Minato
Namikaze Minato wasn't just called the strongest Hokage—he truly was. In this world, his unmatched power changed everything. (Or: Minato ruins everything).
Prologue
Konoha basked in the cool October night, its streets quiet but not deserted. A few patrols belonging to the Konoha Military Police Force passed through, their stoic eyes ensuring order in the streets. From his post, a dog-masked ANBU agent watched the full moon rise over the Hokage monument, its light glinting off the freshly carved visage of the Fourth.
Meanwhile, on the floor below the Hokage's office, two Jonins pored over mission reports, their low voices punctuated by the scratch of pen on paper. Despite the late hour, work continued.
The ash-blonde-haired Jonin suddenly paused, setting down his pen. He rose from his seat and formed a hand seal, closing his eyes in concentration. His chakra spread out in a subtle wave, probing the surrounding area.
After a moment, he relaxed, a smile forming on his face. "All clear," he murmured, more to himself than his companion.
His dark-haired colleague raised an eyebrow.
He chuckled at the reaction, stretching his arms above his head. "Just being cautious, Shikaku. You know how it is." He lowered his voice slightly as he changed the topic. "Minato's kid is about to be born any day now. That's about to be seven clan heirs born this year, right?"
Shikaku's expression softened in understanding. "Ah, right. It's just like our generation, Inoichi. Pretty sure our class was filled with clan kids too."
"Just to be clear, none of them will be getting my Ino-chan. Not even your boy, Shikaku," Inoichi retorted, a hint of protectiveness in his voice.
Shikaku snorted, setting down his pen as he scratched the scar on his right cheek. Only Inoichi would be worrying about the love life of his 17-day-old daughter.
"If our children are anything like us, I'm sure Shikamaru would find your daughter troublesome," he replied as he arranged the pile of paperwork on his desk. "Besides, my son's probably going to be too lazy to chase after girls."
The two lifelong friends shared a laugh.
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. A chunin entered, looking slightly frazzled.
"Nara-sama, we've just received an urgent request from the Cryptanalysis Team. They need your help on a coded message from our border outpost."
Shikaku let out a long-suffering sigh. "At this hour? What a drag." He pinched the bridge of his nose, then waved a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. Tell them I'll be there in ten minutes."
The chunin bowed slightly and left, closing the door behind him.
Shikaku slumped in his chair. "I'm starting to regret offering to cover the night shift. It's too much work."
Inoichi chuckled, patting his friend's shoulder. "Look on the bright side, at least you're not changing diapers yet."
"Don't remind me," Shikaku groaned, reluctantly rising from his seat. The reason he accepted a night shift was so that he could escape changing his son's diapers. He found that more of a drag than paperwork.
That wasn't to say Shikaku didn't love his son. He was waiting for the kid to turn two. He'd be more bearable to deal with then.
"Before you go, what do you think the kid's hair color would be?"
Shikaku glanced sideways at Inoichi. "Minato's kid? Why would you be interested in that?"
Boredom was the obvious answer.
"Can you imagine Kushina's reaction if the kid came out looking like Minato's mini-me?" Inoichi asked, chuckling. "I can see it now - 'Minato, you better not have used some secret jutsu to make sure he's blonde, dattebane!'" His impression of Kushina's voice was surprisingly accurate.
Shikaku palmed his face. He could have gone without the verbal tick. "Damn it, Inoichi."
"I bet the kid would be a redhead," Inoichi ignored his friend's exasperation."Wanna put money on it? A lot of people are in on this."
Shikaku raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Tsume, Chouza, and even Hiashi."
The Nara clan head let out his nth sigh of the day. This was the kind of stupid conversation that usually came out of bureaucratic boredom. Still...
"What's the spread?" Shikaku asked.
Inoichi's grin widened. "Tsume and Hiashi are betting blonde. Chouza thinks it'll be red... because he's also a redhead."
Shikaku snorted. He pondered for a moment. Tsume's luck was notoriously bad, but Chouza's intuition was usually spot-on. He glanced at Inoichi's expectant face, then made a decision.
"5000 ryo on blonde," he finally drawled.
Inoichi's jaw dropped. "What? But I thought—"
"You thought wrong," Shikaku smirked. "Actually, put my bet on red. Consider it an investment in your daughter's future therapy fund. She'll need it with you as her father."
The blonde whistled, recovering quickly. "Damn, that's cold. Alright, I'll take that bet and raise you another 5000 that the kid inherits Kushina's personality."
Shikaku winced. "Now that's just cruel. Poor Minato..." He glanced at the clock and groaned. "I should get going. The Cryptanalysis Team is waiting."
As he stood, Shikaku added, "By the way, next time you try to manipulate me into losing a bet, remember who taught you how to bluff."
Inoichi's laughter followed him out the door.
"WAAHHHHHH! IT HUUUUUUUUUURTS!"
Miles away from the village center, deep within a secluded cave embedded with seals and barriers, Uzumaki Kushina screamed in agony after another contraction. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she focused on her breathing, her vibrant red hair clinging to her face.
"Will Kushina really be okay? I've never seen her cry out in pain like this before," Minato's eyes were filled with concern. He stood at his wife's side, one hand firmly grasping hers, the other hovering over her swollen belly, monitoring the seal.
The Sandaime's wife, Sarutobi Biwako, sternly glared at the blonde from her position at the foot of the birthing bed. "Of course! Just keep an eye on the Kyuubi's seal!"
"But... This is..."
Biwako held firm despite Minato's protests. "You're the Yondaime, the strongest in the land— act like it! Kushina will be fine. This much pain would kill a man, but women are strong!"
Minato sheepishly smiled before focusing on his role for the night. He placed his now-free hand on Kushina's seal, channeling his chakra to reinforce it. The complex pattern glowed briefly under his touch.
The Sarutobi matriarch shook her head in mild amusement. Her husband reacted almost the same way when she gave birth to their firstborn.
"Continue what you're doing, Yondaime-sama," she instructed, her experienced eyes flicking between Kushina's face and her abdomen. "But remember, it weakens with each contraction. Stay focused, both of you."
Kushina nodded, then winced as another wave of pain washed over her. "Minato," she gasped, "the fox—it's fighting harder."
Minato's expression hardened. He could tell as much. But Kushina was strong; he could feel the beast struggling.
"I've got it, Kushina," he assured her, his voice calm despite the tension in his shoulders. "You focus on bringing Naruto into the world. I'll handle the Kyuubi."
Kushina managed a weak smile. "You better, 'ttebane. Or I'll—" Her words cut off in a groan as another contraction hit.
"Less talking, more pushing," Biwako instructed firmly.
Kushina's grip on the customized bed's side handles tightened as she pushed, her face contorting with effort. The cave echoed with her strained breaths and occasional grunts of pain.
"I see the head," Biwako announced, her tone professional but tinged with excitement. "One more big push, Kushina."
"You can do it, Kushina-san!" Biwako's disciple— an ANBU named Taji— cheered her on.
"Come out, Naruto!" Minato pleaded as he continued channeling his chakra to Kushina's seal. "And don't mess this up, Kyuubi!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Kushina howled out one last time.
A moment later, a new sound filled the cave—the strong, healthy cry of a newborn.
"It's a healthy baby boy," Biwako declared, quickly wrapping the infant in a clean blanket. "And what a set of lungs he has! Taji, get some hot water!"
Minato's breath caught in his throat. Time seemed to slow as he gazed upon his son for the first time. Blonde hair, just like his. Blue eyes, just like his. A strong cry announcing his arrival in this world... just like his wife's, he'd like to imagine.
I...I'm a father now. The realization finally sunk in, and almost immediately, tears streamed down his face.
"Minato," Kushina's tired voice brought him back to the present.
Minato moved to his wife's side, wiping his tears. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You did it, Kushina. He's perfect."
While the couple shared a moment, Biwako approached them, the newborn resting in her arms.
"Can I hold him?" Minato asked, hands preparing to receive his son.
Biwako glared at him. "Don't touch him," she chided. "The mother first."
"Would you like to hold him?" she asked the redhead.
Kushina's arms trembled as she held Naruto for the first time, her violet eyes drinking in every detail of his tiny face.
"Hello, Naruto," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I finally get to see you."
Minato wrapped an arm around them both. His family was finally complete.
"Kushina," Minato said, his voice taking on the edge of the Hokage. "I know you're worn out from giving birth, but you need to exert full control over the Kyuubi now."
Kushina nodded, steeling herself for the task ahead. Meanwhile, Biwako took Naruto, moving to clean him as Taji prepared fresh water.
But the moment of peace was fleeting.
A flicker of movement. A flash of steel.
The sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground broke the peace.
Minato whirled, his heart freezing in his chest. Biwako and Taji lay motionless, their eyes staring blankly at the cave ceiling. And there, standing over them, was a figure cloaked in black, face hidden behind an ominous orange mask.
In his arms, Naruto wailed.
"Step away from the Jinchuriki, Yondaime Hokage," the masked man's voice was cold, emotionless. A kunai glinted in his hand, hovering dangerously close to the newborn. "Or your legacy ends here."
End of Prologue
A/N: You're fucked, Obito.