Chapter ONE
Hokage Tower - Hokage Office
Minato sat in his office after a long day of paperwork. Today was the day. Today, his beautiful wife gave birth to their first child. Thoughts and visions of the future flooded his mind. Just as he began to imagine what his child might look like, a knock at the door interrupted his reverie. "Hokage-sama, Kakashi, Itachi, and Obito are here to escort you home," came the voice from outside. "Okay, let them in." Moments later, the door opened, revealing three masked individuals in standard Konoha ANBU uniforms: Hound, Weasel, and Ferret. Minato smirked as he stood up, walking around his desk. Leaning against it, he crossed his arms over his chest. "C'mon, kids, take off those masks. Today, we celebrate the birth of my baby."
At his words, they removed their masks, revealing three young men. One had gravity-defying spiky silver hair, with a forehead protector covering his left eye and a mask over the lower half of his face. To his immediate left stood another teen with jet-black hair pulled back into a low ponytail, framed by center-parted bangs. The third had short, spiky black hair and a heavily scarred right side of his face, complemented by a custom black forehead protector covering his left eye. The teen on the left grinned. "Congratulations, Minato-sensei, on making me an uncle."
Minato chuckled at the remark as the one on the right scoffed. "I hope you mean to make me an older uncle." Leaning forward simultaneously, they both glared at each other, and the one in the middle raised a hand to block their view. "Thank you, Itachi-san," Minato said, pushing himself off his desk. "All of you can consider yourselves older brothers—clearly not uncle material after that display." Walking forward with the same smirk on his face, he placed his hand on their shoulders, and in a flash of yellow, they vanished.
Outside of Konoha - Remote Location
The group reappeared in a flash, separating as they sensed multiple chakra signatures around them. Only the best could perceive such energies—skills befitting their titles as ANBU Black Ops. Entire villages had fallen overnight to a single platoon of these elite soldiers during the Second and Third Great Shinobi Wars. As they approached the entrance of a cave, seals outlining the opening momentarily glowed before vanishing. Taking this as a sign, they traveled through a candle-lit corridor, the air thick with silence due to a genjutsu that made their surroundings feel surreal. They arrived at the chambers where his wife lay, the sounds of screams and wails echoing through the room.
Without wasting a moment, Minato rushed toward his wife, grasping her hand and interlocking their fingers. The young ANBU trio shared uneasy glances; something was off. Kakashi gestured to the duo, signing, "You two check on things outside. I'll watch over everything here." With a nod, they vanished in a swirl of leaves.
Outside the Cave
As the duo halted outside the cave, they were met with a horrifying sight: the bodies of ANBU littered the ground, pooling in a sea of crimson. Four figures stood in the clearing, their attention directed toward the two ANBU who had just arrived. Obito observed the group as they prepared for battle. The first figure was a man in his late twenties to early thirties with spiky silver hair resembling a lightning bolt. His eyes were striking electric blue, reflecting his apparent affinity for lightning.
He wore a form-fitting dark blue and black outfit with lightning motifs, designed for agility, complete with a high-collared cloak that fluttered like a storm cloud. This was Raiden, The Thunder Mirage, a former elite Kumo Jonin, listed as S-rank in the bingo book and previously in the race for Raikage. The second was a young woman in her early twenties with long, flowing black hair tied back, her icy blue eyes scanning the surroundings. She wore a dark, fitted outfit designed for stealth, accented with ice-blue highlights that shimmered faintly. This was Yuki, The Phantom Blade, an A-rank nuke-nin from Kirigakure.
The third figure was a young dark-skinned man with white hair that contrasted sharply with his dark attire, giving him an ethereal look. His deep violet eyes reflected a mischievous glint, and he wore a stylish dark ensemble with intricate patterns. This was Shiro, The Illusionist, an A-rank nuke-nin from Takigakure. Finally, a fourth man stood among them. He had a lean yet muscular build, long slicked-back black hair, and a stern expression. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, while his dark green and black outfit resembled traditional shinobi attire, adorned with subtle leaf patterns. A tanto was strapped to his back. Obito didn't recognize him, but based on hiscompany, he could easily be considered a threat.
Keeping back a half step, Obito and Itachi lowered themselves into a stance as Raiden's laughter echoed through the dense forest. "Oh, look! That blond bastard sent two children to handle us." Settling down, Raiden peered past the ANBU duo. "Handle this; me and Yuki are going ahead toward the target—" Suddenly, sensing a chakra surge, Raiden performed a quick substitution just as a log ignited in flames. "(Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu) Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Itachi began building up chakra in the Tenketsu in his throat, preparing for another round.
Raiden and Yuki vanished in a burst of speed. Obito, moving instinctively, weaved a set of hand signs, slamming his palm onto the ground. "Mokuton: Mokujōheki (Wood Style, Wood Locking Wall)!" Wooden branches instantaneously sealed off the entrance to the cave as Raiden drew back a lightning-enhanced punch, shattering the defense into pieces. Continuing his movement, Raiden enveloped himself in a shroud of lightning chakra and shot through the tunnel like a bullet before Itachi and Obito could even process what had just happened.
Turning around at breakneck speed, their vision clouded momentarily as they felt a foreign chakra invade their from the genjutsu a second too late, Raiden and Yuki were long each other again, the duo readied themselves. Weaving separate hand signs, they completed them simultaneously. Obito slammed his palm onto the ground once more. "Mokuton: Mokujōheki (Wood Style, Wood Locking Wall)!"
"(Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu) Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Wooden branches encased their opponents, creating a funnel as the fireball traveled through it, superheating the interior and seemingly hitting their targets dead-on. Experience from numerous black ops missions told the duo it was too good to be true. They moved in opposite directions, coming face-to-face with their respective opponents.
Inside the Chambers
Minutes later, the screams subsided, replaced by the sound of a newborn's cries. Feeling a burning sensation from his ANBU tattoo, Kakashi turned and placed his palm against the wall, sending a strand of chakra through it. He locked eyes with his sensei, who gave him a hardened look. Before Kakashi could move, explosions rocked the chamber as his sensei and wife vanished in a yellow flash. Dashing backward, Kakashi drew his tanto, removing his forehead protector from his eye. The sound of metal against metal echoed throughout the chamber as he deflected a set of senbon with his blade. Static electricity crackled around him, visible in flashes against the darkness of the ruined chamber. Weaving hand seals and channeling chakra into his throat, he released a burst of wind into the ground, dispersing the dust. "(Fūton: Daitoppa) Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
The dust settled, revealing Raiden with a wide, almost manic grin splitting his face, while Yuki's expression remained cold as stone. Kakashi's mind raced, calculating strategies and tactics in an instant. Suddenly, a sharp spike of chakra emanated from Raiden. Without wasting a second, Kakashi weaved a single hand seal, summoning a shadow clone beside him. The clone mirrored his movements, and in unison, they both began forming hand seals, gathering chakra in their tenketsu, ready to unleash their respective techniques. Raiden, however, dashed forward with blinding speed. His body crackled with lightning armor, and he cocked his arm back for a devastating lariat. Kakashi's clone slammed its hand into the ground, causing jagged earth spikes to erupt throughout the chamber. Undeterred, Raiden tore through the defenses, decapitating the clone with a single, ruthless strike.
At the same time, Yuki finished weaving her own hand seals. "(Hyōton: Hyōrō no Jutsu) Ice Style: Ice Prison!" she called out. A glacial structure materialized around where Kakashi once stood, encasing nothing but empty air. Her eyes narrowed, scanning the shattered battlefield for any sign of him. Suddenly, she felt the sharp flare of killing intent from behind her. Kakashi shot up from the ground, his blade poised to strike. But before he could land the blow, a searing pain exploded through his body. Raiden's fist was buried deep in Kakashi's chest, and with a brutal punch, he sent him crashing into the chamber wall. Kakashi coughed up blood upon impact, the taste of iron heavy on his tongue.
His lone Sharingan spun wildly as he staggered to his feet, trying to steady his breath. "Who sent you?" Kakashi demanded, wiping blood from his mouth. Raiden's grin widened as he let out a booming laugh. "Where's the fun in telling you that, little boy? Let's keep this entertaining until that pathetic Hokage of yours shows up." His gaze sharpened as he continued, "You're Kakashi, right? From Minato's team? Maybe I'll send your head to him as a gift."
Just then, a sudden shift in the air made Raiden's grin falter. He felt something connect with his skull—a Rasengan. Minato, the Fourth Hokage, descended from above, the grinding sound of chakra tearing flesh and bone filling the chamber. Raiden was sent hurtling into the ground with a heavy thud. Kakashi looked up at his Hokage, and a chilling sensation gripped him. The look on Minato's face—a cold, unrelenting resolve—was one he hadn't seen since the war, a face many didn't survive seeing. "Kakashi, take care of the Ice user. I'll handle him," Minato ordered, his voice like steel. Lightning exploded from Raiden's body as he shot back to his feet, wild and frenzied. Minato felt for his seal on Raiden, but for a brief moment, the connection was... gone. Something that had never happened before.
Raiden weaved through hand seals with lightning speed. "(Raiton: Ikazuchi Ryū) Style: Thunder Dragon!" he roared. A massive dragon made of crackling lightning chakra surged toward Minato, but the Hokage vanished in a blur of speed. Raiden barely had time to react as the sound of the Rasengan reverberated through the chamber again, tearing into him with renewed force. Minato appeared in a yellow flash, the kunai he'd marked Raiden with allowing him to close the distance instantly. He slammed a heel kick into Raiden's temple, the impact rattling the rogue ninja's brain. Raiden crumpled to the ground in a heap, and Minato stood over him with a disappointed expression. "You're out of your depth, Raiden," Minato said, his voice low and dangerous. "You've only grown weaker since the war."
Itachi vs. Shiro – The Genjutsu Battle:
Genjutsu is an art few truly master, and even fewer survive witnessing. It requires precision—flooding the chakra system of an alert enemy is a near-impossible task, one that costs immense chakra and demands flawless execution. Crafting illusions, after all, is not just about chakra but imagination, observation, and perfect recall. In the heat of combat, the smallest detail can ruin a Genjutsu—a wrong texture, an incorrect smell, even the temperature of the air can break the illusion. And yet, when two masters of Genjutsu clash, it becomes a battle not of brawn, but of wit and will. Itachi and Shiro were locked in such a contest. Foreign chakra clashed as it invaded and withdrew from each other's tenketsu, each illusion crafted and dispelled in an instant. But even that single instant could mean the difference between life and death—a second to land a strike, to deepen a wound, to turn the tide.
Illusion after illusion layered itself upon their battle, each crafted to perfection, leaving no room for error. For the first time in his life, Itachi felt his attention fully consumed by an opponent. So focused on the exchange, he failed to notice the subtle build-up of chakra until it was too late. "(Kasumi Jūsha no Jutsu - Mist Servant Technique)" Shiro called, as shadowy clones flickered into existence around him,all weaving different hand seals. Itachi's Sharingan flared, trying to track each movement, but before he could comprehend the pattern, a wave of overwhelming chakra invaded his mind.
Itachi stood frozen at the entrance to the Uchiha clan district. His hands were covered in blood. Around him lay the bodies of his fellow clansmen, their lifeless eyes staring up at him in silent judgment. Panic surged through his chest as he frantically sent chakra through his body, trying to dispel the illusion.
But nothing happened.
A familiar voice called out, "What have you done, Itachi?" He turned to see Shisui, his best friend, sword drawn and eyes blazing with fury. "I-I don't understand... What's happening?" Itachi stammered his mind in a daze. Shisui lunged forward, but Itachi's body moved on instinct. His blade pierced through Shisui's chest, impaling his friend. Itachi stood there, horrified, as tears welled in his eyes. The Sharingan in his eyes spun wildly and in that moment of intense emotion, his eyes transformed into something new—something darker. As his tenketsu exploded with chakra, the world around him shattered like glass. Reality snapped back into place, but Itachi found himself gasping for breath. Pain radiated from his chest. He looked down to see Shiro's tanto embedded in him, the cold metal cutting deep. Shiro looked equally bewildered, staring at Itachi's transformed eyes. But before either of them could react, Shiro's world twisted. He blinked, and suddenly, he was standing beneath a blood-red moon.
He couldn't move.
His arms were pinned to a cross, and his body was riddled with wounds. Shiro's fuinjutsu, designed to counter Genjutsu, was useless here. He looked around in panic as hundreds of Itachis emerged from the shadows, each holding a kunai. They advanced on him, and with synchronized precision, they began stabbing him over and over again. Agonizing screams filled the air as time stretched on for what felt like an eternity. After what seemed like hours, they finally stopped. Shiro's breath came in ragged gasps, his body shredded and broken.
And then, Itachi spoke.
"Only 71 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds remain."
Obito vs The Root Blade
The once serene forest had become a battlefield. Leaves and shattered branches filled the air, evidence of the fierce struggle. Obito stood amidst the chaos, chest heaving. His opponent was a blur, fast and precise—slipping through the gaps in Obito's destructive jutsu with deadly grace. Whoever had hired this swordsman knew exactly how to exploit Obito's techniques, a clear warning. But Obito had survived the Third Shinobi War—he was no stranger to deadly opponents, and he had a few tricks left, even ones Kakashi didn't know.
With a deep breath, he slammed his palms into the earth. "(Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kōtan!) Wood Style, Deep Forest Emergence!"
Massive trees exploded from the ground, rushing the swordsman from all directions. The forest surged to life—wooden tendrils twisting and coiling, turning the battleground into an unrelenting assault. There was no escape... or so it seemed. In a heartbeat, the swordsman vaulted into the air, his blade coated in razor-sharp wind chakra. He sliced through the trees like a serpent, cutting clean paths through branches that would have impaled any lesser foe. His movements were fluid, unstoppable—dodging, cutting, flipping through the assault like a demon dancing in a storm. Obito's expression remained impassive atop the rising wood, even as his opponent closed in. The swordsman spun his blade, a seal array glowing along its length. But it was too late. Obito's single eye focused, revealing the pinwheel of his Mangekyō Sharingan. Time twisted. Before the swordsman could react, the battlefield vanished. The world around him warped, and in the blink of an eye, he was no longer there.
Kakashi vs Yuki – Ruined Chambers
Electricity crackled down the length of Kakashi's tanto as he charged forward, weaving through a storm of senbon. Blade met blade as sparks ignited in the narrow chamber, the air thick with tension. Kakashi's Sharingan tracked every movement, but Yuki matched him blow for blow. Neither gave ground. Kakashi kept his breathing even, lightning crackling around him, but he could feel the temperature plummeting. Yuki's icy nature was slowly overtaking the battlefield. She was waiting, biding her time, but Kakashi wasn't one to give opportunities. His Lightning Dragon surged forward, tearing into the ceiling with a thunderous crash. As debris rained down, Yuki leapt onto the chamber walls, her movements unnaturally fluid as she backpedaled. For a moment, her eyes locked onto Minato, who stood just beyond the chamber. His gaze cut through her like a blade, and in that brief second of distraction, Kakashi drew blood, forcing her out of the chamber and into the forest clearing above.
"(Kirigakure no Jutsu!) Hidden Mist Jutsu" Yuki's voice was barely a whisper as mist flooded the clearing, thick and oppressive. Kakashi's Sharingan glowed, but it wasn't enough. A kunai sliced across his arm. He gritted his teeth as senbon pierced his leg, blood soaking into the forest floor.
Silent Killing.
His breaths came shallow, his pulse quickening. The mist pressed in, suffocating as if the very air had turned against him.
And then, the silence shattered.
" (Hyōton: Makyō Hyōshō) Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals "
Mirrors of ice materialized around him, encasing him in a deadly trap. Yuki's reflection stared at him from every angle. "It's over," she whispered. Senbon rained down, aiming for every vital point. Kakashi's hands blurred, weaving hand seals faster than he ever had before. "(Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu) Earth Release: Underground Submarine Voyage" He vanished into the earth just as the needles pierced where he stood. Yuki watched the ground, ready for his counterattack,but after several moments... nothing. Her breath quickened. Something was her mirrors, Yuki stepped out cautiously, senbon in hand. But Kakashi struck like a shadow, erupting from the ground behind her. His blade was at her throat. She spun, flicking a senbon with deadly precision. A triumphant smile touched her lips... until Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke.
A clone.
Her eyes widened in horror as the sound of chirping birds echoed through the clearing. "Raikiri!" Kakashi's lightning-clad hand pierced her chest, the shock lighting up the night. Yuki's body seized, her eyes wide with pain and disbelief. As her life slipped away, memories of Rin flashed through Kakashi's a single, sharp jerk, he pulled his hand free. Yuki's lifeless body collapsed at his feet, but Kakashi barely had a moment to breathe. The ground trembled, a roar shaking the forest to its core. Kakashi turned to see the Nine-Tails looming on the horizon, towering over the village.
With Minato moments earlier
Minato's gaze followed the collapse of Raiden, his enemy defeated. Yet something felt wrong. His gut tightened as he sensed the presence of Kakashi's battle from afar. He wasn't pleased. Not at all. These rogue shinobi were skilled, far more so than they should have been. It was almost as if... "There it is," Raiden coughed from the ground, blood trickling down his face. "You finally understand." Minato's heart sank. The earth rumbled beneath his feet, and a scream from the outskirts of the village tore through the air. He spun, dread filling his chest as Raiden grinned, his hand slamming down on a summoning scroll.
"KAI!"
In a burst of chakra, Raiden vanished. Minato flashed in an instant, appearing at the site of Naruto's birth. His blood ran cold. Kushina lay on the ground, bloodied and barely conscious. Beside her, the body of the Third Hokage's wife lay still, her lifeless eyes staring into the sky. Minato's breath hitched.
"Kushina!" He rushed to her side, hands trembling. She reached out weakly, blood staining her fingertips as they brushed against his cheek. She whispered something into his ear, too faint for anyone else to hear. Tears slid down Minato's face. He nodded, his resolve hardening. In an instant, he created a shadow clone, sending it away with Kushina before gently lifting his newborn son into his arms. In a heartbeat, he appeared atop the Hokage Monument. Below, the Nine-Tails roared, towering over the village, but Minato's eyes were already focused elsewhere.
He flashed again, reappearing beside two figures. One was a tall, blonde woman with fierce eyes and a custom ANBU uniform. The other was a pale-skinned man with serpentine eyes, his dark hair cascading down his shoulders. "Tsunade. Orochimaru." Both turned to face him, their eyes hard as the Kyuubi's roars shook the village. "Minato!" Tsunade's voice was sharp. "What the hell is going on?" "Naruto's birth was attacked. Kushina is injured... and the Nine-Tails has been released. We don't have much time." Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. "What's the plan?" Minato took a deep breath, his expression grim. "Kushina will seal the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. The rest... inside her." Shock rippled through the Sannin, but they said nothing. Tsunade cradled Naruto gently as Minato gave his final orders.
"Guard the site. I'll finish this."
Nodding solemnly, Tsunade and Orochimaru disappeared into the night as Minato flashed once more, landing atop the Kyuubi's head. His Rasengan formed instantly, slamming into the beast's skull with a resounding crash.
That was the last time Konoha's civilians saw the Nine-Tails.
Kushina Uzumaki sacrificed, sealing the demon within her son.
Many never questioned where the beast had gone, content that with the Fourth Hokage and the Sannin, they were safe.
How wrong they were.
Chapter ONE end
Thank you for reading my first-ever fanfic, I've had the idea for this in the back of my head for some time now but I finally decided to put it into action spending two days storyboarding. I have a lot planned for this fic so I hope you all stick around for what I have in store! Thank you for the read!