Kizashi said while getting serious.
Mebuki on the other hand was against saying to her husband, "Kizashi! You better not die and leave me a widow! What am I supposed to tell Sakura when she gets older! That her father is a reckless person who should think before he acts. Think about what you're doing".
"Mebuki I want you to live to raise our daughter. As I don't regret dying not as the Hokage but as a shinobi of this village!" Kizashi shouted with a gutsy voice.
Mebuki was in tears as she said in a low voice, "You fool".
"Both of you please! I'll stop him…one way or another…." Minato said as he began brainstorming the ideas of a sort of barrier that could restrain the Nine Tailed Fox.
"There are still things…I must protect…precious things….and as long as I have that…I swear….I'll never give up!" Minato vowed, putting his hand signs together.
Sumire's eyes widened, realizing what hand signs those were as Boruto's mind immediately flashed to the time where Naruto protected the Leaf Village from the wrath of the Sound Village and Rain Village.
"Grandpa…" Boruto blinked, realizing where Naruto's badassness had come from.
"Wait. I can still do it…Minato….and Kizashi" Kushina grimaced in pain before several chains erupted from her back and the ground below befre the Nine Tails fox was literally forced to the ground as he was restrained by chains full of chakra.
"What the heck!? Are those chains?!" Boruto asked, amazed at the amount of chains before him.
"That's the same jutsu that Auntie Karin used!" Sarada's eyes widened remembering Karin use a similar technique during the whole Mitsuki Disappearance topic.
"From what Mifune told me, that's an Uzumaki bloodline technique. The ability to use chakra chains that can pin down and be used to combat anything" Tsubaki clarified in amazement as Team Mirai's eyes widened.
"Seriously? But Auntie Karin could only use one chain. Whereas Lady Kushina can use several!" Sarada noted in amazement.
"I wonder…if dad inherited it? Or if I can learn how to do that…." Boruto tilted his head as the Nine Tails was anything but pleased with being held down like a sack of potatoes.
Kushina coughed a mouthful of blood, much to the team's concern.
"Granny!?" Boruto ran to Kushina's side in concern.
"The chakra chains are extremely overwhelming. Especially everything that Lady Kushina went through" Sarada said as she frowned.
The sudden noise woke up baby Naruto who wailed in alarm.
"I woke you up. I'm sorry, Naruto" Kushina smiled at her son apologetically.
"Kushina!" Minato looked at his wife in astonishment, something that shocked the members of Team Mirai and Tsubaki as they had only seen the man calm and reserved, even in the face of danger.
"I'll take the Nine Tails with me to my death. That way, we can reduce the interval…between now and when he reemerges. It's all I can manage…..with all the chakra that I have left…but I'll be able to save you both….so thank you, for everything you've done" Kushina smiled, despite the blood trailing down her skin as Team Mirai could hardly believe what they heard.
"I agree with you Kushina as I will help you by sending the Nine Tails back into you or a new host" Kizashi said as he was ready to die.
"Wait, she's gonna do what?" Sarada asked.
"There's no clear way in killing a Tailed Beast. Therefore you can only take it out but it will just be reborn at a later time" Tsubaki explained, much to her friends shock.
Boruto clenched his fist in sadness.
Minato's eyes widened in just the same amount of drive as Team Mirai while baby Naruto had calmed down in his crying as he sniffled and shifted uncontrollably before falling back asleep, almost as if to block out everything that was going on.
"Kushina…you're the one….it was you who made me a great Shinobi. You made me a man and you made me this baby's father and still…" Minato trailed off, getting choked up.
"For grandpa to lose grandma so soon after having their first child…..is devastating to watch" Boruto clenched his fist, feeling even more hatred for the masked man.
"Minato…..don't give me that sad look….I-I'm happy….because you love me…and what's more, today is September 10 the birthday of our child…." Kushina weakly smiled and almost as if baby Naruto could understand his mother's words, he smiled in his sleep.
"If I were to imagine me alive and our future with the three of us together as a family, I can't really picture us as being happy….If I were to have one regret, Is that I wish I could've seen Naruto, all grown up…." Kushina closed her eyes as she made up her mind to die, as Boruto and Sarada were barely keeping their tears from coming out.
"If only….Lady Kushina would be alive today….she'd be proud of the man her son became…." Sarada's eyes filled with tears.
"Not to mention how peaceful our world is due to him helping Lady Sakura who is the Seventh Hokage" Sumire says while crying as well.
"Yeah….even if dad can be serious and a goofball at times…." Boruto tried blinking the tears back as he tried to make a joke to lighten up the situation.
Tsubaki then says with pride while holding her sword, "As an honorary samurai and member of this village. Lady Kushina you have my deepest gratitude and respect as a honorary warrior".
Losing a wife is heartbreaking for anyone, especially Minato, evident by the way that several tears cascaded down his eyes. Why? Why couldn't he be allowed to live peacefully with his newborn child and loving wife? It was almost like…it was a cruel joke by faith.
"Kushina….there's no need for you to die….in order for you to kill the Nine Tails. Preserve what little chakra you have for your reunion with Naruto" Minato said as he wiped his eyes while his wife stared at him in disbelief.
"I'm going to seal the rest of your chakra inside of Naruto. It'll be part of an eight signed seal…and then I'll take the Nine Tails with me. Because I'm not a Jinchuriki, I'll have to use the Reaper Death Seal. And Kizashi is going to help me" Minato explained with determination.
Tsubaki gasped in realization after hearing the speech. "I knew it! Those were the hand signs for the Reaper Death Seal!" Tsubaki noted in remembrance of her master Mifune telling her about the jutsu.
"What's the Reaper Death Seal?" Sarada, Sumire and Boruto all asked in sync.
"It's a powerful sealing jutsu that can seal virtually anything in it. Although…it comes at a price. The user will die as a side effect of the jutsu…." Tsubaki looked down as her friends couldn't believe it as they went pale with shock and disbelief.
"No way…." Sarada gasped out in horror.
Sumire says while covering her mouth with both hands, "How horrifying".
"So that's how… my grandpa died" Boruto's eyes widened in horror, having a clearer understanding of how his grandfather had died.
"You can't! If you cast that, then you'll-!" Kushina tried talking her husband out of his plan although internally she knew that was impossible. When he made up his mind, he was as steadfast and determined as their son Naruto.
"He's gonna do it anyways….like father like son…." Sarada muttered to herself.
"And there's one other thing. I'm only going to seal away half of the Nine Tails" Minato stated.
"Only half? How come?" Boruto asked in confusion.
"Because it's physically impossible to seal away a whole tail beast….and if Minato is going to seal away half of it in the Reaper Death Seal…" Tsubaki trailed off as Boruto and Sumire felt the air leave their longs.
"Then that's how dad ended up with the Nine Tails…." Boruto finished as he solved the puzzle.
"It's physically impossible to seal this a whole tail beast with this much power…..but it's also strategically unwise too. If you take the Nine Tails with you, there will be no Jinchuuriki until he reemerges. This will upset the power between Tailed Beasts. With the Reaper Death Seal, we can at least seal away half of the Nine Tails forever…and the other half of the Nine Tails…." Minato expanded on what he said earlier as he went silent and closed his eyes, almost as if he were remembering something important.
Boruto however clenched his fists as he was literally shaking in rage.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Boruto said as his jaw dropped as his female teammates and samurai friend stared at him.
"For the balance of Tailed Beasts!? How could Grandpa be so cruel!? Didn't he care about what dad would go through!? Because of this, dad would be hated!" Boruto shouted by getting everything off his chest.
"Boruto, don't say that. I'm sure your grandfather didn't want to leave his child behind with such a heavy burden. Hector must of had a pretty good reason" Sarada said as she tried reasoning with her teammate.
"Sarada's right, Boruto. Also you saw that masked man earlier and what he did. To combat such an enemy who could slip in and out undetected to where not even Mr Minato could detect him, he would need the power of the Nine Tails!" Tsubaki added, reminding her friend who scoffed.
"Whatever, I still don't think Grandpa should've died. I'm just glad Sarada's grandfather came to help him and ease the pain of containing the Nine Tails!" Boruto spat as both Sarada and Sumire were at a loss for words. They couldn't disagree whole-heartedly with Boruto's words as Minato didn't really need to die in this situation.
"You are right but remember….they're Shinobi….parents who pass alongside burdens to their children all the time…" Tsubaki says as she closed her eyes thinking of her mother and master Mifune.
Boruto scoffed after hearing Tsubaki's lecture as it reminded him of his grandpa Hiashi.
"I'll seal it inside of Naruto, with the Eight Signed Seal" Minato stated again, opening his eyes as Kushina gasped in horror as she realized the implications of Minato's statement.
"Calm down I know what you're going to say. Remember what Master Jiraiya said about world upheaval? And also…all of the calamities that would accompany it. I've become convinced of two things today; first, that masked man who attacked you will bring destruction to the world….And second, the one who will stop him is this child! This infant….whose godfather is Master Jiraiya, he will open up the future as a Jinchuriki! I know it, and I'm sure of it." Minato smiled in confidence at his wife as he had complete and utter faith in his son.
"He ain't lying. Dad did become the hero of the world after all…." Boruto sighed, still not agreeing with the decision of his grandfather.
"Um I've heard the term 'Jinchuuriki' get thrown around several times since we've started this memory. What is that?" Sumire asked.
"If I remember reading in a book. It's the name given to those who have contain a Tailed Beast such as the Nine Tails inside of them" Sarada explained with a finger on her chin.
"Oh well Master Jiraiya is dad's godfather….I guess I can't be surprised…. As mom showed me, Kawaki and Hima pictures of him a few days ago. Me and Kawaki kept arguing if dad or Sarada's dad was better then master Jiraya!" Boruto chuckled non stop.
"But Minato!" Kushina gasped through her blood, realizing what kind of life Naruto would have if he ever became a Jinchuriki although Minato would hear none of it.
As Kizashi sets up the ritual area. Minato quickly went through several hand signs before saying, "Reaper Death Seal!".
As he finishing his saying, a large translucent specture appear that had a huge demonic vibe to it that was very large in size that had long, shaggy white hair along with purple colored skin as it was dressed in a large white Kimono with prayer beads trailed down its arm and a large tanto sword in its mouth. However, directly at the bottom of the Reaper was the soul of Minato.
"So that's the Reaper" Sarada took a step back as she and Boruto were slightly creeped out at its appearance.
"He really is a ghost" Boruto muttered as Tsubaki was silent, getting a chance to see it for the first time.
"Let's believe in him! He is our son after all" Minato said to his wife, keeping his hands together, readying the seal.
"After I've completed this seal, I'm going to seal your chakra inside of Naruto too. You won't have much time but I want you to help him control the Nine Tails' power as a Jinchuriki" Minato said as his wife's dumbfounded expression morphed into one of anger.
"He's our son Minato! Which is exactly why I don't want him to bear such a heavy burden! Have you thought of who's going to take care of him if we are both gone!" Kushina glared at Minato who only stared at his wife somberly as Team Mirai could tell he was barely holding back the tears that threatened to fall. He didn't want to leave behind his son all alone either and would've loved seeing his development.
But….this was for the fate of the Shinobi World after all.
"Why use the Reaper Death Seal!? If it's just so that I can meet Naruto when he's grown up, especially if it's going to be for a short time, then there's no need for you to die! I'd rather you stay with him and watch over him….I just don't understand! Why does Naruto have to be sacrificed for the balance of power amongst Tailed Beasts? For this nation? For this village? Why do you have to sacrifice it all? Just for me!? Why!" Kushina choked out as several tears fell.
"Told you, grandpa didn't have to die just for the balance of the Tailed Beasts. This was just cruel, not just on any baby but his own son!" Boruto growled out. Had it been him in that situation, he would've punched Minato in his gut the moment they had their reunion.
"Minato didn't want to. But he understood that for the world itself, his son needed to be the Nine Tails' vessel" Sumire said as Boruto turned his head to the side in anger and sadness. Anger at his grandfather and sadness for his father.
"And not to mention…Minato had faith in his son. He knew he would save the world and he was right" Sarada put a comforting hand on Boruto's shoulder as he looked at her.
Despite their squabbling, Boruto and Sarada did indeed care for one another. Boruto only sighed and nodded.
"To forsake one's nation and one's village…is exactly the same as forsaking one's own child. Your very own homeland was destroyed so you should know that Kushina" Minato somberly stated as Team Mirai jerked up, taken aback at what they had heard.
"Wait, her clan is gone?" Boruto asked in shock.
"Way back long before the three Shinobi war, the village was destroyed. It's believed that the Uzumaki was too powerful to be allow to remain alive. However a few survivors survived, and were scattered around the world" Tsubaki explained as Boruto grits his teeth.
"Just how messed up was our parent's era?" Boruto clenched his fist, with this information not helping his current mood one bit.
"A harsh life awaits those without a land to call home. Besides, our family is Shinobi!" Minato said as Boruto's eyes widened, remembering back to when Naruto told him what was important as a Shinobi was to endure.
"Well said Minato! Spoken like a true leader. You would have been a worthy successor as the next Hokage!" Kizashi said with a deep smile. While he also looked with a sad smile to see Mebuki who was tending to crying Sakura. Both men have a complete understanding for their family.
Kushina could only gaze at her husband silent as he continued to try to console her about his decision.
"And finally…even if I did live, I could never be a substitute for you by playing both roles" Minato said as Kushina's eyes widened as she realized Minato was right. Despite his goofiness at times, he was still smarter than her by a landslide.
"You won't have much time with him but there's something only you can tell Naruto. Something that I just can't. That's a mother's role. I'm not doing this just for you. I'm doing it for Naruto too. I will die my son. It's my duty…as his father and as a shinobi" Minato took Naruto from Kushina's arms as they gazed at each other before Kushina finally relented.
"You see now, Idiot Boruto…" Sarada asked as a few tears fell despite her efforts. The way Minato and Kushina loved each other….it was definitely a couple's goals.
"Yeah….Yeah" Boruto turned his head away as his eyes welled up with tears again. He was being reminded of his father's near sacrifice to protect Sakura against the Sound Village.
The arm of the Reaper stretched in the soul of Minato before extending its arm to where the Nine Tailed Fox was, marking it, causing it to shrink slightly in its appearance. While Kizashi gave Minato a little more of his chakra by transferring it to the men.
"Damn you…..Minato Namikaze! And Kizashi the Fourth Hokage!" The Nine Tails growled out as it bared its fangs, mentally vowing to make the two men pay.
"Unh….the seal!" Minato grit his teeth as pain coursed through his body as an Eight Tetregram seal appeared on his abdomen where the Reaper had gotten Minato's seal.
"It's over" Tsubaki noted while looking away as Boruto, Sumire and Sarada's hearts fell. Despite not knowing them for long in these memories, they didn't want to see Minato, Kushina or Kizashi die.
Minato then places his infant son on the cushioned seat of said altar. While opening up his son's long sleeve shirt to show the boys stomach.
" I can't stand to watch this…anymore" Boruto said while he grit his teeth.
"Same here….I didn't think I was ready for this" Sarada said in shame, slightly regretting coming into Naruto's memories. But…it was too late now….the Nine Tails growled as it bared its fangs at the Uzumaki family and Kizashi. To say he wasn't happy about its upcoming fate was justified.
Boruto's eyes widened as he saw the Tailed Beast raise its claws. "Hey girls! He's going after dad!" Boruto yelled, much to all three females disbelief.
"What!?" Sarada, Sumire and Tsubaki said in sync while being horrified.
Boruto growled as he felt his heart stop as the claw made its way toward his sleeping, infant father at a speed that seemed too fast to dodge or stop. At least that's how it was before a splash of red filled the memory.
Team Mirai's eyes widened at the image before them. Even Tsubaki was horrified to see this moment.
Boruto's covers his mouth as he fell to his knees, a look of horror on his face as tears came out of Sarada's eyes as she put her hand to her mouth. Sumire was on her knees crying really hard while using her knees to cover her face. Even Tsubaki threw up vomit after what she had just seen.
Minato, Kushina and Kizashi were impaled by the claw of the Nine Tails, the appendage piercing their chests as they were able to get the claw to be far away over the sleeping Naruto who was still unaware of the events that were transpiring. With blood falling onto Naruto's abdomen and clothes as Minato and Kushina coughed blood out of their mouths. Whereas Kizashi had died instantly. He was stabbed in the heart and remained lifeless in front of his weeping wife and child who was standing next to a tree.
"Grandpa…..Grandma…." Boruto barely steered himself to his feet as he couldn't turn away from the image, no matter how long he tried. He was immediately reminded of Naruto's near death with the Sound ninjas.
"Oh no….Mr Naruto…." Sarada blinked back tears as she thought back to Sasuke protecting her from Shin while Tsubaki could only sorrowfully stare at the sleeping Naruto followed by the dying Minato and Kushina.
"I told you…I'm his father…..dying for him…is my duty…." Minato weakly wheezed as he glared at his wife. Despite the excruciating pain she was in, Kushina managed a small smile and said, "All the same because….I'm his mother….I think this might be….the first time….I've lost an argument with you…It proves…just how serious you are about doing this…" Kushina meekly laughed.
"Ouch despite the fact they're going to die…." Tsubaki sadly said bowing her head.
"They can still joke around….." Boruto mirthlessly smiled.
"Uh huh It just goes to show… that love is everything" Sumire said while sadly smiling after wiping her face.
"And that these two they really are something….when it comes to caring about each other" Sarada said unhappily shaking her head, being reminded of Sasuke teasing Sakura for a kiss.
"So…this is really it?" Boruto frowned, asking no one in particular.
"Yes it is…..that attack pierced their hearts….even if they weren't using the Reaper Death Seal, there was still too much internal damage. Plus Lord Kizashi die while using the last of his chakra to make the claw be a few inches away from your dad" Tsubaki sighed in sadness, not liking that this was happening. It seemed like her friends were really having quite an effect on her.
"Thank you, Kushina…" Minato softly smiled before getting some of the blood on his lip before conjuring hand signs. "Summoning Jutsu!" Minato weakly said as a tall black and orange toad appeared.
"That's kind of a big toad." Boruto noted.
"It's a scroll toad which can act as a sealing scroll. Meaning, it's probably what's going to be used as the key to your dad's Seal" Sumire explained to her crush.
"The Nine Tails!? Oh no Lord Kizashi's dead! Minato not you too!? What is going on here!?" The toad exclaimed not expecting to see the Nine Tails restrained with Chakra Chains along with Minato at death's end.
"Gerotora…I'll give you the sealing formula's key. When I'm done, take it to Master Jiraiya to store it. Have Lird Third get a copy of it too" Minato said to the toad who nodded, a bit numbly still at a disbelief as to what's happened.
"U-uh…okay….just let me have the sealing key" Gerotora said before he was handed the information as it expanded its torso, revealing the scroll underneath as it was given the necessary information.
"Ok I confirm I just received the key. Alright, I'm off now!" Gerotora said before body flickering away, leaving Minato and Kushina alone with their baby with the Nine Tails nearby.
Minato smiled in thanks before turning forward to his wife who was impaled in front of him. "Ok we're safe. Kushina, I'm not gonna last much longer. I'll start the Eight Signed Seal right now. But I still want to put some of my chakra in Naruto too. We won't see him…for a long time. So let's tell him what we want to say now" Minato said, regretfully at the end as Team Mirai's hearts fell.
Finally…this was it…..This was the moment when Naruto would lose his parents forever. The start of a chain of events that would change his life forever.
"Naruto…don't be picky with your food….just eat a lot so that you grow up big and strong" Kushina began as Sarada's eyes startle to fill with tears as she realized Naruto was going to lose his mother while Boruto chuckled a little.
"Heh…he definitely did do that for you, granny…especially with grandpa Iruka handling his diet" Boruto joked although Sumire was there to note that his voice didn't have the same spark it usually had. Then again, considering the situation they were in.
"Make sure….that you bathe every day and night. And that you stay warm. Also…don't stay up too late please make sure that you get plenty of sleep" Kushina smiled warmly at her sleeping child.
"Heh, he also definitely passed those two parts…" Boruto shook his head, trying to find some light in the darkness of the current situation.
"Don't forget to make friends as well. You don't need a ton of them. Just a few is fine. Make they're ones that you can really trust…." Kushina added with a smile.
"He definitely fulfilled that for you…" Tsubaki said as she softly smiled as she turned her head towards her three friends. She trusted them withher life. They saved her from being alone and she would give her life up for them in a heartbeat.
"And…I wasn't real good at this but make sure you study hard and learn your ninjutsu. Always remember, everyone is good at something and not so good at others. So even if something doesn't go well, don't get depressed or frustrated, okay?" Kushina added.
"Y-yeah…. He definitely was great as Iruka taught him ninjutsu. Even Mr Naruto was good at taijutsu and medical jutsu. Communication was also his specialty but genjutsu not so much" Sarada bit her lip as several tears fell despite her efforts. The scene was just too heartbreaking.
"When you're at the Academy, respect your teachers and the upperclassmen" Kushina appended as Boruto laughed despite the tears in his eyes.
"Hehe he definitely learned that, grandma. He makes us all respect Auntie Sakura, his friends including the Anbu and Ninja Academy staff. Even the police force and Elderly people!" Boruto laughed as his teammates half-heartedly laughed.
"Oh, now this is the most important. Regarding the three prohibitions of the Shinobi. Be extra careful about lending and borrowing money. Take your ninja pay, put it in a savings account. No alcohol, until you're of age. Too much alcohol is bad for you health. And…another prohibition is women. I am a women so I don't know too much about it. Keep in mind that this world is made up of men and women and so at some point you'll notice girls and that's pretty normal, just be careful. Don't fall for the bad ones that are aggressive nor bold and short tempered, just go out there and find someone like your dad" Kushina closed her eyes in a pained smile.
Upon hearing this Boruto immediately remembered hearing stories of his dad protecting his mother from bullies and how that's what happened when they secretly had fallen in love with one another.
"Oh…speaking of the three prohibitions, you should be wary of Jiraiya-Sensei, ya know? He is a pervert and you better not even idolize him as he will just try to use your female friends for his novels!" Kushina weakly said in anger as Minato gave a small smile while Boruto laughed.
"Hehe you're right about that, granny. Mom said Jiraya was irresponsible, pervy and slobby and no one would ever believe he was one of the Legendary Sannin. However he was definitely a cool Shinobi with a heart of gold. Dad respects him but thankfully chose not to train under Jiraya as he idolized Itachi and grandpa Iruka" Boruto laughed as more tears fell. Even with the humor he was trying to make, it couldn't take away the tragedy of the situation.
"Naruto…there will be plenty of hardships and painful times ahead…Just be true to yourself….make sure to have a goal… a dream…and the confidence to make that dream come true" Kushina connected her previous statements as there was no humor in her tone but completely utter grief and sadness in her words.
"Y-yeah Granny….he wanted to become an Anbu since he was a kid and he reached that dream!" Boruto grit his teeth as he put his hand over his eyes as he tried to make his tears stop falling but failed. He never even met his grandparents but here he was, feeling that his heart was being ripped out and stomped on.
Sarada didn't even bother hiding her tears as she quietly sobbed for her grandfather Kizashi in Sumire's arms. Although Sumire wasn't crying like her teammates, she and Tsubaki both have a sadden expression.
"He became a noble, righteous man with a heart of gold" Sarada sobbed out as she looked on.
"Oh Naruto…there are so many things I wish I had time to pass onto you. So much more I want to tell you. I wish I could stay with you forever….I love you!" Kushina sobbed as those words were enough to make Boruto and Sarada cry even harder.
"It's…not fair….dad….should've grown up with both his parents…he didn't deserve any of this!" Boruto sobbed in the sleeve of his jacket.
"It's all because of that masked man" Sarada spat his name like dirt while she now stop crying, and ate a hot pocket as both she and Boruto were eagerly looking forward to the memory where he would get his just desserts.
"He will meet his end soon enough. As justice will be served" Tsubaki said, feeling anger by clenching her sword.
"Minato…I'm sorry, I used up all your time" Kushina apologized though she didn't stop her tears.
Although Minato felt like breaking down into tears himself, he ultimately composed himself and kept his cool.
"No….it's alright….Naruto…my advice to you…is…everything your talkative mother has said…" Minato chuckled although the team and samurai could've sworn they saw several tears leave his eye sockets.
"Eight Signed Seal…." Minato said as a bright light brightened around Naruto before the team felt the same bluish-purple fog surround them as the memory ended.
Finally finished writing this chapter. I am already writing chapter 3 at the moment. This alternate universe is completely different from the Naruto Canon series. I was also inspire by my favorite Naruto movie Road to ninja so I told a twist inspiration from it. Naruto will be like Menma in this story, but it will happen in the Part 1 and two timeline. Also I am thinking of adding Adult Naruto in the story to see his memories with the kids, however I will probably add him in the story during the start of Part 1. Oh don't worry Iruka and Hinata will make a reappearance in the story in the next chapter. Oh Kawaki and Hima will make an appearance as well in this fanfic too. And one last thing Boruto, Sumire and Sarada are trained by Mirai Sarutobi in this alternate universe.
Here are the characters birthday's in this Alternate Universe:
1. Naruto and Boruto: Virgos (September 10)
2. Hinata: remains a Capricorn I was originally going to make her a Pisces. (December 27)
3. Himawari: I think she is a Gemini in the canon timeline. So I decided to make her be born on the Capricorn sign like Hinata, gotta love that Sailor Moon twist. Her birthday will be January 2.
4. Sumire: remains as a Gemini (June 12)
5. Kawaki: remains as a Taurus (May 13)
6. Hanabi: remains a Aries (March 27)
7. Sakura and Sarada: both remain a Aries (both March 28)
8. Sasuke: remains a Leo (July 23) I was originally going to make him a Scorpio
9. Kakashi: remains a Virgo I just can't see him as a Capricorn. (September 15)
10. Itachi: made him a Pisces (February 20)
11. Kiba and Neji: both remain Cancer (July 3 for Neji and July 7 for Kiba)
12. Shino: remains Aquarius (January 24)
13. Shikamaru: remains a Virgo (September 22)
14. Choji: remains a Taurus (May 1)
15. Ino: remains a Libra (September 23)
16. Sai: remains a Sagittarius (November 25)
17. Rock Lee: remains a Sagittarius (November 27)
18. Tenten: remains a Pisces (March 9)
19. Iruka: remains a Gemini (May 26)
20. Tsubaki (shinobi): Taurus (May 20)
21. Hiruzen: remains an Aquarius (February 8)
22. Minato: remains an Aquarius (January 25)
23. Kushina: remains a Cancer (July 10)
25. Obito: remains an Aquarius (February 10)
26. Rin: remains a Scorpio (November 15)
27. Asuma: remains a Libra (October 18)
28. Kurenai: remains a Gemini (June 11)
29. Guy: remains a Capricorn (January 1)
30. Anko: remains a Scorpio (October 24)
31. Gemma: remains a Cancer (July 17)
32. Ebisu: remains a Pisces (March 8)
33. Hiashi and Hizashi: both remain a Capricorn (January 8)
34. Tsunade: remains a Leo (August 2)
35. Shizune: remains a Scorpio (November 18)
36. Jiraiya: remains a Scorpio (November 11)
37. Orochimaru: remains a Scorpio (October 27)
38. Teuchi: remains a Leo (August 10)
39. Ayame: remains a Aquarius (February 14)
40. Gaara: remains a Capricorn (January 19)
41. Temari: remains a Virgo (August 23)
42. Kankuro: remains a Taurus (May 15)
43. Karui: remains an Aquarius (February 14)
45. Darui: remains an Aquarius (January 6)
46. Inari and Konohamaru: both remains a Capricorn (December 25 for Inari and December 30 for Konohamaru)
47. Moegi: remains a Gemini (June 8)
48. Udon: remains a Aries (April 3)
49. Mirai: Libra (October 19)
50. Ryogi: Libra (October 1)
51. Mitsuki: remains a Leo (July 25)
52. Shikadai: remains a Libra (September 23)
53. Inojin: remains a Sagittarius (December 2)
54. Chocho: remains a Leo (August 8)
55. Denki: Virgo (September 7)
56. Iwabee: Leo (August 22)
57. Metal Lee: Cancer (June 21)
58. Wasabi: Sagittarius (November 28)
59. Namida: Cancer (July 20)
60. Tsubaki Kurogane (samurai): Scorpio (November 21) I was going to make her a Taurus. Until I found out that she has a picky eating habit of eating nothing but French fries.
61. Enko: Capricorn (January 5)
62. Doshu: Capricorn (January 7)
63. Tsuru: Taurus (May 8)
64. Hoki: Virgo (September 11)
65. Hako: Pisces (February 18)
66. Renga: Capricorn (January 9)