So far, there have only been two moments when Minato's student arrived late. The first was when his father passed away, and he found him unconscious next to his father's body. The second incident occurred during his father's funeral when Minato found him at home in a state of apathy under his blanket. Both times, it was Minato who lovingly took care of him and was there for him. In those moments, he saw his student cry for the first time, and he recognized the child within him. Minato's heart broke in those moments.
Concern grew a year later when the newly minted Chunin didn't show up for training. When Rin arrived at the training ground in the morning, her bewilderment was evident. Usually, they were greeted by Minato and Kakashi, but the silver-haired boy was absent. Even when Minato arrived in the morning, he wasn't there, although he was always the first one to wait there. Minato knew the youngest of his team enjoyed the morning peace, but he tried to ignore his initial worries.
It wasn't until Obito showed up almost an hour late, although it was nearly on time for the dark-haired boy, that Minato's concern began to grow, and he had to force himself not to just rush to Kakashi. Especially when he felt the concern of his other two students, he tried to stay calm not to scare them further. At first, Obito teased Kakashi for being late, even though it was Kakashi who always preached to him about the importance of being on time, he was late himself. But soon, his mood changed, and he began to worry too. Obito must have noticed that Rin was very scared.
Minato had tried to reassure them, and with simple excuses, he tried to explain why Kakashi was late. But it didn't help; neither his students nor he himself could calm down. After another half hour with no sign of Kakashi, Minato decided to follow his instincts and check on the boy. He instructed Rin and Obito to do some light training and assured them that he would return as soon as possible before setting off.
As he left the training ground, he maintained an outward calm and slowly made his way, without spreading panic, although his heart was pounding wildly in his chest, almost ready to burst out. Once out of sight, he quickened his pace. He hurried through the village, hoping that Kakashi was okay and berating himself for waiting so long. Minato tried to imagine what could be wrong with Kakashi, but his thoughts kept interrupting each other, as each thought was worse than the previous one.
When Minato finally arrived at Kakashi's house, his worries intensified, and he forced himself to calm his racing heart. The front door was open, and as Minato cautiously entered the house, he slowly drew one of his kunais and moved quietly through the rooms. With horror, he recognized signs of a struggle; chaos reigned, and Minato felt his heart skip a beat as he discovered a puddle of blood in the living room. It didn't seem large enough to indicate fatal blood loss, but it suggested that Kakashi might be injured.
He wondered if someone from the village could have attacked Kakashi. The hatred against his father was still pervasive, despite Sakumo's death. Minato couldn't afford to waste any time; he had to find Kakashi, his student needed his help. So, he began searching for clues, but in the house, he found nothing to indicate where Kakashi might be. As Minato stood in the hallway, pondering where else to look, his gaze wandered to the open door leading to the garden. Had Kakashi fled? Actually, his student wasn't the type to avoid a fight, but maybe he saw no other way out.
Minato didn't hesitate any longer and stepped into the garden, his gaze scanning the surroundings attentively. At first, he couldn't see anything unusual. But as he walked further into the garden, he discovered footprints – a small pair and a larger one. Both led into the adjacent forest, and they appeared to have been running. Finally, he had a lead. Immediately, Minato raced through the forest, observing his surroundings carefully and following the clear tracks left by the two – broken branches, occasional footprints, and even some blood. To his relief, the bloodstains didn't get larger; it was only a small amount of blood.
Further into the forest, he heard the clashing of metal against metal. He quickened his pace once again until the sounds finally subsided, and an almost peaceful silence spread through the forest. But Minato knew better; his heartbeat accelerated again, adrenaline coursing through his body, fueled by the sudden fear for his student. Guilt crept in, and he cursed himself for not checking on Kakashi much earlier. In the silence, he prayed to every deity that Kakashi was alright.
As he reached a clearing, his blood ran cold. Two young men faced each other, conversing. Minato estimated them to be in their early twenties. One of them held Kakashi unconscious in his arms. Minato ignored the fact that it appeared he was cradling his student protectively. For Minato, it was clear: the two were responsible.
**********
Now, he stood in a clearing in Konoha's dense forest, his hand tightly gripping a kunai. His expression was angry, his posture tense and ready to attack. Minato's gaze fixed on the other side of the clearing where the two men stood, both draped in bright cloaks that reached the ground. One of them seemed to be an Uchiha, although Minato had never seen him before. But that didn't mean anything; he didn't know all the members of the Uchiha clan. However, his hair revealed his affiliation.
The other of the two had blond hair, just like Minato. His blue eyes looked fascinated but also slightly nervous as he glanced over at Minato. Minato couldn't explain it, but he felt like he saw something in the blonde that reminded him of someone. Yet he couldn't place it because his greatest concern was his unconscious student being held by the blonde. None of them spoke; they just exchanged glances. Minato tried to remain calm. He feared that the two might harm his student if he made a wrong move. So, he carefully considered his next move.
Finally, it was the Uchiha who let out a sigh and broke the silence first. "It's not what it looks like," he began calmly and quietly explaining. "We can explain everything. We're not here to harm the boy." His words sounded rational, his voice barely showing any emotion.
"Yeah, exactly!" added the Blond, nodding vigorously. His voice sounded determined, and his movements emphasized his resolve.
Minato furrowed his eyebrows. "If that's the case, give me back my student!" he demanded with a cool voice.
The Uchiha turned to his companion, who remained still, holding Kakashi firmly in his arms. Another sigh escaped his lips before he spoke firmly, "Naruto! Give him Kakashi!" His authority was unmistakable.
Minato noticed the Blond, apparently named Naruto, flinch. But something else caught his attention: How did they know Kakashi's name? The question burned on his tongue, but he held back, his mind racing.
"Sure, no problem." Naruto moved immediately, stepping slowly into the center of the clearing. His movements were determined yet cautious.
Minato approached Naruto with deliberate steps, his attention unwavering. His gaze shifted between the Uchiha and Naruto. When they finally stood face to face, Minato's eyes met Naruto's blue ones. An inexplicable shiver ran down his spine, but he forced himself to ignore it. Something was off, and he couldn't ignore it.
With gentle hands, Naruto handed Kakashi over to Minato and then stepped back a few paces. Minato held Kakashi firmly in his arms, scrutinizing him closely. At first glance, his student seemed uninjured, except for a gash on his forehead. Relief washed over Minato as he saw Kakashi's chest rise and fall. The certainty of holding Kakashi safely in his arms calmed him somewhat. Yet he remained tense. He still didn't know who the two men were and what they wanted.
Minato fixed his gaze on the two men before him. "I'm listening. What do you want, and who are you?" Minato's voice was firm and resolute, his eyes piercing their figures as he waited for a clear answer.
Naruto was about to respond when the Uchiha raised his arm. "Let me handle this," he said calmly. His gaze shifted to Minato before turning to Naruto, adding softly, "We need to be careful."
Naruto nodded in agreement before flinching and pointing a finger at Sasuke. "Hey! What do you mean, Sasuke? Are you saying I can't handle this?" His voice sounded challenging, tinged with a hint of annoyance.
Sasuke rubbed his temples. "Don't yell like that, it just means I should take over. So just be quiet for a moment," he said calmly but firmly. His words carried a calm authority that brooked no argument.
Naruto crossed his arms and dropped the subject. Minato watched him for a moment before Sasuke cleared his throat, redirecting Minato's attention. "We're here to protect Kakashi. There was someone who wanted to kill him," Sasuke began to explain. His voice remained emotionless throughout. "We had to prevent it at all costs to protect the future. We're sorry, but we have to be careful about what we tell you." His words carried a solemn weight.
Minato blinked a few times as his mind slowly began to grasp what he had been told. After a brief moment, he found his words again. "Are you trying to tell me that you're from the future?" Minato could hardly believe it; it seemed impossible. Yet, on the other hand, his Hiraishin was a space-time jutsu. Perhaps it wasn't entirely impossible after all.
Sasuke nodded slowly. "Please understand that we can't reveal too much information. But I think you should be aware of that."
"I'm not sure I can just believe that," Minato admitted, eyeing the two skeptically. They were strangers, and the idea of time travel and future threats was hard to grasp. Yet, something in their demeanor and words made him hesitate to dismiss them outright.
"We can prove it!" Naruto interjected, his voice full of conviction and determination. His gaze was fixed firmly on Minato, as if he wanted to dispel his doubts.
Minato raised an eyebrow. "Then prove it to me," he demanded, his voice calm.
"You're Minato Namikaze, and your girlfriend is Kushina Uzumaki. She's the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi. Your students are Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and of course, Kakashi Hatake," Naruto began, his voice firm and sure. Then he paused briefly. "You found Kakashi with his dead father, who committed suicide. After his father's death, you wanted to take him in, but Kakashi refused." His words hit Minato like a blow, and he felt his heart constrict at the memory of that painful time.
Minato's mind raced. These were pieces of information the two shouldn't have. Kushina being a Jinchuuriki was a closely guarded secret. His conversation with Kakashi had been between just the two of them; no one else knew about the offer. This couldn't be right. "You shouldn't know that," Minato stated firmly, tightening his grip on Kakashi.
Naruto chuckled heartily, scratching the back of his head. "Well, we did tell you the truth, dattebayo!" His voice was cheerful and confident, radiating a certain carefree energy.
Minato flinched, his eyes widening, and suddenly he recognized something as he looked into Naruto's face, he knew who he saw in Naruto. Just as he was about to open his mouth, Sasuke beat him to it. "Don't!" he warned. "We can't answer any questions. It's better this way." Then he glanced at Naruto, who smiled back at Minato.
Minato slumped slightly and nodded in response. He kept his thoughts to himself, perhaps it really was better this way. "What about Kakashi? Is he still in danger?" His voice sounded concerned, and his eyes searched the two men before him for a clear answer.
Sasuke shook his head. "You don't need to worry. We were able to stop the assassin," he explained calmly. "I apologize for us being a bit late. Our original aim was to prevent him from attacking Kakashi in the first place. But when we arrived, he had already assaulted Kakashi." His words were composed.
A gentle smile graced Minato's lips as he shook his head. "Thank you for saving him," he said sincerely.
Naruto laughed heartily, crossing his arms behind his head. "We were happy to do it for Kakashi-sensei, dattebayo!" His voice was filled with joy and pride as he accepted Minato's gratitude.
Minato couldn't help but smile fondly, but he chose not to dwell on it further, although he had many questions. "What are your plans now?" he inquired instead, his eyes filled with curiosity, fixed on Naruto and Sasuke.
Sasuke explained calmly, "We need to leave soon. It's better if we don't stay too long." His gaze was serious.
Minato noticed a fleeting sadness in Naruto's eyes as Sasuke explained their intention. Naruto lowered his gaze. "Can I talk to him alone for a moment?" His voice was soft, tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
Minato flinched briefly, and Sasuke glanced at Naruto. "You know that's not possible," he said calmly but firmly.
Naruto glanced at Sasuke with a reassuring smile. "Come on, I'll watch over. Just give me a moment," the blonde persisted.
After a brief silence, Sasuke eventually waved him off and nodded. "Be careful what you say, and don't take too long. We really should get going soon," he instructed. Then, he turned to Minato. "It's best if you tell Kakashi that you stopped the attacker. I'm sure you'll come up with an explanation. After all, you're not daft. It's better if Kakashi doesn't know about us." With these words, the Uchiha turned and walked away.
A moment of silence hung between them as their eyes met. Naruto took a deep breath. "I'm sorry we can't answer all your questions," he finally said, a hint of regret in his voice.
Minato gently shook his head. "Don't worry, Naruto. It's alright. I understand," he said with a warm smile. Though he didn't say it explicitly, he acknowledged from Naruto's reaction that he understood. "Thank you for helping Kakashi," he added with sincere gratitude.
Naruto waved it off. "Stop thanking us. We were happy to help," he explained with a warm smile before his expression turned slightly more serious. "It's good to see you again," he said softly, a touch of melancholy in his voice as he revealed that he had missed Minato.
Minato smiled gently, glancing at Kakashi, who remained unconscious in his arms but stable. His breathing and pulse were normal. "It was nice meeting you," he said softly, almost like a whisper. Then, he turned his gaze back to Naruto. "Hopefully, we'll meet again soon," he added, a hint of optimism in his voice.
"Yeah, maybe," Naruto replied, falling silent for a moment. His gaze wandered across the clearing before returning to Minato. "I wish I could tell you so much, but I can't," he confessed softly. "There's so much I want to tell you, so many questions I want to ask." The words came with a hint of desperation from Naruto, yet Minato continued to smile gently. He sensed that Naruto had a lot on his mind, and his eyes spoke of compassion and understanding.
"It's okay, really. Someday, we'll surely get the chance," Minato responded calmly, with a touch of hope in his voice.
"Naruto! We have to go!" Sasuke called out, the reality of parting becoming palpable.
Naruto turned to Sasuke, nodded to the Uchiha, then turned back to Minato. "It's time," he said with a mixture of sadness and determination in his voice.
Minato nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is. Take care, Naruto. Look after yourself," he bid farewell with an encouraging smile, sensing the sadness in Naruto's eyes. His gaze was full of warmth and connection as he said goodbye.
A warm smile graced Naruto's lips before he turned and ran off. However, before he disappeared into the distance, he cast one last glance over his shoulder at Minato. "Take care, Dad. Give Mom my regards," he called out with a touch of warmth in his voice. Then, he skillfully leaped onto a tree and vanished into the dense treetops along with Sasuke. Minato watched them for another moment.
Minato lowered his gaze, a gentle but sad smile on his lips. "I'll pass on your regards to her," he promised softly, before pausing to take a deep breath. "Take care, my son," he added with a mixture of pride and nostalgia.
**********
Minato gazed out of the window as he sat beside Kakashi's bed. After the two had disappeared, Minato rushed Kakashi to the hospital immediately to get him treated. Fortunately, his injuries weren't severe; he only had a gash on his head that caused a concussion. But it was nothing serious, and he would fully recover. Minato fervently hoped that Kakashi would wake up soon.
After the meeting, Minato was deeply shaken and needed a moment of reflection for himself. He knew he had to keep the information he received to himself – Sasuke had been right; caution was necessary. Therefore, Minato had already concocted a story to tell Kakashi to explain what had happened. It wasn't the most pleasant option, but probably the most reasonable one in this situation.
Minato's attention was drawn to Kakashi as he noticed some movement. Immediately, Minato got up and sat gently on the edge of the bed. Kakashi slowly opened his eyes and glanced briefly around the room before focusing on Minato. "Minato-sensei?" His voice still sounded tired.
Minato smiled gently and placed a reassuring hand on Kakashi's. "Yes, Kakashi, I'm here," he replied calmly. "How are you feeling?"
Kakashi blinked a few times as he slowly seemed to take in his surroundings. "I'm tired," he confessed with a slight sigh. "But I think I'll survive."
Minato couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "That sounds like a good plan," he responded humorously. "You've had a little scare, but you're safe now in the hospital. You'll recover soon."
Kakashi nodded slightly and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again and looking up at Minato. "What happened, Sensei? I only remember a sudden blow and then nothing."
Minato took a deep breath, his eyes clouded with sorrow. "It had to do with your father," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret. He held Kakashi's gaze firmly, and immediately, Kakashi understood the message. He lowered his gaze to his lap.
"I understand," Kakashi murmured softly, and Minato's heart ached. But he knew it was for the best. A flood of explanations would only raise unnecessary questions, and in that moment, it was the best course of action.
Minato smiled gently and placed a finger under Kakashi's chin, gently lifting his head. Their eyes met in a moment of understanding. "I'm here for you, understood?" Minato whispered lovingly. Kakashi nodded softly in response. Minato withdrew his hand and smiled encouragingly.
As a knock sounded at the door, they were interrupted from their conversation. Before Minato could say anything, the door swung open. Obito stormed into the room, followed by Rin, who scolded him, "Obito, that's rude! You should wait for a response!" When she saw Kakashi, a smile immediately spread across her face. "It's so nice to see you awake."
Obito and Rin approached the bed, while Minato stood up to greet them. When he saw Kushina entering the room and closing the door behind her, he focused his attention on Obito. "You gave us quite a scare, Bakashi!" Obito blurted out bluntly. "Rin was really worried when Sensei told us what happened."
Rin turned her gaze to Obito and playfully smiled at him. "Come on, Obito, you can admit that you were worried too."
Obito's cheeks turned pink, and he turned away embarrassedly. "That's not true at all," he replied, unsuccessfully trying to hide his excitement.
Kakashi observed the two with an amused smile and shrugged. "If you say so. But tell me, why did your cheeks suddenly turn red?" His voice sounded casual, but the teasing undertone was unmistakable.
Minato watched the scene with a warm smile. As Obito tried to excuse himself, Kushina stepped beside him and looked at him with a gentle gaze. "How is he?" Her voice was soft but full of concern.
Minato gently wrapped an arm around Kushina's shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "He'll recover, he'll be back in training in a week at the latest. You know Kakashi – he'll probably want to start training again tomorrow. Everything will be fine," he reassured her with a calm voice and a soothing smile.
Kushina breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness!" Her voice sounded distinctly relieved, and a hint of gratitude lingered in her words.
"I'm supposed to give you some warm regards," Minato began, his gaze on his students. A smile played on his lips as he saw Rin scolding Obito to be quiet.
Kushina looked at Minato, puzzled. "Warm regards from whom?"
Minato looked at Kushina, and his smile widened. "From Naruto!"
>From our son!<