October 10, Konoha Year 48
The sky was painted in hues of crimson as the sun set over the Hidden Leaf Village. Despite the peaceful glow, tension simmered beneath the surface.
Uchiha Kai, donned in a dark Konoha-issued combat uniform, stood quietly near the vicinity of Namikaze Minato's residence. He wasn't alone—Uchiha Jun, Kawa, and Ryukage were with him, all captains of the Guard Department.
Earlier that afternoon, Kai had received a message from the Fourth Hokage. Though brief, it was clear: tonight was the night. Kushina Uzumaki, the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, was going into labor.
Minato, understanding the gravity of the situation, had kept the details tightly contained. Even within the Uchiha Guard, only three captains were informed. The plan was simple: the Guard wouldn't enter the birth site barrier, but would secure periphery zones in case of any infiltration.
However, tonight was different.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would be present inside the barrier. As a result, Minato subtly discouraged Kai from entering too close. Given Kai had executed Danzo Shimura recently under Hokage authority, Sarutobi's hostility was inevitable.
From a distance, Minato appeared on the balcony, his expression regretful.
"Kai-kun… sorry to trouble you with this tonight."
"It's no trouble," Kai replied calmly. "Honestly, it's better I'm not inside. The last thing we need is internal tension tonight."
Behind Minato, Sarutobi Hiruzen emerged with his wife Biwako and Kushina, who was carefully guided out.
As expected, the moment Hiruzen locked eyes with Kai, his expression turned icy. A cold snort and silence followed.
Kai didn't flinch. Danzo's crimes had warranted death, and he didn't regret ensuring justice. Let Hiruzen sulk.
Outside the Cave, Hidden Location
Kushina's screams echoed faintly within the sealed cavern. Inside, the atmosphere was heavy—Minato, drenched in sweat, focused his chakra to keep the seal on the Nine-Tails stable during childbirth.
Biwako Sarutobi, assisting with the birth, kept a firm tone.
"Just maintain the seal, Fourth. Women are far stronger than they seem."
Minato nodded, heart pounding. His job was not only as husband, but as protector of Konoha's greatest threat.
Outside the barrier, masked ANBU patrolled—among them was Kakashi Hatake, promoted early and trusted by Minato. Though in canon he wasn't present here, in this retelling he was assigned as an external guard captain.
Suddenly, a ripple.
"Who's there!?" Kakashi's Sharingan flared.
From the trees, a figure in a black cloak emerged. Orange spiral-patterned mask. One eyehole.
The air tightened.
Kakashi dashed forward, blade in hand, targeting the intruder's ribs. But the masked man didn't flinch.
To his shock, Kakashi phased right through him.
"Genjutsu?" Kakashi gasped. "No… not this time…"
Before he could react, a powerful blow struck his neck. He collapsed, stunned.
"Captain!" cried an ANBU, leaping in with others. Fire and wind jutsus launched.
They passed through the masked man like smoke.
Then the slaughter began.
The masked man moved like a ghost, untouchable yet lethal. In under a minute, all ANBU lay defeated. Only Kakashi remained conscious, barely.
"Who… are you…?" he rasped.
"I've come to deliver a gift," the masked figure whispered coldly, then vanished into the mountain wall—headed directly toward the sealed chamber.
Inside the Cave
"Waaaaa!"
A newborn's cry pierced the tension. Naruto Uzumaki had arrived.
Biwako cleaned and wrapped him while Minato maintained the seal. Sarutobi Hiruzen watched from the entrance.
"I'll go inform the village," Hiruzen offered. "You focus on Kushina."
"Thank you, Third Hokage," Minato said, exhausted but relieved.
Just as he turned to reinforce the seal—a scream.
Biwako collapsed. Hiruzen stumbled back in shock. A masked figure stood between them, holding Naruto.
"Step back from the jinchūriki," he said in a dead voice. "Or the child dies."
Minato froze. One wrong move…
Elsewhere in the Forest,
Kai looked at the moon.
"The moonlight tonight feels... too calm."
He donned a spiral mask. Beside him stood Hyuga Aya, her Byakugan flickering.
"You're going after the Hyuga patrol?" she asked.
"Not me—just a decoy. They'll think they're chasing Obito."
"The real threat is already inside?"
Kai nodded.
"Obito's moved faster than expected. Time to reassign the teams."
Aya looked uncertain.
"Why not let the Hokage handle it?"
"Because I don't trust the barrier will hold. And if Kushina dies, it's not just the Nine-Tails... it's the fall of Konoha."
She activated her Byakugan.
"Hyuga Hiashi's patrol will pass in three minutes."
"Good. Then disappear. I'll regroup at the fallback point."
Aya left in a flash. Kai turned, eyes glowing under his mask.
"Time to meet the real threat."
And with that, he vanished into the shadows—toward the cave, and destiny.