Chapter 14: 13 Years ago - After Tobi/Madara(?)

"The guy just disappeared without a trace. It was as if he never came here in the first place. We will be more prepared but we have to take precaution" Jiraiya said as he described what happened when a guy with an orange swirling mask attacked Kushina and unleashed Kyuubi upon Konoha.

"You're right, sensei. He infiltrated Konoha without anyone noticing and extracted the Kyuubi from my wife after she had given birth." Minato said as he held Naruko.

"Wait, wouldn't that result in Kushina's death?" The blonde woman asked in surprise.

"I was thinking the same thing, Tsunade, but for some reason here I am," Kushina said with a tired smile as she held Naruto.

"Maybe it was the way the masked guy extracted the Kyuubi out of her body. Do you remember anything of that, Kushina?" Jiraiya asked.

"All I remember is pain, Jiraiya," Kushina said with a frown. "That's all."

"Just great," Jiraiya sighed and then turned to Minato. "This is bad, Minato. That man's attack was nearly flawless and he knew exactly what he was looking for. If his reasoning for attacking Konoha was its destruction then he did a pretty good job in coming close."

"I know. He knew exactly where to go without being detected and its obvious now that his main objective was the Kyuubi." Minato said.

"Something tells me his not done with Konoha or us," Kushina said worriedly as she looked at her babies.

"You always have a knack of attracting the worse kind of enemies, Minato," Tsunade said with shake of her head.

"But I don't even know the guy!" Minato protested.

"Does it matter? You're the one who is well-known around the elemental nations and that's all it takes," Tsunade said evenly.

"You're right," Minato said sadly.

"Oh Kami, our children were nearly killed," Kushina said.

"That's not the only problem at this point," Minato said.

"What are you talking about?" Tsunade said.

"...Notice a big red demon fox missing? I think I found a way to alter the Shiki Fujin in separating the Bijuu's soul from its very own chakra. I sealed the Yin and Yang chakra into you and Naruko and the soul into Naruto. theoretically the result should have been my death, but I think since I performed a different version of Shiki Fujin my life was spared," Minato said. 'Though I'm not sure if I really did summon the Shinigami as the one I saw looked demonic in nature unlike what the old Uzumaki scrolls described' he thought.

"...I knew you were a genius but this? Even I have to admit I'm impressed," Jiraiya said in shock.

"Are you sure that's what you did?" Kushina asked in concern.

"I'm positive. I saw the soul and both Yin and Yang chakra separate from each other before sealing them into Naruto, Naruko and you love" Minato said confidently.

"My poor babies," Kushina said sadly.

"Since I separated the three key aspects that make a Bijuu whole then I don't think the Kyuubi can be extracted without both soul and at least one of its chakra present" Minato said.

"You mean, you need at least Kushina or Naruko in Naruto's presence to get the Kyuubi?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes... In theory anyway." Minato looked at his wife seriously. "That man might come back and try the same thing again. That could end badly for Kushina, Naruto and Naruko. We can't stay here if that is the case."

"You want us to leave Konoha?" Kushina asked in surprise.

"Yeah, it's the only way to protect the village, You, and the children... That man could come after us for the children, and since he will need both chakra and soul to release the Kyuubi then..."

"I hope you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting!" Kushina hissed suspiciously.

"I'm sorry Kushina-koi, but we can't take Naruto with us-"

"No! I am not leaving any of my babies! What the hell are you thinking, Minato-kun?!" Kushina shouted angrily.

"Here me out. We won't be leaving anyone alone. Jiraiya and Tsunade can look after Naruto, while we groom Naruko" Minato said and shrunk as Kushina fixed him with a withering glare.

"They are not objects to just experiment with. They're our children! OUR CHILDREN! Of all the ideas that you've come up with, Minato-kun, this is the worst!"

Minato's shoulders sagged. He began to see what she was talking about. He felt really stupid for even suggesting it to an Uzumaki mother. He sighed. "You're right. We'll just have to figure out something else -"

"I support that idea," Jiraiya said.

Everyone looked at the old man with wide eyes.

"You what?" Tsunade inquired warningly.

"It's solid. Kushina can take care of herself as soon as she recovers. But, since Naruto and Naruko can't be near each other yet then this is the best we can do. I think Naruto should stay."

"Don't start with that stupid prophecy garbage again!" Kushina shouted angrily.

"No, it's not that. I just think that it would be the right thing to do. I'm his godfather. It wouldn't hurt."

"To hell with that! It is absolutely ludicrous! You can't make such a huge decision based on a half assed belief that Naruto must be separated or that man would not only find them but release the Kyuubi as well." Tsunade fumed.

"We can't take any chances! If we make a mistake it could not only result in Naruto and Naruko possibly getting killed!" Jiraiya argued.

"Exactly! What do you think would happen if that masked man came back and tried to take the Kyuubi from the child you left behind? It would still lead to the same result." Tsunade said.

"That's why we would be here. Minato and Kushina could protect Naruko and we could easily protect Naruto with the aid of Konoha. That man will not be a match for two Sannin!" Jiraiya boasted.

"You're right, sensei. This way we can be assured that both kids will at least be safe and the Kyuubi can not be freed." Minato said.

"I refuse! What the hell has gotten into you! Don't make me slap you, Minato!" Kushina warned.

"Kushina-koi, we don't have much time to do this before people find out. It's the best that we can offer our kids at the moment. We won't be abandoning Naruto. He'll stay with Jiraiya and Tsunade -"

"And we'll tell him all about you guys and what great parents you are, right Tsunade-hime?" Jiraiya asked with a grin.

"This isn't right. This isn't right and you know it," Tsunade said seriously.

"We have little choice, Tsunade. Don't worry, he won't be in your care for too long. We'll be back for him when the time is right," Minato said.

"...I can't leave him. Please Minato-koi, don't make me leave him. I love him so much. Don't make me do this," Kushina pleaded as she looked at her son who was in her gentle embrace. "Sochi-kun..."

"I'm sorry Kushina-koi, but we have to. We'll be back for him soon enough, and we'll be a family again. I promise." Minato said with conviction.

"I just can't. He's my sochi. Can't you see you're making this painful for me." Kushina looked at her husband with a sorrowful gaze.

Minato's eyes soften. He understood what she was going through. It was really tough decision to make.

"He would never grow with us. He would never have that type of childhood that kids need. Can you really expect this to go in our favour? What if he grows to hate the parents that left him behind? I just can't deal with that. If you're so insistent in leaving for the safety of our kids and the village then...let me stay with him in Konoha," Kushina said.

"I would love that more than anything Kushina-chan but Naruko will need you," Minato said.

"What do you mean?" Kushina said.

"She only has the Yin chakra of the Kyuubi. It's the malevolent and malicious one, adding to the fact that it does not have a soul and it will remain aimless with no focal point then Naruko could lose herself to the chakra indefinitely," Minato said.

"Then why didn't you seal the Yang chakra in her instead!?" asked Kushina frantically.

"Because the Yang chakra had a more potent healing property and seeing you in that dire state when you had just given birth and had Kyuubi extracted from you, didn't really leave me much of a choice, but don't worry. I know that Naruko can over come this. She just needs a little help from her mom" said Minato a bit meekly.

But Kushina understood immediately what Minato was implying, "You need my chakra chains."

Minato nodded his head grimly.

"Then why don't you stay with Naruto?" Kushina questioned.

"Because enemies would know that Minato's alive and they'll know that Naruto is his son. They'll come after the kid, no doubt about that," Jiraiya said seriously.

Kushina's mouth formed a thin line as the dreaded news was given to her. Will they ever get a break?

"If...If you're going to leave Naruto here, then people should not know who his parents are. We can't have him live anywhere in Konoha where he could be an easy target either." Tsunade said.

"I own an estate just outside Konoha. No one else knows that it exist because of the genjutsu that I put on it. You could use that place as a home to look after Naruto and train him to be stronger," Minato said.

"You want us to train him?" Tsunade questioned.

"Yes, I want you to teach him everything you know. I know you guys a very capable in making him a great shinobi." Minato said.

"This is so unfair!" Kushina cried. "Why do we have to do anything?! We can just stay in Konoha and see how things turn out!"

Everyone understood that Kushina was falling into desperation. She loved her children and as a Uzumaki; family was very important to her.

No one noticed that Naruto's eyes had briefly opened, and they were purple with concentric ripple patterns...

"I'm really sorry, Kushina-chan, but for the sake of Konoha and our children we have to do what's right. I-It isn't easy for me either. I love Naruto and this is hard for me too."

Kushina only whimpered as she looked down to her now sleeping son. The tears wouldn't stop.

"Don't worry, Kushina! He'll be in good hands!" Jiraiya said.

"...Promise me," Kushina whispered.

"What?" Jiraiya asked.

"Promise me, you'll look after him. You'll help him grow to be a responsible and loving boy. You'll tell him all about us and how much we love him. You'll train him to be the best shinobi he can be. You'll love him just as we do." Kushina was serious and made sure they knew it.

"Yeah...sure. I promise," Jiraiya said, a bit confused in Kushina's behavior.

Kushina turned to Tsunade.

"...I...promise," Tsunade said, although her response was very unenthusiastic.

Kushina looked at them for a moment and then nodded, "We'll send letters every month with presents for you to pick up. I want you to send us letters on Naruto's progress every month. If they are problems then you must inform us immediately. I don't want my sochi to grow up alone or unwanted," Kushina said.

"Yes," Jiraiya said in exasperation. However, Tsunade only looked away in thought.

"Then we have an agreement," Minato said with a hint of excitement.

"I really don't like this, but if you're right Minato then we can't endanger anyone," Kushina said and proceeded to repeatedly kiss Naruto's forehead. She looked at her son. "Kaa-chan loves you."

"And Tou-san loves you," Minato added with a grin as he rubbed Naruto's head.

It won't be until much later that both parents would regret their decision.