From the Journal of Namikaze Minato

March 16th, 1995

Today my team arrived back from the mission to infiltrate Orochimaru’s layer.  Based on what we saw of his experiments, it seems that he is attempting to create some kind if superhuman.  While there we were split up for a time.  Kushina and Kakashi say that they think they were exposed to some type of chemical, but we do not know what it was or what it will do to them, if anything at all.  I worry for their safety, but for now there is nothing to be done.

March 24th, 1995

Whatever chemical it was that Kushina and Kakashi were exposed to on that mission seems to have had a strange effect on them.  They are exhibiting superhuman strength and speed.  We do not know if the effects are permanent.  What we do know is that whatever Orochimaru is developing is dangerous.  He must be stopped before this gets out.

April 14th, 1995

Today I received what may be the best news of my life.  Kushina is pregnant!  I am overjoyed to know that I will soon have a child of my own.  The only worry I have is that the Chemical, as it is now being called, will affect it.  The effects on Kushina and Kakashi seem to be wearing off though, so my worries seem moot.  I hope that they are.

October 10th, 1995

Today my daughter was born.  She is a beautiful little girl, with blonde hair and blue eyes just like mine, though I think that her face will be more like Kushina’s.  She has the most peculiar marks on her cheeks – three lines on each, like whiskers.  We named her Naru.

January 4th, 1996

It seems that the Chemical has affected Naru like I feared.  She is growing somewhat faster that most babies, and she is stronger and smarter that any child I have ever seen.  Her eyes are alert and she rarely cries.  This is why the Third, along with the Council, has agreed that she will be sent to an orphanage for her childhood.  Many people will come after because she is my daughter, and even more because of this, especially with how shaky things are between Fire and Earth Country.  Hopefully she will be smart enough to hide her abilities until it is safe for her to return to us.  I hate sending her away, but it is for her own safety.