Starting Over As Minato

Naruto stood off to the side, his eyes practically sparkling as he stared at Minato, admiration written all over his face.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, was frozen in shock. His golden, snake-like eyes were locked onto Minato, or more specifically, the **Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode** now radiating from his body.

"This... how?" Orochimaru muttered, unable to hide his astonishment. He had spent years studying the secrets of Ryūchi Cave, yet he had never managed to attain its Senjutsu. And now, in front of him, Minato stood bathed in its power, as if it had always belonged to him.

Minato smirked. "Surprised?"

Orochimaru's throat moved as he swallowed hard. "Are you serious?" he asked, his tone cautious.

Minato crossed his arms. "Of course. But there's a condition."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn't the type to take things at face value. "What condition?"

Minato didn't waste time. "I want you to lead Konoha's **Scientific Research Division**."

For the first time in years, Orochimaru was speechless. He blinked, letting the words sink in, before finally responding with a dry chuckle.

"But Minato... I'm still considered a rogue ninja of Konoha, am I not?" he said, his tone laced with amusement.

Minato waved his hand dismissively. "That's not your concern. Just tell me—**do you accept or not?**"

Orochimaru tapped a finger against his arm, pretending to contemplate his options. "And what happens if I refuse?"

Minato's smirk deepened. "Then you refuse." He shrugged. "But let me remind you... you still don't know the secrets of **Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode**, do you?"

Orochimaru flinched ever so slightly, but Minato pressed on.

"Now, **if** you agree, I can teach you. **If** you refuse, well… you might never get the chance to learn it." He let the words hang in the air, watching as Orochimaru processed the implications.

Orochimaru, for all his arrogance, was no fool. He knew better than anyone that **once one began training in Ryūchi Cave's Senjutsu, failure meant death**—a **fate reserved for those deemed unworthy by the White Snake Sage.**

Minato leaned in slightly, his blue eyes sharp. "You never went through with it for that exact reason, right? You were afraid of **failing**."

Orochimaru stiffened. He hadn't **told** anyone that.

"How do you know that?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Minato merely smiled. "Does it matter?" He turned on his heel, waving casually over his shoulder. "If you want to learn, you know where to find me."

And just like that, he **vanished**, Naruto and Rukia following right behind him.

Orochimaru stood there for a long moment, staring at the spot where Minato had been. His lips curled into a quiet chuckle.

"Interesting... The ninja world might be changing after all."

And with that, he disappeared into the trees.

---

The air was **thick with dust and chakra.**

The **One-Tailed Shukaku** roared, its massive clawed hand swinging down toward the Konoha ninjas.

"**Die, you miserable insects!**"

Kakashi quickly formed a seal. "**Earth Style: Earth Wall!**"

A solid wall of rock **erupted from the ground,** barely managing to block the attack. But the moment it cracked, Konoha's shinobi **counterattacked.**

"**Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!**"

"**Wind Style: Dust Cloud Technique!**"

"**Leaf Hurricane!**"

"**Genjutsu: Binding Illusion!**"

Explosions of **fire, wind, and taijutsu** slammed into Shukaku, sending smoke and debris into the air.

On the sidelines, Temari and Kankuro **watched anxiously.** Despite everything, that **was still their younger brother, Gaara, inside that monster.**

Minato, Rukia, and Naruto arrived just in time to witness the chaos.

"Sensei!" Naruto shouted, spotting Kakashi.

Rukia gave Naruto a **sideways glance**, then looked at Minato as if to say: *This is really your son?*

Minato sighed. "Yeah... unfortunately."

Kakashi looked up and immediately spotted the three newcomers. His eye widened.

"Naruto! Did you find Minato-sensei?"

Naruto grinned. "Yep! My dad's right here, and we got Sasuke and Sakura out safely!"

Kakashi exhaled, relieved. "Good. Because we have a bigger problem now."

"**YOU!!**"

Shukaku's massive **golden eyes locked onto Naruto**, its voice filled with pure hatred.

"You **damn fox brat!** I'll crush you!"

Naruto frowned. "Wait… are you talking about me, or Kurama?"

Inside his mind, the **Nine-Tails** growled. *"Tch. That damned raccoon is still as annoying as ever."*

Naruto sighed. "Alright, guess there's only one way to handle this!"

He formed a hand sign.

"**Shadow Clone Jutsu!**"

**A hundred Naruto clones** erupted onto the battlefield, each one **rushing toward Shukaku**. The rest of the Konoha shinobi followed suit, attacking with everything they had.

But while Naruto fought, Minato observed.

*He only uses Shadow Clones… and Rasengan.*

Minato frowned.

*That won't do.*

After all, this was **his** son. And Minato Namikaze wasn't about to let Naruto remain **underprepared** for the dangers ahead.

Not anymore.

---

(A/N: Advance Chapters Uploaded On My Patreon)