The Fourth Hokage's timeline.
Minato had just learned that Kushina was pregnant—and almost immediately after, he found out his son's name.
Minato took it well.
"Jiraiya-sensei, that's a great name. Looks like you'll be Naruto's teacher too, huh? That's wonderful."
But the fact that Naruto didn't even know who his real parents were, and that none of his peers did either, was definitely bad news.
Even Kushina, for once, didn't mock Jiraiya.
"Mm, Naruto will definitely be just as strong as the protagonist in that novel of yours."
Jiraiya laughed heartily.
...
At that moment, Konoha's top brass and the Legendary Sannin had been summoned for a confidential meeting.
Nara Shikaku began the briefing.
"Let's start by analyzing the intel we've gathered. An unknown screen suddenly appeared. It's broadcasting a story with a main character named Uzumaki Naruto—who's been revealed to be the son of the Hokage."
Minato continued, "But from what I can tell, Kushina and I are already dead in that timeline. And we must've died early on. Otherwise, Naruto's friends wouldn't have grown up not knowing who his parents were."
A heavy silence briefly filled the meeting room.
Everyone, that is, except for Shimura Danzo. His eyes gleamed with ambition.
As long as Minato died... he could—
Uchiha Fugaku frowned deeply, his expression just as grim.
"Not long ago, Mikoto and I decided to name our second child Sasuke. So the Uchiha Sasuke showing up in the broadcast... must be my second son."
Just then, the mysterious screen lit up again—no longer confined to the Hokage Monument.
Now, the screen could be seen from anywhere.
Even indoors.
Just like watching television.
Inside the meeting room, the Third Hokage saw his own face appear on the broadcast.
[The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his wife sat across from Minato and Kushina.]
"Kushina, your due date is close. There's something important I need to discuss with you. Back when Lady Mito gave birth, the seal on the Nine-Tails nearly broke."
"Just in case, we need you to give birth in a hidden, well-protected barrier zone outside the village."
As soon as those words were spoken, the entire high council furrowed their brows.
Until now, only a select few knew that Kushina was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
But now, the heads of every major clan in the room—including the Uchiha—knew the truth.
A cold glint flashed in Minato's eyes. This screen wasn't entirely a blessing after all.
Most likely, the villagers would know too.
Which meant Kushina would be in danger.
[Nara Shikamaru: I didn't expect Naruto's mom to be the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki too... What a pain.]
[Haruno Sakura: I still can't believe it. Naruto... is the son of the Fourth Hokage?]
[Uchiha Sasuke: The son of the Hokage... and he couldn't even afford to eat? What kind of joke is this?]
When Sasuke found out, he flew into a rage.
His perception of the village changed drastically.
How could someone like that ever want to become Hokage?
[Raikage A: So the Yellow Flash had a kid, huh? Hmph! Konoha sure kept that under wraps. Not a single scrap of intel reached us.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: I apologize. We kept it hidden because Minato made many enemies during the Third Great Ninja War—especially in Kumogakure. After the Nine-Tails incident, Kumo has been watching us closely. We couldn't afford to expose the truth.]
[Raikage A: Hah? So now you're just throwing blame around in broad daylight? Don't think I can't see through your schemes, you shady old man. Didn't you resign in disgrace back then? Maybe you couldn't stand the Fourth taking your seat, so you had him taken out too.]
Minato's pupils contracted slightly, a mix of shock, doubt, and pain clouding his gaze.
His son... couldn't even eat enough?
How could that be?
Combined with the Raikage's words, a tiny crack of doubt began to form in his heart.
After all, Hiruzen had continued wielding influence even after stepping down...
A faint chill surfaced in Minato's eyes.
If Naruto had been orphaned and left to starve because of political scheming... then he would never forgive it.
Hiruzen quickly defended himself.
"Minato, don't listen to that nonsense! I would never do such a thing!"
Damn that Raikage, throwing shade like it's a full map-wide attack. Damn it!
Minato chuckled awkwardly.
"Of course I believe in the Third."
But there was no way to explain his son's treatment either.
Still, what could've happened... to make him seal the Nine-Tails inside Naruto?
The pressure and isolation of being a jinchūriki wasn't something just anyone could handle.
If possible, he had always hoped Naruto could grow up happy.
[As Biwako escorted Kushina to the barrier zone, they passed Mikoto on the street, holding a baby.]
Kushina leaned in, smiling brightly.
"Aww, it's a girl?"
"No, a boy."
"He's so cute!"
Kushina gently poked the chubby baby's cheek.
"What's his name?"
"Sasuke," Mikoto said with a fond smile.
Biwako's face lit up too.
"Same name as the Third Hokage's father."
"Yes. I hope he'll grow into a strong and exceptional ninja." Mikoto looked up. "You're due soon too, right? You should decide on a name ahead of time."
"We've already picked one." Kushina gently stroked Sasuke's head.
"It's Naruto. One day, he and Sasuke will be classmates. I hope they get along well."
"Pfft!!!"
Shikamaru and the others all spat out their drinks.
"That little baby..."
"That's Sasuke."
Haruno Sakura clasped her cheeks with stars in her eyes.
"Sasuke-kun was so adorable when he was little! He looked just like his mom—seriously handsome."
Naruto stared blankly at the screen, as if still processing everything.
"Kacchan and Sasuke's mom?"
He was starting to calm down a little.
Kakashi had gotten a quick summary from Jiraiya-sama and came over to check on Naruto.
Hearing that, he smiled.
"They were best friends. Really close."
"Really? Then... Sasuke and I are basically brothers?!"
Naruto lit up with joy. It was like another thread had been added to the bond between them.
...
Originally, Sasuke had been wearing his usual cold expression. But the moment he saw his mother on the screen, his face softened.
"Kacchan..."
Then he caught what Kushina had said earlier.
A flicker of gloom passed through his eyes.
'Get along well,' huh?
Hmph. His mouth curled into a small, arrogant smile.
If even that loudmouth's mom said so... then he supposed he could tolerate it.
Still, the Third Hokage...
Ever since he'd learned about Naruto's true identity, Sasuke had grown disillusioned with the village—and especially with that seemingly kind old man.
There was no excuse—none—that could justify hiding Naruto's lineage and letting him suffer so much.
Deep down, a thought began to stir, one even he hadn't noticed:
Maybe the Hidden Leaf wasn't as beautiful as he once believed.
["Aaaaaaghhh—!!"
A scream tore through the night. Kushina was in labor.
Minato stood guard, forehead slick with sweat.
"Uhh... is she really gonna be okay? I've never seen Kushina scream like that before."
Biwako replied calmly, "She'll be fine. Your job is to watch the Nine-Tails."
"But—"
"You're the Fourth Hokage now. Don't panic like that. If men had to give birth, they'd have died already. Women are strong."
Just then, Minato sensed a disturbance—the Nine-Tails was growing restless.
He quickly channeled chakra to reinforce the seal.
It's strong. The Nine-Tails is fighting to get out.
Cold sweat poured down his face.
Hang in there, Kushina!
"Hang in there, Naruto!"
Suddenly—
A massive hand appeared out of nowhere, clamping around the throat of an ANBU guarding the barrier from outside—
And crushed it.]
The moment that scene played, everyone in the room grew tense.
Minato's face darkened.
"They slipped through the barrier without a sound. No one inside noticed, and the ANBU was killed instantly."
Knowing there's an enemy... and understanding their power... are two different things.
It looked like this was the day things went wrong.
[A figure wearing a black cloak and a tiger-striped mask walked slowly toward a massive boulder.
Then, without warning, his body disappeared—
As if he had passed straight through the rock.
Inside, Kushina's agonized screams continued.
The Nine-Tails began to roar.
Minato gritted his teeth and poured everything he had into suppressing the beast.
"Come on, Naruto—hurry up and be born already! Stay in, Nine-Tails, just stay put!"
The sound of a baby crying echoed through the chamber.
Naruto had finally arrived.
"He's born..." Kushina wept with joy.
Minato's eyes widened, moisture welling in the corners.
Blonde hair. Three whisker marks on each cheek.
Minato chuckled dumbly, wiping his tears away.
"Starting today... I'm a father."]
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