Because I Don’t Want to Lose You

[In the Hokage's Office]

"So it's that day," Jiraiya murmured, watching the Heaven's Curtain display. Memories of the past flooded his mind, and he couldn't help but chuckle at Minato's quirky naming sense.

"That's Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage who succeeded you," Uzumaki Mito noted, her gaze steady as she watched the image of the young man.

Her heart ached slightly. This was Kushina's beloved, Naruto's father—she had learned everything from Hiruzen: the tragic events of the Nine-Tails' attack and the heroic sacrifices of Minato and Kushina.

"To use the Eight Trigrams Seal… it seems Kushina found someone truly worthy of her love," Mito said with a faint smile, though her expression soon turned bittersweet.

Such a pity...

Both had died far too young.

"Even though the Fourth Hokage and Kushina-sensei passed away, they left behind a new flame of hope," Kakashi said softly.

A new flame—Naruto.

Mito's mind wandered to the spirited little girl who reminded her so much of Kushina. She smiled warmly at the thought. Just like Kushina, Naruto was lively and full of energy.

[The Scene Changes]

[Deep within a mountain range, Jiraiya stood with his team, his expression grave. One of his subordinates was none other than Namikaze Minato.]

[Before them loomed the massive forms of two Tailed Beast Hosts—Rōshi of the Four-Tails and Han of the Five-Tails, both fully transformed.]

[The sheer size and power of the Tailed Beasts were overwhelming. Their mouths glowed ominously as they prepared their Tailed Beast Bombs, sending waves of fear through Jiraiya's team.]

"That's… a Tailed Beast Bomb!?"

[The sight burned itself into Minato's memory. In the face of such overwhelming power, even elite shinobi seemed like helpless ants.]

Across the world, viewers held their breath.

"What are those monsters?! What's that black orb in their mouths?!"

"Those are Tailed Beasts! Can humans really fight against something like that?"

"That's a Tailed Beast Bomb—it's said to be a Tailed Beast's most destructive attack!"

[The Scene Shifts Again]

[Now in a serene forest clearing, Minato stood atop a rock. Beside him was a young girl his age with vivid red hair—an Uzumaki.]

[This girl was none other than Kushina, the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.]

"Who's that? She's so pretty—is she from the Uzumaki clan?"

"Wait… could that be the Fourth Hokage's wife?!"

"It has to be! I heard the Fourth was married, but I never imagined she'd be so beautiful."

"I remember hearing stories about how much the Fourth Hokage loved his wife. What a shame they both died so young."

"Do you think they had children? I'm curious now."

"They must have, right? But if they did, wouldn't the village know about it?"

"I heard rumors that the Fourth and Kushina had a child. But it's just hearsay."

[Back in Konoha]

"The Fourth Hokage had a kid?!" Naruto exclaimed, wide-eyed. "That's huge news!"

"Why didn't Grandpa Third ever tell me about this?"

Sasuke, too, was stunned. "The Fourth's child… what kind of genius would they be? If they inherited even a fraction of the Fourth's talent, they'd be incredible."

His father had often spoken highly of the Fourth Hokage, calling him a true prodigy.

[In the Hokage's Office]

Mito's expression darkened. She couldn't understand why the Fourth Hokage's child had been kept a secret.

"What harm could come from revealing the child's identity?" she muttered. "The Nine-Tails has already been exposed, so what's the big deal about announcing the child of the Fourth Hokage?"

Her protective instincts flared. If she weren't holding back for Hiruzen's sake, she might have dragged him outside for a scolding.

[Back on the Heaven's Curtain]

"This jutsu was created to protect you," Minato said softly, holding a Rasengan in his hand.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kushina asked, startled.

"It's because we're in the middle of a war. Any day, you could be sent to the battlefield. That's why I developed this jutsu—it's designed to counter Tailed Beasts and enemy Jinchūriki. It even harmonizes with your chakra, Kushina, and I'm teaching it to you for that reason."

[Minato paused, then turned to Kushina with a warm smile.]

"Because I don't want to lose you."

Across the ninja world, countless women blushed, sighing wistfully.

"That's so romantic! The Fourth Hokage is amazing!"

"He's not just powerful; he's so caring too. This is the kind of man I want to marry!"

[In the Mist Village]

"Men like that are hard to come by," Mei Terumī said with a wistful smile. "If only he hadn't died so young."

[In the Hokage's Office]

Mito nodded approvingly. "A dependable man, truly worthy of Kushina."

[Back in Konoha]

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's so cool! I want to be like that someday, dattebayo!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Gaara, standing nearby, took note of her words.

For a moment, he imagined himself in Minato's place and Naruto as Kushina.

"Naruto… we're friends. I don't want to lose you either,"