Author Note:{ Hey everyone,
First off, I hope you've all been doing well. I owe you a massive apology for being gone without any updates or explanations. Things have been... a lot. I had some personal stuff to deal with, and on top of that, my laptop was stolen. Unfortunately, that means the entire plot for my other Naruto fic, Descent into Determination, is gone. The data couldn't be recovered, and I hadn't uploaded a copy anywhere. Trust me, I'm kicking myself for that one.
For now, I won't be able to continue Descent into Determination until I can figure out how to rewrite the plot or decide what to do moving forward. In the meantime, I'll be focusing on this fic. I'm really excited to dive into it and share where this story is headed. Plus, school kept me busy for a while, but I'm in a better place to work consistently now, so I'll do my best to stay on top of updates for you all.
One last thing—after doing my research to be absolutely sure, I know for a fact that this is the very first fic that directly ties into the ending of Jujutsu Kaisen, especially one of the epilogues. If you see anyone copying this idea, please let me know. I hate people who use ideas without permission. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I appreciate all of you sticking around, and I can't wait to share what's next with this fic.
Take care. }
October 10th: The Night of The Attack
Deep underground, in a hidden chamber guarded by the finest ANBU of the Hidden Leaf, the air was thick with tension and chakra. Kushina Uzumaki lay on a specially reinforced table, her face and crimson hair slick with sweat as she fought to bring her child into the world. Beside her, Minato Namikaze—the Fourth Hokage—stood with his fists clenched, his sharp eyes darting between his wife and the steadily pulsing seal on her abdomen.
"AARGH! It hurts, ya know!" Kushina screamed, her voice echoing off the cold stone walls. The pain of childbirth was excruciating, but it was amplified tenfold by the relentless thrashing of the Nine-Tails within her, trying to break free.
Minato's heart clenched as he watched her struggle. He had faced countless enemies, but seeing his wife in such pain made him feel helpless.
"Is this really okay?"he asked, his gaze shifting nervously to Biwako Sarutobi, the wife of the Third Hokage, who was overseeing the birth alongside her assistant, Taji. Biwako's calm demeanor belied the gravity of the situation. , the Third Hokage's wife, who was overseeing
"She's fine," Biwako replied sharply, not looking up as her hands moved with practiced precision. "Just keep your focus on the seal! The last thing we need is the Nine-Tails escaping."
"But she—"
Minato!" Biwako cut him off, her tone commanding. "You're the Fourth Hokage! Most men wouldn't survive a fraction of the pain she's enduring right now. Women are much stronger!" So get a grip!"
Minato nodded, swallowing his worry. She was right. This wasn't the time to falter. His role was clear: to maintain the seal on the Nine-Tails
Kushina let out another anguished clry, clutching the edges of the table.
"The Nine-Tails… It's fighting harder… trying to get out!" she gasped, her crimson hair splayed out around her like a fiery halo.
"Hang in there, Kushina!" Minato urged, his voice steady but his expression strained. "Naruto, please hurry…"
"Push, Kushina!" Taji, Biwako's assistant, urged. "You're almost there!"
The Nine-Tails let out a deafening roar from within Kushina, its chakra flaring violently. Minato could feel the strain on the seal as the beast clawed for freedom, but he gritted his teeth, pouring his chakra into reinforcing the barrier.
"The head's out!" Biwako exclaimed. "Just a little more, Kushina! One final push!"
The Nine-Tails let out another ferocious roar, its malevolent chakra pressing against the seal. The air grew heavier, the tension almost unbearable.
"Naruto, hurry up and come out!" Minato shouted. "And you—stay in, Nine-Tails!"
With one last, desperate push, Kushina let out a scream that echoed with both pain and triumph. A new sound filled the room—a baby's cry, piercing and pure.
Minato felt his heart swell with relief and joy. "He's here…"
"Hot water, now!" Biwako commanded, her voice steady despite the tension. Taji hurried to comply, handing her the basin. After cleaning the newborn, Biwako wrapped him in a soft orange blanket and placed him gently beside Kushina.
Kushina's tired eyes filled with tears as she gazed at her son. "We finally meet… Naruto," she whispered, her voice trembling with love.
Minato wiped his eyes, a proud smile lighting up his face. "I'm a father," he said softly, almost in disbelief. But his moment of joy was short-lived
"All right, Kushina," Minato said, his voice shifting to a serious tone. "It's rough, having just given birth, but we need to suppress the Nine-Tails completely again."
Before Kushina could respond, two groans echoed through the chamber. Minato's eyes widened in alarm as he turned to see Biwako and Taji collapse to the ground, blood pooling around them. Standing behind them wasA man cloaked in black, his face obscured by a mask with a single, cold eye peering through, held Naruto in one arm. In his other hand, a kunai.
"Lady Biwako! Taji!" he called out, but there was no response.
Minato's blood ran cold. He hadn't sensed the man's presence—hadn't even heard him approach. The masked man's aura was chilling, a void that swallowed all light and warmth.
"Fourth Hokage," the man said, his voice calm and unnervingly composed. "Step away from the Jinchuriki, or this child dies."
Minato's mind raced. His son, his newborn child, was in the hands of a man who had bypassed their strongest ANBU guards without raising an alarm. Who was this man? His movements were precise, his presence undetectable—a clear sign of an elite shinobi, possibly beyond even ANBU-level. How had he infiltrated the most secure place in the village? And most importantly, how could Minato save both his family and his village?
The masked man's kunai pressed closer to Naruto's neck. "I won't repeat myself, Minato Namikaze. Step away, or you'll lose your son before he's even taken his first breath."
Minato clenched his fists, his sharp mind calculating the odds. His wife was vulnerable, the Nine-Tails' seal unstable, and his son's life hung in the balance. But his resolve didn't waver. He would not let this masked man dictate the fate of his family.
"Who are you?" Minato demanded, his voice cold as steel.
"That's irrelevant," the masked man replied, his tone laced with mockery. "What matters is that tonight, you will lose everything—your family, your village, your life."
The kunai hovered dangerously close to Naruto's neck, its gleaming edge reflecting the dim light of the underground chamber. Minato's heart pounded, his mind racing as he stared down the masked man. He forced himself to keep his composure, though every fiber of his being screamed to act.
""Whoa, calm down," Minato said, his voice measured and calm, masking the turmoil inside. "There's no need to do this." He hoped that he could de-escalate the situation, but deep down, he knew it was a slim chance. This man wasn't here to talk.
The masked man tilted his head slightly, his visible eye cold and calculating. "Speak for yourself," he said, his tone almost amused. "I'm supremely calm, Minato Namikaze."
Before Minato could respond, the masked man tossed Naruto into the air with a casual flick of his wrist. The baby's small form rose, gravity already pulling him back toward the awaiting kunai in the man's other hand, poised to strike
"Naruto!" Kushina's scream tore through the chamber, raw with fear and desperation.
Minato's mind snapped into action. Time seemed to slow as he called upon every ounce of his legendary speed. In an instant, he vanished, the sharp crack of the Body Flicker Jutsu resonating through the air, his natural speed augmenting his movements. His arms reached out, catching Naruto mere moments before the kunai could pierce the child's delicate skin.
The masked man chuckled darkly. "Leave it to the Yellow Flash," he said mockingly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But now, what will you do next?"
Minato's sharp blue eyes narrowed as he cradled Naruto. Something felt off. The way the masked man had moved, the way he had tossed Naruto—it wasn't reckless. It was calculated. Minato's eyes darted to the orange blanket Naruto was wrapped in, and his heart sank. His sharp gaze spotted them immediately: paper bombs.
"A trap," Minato realized, his mind reeling. The masked man had planned this all along.
Without wasting a second, Minato began ripping the tags from the blanket, his fingers moving with surgical precision. The faint hiss of the ignited seals was growing louder, and he knew he didn't have much time.
With a flash, Minato activated his Flying Raijin Jutsu, teleporting himself and Naruto to the closest marked location: a shed just outside the main compound. The moment they arrived, he flung the blanket away, the paper bombs still sizzling.
The explosion that followed was deafening. A fiery wave of destruction engulfed the shed, sending Minato and Naruto hurtling through the air. Minato twisted mid-flight, shielding Naruto with his body. The searing heat licked at his back, and sharp splinters of wood rained down like shrapnel.
When they hit the ground, Minato grunted in pain, feeling a sharp sting in his leg. He glanced down and saw a long wooden splinter embedded in his thigh, blood already seeping through his pants. But he ignored the pain, his focus entirely on the baby in his arms.
"Naruto…" he whispered, relief washing over him as he saw that his son was unharmed.
Before he could catch his breath, realization dawned on him. The teleportation hadn't just saved Naruto—it had separated him from Kushina.
"That bastard…" Minato said, his voice low and furious. "He forced me to use the Flying Raijin… to isolate me from Kushina."
The masked man had anticipated Minato's every move, orchestrating the situation to perfection. Minato's jaw clenched as he stood, pulling the splinter out his leg. He knew he had to act fast. The masked man wasn't done yet—this was only the beginning.
"I gotta hurry and get to Kushina." Minato then teleported to his and Kushina house.
"You'll be safe here, please be patient Naruto. I need to rescue your mother." He said while tucking Naruto in the crib already prepared for him.
Meanwhile with the masked man:
He had Kushina bound by a sealing
Kushina lay bound by the sealing jutsu, her body trembling with exhaustion. She had just endured the unimaginable pain of childbirth while suppressing the Nine-Tails' relentless thrashing inside her. Now, drained and weakened, she could do nothing as the masked man's shadow loomed over her.
Her crimson hair clung to her damp face as she glared up at him with tired but defiant eyes. "W-What do you want?" she demanded, her voice strained, her breathing shallow.
The masked man tilted his head slightly, his voice eerily calm as he replied, "I'm going to extract the Nine-Tails from you… and then crush Konoha."
Kushina's tired eyes snapped open in shock, her body tensing despite its weakness. "What?!" she gasped. "You can't!"
The masked man chuckled, his tone casual, as if they were discussing the weather. "Oh, but I can. And I shall. There is nothing you can do to stop me, Kushina Uzumaki."
He stepped closer, his single visible eye gleaming as he examined the seal on her abdomen. His fingers hovered just above it, and he let out a low, amused laugh. "I see that Minato incorporated his teleportation jutsu into the seal holding the Nine-Tails. Impressive. It seems the Fourth Hokage thinks of everything."
He paused, his voice turning mocking. "Unfortunately for you, he isn't here. That seal which holds the Nine Tails is weakened by childbirth, and Minato is far too preoccupied to save you now. Do you have any idea how long I've waited for this day?!"
Kushina's heart pounded as fear gripped her. She struggled against the bindings, but her body refused to obey her. She could only watch as the masked man turned his attention to the Nine-Tails.
The masked man's Sharingan glowed ominously, spinning rapidly as he directed its power at the beast within Kushina. The Nine-Tails growled, its massive form coiling within the seal as it tried to resist. Its malevolent chakra flared wildly, shaking the very ground beneath them.
"You will submit," the masked man said coldly.
The Nine-Tails roared in defiance, its massive tails thrashing as it fought the genjutsu. But the masked man's Sharingan was relentless. Slowly, the Nine-Tails' resistance faltered. Its movements slowed, its roars dulled, and finally, its crimson eyes reflected the spiraling tomoe of the masked man's Sharingan and proof of the Nine Tails submission.
"No…" Kushina whispered, tears streaming down her face. She could feel the Nine-Tails being subdued, its chakra seeping through the cracks in the weakened seal. Her body convulsed as the immense energy tore through her, the pain unlike anything she had ever experienced.
The masked man smirked. "Now, come forth, Nine-Tails!"
With a final roar, the Nine-Tails broke free of the seal. Its colossal chakra exploded outward, flooding the chamber in a wave of malevolent energy. The beast began to materialize, its massive body towering over the lake and the surrounding stone pillars.
The Nine-Tails roared again, shaking the earth and sky as it fully manifested. Its crimson eyes were shaped like a sharingan, now under the control of the masked man's Sharingan, gleamed with hatred and fury.
Kushina's body crumpled forward, hitting the cold stone with a dull thud. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her chakra utterly depleted. She looked up weakly, her vision blurring as the masked man's shadow loomed over her once more.
The Nine-Tails turned its attention to Kushina, its massive claws raised as if to crush her. Its rage was palpable, the years of confinement boiling over into a single, murderous intent.
"Kushina!" the masked man mocked, his tone almost gleeful, as if savoring her suffering. "Even the beast you kept imprisoned for so long despises you."
The Nine-Tails' massive claw descended, the air itself trembling with the sheer force of the blow. It was a crushing moment, one that would surely obliterate her.
But before the claw could strike, Minato appeared in a flash, his figure materializing between the beast and Kushina. He grabbed her, teleporting them high above the battlefield with the Flying Raijin Jutsu, his movements swift and decisive.
The masked man's single visible eye narrowed as he turned to face Minato. "So… you've arrived, Fourth Hokage," he said, his voice calm, almost too calm for the situation. "You really are a flash… But you're too late."
Minato didn't even spare him a glance as he focused on his wife, his heart pounding with worry and rage. He looked down at Kushina, her body weak, but her eyes still filled with the fire that he had always loved.
"…Minato…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, but still holding the strength that had carried them both through so much. "Is Naruto alright?"
Minato's gaze softened, his hand gently brushing her cheek. "Yeah, Naruto's fine. He's in a safe place."
Kushina's lips parted in relief, a weak but grateful smile tugging at her lips. "Oh… that's good…"
But despite her relief, Minato could feel the reality of their situation—the toll this had taken on her was clear. If she weren't an Uzumaki, if she hadn't been as strong as she was, she'd be dead already.
Minato's eyes hardened as he turned his gaze back to the masked man, his hands curling into fists. The rage that burned within him was something he had never felt before. This was beyond anger. This was the kind of fury that could tear the world apart. His teeth ground together, the force of his frustration pushing him to the brink.
Kushina, still aware of the weight of the situation, felt his anger radiating off him. She reached out weakly, her hand trembling as it touched his arm. "Minato…" she said softly. "You have to stop him… that man… and the Nine-Tails… they're planning to destroy Konoha…"
Minato said nothing, only looking down at her, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he was about to make a choice—one that could change everything. After a long moment, he nodded silently.
Without another word, Minato teleported them back to their home.
Minato laid Kushina gently on the bed beside Naruto's crib. Her breathing was shallow, her body trembling with exhaustion, but her eyes softened as she looked at their son. Her hand weakly reached out, brushing against Naruto's tiny fingers.
"Minato…" she whispered, her voice faint but filled with emotion. "I'm glad… we got to see him…"
Minato stood silently for a moment, his gaze lingering on her. Then, without a word, he turned his back to her, reaching for his Hokage cloak.
As he slipped it over his shoulders and secured it, his voice broke the silence, firm yet gentle. "I'll be right back," he said, his back still to her.
Kushina watched him, her heart heavy but filled with trust. She smiled faintly, her lips trembling as she whispered, "Be careful…"
Minato glanced over his shoulder one last time, his face unreadable but his resolve clear. Then, in a flash of yellow light, he was gone, leaving their home quiet and still, except for the soft breathing of Kushina and Naruto.
The Nine-Tails' Rampage:The Nine-Tails' roar reverberated through the village, shaking the very ground beneath it. Its massive tails swung like wrecking balls, obliterating buildings and sending shockwaves rippling through the streets. Fires burned uncontrollably, and the once-bustling Hidden Leaf Village was reduced to chaos and destruction.
The beast crouched low, its crimson eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. Chakra began to swirl violently in its mouth, forming a massive sphere of energy—the beginnings of a Tailed Beast Bomb. The glow intensified, and the sheer pressure of the attack pressed down on the surrounding area, forcing even the bravest shinobi to falter.
Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood amidst his men, gripping his staff tightly. "Brace yourselves!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Do not falter! Protect the village at all costs!"
As the Nine-Tails prepared to unleash the devastating attack, a massive shadow suddenly loomed over the battlefield. In a flash of yellow light, Minato Namikaze appeared above the beast, and he summoned Gamabunta, the Toad Boss, dropping it in the Nine Tails.
"Hold it down!" Minato commanded, his voice steady and resolute.
Gamabunta grunted, his massive limbs slamming down to pin the Nine-Tails. "Easier said than done, kid!" the toad bellowed, struggling to keep the beast's thrashing tails under control.
The Nine-Tails roared in fury, its crimson eyes narrowing as it focused on Minato. The Tailed Beast Bomb in its mouth continued to grow, its energy crackling with deadly intent.
Minato didn't hesitate. In a single fluid motion, he placed a Flying Raijin seal on the Nine-Tails' massive form. He vanished in a blur of yellow light, taking the beast and the fully charged Tailed Beast Bomb with him.
The battlefield fell silent for a brief moment, the oppressive weight of the Nine-Tails' chakra suddenly gone. Shinobi and civilians alike starred in stunned disbelief, their breaths caught in their throats
Far outside the village, the Nine-Tails reappeared, the Tailed Beast Bomb detonated with a deafening explosion, the resulting shockwave flattening the surrounding forest. The Nine-Tails roared in pain as it took the brunt of its own attack, its massive body crashing to the ground.
Minato reappeared a safe distance away, his Hokage cloak fluttering in the wind as he landed gracefully. He had timed his escape perfectly, avoiding the blast by mere seconds.
Minato leaned against a tree, trying to catch his breath. His breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps. The teleportation and constant use of the Flying Raijin had drained most of his chakra. The Nine-Tails, though wounded from its own Tailed Beast Bomb, began to stir, its malevolent chakra flaring once more. There wasn't much time.
With a flash of yellow light, Minato reappeared inside the forest, cradling both Kushina and Naruto in his arms. Kushina, pale and trembling, looked up at him with weary eyes. "Minato… you've done enough. You don't have the chakra left to…"
"I know," Minato cut her off gently, his expression resolute but tinged with sorrow. "But we can't let the Nine-Tails rampage any further. The village—Naruto's future—depends on us stopping it here."
Kushina's eyes flickered toward Naruto, who lay nestled in her arms, his soft cries a painful reminder of the innocence caught in this cruel storm. She felt the weight of Minato's words, but the thought of condemning their son to a life as a jinchūriki filled her heart with anguish.
The Nine-Tails roared in the distance, its massive body thrashing as it began to rise. Minato's gaze hardened, and he turned back to Kushina. "You're the only one who can hold it now, Kushina. I need your chakra chains to restrain it and form a barrier."
Kushina hesitated for a moment, then nodded weakly. Summoning the last reserves of her strength, she planted Naruto on the ground beside her, her hands forming seals. Brilliant golden chakra chains erupted from her body, snaking through the air with incredible speed. They wrapped tightly around the Nine-Tails, binding its limbs and tails before forming a glowing dome-like barrier around the beast.
The Nine-Tails howled in rage, its crimson eyes blazing as it struggled against the restraints. But Kushina's chains held firm, the barrier shimmering with an ethereal light.
Kushina slumped to her knees, her body trembling from the effort of maintaining the chains. Minato knelt beside her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him, her tired eyes filled with pain.
"Minato," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I… I don't want this. I know what it means to carry this burden. I don't want that for Naruto. I don't want him to grow up hated and feared… like I was."
Minato's hand tightened slightly on her shoulder. He understood her pain more than anyone. "Kushina," he said softly, "I don't want this for him either. But if we don't do this… there won't be a future for him—or for anyone."
Tears welled up in Kushina's eyes as she looked down at Naruto. He was so small, so fragile. The thought of placing such a heavy burden on him tore her apart. "Minato… he's just a baby…"
Minato reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His eyes, usually so calm and reassuring, were heavy with sorrow. "He is," he admitted. "But he's our son. And if there's anyone who can bear this, it's him. We have to believe in him, Kushina. We have to trust that he'll grow stronger than either of us could ever imagine."
Kushina's lips trembled, and she looked back at Naruto, her tears falling silently. "The world rides on this, doesn't it?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Minato nodded. "It does. But more than that… our son's future depends on it. We're not condemning him, Kushina. We're giving him a chance to save the world—to be the hero he was born to be. This is what Jiraiya-Sensei was talking about it.
For a moment, Kushina said nothing. Then, with a deep, shuddering breath, she nodded, her resolve hardening. She tightened her grip on the chains, fortifying the barrier as Minato began preparing for the sealing. The golden glow of her chakra chains burned brightly against the encroaching darkness, holding the raging Nine-Tails firmly in place.
Minato closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself for what was to come. When he opened them again, they were filled with unshakable resolve. His hands moved swiftly, forming the handseals needed to summon the Shinigami. The air grew cold, an unnatural chill that seemed to seep into the very bones of the earth. A ghostly wind swept through the clearing, and the spectral form of the Reaper materialized behind Minato. Its hollow eyes stared ahead, emotionless and eternal, its blade glinting faintly in the dim light.
The Nine-Tails recoiled, its crimson eyes narrowing as it growled deeply. "You dare summon that… thing," it spat, its voice laced with both fury and unease.
Minato ignored the beast, his focus entirely on the Shinigami. "Take half of the Nine-Tails' chakra into me," he commanded, his voice steady and firm.
The Reaper's hand extended toward Minato, its ghostly fingers piercing his chest without resistance. Pain shot through him, sharp and cold, but he remained still, unwavering. As the Reaper's other hand plunged into the Nine-Tails, something unexpected stirred within the beast's chakra. It was faint at first—a ripple—but it grew stronger, darker, coiling like a shadow within the Nine-Tails' immense power.
The Nine-Tails' eyes flared crimson as it let out a deafening roar, its instincts sensing its impending doom. Its massive claws thrashed violently against the barrier, the chains groaning under the strain. Then, with a burst of raw hatred, one of its claws broke free, aiming directly at the infant, Naruto, who lay crying in a basket on the ground.
Time seemed to freeze. Minato's body moved instantly, placing himself between the claw and his son. The Nine-Tails' massive claw pierced straight through his chest—and Kushina's as she threw herself forward to shield both Minato and Naruto.
Blood sprayed into the air as the force of the attack drove both of them backward, but Minato managed to stay on his feet, his body trembling from the impact. Kushina gasped, her face contorted in pain, but she remained steady, her chains surging to restrain the beast once more.
"Kushina… you didn't have to—" Minato began, his voice weak.
"I'm his mother," she interrupted, her voice trembling but firm. "I'll protect him… no matter what."
Minato's expression tightened, his resolve hardening despite the searing pain coursing through him. He turned back to the Reaper, his focus unshaken. The spectral hand continued its work, ripping half of the Nine-Tails' chakra from its massive form and dragging it toward Minato. The beast howled in fury, its body shrinking slightly as its power was siphoned away.
Minato staggered, the immense chakra settling within him. His body shook under the strain, but he continued the sealing process. Blood dripped from his wounds, pooling on the ground as he looked toward Naruto, still crying in the basket.
"Now… the rest," Minato said, his voice barely audible.
The Reaper moved again, its spectral hand plunging into the Nine-Tails once more, directing the remaining chakra into Naruto. But as the sealing neared completion, that dark presence—the shadow that had stirred within the beast's power—coiled silently into the seal alongside the Nine-Tails. It slipped through, unnoticed by all but the faintest of Minato's senses.
'What… was that?' he thought, unease forming briefly in his mind. But there was no time to question it.
The Shinigami's blade glinted faintly as the ritual reached its conclusion. With a final, chilling motion, the Reaper claimed its payment. Minato's body trembled as the Reaper's cold fingers grasped his soul, pulling it free. He collapsed to the ground, his breathing shallow, the life fading from his eyes.
Beside him, Kushina fell to her knees, the blood loss and strain finally overwhelming her. She turned her gaze to Naruto one last time, her lips trembling as she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Naruto… live… for both of us…"
With that, her body slumped, lifeless, next to Minato's.
In the silence that followed, the faint glow of the seal on Naruto's stomach shimmered, the dark presence within it settling into the depths of his soul—a silent force, waiting for its moment to awaken.