Naruto walked through the deserted streets of Konoha, his thoughts heavy. The street was eerily quiet, with only the occasional rustling of leaves breaking the silence. His mind was a chaotic storm, thoughts of his father, Minato, and the growing unrest within him swirling like a tempest.
As he rounded a corner, the atmosphere shifted. The air became charged with an ominous energy, and Naruto felt a familiar presence. He came to a halt, his eyes narrowing as he saw a figure standing in the middle of the street, waiting for him.
"Sasuke…" Naruto muttered under his breath.
Sasuke Uchiha stood before him, his expression cold and determined. The moonlight reflected off his sword as he held it at his side, his Sharingan eyes glowing ominously.
"Naruto," Sasuke's voice was low, filled with barely restrained fury. "I won't let you walk away this time. You have to pay for what you did to Shisui."
Naruto took a deep breath, his heart sinking. He knew this confrontation was inevitable, but he had hoped it wouldn't come to this. "Sasuke, please… I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Shisui was a friend—"
"Don't you dare say his name!" Sasuke interrupted, his voice sharp as a blade. He raised his sword, pointing it at Naruto. "You don't get to talk about him. You killed him, and now you're going to pay with your life."
Naruto clenched his fists, trying to control the emotions bubbling within him. "Sasuke, I'm not going to fight you. I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't have a choice!" Sasuke charged forward, his sword gleaming as he aimed it at Naruto's heart.
Naruto's reflexes kicked in, and he leapt back, narrowly avoiding the strike. Sasuke was relentless, swinging his blade with precision and ferocity. Naruto ducked and weaved, using his Sage Mode to anticipate Sasuke's movements, but the Uchiha was faster and more ruthless than ever.
With a sudden burst of speed, Sasuke thrust his sword towards Naruto's chest, but Naruto caught the blade between his palms. He twisted his body, sending a powerful kick into Sasuke's midsection. Sasuke staggered back, but his eyes never left Naruto, burning with hatred.
"Why won't you fight me?!" Sasuke shouted, his frustration mounting. "Are you just going to run away like a coward?"
Naruto shook his head, his voice calm yet filled with sorrow. "I'm not running away, Sasuke. I'm trying to save you… to save us."
Sasuke snarled, his Mangekyo Sharingan spinning into focus. "Save me? You're the one who's lost! You killed the one person who showed me how to find my way, and now you'll pay with your life!"
With that, Sasuke's hand crackled with lightning as he formed a Chidori. The sound of chirping birds filled the air as he lunged at Naruto, intent on ending their battle once and for all.
Naruto's eyes widened, and he quickly formed a Rasengan in his palm. The two jutsu collided with a deafening explosion, sending both shinobi flying backward. Naruto rolled to a stop, his ears ringing from the impact.
As he pushed himself to his feet, he saw Sasuke standing across from him, his eyes now bleeding with power.
[Amaterasu]
Sasuke gritted his teeth, his gaze locked onto Naruto as he activated Amaterasu, the black flames igniting in Naruto's direction.
Naruto's reaction was delayed, and he barely had time to register the flames before Kurama took control. A massive chakra arm shot out, shielding Naruto from the deadly flames. The black fire licked at the chakra construct, but Kurama's power held strong, protecting Naruto from being consumed.
"Thanks, Kurama…" Naruto breathed, feeling the fox's presence at the back of his mind.
"You owe me one, kid,"Kurama rumbled in reply.
Sasuke's frustration only grew as he watched his attack be neutralized. He growled in anger, forming hand seals with rapid precision before unleashing a massive fireball. The fiery orb roared toward Naruto, who quickly leapt to the side, evading the inferno. The ground where he had stood exploded in flames, casting an eerie glow on the battlefield.
Naruto landed and prepared to react to Sasuke's next move, but before he could do anything, his eyes widened in shock. A deep, gut-wrenching feeling washed over him, causing him to falter. It was as if his very soul had been torn apart, and a single thought screamed in his mind—Yugito.
Her message for him and Yagura had reached him.
The connection between them, fragile as it was, had been severed. The realization hit him like a physical blow, and Naruto felt his heart shatter. He could no longer sense Matatabi's chakra within her. His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he was lost in the overwhelming grief of her loss.
Sasuke took advantage of Naruto's distraction, forming a Chidori Lance and thrusting it into Naruto's chest. The lightning blade pierced through his flesh, and Naruto gasped in pain, collapsing to his knees. Blood trickled from the wound, but his mind was elsewhere, drowning in sorrow and anger.
"Yugito…" Naruto whispered, barely able to focus on anything else.
"Snap out of it, Naruto!"Kurama roared within him. "She's gone, and there's nothing you can do about it now. But you can still avenge her!"
Naruto's grief quickly morphed into rage, and he felt Kurama's chakra surge through him. The fox's power flooded his body, and Naruto's eyes glowed with a fierce, red intensity. His wounds began to heal, and a fiery aura of Kurama's chakra enveloped him.
Sasuke stepped back, surprised by the sudden shift in Naruto's demeanor. Before he could react, Naruto grabbed him with a chakra arm, lifting him off the ground and slamming him into a nearby wall with tremendous force. The impact left a crater in the stone, and Sasuke struggled to breathe as the wind was knocked out of him.
"I don't want to lose anyone else, Sasuke!" Naruto's voice was laced with desperation and fury. "Especially not by my own hand. Please, just stop!"
Sasuke, though battered and bruised, could see the pain in Naruto's eyes. For a brief moment, he hesitated. Despite his anger and thirst for revenge, something in Naruto's expression made him pause.
When Naruto released him, Sasuke didn't attack again. He stood there, breathing heavily, his Sharingan still active but his mind conflicted. The hatred that drove him was now met with a force just as strong—Naruto's unyielding will to protect those he cared about, even at his own expense. He remained motionless, his chest heaving as he watched his former teammate stand before him.
Naruto's mind, however, was elsewhere. He closed his eyes and entered Sage Mode, desperately scanning the area for any sign of Yugito's chakra. But there was nothing. She was gone. Completely, utterly gone.
A tear rolled down Naruto's cheek as he clenched his fists in anger. The loss was unbearable, but the rage that followed was even worse. It burned inside him, consuming him from within.
With a heavy heart, Naruto turned away from Sasuke, his mind set on one thing—finding Minato Namikaze. The man who was not only his father but the one responsible for Yugito's death. His blood boiled with the need for revenge, and he wouldn't stop until he confronted the Fourth Hokage.
The air was tense as Sakura and Hinata moved quickly through the streets of Konoha, the soft coos of baby Hakari their only company. The infant, unaware of the chaos surrounding them, rested peacefully in Hinata's arms. His little fists clenched and unclenched in his sleep, a stark contrast to the turmoil in the hearts of the two kunoichi.
As they approached the meeting hall, Sakura stole a glance at Hinata. The usually calm and composed Hyuuga looked anything but. Her eyes, though determined, betrayed a deep worry that Sakura could easily relate to. Yugito, Naruto, and Minato were all somewhere out there, possibly locked in a deadly confrontation. The thought of it made Sakura's stomach twist with anxiety.
The sound of hurried footsteps broke her from her thoughts as they reached the doors of the meeting hall. The large, imposing wooden doors creaked open to reveal Lady Tsunade, her eyes widening in shock at the sight before her.
"Sakura? Hinata?" Tsunade's voice was laced with concern as she took in their disheveled appearance and the small bundle in Hinata's arms. "What in the world happened? And why are you carrying a baby?"
Sakura stepped forward, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. "Lady Tsunade, we encountered resistance from some of Danzo's men. He attempted a coup, planning to backstab Lord Hokage while Minato was targeting the other Kages."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she processed the information, her mind flashing back to the summit where Minato had tried to gas them. The pieces began to fall into place. "So, Danzo saw an opportunity to take advantage of Minato's distraction?"
Hinata nodded, her grip tightening on Hakari. "Yes, Lady Tsunade. We were able to thwart Danzo's coup attempt, but it seems Lord Hokage is still engaged with Yugito."
At the mention of Yugito, Tsunade's brows furrowed. "Yugito? As in the Two-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Sakura replied. "We last saw her preparing to engage Lord fourth."
Hinata stepped forward. "Lady Tsunade, do you happen to know where Naruto is?"
"Naruto went after Minato," Tsunade said softly, her eyes clouded with worry. "He was determined to stop him, but…" She trailed off, the rest of her thoughts unsaid but understood by everyone present.
Hinata's heart sank at the thought of Naruto and Minato clashing. "Then I have to go to him," she declared, her voice stronger than it had been moments ago. She gently handed the baby over to Sakura and Tsunade, her gaze softening as she looked down at Hakari.
"Lady Tsunade, this child is Hakari, the son of Yugito Nii and Killer Bee. Minato kidnapped him from Yugito, likely planning to raise him as a potential Jinchuriki for Konoha." Hinata's voice wavered slightly as she spoke, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "He was hiding him in Konoha's scientific research facility."
Tsunade's expression darkened with resentment at Hinata's words. The idea that Minato would stoop so low as to steal a child, using it as a pawn in his plans, made her blood boil. "That bastard…" she muttered under her breath, her fists clenching. The anger in her voice was unmistakable, and for a brief moment, Tsunade's eyes reflected the kind of fury she had once reserved for the enemies of Konoha.
Sakura, who had been silently processing everything, finally spoke up. "Hinata, please be careful. We don't know what kind of state Naruto is in, or what Minato might do if he's cornered."
Hinata nodded, her resolve steeled. "I will. But I can't just sit here and do nothing. Naruto and Yugito are out there, fighting for their lives—and for this child. I won't let Minato get away with this."
Tsunade's gaze softened as she looked at Hinata. "Go, Hinata. Find Naruto and Yugito. But be careful. Minato… he's not the same person we once knew."
"I understand," Hinata replied, her voice filled with determination. She took one last look at Hakari, who was now nestled safely in Sakura's arms, before turning on her heel and heading toward the exit.
As she left, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on her shoulders. The thought of what she might find out there—whether it be Naruto, injured or worse, or Yugito, fighting a battle she might not win—filled her with dread. But there was no time for fear. Not now.
Hinata was determined to protect her loved ones, no matter the cost.
As the door closed behind her, Tsunade and Sakura were left alone in the room with Hakari. The baby let out a small, contented sigh, oblivious to the world of danger he had been born into.
Tsunade looked down at the child, her heart heavy with emotions. "Sakura," she said softly, "we need to make sure this child is kept safe. She may be a rogue, but we owe that much to Yugito…I'd do the same if I were her."
Sakura nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of the burden they now shared. "We will protect this child, Sakura. And we will bring Minato to justice for what he's done."
As they turned their attention back to Hakari, the future seemed uncertain and fraught with danger. But amidst the uncertainty, there was one thing they were both certain of—they would fight to protect what mattered most, even if it meant standing against their own Hokage.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Konoha as Naruto sprinted through the street, his heart pounding in his chest. Each step brought him closer to the chakra signature he had been tracking for hours—the unmistakable presence of his father, Minato Namikaze. The memory of Yugito and Bee spurred him forward, their faces etched into his mind, a constant reminder of why he was doing this. Minato had to pay for what he had done, for the choices he had made that had led them all to this point.
As Naruto ran, Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind, deep and resonant."You're almost there, Naruto. You've achieved nearly everything you set out to do. Now, all that's left is to face the man who created the conditions that put you in this situation in the first place."There was a pause, a brief silence that seemed to stretch on forever before Kurama asked the question that had been gnawing at Naruto's soul."Are you ready to face your father?"
Naruto hesitated, his breath catching in his throat as he pushed himself harder. The truth was, he wasn't sure. He had always envisioned this moment, but now that it was here, he felt a pang of uncertainty. "I am," Naruto finally replied, his voice laced with resolve, though the doubt lingered just beneath the surface.
The landscape began to change as Naruto neared his destination, the air becoming thick with tension. And then, in the distance, he saw him—a lone figure standing in the middle of the street, bathed in the fading light of the day. Naruto's heart skipped a beat as he slowed his pace, his footsteps crunching against the gravel beneath him. This was it. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
Naruto reached for Yagura in their shared mind plane, instructing him to deal with approaching Konoha shinobi while he faced his father.
"Dad!" Naruto called out, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
Minato turned to face him, his expression unreadable. He sighed, his voice calm and measured as always. "Naruto. I couldn't have foreseen what was happening today a few years ago. But it's come to this."
Naruto felt a surge of anger bubble up inside him, his fists clenching at his sides. "It was inevitable," he spat, his voice trembling with barely-contained rage. "You're part of the problem."
Minato scoffed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I see you're still dedicated to that ridiculous plan of yours, to fix things that don't need fixing." There was a coldness to his tone that sent a chill down Naruto's spine. "You honestly think eliminating all the Kage will change anything? It's absurd."
Naruto's eyes burned with intensity as he took a step closer, his voice low and dangerous. "It's funny you would say that, considering I'm aware of what you tried to do to the Kage yourself."
Minato's calm demeanor cracked for a brief moment, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "You wouldn't understand."
"Don't patronize me," Naruto shot back, his voice rising with anger. "I understand perfectly. You wanted to eliminate all your rivals and capture the Akatsuki's tailed beasts to strengthen your grip on the nation and beyond. You were ready to plunge all your neighbors into turmoil just so you could extend the reach of your power."
There was a moment of silence as the weight of Naruto's words hung in the air between them. Minato's eyes hardened, his calm exterior beginning to wash away. "Where did you hear that?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
"Hinata told me," Naruto replied, as Minato's gaze flickered to the earpiece in his ear, realization dawning on him. "Even she could see that your vision was flawed."
"There's nothing wrong with what I'm doing," Minato countered, his voice firm. "I'm doing what's necessary."
Naruto shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You're doing what's necessary? If you wanted peace, you'd see where I'm coming from. But all you care about is power. Konoha exercising authority over its adversaries will only lead to more conflict, more suffering."
Minato's eyes narrowed, his expression becoming more intense. "You've been in occupied territories for a few weeks, Naruto. You don't understand the bigger picture. The Fire Nation can suppress revolts if it comes to that, and besides, I only considered making nations submit by force as a last resort."
Naruto's blood ran cold as he realized what Minato was implying. "You were planning to use the tailed beasts you intended to extract from the Akatsuki to bolster Konoha's military, weren't you?" He could feel the weight of the truth crashing down on him. "I know about your plans for Yugito and Bee's child. You wanted to make him a jinchuriki, didn't you?"
Minato didn't flinch, his expression remaining unreadable. "I wanted to do what was beneficial for the nation."
Naruto stared at his father, a mixture of sadness and anger swirling inside him. "And it's because of all of this—because of the things you've done—that I'm here today. I believed the world would be a better place without people like you in charge, and I'm going to stop you."
Minato's gaze locked onto Naruto's, a challenge flickering in his eyes."So, you've finally decided to confront me, Naruto. I must admit, I always wondered when you'd stop being a shadow in my wake and try to challenge the sun itself."
Naruto's voice, steady and resolute, cut through the air like a blade. "I'm not here for riddles, Father. This madness ends tonight. You've lost sight of who you once were—what you once stood for. It's time someone reminded you."
Minato expression changed, a faint, almost wistful smile playing on his lips. His eyes, sharp and calculating, met Naruto's with a mix of pride and something darker. "Ah, the righteous fire burns within you. You've grown, Naruto—stronger than I ever imagined. For a time, I dismissed your resolve as mere youthful idealism. But now... I see a worthy adversary standing before me, not just my son."
He took a step forward, the confidence in his movements unwavering. "But know this: the power you seek to destroy isn't a burden I bear lightly. It is my right, my destiny. The world bends to those strong enough to grasp it. And if you wish to stop me, you'll have to prove that your convictions are sharper than my will.
Naruto's fists tightened, his gaze never wavering. "I'm not here to prove anything to you, Father. I'm here to save you from yourself—even if that means tearing down what you're attempting to build."
Minato prepared his stance, wielding his signature kunai. "Then do it, Naruto. Show me just how strong your ideals really are."
Naruto took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. The time for talking was over. The time for action had arrived. The two stood there, father and son, each knowing that this battle would determine the fate of more than just themselves—it would shape the future of their world.
The evening air was thick with tension as the two figures stood across from one another in the streets of a proud village. The golden hue of the setting sun cast eerie shadows on their faces, highlighting the stark contrast between them—the veteran Hokage and the rogue jinchuriki, father and son, locked in a fateful clash.
Naruto's eyes glowed a fierce orange as he channeled both Kurama's chakra and the power of Sage Mode. His entire body radiated with energy, his form enveloped in the golden cloak of the Nine-Tails. Despite the situation, his heart ached at the thought of fighting his father, but he had no choice. The path he had chosen led him here, and there was no turning back.
Minato, on the other hand, was the epitome of calm. His bright yellow hair and the long white cloak bearing the symbol of the Fourth Hokage fluttered gently in the wind. He held a kunai in one hand, his blue eyes sharp and focused, but beneath that calm exterior was a father wrestling with the reality of battling his own son.
Without another word, Naruto launched himself forward, the ground beneath him cracking from the sheer force of his movement. Minato reacted in an instant, teleporting away just as Naruto's fist came crashing down where he had been standing, shattering the earth.
"He's not as fast as before, he must be getting tired,"Naruto notes mentally, guessing that battle fatigue was beginning to wear down the Hokage.
Minato reappeared a few meters away, only for Naruto to close the distance with blinding speed. A flurry of punches and kicks followed, each blow carrying the weight of a mountain, but Minato deftly evaded and blocked, his years of experience and the agility of the Flying Thunder God technique keeping him one step ahead.
"You're strong, Naruto," Minato said as he blocked a powerful kick, the force of which sent a shockwave rippling through the area. "But strength alone won't be enough to win this."
Naruto's eyes burned with intensity as he summoned a Rasengan in his palm, the spiraling sphere of chakra humming with lethal energy. "I know that," he said, thrusting it toward his father.
"Your Rasengan is sloppy as always," Minato noted, watching Naruto charge at him.
Minato dodged again, reappearing behind Naruto and countering with a Rasengan of his own. But Naruto was ready. He spun around, meeting Minato's attack with his own, and the two spheres of chakra collided, creating a massive explosion of energy that tore through the surrounding area.
The shockwave sent both combatants skidding backward. Minato was quick to recover, immediately throwing several marked kunai in all directions. They embedded themselves in the ground, forming a loose perimeter around Naruto.
In an instant, Minato teleported from kunai to kunai, each time appearing to attack Naruto from a different angle with deadly precision. Naruto, however, anticipated the tactic. His senses heightened by Sage Mode, he could feel the exact moment Minato would reappear.
As Minato materialized to his right, Naruto spun around and caught his father with a solid punch to the gut. Minato gasped as the air was knocked out of him, but before he could recover, Naruto followed up with a brutal uppercut, sending the Fourth Hokage flying through the air and crashing into the side of a building.
Minato groaned in pain, the force of the impact leaving him momentarily stunned. Naruto didn't hesitate. He jumped high into the air, forming a massive Rasenshuriken in his hand, the spinning disc of wind chakra humming with lethal intent. He hurled it toward Minato with all his might.
The Rasenshuriken tore through the air, its high-pitched whine growing louder as it neared its target. The building where Minato had landed exploded in a cloud of dust and debris as the Rasenshuriken made contact, its destructive power carving through the structure like a hot knife through butter.
Naruto landed back on the ground, his eyes fixed on the cloud of dust where his father had been. His breath came in heavy pants, his body still tense and ready for anything. As the dust began to settle, he strained his eyes to see through the thick cloud. The remnants of the building were in shambles, but there was no sign of Minato.
Naruto's eyes widened in confusion. Had he really…?
"Looking for someone?"
Naruto whipped around at the sound of his father's voice, his heart skipping a beat. Minato stood just a few meters behind him, seemingly unharmed. He was breathing heavily, his cloak slightly tattered, but there was no sign of serious injury.
"How did—" Naruto started, but Minato cut him off.
"I'm the Fourth Hokage, Naruto," Minato said, his voice low and serious. "Did you really think I'd go down that easily?"
Naruto's heart pounded in his chest. He had thrown everything he had at his father, and yet Minato stood before him, ready for more. His eyes narrowed, his determination only growing stronger. This battle was far from over.
"I see you've been getting better, Naruto," Minato spoke, his voice steady, yet laced with a condescending tone. "But you're still lacking. You rely too much on the power of the beast. Without it, you're just a child playing at being a hero."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, the words cutting deep into his already festering wound of resentment. He had long harbored some hatred for Minato, the man who had made him a weapon, who had cast him aside as nothing more than a tool for the village. A man who had never treated him as a son, but as an asset.
"Don't talk like you know me," Naruto spat, his voice low and dangerous. "You're the one who made me into this. You think you can just walk away from that? I'm done with being your puppet!"
Minato's expression didn't change, but there was a slight tightening around his eyes, a sign that Naruto's words had struck a nerve. "You've always been emotional, Naruto. That's your biggest flaw. A shinobi should be calm, composed… like this."
In an instant, Minato vanished, reappearing behind Naruto with the speed of his Flying Thunder God Technique. Naruto barely had time to react, spinning around just in time to see Minato place a hand on his stomach.
As he did so, Naruto's seal came to life, the dark lines swirling around to form a different pattern.
Naruto swung a fist at Minato but he vanished, appearing a few feet away. Naruto watched in shock as his chakra cloak suddenly flickered out.
"What...how did..."
He tried to reach his tailed beast but to his surprise, he discovered he could no longer communicate with Kurama.
"What did...what did you do to me?"
Minato smiled softly, "I'm the one who entrusted you with the power of the nine tails boy. It's not your power."
Naruto looked at his hands, still trying to understand what was happening as Minato continued.
"Just as I gave you that power, I'm taking it away. You've proved that you're incapable of being it's jinchuriki, so I will simply make another one."
Naruto stood in disbelief, the sudden feeling of emptiness overwhelming him.
"Kurama..."
But before Naruto could make his next move, Minato spoke again, his voice filled with a mix of pride and sorrow. "Strength isn't just about power. It's about making the right choices, even when they're the hardest ones to make."
Naruto clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had no time to dwell on his father's words. The battle had only just begun, and he knew he had to stay focused if he was going to win this fight.
As the two shinobi stared each other down, the night air crackled with tension, the silence between them pregnant with the weight of unspoken words. Both knew that the next phase of their battle would push them to their limits.
Naruto stood in the middle of the street, his breath coming in quick, controlled bursts. His connection to Kurama had been severed by his father, Minato, leaving him with only his sage mode. The power coursing through him now was potent, but fleeting—he had mere minutes to make every second count. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, but he steeled himself, knowing that he couldn't afford to hesitate.
Across from him, Minato stood calm and resolute, his eyes sharp and focused. The Fourth Hokage's reputation as the Yellow Flash had been earned through countless battles, and tonight, that title would be tested once more. Minato knew that Naruto was a formidable opponent, but he also knew that without Kurama's chakra, Naruto was fighting at a disadvantage.
Naruto moved first. With a burst of speed enhanced by his sage mode, he launched himself at Minato, fists crackling with chakra. The ground beneath him cracked and splintered as he propelled forward, a blur of motion aiming directly at Minato's center. Minato vanished in a flash of yellow light, reappearing behind Naruto with a kunai in hand. But Naruto was already turning, sensing the shift in the wind. He twisted mid-air, avoiding the kunai by inches, and sent a flurry of senjutsu-enhanced punches toward Minato.
Minato dodged effortlessly, his body flickering in and out of existence as he utilized his famed Flying Thunder God Technique. Each time Naruto thought he had him, Minato would appear somewhere else, always a step ahead, always out of reach. The battlefield became a chaotic dance of shadows and sparks as father and son clashed, their movements too fast for the untrained eye to follow.
Naruto gritted his teeth as he pushed harder, every strike carrying the weight of his desperation. He knew he was burning through his sage chakra at an alarming rate, and Minato's evasion was only prolonging the inevitable. But he couldn't afford to think about that now—he had to land a hit. Just one solid hit.
Minato moved with fluid grace, his body seemingly untouchable as he weaved through Naruto's attacks. Each time Naruto attempted to land a decisive blow, Minato would disappear and reappear in another spot, always one step ahead. Naruto's frustration grew, knowing that time was against him
Minato's eyes narrowed as he caught the briefest opening in Naruto's assault. He moved in a flash, appearing beside Naruto and aiming a Rasengan directly at his side. Naruto barely managed to block with his forearm, the force of the attack sending shockwaves through his bones. He retaliated with a Rasengan of his own, but Minato vanished again, leaving Naruto striking at empty air.
The battle raged on, the two shinobi tearing through the streets with their immense power. Buildings crumbled, the earth was torn asunder, and the very air seemed to shudder with the intensity of their clash. Naruto's mind raced, searching for any opening, any weakness he could exploit in Minato's flawless defense.
In a sudden burst of inspiration, Naruto formed a Rasenshuriken, the spinning disk of chakra humming with lethal energy. He hurled it at Minato with all his might, the jutsu tearing through the air with a high-pitched whine. Minato's eyes widened slightly as he realized the scale of the attack, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared once more, avoiding the Rasenshuriken as it carved a path through the battlefield.
Naruto barely had time to react as Minato reappeared behind him, throwing a Kunai at him. The blade sliced through the air, aimed directly at Naruto's back. But before it could reach its target, an arrow came whistling out of the darkness, intercepting the kunai and knocking it off course. The kunai clattered to the ground harmlessly, and Minato's eyes widened in surprise.
Naruto turned, breathing heavily, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked up to see Hinata stepping into the street, her bow in hand, another arrow already nocked and aimed at Minato. The sight of her filled Naruto with a renewed sense of determination, a rush of motivation that surged through his veins.
"Thanks, Hinata," Naruto said, his voice filled with gratitude and resolve.
Hinata nodded, her expression fierce and determined. "I'm here to back you up, Naruto. We have to do this together if we want to beat him."
Minato watched the scene unfold, his surprise quickly replaced by a calm, calculating gaze. He had not expected this, but now he had to contend with both his son and Hinata. The odds had shifted, and he knew the next stage of the battle was going to be even more intense.
Naruto and Hinata slowly circled Minato, their eyes locked onto him, their bodies tense and ready for the next clash. The village around them lay in ruins, the quiet before the storm as the three shinobi prepared for the next round.
The final showdown was about to begin.
The battlefield was a storm of chaos and destruction, each side fighting with desperate intensity. Amidst this turmoil, Naruto and Hinata stood poised to confront their most formidable foe yet: Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
Naruto and Hinata faced Minato from a distance. Naruto's gaze was steely, his resolve unwavering. Hinata, her eyes sharp and focused, held her bow, the string taut as she prepared for the assault. Minato, on the other hand, wore a calm, almost detached expression, his posture relaxed but ready.
Without hesitation, Hinata released a volley of arrows. Minato vanished in a blur, reappearing behind Hinata, his speed leaving a faint afterimage. But Hinata anticipated it, leaping away as she fired another volley in mid air, her dojutsu allowing her to shoot with pinpoint accuracy. Minato deflected her arrows with swift kunai throws, knocking them from the air. Hinata, undeterred, adjusted her stance as she landed, readying herself.
Minato's kunai flashed through the air, narrowly missing Naruto as he leapt to intercept. The Fourth Hokage's precision was astounding, each throw a calculated strike aimed to disarm and disable. Hinata's bow snapped in two under Minato's relentless assault. She discarded the pieces and engaged Minato with a dagger as he appeared right in front of her, her Byakugan activated, searching for openings.
[Rasengan]
Naruto charged at Minato with a Rasengan. The Hokage's response was a blur of movement, dodging Naruto's attack with impossible agility. As Minato landed, he struck Hinata with a kunai, disarming her of her remaining weapons. She quickly switched to hand-to-hand combat, her palms glowing with chakra as she prepared to use the Twin lion fists technique.
Naruto and Hinata coordinated their movements seamlessly. Hinata used her superior vision to anticipate Minato's strikes, while Naruto's powerful strength and speed kept Minato on his toes. Minato's Rasengan clashed against Naruto's, creating shockwaves that shook the ground beneath them.
The battle raged on, both sides trading blows and counterattacks. Minato's kunai were a blur, each one a deadly projectile aimed to incapacitate. Hinata reacted quickly, catching one of Minato's Kunai in mid air, infusing it with her chakra and tossing it far away. Working together, Naruto and Hinata managed to disarm him of several more kunai, tossing them far from reach. But Minato remained composed, his calm demeanor never wavering as he adapted to their tactics.
"The Two-tails seal has severely restricted the maximum distance I can teleport to,"Minato thought."I need to hold on to the few kunai I have left, I can't let them get them too."
As the fight dragged on, Minato found himself down to his last kunai. He kicked Naruto away with a forceful strike, sending him crashing into the dirt. With a burst of speed, Minato dashed towards Hinata, his final kunai poised for a deadly strike.
Hinata reacted quickly, her Byakugan flaring as she performed the Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation. A powerful vortex of chakra emanated from her, pushing Minato back. As he was driven away, Naruto, who had recovered from the kick, launched a Rasengan directly at Minato.
But before Naruto's attack could connect, Minato vanished, teleporting out of the way. Naruto's Rasengan hit nothing but air, and he landed heavily on the ground. As the smoke cleared, Hinata's Palm Rotation dissipated.
"Where is he? Where did he-"
A sudden, sharp pain erupted in Hinata's abdomen, interrupting her thoughts. She looked down in shock, her eyes widening as she saw Minato's kunai embedded in her side. She fell to the ground, blood seeping from the wound.
Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, his Sage Mode flickering away as he searched for his father. "Hinata!" he shouted, his voice cracking with impatience. "Where is he? Did you see where he went?"
But she didn't answer.
Naruto's heart sank as he looked at Hinata, his face pale and filled with horror.
Hinata's lips trembled as she tried to speak, but the pain was too overwhelming. She could only manage a faint, pained look towards Minato, who now stood behind her, his kunai slick with blood.
Minato's voice was cold, almost detached. "This is the consequence of your stubbornness, Naruto. I offered you a chance at peace, a chance to live in harmony. But you rejected it. Now, Hinata pays the price for your defiance."
Naruto's eyes blazed with fury as he looked up at Minato. The Hokage's words cut deep, but the sight of Hinata lying motionless on the ground ignited a rage within him. He could barely comprehend the gravity of the situation, his heart a tempest of pain and anger.
Minato's gaze shifted to Hinata, a hint of pity in his eyes. "It's a tragic end, isn't it? She's paid for your refusal to understand the bigger picture."
Naruto's body trembled as he felt the raw intensity of his emotions. His anger, his pain, it all coalesced into a singular, driving force. More than anything, he wanted to make Minato pay for what he had done, to ensure that Hinata's sacrifice was not in vain.
Naruto's breath came in ragged gasps, each inhale searing his lungs with the acrid scent of smoke and blood. His body was battered, torn apart by the relentless onslaught of his father's jutsus. His jacket was in tatters, his face streaked with dirt, blood, and tears. But nothing hurt more than the sight that had just seared itself into his memory: Hinata, her body lying lifeless, her once vibrant eyes now dull and empty.
Across from him stood Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, the man who was once revered as the savior of Konoha, and now the source of Naruto's deepest anguish. Minato was exhausted, his chakra reserves nearly depleted from the extended battle. His once immaculate Hokage cloak was shredded, stained with the blood of his enemies and his own son. Sweat dripped down his face as he stared at Naruto, his eyes filled with an emotion Naruto couldn't quite read—was it regret, or merely exhaustion?
But there was no time to consider the meaning behind his father's gaze. All Naruto could see was the man who had taken Hinata from him. His grief and fury boiled over, and with a primal scream, he launched himself at Minato.
Their bodies collided with a bone-jarring force, the impact sending shockwaves through the ground beneath them. Naruto's fists flew in a blur, driven by raw emotion rather than precision. He slammed his fist into Minato's ribs, feeling the crack of bones beneath his knuckles. Minato grunted in pain but countered with a swift elbow to Naruto's temple, sending him staggering back.
The two circled each other, breath heavy and labored, before they clashed again. Naruto threw a wild haymaker, but Minato ducked under it and drove his knee into Naruto's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Naruto doubled over, gasping for air, but Minato was relentless. He grabbed Naruto by the collar and drove his head into his son's nose with a sickening crunch. Blood spurted from Naruto's nose as he fell backward, dazed.
But Naruto wouldn't stay down. The pain in his heart was greater than any physical wound, and it drove him to his feet again. He lunged at Minato, this time with more control. His movements became more calculated, his anger now fueling his precision. He feinted to the left, causing Minato to raise his guard, then spun around with a devastating roundhouse kick to Minato's side. The impact sent Minato flying, crashing into the ground several feet away.
Minato coughed as he struggled to rise, his body betraying him. He was fast, even faster than Naruto in his prime, but his stamina was almost gone. He barely had the strength to stand, let alone teleport. He looked up just in time to see Naruto charging at him again, a murderous glint in his eyes.
Naruto's hand shot forward, aiming for Minato's throat, but the older man caught his wrist just in time. They stood locked in a deadly struggle, each trying to overpower the other. Naruto brought his other hand up in a hammer fist aimed at Minato's head, but Minato parried the blow, twisting Naruto's arm in a vicious joint lock.
Naruto screamed in pain, feeling his shoulder threaten to dislocate, but he didn't relent. With his free hand, he clawed at Minato's face, his nails raking across his father's cheek and drawing blood. Minato snarled, the blood trickling down his face, and slammed his forehead into Naruto's, sending the younger man reeling back.
Dazed and bleeding, Naruto fell to one knee, clutching his forehead. But Minato didn't let up. He staggered to his feet, his movements slower now, and kicked Naruto in the chest, sending him sprawling across the dirt. Naruto's vision swam as he struggled to push himself up, his muscles screaming in protest. Every fiber of his being was telling him to stay down, but he couldn't. Not after what Minato had done.
With a roar, Naruto surged to his feet and charged at Minato once more. He ducked under a punch from his father and landed a solid uppercut to Minato's jaw, snapping his head back. Minato stumbled, but Naruto didn't give him a chance to recover. He followed up with a brutal combination of punches and kicks, each blow landing with sickening force.
Minato managed to block a few strikes, but his strength was waning. He could feel his body slowing down, his reactions dulled by exhaustion and injury. He attempted to counter with a kunai slash, but Naruto caught his wrist and twisted it, forcing Minato to drop the weapon.
With a swift motion, Naruto swept Minato's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Naruto pounced on him, straddling his father's chest and raining down blows on his face. Each punch was fueled by the pain of losing Hinata, by the anger that had been building up for years. Minato tried to shield his face, but Naruto's strikes were relentless, each one more vicious than the last.
Blood splattered across Naruto's knuckles as he continued to pummel Minato, his rage blinding him to everything else. Minato's once-pristine face was now a bloody mess, yet Naruto didn't stop. He couldn't stop. Not until the man who had taken everything from him was dead.
But then, in the midst of his fury, Naruto felt something cold and metallic against his side. He looked down and saw Minato's hand, weak but determined, gripping a kunai that was embedded in Naruto's side. The pain was sharp and immediate, snapping Naruto out of his blind rage. He gasped, his blood pouring out of the wound, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he gritted his teeth and grabbed the kunai's handle, pulling it out of his flesh as he twisted Minato's arm with a savage growl.
Minato's eyes widened in shock, his breath hitching in his throat as he felt the cold steel against his chest. Naruto had turned the blade inward, forcing it into Minato's chest with a brutal, final thrust. The kunai pierced through muscle and bone, driving deep into Minato's heart.
For a moment, everything stopped. The battlefield around them, the sounds of battle in the distance, everything faded away. It was just Naruto and Minato, locked in that moment of agonizing finality. Minato's eyes, bloodshot and filled with pain, met Naruto's. There was something in them—a fleeting sense of sorrow, perhaps regret, or maybe even love. But it was too late for that now.
"I'm sorry...Father," Naruto muttered, his gaze fixed on Minato's.
The Hokage gasped for air, his hand reaching for Naruto's face. His bloody hand weakly touched his cheek, and for a moment, what looked like a faint smile appeared on his features, before his hand dropped back to his side.
Minato's body went limp beneath Naruto, the light fading from his eyes as the life drained out of him. The kunai in Naruto's hand trembled as his grip slackened. He released the blade, letting it stay buried in his father's chest, and collapsed next to Minato's lifeless body.
For a long time, Naruto didn't move. His breath came in shallow, shuddering gasps as he stared across at the man he had just killed—the man who had given him life. But now, next to him, Minato was just a corpse, his blood soaking into Naruto's clothes, mingling with his own.
The enormity of what he had done crashed down on Naruto like a tidal wave, threatening to drown him. The rage that had driven him, the blinding fury that had fueled every punch, every kick—it was all gone now, replaced by an overwhelming grief. Naruto's shoulders shook as he sobbed, the tears falling freely as he wept. He wept for Hinata, for everything he had lost, and for the man he had just killed.
But no amount of tears could change what had happened. Naruto's sobs echoed through the empty battlefield, mingling with the distant sounds of war. The Fourth Hokage was dead, and nothing would ever be the same again.
The battlefield was eerily silent as the dust settled, a testament to the fierce battle that had just unfolded. Amidst the debris and shattered ground, Naruto staggered forward, his breath ragged, his vision blurred by exhaustion and emotion. His heart raced in his chest as he scanned the surroundings, his eyes desperately searching until they locked onto a figure lying still in the distance.
Hinata.
A rush of adrenaline pushed him forward as he stumbled, almost falling, until he reached her side. His heart nearly stopped as he saw the pool of blood beneath her, staining the earth a dark, foreboding red. His hands trembled as he reached out, his fingers brushing against her pale, lifeless skin. For a brief, horrifying moment, he feared the worst.
But then, she stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, their pale lavender hue filled with pain but also relief as they met his. Naruto's breath caught in his throat, a mixture of overwhelming joy and crushing sadness washing over him.
"Hinata..." His voice was barely a whisper, cracked with emotion. He could see the life slipping away from her, feel the coldness of her skin seeping into his own. "You're alive," he breathed, but the words felt hollow, as if saying them out loud might make them less true.
Hinata's lips curled into a weak, trembling smile. Her voice was faint, each word a struggle. "Naruto... you're okay."
Naruto's heart broke at the sight of her, so fragile and broken in his arms. He nodded at her words, though his mind barely registered them. His eyes traced the stab wound in her abdomen, blood still pouring out with every faint beat of her heart. Desperation clawed at him as he ripped off his black shirt, pressing it against the wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding.
"It's okay, Hinata," he choked out, trying to sound reassuring, though he could barely believe it himself. "You're going to be okay. Just stay with me... please, stay with me."
Hinata's hand weakly reached up, her fingers gently curling around his. The touch was featherlight, a mere echo of the strength she once had, but it was enough to send tears streaming down Naruto's face. A single tear slid down her cheek, and Naruto's heart shattered into a thousand pieces.
"Hokage..." Hinata's voice was barely a whisper, the word slipping from her lips like a prayer. Naruto swallowed hard, his throat tight, and nodded. She didn't need to ask; she knew.
"I... I did it," he confessed, his voice cracking under the weight of the admission. "Minato is gone."
Hinata closed her eyes for a moment, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe. When she opened them again, there was a mixture of sorrow and peace in her gaze, as if she had made her peace with her fate. Her body shuddered in pain, her breath becoming shallower with every passing second.
Naruto's hands were soaked with her blood as he tried to press harder against the wound, but it was useless. He could feel her slipping away, and it terrified him more than anything he had ever faced. "Hinata, no... no, you can't leave me. Please, don't leave me!" His voice broke, desperation and fear clawing at his insides.
In those final moments, memories flooded his mind, each one a sharp pang in his chest. He remembered the first time they met, two lonely children who found solace in each other. She was his first friend, the first person who saw him as more than the jinchuriki. He remembered watching her fight Neji, her determination and courage lighting a fire in him that had never gone out. He remembered the long nights in Kumo, where the thought of her kept him sane in captivity. He remembered the first time he realized he loved her, the way his heart had swelled when she told him she felt the same way towards him. Every battle they had fought together, every moment they had shared—she had always been there, comforting him, believing in him when he couldn't believe in himself.
And now, she was leaving him.
"I can't lose you, Hinata," he pleaded, his voice barely a whisper. "Not now... not after everything."
Hinata's grip on his hand tightened ever so slightly, her thumb brushing weakly against his skin. Her eyes were filled with love and sorrow as she gazed up at him. "Thank you, Naruto... for everything," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry I can't stay with you..."
Naruto shook his head, tears blurring his vision as he leaned closer, pressing his forehead against hers. "No, no, you don't have to apologize," he sobbed. "Please, just stay with me... don't leave me, please."
Hinata's eyes began to lose their focus, the life fading from them as her body went limp in his arms. Naruto's heart felt like it was being ripped out of his chest, a scream of agony lodged in his throat. He clutched her closer, as if his sheer will could keep her alive.
Suddenly, a firm hand gripped his shoulder. Naruto whipped around, his vision blurred by tears, and saw Sakura kneeling beside him. Her expression was fierce, determined, yet tinged with the same fear that gripped Naruto's heart. She didn't say a word as she pushed him aside, quickly assessing Hinata's condition.
"She's not gone yet," Sakura muttered, her voice firm as she began working on Hinata's wound, her hands glowing with chakra. Naruto watched in desperate silence, his breath caught in his throat, every second feeling like an eternity.
"Sakura... please, save her," he begged, his voice trembling with the weight of his emotions. "I can't lose her..."
Sakura didn't reply, her focus entirely on Hinata as she poured every ounce of her strength into healing the fatal wound. Naruto could only watch, his heart pounding in his chest, praying to whatever force might listen that Hinata would be okay.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, every moment filled with the sound of Naruto's ragged breathing and Sakura's concentrated efforts. Naruto's thoughts were a whirlwind of memories, fears, and hopes, all crashing together in a chaotic storm of emotion.
Hinata's life hung in the balance, and with it, Naruto's entire world.