I see Sasuke being high ranking in Akatsuki if not the one responsible for summoning the tailed beasts. Sure its very 'Age of Apocalypse' esk and its a pipe dream, however it would make for a FANTASTIC setting where good is on the brink of destruction and we can have a truly EPIC underdog battle between good and evil, Naruto and Sasuke. If it comes to pass, remember where you read it first!
Yuh know i've been thinking... suppose Naruto already knows his dad was the 4th? I mean from the VERY first episode they made it known that Naruto wanted to surpass the 4th. Take the relationship between Asuma and the 3rd. We NEVER even KNEW he was his father and they NEVER showed much relation to each other in dialog (true he wasn't a critical character but still). Remember that Shinobi aren't supposed to let their emotions get in the way of their duty (so they say) and it's QUITE pluasible that Naruto has known all along, but with his dying when he was born, sealing him with a demon that made everyone fear him, he wouldn't openly express his feelings save in the form of wanting to surpass him for the village to acknowledge his existence and significance.
Goodnight Obito theory. Pain says it straight out. It's Madara and he's the boss. Plotoi!