[Timeline: Fourth Hokage's Era]
[Date: October, Year 51 of Konohagakure]
[Unification Progress: 22%]
The atmosphere in the Namikaze household was thick with tension.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had come personally, his wife Biwako at his side, to meet with Minato and Kushina. Kushina, now heavily pregnant, stood by the window, her expression calm but tight. She could sense the gravity in the air, even before Hiruzen spoke.
"Kushina," the retired Third Hokage began, his voice low and measured, "when a Jinchūriki gives birth, the seal becomes unstable. Even Mito-sama struggled with it. The Nine-Tails nearly broke free."
Kushina didn't speak, but her fingers curled slightly at her side.
"So, for your safety—and the village's—we need to move you to a secured barrier, outside Konohagakure," Hiruzen continued. "I'm truly sorry."
Beside her, Minato held her hand tighter.
"I'll be there," he said, softly but firmly. "The seal might weaken, but I'll reinforce it throughout. You won't be alone."
That reassurance made Kushina finally smile.
"I know," she said. "You always keep your promises."
Biowako stepped forward with a nod. "I'll accompany you during labor. So will Anbu Taji. Everything will be handled with discretion. The fewer who know, the better."
Minato nodded to Hiruzen. "We appreciate this."
"I've also deployed my old Anbu contacts," Hiruzen added. "They'll reinforce the outer barrier. Even if someone finds out where we are, they'll never breach the perimeter."
Despite the preparations, Kushina's heart remained uneasy. She'd always been strong, a proud member of the Uzumaki clan—but something about today felt off.
Still, she smiled for Minato's sake.
"I'll go get ready," she said softly.
…
As they moved through the edge of the village on their way to the barrier site, Kushina's eyes lit up.
Walking ahead of them on the path was a familiar figure.
"Mikoto!" she called out.
Uchiha Mikoto turned, surprised. In her arms was a bundled infant with small tufts of black hair and faint, sleepy eyes.
"Ah—Kushina! I was just out for a walk."
The redhead leaned closer, eyes wide.
"So cute! Is it a girl?"
"A boy," Mikoto smiled.
"What's his name?"
"Sasuke."
Kushina blinked. "Sasuke… That's the name of the Sandaime's father, isn't it?"
Biowako actually smiled a little at that. "Fugaku named him? That's… surprisingly thoughtful of him."
Mikoto chuckled. "He can be stubborn, but he respects strength. We want Sasuke to grow up strong—and gentle."
Kushina grinned. "That's a good name."
Mikoto turned to her. "You're due soon, right? Picked a name yet?"
"Yup. It's already decided—Naruto."
"Hmm. Naruto and Sasuke, huh?" Mikoto said playfully. "Sounds like they'll be rivals."
Kushina reached out to gently pat Sasuke's cheek.
"I hope they'll be friends. Maybe they'll even become shinobi together."
"Childbirth must be scary, though," Mikoto said teasingly. "You're nervous?"
Kushina made a face. "Hey! I've fought enemy jōnin since I was twelve. But labor? That's a different kind of battlefield."
The two women laughed, but the moment didn't last.
Biowako cleared her throat. "It's time, Kushina."
They said goodbye to Mikoto and resumed their path—moving deeper into the outskirts, far from the eyes of Konohagakure's people.
But someone was already following them.
A masked figure, cloaked in silence.
Watching. Waiting.
...
Hours later.
Inside the barrier site—a sealed cavern protected by ancient Uzumaki seals and reinforced with multiple layers of chakra—the delivery had begun.
"Ahhh! It hurts!!"
Kushina screamed, her voice echoing through the sealed room.
Minato was by her side, desperately weaving hand signs and reinforcing the weakening seal. Sweat dripped down his forehead.
"Just a little more… hang in there!"
The Nine-Tails' chakra pulsed from within Kushina's abdomen, leaking in bursts. The seal on her belly shimmered, distorted from the strain.
"I've never seen her like this…" Minato muttered.
"Don't lose focus!" Biwako snapped. "You're the Fourth Hokage—control the Nine-Tails!"
Minato gritted his teeth, pushing his chakra into the seal again. The seal flared, suppressing the beast's chakra for the moment.
"Come on, Naruto… we're almost there," he whispered.
And then—
A loud, healthy cry.
"Waaaahh!"
The baby had arrived.
"It's done!" Biwako gasped. "The child is healthy!"
Kushina's body collapsed back against the bedding, her face soaked with sweat but glowing with relief.
Minato's eyes filled with tears.
"I—I'm a father!"
Biwako carried the newborn over. "He's strong. A healthy baby boy."
Kushina reached out weakly.
"Naruto… You're beautiful…"
Minato knelt beside her, squeezing her hand.
"I'm so proud of you."
The moment was peaceful. Fragile.
Too fragile.
Because before they could finish sealing the Nine-Tails again—
Screams.
Minato's head snapped toward the entrance.
"Taji!"
He rose in a blur—but it was too late.
A masked man in black stood in the chamber, holding a kunai to Naruto's neck.
"Step away from the Jinchūriki," the man said coldly. "Or your son dies."
Minato's heart dropped.
He hadn't even sensed the intruder's presence until it was too late.
Who was this man?
Even the strongest barrier had been bypassed.
Minato didn't move.
He weighed the distance. The kunai. The baby.
One mistake and Naruto…
The masked man didn't wait.
He threw Naruto into the air, then hurled a kunai after him—its blade covered in explosive tags.
Minato's instincts kicked in.
He vanished with Flying Thunder God, appearing mid-air and catching Naruto.
But it wasn't over.
The tags were already primed.
Minato blinked again—this time warping to an abandoned house outside the village.
He tore the swaddling cloth from Naruto, flinging the tags out just as they exploded.
The house blew apart in flames. Wood shrapnel tore through the air, slashing across Minato's ankle. But Naruto was untouched.
Minato winced, then vanished again—back to the village.
He placed Naruto in their home, tucked safely in a crib. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind.
Who was that masked man?
Why target Kushina?
But deep down, he knew.
It wasn't about the child.
It was about the Nine-Tails.
When he arrived back at the barrier chamber—
It was empty.
The seals were shattered.
And Kushina was gone.
...
Elsewhere.
Chains rattled weakly.
Kushina had been taken—her body barely conscious, the seal forcefully torn open.
The Nine-Tails was ripped from her.
Obito stood before the massive beast, his Sharingan spinning.
"You are mine now."
The Nine-Tails' roar shook the earth.
And yet—it obeyed.
Its eyes turned red.
It was under genjutsu.
When Minato found them, it was already too late. He could only snatch Kushina back with Flying Thunder God, moments before the Nine-Tails lunged forward.
Back in their home, he laid her next to Naruto.
"You're safe now," he told her.
Kushina's eyes were glazed. Her skin pale.
But when she saw Naruto, her tears fell freely.
"Baby… Naruto…"
She reached out, barely brushing his cheek.
"I'm sorry… I won't get to watch you grow…"
Minato watched in silence, fists clenched.
He turned away and opened the closet.
From within, he pulled the Hokage cloak.
Red flames embroidered at the hem. The mark of the village's guardian.
Minato slipped it on.
"Thank you," Kushina whispered.
He turned back, smiling faintly.
"I'll be back soon."
Then, in a yellow flash—
The Fourth Hokage disappeared, heading toward the battlefield.
To face Obito.
And the Nine-Tails.
...
To be continued.