"Father?"
When that word was spoken, Minato Namikaze froze in place, his expression flickering through confusion, doubt, and disbelief.
A thousand thoughts ran through his mind.
He wondered if the boy in front of him was a distant relative, maybe the child of some long-lost clan members. Or perhaps it was just a striking coincidence. Even Minato, ever calm and calculating, hadn't expected this.
A boy who looked to be in his mid-teens had just called him "Father."
Naruto watched the expression on Minato's face without rushing. It was natural to be confused. Who wouldn't be unsettled if someone barely younger than themselves suddenly claimed to be their son?
Still, Naruto believed in Minato's intellect—and his unique flair for drama. He'd figure it out.
As expected, it didn't take long. Minato eventually closed the door behind him and sat down across from Naruto.
"The first question is," Minato said seriously, "do you know how to use the Rasengan?"
A smart question. Rasengan wasn't tied to a specific chakra nature—if Minato had a child, it's exactly the kind of technique he would teach.
Naruto turned over his palm, and a glowing blue Rasengan appeared instantly.
"This is the Rasengan my father created," Naruto said calmly.
He then poured in more chakra, and the sphere expanded into a larger, darker orb ten times its original size.
"This is the Big Ball Rasengan—my own improved version."
Minato's eyes sparkled. "Oh~!"
As the chakra dispersed, Naruto waved his hand casually. "I've also developed a wind-style version I call the Rasenshuriken. It's too destructive to show indoors."
Minato looked a bit disappointed but nodded. After all, they were still in Fugaku's house. Accidentally tearing the place down wouldn't be very polite.
"One last question," Minato said, expression tightening. "Why are you here?"
Dealing with someone like Minato, a man with chunibyo tendencies, made things surprisingly easy. He'd already accepted that this teenager was a time-traveling version of his future son.
But trust was another matter.
Naruto noticed his shifting gaze—Minato was probably suspicious because Naruto wasn't wearing a Konoha forehead protector.
So, Naruto calmly took out a fresh forehead protector from his pouch, tied it around his forehead, and began to explain.
"I was researching a new ninjutsu when I accidentally triggered a time-space jutsu. I thought it would be something like Flying Thunder God... but it turned out to be a jutsu that transcended time itself."
Naruto exhaled, his expression turning resigned. "Mabui was the one who introduced it to me... and she didn't even fully understand it herself. Reckless."
Minato's expression softened. "That was careless. But can you return to your own time?"
Naruto nodded. "Yes. I've figured it out. I should be able to return soon."
"I see," Minato said thoughtfully. "Then until that time comes, stay in Konoha. I'll help cover your identity and guide you if needed."
Naruto smiled. "Thanks."
"No need to thank me. Didn't you say you're my son? It's a father's duty to help his child."
Minato patted his chest proudly, then asked, "By the way, what's your name?"
"...Naruto."
Minato blinked. Naruto had deliberately withheld his surname—to prevent disrupting the future.
After a pause, Minato chuckled. "That name... definitely not something I would've picked. A bit too plain."
"It's not exactly your idea," Naruto replied with a faint smile. "It's the name of the protagonist in one of Jiraiya-sama's novels."
"Ohhh," Minato nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. That did sound like something Jiraiya would write.
The atmosphere lightened, and the two began talking.
Minato asked Naruto a string of simple questions—whether he was happy, what food he liked, what fruits or vegetables he preferred.
It was so mundane that Naruto couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to ask something more important?"
Minato just smiled. "Wouldn't that make things harder for you?"
Naruto blinked in surprise... and didn't press the topic further.
After a long conversation, Minato finally looked at him seriously and said, "Naruto-kun... is there anything you want my help with?"
Naruto hadn't expected him to offer first—but it made sense.
"Yes," Naruto replied, leaning forward. "While I'm gone... I need you to take care of Yoshino and Mikoto."
"...What?"
This time, Minato was truly speechless.
He sat there in stunned silence for several minutes. His complexion turned pale, then bluish.
He already knew from village rumors that Yoshino wanted to divorce Shikaku. But now—Mikoto too? For his son?
His breath caught in his throat. His face twisted. Rage boiled in his chest.
Even if this was his son... how could he expect him to cover up this?
Fugaku was his friend. Shikaku was one of his closest allies. Minato Namikaze could never betray them to shield his own son's infidelity.
"No way."
"They're both pregnant with your grandchildren," Naruto said flatly.
That shut him up.
Minato Namikaze—the legendary genius, the man about to become Hokage—was now trembling in his seat.
"How could you do something so reckless?" Minato's voice shook. "Aren't you afraid of destroying your own future?"
His wife wasn't even pregnant yet. But this son from the future had already given him two grandchildren.
What was this madness?
Naruto remained composed. "This wasn't my choice. If you let me explain everything, you'll understand."
And so Naruto began retelling his journey from the moment he arrived in the past—though with a few flattering edits.
He described how he arrived badly injured, tendons severed. How Mikoto and Yoshino rescued him, helped him recover. How he saved them in return... and how Yoshino eventually fell for him.
While he was still unable to move, she made the first move.
Later, as they journeyed together, they encountered trouble—Mikoto was kidnapped, the Uchiha were attacked by Mist-nin, and she, too, fell for him after he saved her.
On one quiet night, she came to his tent, behind Fugaku's back.
Now, both women were pregnant.
In Naruto's version of events, he was entirely innocent.
The world was at fault, not him.
Minato sat motionless, numb.
This was too ridiculous to be a lie. Too easy to verify. And too risky to make up.
He'd suspected it already: a person from the future wouldn't interfere with the past unless absolutely necessary.
Even the smallest butterfly effect could change everything.
He looked at Naruto. If he chose not to have a child in this timeline—Naruto might vanish.
Could Naruto stop him?
Probably not.
But could Minato bear that?
His son—lost to time. But two grandchildren on the way.
No. He couldn't.
Minato clenched his fists, veins bulging. He was furious—but not with Naruto. With destiny.
"What... do you need me to do?" he asked, defeated.
Naruto calmly pulled him out of his thoughts.
Minato's body trembled. "Isn't this... too cruel to Fugaku and Shikaku?"
"You can compensate them in other ways, Father," Naruto said softly. "Think about your grandchildren. Can you really abandon them?"
It was said that grandparents bonded more closely with grandchildren than children.
Naruto was betting on it.
If not—he'd use the forgiveness talisman. Once activated, it would compel one person to forgive him, no matter what he'd done.
But he didn't want to waste it on Minato.
He didn't want to use it at all.
It all depended on Minato's choice.
Just then, the door opened.
Uchiha Mikoto stepped inside.
She was elegant, several years older than Minato, with flowing hair and a calm, refined beauty. Dressed in black, with long stockings beneath her skirt, she carried a tray of grapes and tea.
"Have some fruit."
She placed the tray between the two men, gave them a gentle smile, and turned to leave.
But Naruto reached out and caught her wrist, pulling her into his lap.
"W-What are you doing?" Mikoto gasped.
Minato's still here!
What if he tells Fugaku?
...This was so wrong.
So dangerous.
So exciting.
Her heart pounded.
She tried to get up, but Naruto held her close.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "He'll keep our secret."
"...?" Mikoto looked from Naruto to Minato in a daze, as if asking, Why?
Minato read her like a book.
He glanced at her belly—then back at Naruto.
Everything Naruto said was true.
This woman—several years his senior—was carrying his grandchild.
Finally, Minato sighed and said, "I'll help you. But please... don't go too far."
He had chosen.
Between friend and grandson—he chose his grandson.
Mikoto's face flushed deep red. She collapsed into Naruto's embrace, brushing her silk-covered legs against his.
Minato had seen enough. He turned and left.
"You two... sigh."
Naruto and Mikoto exchanged knowing smiles. His sigh only made the heat between them more intense.
A fire began to burn.
"Ah—Menma-kun, careful," Mikoto moaned as she fell into Naruto's lap.
In the process, she loosened his belt.
With a mischievous smile, she whispered, "Menma-kun, I haven't had breakfast... won't you treat me?"
Naruto smiled. "How could I refuse such a request?"
After all—it was just breakfast.
Because of that decision—because he chose his grandson—Minato wandered the village in a daze.
He hadn't even greeted Fugaku before leaving.
He was too ashamed.
His son had sinned—but it was the father who bore the shame.
"Should I tell Kushina?"
"...No. If she finds out her daughter-in-law is older than her, she'll explode."
That night.
Uchiha Fugaku returned home with his son, Itachi. Today's shuriken training had gone well. He was proud.
But he was puzzled. For some reason, Minato had barely stayed at their house. Did he do something wrong?
Maybe this was a chance to reevaluate Minato's position on the Uchiha clan...
"Honey, Itachi, you're home," Mikoto greeted them, still wearing an apron, spoon in hand.
"I'm hungry!" Itachi called, running up to her.
"Dinner's almost ready. Be good and wait."
Fugaku smiled warmly at the domestic scene.
Dinner passed peacefully. Itachi was sleepy, so Mikoto took him to bed.
Fugaku sat back and watched her leave.
"Mikoto is like her outfit—warm, composed, elegant. I'm lucky to have her."
"Once her recovery is complete, maybe it's time we had another child."
He felt warmth fill his chest. Maybe tomorrow would be the start of a new chapter.
Too tired to wait, he went to bed early.
What he didn't know was that in the room next door, his wife Mikoto was passionately kissing a blond-haired teen.
"Menma-kun, go on," she whispered, flushed and breathless. "I drugged Fugaku and Itachi... they won't wake up until noon."
Naruto grinned. "Then I'll make sure your kindness doesn't go to waste."
In the darkness, Itachi's soft breathing became the rhythm that played beneath their secret.