Time and Space: The Fourth Hokage
Time: Konoha, Year 51, October 10th
Unified Progress: 22%
At the home of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his wife Biwako paid a visit.
"Kushina, as your due date approaches, there's something important you need to know," Biwako said gravely. "When a Jinchūriki gives birth, the seal weakens significantly. Even Mito-sama almost lost control of the Nine Tails during childbirth."
"To ensure your safety, we'll have to move the delivery to a secure barrier outside the village," Sarutobi added. "I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience."
Kushina's brow furrowed with concern. Minato, standing beside her, immediately reassured her, "Don't worry. I'll be with you the whole time, ensuring the seal remains strong."
Kushina managed a faint smile, feeling a bit more at ease.
"Minato, Doji from the Anbu, and my wife Biwako will accompany you, and we'll keep the entire operation under strict secrecy," Sarutobi continued. "Additional Anbu members will guard the perimeter to reinforce security."
Despite these assurances, Kushina remained uneasy.
"I'll go ahead and prepare the site," Minato said, holding Kushina's hand as a gesture of comfort.
"Okay," Kushina replied softly, her cheeks slightly flushed. She placed her trust completely in her husband, barely noticing Biwako's presence.
"I'll be in charge of escorting you," Biwako said, guiding Kushina as they prepared to leave.
As Biwako led Kushina out of the village, they encountered Uchiha Mikoto, who was carrying her newborn baby.
"Oh! He's adorable! Is it a girl?" Kushina asked, excited.
"No, it's a boy," Mikoto answered.
"What's his name?" Kushina inquired.
"Sasuke," Mikoto replied.
Biwako, who had maintained a serious expression until then, offered a rare smile, "Just like the Third Hokage's father."
It was surprising to see that Fugaku had chosen such a meaningful name for his son.
"Yes, we hope he'll grow up to be a fine ninja," Mikoto said, rocking her son gently.
"Kushina, are you due soon? Have you picked a name?" Mikoto asked.
"Yes, we're going with Naruto. Maybe he and Sasuke will be classmates someday. I hope they'll get along well," Kushina said, fondly patting Sasuke's head, her thoughts drifting to the future.
The two women continued chatting until Biwako hastened Kushina away.
Several kilometers away, within a secretive barrier, Kushina was in the throes of labor.
"It hurts!" she cried out in pain.
"I've never seen Kushina in such agony," Minato said anxiously, as he struggled to maintain the Nine Tails' seal.
Despite being a veteran of the Third Ninja World War and a hero renowned for his skill, the Fourth Hokage was visibly shaken seeing his wife suffer.
"Stay focused and keep the Nine Tails' seal stable," Biwako instructed. "Don't let yourself get distracted."
The strain on the seal intensified as Kushina continued laboring. Minato poured his chakra into it, working to subdue the Nine Tails.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cries of a newborn filled the air.
"Waaaah!"
The labor was over, and baby Naruto had safely arrived.
Minato breathed a sigh of relief, tears streaming down his face as he exclaimed, "I'm a father now!"
"He's a healthy boy. Let him meet his mother," Biwako said as she brought Naruto over to Kushina.
"Welcome to the world, Naruto," Kushina whispered, her exhaustion giving way to overwhelming joy and love as she gazed at her newborn.
Minato rushed to Kushina's side, taking her hand and asking with concern, "Are you alright?"
"Kushina!" she called, weak but happy. They shared a tender moment, oblivious to everything else.
As Minato prepared to reinforce the Eight Sign Seal on the Nine Tails, a sudden commotion erupted. A masked intruder, Obito, had attacked Biwako and taken Naruto hostage.
"Get away from the Jinchūriki, Fourth Hokage, or this child dies in a minute," Obito threatened, holding a kunai to the infant.
Minato, torn between his family and his duty, didn't hesitate. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he saved Naruto just as Obito hurled the baby into the air, rigged with explosive tags.
Minato acted quickly, using the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport the child to an abandoned wooden cabin outside the village, where he discarded the explosives just before they detonated.
The explosion destroyed the cabin, and Minato's ankle was injured by the flying debris, but Naruto was unharmed. He rushed back to Kushina's side, desperate to rescue her.
In the meantime, Obito had already transported Kushina away, releasing the Nine Tails from her weakening seal. When Minato arrived, he managed to save her from the rampaging beast, but the Nine Tails had fallen under Obito's control and was now attacking Konoha.
"Naruto… is he safe?" Kushina asked, her voice weak and trembling.
"Yes, he's in a secure place," Minato reassured her.
"That's good," Kushina sighed in relief. "Minato, you must stop that man and the Nine Tails… They're going to destroy the village."
Minato nodded solemnly and teleported back home with Kushina, gently placing her next to their sleeping son.
"I'll handle it. Stay here with Naruto," he said.
As Kushina looked at Naruto, she touched his tiny head and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Naruto…" she whispered, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss and sadness. Her heart ached for her newborn, who was about to grow up without his mother.
Minato's face darkened as he witnessed his wife and child's plight. Fueled by anger, he clenched his fists, determined to protect them.
Donning his Hokage cloak, he declared, "Kushina, thank you. I'm going to put an end to this."
"Be careful," she replied, her voice filled with love and worry.
"I'll be back soon," Minato promised, before vanishing to confront the chaos.