Minato Namikaze stood in the delivery room, gazing at his newborn son who had just come into the world. As his eyes landed on the blood-red markings on the child's face, he was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his composure.
"Minato… our child," Kushina, lying on the hospital bed, called out softly with tears in her eyes as she saw her husband enter. Guilt weighed heavily on her heart as she looked at her son's face, covered in birthmarks. As a mother, she couldn't help but feel that she had failed her child by passing on such congenital traits.
Kushina could already imagine the judgment her son would face in school and throughout his life. She feared that the birthmark might become a source of torment for him. Having experienced school bullying herself—though she later turned from victim to aggressor—she still remembered the pain of isolation.
"Kushina, you've worked hard."
"The baby is healthy and adorable!"
Minato Namikaze sat beside Kushina, thanks to a perceptive nurse who quickly placed a stool for him. As he comforted his wife in a gentle tone, he understood her worries all too well. He didn't want her to feel guilty over something so trivial.
Meanwhile, the newborn baby, seemingly exhausted, lay quietly in the swaddle, fast asleep.
"Ah…"
Hearing Minato's reassuring words, Kushina nodded slightly and turned her gaze back to their youngest son. She hadn't taken a good look before, but now she noticed that the birthmark on his face wasn't as unsightly as she had initially thought. The flame-like markings gave him a mysterious aura, though his wrinkled newborn features still made him look a bit unappealing.
"Minato, what should we name him?"
"Teacher Jiraiya, did he have any thoughts?"
When discussing the child's name, they couldn't ignore Jiraiya's influence. After all, he had named their first son, Naruto Uzumaki. Minato had been so fond of Jiraiya's novel that he named his son after its protagonist, carrying a clear hope and expectation for his future.
Now, as they pondered the name of their second son, Minato naturally thought of Jiraiya again. It felt reassuring to have an elder's input on such an important matter.
"No, Mr. Jiraiya wants us to decide on our own."
"He once told me that naming one's own child is a significant and meaningful part of being a parent."
Recalling Jiraiya's words, Minato smiled.
"In that case…"
"Minato, how about naming him Menma Namikaze after his father's surname?"
With great effort, Kushina turned slightly and gently cradled her baby in her arms. She took the initiative to suggest the child take Minato's surname, as Naruto had taken hers. She had chosen Naruto's surname to honor the Uzumaki lineage, especially since, at the time, she and a few others, such as Rope Tree's wife, were the only remaining Uzumaki in Konoha.
Minato had understood Kushina's reasons and had willingly agreed for Naruto to carry her surname. But now, for their second child, Kushina felt it was only fair to be considerate of Minato's lineage as well.
"Kushina…" Minato was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Kushina to make such a suggestion. The name itself almost slipped his mind as he processed her words—she wanted their second child to take his surname.
To say he wasn't moved would be a lie. Minato felt deeply grateful for Kushina's understanding.
"That's a great name."
"Then, our child will be—"
Before Minato could finish his sentence, the door to the delivery room suddenly swung open with a loud creak. Along with the sound of the door, a startled voice rang out:
"Hey, hey, wait! Menma isn't a fun name!"
A young man with striking red hair stepped through the doorway. His handsome face lit up with an excited expression. Minato and Kushina's surprise was evident.
"Raiden?! You're back?!"
Seeing Uzumaki Raiden push the door open, Minato jumped up in excitement and embraced his brother-in-law. After such a long time apart, he was finally reunited with Raiden.
"Haha, it's me! I'm back!"
"Sis, you didn't expect this, did you? The moment I return, I find out I have a new little nephew!"
"Come on, let me take a look at him!"
Raiden hugged Minato tightly before breaking free and walking over to Kushina's bedside, draping an arm over Minato's shoulders. His eyes fell on the baby resting beside Kushina's pillow.
But the moment he saw the child, Raiden froze in place.
"What the hell?!"
Uzumaki Raiden stared at the newborn, his jaw dropping in shock. The usually composed Fourth Hokage's brother-in-law, who had endured countless trials, had completely lost his cool.
And the reason for his outburst? Minato and Kushina's youngest son.
"Raiden, what are you saying?!"
Kushina frowned at her brother's reaction, immediately assuming he was taken aback by the birthmark on the child's face. If even his own uncle reacted this way upon seeing him for the first time, she dreaded to imagine how much scrutiny her son would endure in the future.
Just moments ago, Minato's words had brought her comfort, but now, an ache formed in Kushina's chest. She instinctively placed a hand over her heart, though there was no physical pain—only a deep, emotional sting.
"Sis, seriously, change his name."
"Menma just doesn't sound right. I really don't like it."
"Let's call him Yoriichi!"
Raiden leaned in closer, studying the baby carefully. The moment he stepped into the room, he had felt a strange, lingering presence—an eerie sensation of being watched. At first, he thought it was just Anbu keeping an eye on Minato, but his Kagura Mind's Eye detected no trace of them.
Yet, that feeling of being watched remained. As his eyes settled on the baby's flame-like markings, a wild thought flashed through his mind. It seemed absurd—impossible even—but if true, time would prove it.
[Could it be that my sister just gave birth to Yoriichi Tsugikuni?]
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He had no way of confirming whether the child possessed that level of power, but the mere possibility left him shaken.
[If he was born with the Transparent World… even in the world of Shinobi, he would be an unparalleled genius.]
[Could this child have reincarnated from another world?]
Raiden's mind raced with theories, his sudden outburst stemming not from the child's appearance but from something far more profound—something within him.
"Raiden, why do you think Menma isn't a good name?" Minato asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Well…"
"During my travels across the ninja world, I met an old man skilled in divination and prophecy. I learned a thing or two from him."
"Trust me—let's name him Yoriichi. I did some readings, and Menma doesn't have the best fortune."
Raiden's serious tone made Kushina skeptical. She found it hard to believe him simply because it sounded ridiculous.
Minato, on the other hand, touched his chin thoughtfully. He repeated the name under his breath: "Yoriichi… Namikaze Yoriichi?"
"It has a nice ring to it."
Minato nodded slightly and then asked, "Raiden, is there a deeper meaning behind the name Yoriichi?"
Hearing this, Raiden grinned. He knew Minato was considering it. Seizing the moment, he said:
"Of course."
"The meaning is incredibly profound!"
"Yoriichi means 'The Fated One.'"
Raiden spoke in a hushed, mysterious tone. As he did, he once again felt that same eerie presence growing stronger, its source undeniably coming from the swaddled baby.
Even though the child's eyes were shut, it was as if he was staring right at him.
"So, this isn't a dream after all!"
"I've really been reborn as a baby…"
"And in this life, my name is Yoriichi!"
"The one who named me… he feels so warm. Is he my mother's younger brother?"
"But… something about him feels monstrous!"
(End of Chapter)