Hokage travelling to crused world - why everyone is traitor

"Namikaze?!"

Kakashi's eyes snapped up, his expression filled with disbelief. That name… it was the same as Minato-sensei's.

This couldn't be a coincidence, right? Minato-sensei wasn't from a noble clan—he was a commoner. It was rare enough for people to share a last name, but this? It was almost too much.

"Oh, right."

Menma glanced at his wristwatch, pressing a few buttons. "I had to disguise myself before to keep my identity hidden."

As he spoke, his face rippled like water disturbed by a stone, the boyish features melting away. A pale, waxy substance seemed to dissolve from his face, revealing his true appearance beneath.

This was no ordinary Transformation Jutsu. It was something far more advanced, developed by the Empire using White Zetsu's unique abilities.

By extracting a white fluid from White Zetsu, the Empire had created a special outer layer that could perfectly mask someone's chakra signature. Not even the most skilled sensors could distinguish the disguise.

Within seconds, the transformation was complete.

Golden hair.

Blue eyes.

A strikingly familiar face.

"Mi-Minato-sensei?!" Kakashi's voice cracked with shock.

The resemblance was uncanny. The same blonde hair. The same piercing blue eyes. And the same last name.

"Who… who are you?" Kakashi stuttered, his brain frantically trying to piece everything together. And then, the answer hit him like a bolt of lightning. "Wait… Could it be… Did Minato-sensei have a child outside of Konoha without telling Lady Kushina?"

It made perfect sense. The resemblance, the name—it all fit.

"Hmph." Zabuza, who had been standing nearby, snorted. "So, the great Fourth Hokage, the Golden Flash of Konoha, had an illegitimate child hidden away from the world."

Menma's eye twitched. "These two really have some nerve with their wild guesses."

Still, if they could easily figure out he was from another world, then that would truly be absurd. From their perspective, this was the only logical explanation.

"Watch your mouth," Menma said dismissively, giving Zabuza a light slap to the back of the head.

But that action only solidified Kakashi and Zabuza's theory.

If Menma wasn't Minato's illegitimate child, why wouldn't he deny it? His silence was proof enough.

"In that case…"

A new voice joined the conversation, drawing their attention. Kakashi turned to see another figure walking over. This man wore armor, but soon began stripping it away along with a layer of pale White Zetsu fluid.

What emerged left Kakashi frozen in place.

Silver hair.

A mask covering half his face.

A mirror image of himself.

"Who… who are you?" Kakashi whispered, his voice shaking.

The man grinned, the expression eerily similar to Kakashi's own. "Guess again. Why don't you think of me as the brother you never knew existed?"

Kakashi's expression darkened. His tone, his mannerisms, even the way he smiled—it was like looking into a bizarre reflection.

But that made no sense. His father, Sakumo Hatake, had died when he was just a child. There was no way he could have fathered someone else.

"That's impossible!" Kakashi snapped. "My father died when I was seven! Where could someone like you come from?"

"Well, for now, just go with the explanation you were thinking of earlier," the mysterious Kakashi said, shrugging. "It's simpler that way."

Kakashi's fists clenched. This guy was making a joke out of him.

Not far off, Naruto and his team finally made their way back from the sea, dripping wet but alive. Spotting Kakashi, Naruto hurried over.

"Sensei!" Naruto yelled as he ran over, then stopped dead in his tracks. "Huh? Why are there two of you, Sensei?"

"Hey, Naruto!" Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he jabbed a finger toward Menma. "Forget about Kakashi. Look at him!"

"What about him?" Naruto scratched his head in confusion before squinting at Menma. "Huh? He looks kinda familiar…"

Menma's eyes narrowed as he looked at Naruto. "Wait a second. Your name is Naruto? Not Menma?"

"What's a Menma?" Naruto asked, frowning. "My name's Uzumaki Naruto!"

"Uzumaki…" Menma echoed thoughtfully. So, in this world, things were different. Different names, different identities. That explained a lot.

Meanwhile, Kakashi's mind was spinning. Why did Menma act like Naruto should have a different name? And if Menma really was Minato-sensei's child, why would Minato name two children the same thing?

It didn't make any sense.

"You two." Menma's eyes flickered between Naruto and Sasuke. "Answer me something. You're both twelve, right? So why are you both so weak? Your chakra control is terrible, and you can't even walk on water properly. That's basic stuff."

"Basic stuff?" Sasuke scowled, eyes narrowing.

"Even in the Empire's lowest-ranking schools, you'd be considered failures," Menma continued. "With your talent, you should be nearing Jōnin-level strength by now."

"Jōnin-level?!" Kakashi sputtered. "You're out of your mind. Becoming a Jōnin at twelve is insane. I only managed it because I grew up during the war. Naruto and Sasuke have lived in peace all their lives."

"Uzumaki Naruto…" Menma's gaze softened as he looked at the blonde boy. "I can understand your lack of progress. Without proper guidance, you'd obviously be weaker. But you…" His gaze slid over to Sasuke. "What about you? Don't your father and brother help you with your training?"

"What did you just say?" Sasuke's eyes blazed with fury, his newly awakened Sharingan flashing red.

"Your father and brother—"

"Enough!" Sasuke barked. "My family is dead!"

Menma's eyes widened slightly. "Dead?"

Kakashi stared at the ground, his hands clenched into fists. This conversation was spinning further and further out of control. This Menma was clearly something beyond their understanding. And the other Kakashi… he didn't even know where to begin with him.

"Things are really different in this world, huh?" Menma said softly. "I guess we have a lot to talk about."