The Conqueror of The Shinobi World

A Sacrifice

"Victory cannot be achieved without sacrifice" - Viktor Reznov

Minato

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Hokage mansion's balcony as Jiraiya and Minato shared tea, the village of Konoha sprawling beneath them.

"So," Jiraiya said, setting down his cup with a knowing smile, "have you two finally decided on a name? The kid's going to be here before you know it."

Minato's blue eyes sparkled as he gazed into his tea. "Actually, we have. We're going to call him Naruto."

Jiraiya nearly choked on his drink. "Naruto? As in—"

"As in the main character from your first book," came Kushina's voice as she stepped onto the balcony, one hand resting on her swollen belly. Her red hair caught the dying sunlight, making it look like living flame.

"You can't be serious," Jiraiya laughed, looking between his former student and Kushina. "That book barely sold any copies! I was half asleep when I wrote that name—I got it while eating ramen, for crying out loud!"

"It's a good name," Minato said firmly, standing to help Kushina to a seat. "The character in your book... he never gave up, no matter what challenged him. That's the kind of spirit I want our son to have."

Kushina nodded, her face glowing with that special radiance unique to expecting mothers. "Besides, it just feels right, you know? Every time I say it, the little guy kicks like crazy, dattebane!"

"Well, I'll be," Jiraiya shook his head, still grinning. "Using the name from my worst-selling book for the Fourth Hokage's son. You two are something else."

Minato placed his hand over Kushina's on her belly. "I know it in my heart, sensei. Naruto... he's going to be special. He'll be the kind of shinobi who changes the world."

"The way you say that..." Jiraiya studied his former student's face. "You really believe it, don't you?"

"Of course he does," Kushina interjected, wincing slightly as the baby kicked again. "And so do I. Our son will have Minato's determination and my gutsy ninja way! He'll be unstoppable, dattebane!"

"Then I suppose I should be honored," Jiraiya said, raising his tea cup in a toast. "To Naruto—may he live up to his namesake and surpass him in every way."

"To Naruto," Minato and Kushina echoed, their voices filled with hope and love for their unborn child.

The Night of The Attack

Minato's breath came in ragged gasps, his composure shaken to its core. The night sky above Konoha glowed an unnatural red, punctuated by distant explosions and the roars of the Nine-Tails.

"You're faster than I expected," the masked man's deep voice cut through the air. "Living up to your moniker... Yellow Flash." he added as he appeared before Minato from the strange whirlpool hole in the space itself.

Minato's eyes narrowed. "Who are you? What you did... that technique... it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

"Does it matter who I am?" The masked man tilted his head, his single visible eye gleaming through the mask. "Your village burns, your wife lies dying, and the Nine-Tails dances to my tune. Yet here you stand, asking questions."

"You separated Kushina from the Nine-Tails mere moments after childbirth," Minato's voice was razor-sharp, his hands clenched into fists. "You knew exactly when she would be at her weakest. You knew our ANBU patrol patterns. You knew how to break through the barrier. This wasn't random."

The masked man chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "Very observant, Lord Fourth. Perhaps you're beginning to understand—this night was years in the planning."