Starting Over As Minato

Naruto watched as his father effortlessly dispelled "Chakra Dad," his expression calm. He wasn't someone who enjoyed violence, but he also wasn't naive enough to reject power when it was within reach.

"I want to be strong. I want to be acknowledged by the village. One day, I'll become a man worthy of the Hokage title."

The chakra construct of his father had tried to stop him from seizing that strength, but that Minato was just a remnant from twelve years ago. His real father was here now—alive. That was all that mattered.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto reached forward and tore off the seal.

The moment the paper tag was removed, a surge of violent, red chakra erupted from within the massive cage. The air trembled under its oppressive weight, and the very walls of the sealed space groaned under the immense power of the Nine-Tails. The chakra was so dense it almost took a physical form, rolling like a storm ready to devour everything in its path.

But just as the oppressive energy threatened to engulf everything, Minato stepped forward.

A golden chakra flared around him, surging upward like a beacon, colliding with the Nine-Tails' dark red chakra. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, water on the ground splashing wildly from the sheer pressure of their auras clashing.

Naruto stood at the sidelines, watching his father's back. He had never seen anything like this before—the way Minato stood tall, his presence unwavering even before the might of a tailed beast.

*"So this is… the strength of my father?"*

The Nine-Tails' crimson eyes widened in disbelief.

*"This human… he actually canceled out sixty percent of my chakra?! Impossible! Even in my weakened state, I am still stronger than any of the other tailed beasts. How?!"*

The fox's thoughts raced. It knew Minato had sealed part of its power within himself, but he should have been dead for over a decade. So how had his strength increased?

Of course, the Nine-Tails had no way of knowing the truth. The Minato before it wasn't the same man from twelve years ago—this was Minato with the power of the system.

Minato, on the other hand, remained composed.

*"As expected of the Nine-Tails. The sheer amount of chakra is insane. Without my system's boost, I wouldn't have even come close to matching him. No wonder only Madara and Hashirama were ever able to control this beast."*

But there was something else. Since obtaining his new power, Minato noticed a subtle shift in his chakra. It wasn't just quantity—it had gained an almost oppressive quality, as if it could affect the very soul of his opponent.

His gaze flickered back to the fox.

"Not bad," Minato murmured. "Your chakra… it's really something."

Hearing this, the Nine-Tails snapped.

*"This bastard—!"*

With a furious roar, its massive claws slashed toward Minato, aiming to crush him where he stood.

But just as the attack was about to land—*poof!*

The Minato it struck vanished in a puff of smoke.

"A substitution?!" the Nine-Tails realized too late.

A voice rang out from above.

"Really, Kyuubi? Did you get dumber over the years?"

The fox's ears twitched, and it instinctively tilted its head back to locate the source of the voice—

"Did I tell you to look up?"

Minato's cold words sent a shiver through the Nine-Tails' body.

But before the beast could react, Minato's foot came down.

*BOOM!*

The sheer force of the impact slammed the Nine-Tails' head into the ground, creating a deafening crash.

And then—golden chains shot out, wrapping around the fox's body, binding its massive limbs.

Minato blinked in surprise.

*"These aren't my chains…"*

Before he could dwell on it, a voice interrupted.

"You really are a stupid fox," a woman's voice said teasingly.

Minato turned his head—and his breath caught.

A young woman with long, flowing red hair walked toward them. Her features were strikingly beautiful, with bright eyes filled with warmth. Despite the ethereal glow surrounding her, a sign of her limited chakra, she carried herself with an undeniable presence.

She wore a simple white t-shirt and a long, flowing green skirt. The combination was modest, yet somehow accentuated her graceful figure.

Minato felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

*"So this is… Kushina."*

He had known she was beautiful from the anime, but seeing her in person? She was absolutely stunning.

Kushina ignored Minato for now, turning her attention to the fox.

"Trying to scare my son? Not on my watch, you dumb furball."

Then, as if finally noticing Naruto properly, she looked at him—her eyes softening instantly.

Naruto, meanwhile, had been staring at her the whole time, a bit dazed.

Finally, he blurted out, "Wow… Big Sis, you're really pretty!"

Kushina froze.

Then—she burst into laughter, her voice light and warm.

Minato chuckled under his breath, stepping aside to let mother and son interact. This was their moment.

Kushina smiled and knelt in front of Naruto, brushing a strand of hair from his face.

"You don't have to call me 'Big Sis'…" she said gently. "Because I'm your mother."

Naruto's body stiffened. His cerulean eyes widened in shock.

"You… what?"

Kushina nodded, her smile never fading.

Naruto's gaze darted toward Minato, searching for confirmation.

Minato simply smiled warmly and nodded.

Naruto's lips trembled. His hands clenched into fists.

*"This isn't a dream, right?"*

Kushina opened her arms.

That was all it took.

Naruto launched himself forward, burying his face in her chest as he sobbed.

For the first time in his life, he felt the warmth of a mother's embrace.

Kushina held him tightly, running her fingers through his hair.

Minato watched quietly, allowing them their moment.

After a while, Naruto finally pulled away, rubbing at his tear-streaked face.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he started talking—fast.

He told Kushina everything. About his life in the village, the way the villagers treated him, the measly 1,000 ryo the Third Hokage gave him each month, and his tiny, rundown apartment.

As Naruto spoke, Kushina's smile slowly faded.

Her brows furrowed.

Her grip on Naruto tightened slightly.

*"Wait a minute…"*

She and Minato had left behind more than enough money. They had a house, completed high-ranking missions, and had financial security.

So why had her son grown up like this?

Kushina's expression darkened.

Then—her long red hair began to rise, waving as if caught in an invisible storm.

Her aura surged.

"THAT DAMN OLD MAN!" she roared. "HIRUZEN, YOU BASTARD! I SEALED THE NINE-TAILS FOR THIS VILLAGE, AND YOU—!"

Her furious scream echoed through the sealed space.

Naruto blinked in surprise.

Minato sighed.

*"Well… Hiruzen, you're in trouble now."*