DC: Yellow Flash

Minato Namikaze groggily opened his eyes to a wide, endless grassy plain. The breeze was gentle, and the sun hung high in a perfectly blue sky. He rubbed the back of his head and sat up, looking around in confusion. "This must be what the Shinigami's stomach looks like," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the soft rustling of the grass. He sighed heavily and looked skyward, his face etched with pain.

"I hope you're safe, Naruto," he said softly, his voice cracking. "Kushina… I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to protect you both." Tears rolled down his cheeks as he clenched his fists tightly. He tried to suppress the sobs, but his grief was overwhelming. "Please forgive me," he whispered, his head bowed as silent tears continued to fall.

Suddenly, a blinding light engulfed him, and his surroundings vanished into darkness. Distant voices broke through the void, muffled and incoherent, but one phrase stood out clearly: "It's a baby boy."

Minato's eyes fluttered open, the world around him a hazy blur. He could make out two figures—one female, cradling him gently, and one male, standing nearby. His small, fragile body felt alien to him. His heart raced as realization struck. I've been reincarnated… as a baby?

He struggled to piece his thoughts together. I've read about this in ancient texts, but I never thought it could be true. His tiny hands twitched as he tried to process his new reality. I guess it is true. Fate really does work in strange ways.

The woman holding him cooed softly, her warmth oddly comforting. Minato felt his eyelids grow heavy, exhaustion overwhelming him. As sleep began to claim him, he made a silent vow. I will protect my loved ones in this life. I will never forget you, Kushina, Naruto, Kakashi, and Jiraiya-sensei. His thoughts faded as he drifted into slumber.

Seventeen years passed in the blink of an eye.

Minato stirred awake in his bed as the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains. He yawned, stretching his arms, and sat up. "Seventeen years," he muttered, his voice hoarse from sleep. "Seventeen years since I was reincarnated into this new world."

The world he found himself in was vastly different from the one he had known. This place—modern Earth—was teeming with bustling cities, diverse cultures, and incredible technological advancements. Minato lived in a country called Japan, specifically in its capital, Tokyo.

"This world is so different," he mused aloud, running a hand through his golden hair. "There are no ninja, no wars like in my old life. Everything here is… peaceful." His gaze drifted to his hands, his fingers curling into a fist. "But I can still feel it—my abilities are still there, deep inside. It's been so long since I've fought, though. I'd probably be rusty."

A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," Minato called.

The door creaked open, revealing a blonde-haired woman with kind blue eyes. She smiled warmly. "Minato, it's time for breakfast."

He nodded, smiling back. "Thanks, Mom."

As she left, Minato leaned back against his headboard, lost in thought. She's a kind woman, my mother in this life. Soft-spoken, but terrifying when angry. A doctor who dedicates herself to helping others.

He got up, pulling on a comfortable hoodie and blue pants, and made his way to the dining room. His father was already seated at the table, reading a newspaper, while his mother busied herself in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Father," Minato greeted as he took his seat.

His father looked up, a grin spreading across his face. "Good morning, son."

Minato studied his father, a man with long, dark blonde hair and deep blue eyes. He's a police detective, and one of the best in Tokyo. At home, though, he's a completely different person—a jokester and a prankster, much to my mother's annoyance.

The family ate breakfast together, the warm, easy conversation reminding Minato of the fleeting moments of peace he'd once shared with Kushina.

After breakfast, Minato packed his bag and headed to school. It was the first day after summer break, and his final year before college. He walked through the bustling halls of his high school, greeted by cheerful waves and friendly smiles.

Minato was popular—his striking looks, intelligence, and athletic prowess made him the center of attention. On the track, he was unmatched, his speed earning him the nickname "Golden Flash" among his peers, though they had no idea just how fitting it truly was.

He greeted his classmates as he entered homeroom, taking his seat near the window. The teacher soon arrived, clapping their hands to call the class to order. "Alright, everyone, quiet down. Let's get started."

The day passed uneventfully, filled with lectures, assignments, and the lively chatter of students catching up after the break. But as Minato walked home that evening, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting Tokyo in a warm, golden glow. Minato reached his house, the quiet stillness of the neighborhood amplifying the sense of foreboding he couldn't shake.

He opened the front door, stepping inside to the familiar scent of home-cooked meals. "I'm home," he called out, but the silence that greeted him was deafening.

"Mom? Dad?" he called again, his voice tinged with worry.

There was no response. Minato's heart began to race as he dropped his bag and cautiously made his way through the house.

When he entered the living room, his breath caught in his throat. The room was in disarray—furniture overturned, papers scattered across the floor. A faint metallic smell lingered in the air.

And then he saw it—a dark stain on the carpet.

Minato's mind raced, his instincts from his past life kicking in. He crouched down to examine the scene, his sharp eyes catching every detail. The room showed no signs of a struggle. The stain was recent.

He clenched his fists, his body trembling. This peaceful world… I thought I wouldn't have to fight here.

A faint noise from upstairs snapped him out of his thoughts. He moved swiftly and silently, his footsteps barely making a sound. As he reached the top of the stairs, he saw a shadow move across the hallway.

Minato's heart pounded in his chest. Whoever it was, they were still here. And Minato wasn't about to let them get away.