Speaking of which, Wukunowa couldn't tell whether it was fortune or misfortune that had landed him here. The very moment he crossed over, he found himself inhabiting the body of none other than Minato Namikaze, newly wed to Kushina Uzumaki, and—judging by the situation—about to consummate the marriage.
As someone raised in the modern world, where consent, personal identity, and moral boundaries were deeply ingrained, Wukunowa had been torn. Despite the perfect fusion of souls between him and Minato, there was a lingering sense of guilt. He was not the man Kushina had fallen in love with—not truly. And yet… he carried Minato's memories, emotions, and instincts as if they were his own. The boundary between self and host was already blurred.
At that moment, the choice was painfully simple yet heavy: either distance himself from Kushina and risk arousing suspicion, or accept the role fate had thrown at him. Given the circumstances—and the intoxicating beauty of Kushina, who was already swept in the moment—Wukunowa surrendered.
Even so, when everything settled, Wukunowa lay beside her feeling a gnawing guilt. He had taken the place of a man who no longer existed, shared a bed with his wife, and stepped into a life that wasn't his to begin with.
Sometimes, he would joke to himself, "If Minato's soul hadn't merged with mine and instead lingered somewhere, would he rise as a ghost and slap me into another dimension?"
He sighed at the absurdity, but the discomfort was real. Imagine being the Fourth Hokage, revered hero of the future… only to get body-jacked on your wedding night.
Wukunowa shook the thought away and stood before the apartment's sliding door. Despite almost a month passing, and sleeping beside Kushina night after night, he still blushed when he saw her.
That vibrant red hair, her dazzling eyes, and that bold yet gentle spirit… She was truly irresistible.
He smiled softly.
"Minato," he whispered inwardly, "I swear to protect her with everything I have. I may not be you, but I carry you within me. I'll make sure she's never alone."
A deep breath. His demeanor shifted. Calm, composed—Minato's warmth shining through his eyes. He pushed open the door.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back, Minato," Kushina called from the kitchen, her apron tied around her waist as she set the table. Her smile was like spring sunlight—gentle, vibrant, and full of life.
"Go wash your hands! Dinner's ready!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
He grinned and hurried to the sink like a child who didn't want to miss dessert. The table was laid with warm curry and freshly cooked rice. His heart, once weighed down by worry, felt light and full.
"You made curry tonight?"
"Mmhmm," she hummed, ladling out rice into a bowl. "Your favorite, right?"
He chuckled. "You're the best."
As he took his seat, Kushina joined him with her own plate, chopsticks in hand. "So, I heard Kakashi passed his test and became a genin?"
He nodded while scooping a spoonful of curry. "Yeah. The kid's insanely talented. Chakra reserves are low, but he's already performing at a special jōnin level."
But as he said that, Wukunowa's mind clouded.
He remembered… the original timeline. In just two days, Minato would lead Kakashi's team into the Land of Earth, against Iwagakure.
And the mission… wouldn't end well.
Could he stop that from happening? Could he change the timeline without triggering a larger disaster?
He clenched his fists under the table.
Even if it brought butterfly effects, he couldn't sit by and let it happen. Not to Obito. Not to Rin. Not to Kakashi. He had lived through one world of conflict already—he wouldn't let another be consumed in war if he could help it.
"Minato?" Kushina's voice brought him back.
He blinked. "Ah, sorry. Just thinking about strategy."
"You think too much," she said, pouting, then teasingly added, "You're starting to sound like an old man."
He laughed. "Maybe I've just matured from all your cooking."
Kushina giggled and leaned on her hand. "Still… what about that kid with the goggles? Obito?"
At that moment, something stirred in Wukunowa's chest. A strange feeling. As if Obito's fate was a fixed point, and yet… perhaps it didn't have to be.
He met her gaze. "He'll be fine. I'll make sure of it."