Act 3
Cut scene; Tsunade’s office. Naruto, Sakura, Yamato, and Sai are there. Tsunade explains the situation.
Tsunade: As I’m sure you all know, there was a severe lightning storm this morning. One of the Jonin who was up at the time on patrol witnessed a lightning strike on the Hokage Tomb. I want you guys to head over there and assess any and all damage and report back to me. If the damage is minor, fix it if at all possible.
Yamato: Yes, milady.
Naruto: Uh, Granma? I’m not too sure about this mission.
Tsunade: And why not? Is there a problem, Naruto?
Naruto: I’ve had a bad feeling since I woke up this morning.
Sakura: Don’t worry about it, Naruto. It’s your birthday today remember? I don’t think you’d want to spend it being paranoid.
Sai: [thinking.] Naruto’s birthday is today?
[Pulls out a book, still thinking.] It says here that when a friend is celebrating a birthday, the most thoughtful thing to do is bring a gift.
[Puts the book away, still thinking.] I don’t have a gift to give to Naruto. I wonder how old he is today.
Tsunade: Anyway, don’t forget the mission. I have a feeling that the lightning storm last night may have caused some significant damage already.
Cut scene; cemetery, in front of the Hokage Tomb. Naruto has a worried look on his face.
Naruto: Man, I have a bad feeling about this.
Yamato: Don’t worry about it now, Naruto. All we have to do assess the damage and fix any minor ones. That’s all.
Sai: Don’t worry, Naruto. I’ll be right here in case anything goes wrong.
Naruto: [typical “freaked out” look.] No thanks! Don’t think I forgot the last time you tried to do that.
Cut scene; inside Minato’s coffin. Minato is still contemplating the recent events when he hears voices. One voice sounds awfully familiar.
Sai’s voice: What’s wrong with what I did last time?
Naruto’s voice: You got way too close! So keep your hands to yourself!
Sakura’s voice: Knock it off, you two. Let’s get inside so we can get on with our mission.
Minato: [thinking.] Who’s there?
Cut scene; Hokage Tomb. Naruto and the others head inside to assess the damage. Not much has been damaged at first glance.
Naruto: Well, looks like nothing is here.
[Tries to leave. Sakura grabs his ear.] Ow!
Sakura: Hold on, Naruto. We just got started.
Yamato: I’ll check the First Hokage’s coffin. Sai, you check the Second’s, Sakura, the Third’s, and Naruto, you check the Fourth’s.
Sakura and Sai: Got it.
Naruto goes over to check the Fourth Hokage’s coffin for damage. He notices a pale green light around the bottom edges of the lid.
Naruto: Uh, guys? You better look at this.
Yamato and the others join Naruto and see the same thing. Naruto pulls out a kunai.
Naruto: I knew something was up ever since this morning.
Yamato: We better check this out, nonetheless.
Naruto and Sakura work together to lift the lid. Sakura peeks into the coffin first and can’t believe her eyes.
Sakura: Uh, Captain? You better take a look at this.
Yamato: What is it, Sakura?
Camera pans downward to reveal Minato; he tries to keep from cluing anyone in about his status.
Naruto: [tightens his grip on his kunai.] Hey, pal. What do you think you’re doing, messing with the Fourth Hokage’s coffin like this, huh?
Sakura: [hits Naruto’s head.] Idiot! Pay attention! We don’t even know if he’s an enemy or not yet.
[Turns to Minato.] Uh, are you okay?
Minato: [thinking.] Don’t say a word.
Sakura: I know you can hear me. Are you okay?
Minato slowly opens his eyes. The first person he sees is Sakura looking down at him. Sunlight streams into the room.
Minato: [squints; the sunlight is too bright for him.] Where… where am I? Who are you?
Sakura: You’re in the Hokage Tomb.
Naruto’s curiosity gets the better of him. He puts his kunai away and peeks into the coffin. His face shows not surprise, but familiarity.
Naruto: Whoa, no way. It really is you, isn’t it? The Fourth Hokage?
Sakura: You’re not surprised, Naruto? I could’ve sworn you’d be freaking out by now.
Naruto: Aw, come on, Sakura. Don’t say that.
Minato: [thinking.] Sakura? Is that her name?
[Looks at Naruto, still thinking.] I haven’t seen you for quite some time, Naruto.
Minato suddenly starts feeling the effects of the rogue Kunoichi’s jutsu and starts coughing.
Sakura: Whoa, be careful! Here, let me help you up.
[She helps Minato sit up. Naruto is silent, analyzing the situation.]
Naruto: [thinking.] The Fourth Hokage; alive after all this time. But how is this possible?
[Turns to Yamato.] Captain Yamato, didn’t the Fourth Hokage die after using the Reaper Death Seal?
Yamato: Yes. I believe he did.
Naruto: And doesn’t that seal prevent the user from being brought back through a reanimation jutsu?
Minato: [still coughing, but manages to speak.] I… I don’t think… this is a reanimation jutsu….
[Coughs loudly.]
Sakura: What do you mean? Do you know what happened to you?
Minato: I… I remember… at first….
[Coughs.] The last thing I remember is a sudden jolt of electricity, and then—
[Coughs.] — I woke up in my coffin. It was dark, but I could hear voices outside.
Naruto stays silent, but the bad feeling he had earlier still lingers.
Yamato: Sakura, I think it would be best if we get him to the hospital.
Sakura: Got it.
Minato: Wait! Not yet.
[Coughs and sputters.] I don’t want… anyone… to know… quite yet….
[Coughs.]
Naruto: I think he’s right, Captain Yamato. Who knows how everyone will react if they see the Fourth Hokage alive and well after seventeen years.
Sai: Maybe we can try concealing his identity before we head to the hospital. Naruto does have a point.
Sakura: But how are we going to do that, Sai? He doesn’t seem to have enough chakra to do a basic Transformation Jutsu. Besides, people are going to get suspicious if they see us transporting him to the hospital in broad daylight.
Minato: [thinking.] That explains why it’s so bright.
[Coughs.]
Sakura: Please, be careful, sir. You’re probably worn out after what happened.
Naruto: [getting impatient.] Sakura, isn’t there something you can do to help him hold his own until we can get him to the hospital?
Sakura: I’ll see what I can do.
Sakura performs some basic first aid with her medical ninjutsu. Minato’s coughing stops.
Sakura: There. That should do it. However, he will need to rest for some time.
Yamato: Sai, report to the Hokage that we only found minor damage and managed to fix it.
Sai: What about the news concerning the Fourth Hokage, Captain?
Sakura: I’ll tell her myself when he feels comfortable with it. Until then, Naruto, Sai, you need to keep your mouths shut, got it?
[Shakes her fist at them.]
Naruto: [gulps.] Got it.
Sakura: Good.