Chapter Text
Tsunade sighed, putting the scans down on the table. She adjusted her coat, placed her chin on her hands, and stared at the patient across from her. Uchiha Itachi watched her quietly, his hands sitting limply in his lap. His dark eyes followed her movements, studying her as his face remained blank. He was intelligent and observant, carefully dissecting any information he could glean from her. There was no reason to make him worry more than he already was.
Tsunade sighed, sitting back in her chair.
"There's inflammation in your lungs, which resulted in your cough," she said quietly.
Itachi nodded, his hand brushing back a lock of dark hair. He was pale, heavy lines already forming on his face from the stress. A child his age shouldn't be in the ANBU or a shinobi with his condition.
"Is it tuberculosis?" He asked softly.
"No, you haven't started coughing blood or experiencing any of the advanced symptoms of TB," Tsunade shook her head.
"But my stamina is weakening, and my cough is getting worse," Itachi said.
"The chakra network around your lungs is damaged, Itachi," Tsunade said seriously.
The Uchiha boy stared at her quietly, his eyes widening slightly. He coughed into his fist, trying to keep his body from shaking.
"How?" He asked.
"I'm not sure; you have no evidence of cancer or another infection, but the damage to your lungs is there. It's small, but the chakra system around your lungs and heart is weaker than the rest of your body," Tsunade sighed.
"A birth defect?" The boy's voice was soft, but she heard the tinge of worry.
"Chakra systems can be damaged for any number of reasons; they can tampered with or even destroyed if severed, causing irreversible damage to the organs they are connected to, but your case seems different," Tsuande's nails tapped on the table.
"My missions don't normally cause me to face off against enemy shinobi, and when I do, I haven't received any damage to my chakra network; these symptoms started only recently," Itachi whispered.
"Which means it's coming from inside your body; your body is attacking your chakra network and your respiratory system as a result," Tsunade slapped her hand on the table.
"It's auto-immune?" Itachi stared at her solemnly.
"It makes sense unless you received an organ donation recently. Your immune system is attacking your chakra network, and it will only get worse," Tsunade pinched her brows.
"What about Sasuke? Does my little brother have it?" Itachi sat up straighter, his voice terrified.
Tsunade smiled, briefly staring up at the ceiling. These two Uchiha brothers only ever thought of each other. It was cute but unhealthy.
"We could do genetic testing to see if your family carries it. But I don't recall any other Uchiha having your condition," Tsunade said calmly.
Itachi clenched his pants, his expression darkening before he closed his eyes.
"Is it fatal," he said.
Tsunade stayed quiet, listening to the ticking clock on the wall. She had too little information to tell him the outcome. Auto-immune diseases couldn't be cured, but they could be managed by medication. But the child was a shinobi; his condition could indeed only worsen if he continued using jutsu and his chakra.
"We don't know that yet," she said truthfully. "However…"
Tsunade stood from her seat, crossing the room with her hands over her chest. She stared out the window, taking in the view of the Hokage Summit in the distance. She was home after a decade away. Though she didn't want to admit it, Sarutobi-sensei had been right. Dan was dead, Nawaki was dead, Grandfather and Grandma were dead. She was still alive, though.
Her fingers traced the crystal dangling against her throat. She could faintly sense the echo of her grandfather's chakra from it.
Tsunade wondered if she should tell Itachi. Who would carry his will of fire if he died?
"Uchiha Itachi, if you continue using your chakra the way you do, the auto-immune response will worsen," Tsunade turned.
Itachi straightened his back, the fear vanishing from his face. His lips pressed together in grim acceptance before he shook his head once.
"No, I will not stop being a shinobi," he said.
"There are treatments we can try to help alleviate the symptoms. But, like with any treatment, there can be serious side effects; you should consider adopting a more civilian lifestyle," Tsunade said calmly.
"No, I love this village and my family; I will not stop being a shinobi," Itachi said again.
"Itachi, if your condition worsens, you'll die," Tsunade said softly.
She clenched her necklace between her nails. Itachi shook his head again.
"Then I'll die a shinobi," he said, his voice quieter.
"What about your brother?" Tsunade leaned on the table, her eyes glinting.
Itachi stared at her coldly, the side of his mouth tugging slightly. He leaned forward in his chair.
"Sasuke won't live the life I've lived, Lady Tsunade, but I'll be damned if you try using him against me," he warned lightly, his dark eyes glinting with something deadly.
"Little Sasuke couldn't stop talking about you, so don't use that tone against me, Uchiha Itachi; when you're the one only considering himself, you're a child, not a martyr," Tsunade tapped the table with her fingers.
Itachi flinched, his head bowing as he glared at his shoes thoughtfully. Tsunade smirked. He was a powerful shinobi, a genius even. But he was still a child. They were in an era where children could afford to grow a little before dying a senseless death as a tool.
"At least consider taking up a normal Jonin position instead of being an ANBU," she suggested.
Itachi hummed briefly, pushing back his bangs and racing his hands through his hair.
"I've considered that; I've asked the Captain to help me talk to Lord Fourth about it," he said.
Tsunade clicked her tongue when he mentioned that name. Ah yes, the Hatake brat. She hasn't seen him since he was a little kid gripping Minato's leg. Minato had the idea of making the kid an ANBU the same year he lost his teammates. Seriously?
"We'll set up another appointment to discuss our treatment options; for now, go home and rest. And if you're going to consider becoming a Jonin, get on it as soon as possible for your health," Tsunade sat back down, waving her hand.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade," Itachi bowed politely.
The door to her office pushed open, revealing Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Sasuke standing in the hall. The mother smiled briefly at the Slug Sannin. Sasuke smiled brightly, dropping his bookbag as he ran up to hug his brother around the waist.
"Big Brother, you're okay!" Sasuke said happily.
Tsunade pretended not to notice the darkness overcoming Itachi and Mikoto's faces. Itachi brushed his fingers through Sasuke's hair as his brother nuzzled his stomach.
"Uchiha Mikoto, has Minato said anything about that Hatake brat?" Tsunade asked.
"I don't believe they've returned yet," Mikoto said, blinking in confusion.
Tsunade kicked her heels onto her desk, folding her hands behind her head.
"Thanks, I'll leave you to it until that brat returns," she said, closing her eyes.
Mikoto quietly ushered her boys out of the office, as Tsunade could hear Kushina arguing down the hall with her children. Sasuke grabbed Itachi by the hand, excitedly dragging him out of the room.
"Lady Mikoto," Tsunade said as Mikoto reached for the knob.
The Uchiha mother paused, turning to face her with a tilt of her head. She was dressed in a Jonin uniform, strange on a woman who hadn't been an active shinobi for over a decade. But Tsunade wasn't one to judge; she'd been inactive since Dan's death.
"Welcome back," Tsunade smiled, opening an eye to look at her.
Mikoto blushed, brushing back her hair as she readjusted her headband.
"If Itachi doesn't tell you what we discussed, I will," Tsunade closed her eyes again.
"I'll remember that, Lady Tsunade," Mikoto whispered as she closed the door.
Tsunade heard a loud Naruto screech from down the hall: "WHAT YA MEAN IM GROUNDED, MA?!"
She laughed, her shoulders relaxing from the daily tension as she rocked her chair.
Kushina had somehow returned, a cousin she thought lost to time. And along with her came a Minato, a Naruto, and a Fuu. She didn't know how, but a fragment of her family was back in her life.
Tsunade stopped laughing, staring at the ceiling.
"Now, if only we could do something about that, Kakashi," she whispered.
******
Kakashi walked ahead of his ANBU with his mask on his face, and his hand clenched around his sword. He tried to ignore Might Guy walking beside him on his hands. The energetic Jonin jumped onto his feet with a serious huff. He turned around, kicking up a cloud of dust as he stomped towards Kakashi.
"Seriously, you're still choosing to ignore me?" He asked.
"You're not supposed to be seen with ANBU, Guy; I told you to go ahead," Kakashi sighed.
The other ANBU remained quiet and vigilant. Standing dutifully behind their leader. The Fourth Hokage had left them behind. But Kakashi knew it was because Minato had sensed something; his teacher wouldn't abandon them for no reason. He wasn't annoyed by Minato forgetting about them; he was known for being a little absent-minded.
But sending Might Guy to retrieve him? That was annoying.
"Fiddlesticks! Lord Minato sent me on a special mission to find you!" Guy protested.
"Well, we've been found; go back without us," Kakashi stated.
It wasn't that he despised Guy, but he was so loud. The Jonin was so friendly and outgoing that Kakashi's stomach curdled. He acted like they'd been rivals for years, but it was one-sided. He resisted the urge to remove his mask to brush back his hair.
"And leave you stranded? Nonsense!" Guy gave him a thumbs-up.
Kakashi was about to respond, but something flashed a few feet before them. He shielded his face, signaling his men to wait. From the flash stood Minato and two other familiar faces arranged in a triangle.
"Ah, there you are; sorry I left you behind," Minato apologized.
"Genma? Raido?" Kakashi whispered, staring at the two Jonins.
"Hey, Dog," Genma saluted him, senbon stick in his mouth.
"We came upon the request of Lord Fourth to retrieve you," Raido bowed.
Kakashi felt a pang of jealousy hit him, but he ignored it. Minato-sensei must've encountered them wherever he teleported to. Genma and Raido were part of his Hokage Squadron; they had his seals, so it made sense. He couldn't be jealous; he was an ANBU.
"Lord Fourth!" Guy saluted.
"Easy there, Guy; thank you for bringing my ANBU this far," Minato smiled gently.
The ANBU kneeled, ready for their Hokage's orders, but Kakashi remained standing. He saw Minato look at him briefly, his silent message being: "I'll tell you when we get back."
He nodded, pushing his arm over his chest.
Genma and Raido moved around the crowd, their seals out. Guy was directed to stand beside Kakashi while Minato stood in front. The Hokage gripped his kunai between his fingers, thrusting it out. He closed his eyes, centering his chakra.
"Alright, Formation: Level Three," he commanded.
Genma and Raido nodded, focusing their chakra.
And before Kakashi could blink, they were standing in the Hokage Tower. On the bottom floor, he looked around, confused. When did Minato-sensei place a seal here?
"Alright, everybody. You're dismissed; we'll hold a huddle tomorrow to discuss what I encountered," Minato ordered.
The other ANBU saluted their Hokage, disappearing into the shadows. Guy gave a thumbs-up and a flashy grin before patting Kakashi's shoulder.
"I'll see you later, Kakashi," Guy grinned before running down the hall.
Minato was talking to Genma and Raido; they nodded before saluting their Hokage. The two men walked past Kakashi, with Genma giving him a smirk. Finally, it was just him and his Sensei, standing alone in the lobby.
"Office," Minato said calmly before walking towards the stairs.
Instead of walking to the office, Minato put his hand on his student's shoulder and teleported them. Kakashi stumbled, removing his ceramic mask and leaning on the desk. His heart was hammering from the constant motion.
Minato smiled apologetically before sitting down in his chair.
"Sensei, you still have that much chakra?" Kakashi asked.
"My chakra has grown since my comeback, and I suspect it will continue to do so," Minato smiled, his eyes darkening.
Kakashi's dark eye narrowed. But before he could speak, Minato raised his hand.
"The reason I teleported away is because I sensed Genma's seal. He found something that needed my immediate attention, so I teleported them all to Konoha before returning for my ANBU; that's why Guy was sent to find you," he explained.
"It must've been vital then, Sensei, you're not a careless person," Kakashi said.
"It was because there are new Uzumakis in Konoha," Minato said.
Kakashi couldn't stop his shoulders from stiffening or air escaping his lungs like a deflated balloon. He was expecting a valid reason for his Sensei to leave his protection. But new Uzumakis? That couldn't be right.
"Uzumakis other than Kushina and Naruto? How?" Kakashi leaned on the desk.
"A mother and daughter from Kusagakure, following Genma and Raido; I think it was an act of desperation from the mother, Kana, to protect her girl," Minato said.
"Are they alright? I thought the clan was destroyed," Kakashi crossed his arms.
"They were, but that doesn't mean there aren't survivors scattered elsewhere," Minato explained, leaning back in his chair. "They're currently in the hospital."
How was this possible? Kakashi balked, resisting the urge to brush back his bangs. He leaned heavier on the desk, closing his eyes and trying to center himself. There was a pulse between his eyes, and a headache started forming.
Everything he had known, everything that had been taken, wasn't crashing down around him like he was used to. Minato-sensei, and Kushina were alive. Naruto had his parents and a sister to keep him company. The Uchihas were no longer being blamed for the Kyuubi attack. Danzo was dead. The Sannin had come back to Konoha, and Tsunade was staying. Konoha had formed an allyship with Suna. Fuu was adopted from Taki, giving Konoha two Bijuus. And now other Uzumakis were being found?!
Shouldn't he be happy? If so, why did he feel so...useless?
"Kakashi? What's wrong?" Minato asked softly, reaching forward and brushing his hand.
The tired ANBU resisted the urge to flinch, letting his teacher touch him. He sighed, bowing his head as he felt the headache pulse again.
"You could've told me you were going to teleport," he said.
"There was no time; my reaction time is faster than yours," Minato frowned.
"But I'm an ANBU, and it's my job to protect you," Kakashi argued.
"Your job as an ANBU is to follow my orders; I'm sorry I didn't give you any," Minato said calmly. Kakashi remained standing, not pulling away from his teacher.
It's true; he was a tool meant to serve the Hokage. It didn't matter where his feelings lay; he wasn't meant to question his leader. Minato could protect himself; he was faster than anybody in Konoha. But this man also put him in the ANBU in the first place. What was the point if he couldn't do one thing right by protecting him?
"You also brought back Genma and Raido. Will you reinstate them? They were reassigned as normal Jonin after your death," Kakashi looked up, his eyes narrowing.
"They were on their way back from a mission in Kusa; our encounter was by chance; if I do offer them their original position back, it'll be up to them," Minato folded his hands under his chin.
The jealousy hit again, but he kept his face calm. Kakashi shook his head.
"So, if you bring back your Hokage Squadron, your ANBU will be available for more important missions," he reasoned. Minato nodded, smiling slightly at his logic.
"Yes, exactly; my ANBU should be reserved for things that ordinary bodyguards won't be able to do, including you, Kakashi," Minato said.
"Of course, I'll await your command, Sensei," Kakashi replaced his mask.
"Kakashi," Minato stood up, but the ANBU disappeared before he could stop him.
Kakashi reappeared on the roof, hidden by the shadows, as he leaned against the wall. His fist collided with the concrete, sending a pulse of pain up his arm. It was logically sound: ANBU were special agents, and bodyguard duty was beneath him.
But part of him preferred bodyguard duty. It was tedious, but he didn't have to stay in the shadows; he could interact normally with Minato-sensei. And when Kushina and Naruto visited on those days, he welcomed it.
"Damn it," Kakashi swore as he slid his fist down the wall.
"Captain?" Tenzo appeared next to him, mask on his face.
"Tenzo, why are you here?" Kakashi looked at the other ANBU.
"I was on my way back after ensuring Lady Kushina and her children were safe; I needed to make sure the Kyuubi and Nanabi didn't try anything," Tenzo replied stiffly.
The younger ANBU removed his mask, letting his wild brown hair fall around his neck.
"I went to see them while you dealt with Lord Fourth," he said.
"Nobody ordered you to," Kakashi said, removing his mask and staring at his feet.
"I've been babysitting the Jinchuurikis for weeks now; it's become part of my routine, and I can suppress an enraged Bijuu with my Hashirama cells," Tenzo chuckled briefly.
Kakashi sank against the wall, letting his head hang between his knees. His mask clattered out of his hands towards the ground. Tenzo sucked in a breath, his ordinarily expressionless face tensing as he knelt beside his superior.
"Captain?" He whispered.
"You just chose to do that despite Minato-sensei not ordering you to?" Kakashi looked at him.
"Lord Fourth has asked me to watch the younger Jinchuurikis on multiple occasions; I never disobeyed any orders he gave me; I was worried, so I went to look; that's not disobeying my Hokage," Tenzo's face darkened as he spoke robotically.
"How do you do that?" Kakashi looked at him, his visible eye half-lidded.
"D-do what?" Tenzo blinked, rubbing his head nervously.
"Deciding to stay in the shadows like that," Kakashi sighed, rubbing his face.
Tenzo sat next to his superior, smiling sadly as he let his mask clank to the ground. He stared up at the darkening sky with a wistful look.
"I don't remember anything else, Captain," he said softly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean—" Kakashi started but paused when Tenzo shook his head.
"I take no offense to what you asked, Captain. It's simply a fact. I don't remember anything else but darkness. I don't remember my parents or family; even my name was given to me by another person," Tenzo whispered.
Kakashi leaned back on his hands, staring as the stars started to reveal themselves. The sky grew darker, the chilled air causing goosebumps on his bare shoulders. Tenzo leaned back as well, smiling as he silently counted.
Tenzo was right; another had given his name. Kakashi remembered the little girl, the one who could turn into smoke. He wondered where she was now, hopefully out of the clutches of that shitty Orochimaru.
"But you remember, Captain," Tenzo looked at him.
His memory flickered to his father, Obito, and Rin. Minato-sensei and Kushina.
"Yeah," Kakashi whispered, hunching his shoulders.
His left eye was aching again; he kept his face covered so Tenzo wouldn't see him cry.
"Do you belong with us? In the darkness?" Tenzo looked at him.
Kakashi blinked, sitting up and facing his subordinate with a frown. Tenzo was smiling still, but it didn't reach his eyes. His eyes were cold, uncomprehending, empty, just like they always were. It was like he was emulating a smile without knowing how it felt.
"I'm an ANBU, and it's where we work," he said.
Tenzo shook his head, shadows darkening on his face as his killing intent rose.
"But do you work here? With us? Do you belong here? Don't you belong somewhere else, Captain?" Tenzo crawled forward on his knees, staring intently at Kakashi.
"I don't know," Kakashi looked away, his heart curling in his ribcage.
Tenzo put his hands on Kakashi's shoulders, his eyes never leaving his face.
"Didn't you tell Uchiha Itachi you'd ask Lord Fourth to demote him? So he can spend time with his family?" Tenzo's voice was gentle, but his face remained impassive.
Kakashi flinched this time, trying to shift away, but Tenzo tightened his grip.
"Yes, Itachi's a kid; he's sick, and he became an ANBU because of his father; why shouldn't he be allowed to be with his family? He can do that as a Jonin," Kakashi said.
Tenzo's smile returned, with a spark of warmth reaching his eyes. It was dull, flickering against the darkness, but it was there.
"Go be with your family, Captain, become a Jonin," Tenzo said warmly.
"What? No, Minato-sensei wanted me to protect Kushina when she was pregnant! I can't just demote myself because of my feelings," Kakashi balked, trying to shrug him off.
"You were jealous of Genma and Raido, weren't they Lord Fourth's Hokage Squadron? You know his original bodyguards?" Tenzo tilted his head owlishly, never blinking.
"Yes, but---" Kakashi started, but Tenzo shook his head again.
"You don't belong in the darkness with us, Captain," Tenzo said calmly.
Kakashi laughed, leaning back with his nose pointed towards the sky. His laughter was painful and bitter. Tenzo didn't let go, absorbing his movements as his body violently shook. What was this? After years of keeping his pain away and blaming himself for the tragedy of his life, this boy was telling him he didn't belong in that darkness?!
"You know nothing about me, Tenzo," he said calmly.
"I know you were jealous of Genma and Raido," Tenzo raised a brow.
"It wasn't jealousy over them, it was…jealousy over not doing more," Kakashi sighed.
Tenzo finally let him go, his fingers imprinting on Kakashi's shoulders. He resisted the urge to rub away the pain, bowing his head again.
"Then join his Hokage Squadron; stop being an ANBU," Tenzo stated.
"That's not funny, Tenzo," Kakashi looked at him.
Tenzo looked at the moon, its pale light sharpening his features. He turned a hawkish eye to look at his leader, his face cold and blank.
"I'm not joking, Captain; if you don't talk to Lord Fourth, then I will," he said.
Kakashi grabbed his hand, using the leverage to tower over the teenager.
"Tenzo," he said, his voice threatening.
"Kakashi, don't you want to do more instead of being in the shadows?" Tenzo asked.
Kakashi's hand fell limply to his side as his former subordinate turned his back. The younger ANBU sighed, facing him with a gentle smile.
"I was made for the ANBU; this is my home, not yours," Tenzo said, grinning.
Kakashi didn't speak, turning to stare at the stars hanging over his head. If Obito could see his face right now, he'd be laughing his ass off. Rin would be chewing him out for his rudeness. He missed them.
"I look terrible in the Jonin uniform," he joked.
"You look terrible in any uniform, Captain," Tenzo teased flatly.
******
Kurama stared at Kakashi through his Jinchuurikis, and both stared at Kakashi in stunned silence. They were all sitting around the dinner table, eating some ramen that Kushina had prepared in celebration of meeting Kana and Karin.
Naruto had noodles hanging from his mouth; his chopsticks limp in his fingers.
"What? You're gonna stop being a masked guy?" He asked.
"Yep," Kakashi said casually, his eyes closed as he slipped noodles beneath his mask.
Minato and Kushina exchanged stunned glances as Fuu stood in her chair.
"Does that mean you're gonna be a Jonin?!" She screeched.
"Depends on what Minato-sensei wants; if he wanted, he could boot me back to the academy," Kakashi joked. Kushina slammed her fist on the table.
"Hell no! No way are you becoming a Genin again!" She yelled.
Minato sank back in his chair, his meal unfinished. Kurama rolled his eyes when he sensed his older Jinchuuriki's shock. He brushed a tail across the Hokage's senses, calming him.
"This isn't how he was demoted before, right?" Minato asked.
Kurama thought briefly, his memories flickering back to what he knew about Kakashi. The Jonin that became Naruto's mentor and big brother. The lost soul who became the Sixth Hokage. The man who ushered in the new technological age. And the idiot who nearly blew up the moon.
The death that opened Naruto up to letting him out during Pain's invasion before Hinata blew open the lid completely.
But he didn't know what made Kakashi a Jonin. The teacher he'd be was still several years down the line, after he stopped being an ANBU. How he was demoted the first time was a big question mark.
"I don't know," Kurama huffed.
"What? How do you not know?" Minato demanded.
Kurama licked his paw, rubbing it between his ears as he groomed himself.
"Look, Minato, I know Kakashi from when he was Naruto's teacher. I know him as the man who becomes Hokage, not this twerp," Kurama growled.
He groaned when he felt Minato's surprise and happiness cross their link.
"K-Kakashi becomes Hokage?!" He chirped.
"Oh, for fucks sake, put a lid on the goo-goo eyes! Save that for Kushina!" Kurama yelled.
"But this little boy, the one I've known since he was five, becomes a Hokage! How can I not be proud as his teacher?!" Minato argued, his smile warming as he set down his chopsticks.
"UGH, QUIT IT!" Kurama complained loudly.
"Are you sure about that, Kakashi? Are you unhappy being an ANBU?" Minato ignored the fox, his smile never leaving his face. Kurama continued to drown in Minato's boundless love for the younger man.
"Fuck this; I'm going to hang out with Naruto," Kurama cursed as he focused on the other blonde Jinchuuriki. Naruto greeted him warmly as he continued eating his ramen.
"It's not that, Sensei; it's just that I figure I can do more as a normal Jonin," Kakashi shrugged.
"Kakashi should be a teacher!" Naruto declared, slamming his hand on the table.
Everybody else stared at the young Uzumaki boy as he grinned happily at his older brother. Kurama laughed, slapping his paw in the water. Leave it to Naruto to charge forward without a thought in his brain.
"Me? A teacher? Ha, those students would suffer," Kakashi joked.
"He's not wrong," Kurama agreed.
He lay down in his prison, using his paws as a pillow as he closed his eyes. Kakashi played a vital role in Naruto's life. It would concern whether this is how he became Naruto's teacher. It's better than leaving the idiot wallow in his misery.
Misery that fucking Obito caused. Fuck that guy.
"Well, when I become a Genin, I want you to be my teacher! Dad's Hokage! And Ma's part of that sealing team!" Naruto jabbed his chopsticks at Kakashi.
"Eh? When did I ever agree to that?" Kakashi scratched his head.
"Well, if that's what you want, then I'll consider it; I think I can have Tenzo promoted if you step down," Minato nodded thoughtfully.
"Dad! What about Itachi?" Naruto demanded.
"What about him? Did Sasuke say something?" Minato asked.
"Yeah, he was extra grumpy today. He was probably worried about his brother," Naruto said, his cheeks stuffed with noodles. Kushina tapped his bowl, reminding him to swallow.
"Don't worry, I'll be talking to him tomorrow," Minato reached across, ruffling Naruto's hair. The younger blonde smiled brightly, digging more into his ramen.
"Speaking of tomorrow, Naruto and Fuu are grounded for the weekend and not allowed to leave the house," Kushina smirked, talking to Kakashi.
"Ma! That's not fair!" Naruto whined.
"You ran in the halls at a hospital and cracked the walls with chains! I'm super proud of you for learning that, and I'll be teaching you how to use those, but you still disobeyed me!" Kushina lectured, trying and failing to stop herself from smiling proudly.
"What did I do?!" Fuu whined.
"You let your brother crack the walls and egged him on!" Kushina lectured again.
"Aww, that's not fair!" Naruto and Fuu whined together.
"That's fine; Kakashi can watch them," Minato smiled at his wife.
"W-what?" Kakashi protested.
"Great idea, Minato; we need a date night, and Kakashi's gonna need a job while you work out the details of turning him into a Jonin," Kushina high-fived her husband.
"I did not agree to this," Kakashi said lazily.
"Fine! If it means I spend time with Kakashi!" Naruto jumped out of his seat and climbed into Kakashi's lap, slapping his hands on the table.
"Mah, Naruto, I was still eating," Kakashi half-protested, but he patiently patted his younger brother's head. Fuu pouted, sitting back in her seat and staring at Naruto with envy.
Kurama remained quiet, watching Kakashi talk to Fuu, trying to stop her pouting. He stared into the darkness of his cage, sniffing out a rush of red chakra. This was the family Naruto had always wanted. And he delivered on that promise.
But it still didn't make up for losing the Seventh Hokage.
He huffed, closing his eyes and forcing the door closed on his heart. There was no time for that now. Naruto needed him, not the vision of a man no longer his.
Even if this was Kakashi, this version of him wasn't his either. He was a different man coming out of his stupor far sooner than in the previous timeline. Same with Sasuke, the boy was no longer the criminal turned hero. Sakura was getting to know her future teammates sooner than before. Even Hinata was coming out of her shell faster.
That didn't touch Fuu, a Jinchuuriki doomed to die now an Uzumaki.
Kurama smirked, biting his lip as he decided.
They were his now. This was his family, the one he forged simply by reviving Minato. His.
His red eyes opened in thought. It may be time. Minato was smart.
He focused on Naruto again, watching the Uzumaki boy kicking his feet against Kakashi's legs. The new Jonin was leaning back in his seat, his arms dangling over the edge with a chopstick on his nose. Kushina was cleaning up the table, and Fuu was still pouting. Minato was reassuring his daughter about Kakashi's Naruto favoritism.
"Oy, Minato," Kurama rumbled, rolling over onto his side.
Minato hummed, smiling gently as he allowed Fuu to climb into his lap.
"Kakashi's Sharingan; he got it from your other student, right?" Kurama asked.
Momentary confusion shot through Minato before he remembered that the Kyuubi was from the future. He mentally agreed, and anguish and regret filtered through their link.
"Yes, Uchiha Obito was an energetic boy; he died in a rock slide," Minato sighed.
"Kind of reminds you of Naruto, eh?" Kurama smirked. He had to do this right.
"In a way, yes, Naruto and Obito both dreamt of being Hokage," Minato hummed.
"Sounds like Kakashi knows how to handle their type," Kurama laughed.
"Yes, well, my beloved student probably sees it too," Minato petted Fuu's head.
Kurama's smirk grew evil; he bit on his lip and wrapped a tail between his claws.
"Nohara Rin transplanted his Sharingan, yes?" He asked.
"Yes, she was a brilliant medical ninja, transplanting Obito's left eye to Kakashi when he requested it," Minato's voice was full of sorrow and regret.
It was disgusting; this man had no reason to weep for the bastard who had killed him.
"That reminds me about that night," Kurama licked his chops.
Minato's eyes narrowed, looking at the wall behind Kakashi's head.
"Didn't you notice? Madara’s mask,” Kurama smirked.
"What about it?" Minato whispered.
"It only had one eye hole; he only used his right Sharingan," Kurama laid out his entire body, yawning as he pretended not to care. "Don't you think he should've had two eye holes?"
Minato's chakra sharpened as his hand settled on Fuu's head. His mind flickered back to that night as Kurama watched. It was weird seeing flashbacks from Minato's point of view. But he'd been out of it during his rampage. He hardly remembered the attack himself.
"That's right, he only had one visible Sharingan," Minato said.
"Here's something you didn't know about Uchihas: they only need one Sharingan to use their powers; they can afford to lose an eye; it's why non-Uchiha can use the Sharingan," Kurama's smirk evolved into a feral grin, as he directed Minato's attention to Kakashi.
Kakashi gave Naruto a closed eye smile, patting his head as he taught his little brother how to balance chopsticks on his nose.
"Kurama, where are you going with this?" Minato asked.
Hook, line, and sinker. Kurama licked his lips excitedly.
"Madara only has one Sharingan; if he had both, he would've used both on me; he's missing his left eye," Kurama whispered evilly to the Hokage. "I saw it on that night."
Minato's seal creaked briefly, threatening to give way underneath the Hokage's rage. Kakashi's eyes widened as he braced Naruto against himself. Fuu jumped out of her dad's lap, running into the kitchen, screaming Kushina's name.
The house shook like an earthquake and was about to rock its foundation. But Kurama was unbothered; he pretended not to notice. Minato remained seated, breathing through his nose, gathering nature chakra beneath his feet.
Everything stopped just as Kushina ran into the room carrying a crying Fuu.
"Minato! Are you alright?" She asked as Naruto ran up and buried his head in her pants.
Minato remained quiet, his chakra calming down. Kakashi slowly rose from his seat, alarmed.
"Yes, I'm fine," Minato whispered.
Kurama continued to lick his paw, purring as he listened to Naruto mumble into his mother. He nuzzled Naruto's cheek with his chakra, calming his anxious young Jinchuuriki.
"Kurama, why's Dad mad?" Naruto whimpered.
"Don't worry, Naruto, he's just got that brain working," Kurama rumbled.
Minato shifted, opening his eyes as red replaced blue briefly. His chakra was fighting against the adrenaline coursing in his veins. Kurama kept purring in Naruto's ear, wrapping around his child to protect him from what was coming next.
"Minato, stop," Kurama said as he sensed his Jinchuuriki reach for his pouch.
"No, I need to know; I need to confirm something," Minato whispered.
"You can't," Kurama said, stopping his Jinchuuriki from moving. He used the force of his chakra to move away from Minato, freezing his feet.
"Let me go, Kurama," Minato warned.
"You can't save him," Kurama sighed in his ear.
"I want to confirm it myself!" Minato cried, tears sprouting in his eyes, his body shaking.
Minato sank to the ground, heaving for breath as his family ran to his side. Kakashi reached him first, grabbing his teacher by his shoulders as Kurama's chakra let him go. He was starting to panic. Kurama purred loudly, trying to ease his negative emotions before he passed out.
"Sensei, breathe!" Kakashi commanded.
"Listen to me, if you use that seal on Madara right now and confirm what you find, it won't help you. He'll burn that seal, and you'll lose your chance to find him again," Kurama rumbled.
Minato gasped, letting Kakashi pull him to his feet. Naruto and Fuu ran to his side, grabbing his hands and tugging him down the hall. Kurama guided him in his dazed state as Kushina turned on the hall light, voices melding together in worry.
"I think I know who it could be, and I don't like it," Minato whispered.
Kushina worried about her husband after ushering the kids out. He was like a doll as she helped dress him in sweats and a T-shirt, guiding him under their blankets. Kurama did his best to keep his Jinchuuriki stable, hoping the blonde wouldn't collapse from the stress.
"You should worry about Naruto, Fuu, and Kakashi for now; they aren't in danger," Kurama purred as Kushina kissed Minato's forehead.
Minato watched his wife leave as she turned out the light; Kakashi stood in the doorway, his Sharingan glowing in the darkness.
"Don't scare me like that, Sensei, please; I can't lose you again," he said, shutting the door.
Minato sighed, closing his eyes as a single tear escaped his cheek. There would be no sleep for him tonight as Kurama curled up around him, purring.
"Why would you tell me this?" He whispered to the fox.
Kurama purred louder as Naruto appeared in his mindscape, running between the bars and grabbing onto his fur. He picked his child up with a claw, settling him in his nest of tails. Naruto frowned at him, worry clear as he used red fur to hide in. Kurama didn't say anything when he felt his fur getting wet.
"Because you wanted to know, and saying it outright would've gotten you killed," Kurama said.
Kurama paused as he felt both of his sad Jinchuurikis falling asleep. Kakashi was posted outside the door, his chakra sour with grief. The fox sighed, unable to ignore the negativity pouring from the ex-ANBU.
"Sorry, Kakashi, but I gotta protect your ass, too," Kurama sighed.
He licked Naruto's head as he quietly watched over Minato.
"I'm sorry, Obito," Minato said, turning over on his bed and crying into his pillow.
Kurama didn't say anything. He sighed, pondering briefly if this is what regret felt like.
"This is YOUR fault, Shukaku, for saying anything," Kurama huffed.