The Elder Lotus

Chapter 4: Rising Storms

Location: Konoha – Hokage Tower, Day of the Nine-Tails Attack

A secretary rushed into the Hokage’s office. “Minato-sama, the Namikaze heir is—”

Before she could finish, a blur of yellow burst through the door. “Dad! Dad! Today’s the day my sister comes! I’m going to be the best big brother ever, believe it!” A young Naruto grinned up at his father with an infectious energy.

Minato chuckled. “Relax, Naruto. I’m glad you’re excited. Your mom and I are just as thrilled to welcome her.” He ruffled Naruto’s hair with a warm smile. “But I’m preparing some special seals for your mom when she goes into labor, so how about I find someone to keep you company?”

“Who?” Naruto asked, eyes wide with anticipation.

“Dog,” Minato called. Almost instantly, a white-haired Anbu member wearing a dog mask appeared.

Naruto’s face lit up. “Ha! You can’t fool me! That’s big bro Kakashi!” He pointed, grinning widely.

Kakashi raised a hand in greeting. “Yo, Naruto.”

Naruto’s brow furrowed. “When did you join Anbu, big bro? Is that why you haven’t been taking me out for ramen?”

Kakashi shrugged. “I’ve been in Anbu for about seven months now. I suppose you finally noticed I was gone, huh?”

“W..what but I just noticed you were gone three months ago. ” Naruto replied

“You’re not very observant.” Kakashi shrugged.

Naruto pouted. “Hey! If I’m so ‘unobservant,’ then how did I know it was you under that mask?”

Kakashi tilted his head. “Well, seeing as I’m the only shinobi with white hair currently in this village, I’d be surprised if you didn’t recognize me.”

“You one-eyed cyclops!” Naruto shouted, trying to punch Kakashi.

Kakashi calmly held Naruto back by his forehead. “Like you could ever reach me.”

Minato chuckled. “Alright, you two. Kakashi, why don’t you take Naruto to Ichiraku’s? I’ll meet up with you both later.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama.” Kakashi nodded, while Naruto cheered and grabbed his hand, dragging him out of the office.

Location: Ichiraku Ramen

“Hey, old man!” Naruto called, pulling Kakashi into the ramen shop.

Teuchi looked up with a grin. “Ah, the Namikaze heir himself! Miso ramen for you, Naruto?”

“Yes, please!” Naruto beamed. “Two bowls! One for me, and one for big bro!”

Teuchi chuckled, glancing at Kakashi. “Oh, hey Kakashi, I see Hokage-sama gave you a break to look after Naruto huh?”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. “‘Break’ isn’t the word I’d use.”

“Hey!” Naruto protested as he scrambled onto the stool.

A few minutes later, with ramen in front of them, Kakashi looked over at Naruto. “I hear you start at the academy in two years. Excited?”

Naruto beamed. “Oh, yeah! I’m going to be the best student and show everyone what the Fourth Hokage’s son can do!”

Kakashi's eye smiled now having taken off his Anbu mask. “With the progress you’ve made in sealing Jutsu and chakra exercises, you’ll be rookie of the year.”

Naruto’s smile faltered. “I don’t know. There’s this kid named Itachi. I’ve sparred with him a few times when Mom visits Mikoto-san. He’s incredible. It’s like he knows my moves before I make them!”

Kakashi raised a brow. “The Uchiha heir? Does he have his Sharingan unlocked already?” he questioned

Naruto nodded. “Yeah! But he doesn’t even have his Sharingan yet. He just… knows.” Naruto said ominously looking at Kakashi.

“Then we’ll have to train your taijutsu,” Kakashi said. Naruto’s eyes sparkled. “But first, back home for calligraphy practice. Your little sister will be here soon.”

Location: The Streets of Konoha

As Kakashi and Naruto walked back, the ground shook violently. A massive plume of smoke erupted in the distance. Kakashi’s gaze sharpened as a huge, furry tail whipped through the haze, headed straight for Naruto.

“Naruto, get down!” Kakashi yelled, scooping him up and Body flickering to a nearby rooftop just in time to dodge the sweeping tail.

Naruto looked up, wide-eyed. “Isn’t the Nine Tails sealed in Mom?” he said worriedly

Kakashi’s grip tightened. “We’re going to the safe house. Hold on.” He leapt from rooftop to rooftop, racing away from the destruction.

Location: Outside the Village

A white-haired man approached Konoha, his arms full of frog plushies and balloons. Jiraiya’s eyes widened as he saw the Nine Tails looming over the village. He dropped the toys and flashed through hand signs, biting his thumb to summon assistance.

“Summoning Jutsu!”

A massive toad with a shield and Sasumata appeared in a puff of smoke. “Jiraiya, what’s—”

“No time, Gamaken! The Nine Tails is attacking the village!”

Gamaken said. “I’ll try my best… but I’m so clumsy.” He launched himself toward the village, crashing into the Nine Tails, holding back one of its deadly claws with his shield.

Location: The Minato Estate

Minato teleported into the room, placing Kushina gently on the bed next to their newborn daughter, Hikari, who had blonde hair with fiery red tips.

“Kushina, stay with Hikari. I need to find out what’s happening,” he said, donning his Hokage cloak.

Just then, the door burst open. Minato turned, pronged kunai drawn, until he saw Kakashi carrying a trembling Naruto.

“Sensei, what’s going on?”

“A masked man broke the Nine Tails’ seal. He’s attacking the village. I have to stop him,” Minato said urgently.

“Take me with you,” Kakashi pleaded, setting Naruto down beside Kushina.

“No, Kakashi. I need you here to protect my family.” Minato’s gaze was firm. “I’ll handle this myself.”

Kakashi clenched his fists. “Be careful, Minato-sensei.”

Minato gave a reassuring smile and vanished in a flash of yellow.

Location: Konoha – Hokage Monument

Minato appeared atop the Hokage Monument, locking eyes with the rampaging Nine Tails. As it used its tail to restrain and launch Gamaken away from itself, The beast snarled, forming a Tailed Beast Bomb aiming right at Minato in front of him.

Minato’s face hardened as he wove hand signs. “I won’t let you harm this village any longer!” He extended his hand, creating a barrier to halt the beast’s attack. The immense energy crackled as he held the bomb in place, redirecting it away from the village.

After he did that, a hand tried to grab Minato’s shoulder. He turned trying to launch a kunai in the figure's face. Before the kunai completely phased through and the man tried to suck Minato into his eye. Luckily, Minato could escape by teleporting away and the masked figure followed him.

Location: Konoha Rooftops

A young shinobi landed beside an old man in armor, wielding a massive bo staff.

“Hiruzen-sama, what should we do?”

Hiruzen raised his staff, his voice steady despite the chaos. “We push the Nine Tails out of the village,” he said while yelling, “Enma now!” His bo staff extended, sending the Nine Tails out of the village in the opposite direction of the safe zone.

Another figure approached—Fugaku Uchiha, Sharingan activated. “Hiruzen-sama, shall I use my Sharingan to calm the beast?”

Hiruzen shook his head. “No, Fugaku. Your police force is needed to evacuate civilians.I’ll send my son and clansman to help with you. I'll handle the Nine Tails.!” he said leaping off into the distance

“Yes Hiruzen-sama.” He said while trying to quail his anger.

Location: Outside the Village

Jiraiya and Gamaken caught back up to the Ninetails after it got pushed out of the village.

“You're not getting away from me, you furball,” Jiraiya said as Gamaken went to block the beast’s claws with his shield, then struck with his staff, momentarily knocking it back. The Nine-tails went for chakra in its mouth before looking like it was building up to release a massive stream of fire.

“Hold steady, Gamaken!” Jiraiya called, hands moving rapidly through signs and slamming his hand on Gamaken's back.

In that same breath Gamaken said "I’ll try but I’m so clumsy.” he said as he prepared to release a massive ninjutsu.

Before they both said in Unison." Toad Boil Release: Water Gun!”

A torrent of boiling water shot from Gamaken’s mouth, colliding with the Nine Tails’ fiery breath in a violent clash. Steam filled the air as Jiraiya strained to keep the attack going.

“Jiraiya!” A familiar voice called. Jiraiya turned to see Minato, looking exhausted but determined.

“Sensei, let me handle it from here,” Minato said.

“You look worn out. Are you sure?” Jiraiya asked, concerned in his eyes.

“I know how to stop this,” Minato replied. “A masked man with a Sharingan is controlling the Nine Tails. He may be Madara Uchiha or something else entirely, but I need to act fast.”

Before Jiraiya could respond, Minato vanished again, taking the Nine Tails with him.

Location: The Safe Zone

“Fugaku-sama, we’re running low on personnel to help with the safe zones,” a shinobi called, dodging debris.

Fugaku gritted his teeth. “Where is Hiruzen’s son and clansman? They were supposed to assist us!”

Just then, a group of shinobi appeared. “Apologies, Fugaku-sama,” a young man said with a respectful bow. “We were delayed helping stragglers.” Behind him, a shinobi laid an exhausted familiar looking mother beside her two children gently on the ground.

Fugaku took in the young man. “You must be Hiruzen’s youngest.”

“ Yessir, Chunin Iruka Sarutobi, reporting for duty,” Iruka replied. with a grin.

The Void

An unseen entity watched; frustration evident. “What’s happening here?! Iruka’s timeline seems to have merged with someone else’s… And he’s older?” The figure slouched back, muttering to himself. “This timeline is more altered than I thought.

“You know what, forget it, it still looks like Kushina and Minato are going to die in this and Hiruzen’s wife. So, it's fine with me I guess as long as Iruka still ends up being a teacher it's fine with me.” He said slouching back in his chair.

“But I do wonder who else got fused together or aged up he said.” Putting a finger to his chin in a thinking motion.”

“Oh well.” He said, shrugging as he looked back at the timeline to continue watching.

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