In the village
Minato's eyes snapped open as he took a deep breath to calm his excited heart. His body still felt heavy with fatigue as he sat up and ran a hand over his face. His gaze drifted around the dark cave until it settled on Kakashi, who was peacefully asleep on the other side. A gentle smile played on Minato's lips, relieved that Kakashi was doing okay so far.
Minato surveyed the surroundings and noticed the first delicate rays of dawn illuminating the sky. He decided to get up, as another attempt to sleep seemed futile. With extreme caution, he rose silently and left the cave. He wanted to let Kakashi sleep a little longer; the silver-haired shinobi undoubtedly deserved the rest.
With his injuries, the journey back home would not be an easy task for Kakashi, but Minato knew his iron will. Kakashi would endure the pain without saying a word. Minato wasn't sure how far they were from Konoha, but he fervently hoped the journey wouldn't be too long. In any case, he had to keep a close eye on Kakashi to make sure he didn't overexert himself.
As Minato left the cave, a refreshing breeze enveloped him immediately. On the horizon, the beginning of a beautiful day was slowly unfolding, with the rising sun painting the sky in warm colors. The cool morning air pleasantly caressed his skin, and Minato savored this brief moment of silence. He was all too aware that the day ahead would bring enough challenges.
Minato closed his eyes and allowed the moment to wash over him. His night was far from peaceful. Nightmares had plagued him, and he kept reliving the painful loss of his beloved Kushina. It tore at his heart to know that he had to continue living without her. His deepest wish was to hold his wife in his arms and embrace their son together.
Minato couldn't stop thinking about Naruto last night. The thought of his abandoned son kept returning to his consciousness. Along with grief, anger mingled in his heart. The idea that Kakashi wasn't allowed to care for Naruto only fueled his anger. Together, they could have been a family, and that fact deeply hurt Minato.
But now, as the situation presented itself, Minato would definitely talk to Hiruzen about it. He couldn't just accept this situation. After all, the Third Hokage was well informed about Minato's and Kushina's plans regarding Kakashi. Minato intended to remove him from the Anbu, as he realized it was not the right place for Kakashi. He deeply regretted bringing him there.
Additionally, Kushina and he had decided to adopt Kakashi and give him a family. They had watched Kakashi retreat further into his loneliness for too long, and they were determined to do something about it. But unfortunately, it was never meant to be.
"Sensei?" Minato was snapped out of his thoughts and immediately turned to Kakashi, who was approaching him. A smile instantly crossed Minato's lips. "Is everything alright?"
Minato stepped towards Kakashi and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Of course!" he responded at first, before a concerned expression spread across his face. "And now, please be honest with me: How are you really feeling?" he asked with a firm voice.
Kakashi snorted lightly. "I'm fine," he said coolly, avoiding Minato's gaze.
Minato knew exactly that Kakashi was lying, but he also knew better than to push him. So he dropped the subject and decided to keep a close eye on Kakashi during the journey back. He took his hand off Kakashi's shoulder and looked into the distance. "How long do you think it will take us to get to Konoha?"
"If we're swift and skilled, it could be five hours," Kakashi explained calmly. "Or do you want to teleport?"
Minato smiled gently and turned his gaze to Kakashi. "That wouldn't be very wise. We need to proceed with caution. It would be unwise to arouse suspicion by suddenly appearing," he explained, then turned his gaze back to the distance. "We shouldn't waste any more time and get going. I want to hold Naruto in my arms tonight," he declared with a broad grin.
Minato turned to Kakashi, raised his hands, and removed his Hitai-Ate from his forehead. Kakashi's right eye met Minato's gaze. "What are you planning?" Kakashi asked.
Undeterred, Minato put his Hitai-Ate around Kakashi's head and tied it securely. When he was done, he took his hands back and smiled at Kakashi. "Put it over your left eye, it'll be easier than having to hold it the whole time," he explained lovingly. "But you can't keep it, I want it back," he added with a wink.
Kakashi slowly raised his hand and pulled the headband over his left eye, then let his hand rest on it. "Thank you, Minato-Sensei," he said with a hint of gratitude in his voice.
Minato ruffled Kakashi's hair briefly. "Of course. Come on, let's pack your things and get going."
**********
Hiruzen had hoped for a quiet day. The past few days had been filled with endless meetings, resulting in paperwork piling up on his desk. Today, he wanted to calmly work through everything and finally leave on time.
But when an Anbu appeared in his office a few minutes ago and informed him that Kakashi Hatake had returned with the presumed dead Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen knew that the day would be longer than expected, and the paperwork would continue to grow.
Now, Hiruzen hurried directly to the hospital to assess the situation himself. According to his Anbu's report, Kakashi had been injured during his mission and brought to the hospital. The silver-haired Jonin had insisted on Minato staying with him. So they were brought to the hospital together and guarded by Anbu there.
Hiruzen had no idea what to expect, but he fervently hoped they weren't imposters and the village wasn't in danger. He comforted himself with the thought that he could trust Kakashi and that he wouldn't take unnecessary risks. If the Anbu had brought Minato and even kept him close by, he must be sure it was the real Minato.
Before Hiruzen could think further, he was interrupted by a brusque voice. "Hiruzen!" He sighed and rubbed his forehead as a slight headache crept through his head. Just what he needed - Danzo.
As Danzo caught up with him, he asked sternly, "Is it true?"
Hiruzen kept his gaze firmly ahead and shrugged slightly. "I'm on my way to find out," he replied shortly.
"It's simply impossible! The Fourth Hokage has been dead for a year! What is Hatake thinking, bringing him into the village?" Danzo remarked angrily.
Hiruzen glanced briefly at Danzo and smiled slightly. "We can trust Kakashi. He's one of my best Anbu. He must have had a reason."
Danzo snorted angrily. "It can only be an impostor. We mustn't risk anything and put the village in danger. We should act quickly and eliminate him!" Danzo declared coldly and resolutely. "Hatake was probably blinded when his former sensei suddenly appeared before him."
Hiruzen took a deep breath before continuing calmly, "We should wait and see what awaits us first." He ignored Danzo's angry snort. He was sure Kakashi would never act so recklessly. Even in such a situation, he would keep a cool head.
**********
Minato stood by the window, leaning his shoulder against the wall next to it, arms crossed in front of his chest as his gaze wandered outside. Kakashi sat behind him on the treatment bed, and Minato sensed that the young Anbu was exhausted. But as expected, Kakashi had endured the journey home without flinching. Now, Minato was relieved that they had finally arrived in the village and Kakashi could be taken care of.
At least one problem was being addressed. Minato knew there were still many questions to be answered. When they arrived at the village entrance, the guards immediately stopped them and informed the Anbu. Originally, they wanted to arrest Minato immediately, but Kakashi convinced them that Minato could stay with him. Now they were in the treatment room, surrounded by several Anbu in the hospital and also outside the hospital.
Minato longed to finally hold Naruto in his arms again. But before he could do that, he would probably have to speak to the Hokage first. He tried to remain calm. After all, the Hokage would surely believe him.
"Sensei?" Kakashi interrupted Minato's thoughts. Minato grunted in response, and Kakashi continued, "What do we do if they don't believe us?" He asked seriously, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Minato turned his gaze to Kakashi and gave him a reassuring smile. "It will be fine! Don't worry," he said calmly.
Kakashi nodded in response and then let his gaze wander again. Minato sighed softly, pushed himself off the wall, and sat down next to Kakashi on the treatment bed. Gently, he put an arm around Kakashi's shoulders and pulled him closer. "Stop worrying. Whatever happens, we'll find a solution," he whispered softly.
Surprisingly, Kakashi leaned his head against Minato's side. "We don't have much time. You only have a year to save your life," Kakashi murmured, and Minato immediately understood why he had leaned his head against him. He wanted to prevent anyone else from hearing them. "It would probably be better if we kept it to ourselves for now. It could cause unrest," Kakashi explained calmly.
Minato smiled gently and nodded in agreement. "As attentive as always!" he praised Kakashi and added softly, "You're probably right. I've been thinking about that too. Let's keep it to ourselves for now."
Then Minato sharpened his senses as more Anbu arrived and two familiar chakra signatures approached the room. Kakashi seemed to sense it too and sat up straight again. Minato got up from the treatment bed, gave Kakashi an encouraging smile, and then turned to the door that was just being opened.
Minato frowned when he saw Hiruzen and Danzo enter the room. While Hiruzen's expression was tense but friendly, Danzo's expression was suspicious and angry. Minato tensed slightly and sharpened his attention.
After a moment of silence, it was Danzo who broke the silence first. "Who are you?" he asked directly. "The Fourth Hokage is dead!"
Minato smiled calmly and looked Danzo directly in the eyes. "I am Minato Namikaze," he replied simply.
Danzo snorted with anger and took a step forward. "You can't be him! As I said, he's dead! So don't lie to us!" he warned, then threw Kakashi a threatening glance. "And you, Hatake?! How dare you bring an impostor into the village? There will be consequences!"
Minato felt Kakashi sit up and wanted to say something in response, but Minato reached out his hand and held it up in front of Kakashi, signaling him to hold back. Immediately, Kakashi stopped and held back. Minato fixed Danzo with a sharp gaze. "Leave Kakashi out of this! He did nothing wrong!" Minato stated firmly. "He confirmed my identity."
Hiruzen cleared his throat, and everyone's attention turned to the Hokage. "Perhaps you should prove to us that you really are the real Minato. I would suggest that you answer questions that only the real Minato can know," he suggested.
Minato nodded decisively and answered all the questions asked of him. As he spoke, he noticed Danzo becoming increasingly tense. It seemed he wasn't satisfied that Minato could answer the questions. But Minato didn't let it bother him and remained calm and focused.
After Minato had answered all the questions, there was silence in the room. After a moment, Hiruzen found his words again. "You really are Minato Namikaze. But how is that possible?" he asked, bewildered.
Before Minato could answer, Danzo spoke up again. "How can you believe him so easily? We must not be naive. The village has only just recovered from the Kyuubi attack. We cannot be so careless now," Danzo warned urgently.
Hiruzen sighed softly. "Don't worry, the village is not in danger. I think Minato has proven that he is genuine," he explained calmly.
"No one returns from the dead! You can't really be that naive!" Danzo accused Hiruzen, his voice growing sharper.
The Third Hokage smiled at Danzo. "Don't worry, I have everything under control," he explained calmly before turning to Minato. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation in private," Hiruzen suggested, and Minato agreed.
Danzo snorted angrily and turned around. Before leaving the room, he cast a dark glance at Hiruzen. "If you don't take care of it, I will!" he warned before exiting the room.
Hiruzen rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes for a moment. "Don't worry, I'll handle it. Come, let's go to my office," he said gently, smiling encouragingly at Minato.
"Of course," Minato confirmed, then turned to Kakashi. He gently placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. "Please get treated. I'll come back later to pick you up, and then we'll go get Naruto together," he said lovingly.
Kakashi looked at Minato for a moment, and Minato sensed that Kakashi was reluctant to leave him alone. "Don't worry, everything is fine. I'll manage," Minato whispered reassuringly. Finally, Kakashi nodded, and Minato withdrew his hand from Kakashi's shoulder, then turned to Hiruzen. "We're ready to go," he said, and the Third Hokage nodded in agreement, setting off.
Before following him, Minato smiled at Kakashi. "See you soon, Kakashi!" he bid farewell, then left the room with Hiruzen. Minato was relieved that he could speak with the Third alone. There was much to discuss.