Naruto : Minato back to the past

The Third Shinobi World War had finally ended with Konoha's victory.

Though this war lasted about eight months—shorter than the previous one—it was the most intense and large-scale conflict among the three Shinobi Wars. The battles were brutal, and many powerful shinobi from different nations had emerged, displaying their strength and talents.

However, the most renowned figure of this war was undoubtedly Konoha's Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato. His exploits had spread across the ninja world, striking fear into enemies and earning the admiration of allies.

But Minato was not the only Konoha shinobi to gain recognition. Other powerful figures had risen to prominence, proving themselves in the flames of war. Among them were his peers, whose fame gradually spread beyond the Land of Fire.

The legendary Ino-Shika-Chō formation, consisting of Akimichi Chōza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi, played a crucial role in tactical warfare, their seamless coordination turning the tide of many battles. Minato himself had recommended them for high-level missions, earning them great prestige.

There was also Uchiha Yoruki and Nawaki, whose battle prowess left a deep impression on both allies and enemies. And although Aburame Shibi lacked the sheer combat strength of the others, his exceptional intelligence-gathering skills had proven vital on numerous occasions.

It was thanks to these outstanding shinobi that Konoha not only survived the war but emerged victorious.

However, war always had two sides—light and shadow.

For every hero that emerged, another had fallen.

Konoha had gained recognition, but it had also suffered tremendous losses. Many brave shinobi had perished, sacrificing themselves for the village. Might Duy, Hyūga Tenki, Kato Dan… These were just a few among countless names etched in history.

They, too, were heroes.

And yet, for those left behind, the wounds of war did not heal so easily.

Evening – The Seventh Training Ground

A pale moon hung in the sky as the gentle rustling of leaves echoed in the vast training ground. Somewhere deep within the dense forest, a white-haired boy lay motionless on the ground, unconscious from sheer exhaustion.

Sweat soaked his forehead, his body trembling slightly. His brows furrowed as his mind was trapped in turmoil.

(Kakashi…)

Dark memories plagued his thoughts.

Rin's face, frozen in despair, appeared before him—again and again.

Her lips, once full of life, were now tinged with the deep red of her own blood. Her expression, once so warm, had turned still and empty.

Her eyes… had lost all light.

"Why!?"

A strangled growl echoed in his mind.

Why had it come to this?

Why had Rin chosen to die by his hands?

Sakumo had explained to him before—Rin had chosen to die. She believed she was weaker than Kakashi and did not want to become a burden to him. Rather than risking the danger she posed to the village, she had made the ultimate sacrifice.

But Kakashi refused to accept it.

His mind screamed in protest. It shouldn't have happened this way!

No matter what, he should have protected her.

If he had been stronger…

If he had been faster…

If he had been just a little more powerful, perhaps she wouldn't have needed to make that choice.

"Huuhh…!"

Kakashi gasped, his body jerking upright. His breath came in ragged, heavy pants, and sweat dripped from his temples.

But the world around him was different from where he had collapsed.

He was no longer in the training ground.

Instead, he found himself in his own home.

"Kakashi, are you okay?"

A soft, worried voice called to him.

Beside his bed, Suzuka, his mother, looked down at him with concern.

His eyes remained unfocused, lost in thought.

"Mom…" he murmured, barely registering her presence.

Suzuka's heart ached. As a mother, seeing her son in such turmoil was unbearable. But she knew—this pain, this burden—was something only he could overcome.

Moments later, the door to the room creaked open.

Sakumo Hatake stepped inside.

He observed Kakashi with a solemn gaze before speaking, "Pushing yourself like this will only harm your body. You can't keep doing this."

There was a flicker of hesitation in his tone. Ever since Kakashi had been discharged from the hospital, he had been training relentlessly—so much so that his body could no longer keep up.

Sakumo knew why.

Kakashi believed he was too weak.

He resented his own powerlessness.

But this kind of reckless training wouldn't make him stronger—it would only break him.

Kakashi's grip tightened around the blanket covering him.

"No," he whispered hoarsely. "I can't stop now. I need strength… I can't afford to be lazy anymore."

His fingernails dug into the fabric.

If only he had been stronger… Rin and Obito wouldn't have…

At his age, Kakashi was already an exceptional shinobi—one of the most talented of his generation. But that didn't matter to him.

In his eyes, he was still weak.

He had heard stories of Minato Sensei at his age—how he had been able to turn the tides of battle, rescuing comrades and achieving feats that earned him the title of Yellow Flash.

But what had Kakashi done?

He had failed to protect the people he loved.

"Obito…" his voice wavered.

"I'm sorry."

He had learned from Shisui that Obito had died saving him and Rin from Kirigakure's forces. He had thrown himself into battle against impossible odds—all to ensure their escape.

And Kakashi had survived.

Obito had not.

A Mother's Worry

Seeing the turmoil in her son's eyes, Suzuka turned to Sakumo with pleading concern.

"I can't just sit by and watch him destroy himself like this," she whispered.

Sakumo's expression darkened. He understood his wife's feelings, but Kakashi was too deep in his grief. No words could pull him from it.

"Minato came to see me earlier," Sakumo said. "He thinks he can help Kakashi."

Suzuka's eyes widened slightly. "Where is he now?"

"He went to see the Sandaime. He had something confidential to discuss before coming back."

Suzuka hesitated, then nodded.

If there was anyone Kakashi would listen to, it was Minato Namikaze.

Hokage's Office

The Third Hokage listened intently as Minato finished his report.

A deep frown creased the old man's face.

The implications of Minato's words were alarming—Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Nations, might be under external control.

Silence stretched between them as Hiruzen processed the gravity of the situation.

The evidence was there.

Minato's infiltration had revealed a barrier trap, set up by an unknown party.

Hyūga clansmen had gone missing near the Hidden Mist front.

Mysterious monsters had attacked the Konoha army.

The Third Mizukage had been behaving abnormally, and had not been seen publicly since the Five Kage Summit.

Everything pointed to a hidden hand manipulating Kirigakure from the shadows.

Hiruzen's hands trembled slightly as he exhaled.

"No… it's impossible…" he muttered under his breath.

Yet deep down, he already knew he truth.

It was the same answer Minato had reached.

The only person who could have done this…

The only man who could control an entire village from the shadows…

Uchiha Madara.

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