Minato with a Gacha

My breathing slowed as the world came back into focus, the charred remains of the ANBU lying in front of me a grim reminder of how close I had come to death.

Then a thought clawed at my chest, sharp and unrelenting. This wasn't a game; this wasn't some random NPC. He was an ANBU ninja—a member of Konoha's elite. Someone trusted to protect this village, someone who had been trusted to protect me. And I had killed him. I'd been attacked, yes, but the result was the same. His life was gone, reduced to ash by my hand.

I forced myself to stand, my legs shaky beneath me. The applause from the speech was long gone, replaced by the quiet hum of dread in my ears. Blood still stained the stone pathway, the aftermath of what should have been my death.

"What the hell is going on?" I whispered, clutching at my throat as if to remind myself it was still there, still whole.

The soft hum of the system flickered in my mind again, almost smug, as if it were pleased with my survival. I could feel its presence now more than ever, like a quiet force lurking beneath my thoughts, ready to act when needed.

I didn't know if it was helping me or controlling me. But for now, I was alive. And as I looked at the blood-stained ground, I knew one thing for certain.

Someone wanted me dead. And I had no idea who—or why.

But I intended to find out

In the distance, I heard approaching footsteps.

I turned just in time to see Kushina's form dart into the clearing, her expression shifting from alarm to shock as she took in the scene. Her eyes landed on the ANBU's remains, then flicked to me, her gaze sharp with a mix of horror and confusion. She was a shinobi; she could read the signs as easily as I could.

"Minato… What happened here?" Her voice was low, cautious, as if she was afraid of what she might hear.

For a moment, I didn't know how to answer. I had only barely begun processing it myself.

"I… He attacked me, Kushina," I managed, my voice rough and unsteady. "He went for my throat."

Kushina took a step closer, eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the scene. "And then…?"

The reality struck me again as I pieced together the words. "I fought back. He underestimated me, thought he'd won. I… reacted."

Her gaze moved from my throat—whole, unscarred—down to the ashes of what had been his torso. "How did you… survive that?" Her voice was laced with suspicion.

My heart hammered as I weighed my answer. How much could I tell her? Did she even believe me? But the truth seemed the only answer that might possibly make sense.

"The… system," I murmured, glancing down at my hands. "It did something. It activated these powers… this regeneration, and, I think, something with my vision. I didn't know what I was doing. It just happened."

She was silent, her face unreadable as she digested the explanation. Her eyes lingered on me for a long moment, flickering between trust and doubt.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke, her voice soft yet firm. "I told you earlier… this village needs Minato Namikaze. You… may have the face, the name, but there's still a long way for you to prove you're him."

Her words hit me like a slap, not out of malice, but as a harsh reminder of the role I was trying to fill. And after the way I'd just handled this attack, I could tell she was right to doubt me. I wasn't a leader. I'd nearly died in a few seconds from a blade I didn't even see coming.

I swallowed, forcing myself to hold her gaze. "I understand, Kushina. I know I'm not him… nor will I ever be." My voice dropped, low and unsteady. "But I'll do whatever it takes to make sure this never happens again."

She stared at me for a beat longer, then finally nodded. "If you're serious, then train. Learn the jutsu Minato knew. Learn his ways, his thinking." Her eyes narrowed, a flash of challenge in them. "Otherwise, next time, you might not be so lucky."

She turned away, giving one last look at the scorched remains. "We'll deal with this," she said, her voice clipped. "But from now on, don't rely on the instincts to save you."

As she walked off, her words echoed in my mind, leaving me feeling strangely cold and determined. This was no game. I was in Minato's world, his body, but I wasn't him. Not yet. But if I wanted to survive… I had to become him.

I took a deep, steadying breath. There was no going back. This world was all I had now, and if it meant putting my life on the line every single day, so be it.

I would be the Hokage. Or die trying.