#Hokage Shikaku au

[stillpanicking]

Mimicking Shadow

Part 1 of ?

Fandom: Naruto

Main Characters: Shikaku, Orochimaru, Minato

Tags: Hokage!Shikaku, Good!Orochimaru, and in the future... a very tired Shikamaru who has an orange shadow following him. Vowing that the young Nara heir will be the next Hokage! RTN Characteristics.

Summary: Shikaku was never one to purposely take on a leadership role. Nor can he say it was given to him. Preferring someone to take on the role.. if they deserve or show adequacy in said role. When it comes to the candidatcy to become the Forth Hokage... it's going to be a drag, but he's up for it.

<><><><><><><>

Chatter of the upcoming vote has the whole village filled with anticipation. Let it be good or bad. They just came out of a war and the need for peace is something that many want. While others, want to continue on with the war. The need to showcase power surpasses the need for peace.

Revenge is such a strong force that blinds many.

Those that follow such path has many weary.

The candidates are not known as of yet, but speculation has it going to be one of the Third's students. Rumors spread out that the War Hawk had put his own name into the race... well. That was the case until something came out...

Shikaku Nara narrowed his eyes at the report Anko managed to get him from her mentor.

"Sensei told me to make up some trouble to get this to you." Anko grinned at herself, proud at her handiwork to get into the Nara's office without anyone being the wiser. "Gimme a d-rank mission, Sensei said he'd get me dango if I get that to you without getting followed."

"The next time you do this, I'll have you chase after the Damiyo's pet peacock." Shikaku pulled out a scroll from his desk and tossed it over to Anko. "Tell Lord Orochimaru I will get in touch with him soon. Keep the bastard distracted."

Anko grinned before she started to act up as she exited the office. Yelling out how unfair she got stuck doing D-Rank missions. This earned Shikaku a look from his secretary and another surprise visitor.

There stood an obviously awkward Minato Namikaze, trying his best to wonder what Anko did this time to earn the eerie of the Jonin Commander.

"Having an already eventful morning?" Minato asked, walking into the office and closing the door behind himself. "I have heard an interesting rumor...."

"By rumor... you mean that pervert sensei of yours?" Shikaku deadpans. He signaled for his friend to take a seat.

Minato smiled as he took a seat. "It's an... interesting rumor."

"That rumor is, exactly?" Shikaku pulled out some packaged sweets he kept hidden in his desk. He nearly jammed his fingers over what was the rumor that was spreading around.

"Rumor has it.... Lord Orochimaru and yourself are conspiring against the Village and the Third Hokage."

"What a drag..."

[hellcifrogs]

Out of curiosity, what do you think about an au where Sasuke’s mom actually did get to adopt Naruto and how do you think the uchiha massacre would go in that universe?

Oh boy I can think of a few ways this could go...

My favorite idea is Mikoto taking Naruto in, and he naturally becoming family. So Itachi could either spare only Sasuke and him, or run away with the two causing a whole new issue for the village that's now down a spy and a jinchuuriki, OR EVEN Naruto and Sasuke returning home to find everyone dead and Naruto loses control of the fox causing another huge disaster in the whole village.

I like this last one because the hokage and elders could use this as an excuse to hide the Uchiha massacre and say they all died because were the closest to Naruto when it happened - and also keep Naruto under even closer watch after this.

But Naruto and Sasuke would still know the "truth".

Or Naruto could become kind of an object for leverage between the clan and the village elders (aka Danzou). But imagine the Uchihas all protecting little Naruto, the nine tails boy, as their special little ball of power.

Danzou tries to pressure Fugaku into whatever and he goes "Nuh uh" because they have Naruto and Danzou probably knows the sharingan can control the bijuu. And the massacre doesn't have to happen - another disaster can still happen for trauma fuel  but the clan doesn't have to be killed by Itachi.

And also, if I were to add some touches of my own... Around the age when Sasuke starts training, Naruto too is practicing with him and Itachi, (so not too long before the massacre was to happen) then Mikoto and Fugaku realize that it would be hard for them to properly teach Naruto - they have their clan style and jutsu types that Naruto might not manage the same way Sasuke does.

So Mikoto takes into her hands to go find Jiraya! She leaves the village on official missions to investigate and search for the senin and bring him back. They could even arrive right at the last minute and stop Itachi (and Obito which coul be a whole thing to add).

Now that could stop the massacre and Danzou from the very start. It's a win-win: Naruto gets a family, Mikoto gets a big role, Jiraya arrives, takes one look at Hiruzen's current system and goes "Nope" and starts looking for a new Hokage right away (Shikaku? Fugaku? Jiraya himself while he trains Itachi to take the role in a few years? Maybe Danzou to make things messier for a bit?)

But the best thing is that Mikoto would 100% tell Naruto about his parents, and he would grow up knowing how loved he had always been and still is.

[mixelation]

oh yeah while i'm here. speed run au thoughts ->

so i do like the idea of this being the one AU where tori comes clean about the reincarnation thing (i feel like this also has to happen in async, but probably very late in the game). however also i cannot see her doing this without having first solidified a LOT of trust

so what could catalyze her deciding this reveal is a good idea...? the idea i have been rotating is:

i don't think orochimaru cares too much when she just up and disappears. however he might suddenly care a whole lot if she reappears hanging around the hokage. that is HIS pet fuuinjutsu master in training, not yours!!!!

some sort of Situation happens where he grabs her and brings her back to oto. tori you silly child this where you belong

tori gets upset because she LIKED not being in oto and also she's pretty sure it looks suspicious af she's just with orochimaru again. like PROBABLY the conclusion here is that she went on purpose. and now she's mad because this ruins being able to go back

wrong!! minato shows up and is like hi guys!!! don't mind me just here on my legal right to kill orochimaru <3

so he kills oro, grabs tori, and goes home. what an exciting day

minato: hey, why are you crying? are you hurt? did you want to say bye to someone? tori: did you come to save ME 🥺🥺

and like. minato didn't kill orochimaru for tori per se, but he needed to do something about him anyway. this just sort of sealed the deal + gave him a reason to act

tori voices the fear that he thought she was a traitor. however this did not occur to minato even once because even if orochiamru is a master manipulator...... minato is a better manipulator for this sort of thing. obviously tori would not betray him and his wonderful family?

i think i would probably have it as a plot element that someone (shikaku?) keeps pushing minato to let someone do a mindwalk on tori. this is less because he thinks she's super devious and more because mindwalks can pull up forgotten memories + let an adult analyze a child's memories, so tori's brain is probably full of details on oto she can't actually articulate even if she's cooperative in being interviewed

so this Incident is also a catalyst for shikaku brining the mindwalk idea up AGAIN and minato is like "tori i think this would be a good idea. i promise it won't hurt or get you in trouble" and tori is like. my GOD you could not handle what's in my mind, and does a Reveal

i think minato is secretly revealed because tori has wormed her way far enough into his heart that he's starting to consider that this is actually an insane way to treat a child. however it's fine she's secret been a grown up this whole time

[jacksgreysays]

Tobirama matter of factly planning a temple of the Shikabane-hime in the middle of Konoha is SENDING me oh my god?? Is Shikako still born to Shikako and Yoshino in this universe? How does everyone react to maybe having a mortal incarnation of their patron deity growing up before their eyes? Wait does Shikabane-hime create the Garden during the Founding era. Is she also worshipped in Sand?? And not to hijack other anon’s prompt but the full saying is “by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes” so.. Jashin? Does Konoha have beef with Yugakure in this world? I LOVE THIS AU AAHH

First of all, Tobirama is a very clever lad: if a goddess is going to support their village built on the shakiest network of treaties and alliances, then he's going to take that support and use it as a foundation because otherwise all they have to go on is his older brother's charisma and that's NOT going to cut it long term. Also, he really is quite jealous that all Izuna had to do was look at Shikabane-hime to get a cool technique while he has to actually go through the scientific method WHILE ALSO DESIGNING THE VILLAGE.

I think Shikako looks enough like Yoshino that in this universe, they think it's the other way around--that Yoshino is, if not a mortal incarnation of their patron deity (because MAYBE Shikako is immortal in this universe due to the massive amounts of earnest worship actually working to make her a goddess even if she wasn't actually one in the beginning) then some kind of... goddess blessed? Like... this Konoha is so off the rails that there may be a separate order of priest/priestess-nin and Yoshino would be recruited for that.

And, like, I do like the Shikaku and Yoshino's love story, and it would be very sad if they didn't get together, so it's not that the priests/priestesses of the Shikabane-hime CAN'T fall in love and have families (and also, because Shikako is just like. Hey. As long as everyone involved is a consenting adult, the genders of said parties does not matter. Hooray marriage equality decades earlier)

Anyway, then if they do still have child Shikako, it could be a very... !!!! ... A Chosen One!!!! And then, THIS Shikako would be the "she who has divine right" version of Hokage!Shikako from my Hail To The Queen series... but that's maybe getting too self-referential?

I do think Shikabane-hime and Gelel create the Garden during the Founding era--because her arriving in each universe post-Split makes the Garden, if it hasn't already been made--so I would think that, yes, a version of her is also worshiped in Sand. But if she didn't stick around to make contact with the shinobi who would become the founders of Sand, they may know her by a different name? Like, in Land of Wind she is Gelel but in Land of Fire she is Shikabane-hime and it becomes a matter of, like, denominational differences.

Alternatively, rather than the Kazekage clan being called "Sabaku no" (of the Desert) perhaps they are called "Yokuchi no" (of the Oasis)? But I suppose that depends how early on in the timeline she is for Sand.

And finally… IS THAT WHERE THAT PHRASE COMES FROM? Oh my god, I'm so bad at identifying when prompts are references to things. It just goes right over my head T_T

I don't think Yugakure even exists long enough for Konoha to have beef with them. If one of Shikabane-hime/Gelel's early "miracles" DOESN'T include a divine smack down of Jashin, possibly erasing Yugakure--or possibly the whole of Land of Hot Water--from the map via volcano (I mean, hot springs are usually because of geothermals, and if she can make an earthquake she can probably make a volcanic eruption) then I don't know what counts as a miracle.

[thena0315]

What if Orochimaru had revived the Hokages before Ten Tails' Attack AU

Sensing a large mass of charka and the direction where the tailed beast bomb was heading, Minato could had easily rescued every one at HQ. Tobirama did say that Minato was faster than him. And it wouldn't surprise me if he marked his former classmates with his jutsu when they went on missions together in the past. He is a sensory ninja.

And thus preventing all of their deaths at HQ & Ao joining Kara in the future

Shikaku & Inoichi could have also met their grandsons

[thekingwhereitallends]

Tenchijin AU Birthday List

*Note: Some of characters may be younger or older than their canon selves.*

Kaguya Õtsutsuki:Aug.15 543 BC

Tenji:Oct.6 30 BC

Jigen:Sep.4 29 BC

Aino:May.12 20 BC

Hagoromo Õtsutsuki-⼤筒⽊ハゴロモ:Aug.6 0000

Hamura Õtsutsuki:Aug.6 0000

Haori:May.19 0001

Indra Õtsutsuki:Jan.4 0033

Sakura Ainoten:Apr.1 0034

Ashura Õtsutsuki:Jun.8 0034

Kanna:Jun.30 0035

Ichikishimahime:Sep.20 1351

First Mizukage Byakuren:Jan.20 1863

First Tsuchikage Ishikawa:May.6 1872

Ashina Uzumaki:Jun.21 1876

Butsuma Senju:Jan.16 1892

Tajima Uchiha:Mar.28 1893

Bunpuku:Feb.9 1904

First Raikage A:Dec.1 1912

Rai Uchiha:Nov.6 1913

Second Raikage A:Mar.1 1914

Hikaku Uchiha:Aug.12 1915

Naori Uchiha:Nov.14 1915

First Hokage Hashirama Senju:Oct.23 1916

Madara Uchiha:Dec.24 1916

Mito Uzumaki:May.3 1917

First Kazekage Reto:Jun.27 1917

Sasuke Sarutobi:Jul.19 1917

Izuna Uchiha:Feb.10 1918

Second Hokage Tobirama Senju:Feb.19 1918

Second Kazekage Shamon:Mar.12 1919

Tõka Senju:May.26 1919

Second Tsuchikage Mū:Jun.6 1920

Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hõzuki: Oct.26 1920

Itama Senju:Jan.17 1921

Genji:Jul.20 1922

Kawarama Senju:Jul.3 1923

Kinkaku:Mar.7 1926

Ginkaku:Apr.9 1927

Kakuzu:Aug.15 1930

Third Tsuchikage Õnoki:Oct.8 1939

Kagami Uchiha:Feb.22 1940

Third Mizukage Kenshin Mikami:Feb.2 1941

Third Kazekage Samirõ:Aug.9 1941

Hanzõ:Sep.24 1941

Chiyo:Oct.15 1942

Third Raikage A:Aug.1 1943

Ebizõ:Jan.6 1944

Danzõ Shimura:Jan.6 1945

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi: Feb.8 1945

Homura Mitokado:May.8 1945

Biwako Sarutobi:Jun.21 1945

Koharu Utatane:Sep.1 1945

Jinin Akebino:Sep.25 1949

Ise:Mar.23 1955

Fusõ Uzumaki:Aug.5 1955

Shinku Yūhi:Aug.9 1960

Tsunade Senju:Aug.2 1964

Orochimaru:Oct.27 1964

Jiraiya:Nov.11 1964

Dan Katõ:Dec.4 1964

Sēramu:Jul.31 1965

Hiruko:Oct.23 1965

Jinpachi Munashi:Jul.4 1968

Ameyuri Ringo:Jun.7 1969

Nawaki Senju:Aug.9 1971

Sakumo Hatake:Sep.3 1971

Might Duy:Dec.10 1971

Rõshi:Jun.4 1974

Fuguki Suikazan:Feb.22 1975

Kitsuchi:Mar.22 1975

Yahiko:Feb.20 1976

Okisuke:Jul.27 1976

Ao:Aug.1 1976

Konan:Feb.20 1977

Nagato:Sep.19 1977

Kizashi Haruno:Dec.6 1978

Mebuki Haruno:Jul.26 1979

Malice Rinha:Jun.24 1980

Gari:Aug.8 1980

Mui:Nov.3 1980

Fourth Raikage A:Jun.1 1981

Hotarubi:Aug.9 1981

Kushimaru Kuriarare:Nov.18 1982

Blue B:May.31 1983

Natsuhi:Jun.28 1983

Hiashi Hyūga:Jan.8 1984

Hizashi Hyūga:Jan.8 1984

Inoichi Yamanaka:Jan.24 1984

Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze:Jan.25 1984

Nonõ Yakushi:Mar.5 1984

Fourth Kazekage Rasa:Mar.29 1984

Yagura Karatachi:Apr.3 1984

Chõza Akimichi:Apr.22 1984

Mikoto Uchiha:Jun.1 1984

Kushina Uzumaki:Jul.10 1984

Shikaku Nara:Jul.15 1984

Fugaku Uchiha:Aug.16 1984

Karura:Nov.11 1984

Yoshino Nara:Feb.24 1985

Pakura:Apr.9 1985

Kazuma:May.29 1985

Tsume Inuzuka:Aug.12 1985

Raiga Kurosuki:Sep.13 1985

Yashamaru:May.23 1986

Killer B:May.15 1987

Baki:Jul.4 1988

Kaiza:Aug.21 1988

Sazanami:Sep.15 1988

Nan:Nov.15 1988

Shiranami:Jan.28 1989

Nowaki:Mar.7 1989

Jūzõ Biwa:Apr.14 1989

Tsunami:May.4 1989

Suiren(Kiri):Jun.2 1989

Sāra:Sep.17 1989

Sasori:Nov.8 1989

Kisame Hoshigaki:Mar.18 1990

Sadai-サダイ:Jun.19 1990

Ran-乱:Apr.21 1991

Miru-美瑠:Sep.13 1991

Might Guy:Jan.1 1992

Obito Uchiha:Feb.10 1992

Ebisu:Mar.8 1992

Kurenai Yūhi:Jun.11 1992

Chiriku:Jul.1 1992

Genma Shiranui:Jul.17 1992

Zabuza Momochi:Aug.15 1992

Raidõ Namiashi:Aug.28 1992

Honoka:Sep.1 1992

Aoba Yamashiro:Sep.3 1992

Kakashi Hatake:Sep.15 1992

Asuma Sarutobi:Oct.18 1992

Rin Nohara:Nov.15 1992

Shizune Katõ:Nov.18 1992

Hanare:Dec.16 1992

Suzume:1992

Shimon Hijiri:Feb.1 1993

Fugai:Aug.6 1993

Chino Oyashiro:Nov.4 1993

Samui:Jan.7 1994

Mabui:Feb.1 1994

Emi:Nov.11 1994

Sukui:Mar.7 1995

C:Apr.3 1995

Utakata:Jun.16 1995

Maki:Aug.15 1995

Fūka:Nov.17 1995

Izumo Kamizuki:Nov.25 1995

Iruka Umino:May.26 1996

Anko Mitarashi:Oct.24 1996

Hayate Gekkõ:Nov.2 1996

Darui:Jan.6 1997

Muta Aburame:May.27 1997

Tenzõ Iburi(Yamato):Aug.10 1997

Kaori:Oct.1 1997

Shinko Inari:Nov.1 1997

Yūgao Uzuki:Nov.3 1997

Tokuma Hyūga:Feb.10 1998

Sagi:Feb.16 1998

Toki:Feb.16 1998

Yurika:Mar.21 1998

Sadoru:Apr.5 1998

Momiji:May.5 1998

Susuki:Jun.2 1998

Kirisaki:Aug.9 1998

Genshõ Ryūdõin:Sep.6 1998

Shisui Uchiha:Oct.19 1998

Yukiji:Dec.1 1998

Kotohime:Feb.9 1999

Yugito Nī:Jul.24 1999

Saya:Aug.4 1999

Shibuki:Dec.15 1999

Kabuto Yakushi:Feb.29 2000

Inaho:Mar.26 2000

Hidan:Apr.2 2000

Okyõ:May.4 2000

Koyuki Kazahana:Aug.21 2000

Nurui:Sep.10 2000

Guren:Dec.18 2000

Kohada:Oct.14 2000

Kujaku:Jan.11 2001

Mangetsu Hõzuki:Feb.15 2001

Yūto:Mar.31 2001

Hana Inuzuka:Apr.13 2001

Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi:May.21 2001

Itachi Uchiha:Jun.9 2001

Masako:Jul.31 2001

Izumi Uchiha:Aug.28 2001

Otoha:Sep.10 2001

Kinsei:Oct.6 2001

Oyone:Nov.12 2001

Natsu Hyūga:Dec.4 2001

Haku Yuki:Jan.9 2002

Akatsuchi:Jan.11 2002

Ameno:Jan.15 2002

Ayame:Feb.14 2002

Deidara:May.5 2002

Kimimarõ Kaguya:Jun.15 2002

Kõji:Jun.27 2002

Gen'yūmaru:Jul.27 2002

Fū Yamanaka:Aug.20 2002

Shū:Sep.3 2002

Kurotsuchi:Sep.6 2002

Aoi Rokushõ:Sep.22 2002

Torune Aburame:Oct.24 2002

Gazeru:Nov.10 2002

Toneri Õtsutsuki:Dec.6 2002

Seina Shakudõ:Dec.23 2002

Hakui:Dec.10 2002

Kõ Hyūga:Jan.8 2003

Tayuya:Feb.15 2003

Princess Chiyo:Mar.9 2003

Sana:Apr.16 2003

Hõichi:Apr.30 2003

Ruka:May.28 2003

Ajisai:Jul.21 2003

Temari:Aug.23 2003

Taruho:Sep.13 2003

Jūgõ:Oct.1 2003

Chõjuro:Nov.1 2003

Sagiri:Nov.3 2003

Muku:Feb.18 2004

Shizuka Nadeshiko:Mar.29 2004

Karashi:Mar.29 2004

Ran:Apr.4 2004

Kankūrõ:May.15 2004

Kagerõ Fūma:Jun.1 2004

Dõsu Kinuta:Jun.12 2004

Kin Tsuchi:Jul.6 2004

Ryūzetsu:Jul.30 2004

Atsui:Aug.2 2004

Shin Katõ:Sep.6 2004

Zaku Abumi:Sep.14 2004

Hotaru Tsuchigumo:Oct.9 2004

Nae:Nov.29 2004

Shira:Dec.5 2004

Menma Shīn:Dec.14 2004

TenTen:Mar.9 2005

Hokuto:Mar.29 2005

Fū:Mar.31 2005

Kido Tsumiki:Apr.3 2005

Emiru:May.19 2005

Sasame Fūma:May.25 2005

Neji Hyūga:Jul.3 2005

Idate Morino:Aug.25 2005

Rock Lee:Nov.27 2005

Fifth Kazekage Gaara:Jan.19 2006

Shino Aburame:Jan.23 2006

Karui:Feb.14 2006

Suigetsu Hõzuki:Feb.18 2006

Sakura Haruno:Mar.28 2006

Chõji Akimichi:May.1 2006

Yukata:May.3 2006

Kiba Inuzuka:Jul.7 2006

Sasuke Uchiha:Jul.23 2006

Sumaru:Aug.17 2006

Shikamaru Nara:Sep.22 2006

Ino Yamanaka:Sep.23 2006

Shiho:Oct.9 2006

Seventh Hokage Naruto Uzumaki:Oct.10 2006

Matsuri:Nov.22 2006

Sai Yamanaka:Nov.25 2006

Hinata Hyūga:Dec.27 2006

Sari:Apr.14 2007

Karin Uzumaki:Jun.20 2007

Shion:Aug.4 2007

Omoi:Dec.26 2007

Mugino:Jul.26 2010

Yūkimaru:Dec.25 2010

Udon Ise:Apr.3 2011

Moegi Kazamatsuri:Jun.8 2011

Gengorõ Kamakura:Jul.4 2011

Ranmaru:Sep.21 2011

Konohamaru Sarutobi:Dec.30 2011

Hinoko:Jan.12 2012

Hanabi Hyūga:Mar.27 2012

Kaede Yoshino:Dec.20 2012

Inari:Dec.25 2012

Erimaki Sharo:Feb.18 2013

Akita Inuzuka:Apr.20 2013

Tsubasa Emiya:Sep.17 2013

Kohan Yamanaka:Dec.6 2013

Isari Funato:Jan.23 2014

Sansho:Jun.11 2014

Mibuna:Sep.8 2014

Tsukune:Feb.16 2015

Garashi Tõno:Jul.19 2016

Ichirõta Oniyuzu:Oct.11 2018

Kankitsu Akitsuki:May.25 2019

Remon Yoimura:Jul.21 2019

Hebiichigo:Jan.9 2020

Deepa:Jul.15 2020

Matsuba:Feb.19 2021

Ada:May.7 2022

Sazanka:Jan.9 2022

Code:Aug.24 2023

Kawaki:Nov.18 2024

Buntan Kurosaki:Apr.28 2024

Kagura Karatachi:Sep.27 2024

Kozuchi:Aug.30 2025

Ryõgi:Jan.31 2026

Boruto Uzumaki:Mar.27 2026

Sarada Uchiha:Mar.31 2026

Sekki:May.6 2026

Sumire Kakei:Jun.12 2026

Mitsuki:Jul.25 2026

ChõChõ Akimichi:Aug.8 2026

Shikadai Nara:Sep.23 2026

Inojin Yamanaka:Dec.5 2026

Shio:Jan.6 2028

Satõ:May.1 2028

Jin Kaminari:Sep.25 2028

Daemon:Jul.22 2029

Himawari Uzumaki:Aug.19 2029

*the list will be updated as the story progresses.*

[atqh16]

For my Minato lives au

Minato wakes up with Kushina’s name on his lips and Sarutobi’s heart breaks for him. He’s seen his fair share of grief and tragedy. He’s fought in 3 different wars ever since he was a teenager. Life had rarely been painless for him and his people.

Still, it never makes it any easier.

Minato is not conscious enough to receive a reply and before Sarutobi can even get up from his seat, the man has already fallen back into a more peaceful slumber after several nights of restless, feverish, nightmares.

At least the worst has passed, he thinks as he leaves, hoping that whatever waited for his protégé when he awakes will be enough to root him to the earth. Right now, Konoha needed him more than ever.

When Minato finally breaks through his dreams the first thing he feels is surprise before he’s speared by a pain so deep and visceral that it’s a shock to him when he sees no wound on his chest where the agony was tearing him apart. Truthfully he knows why he’s feeling the way he is. His memory is not merciful enough to have blocked out the reality he’s being made to face but as he’s learned over the years, awareness doesn’t take away grief. Nothing can and that is another fact that has him choking on his own breath. Before the nurses can even be alerted of his waking, tears are already falling in unbidden streams that soak the pillow beneath him. Every part of him hurts but the pain is not enough to distract him from the horrible picture in his mind that replays like a haunting nightmare he can't seem to break through.

He can feel with unwavering clarity how it felt to have his hands sticky and wet, soaked with Kushina’s blood even as she smiled in his arms, dark blue eyes never leaving the sight of their son that he’d placed so delicately on her chest.

The nurses seem to understand without words because as soon as the doctor left after a short evaluation, a crib was wheeled into the room and suddenly Minato felt like he’s fallen back into a dream but one that’s managed to pierce the darkness and loosen the knot around his chest.

Naruto feels almost weightless when the nurse finally places him above his heart, so much so that Minato doesn’t think he’d believe his child was even there were it not for his own eyes assuring him of the truth.

“Naruto”, he whispers as the tiny life fusses and whimpers in the blue wrap he’s bundled in.

A part of him wants to sit up so he can fully feast his sight on his son. But even being awake for a bare few minutes has depleted his strength. Still even as his eyes fall to a close, his grip on Naruto doesn’t loosen.

“I love you. I’ll take care of you. I promise. Till my last breath”

““Lord Fourth, I must insist that this is not a conduct fit for a Hokage”

Minato doesn’t even look up from where he was reading through a report on his desk, his right hand twiddling a pen while his left pats the bottom of the wrap that was strapped over his shoulder and side just loose enough to comfortably nestle his 3-week-old son. Naruto’s annoyed grumbling tapered off back to sleep soothed by his father’s touch.

“Lord Fourth-“

“Inside voices Shimura-San. If you’d be so inclined”, Minato whispers back in his usual calm demeanor but no one in the room misses the sharp way the words are uttered.

Minato can almost hear Danzo gritting his teeth.

“Lord Fourth, I must insist that it is both unnecessary and unsuitable for a child to be guarded by the Hokage when we have perfectly competent caretakers to look after him while you work and anbu to protect him”

“I don’t think Naruto’s presence has caused any disturbance in my work ethic as of yet. Is my son’s presence bothering you Nara-San?”

Shikaku, who’d been standing idly by the filing cabinet, can barely hide the smirk threatening to lift the corner of his lips.

“Not at all, Lord Fourth. I say Naruto being here creates a much calmer atmosphere and helps you focus without being distracted by worry for his well-being should he be cared for by anyone else”

“Thank you Nara-San. And I trust that you will be honest and straightforward with me if Naruto’s presence does create a problem in your ability to commit to your work?”

“Of course Lord Fourth. I wouldn’t be so disrespectful as to be less than truthful to you”

“That’s settled then”, Minato says cheerfully but his tone falls with a firm finality in the air that brooks no argument. The very thing that had made Sarutobi choose him as his successor and also the very thing that was the bane of Danzo’s existence. Minato’s refusal to ever let anything pass his awareness without strict scrutiny.

Minato drops his eyes back onto the document lying so ‘invitingly’ on his desk and it's as clear as a dismissal as it can get.

Shikaku barely manages to catch the door in time before the older man can slam it shut behind him as he leaves the office.

Still, Naruto ever sensitive to even the smallest disturbance, begins to fuss in annoyance but he calms quickly when his father presses him just a tad tighter against his chest.

“I don’t think I need to warn you about getting on the man’s bad side”, Shikaku tries to scold in a grave voice but Minato knows his friend well enough to decipher the hint of mirth peeking behind his words.

“I’ve been on his bad side since day one. Why stop now? Besides, watching out for his schemes and machinations is your job isn’t it?”, Minato jokingly replies and his smile widens when his advisor gives him a mournful look.

“You put too much work on me. Can’t you leave me unbothered for once?”

Minato graces him with a cheeky smile, “I’m sure you’ll have more than enough time to spend at home afterward to pass on your wisdom and philosophy to your son. But until then, call Fugaku in will you?”

Shikaku gives him a playful salute as he leaves, careful to open and shut the door without so much as a squeak.

As soon as the door closes, Minato brushes his fingers through his hair before massaging his forehead and letting out a lethargic sigh.

“One at a time. One at a time”

@maelstrom-of-emotions thoughts?

[x-authorship-x]

Anon's idea is good but like, what would happen? Would the squad just go attack Danzō? Would they go to the Hokage? Would Kakashi tell them about the time Danzō told him to kill Hiruzen and he told Hiruzen and he did nothing and that he's probably not going to do anything this time as well?

Oh, but maybe they go to Inoichi after making sure Shisui won't die on them. I could see Shisui asking them not to take him to the hospital in the chance Danzō is keeping an eye on it to find him

I think the major difference is that, in HOPE AU, none of the really bad shit had happened yet so Danzo was in the dark, Shisui hadn't revealed to him what exactly Kotoamatsukami could do, and there was no physical evidence so Inoichi took the legal route as much as possible. That....wouldn't happen here 😏

If Shisui, on the night he died, went to his Squadmates... Things would develop extremely quickly and violently. We're talking a possible ANBU revolt against Danzo, made possible because of ROOT infiltrating the Ranks so it actually looks like ANBU in-fighting, the Uchiha arriving late to the party just to kick off, the other Clans freaking the fuck out about bloodline theft, and it all turn's over within the course of hours/days instead of days/weeks/months!

As for the Squad taking Shisui to Inoichi, it would probs go more like;

1) holy shit we need to kill Danzo (queue Kakashi's thing about Danzo trying to get him to kill Sarutobi without consequences + Tenzo probably having a Moment™)

2) holy shit Shisui's still bleeding and almost died (we need to kill Danzo and get the eye back)

3) holy shit we need help... Who here knows a good adult????? Shisui's not-dad Inoichi! Crap!

They'd go to him but the chances of Inoichi slowing down the ^^^ above scenario of events unfolding... Slim. He's more concerned about Shisui and also getting to rip Danzo's mind to mush.... He'd go to Shikaku and Chouza, he'd get the other clan heads involved, they'd probably storm the hokage tower just in time to see ANBU arrive, having taken ROOT down and possibly holding Danzo's head! Ta dah!

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Au where everyone lives and Kakashi becomes Hokage when Hiruzen retires :)

The elder’s try to get Minato, but Shikaku still nominates Kakashi because he thinks he’d be a good Hokage, and ultimately Kakashi is chosen

Naturally Obito is a little crushed, but he quickly gets over it and decides to become the most obnoxious right hand man ever

He does not actually get to be the ‘right hand’ but is instead put on the new council Kakashi forms after retiring the elders. A voice Kakashi will happily listen to, and just as happily ignore if he thinks Obito is being hard headed

[dark-elf-writes]

I don't know if this would fit in the Hot for Teacher AU. But please consider:Kakashi totally oblivious to any and all suitors that Naruto has, like physically incapable of imagining Naruto dating, almost has a panic attack when someone suggests it because Naruto is babyyyy. Meanwhile Naruto has a full harem ready and willing.

Maybe not for Hot for Teacher (because Shikamaru is very obviously head over heels for Naruto from square one and his mom definitely called Kakashi to tell him about the retainer incident) but I could absolutely see it for a different “Kakashi raised Naruto” au either set on canon era or in a modern AU.

Just kakashi like “no wait he’s like four” when Naruto is eighteen and won a war and is well on his way to becoming Hokage. Iruka cannot understand how Kakashi can’t see that half of Naruto’s age group is fully in love with him and have all had the polyamory talk just in case he’s interested in having all of them. The older Jonin are all taking bets for if Kakashi faints or tries to murder like half of his active Shinobi first.

For a Modern AU the entire school all knows that Naruto is going to end up with like nine boyfriends and all of the other parents (/older siblings *coughtemaricough*) are frankly waiting for Kakashi and his to catch up so they can all watch the worlds best soap opera in real time. (Shikaku is the only one equally in denial but that’s more of a Shikaku thing rather than him thinking Shikamaru is still baby)

[team7-headquarter]

A little guide for my personal use, but could come in handy to understand my Diamond Girls au:

⠀

— SETTING / WORLDBUILDING :

This world is based on Naruto, manga/anime by Kishimoto. However, it's an alternative universe set on semi modern times, where even the best shinobi only holds a low reserve of chakra. Therefore, the characters are forced to rely more on their ninja like abilities and well, rely on guns and weapons.

Example A: the Susanoo technique allows the user to fortify their skin and clothes, along with giving them enhanced strength and speed, but it is not a giant spectral warrior who can cut down mountains in half.*

*No one in this au can take down a mountain.

Example B: the Byakugan have a time limit of usage that corresponds with the chakra reserves of the user AND it can't shut down completely chakra pathways. Although it can be used instead for strategies and tactics, as well as to wear down the enemy with heavier strikes to their systems.

⠀

— TIME LINE / AGES / DATES :

– GUIDE :

Let's call the year the Konoha 12 were born the Point Zero or Year Zero (Y. 0) and count accordingly.

Minato became Hokage on year 3, did the shinobi system reformation on year 4 and died on year 8. The sannins reached the village on year 9. The Konoha 12 started their Academy phase on year 9 and became genins on year 16.

The main timeline starts on year 20, with the Konoha 12 getting reunited to train together for the Chunnin Exams.

– AGE REFERENCES :

Based on how old were they on year zero:

The Sannins were 35 years old.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura were 55 years old.

Sakumo Hatake was 38 years old (if he was still alive).

Fugaku Uchiha was 32 years old.

Mikoto Uchiha, Shibi Aburame, Hizashi Hyuga, Hiashi Hyuga and Rasa (Gaara's dad) were all 26 years old.

Most parents of the Konoha 12 were 22 years old: Minato, Kushina, Shikaku Nara, Chozo Akimichi, Inojin Yamanaka, Tsume Inuzuka, etc.

Except Kakashi, who was 14 years old.

Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, Asuma Sarutobi, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Anko Mitarashi and all of that generation were 16 years old.

Shishui Uchiha was 11 years old.

Itachi Uchiha was 7 years old.

The Konoha 12 were born that year or maximum 2 years prior.

Konohamaru would be born on year 4.

– REFORMED SHINOBI SYSTEM :

From ages 0 to 8, children are encourage to develop a sense of citizenship in the village. Those feelings should grow as the ideals who would made of them great shinobis. Around this time the clans would teach their children most of their traditions. They're not expected to understand/apply the knowledge yet. For civilian kids, these years are just school years and could be filled with the families teaching them a new profession, unless they desire to follow the shinobi path.

Minato created the new system intending so no more children were forced to go to war.

It favors the education of highly skilled shinobi and medic nins in order to decrease the death rates. It also favors adaptability and creativity, to avoid getting skillful shinobi stuck on a stiff team structure.

From ages 8 to 12, it's Academy I. On this period the children are taught the basics of the shinobi world. Their schedules still allows free afternoons and weekends for them to play or spend however they like. Most civilian kids leave on this stage when they realize they don't want to be shinobi. Also, this stage separates the kids in three secret categories: genius, average, special interests.

From ages 12 to 16, it's called Academy II or Field Academy. Here happens the heavy load, with simulated missions and full schedules. Here geniuses are tested to verify their ability to manage a real life challenge. If they pass, they'll go directly to anbu at 16. The average kids will be trained to become genins at 14 or maybe 15, ready to be assigned to the field. The special interest children (clan kids) get recommendations to join a special program as genins, where they'll have to balance missions with their continuing education.

Ages 16 to 20. Teenagers leave the Academy as genins sorted in the following categories: Far Above Average (FAA), Above Average (AA), Average (A), Slightly Below Average (SBA) or Below Average (BA).

⠀⠀⠀Based on this, there are 5 options as a genin:

1— ANBU / BLACK OPS: for FAA only. They become chunnin, not genin. Every FAA who wants this option must have passed their psychological examination.

2— GENERAL FORCES: mostly for A, SBA and BA. This genins are the common force behind most of the mission that reach Konoha. They go directly to work at the field, being either in D-rank mission outside Konoha or helping the village.

3— SPECIALIZATIONS: for all categories if they have recommendations. This is mostly for clan kids or genins interested in special areas like I&T. Like the general forces, they're assigned in groups of three members, but they take fewer missions and focus more on learning their roles in the village.

4— SUPPORT SYSTEM: for all categories. Similar to the specializations, this is for genins that want to work on an specific area in short-term programs. They help run most of Konoha, act as messengers and members of the administrative staff, etc.

After reaching 20 years old, any shinobi is competing within the system for promotions and higher ranks. There are different ways of becoming chunnin, not always having to pass the Chunnin Exams. Minato's reform helped raise the common age to take the exam to 18 and 20 years old. Only FAA take the exams or are promoted before that age.

5— SANNIN PROGRAMS OR OPERATIONS: open to all categories without recommendation. However, it's not compatible to any other category. Genins who join this option leave behind their clans and teams, since their loyalty must lay with the sannin and the new mates in the program/project. Not all genins can access them. They must past the test of the sannins or their subordinates in order to get accepted.

⠀

— PERSONALITIES / DYNAMIC CHANGES :

Every character in this au is slightly changed by the difference in experience on this world.

For example, Akatsuki is not as radicalized as in the manga, although they are working with one of the sannins to kill Hiruzen (wait and see!). Without Madara / the Zetzus to control them and with Yahiko still alive, they fight to bring peace to all nations. The morally greys.

Sakura met Chiyo during her specialization, when Sakura studied in Sunagakure for a year. The circumstances of their fight with Sasori where different. Chiyo didn't die and Sasori was taken back to a prison in Suna. The specifics in the fic.

Sasuke is more openly affectionate (barely) because his family is alive. What makes him more like his manga self is Fugaku treatment and the political context suffocating him. The Uchihas are the next clan to eliminate after the Senjus and the Uzumakis, a international complot with Danzo being the executioner of Konoha. There're other factors, like Akatsuki and the Sannins.

Kakashi is equally guilt ridden but at least Rin is alive. He focus on supporting her with her chronic illness condition, an aftermath of her being a jinchuriki and Kakashi's chidori, (here chidori is an attack to the nervous system capable of frying it in full force. Rin fell on a coma but Tsunade was able to "reboot her system"). Also Obito is Tobi, but not a puppet of Madara. He works with Akatsuki and later with Itachi and Jiraiya and other shinobis to clean Konoha's corruption.

On their Academy II era, Team 7 went to the Land of the Waves mission. Haku was saved. It happens that Itachi had read the mission specifications some time later after the team assignment and immediately sent Shisui to them when he realized the real danger they were in. With his speed, he was able to reach the bridge on time. Chidori affected Haku's nerve system, but his natural cold kekkei genkai allowed his body to enter a coma that could be stabilized with Sakura's knowledge of medical ninjutsu. At this point in time, Sakura had been taking spare lessons from Tsunade for 5 years. Shisui took Haku on emergency back to Konoha, where Tsunade took care of him, having experience with Rin. Haku was them basically adopted by Kurenai (an accident, really!).

And so on. The characters and dynamics won't be the same as in the manga/anime, because the circumstances are not the same either. Although I try to respect the bases of how they're written.

Most of the main conflicts are there, except for Kaguya and Madara. The real conflict is the political corruption of the hidden villages, responsible for the Uzumaki genocide and Minato and Kushina's deaths, for example. They want to eliminate the Uchihas for the same reason why they wanted the Uzumakis gone or the Senjus buried. Other things they don't like and want to erase: Akatsuki, Jiraiya and Tsunade; the first for helping Naruto on his journey to figure out the truth about his clan and parents, the second for pushing for the medical shinobis age and preaching that medics can overrule most shinobis at war.

Etc.

[cc-naruto-s-rank-shinobi]

❉ What is a dream AU for you? If you haven’t done it yet, why not? (With Naruto or Shikamaru. Whoever you feel like answering for.)

// June 18

It’s Munday!

// My dream AU is one with alternative crossover ships from canon such as NaruSaku, ShikaIno, SasuHina, NejiTen, JiraiTsu, and probs more!

Shipping aside, also AUs where certain characters survive such as Minato/Kushina, Itachi, Asuma, Neji, Shikaku, Inoichi, Obito and so on

for Naruto, being Hokage with Sakura by his side, and Shikamaru being Naruto's advisor with support from Ino, and all four go on double dates together!

As for setting it all up, it depends on the mun if they’re willing and have (most) of the female muses mentioned and interested in interacting with mine, just reach out and plot with me, and we'll figure something out!

[depressedkakashihatake]

The character au ask thingy

Pick what you want to do ♡

Sukea, "no agency wants to hire him, but he's the best in the field" Spy au?

Shikaku, "I'm to old and tired for this shit, but someone has to do it right" Hokage au

Ibiki, "only one besides the Hokage, that knows all the creatures living in Konoha, and looks after them" Shifter au

Sukea-Spy Au

Sukea is a well known name in the spy community. He’s efficient, leaves no evidence behind except for some purple markings on a mirror or wall nearby what he was doing, and has never been caught.

He has never even been seen. No one knows what ‘Sukea’ looks like, which make’s it easy for him to slip in and out without detection.

No one wants to work with Sukea because he’s constantly thwarting their own missions, or just being kind of a big jerk to them, but at the same time he’s one of the best spy’s they’ve ever seen (but also not seen XD) and it would be terrible if he joined another organization.

So while no one wants to work with him, they do want him to work for them. It’s better than having him as an enemy.

Problem is, no one knows who he is so they have no idea how to find him or offer him work.

It’s kind of a whole mess, but they keep trying.

the funniest part of it all for Sukea, is that he works at the cafe that Gai and Tenzo all like to frequent at separate times, and flirts with each of them whenever they’re in.

They just don’t recognize him because they have no idea what he looks like.

Shikaku-Hokage Shikaku Au

After Minato and Kushina’s death, Shikaku decides he has had enough. Even during his short time as Hokage, Minato was starting to make some real good changes to the system. Not perfect, but good.

He does not want to go back to Hiruzen’s way of doing things, so when Hiruzen says he’ll to back to being Hokage Shikaku protests and puts his name forward as Hokage.

He may not be the strongest in the village, but he is the smartest and that has to be worth something.

It’s a struggle of course. There are people who support him, and people who don’t. In the end though, he has the unwavering support of the jonin’s and that’s what he needs to be Hokage. So Hiruzen steps down and Shikaku takes the spot.

Not his favorite job to do, but he’s here now and there is no turning back.

First course of action, Danzo.

It’s no secret Shikaku hates and doesn’t trust Danzo, so he wants to know what exactly Danzo is up. To do so, he asks one of his best Anbu operatives to help him out. Hatake Kakashi.

When Danzo approaches Kakashi about joining Root, Shikaku isn’t at all surprised. In fact, he expected it. Kakashi is a feared name already at age 14, of course Danzo wants him and others like him.

So Shikaku make’s a plan and plants Kakashi in Root.

It works perfectly, though it does take a few years. By the time Kakashi is 16, he has enough info to give to Shikaku that allows him to face Danzo head on, and the fun part of that is Shikaku is not alone. He’s not going to fight Danzo, danzo would win. But he will destroy him. Make sure everyone knows what he has done to ‘protect’ Konoha.

Danzo has almost zero support in Konoha after that, and is banished. Shikaku naturally doesn’t think this will be the end of Danzo, but it is the end of Root in Konoha and he’s ok with that.

Tenzo ends up joining them. Two years with Kakashi as a partner has given Tenzo the escape from Danzo he needed, and he’s more than happy to leave the old man’s side to join Kakashi and Shikaku.

After Danzo’s taken care of, he needs to deal with the Uchiha.

Thankfully, with Shikaku as Hokage the Uchiha weren’t ostracized more because of the Kyubi attack. He actually asks Mikoto to adopts Naruto, which she is more than happy to do.

Unfortunatlly, there’s still resentment and hatred. It was seeded into the ground long before he took over and now he has to find a way to fix it.

Part of his solution is replacing Hiruzen’s elder council members with members from various clans. Fugaku, Inoichi, Choza, Hiashi, and others.

Honestly, one of the good things about being hokage is putting Fugaku and Hiashi into a room and watching them argue.

It’s beautiful

Ibiki - Shifter au

Every shifter is listed in a database as soon as they are discovered. Partially to know what kind of specialized missions they might be used for, partially just to keep track of them.

This does unfortunately mean that people with ill intentions who get hold of that database can hurt those who are shifters.

Ibiki himself is a shifter, able to transform into a salamander (it’s cool i love them so much!)

He’s the first person on sight when a new shifter is discovered, wanting to make sure that they’re safe and that they know they’ll be protected from people who try to hurt or use them.

Unfortunatly for him, he can’t save every shifter. One big issue that sticks with him for years is Tenzo, who they didn’t even know existed at all for years until Kakashi dragged him out of Riot.

Some of the cases Ibiki handles hands on, picking missions for them and doing check ups on them, are Kakashi (a Shiba Inu dog), Maito Gai (a tortoise), Genma (a crane), Anko (a snake) and Kurenai (a Ussuri brown bear).

There are clans of shifters that take care of themselves, such as the Nara’s. As well as Clans that will protect anyone born into their clan that turns out to be a shifter (The uchiha won’t allow anyone else to take care of their shifters, for example. The Hyuga are also very protective of their shifters and hate non clan members trying to interfier)

Once every two weeks Ibiki scheduals a check up with every shinobi shifter under his care, while someone else takes care of any of the civilians who happen to be a shifter.

Kakashi is his most difficult one, because he refuses to talk most days even though Ibiki can always tell there’s a lot on his mind. Gai and Kurenai are his most relaxing, easy one’s.

He actually starts having his meet ups with Kakashi and Gai at the same time because he notices Kakashi opens up a bit more with Gai around.

[mixelation]

hmm okay, who are your alt hokage nominations for right around the time of the uchiha massacre? ive been writing my tobirama/oc fic, and he decides part of the way to prevent a coup involves getting a new hokage

tobirama: i'll just take over again. it's fine. i already have a list of infrastructure and policies that could be improved

shisui: i mean this with all due respect

shisui: that will make things worse

tobirama: >:(

tobirama: (goes to jiraiya) ive decided we need a new hokage. give me a list.

jiraiya: you just decided--

tobirama: yes >:( give me a list >:(

i think ultimately i'll make jiraiya hokage for ~AU feels~, but what names do you think should be on a list? kakashi's name might get floated even though he's hella young.... i've seen people stan nara shikaku for hokage? ibiki???

[jacksgreysays]

I also should have said earlier (lol, my brain really doesn’t want to let this AU go) that the ANY clans are not functioning at their peak logic/kindness. In part because it was Shikamaru who had been killed as opposed to anyone else:

Because the ANY clans (or at least the heads/heirs) are structured in such a way that the Nara of the team is the strategic leader, and while that normally applies to combat, I imagine it ALSO extends to life outside of combat. And while their patterns as genin wouldn’t necessarily hold further down, it is telling that before the Grass Chuunin Exams that Ino and Chouji still deferred to Shikako even though she was the new one to Team 10 and they were literally going to an exam to prove they were ready for chuunin rank.

All of that to say, without Shikamaru advising them and considering Shikako’s last action was to say “fuck the Hokage’s decision, the clan (/my revenge) is more important” Chouji and Ino are in similarly… revenge/rebellious modes.

And while I’m still not entirely sure whether or not the clan head titles have been passed down just yet, there is something to say about it, again, being Shikamaru who died instead of, say, Shikaku. Because while it would have been sad and, of course, similarly deserving of vengeance I don’t think Shikako WOULD have gone against Naruto’s ruling and killed the councilors to avenge her dad. In part because, again, Shikamaru would be there to advise against it, but there is no potential future lost. I imagine Chouza and Inoichi would be, if not broken then changed, yet come to acceptance eventually, remembering the good times and the life Shikaku lived. But Shikamaru would have been, what, early/mid twenties? Which in the Naruto world is “ambiguous adult age” but IRL is shockingly young.

And, separately, Shikako has always been kind of unhinged when it comes to her brother.

Like, Shikako and the ANY clans would have been disappointed with Naruto had it been Shikaku but eventually, understanding? Because, yes, like you mentioned it was so early on in his reign that all eyes were on him and it may very well have been his first major international interaction if it happened before the Chuunin Exams, and especially for a Hokage whose banner is one of peace.

But that it was Shikamaru is such a critical link in the chain--both for the Nara but also for the village because either Shikamaru was already jounin commander or Shikaku still was but going to hand it off to Shikamaru soon--that the fact Naruto seemingly didn't care, or that he cared more about his banner for peace than 1) his friend 2) his jounin commander 3) his teammate's twin brother, is pretty egregious over all.

Post assassination, Shikaku is probably disheartened, because to lose a child is worse than to lose a parent. And not only losing Shikamaru but to effectively also lose Shikako (although, obviously not to the same extent) is pretty rough. He might have resumed his clan head position (with Kinokawa doing a lot of the heavy lifting) until Shikadai is old enough but I highly doubt he resumed the jounin commander role. And while the jounin commander role is not necessarily a Nara specific role, I think it is sort of taken as fanon that the Nara most suited for strategy and administration would also happen to be the Nara clan head/heir. But in this bleak AU, I highly doubt they're going to replace Shikaku (or Shikamaru if he did already have that role) with another Nara considering... well... they're rightly very pissed off at Naruto. But in doing so it will seem even MORE like Naruto is adding insult to injury. Obviously that's not what is happening, but again, everyone in this AU is extremely suspicious/cynical of each other.

From Naruto's POV, it is a very rough situation he's in. I don't think he 1) fully understood what he was doing/implying when he denied the Nara clan their vengeance, 2) thought Shikako was going to hit so hard, so fast, and 3) he was probably hoping he could talk Shikako down or at least he meant to but being a new Hokage and newly without a jounin commander and one of your teammates is grieving and seemingly irrational and overly vengeful he probably lost track of time. To be fair to him, Shikako normally is one for revenge is a dish best served cold and all encompassing.

I'm also wondering if maybe she wasn't in the village when this happened. Because in terms of cause and effect, she may have been looking for Gaara as a 1) concerned friend, 2) favor for her sister-in-law Temari, 3) known international political agent who can solve seemingly impossible problems up to and including foreign government leadership. This would also explain why she's so wild-eyed about it because some part of her might blame herself for not being their to protect her brother. What use was all that foreknowledge and training to take on S-rank big bads if she can't save him?

Post-Incident, I don't think that Naruto necessarily took Shikako off the list of precious people--because I do think he is internally extremely conflicted/upset that the first friend he ever made both betrayed him and also was hurt by him. In DoS, Naruto and Sasuke probably still have their opposite and equal destinies, but Shikako was the first one to reach out to him and KEEP reaching out to him even when other kids would get warned off by their parents. So that would hit harder. And, also, considering how much canon Naruto forgave canon Sasuke for his bullshit and still kept him on the list of precious people I don't think it would be that easy to remove her from said list.

And, the funny part of the bleak AU, is that Shikako does become an international celebrity to sort of help with this. Because she does realize that she betrayed him in as much as she was hurt by him and while she didn't mean to, it doesn't matter that she sort of kicked off what would become a decade long cold civil war. So yes she disavowed her name and her shinobi reputation (and thus the thing that would make her a viable alternative for Hokage) in an attempt to make things easier for him. But also, to maybe run away from her problems. But also, the fact that she turned to international celebrity status as opposed to hermit-ing in the middle of nowhere is a little bit of that cynical/suspicious thing because even if Naruto would never agree to it, there may be people who want to keep Naruto in power who would green light an assassination on Shikako. And yes, that would be very difficult considering who she is, but even she has to sleep eventually. She can't just be on the run forever. So by becoming famous in her alternate identity, it becomes harder to take her out without there being significant blow back on whoever tries to do so.

So Shikako stepping away from her life as a shinobi is her way of fixing matters, while Naruto not declaring her an official missing nin is his way of not forcing the issue of her, admittedly, treasonous actions and her, arguably, betrayal. Unfortunately, while this would work if they were still individuals and themselves, they have become symbols/near-martyrs of the different sides of the cold civil war.

Like you said, there's no easy answers. But it is very fun to think about about how bleak and begrudging this AU is, lol

the bleak primadonna au brainrot is real

I have loved your posts on characters' thoughts so far, but I haven't really seen Kakashi mentioned? How does he feel about the whole ordeal? How is he reacting to the fallout? What would he do if there was a civil war over it?

AHHHHHH, anon, thank you for validating bleak primadonna AU brainrot is real. I’m patient zero and it is wild how much I keep thinking about it, lol.

To be fair I hadn’t really considered Kakashi much in this AU until you asked. Except for the canonical “had he still been Hokage this wouldn’t have happened” type thing. But as a person also affected by the Incident and, again, living with the knowledge that he could have prevented this, there’s all that good classic Kakashi Guilt™

BECAUSE I do still stand by the idea that he would have given Shikako her justified revenge. BUT ALSO, another part of the reason for the brewing civil war is that some people think Shikako is the better Hokage candidate so there must be a part of Kakashi that is wondering what if he had chosen Shikako as his successor.

And, like, we have to imagine that when it came time for Kakashi to pass down the hat he did know that objectively Shikako is the better leader, administrator, mentor/guide, general, etc. etc. Of course as of canon DoS, Naruto is still out on his time skip training trip, but Shikako has gone full jounin with SQ’s world building of peace time jounin requirements and even before then we see the difference between Shikako taking the lead on missions versus Naruto being mission leader.

Although, again, haven’t consumed Boruto, so I don’t know if they ever explained what happens between teen Naruto to Hokage Naruto. He could still be genin ranked for all I know, although I would think that whatever powers that be that decide the next Hokage would want him to prove himself as a jounin. And while, arguably, wartime promotions are a thing (obviously child Kakashi didn’t have a civic leadership project considering his almost literal lone wolf vibe and also being a child) the whole point of a Hokage Naruto is that he wants/brought about a world of peace. Which is to say that we don’t necessarily know what Naruto will end up doing for his jounin civic leadership project or even if one is required of him, but I can’t imagine it’s more impressive/significant than the, essentially, multiple jounin civic leadership projects that Shikako has done/contributed to, etc.

All of that to say, if Kakashi were to be logical about his successor he would definitely consider/ask Shikako first—privately so as not to rub it in Naruto and Sasuke’s faces--then ask for her opinion on who it should be after she says no. Because obviously he knows about being a reluctant Hokage forced into a position he doesn’t want (he probably tried to pass down the hat even earlier, but it’s not until a certain age when his students are a more acceptable option that it becomes reasonable) and he would never want to do the same thing to his students. And of course at this point in time—post war/all threats dealt with—Shikako just wants to relax and come up with cool seals and not worry about any oncoming tragedy so she certainly doesn’t want to be Hokage. And moreover of course she wouldn’t want to steal Naruto’s dream. So she turns Kakashi down.

(And this is maybe something she thinks about, too. After everything. The hubris she had that even if she didn’t become Hokage that she could still guide/influence her friends into doing what she wanted/thought was correct. And how galling it must have been when Naruto refused her. O_O)

But back to Kakashi.

He wonders, maybe, if he should have… not MADE her take the hat per se, but been a little more convincing. Encouraged her toward it in a way that said, “Hey, I was the best option Konoha had at the time and I stepped up. I think you’re the best option Konoha has now and I want you to step up, too.” Because it’s not always about who WANTS it the most but who is BEST for the role.

(And also, for all that Naruto is arguably not great in the bleak primadonna AU, I don’t think he’d be resentful towards Shikako had she become Hokage. He would have been a little heart broken for a little bit, maybe, and always think about it wistfully, but I think he would have eventually come to terms with it and, like, re-contextualize his desire to be Hokage for what it really was (to be publicly respected and liked which he achieved before becoming Hokage anyway))

But, let’s move beyond Kakashi’s Guilt and Regrets™

If Sasuke is conflicted to the point of being neutral and staying in the village, I would want to do something different with Kakashi. In classic Kakashi fashion, he does turn the blame inwards, but he also has to never show it because now—with the exception of Gai—the only people he can be vulnerable about these types of things are his students who are at the heart of the issue (and also Sasuke who is already SO conflicted)

It’s a very fine line he is walking and I’m not sure if I’m even articulating it right, but basically I think he is a big Kako Heijo fan but also never acknowledges who Kako Heijo really is. Like, whenever possible, he goes to the midnight premieres of her movies but never reaches out to use his obvious connections to get merch or autographs or special seating or anything like that. Why would he? He’s just a fan of Kako Heijo. He has no other connection to her. Of course he never taught her, you must be confused, Kako Heijo is a civilian actress not a shinobi. Why are you being so weird. Oh, you must be thinking of my student Shikako Nara. I suppose they have similar names, but I don’t see how you’d get them confused.

Extreme denial is the way he’d go.

I also think, in order to prevent… hm… there’s probably another faction in the village who want Kakashi to be Hokage again instead. Like, a neutral faction or a faction who is also trying to prevent a civil war by seeking a third option or, like, the older generation who see both Shikako and Naruto as overdramatic upstarts because Kakashi shouldn’t have even given up the hat anyway. You keep it until you die (or are unable to fight. Actually, DOES something happen to Kakashi that would make him unable to fight? I did not read much of Shippuden.) But even if Kakashi thought it would work (it wouldn’t) I don’t think he’d want to be Hokage again. And if anything that would just be kicking the problem further down the line because he’d have to retire again eventually and his successors would still be Naruto and Shikako… and maybe Sasuke, although I feel like he’d want it even less?

Anyways… in order to prevent that, I think Kakashi really is leaning into the whole… I’m just a silly old man. Yes I used to be Hokage and one of the deadliest S-rank shinobi on the planet, but now I like to watch movies and play with my dogs, nothing to see here.

And so as not to seem one-sided in his personal but not professional support, I do think Kakashi gets closer to the Uzumaki family as, like, a strange uncle figure (which adds to Boruto’s weird double prince privilege vibe) so its not just them and the Hyuuga clan. But understandably it gets fraught when Naruto neglects his fatherly duties to be Hokage—which both Boruto and Himawari are sad about and only adds to the guilt that Kakashi points inward—and Kakashi doesn’t help him with that because 1) that’s not his job anymore, 2) he’s just a silly old man, and 3) if Kakashi helps Naruto professionally then what was the point of even passing the hat down, if he’s going to advise Naruto then he should have just kept it and maybe the Incident wouldn’t have happened and he wou—

Things get cyclical with Kakashi and his Guilt/Regret Spiraling™

When I say civil war, I don’t actually think there will be outright war and fighting. Most of the movement would be led by the ANY clans and most of that would be a peaceful secession from Konoha, possibly citing the original clan laws of why they joined Konoha in the first place, and sort of implying that there were contracts in place about clan responsibilities to the village and vice versa when Konoha was founded.

Now whether or not the other side accepts the secession peacefully is up in the air, but the ANY clans have been PLANNING and PREPARING for this for a long time so i would think that if it did come to actual battle, the ANY clans would have the foresight to have already evacuated all their noncombatants which puts more risk for the other side. And, sure, Naruto would kick Chouji’s ass—especially since, without Shikamaru, he and Ino aren’t as effective in battle as they were before and no way is Ino going to be able to mind jump a jinchuuriki—but by that point it gets kinda dicey since like… Naruto’s whole stance is that he brought peace to the Elemental Nations and also that Shikako straight up murdered who she wanted… so obviously it’s not hypocrisy per se, but it doesn’t look great in either direction for Naruto if he lets a third of his village leave or if he forces(?) a third of his village to stay under threat of imprisonment(?)

Kakashi knows this. And this is the one case where he is being proactive, competent Hound/former Hokage in that he is trying to reintegrate the ANY clans into the village without tipping anyone off about the plan to secede and also that he knows about the plan to secede. Or maybe he doesn’t really KNOW it per se, but I think he gets the vibe that something is happening to the ANY clans similar to what happened to the Uchiha clan and he’s trying to fix the problem the same way he would have fixed that without realizing that the ANY clans are isolating/diminishing their presence themselves rather than it being done to them by other people.

(Because if it comes to actual war, Kakashi knows what he’ll do. It’s what he’s always done. He’ll fight for Konoha. He’ll kill for Konoha. He doesn’t want to, but he will if it comes to that. But it won’t. Because the Hokage is Naruto and that’s what got them into this situation in the first place)

That being said, it really does depend on the Hyuuga Branch House on whether or not things turn to violence. Because if the ANY clans are able to recruit the Branch House they get that moral victory AND the majority of Konoha’s current most powerful bloodline which means that even if the other clans are willing to stay with Naruto’s village, much less fight for it, odds are not in their favor. But, if the ANY clans CAN’T recruit the Branch House, it then depends on whether they are willing to fight against their current best chance at removing the seal (because even if Shikako is currently off being Kako Heijo that doesn’t mean she won’t at some point go back to sealing. And she won’t look favorably on them if they mess with her clans) and even if they do fight, I can’t imagine they’re going to go all out. (And, also, I have to wonder if Akimichi physiology is at all a deterrent to the Hyuuga’s style? Like… does their bulk mean that more effort is required to hit the tenketsu?)

And, like, even if the ANY clans lose, at worst Naruto is going to imprison them (specifically Chouji and Ino and maybe Kinokawa as the leaders) because the whole situation even started because he doesn’t believe in capital punishment. And then, what, their clans are just supposed to fall back in line without being resentful? And then as if Kako Heijo won’t come out of retirement to prison break her childhood friends and her little brother. AND THEN! THAT JUST FURTHER PROVES THE FUTILITY OF NARUTO’S STANCE (but also does maybe now turn Shikako into an official S-rank nuke nin like the many Konoha S-rank nuke nin before her, but who’s going to go up against her, really, lol)

Oh Kakashi, so little of this is your fault, and yet I know he’s going to internalize all of it and just destroy himself emotionally while still being cool and casual externally.

Sorry for ranting, thank you for indulging me.

[wing-ed-thing]

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