Episode -3: The Night of Nine

  The year is 1968 in the Land of Fire. Minato Namikaze, Dekai, and Jiraiya meet with the 4th Hokage in his office. The 4th Hokage, Mutsuhito Meiji, is standing straight in a decadent uniform. His hair is well trimmed, black, and neat. His mustache is pointy and parted in the middle with a patch of beard directly under the parted section.

  Meiji: Men, on this day, a great threat approaches our greater city. The reported Nine Tailed Fox has spread its hatred and destruction to our borderlands. It is set to breach our gates at approximately 2:35 AM this night. We cannot allow it to get anywhere near the village. Thus, we shall meet it in the field head on with our strongest of allies.

  Dekai: When exactly should we be there?

  Meiji: Precisely 11:30 PM.

  Dekai checks his pocket-watch.

  Dekai: Gives us just twelve hours, seventeen minutes. Don't hold us up again, Jiraiya.

  Jiraiya: I'll hold us up if I please. Besides, I only make us take more time when necessary.

  Minato: Peaking at girls in the sauna is “Necessary?”

  Jiraiya: Gotta appreciate natural beauty when you see it.

  Meiji: Men, I am not here to criticize what you do in your off-time, although keep speaking and I just might. Now, would you join me in the war-room in a moment? I've a thing or two to discuss with sir Minato.

  Dekai: Don't take too long.

  Meiji: Do remember who you're talking to, boy.

  Jiraiya: We'll wait up, alright? Take in the scenery.

  Meiji: You'd do best to do so.

  The two leave the room as Meiji walks around and Minato stares at him.

  Meiji: … Minato Namikaze... Yes... As is reported, you are quite the ninja.

  Minato: *Smiles* Just doing my job as well as I can, sir.

  Meiji: Are you now?... Tell me, what do the other villages think of you?

  Minato: Well, they sure know me. Some respect me, others are terrified. I guess I work pretty well.

  Meiji: Such a reputation follows a man worthy of a higher position.

  Minato: Thank you, sir. What were you thinking I could fit into?

  Meiji: A position where you would not even call Me “Sir.”

  Minato: There aren't many jobs like that.

  Meiji: There's Hokage... The 5th Hokage.

  Minato thinks carefully.

  Minato: ….. Not thinking about retiring already, are you? You have some good years left in you.

  Meiji: This kind of work weighs on you faster, and typically doesn't last too long. Do you know how old I am?

  Minato: You're fifty-nine.

  Meiji: Indeed... I cannot ignore such talent at my age. Of course, we'll hold an election, but I'll back you the whole way. You're a shoe-in.

  Minato: … Thank you, sir.

  Meiji: It's “Meiji” now, son.

  Minato: Right. Meiji... Not sure if I can get used to that.

  Meiji: Don't flatter me too much. I'm about to ask of you something harder.

  Minato: I'm not sure if that's possible.

  Meiji: We'll see about that! Your specialty techniques are Animal Calm and Chakra Transfer, yes?

  Minato looks knowingly worried.

  Minato: That's right.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Meiji: The Nine Tailed Fox is an animal bursting with chakra. We'll strap down the bloody thing and you can absorb its power.

  Minato: It's as crazy as I thought. Just how many Chakra Chains are you thinking about using? And, where am I supposed to transfer the strength of ten thousand tons of TNT to?

  Meiji: The weight of the details rests on me, not you. As for your second question, you shall keep the power. It will not only keep you alive, but it will drive the other villages to truly fear and respect us. For the sake of your fellow man, you Must bare the burden of this power.

  Minato: … I'll have to think about it.

  Meiji: My... That Is disappointing, Minato. Think about how much it would help your people.

  Minato: You think the next Hokage can be that easily pressured? You've got another thing coming.

  Minato grins and holds out his hand.

  Minato: We good?

  Meiji smiles and shakes his hand. That night, as the moon shines on the fields of the Land of Fire, the glowing rage of the Nine Tailed Fox illuminates what shadows remain. The Fox stands at seven feet in height while on all four legs and it stretches backward ten feet, not counting its enormous tails that spout fire at their tips. An aura of red chakra emanates from the beast's body and trails behind it as it swiftly runs. Before long, dozens of ninja come out of nowhere and throw Chakra Chains around the beast, stopping it in place.

  NTF: RRRAAAGH!!! AAAGH!!!

  Yuhi: Ack! We Can't Hold This Thing Forever!!

  Asuma: Somebody, Kill It Already!!

  Meiji: I'll Put Down The Bloody Beast!! Come Here, You-

  As the 4th Hokage approaches the beast with a katana, the Fox briefly opens its mouth, fires a solid beam of chakra out of it, and shoots a hole through Meiji's entire torso, killing him instantly.

  Jiraiya: The Hokage!!

  Minato: He's Fine!! Just, Hold It Steady!!... My turn.

  Minato approaches the face of the beast with his hand held forward.

  Minato: Easy now. I'm not here to hurt you.

  The beast's growl calms as Minato lays his hand on its head.

  Minato: That's it. Now, why don't you give me some of that power, huh?

  The Fox closes its eyes as Minato takes in all of its energy, making the beast disappear.

  Sarutobi: Incredible. The Fox was made of chakra.

  Minato falls to his knees as he shakes with the power surging through his body. The red chakra tries to explode out of him, but he contains it.

  Minato: Nngh! Ah! *Heavy breaths*

  Jiraiya: You okay, soldier?

  Jiraiya helps him stand up.

  Minato: Peachy. You?

  Jiraiya: Look, you've gotta find somewhere to put all that energy. Never seen red chakra before, but it can't be good for you.

  Minato: Really. I've got it handled. Don't worry about it.

  Jiraiya: … If you say so.

  Dekai: Who's carrying the Hokage back?

  Sarutobi: He truly is gone, isn't he?

  Minato: … I'll deliver the bad news.

  Hours later, Minato returns home, where his wife was sleeping in their bed in the other room.

  Kushina: Minato?! Is that you?

  Minato: *Sigh* Yes, it is.

  Kushina: Huh?!

  Minato: It's me!

  Kushina: Could you come here?

  Minato: In a minute.

  Kushina: What?!

  Minato: I Said, “In A-

  Just then, Minato appears in his bedroom with his claws already dug deep into Kushina's bloody chest. She's up against the broken wall with a terrified look in her eyes.

  Minato: Wuh... Kushina!! KUSHINA!!!

  Kushina: W-Why?...

  As she dies, Minato holds her shoulder, keeping her lifeless eyes tied to his.

  Minato: Th-This is impossible! This Isn't Happening!! Kushina!!... No... H-How could I-

  NTF: Foolish mortal. This is the result of trying to contain the uncontainable.

  Minato: You... It Was You!!

  NTF: NO!!! I do not create anger, I feed off of it. Even the slightest of your wrath was enough for me to claw my way out of you and into your wife. It was your mortal hubris that brought this upon you, and it shall bring more.

  Minato: No...

  NTF: Hm? The boy?

  Minato looks at a baby crib that's in another bedroom.

  Minato: If you can corrupt me with your rage, maybe he can corrupt you with his innocence.

  NTF: You do not listen, and you are incredibly foolish, but I will gladly partake in a younger form. This shall be quite interesting.

  Minato walks up to his baby, touches the boy's forehead, and transfers the Nine Tailed Fox's power into him.

  Minato: Ruto... Eyes like lapis lazuli... Give me that smile one more time.

  He gently wakes up Ruto, who smiles and falls back to sleep. Minato painfully smiles back as he cries.

  Minato: You'll either be the end, or the start, of the Uzi bloodline... I'd ask you to make us proud, but you already have... Goodbye.

  Minato lays Kushina's body on their floor, takes a katana from under his bed, and sits in front of her.

  Minato: “My foolishness has brought destruction and shame to my family, thus I die in dishonor.” I know that's what I'm supposed to say, but I just can't live without you. Wherever you are, may we go there together... I love you.

  Minato takes out his blade, pauses for a moment, then shoves it through himself.

  Episode Listing

  Episode -4: Twin Worlds

  Episode -3: The Night of Nine

  Episode -2: Family Man

  Episode -1: A Murder at the House of Hyuga

  Episode 0: Pain and Sorrow

  Episode 1: Fragile Mind

  Episode 2: Play My Tricks

  Episode 3: New Routine

  Episode 4: That I've Learned

  Episode 5: To Understand and Know

  Episode 6: As We Move On

  Episode 7: Heavy Pulse

  Episode 8: Sweaty Clothes

  Episode 9: Bloody Eyes

  Episode 10: Rest Your Head On Me

  Episode 11: Wake

  Episode 12: I'm Not Here

  Episode 13: There Must Be Some Mistake

  Minato voice inspired by Troy Baker