A New Legacy Begins
I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS ALL RIGHTS BELONG WITH KISHIMOTO, VIZ MEDIA, AND SHONEN JUMP. PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL RELEASE!
THE IDEA OF THESE OC CHARACTERS ARE NOT OWNED BY ME. THESE SPECIFIC VERSIONS HOWEVER ARE MY BRAIN CHILD, IF YOU USE THEM GIVE ME CREDIT.
The Uchiha Rebellion
Chapter 12: The New Legacy Begins
Six months had passed since Minato Namikaze and Akane Uchiha's marriage. The village had continued to thrive under Minato's leadership, but in the background, the couple faced a challenge they hadn't anticipated. The divide between Akane and the Uchiha Clan—something they thought they could eventually mend—had only grown wider.
It was a chilly morning when Fugaku Uchiha, head of the Uchiha clan, was summoned to a private meeting at the Hokage's office. The message had been delivered with formal respect, as was protocol for the leader of a prestigious clan. Still, Fugaku couldn't help but bristle at the idea of being called like some common shinobi.
As he entered the office, he spotted Minato and Akane standing side by side. His gaze immediately shifted to Akane's belly, and his eyes widened in shock. A small, unmistakable bump was visible beneath her loose-fitting attire.
"You're…" Fugaku trailed off, his voice low and tense. He couldn't believe it. His cousin—his cousin—was pregnant. Pregnant with Minato's child. The reality of it struck him like a blow to the chest, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions.
"Fugaku," Akane greeted softly, a faint smile on her lips despite the tension in the air. "Thank you for coming."
Fugaku didn't respond, his gaze locked on Akane's belly. The bump was small, but it was there. It reminded him painfully of when his wife, Mikoto, had been pregnant with their own children. The same gentle curve, the same protective hand resting over it.
"Is that what this meeting is about?" he demanded, his voice tight. "You've called me here to flaunt this… this disgrace?"
Akane's smile faltered, and she instinctively placed a hand over her stomach, as if to shield her unborn child from Fugaku's words. "No, that's not why we asked you here."
"Then why?" Fugaku snapped, his eyes blazing with barely contained anger. "Why am I here?"
Akane glanced at Minato, who stepped forward, his expression calm and measured despite the palpable hostility radiating from Fugaku.
"Fugaku-sama," Minato began respectfully, "we requested this meeting because we want to talk about the future of our child—Naruto."
"Naruto?" Fugaku repeated with a sneer, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've already named it?"
"Yes," Minato replied steadily. "We chose the name Naruto after Jiraiya-sensei's first novel. But that's not why we're here."
Fugaku narrowed his eyes. "Then get to the point, Hokage. What do you want from me?"
Minato exchanged a quick look with Akane before turning back to face Fugaku. "We want to know if there's a possibility for our son to bond with his Uchiha heritage—if you'd allow him to be recognized by your clan."
"Recognized?" Fugaku's voice dripped with scorn. "Why should we recognize a half-breed? He may carry the Uchiha name in your eyes, but to us, he's nothing but an outsider. You made sure of that when you married Akane and sullied our bloodline."
Akane flinched, tears welling in her eyes. Minato's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm.
"Fugaku…" Akane's voice was soft, almost pleading. "Please… I know this isn't what you wanted. But can't we—can't he —have a chance to be a part of the family?"
"Family?" Fugaku spat, his voice rising. "You ceased being a part of this family the moment you chose him over your clan, Akane. And now you dare to ask for leniency? For your child to be accepted among us?"
The weight of his words hung in the air like a sword poised to strike. Akane's tears spilled over, and she turned away, unable to meet Fugaku's gaze any longer.
"Then… there's nothing left to discuss," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I… I'm sorry, Fugaku."
She turned and walked out of the room, her shoulders shaking. Minato watched her go, his heart aching at her pain. He knew how much this had meant to her, how desperately she had hoped for some semblance of reconciliation.
"Is there anything else you want to say, Minato?" Fugaku growled, his eyes burning with barely contained rage. "Or are we done here?"
"There's one more thing," Minato said slowly, his gaze steady. "Fugaku-sama, please. I know you don't want my son around your clan, but… what if he awakens the Sharingan?"
Fugaku scoffed, the bitterness in his voice cutting like a blade. "You really think your son, with 50% Uchiha DNA, will be able to access the bloodline of the Uchiha?"
"There's a literal 50% chance of it happening," Minato replied firmly. "If it does happen, will you allow him to train under the Uchiha elites?"
"No." Fugaku's answer was swift and final. "I won't have half-breeds in my compound."
Minato took a deep breath, steadying himself. He knew this would be difficult, but he had to make Fugaku understand the bigger picture. For the sake of his son.
"If Naruto awakens the Sharingan," Minato continued, his voice calm but unyielding, "and he goes on missions, he will be deemed an Uchiha by outsiders. If he is captured, your clan's dojutsu and its secrets will be revealed."
Fugaku stiffened, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. Minato saw it—the brief crack in the Uchiha's armor—and pressed forward.
"Think about it, Fugaku-sama," he urged. "If our son awakens the Sharingan and isn't properly trained, he could become a liability. The Uchiha Clan could lose its secrets, its power, to the enemy. Is that a risk you're willing to take?"
Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Fugaku clenched his fists, his mind racing. Damn Minato and his logic. Damn him for being right.
"Fine," Fugaku bit out through gritted teeth. "If your genetically inferior child awakens the Sharingan, I will personally see to it that he is trained by the best."
Minato let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He extended his hand toward Fugaku, a gesture of respect and gratitude despite the man's harsh words.
"Thank you, Fugaku-sama," Minato said quietly.
Fugaku eyed the offered hand with disdain before gripping it firmly, his gaze hard and unyielding. "Don't thank me yet, Namikaze. I'm only doing this to protect the Uchiha name. But make no mistake—your son will never truly be one of us."
Minato nodded, accepting the terms for what they were—a reluctant concession, but a victory nonetheless.
As Fugaku turned to leave, Minato couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. It wasn't the outcome they had hoped for, but it was a step forward. A small step toward a future where their child could embrace both sides of his heritage.
"Rest well, Akane," Minato whispered softly, his heart aching for his wife. "We've made some progress today. It's not everything, but… it's a start."
Outside the office, Fugaku paused, his expression dark and conflicted. His cousin, pregnant with the child of the man he despised most. His own bloodline, tainted and diluted. And yet…
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. None of that mattered now. The only thing that mattered was ensuring the strength and purity of the Uchiha Clan.
And if that meant training a half-breed… so be it.
Fugaku Uchiha stood at the head of the long, rectangular table in the Uchiha council chamber. The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn tight to keep prying eyes from peering into the clandestine meeting. The council members—the elders of the Uchiha Clan—sat in silence, their expressions guarded and wary. The air was thick with tension, every breath and shift of fabric amplified by the oppressive stillness.
The former head of the clan, Hiroshi Uchiha, a man well into his eighties, leaned forward, his gaze sharp despite his age. His once jet-black hair was now a snowy white, and his voice, though frail, carried a weight of authority that could silence even the most rebellious of shinobi.
"Fugaku," Hiroshi intoned, his voice slicing through the quiet like a blade. "What is this nonsense about an outsider being trained by our clan?"
Fugaku took a deep breath, gathering his resolve. He knew this wasn't going to be easy. He knew there would be resistance—perhaps even outright rebellion. But he had no choice. For the sake of the Uchiha's future, he had to try.
"The Hokage and Akane," Fugaku began, his voice steady, "are expecting a child. A boy, whom they've named Naruto Namikaze."
A murmur rippled through the chamber, the elders exchanging uneasy glances. Fugaku could see the hostility simmering in their eyes, could feel the anger radiating from them like heat off a forge.
"I know this is difficult to accept," he continued, raising his voice slightly to cut through the growing discontent. "But the child is still part Uchiha by blood. He carries our legacy within him, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not."
"Legacy?" Hiroshi spat, his eyes narrowing. "You dare to speak of legacy? That boy will be nothing but a stain on our clan. A half-breed born of an impure union. Why should we even entertain the idea of letting him be trained by our people?"
Fugaku's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone respectful. "I understand your concerns, Hiroshi-sama. But there's more at stake here than just our pride. If the child awakens the Sharingan, he will be seen as an Uchiha by the world—an Uchiha with no training, no guidance. Imagine what could happen if he's captured by our enemies. They will learn our secrets. They will exploit his abilities, twist them to their own purposes."
The murmurs grew louder, a wave of discontent that threatened to overwhelm the chamber. Fugaku glanced around, his eyes meeting each elder's gaze in turn.
"If we refuse to train him, we risk exposing our dojutsu to the enemy," he pressed on. "But if we do train him, we ensure that our techniques, our bloodline, remain within our control."
"Control?" one of the elders, a stern man named Masaru, growled. "How do you propose we control him, Fugaku? He's the Hokage's son. And do not forget—your cousin was the one who chose to abandon the clan. She betrayed us, and now you ask us to accept her offspring as one of our own?"
"I'm not asking you to accept him as one of our own," Fugaku said firmly. "I'm asking you to let him be trained, should he awaken the Sharingan. Nothing more."
The council erupted into angry shouts, their voices rising in a chaotic chorus of accusations and denials. Fugaku stood his ground, his gaze steady, his expression impassive. He had expected this. He had prepared for it.
"Silence!" Hiroshi barked, his voice cutting through the uproar like a whip. The chamber fell quiet once more, the tension crackling in the air like a storm about to break.
"Fugaku," the elder man said slowly, his gaze piercing. "You speak of control, of preserving our secrets. But we had control once before—control over a shinobi whose power rivaled that of a god. And what did it bring us?"
"Madara Uchiha," Fugaku murmured, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment. "I know. But this is different. Minato Namikaze is not Hashirama Senju. His personality, his values—he would counteract any potential for hatred in the boy."
"Potential for hatred?" Hiroshi sneered. "You speak as if it's something that can be controlled, something that can be mitigated. The Curse of Hatred is not so easily tamed, Fugaku."
Another elder, a woman named Reika, leaned forward, her sharp gaze assessing Fugaku with cold calculation. "What do you propose, Fugaku-sama?"
Fugaku took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "If the boy awakens the Sharingan, he will be trained by the Uchiha. We will teach him to control his abilities, to wield them with the precision and discipline our clan is known for. But we will do so on our terms. We will decide how he is treated, how he is taught."
Reika's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think the Hokage will allow us that freedom?"
"Because I've already spoken with him," Fugaku admitted, his gaze steady. "He understands the situation. He agreed to let the clan handle the boy's training, should the need arise."
The council fell silent, each elder deep in thought. Fugaku could see the wheels turning in their minds, the calculations and considerations.
"And what do we gain from this?" Masaru asked, his voice suspicious. "What's in it for us?"
Fugaku's lips curved into a faint smile. "Minato Namikaze is the Hokage. His child being trained by the Uchiha would forge a direct link between our clan and the highest office in the village. It would put us above all other clans in terms of influence and power."
Hiroshi's gaze sharpened, a hint of interest flickering in his eyes. "A direct linkage to the Hokage… You believe that would elevate us?"
"Yes," Fugaku said firmly. "It would solidify our place in the village's hierarchy. And it would ensure that the Uchiha name is never overlooked again. The next Hokage would be an Uchiha."
The elders began murmuring among themselves, their voices a low, steady hum of speculation and debate. Fugaku stood silently, waiting, his heart pounding in his chest.
Finally, Hiroshi raised his hand, silencing the room.
"We had that in Madara Uchiha," he said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of history and regret. "And look how that turned out."
Fugaku nodded slowly. "I know. But once again Minato's influence—his personality—would counteract any potential curse of hatred. He would not allow it to fester. We would not see a repeat of the past."
Reika glanced at her fellow council members before speaking. "Very well. The boy will be allowed to train with the Uchiha should he awaken his Sharingan. But," she added sharply, "he will be treated according to our discretion. We will not allow him to compromise our traditions or our values."
Fugaku inclined his head respectfully. "I understand."
The council exchanged a few more hushed words before the eldest member, Hiroshi, turned back to Fugaku. "We will agree to this… arrangement. But remember, Fugaku—this is a concession, not an acceptance. The boy will never be truly one of us. And should he prove a liability…"
"He won't," Fugaku said quickly, his voice firm. "I will ensure it."
Hiroshi nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "Then it's settled. Naruto Namikaze will be allowed to train with the Uchiha, should he awaken his Sharingan. But he will not be given the same privileges as our own."
"Thank you," Fugaku murmured, bowing his head. "This… means a lot to Akane. And to me."
As he turned to leave the chamber, Fugaku couldn't help but feel a sense of grim satisfaction. It wasn't a victory—far from it. But it was a step forward. A step toward ensuring that his cousin's child, despite everything, would have a chance to embrace his heritage.
As he stepped out into the cool evening air, Fugaku allowed himself a small smile.
Akane owed him a favor now. And Fugaku never forgot a debt.
The Uchiha council chamber had emptied, its members dispersing into the evening shadows of the clan compound, each lost in their own thoughts. Fugaku lingered near the entrance, his expression unreadable as he processed the outcome of the meeting. He had managed to secure a precarious concession from the elders—one that would allow Naruto Namikaze to train within the Uchiha's walls, should he unlock the Sharingan. It was a victory, albeit a small one.
But as he stepped into the cool night air, his thoughts were interrupted by a voice that carried the weight of age and authority.
"Fugaku," Hiroshi called softly.
Fugaku turned, surprised to see the former head of the clan standing behind him, his face shrouded in the pale moonlight. The elder's posture was slightly hunched, the years having taken their toll on his once powerful frame, but his gaze was as sharp as ever.
"Hiroshi-sama," Fugaku greeted, inclining his head respectfully. "Is there something you needed?"
"Just a moment of your time," Hiroshi replied, gesturing toward a secluded corner of the courtyard. "There's something I wish to discuss… in private."
Curiosity piqued, Fugaku followed the elder to a quieter spot beneath the sprawling branches of a gnarled oak tree. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, casting shifting shadows across the ground.
"What is it, Hiroshi-sama?" Fugaku asked, his tone cautious. He had known Hiroshi to be a man of few words, but when he did speak, it was always with purpose.
Hiroshi regarded him silently for a long moment, his eyes—still bright and piercing despite his advanced age—seeming to probe deep into Fugaku's soul. "How well do you know your family tree, Fugaku?"
Fugaku blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "My family tree?" he repeated, furrowing his brow. "I know it like the back of my hand, Hiroshi-sama. Every branch, every line. It's my duty as head of the clan to—"
"To what?" Hiroshi interrupted quietly, his gaze unwavering. "To know every secret? Every shadow that our bloodline casts?"
Fugaku stiffened, a sense of unease coiling in his gut. There was something in Hiroshi's tone—something that hinted at truths long buried, at knowledge veiled by time and secrecy.
"What are you saying?" Fugaku murmured, his voice low. "What are you hiding?"
Hiroshi's lips curved into a faint, almost sad smile. "There are things, Fugaku, that even you don't know. Things the council chose to bury in the past—secrets that were meant to die with my generation. But it seems fate has a way of digging up what we try to conceal."
Fugaku's heart pounded in his chest, the world narrowing to the space between them. "Hiroshi-sama… what are you talking about?"
The elder took a deep breath, his gaze turning distant, as if peering into the mists of memory. "I'm talking about Akane's heritage. About her lineage—her true lineage."
"Her lineage?" Fugaku echoed, confusion mingling with unease. "She's an Uchiha. The daughter of—"
"Yes, yes," Hiroshi cut him off with a wave of his hand. "The daughter of your uncle, a respected member of our clan. But that's not what I'm referring to."
Fugaku stared at him, the realization dawning slowly, like the first light of dawn creeping over the horizon. "What… are you saying?"
Hiroshi's gaze sharpened, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I'm saying that the council, long before your time, made a decision. We chose to keep something hidden. Something that, had it been known, would have torn the clan apart."
Fugaku's mouth went dry, his mind racing. "What secret, Hiroshi-sama? What is it that you're not telling me?"
"Madara," Hiroshi said softly, his gaze locked on Fugaku's. "It's about Madara."
Fugaku's breath caught in his throat, the name reverberating through him like a shockwave. "What… about him?"
Hiroshi hesitated, as if weighing the burden of the truth against the consequences of revealing it. Then, with a sigh, he continued.
"When I was a teenager, Madara was at the height of his power. He was a force that commanded respect and fear in equal measure. But there was something else—something none of us knew at the time. He met a woman."
"A woman?" Fugaku repeated, incredulous. "Madara Uchiha? The man who stood against the entire world?"
"Yes," Hiroshi murmured, a hint of something like regret in his voice. "He met a woman, and they had a child. A child that was kept hidden, even from the clan. Only the highest-ranking members knew of her existence. That child… was Akane's grandmother."
Fugaku's world tilted, the ground seeming to shift beneath his feet. "Akane's… grandmother?"
Hiroshi nodded slowly. "Yes. She was the product of Madara's one and only known relationship. A relationship that was buried beneath layers of secrecy and shame. The child was a girl, and when she came of age, she too had a daughter—Akane's mother."
Fugaku's mind reeled, his thoughts scattering like leaves in a storm. "But… that would mean…"
"Yes," Hiroshi said quietly, his eyes never leaving Fugaku's. "It means that Akane Uchiha is Madara's direct descendant. And the child she carries within her… will be the first male born in Madara's bloodline since Madara and his brother, Izuna."
Fugaku's breath hitched, the implications of Hiroshi's words crashing over him like a tidal wave. "The first… male?"
"Madara's child was a girl. So was her child, and so was Akane. But this… this will be a boy. A boy born of Madara's blood, carrying the potential of the Sharingan and whatever dormant power lies within that cursed lineage."
Fugaku felt his knees weaken, his mind struggling to comprehend the enormity of what he was hearing. "A… great-grandson," he whispered, his voice hollow. "Madara's… great-grandson."
"Yes," Hiroshi confirmed, his voice barely more than a breath. "That's why the council agreed to train the child, should he awaken his Sharingan. Not because of loyalty to Akane or respect for Minato, but because we cannot afford to let Madara's legacy slip through our fingers."
Fugaku swallowed hard, his throat dry. "But… why keep it a secret? Why not tell the clan?"
"Because that name—Madara—carries a weight that few can bear," Hiroshi said softly. "The council feared that if it became known, it would cause unrest, division. Some might see it as a sign of hope, a return of the Uchiha's glory. Others… might see it as a curse, a harbinger of destruction."
Fugaku nodded slowly, his mind still spinning. It all made sense now—the council's hesitation, their reluctance to acknowledge Naruto. It wasn't just about blood purity or pride. It was about fear. Fear of what that child could become.
"But why tell me this now?" Fugaku asked, his voice strained. "Why reveal this secret to me, after all these years?"
"Because," Hiroshi murmured, his gaze softening, "you're the only one who can ensure that this child—this legacy—is guided down the right path. Akane and Minato… they're good people. But they don't understand the darkness that runs through our blood. They don't know what it means to carry Madara's name. But you… you can protect him. You can keep him from becoming what Madara was."
Fugaku took a deep, shuddering breath, his mind racing. "I… I understand."
"Do you?" Hiroshi whispered, his gaze piercing. "Do you truly understand what's at stake here, Fugaku?"
Fugaku nodded slowly, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders. "I do. And I won't let Madara's legacy destroy us."
Hiroshi's lips curved into a faint smile, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly. "Good. Then go, Fugaku. Watch over them. Watch over that child. And make sure that when the time comes… he chooses the light, not the darkness."
Fugaku inclined his head respectfully, his mind still reeling with the implications of what he'd just learned. As he turned to leave, Hiroshi's voice stopped him once more.
"And Fugaku," the elder murmured softly, "remember this: even the brightest flame casts a shadow. Be vigilant. For the child may carry Madara's blood… but that blood is tainted by darkness."
With those final words echoing in his mind, Fugaku stepped out into the night, his thoughts heavy and tumultuous. He had come to this meeting expecting resistance, perhaps even defiance. But he had left with something far more dangerous.
He had left with the knowledge of a secret that could reshape the future of the Uchiha Clan—and the entire shinobi world.
And for the first time in a long, long while… Fugaku felt afraid.
Fugaku walked through the familiar path leading to the Uchiha Compound, his mind buzzing with the revelations Hiroshi had imparted upon him. Madara Uchiha's bloodline… coursing through Akane and now, soon, through the child that was to be born. It was a secret that weighed heavily on his shoulders—one that had the potential to change everything for the Uchiha Clan.
He pushed open the front door of his home, his expression calm and composed as if nothing monumental had occurred. Mikoto greeted him with a warm smile, her presence a balm against the storm brewing in his mind. It was an ordinary evening—dinner with his family, sharing small conversations with his wife and children. All the while, he kept the knowledge buried deep within him, hidden behind the mask of a dutiful husband and father.
But as he listened to Sasuke chatter excitedly about his training and watched Itachi's silent, contemplative gaze, he couldn't help but wonder. What kind of future would this child—Madara's great-grandson—bring to their clan? What would it mean for the Uchiha's place in Konoha? Would he be a blessing… or a curse?
Only time would tell.
Naruto's Birth
At a secured site specially designated for the Hokage's family, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation. Minato Namikaze paced restlessly just outside the delivery room, his heart hammering in his chest. Every cry and gasp from Akane had him wincing, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.
"Relax, Hokage-sama," Biwako Sarutobi called out with a teasing lilt in her voice as she peeked through the slightly ajar door. "You're not the one giving birth here, after all."
Minato forced a smile, his nerves on edge. "I know, I know… I just… can't help worrying."
Biwako chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You men are always the same. You face a thousand shinobi in battle without batting an eye, but when it comes to something like this, you're a mess."
Minato let out a sheepish laugh, running a hand through his hair. "It's just… I want everything to go smoothly."
"And it will," Biwako assured him firmly. "Akane's strong. She's an Uchiha, after all. And this baby will be just as strong. You'll see."
With a final nod, she slipped back into the delivery room, leaving Minato alone with his thoughts. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. He could face any enemy, any threat… but the thought of losing Akane or their child—it was a fear that gripped him with an intensity he'd never felt before.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, every minute dragging by as he waited, every muffled sound from within the room sharpening his anxiety. He had to trust Biwako. He had to trust Akane's strength.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a sharp cry pierced the air.
Minato's head snapped up, his heart leaping in his chest. He rushed to the door, peering inside. Biwako, her face flushed with exertion but smiling brightly, turned to face him.
"Congratulations!" she announced, her voice warm and joyful. "Your baby boy is healthy!"
Relief flooded through Minato, his shoulders sagging as the tension drained away. He took a step forward, reaching out instinctively.
"Can I—"
"Not so fast!" Biwako chided, swatting his hand playfully. "Mothers first!"
Minato chuckled, stepping back as Biwako gently placed the tiny, squirming bundle into Akane's waiting arms. Akane's face, flushed with the effort of labor, softened as she looked down at the child cradled against her chest.
"Oh my god," she whispered, her voice filled with awe and love. "He's… he's beautiful."
The baby shifted slightly, his tiny face scrunching up as he opened his eyes for the first time. Akane gasped softly, tears welling up in her eyes as she stared at him.
"He has your eyes, Minato!" she exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion. "He has your blue eyes."
Minato's breath caught in his throat as he looked at his son—his precious, perfect son. Those wide, curious blue eyes, the same shade as his own, stared back at him.
A smile spread across his face, a sense of peace settling over him. He had been worried—worried about what kind of life his child would have, worried about the burden of the Uchiha's bloodline. But seeing those blue eyes…
He won't have the Sharingan after all, Minato thought with a sense of profound relief. As useful as the Sharingan was, it was also a curse. Each stage of the Sharingan was unlocked through pain, through suffering. And the higher stages… they came at the cost of one's very soul.
If his son didn't have the Sharingan, then maybe—just maybe—he could be spared from that pain.
At least that's what he thought…
A few hours later, as night fell over Konoha, Minato stood by the large windows of the secured room, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance. He held his son in his arms, his heart swelling with a mixture of pride and protectiveness.
"You're going to be something special," he murmured softly, looking down at Naruto's peaceful face. "But no matter what happens… I'll protect you. You and your mother. I swear it."
Akane, resting in the bed, smiled at the sight. "You're already such a doting father, Minato."
Minato chuckled, shifting Naruto gently. "I just want to do right by him. By both of you."
Akane's smile widened, but then she hesitated, her gaze turning thoughtful. "Do you… think he'll have the Sharingan?"
Minato stiffened slightly, but he forced a smile. "His eyes are blue. Just like mine."
"Yes," Akane murmured, her voice soft. "But that doesn't mean he won't awaken it in the future."
Minato sighed, his gaze drifting back to Naruto. "I know… but I hope he doesn't. The Sharingan… it's too much of a double-edged sword."
Akane nodded slowly, her expression pensive. "But if he does… will you let him train with the Uchiha?"
Minato's jaw tightened, his thoughts flashing back to his conversation with Fugaku. The deal they had struck—the precarious agreement to allow Naruto to train with the clan if he awakened the Sharingan.
"Yes," Minato said quietly. "If it happens… I'll let him train with them. He deserves to know where he comes from."
Akane's eyes softened, her love for both Minato and Naruto shining brightly. "Thank you, Minato. For everything."
Minato leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Anything for you, Akane. Anything for our family."
The night air was still as Fugaku Uchiha made his way through the quiet streets of Konoha, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows across the ground. His thoughts were turbulent, swirling around the disturbing realization he'd come to earlier that day.
The child—Naruto Namikaze—bore an unsettling resemblance to the enigmatic shinobi known as the Blue Devil, the man who had claimed the name Izuna Uchiha. The man who had also revealed himself to be from a distant future, one filled with devastation and loss. Fugaku had spent years trying to understand this man, to discern the truth behind his motives and cryptic statements. And now… now he was beginning to see the pieces fall into place.
The Blue Devil Shinobi was that child—Naruto Namikaze—fully grown and molded by a harsh, unknown future.
Fugaku's jaw tightened as he approached the agreed-upon meeting place. His gaze scanned the area, and he felt his muscles tense when he spotted the familiar silhouette leaning against the base of a tree. The man stood in a relaxed manner, his dark hair ruffled by the gentle breeze. A small, mocking smile played on his lips as he regarded Fugaku.
"Fugaku-sama," the man greeted casually, his voice light. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Fugaku stopped a few feet away, his expression hard. "No more games," he said sharply, his voice low. "I need answers, now. Are you or are you not that child, Naruto Namikaze?"
The man's smile widened ever so slightly, his blue eyes gleaming in the faint light. "Straight to the point, I see. Well, I suppose there's no point in hiding it anymore." He folded his arms across his chest, his gaze meeting Fugaku's squarely. "Yes, I am Naruto Namikaze… or rather, I was."
Fugaku's heart pounded painfully in his chest. "Was?" he repeated, his tone incredulous. "What do you mean?"
The man shrugged nonchalantly. "Names change, Fugaku-sama. As I said, in the future, my mother—Akane Uchiha—renames me. To the world, I become known as Naruto Uchiha. The boy you know now, Naruto Namikaze, ceases to exist."
Fugaku stared at him, the weight of the words settling like lead in his stomach. "So… it's true, then. You're that child… from a future where Minato and Akane…?"
Naruto's smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Yes. A future where Minato Namikaze is no longer alive. Where Akane is left to raise me alone."
Fugaku took a step forward, his gaze sharp. "And what of this separation you spoke of? You said there would be an event that tears them apart. What are you talking about?"
Naruto's eyes flickered, a shadow passing through them. He looked away, his gaze distant. "Minato's death," he murmured softly. "It's inevitable. In less than a year… he will die."
Fugaku's breath caught in his throat. "Minato… will die?" he whispered, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "How? Why?"
"There's a madman on the horizon," Naruto said quietly. "A man driven by grief, pain, and the Uchiha's own curse of hatred. He will cause an event that leads to Minato's death."
"A madman Uchiha?" Fugaku's voice was a harsh whisper. "Who is it? Is it someone from our clan?"
Naruto turned his gaze back to Fugaku, his expression inscrutable. "I can't tell you that. What I can tell you is that Minato's death is a fixed point in time. A canon event. It cannot be changed."
"Canon event…?" Fugaku shook his head, his hands clenching into fists. "What does that even mean?"
"It means it's meant to happen," Naruto replied softly, his voice laced with a sadness that seemed almost genuine. "Minato's death is part of the natural order of this timeline. No matter what actions we take, no matter how much we try to prevent it… he will die."
Fugaku felt a surge of anger and frustration bubbling up inside him. "Then why tell me this?" he demanded, his voice rising. "If it's unavoidable, why reveal this to me now?"
"Because you have a role to play, Fugaku-sama," Naruto said quietly, his gaze piercing. "Once Minato dies, everything changes. The village, the Uchiha clan, and… Naruto."
Fugaku's heart twisted painfully at the mention of his infant cousin. "What do you mean? What happens to him?"
Naruto took a deep breath, his gaze softening slightly. "After Minato's death, Akane will be left vulnerable. She'll be desperate to protect her child. She'll change his name to Naruto Uchiha, hoping to hide him from those who would seek to exploit the Namikaze name."
Fugaku swallowed hard, his mind racing. "And… you want me to train him, don't you?"
Naruto nodded slowly. "Yes. When the time comes, you'll need to train him. He'll unlock the Sharingan—of that, I have no doubt. And when he does… he'll need someone to guide him. Someone to ensure he doesn't fall victim to the same darkness that consumed Madara and so many others."
Fugaku's heart hammered in his chest. "And what makes you think I'm the right person for that?" he asked, his voice strained. "Why me?"
Naruto's gaze was intense, unwavering. "Because you're the one who stands at the crossroads between light and darkness, Fugaku-sama. You have the power to change the Uchiha's fate… or to let it be consumed by hatred once more."
Fugaku stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. "And if I refuse?"
Naruto's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then I'll find another way. But I think… deep down… you want to protect your clan. You want to see it thrive, don't you?"
Fugaku clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "I want… what's best for my clan," he ground out. "But I don't know if training that child is—"
"Trust me, Fugaku," Naruto interrupted softly, his voice carrying a strange, almost pleading undertone. "When the time comes… you'll see. That child—I—will need you."
The two men stood in silence for a long moment, the night air thick with tension. Finally, Fugaku took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"I'll consider it," he murmured, his voice low. "But I want the truth about everything. No more lies, no more half-truths."
Naruto nodded slowly, his gaze steady. "I promise, when the time is right… you'll know everything."
With that, Naruto turned away, his form blending into the shadows of the night.
"Prepare yourself, Fugaku-sama," his voice echoed softly. "The future is already set in motion. And soon… you'll have to choose where your loyalties lie."
And then he was gone, leaving Fugaku standing alone in the empty street, his mind reeling and his heart heavy.
The future was coming for them all.
And there was nothing he could do to stop it.
But maybe… just maybe… he could shape it.
There is only Two more chapters. One chapter will cover Mito's birth and the other will be a bonus chapter set in between Mito's Birth and The Uchiha Massacre. Well big reveal in this story Naruto is the Blue Devil Shinobi.