Naruto : Minato back to the past

Uchiha Madara.

A name that once shook the foundations of the ninja world. This man, who co-founded the Hidden Leaf Village alongside the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had left a legacy that was both legendary and feared. Despite being instrumental in Konoha's creation, he ultimately turned against the village, choosing the path of rebellion.

His final clash with the First Hokage at the Valley of the End was the stuff of legends. Even though Hashirama was hailed as the "God of Shinobi," he could only claim victory over Madara after an exhausting battle that pushed both warriors to their absolute limits. In the end, Hashirama emerged victorious, and the world believed that Uchiha Madara had perished that day.

This tale wasn't just folklore; it was history, well-documented and passed down through generations. Every shinobi in Konoha knew of it, and so did the wider ninja world. Yet, while many regarded it as a closed chapter of the past, the three Hokage present before Minato today had truly lived through that era.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had been the disciple of both the First and Second Hokage. While he had not personally witnessed the legendary battle at the Valley of the End, he was well aware of its significance. He also knew for certain that after Madara's supposed death, Hashirama had personally retrieved the Uchiha's body and ensured that it was laid to rest in Konoha.

That fact was unquestionable.

And yet…

The enemy they now faced operated in the shadows, possessing not only profound knowledge of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques but also an intimate understanding of Konoha itself. This mysterious figure had demonstrated the power to manipulate unknown creatures—beings with strength rivaling the Tailed Beasts. He had infiltrated the Hidden Mist Village and even controlled its leadership, becoming the Third Mizukage.

Such capabilities narrowed the list of suspects considerably.

For the Third Hokage, there was only one name that fit the description.

Uchiha Madara.

But that was impossible. Madara had been dead for decades.

The thought troubled Hiruzen deeply. He furrowed his brows and turned to Minato. "What do you think?"

Minato's expression was grave. "I think that no matter who this person is, he won't stop now. He has invested too much into his plan."

Hiruzen nodded in agreement. Konoha's strength was at an all-time high, but that didn't mean they were invincible. The enemy had already demonstrated the ability to manipulate creatures as powerful as the Tailed Beasts. While Konoha's forces could counter such threats in direct combat, a surprise attack on the village itself would be devastating.

Ordinary spies couldn't slip past Konoha's defenses, but this enemy could suppress the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, move unnoticed within their borders, and had even kidnapped Kushina Uzumaki—the village's Jinchūriki—without raising an alarm. That was a level of infiltration that should not have been possible.

They had to remain vigilant.

"So, are you suggesting that what happened to Kakashi and Nohara Rin wasn't just an accident?" Hiruzen asked, his voice solemn. He took a deep breath, as if bracing himself for the implications.

Minato nodded. "When I arrived at the scene, the man who had eliminated dozens of Kirigakure shinobi and ANBU had barely left. His presence was deliberate."

Hiruzen's frown deepened. "You think you were lured there on purpose?"

Minato clenched his fists. "Yes. The fact that I was able to find the location so quickly wasn't a coincidence. Someone had deliberately placed one of my Flying Thunder God kunai nearby."

The Third Hokage's expression darkened. "So someone wanted you to arrive just after the attack? But if this enemy manipulated Kirigakure into hunting Kakashi and Rin, only to then eliminate the pursuers before you arrived—what was the goal?"

It didn't make sense.

Minato remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing.

"Forget the enemy's intentions for now," he finally said. "What I don't understand the most is Rin's suicide."

His voice was heavy, filled with a sorrow that he struggled to contain.

It wasn't that he couldn't believe Rin would sacrifice herself for Kakashi. That possibility existed. But Minato knew that the situation was far more complex. Everything about that event had been orchestrated.

Someone had forced Rin's hand.

"You shouldn't blame yourself too much," Hiruzen said, his voice carrying a weight of experience. "The dead are already gone."

But Minato couldn't simply accept that. He had been entrusted with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin's well-being. And yet, he had failed to protect them.

"Kakashi is still blaming himself for Rin's death," Minato admitted. "Before I came here, I visited the Hatake clan estate. In the past few days, Kakashi has collapsed multiple times from overtraining."

Hiruzen sighed. "That boy…"

Minato's gaze sharpened. "I can't let him destroy himself over a guilt that isn't his to bear. That's why I want to tell him part of the truth."

Hiruzen studied Minato carefully. "That would mean revealing classified information."

"I know," Minato said firmly. "But if I don't, Kakashi might never recover."

The Third Hokage was silent for a long moment. Then, to Minato's surprise, he chuckled.

"Surprised?" Hiruzen asked, seeing Minato's reaction.

Minato blinked. "You agreed faster than I expected."

Hiruzen smiled knowingly. "Kakashi may still be young, but he has already grown into a fine shinobi. For the sake of the village's future, we must guide him, not let him drown in his regrets."

Then, his expression changed. His tone became more serious as he shifted the conversation. "Besides, I have already made my decision."

Hiruzen stood up from his seat and turned to the window, his gaze sweeping over the village. The sight of Konoha, bathed in the afternoon sun, seemed to fill him with nostalgia. After a brief pause, he spoke again.

"I have decided to entrust Kakashi's future—and the future of Konoha—to you."

Minato's breath caught in his throat. His heartbeat quickened.

Hiruzen turned back toward him, his expression resolute.

"I am stepping down. The position of Hokage belongs to you, Minato."

Even though Minato had already held the title of Fourth Hokage once in his previous life, hearing those words again still shook him.

Becoming Hokage had been his dream since childhood. But it was never just his own ambition.

It had been Kushina's dream for him as well.

And it had been Obito's dream.

Minato clenched his fists. This time, he would not allow history to repeat itself. He would not let Konoha—or those he loved—suffer as they had before.

The title of Hokage had once been both his duty and his burden. It had cost him his life.

But now, it was his new beginning.

Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash, would take on the mantle once more.

Not just as a protector of the village—

But as its leader.

In the name of the Fourth Hokage!

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