One Piece: Take the Uchiha Clan to the Grand Line

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After Uchiha Kitaro mysteriously disappeared, the sudden appearance of the Fourth Hokage seemed too much of a coincidence.

Kitaro, a disciple of Orochimaru, also had ties to the Fourth Hokage. Namikaze Minato had personally taught him the Flying Thunder God Technique. While they weren't master and student in title, they definitely were in practice.

It wasn't far-fetched to imagine Kitaro reviving the Fourth Hokage through Orochimaru to retaliate against the Third Hokage.

"That damn brat… and Minato was such a fool," the Third Hokage muttered bitterly. "Kitaro was already so strong, yet Minato still taught him the Flying Thunder God. Foolish!"

However, the Third Hokage wasn't one to be underestimated. Backed by an army of thousands of skilled shinobi, he believed sheer numbers would be enough to counter any threat.

Of course, it's because he wanted to believe it even if he could see the truth, he denied it himself, just as everyone wanted to believe what suited them.

— — —

Meanwhile, Minato had returned to Naruto, bringing with him a hefty sum of money, courtesy of Kitaro.

"Dad! Did you rob a bank?!" Naruto's eyes widened at the pile of cash. "Where did all this money come from? Or was being Hokage this profitable? Did you hoard this much when you were Hokage?!"

Smack!

Minato lightly swatted Naruto on the head, exasperated. "Where would I have gotten this kind of money when I was Hokage? If I did, we wouldn't have had to live on the outskirts of the village."

He sighed a hint of regret in his voice. "Honestly, I wish I had set aside more for you back then. I'm sorry you didn't inherit anything worthwhile."

"This isn't mine, though—it's a loan from your brother, Kitaro. But don't worry, I'll repay him myself."

Naruto's expression turned somber. "Wait… are you leaving again?"

Minato's heart clenched seeing the tears well up in Naruto's eyes. Though Naruto had learned to be strong over the years, in front of his father, he couldn't help but revert to being a vulnerable child—a reminder that he was still just seven years old.

Minato knelt, ruffling Naruto's hair with a warm smile. "I'm so proud of you, Naruto. But yes, I have to go. Don't be sad—it's not goodbye forever. Your mother and I have always been watching over you, and we always will."

Minato continued, "I'll speak to Kitaro and Orochimaru. In a few years, I'll bring your mom with me next time I visit. How does that sound?"

"Really?!" Naruto's face lit up, his tears momentarily forgotten.

"Really. But until then, you have to promise me you'll stay strong, healthy, and happy. Can you do that?"

Naruto wiped his tears on his sleeve, nodding vigorously. "I promise! I'll be the strongest, Dad! I'm the Fourth Hokage's son—I can handle anything!"

Minato smiled with pride. "Good. That's my boy. I'm sorry I couldn't be a better father, but your mom... she's an amazing mother, the best."

"Naruto, we'll always love you."

With those words, Minato's form began to fade.

"Dad! Wait! DAD! …Aaaaahhhh!"

Naruto's cries echoed through the air as he broke down in tears, unable to hold back the flood of emotions.

Minato hadn't gone far. Watching his son cry from a distance, he fought back his own tears. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew his presence would disrupt Naruto's life. He'd do whatever it took, though, to ensure no one else interfered with his son's future.

Swish!

Minato disappeared in a flash.

— — —

Root Headquarters

Shing!

"Gahhh!"

In an instant, more than a dozen Root Anbu fell lifelessly to the ground.

"Who's there?!" Danzo demanded, alarmed. His eyes widened as a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Minato?! You… you've been resurrected through the Edo Tensei?!"

Danzo, as a student of the Second Hokage, immediately recognized the infamous technique. Though he had tried to master it himself, he had failed.

Minato's expression remained cold. "Danzo, I don't care what schemes you have brewing. But I'm warning you—stay away from my son. If anything happens to Naruto, I'll make sure you don't live to see another day."

Danzo clenched his fists but stayed silent. Minato's presence was overwhelming, his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique and his sheer talent making him one of the most dangerous shinobi in history—even more so than Kitaro in his opinion.

With his warning delivered, Minato vanished as suddenly as he had appeared, leaving Danzo to stew in unease.

The reason Minato didn't kill Danzo is that he knew Kitaro would kill him soon enough, the same with the Third Hokage.

— — —

Far away, in a remote hideout of Orochimaru's, Kitaro and his group were enjoying a rare moment of peace. The warm glow of a campfire and the smell of roasting meat filled the air as they relished the simplicity of outdoor living—a nostalgic break from their usual chaos.

Swish!

Minato appeared out of nowhere.

"Minato-sensei!" Kakashi greeted him immediately, the others following suit. Unlike the Third Hokage, Minato had always been a leader they respected—one who genuinely cared for the village.

Minato acknowledged the greetings with a nod before turning to Kitaro. "Kitaro, thank you for everything."

Kitaro shrugged with a small smile. "No need to thank me. It's the least I could do. How's Naruto?"

"He's doing well, thanks to you."

Minato's expression turned serious. "Let's get started."

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