The Future In Our Hands

Chapter 4: The Time Travelers

The Future In Our Hands

Chapter 4: The Time Travelers

Silence reigned over the cave. No one spoke, and it seemed like even the tiniest of movements was forbidden.

Minato expected many things when he teleported to rescue his remaining students. He had braced himself for the inevitable; to lose one or even both his students. He hadn't expected to meet a group of men–and one woman–posing as fake Konoha ANBU operatives to save his only remaining students, much more regain his supposedly dead student.

Still though, no matter how good and impossible the deed was, these people were still suspicious and dangerous.

So he waited patiently for them to introduce themselves instead of outright bounding and dragging them to Torture and Interrogation division. Time continued to pass by and Minato was becoming impatient.

He was on the verge of using some of his killing intent to interrogate them when the fake ANBU surprised him, yet again, as he spouted ridiculously inspiring words that rendered him speechless for a minute. Such certainty coming from a person hiding behind a mask was highly unnerving, especially since his ideas and conviction sounded a lot stronger than his own sensei.

He was confused now. When the fox ANBU started talking, Minato really felt like believing him. That somehow, he–the fox ANBU–could gain peace for the entire elemental Nation. He really didn't want to, but his gut was telling him to trust them. Minato wanted to bang his head on the wall.

'Who are you? What do you want? What are you aiming for?' Too many questions were unanswered.

Minato had already speculated many things, ran different theories in his mind, but he hadn't even considered this.

"I'm sorry, I thought I heard you say that you," he gestured towards the fake Fox ANBU and the rest of his companion, "are from the future," he slowly said. Mind still reeling and questioning what he had eaten that morning to warrant this kind of hallucination.

The Fox ANBU's eyes twinkled in glee underneath his mask as he stared at him, and Minato suppressed the urge to back away from the man as an inkling feeling of doom seemed to radiate in those eyes. The 'Kushina was in a pranking spree' kind of doom.

"That's probably true because that's what I just said," the man chirped, amusement laced in his voice.

"Bullshit," Minato deadpans. He stood up, followed by his students and the man in the Snake mask. Minato's face was carefully blank as he stared directly at the unknown man. He had enough of all their avoidance.

"How could I trust your words when I don't even know the name, or face of the person I'm talking to?" Minato calmly said, eyebrow raised. The masked people shifted and exchanged meaningful glances before they directed a questioning stare at the fox ANBU.

'Ah, so he really is the leader of this group.' With that realization, Minato directed his icy gaze at the man.

"You must have misunderstood me. The reason why I'm even talking to you in a civilized manner is that I'm grateful for your help with saving my students, but my generosity has a limit."

~~~~0oOo0~~~~

Naruto stared at the 23-year-old version of his father. He couldn't wrap his head around the idea that he was literally older than him. The fact was beyond disturbing, but time travel defied all logic, so he should really learn to accept all the bullshits that came with it in a nonchalant manner. 'Easy said than done.'