#minato having to live with the consequences of his actions

[r--kt]

Kid Kakashi is getting away from responsibility! does he?

I once saw an opinion that «Kakashi adheres to the rules to avoid responsibility for his actions so that he always has a safety net», and it seems to me that this is a fairly common misconception. so here's the thing...

contents | analysis of Kakashi and Sakumo's motives, a little speculation on the topic. also the text is a bit messy

Sakumo commits suicide. the parent as a the only support in Kakashi's life has been lost, and Kakashi needs to grow up quickly, become responsible and not make paternal mistakes. a five-to-seven-year-old child must figure out the dilemma of an adult who raised him. not a bad task, huh?

the moral dilemma is as follows: should I recognize a warrior as a soul worthy of life, or as a tool used to save the majority?

a small child, by the way, should take it upon himself. he is this warrior. let me rephrase, it's "should I recognize myself as a soul worthy of life, or as a tool used to save the majority? what way should I recognise my father? what way he recognised himself by committing suicide?"

everything that happened makes Kakashi wonder if he (a shinobi) is worthy of living if he doesn't defend his homeland. a healthy little child would say "yes/idk/idc, let's go play". a child who experiences the suicide of a father deprived of honor and hounded for such humanity due to violation of military regulations chooses to consider himself unworthy. is it a fear of responsibility? let's take a closer look at the accents.

CH 240. Minato and Obito's conversation.

so Sakumo saves his Shinobi group. he does this because he knows that they will not cope with the mission and will die in vain, without benefiting the village, and, moreover, harming it with the loss of labor. and, obviously, this was done out of humane motives, which is what the emphasis is on. what does Sakumo do as a team captain? Sakumo, who is clearly a skilled strategist and/or warrior, since he's compared in strength/fame to the three Sannins. he's retreating. does he do it just like that, without having a way out and a plan to come back? well, hardly. the dude has to be damn smart, judging by the way he was introduced. but will the embittered, war-weary shinobi figure out all the subtleties of the failure of Sakumo? the question is rhetorical.

let's think (I can't assert this, but it sounds logical) Sakumo wanted to return to the village to develop a new plan with a larger team, but did not have much time, because enemy attacked the land of Fire earlier. the consequence is hundreds, possibly thousands of civilian lives and so on. Sakumo would not be a respected captain if he simply refused the mission out of fear of someone else's death. fear of the meaninglessness of someone else's death? maybe. rather, it was a sense of duty to his team, a sense of the very responsibility for his leadership to these people. these things are not the same.

Sakumo's actions are driven by risk. the mission is a failure, but it was certainly intended as a justified failure. however, there is no point in proving this to others, they will not enter the position, because «you are the captain who gave the wrong order. you're a captain who broke the rules. you are to blame for these deaths.» a bunch of rescued shinobi are nothing against the background of thousands of war dead. and even this bunch thinks you fucked up, Captain.

Interesting how, from Obito's words, we can find out that there is another opinion about Sakumo, a more positive(?) one. «in the line of duty» — that's how they call it, huh. I also want to note that Minato emphasizes the following idea: Sakumo was vilified and slandered. no one just wanted to figure out if he was this guilty.

so the whole topic was not about to be responsible or not. it's about responsibility as a duty and as a choice. It's about responsibility to a metaphorical face of the country and responsibility to specific people of that country. it's about different approaches to understanding humanity, peace, sacrifice, honour, about rethinking the duty of shinobi and the so-called will of Fire. and, most importantly, Sakumo's story is about the dishonour and disgrace that can come when no one wants to figure out why you acted that way. and no one should have, it's just circumstances. when you mess up, all your comrades stop being your friends and take on the face of a single military structure that doesn't care whether you wanted it better or not. you messed up, you violated the rules, and so many people died because of you, scum.

Naruto Shippuden. Ending 33.

and with Sakumo's death, it all falls on his child. he's the son of a traitor. of course Kakashi's behavior afterward is a defense mechanism. (which I would like to talk about separately) if he was so afraid of responsibility, then why did he rush up the ranks? he would have sat as a genin and kept his head down. what kind of irresponsibility are we talking about?

Kakashi is not about irresponsibility and the consequences of it, after which he became responsible. he was already like that, in his own way, but it led to the disaster — again. that's the point. It's about fighting disgrace, and about trying to avoid unwanted consequences by one behavior, during which he got even worse.

so, I just seemed to justify Sakumo (can do vice versa) to show the background of Kakashi's behaviour and his attachment to rules. he doesn't just act out of spite and is not protected by the rules (to some extent, but not to the one mentioned at the beginning). he really concluded that in order to prevent civilian casualties, he would sometimes have to sacrifice his loved ones. and it's better not to have these loved ones at all. as events have shown, shinobi has no right to put his interests above, because his task is to protect others. it's selfish and disgraceful. he understood that shinobi is a tool. this is what Kakashi came to after Sakumo's death, because everything pointed to this: the fact that Sakumo was harassed by the same people he saved, and the fact that he was basically slandered by the whole village, and the fact that he himself eventually committed not a simple, not some kind of, but namely a ritual suicide with his own tanto.

so many people can't be wrong, can they? well... another rhetorical question.

[asknarashikari]

…Please write a full rant on why Racules and Minato’s redemptions work better than anything done in Geats

Wow, you're really asking me to go off huh. Putting this under a cut and turning off replies because I am not stupid enough to invite assholes into my askbox even if I turned off anon

For Minato, it was who was forgiving him that mattered to me. Houtaro forgiving Minato was in line with his established personality.

This was consistent with how he acted with Spanner, for example: despite Spanner treating him horribly for his views of the Chemmies- even to the point of even physically assaulting him- he never once acted like he hated Spanner, or treated him terribly in kind. He never even called him out on what he did. The most unkind thing he ever did was be irritated about him being a better alchemist despite his attitude and that didn't last long either.

Compare this with, say, how Geats has us believe that Ace- the same Ace who was so resentful of Neon after the Dezastar arc, the same Ace who called Keiwa out because his plan to save Sara during the Kick the Can round was selfish- was so benevolent as to forgive someone who knowingly colluded with the JGP, had a hand in Neon's trauma, and was complicit in a game sacrificing hundreds of civilians, Keiwa, and Ace himself for his wish.

For Racles, his story was simply more compelling, more convincing and more sympathetic. We saw how loving he was to Gira before he started his whole plot. And we see him actually accepting the consequences of his actions, as in the end he's serving out his sentence in Gokkan, seemingly content with only having Gira forgive him and accepting the other's indifference.

In Geats, pretty much anyone who did anything short of being directly involved in the DGP didn't get any sort of consequences befitting their actions, even when it was entirely feasible that they could've.

Neon's parents could've had a kid who resented them for their abuse, or at the very least wary of reconnecting with them, but what they actually got was Neon forgiving them after they told her they loved her after all, and she was back to regarding them as her parents as if nothing happened.

Daichi could've had to deal with those injuries Keiwa gave him in his well-deserved beatdown, but instead he's living his best life as the new Jyamato gardener.

And of course Buffabutt didn't have to live with the guilt of killing anyone despite what happened in the Heaven and Hell round, and the one person he did feel quilty about killing was revived.

[kiigan]

@guidemetothedark asked: If Itachi had the ability to revive anyone he wanted to, without any consequences would he?

Very good question!

And the answer is... I don't think he would. But let me tackle this from a few different angles.

ㅤOne, from a very young age, Itachi became familiar with the notion of death and of its inevitability. Humans are born, and then humans die eventually. What matters is what you do in between these two moments, the so-called meaning of life. It's a cycle and a balance that is needed. If somebody, somehow, could live forever, then what would be the point? Would they even value such an existence? Dying is generally perceived as an undesirable thing, of course, and losing a loved one to death is one of the most painful experiences in life - but it is also part of it. You can't just remove it without provoking a possibly catastrophic cascade of effects.

ㅤTwo, and speaking of which, Itachi personally doesn't believe in the "without consequences" argument. Not even in a suspicious manner, rather in knowing that every action has a reaction and every behavior has a consequence. If nothing else, if he was to revive somebody who died, there would be consequences for that person. They would have to adapt, they would have to adjust. And what right does he have to make the choice for them, to assume that they would have wanted to be brought back?

ㅤThree, this ties into something else that is - how could he bring himself to choose who to bring back, to start with? We can think of his parents, it would be an obvious and understandable choice, but then how would he justify bringing back Mikoto but not Fugaku, or vice-versa? Not to mention, despite the tragedy that it was, both of them died on their own terms. They accepted that their actions had brought them to that outcome, and they could even find solace in knowing that their son was also making his own choices and forging his own path, no matter how painful. To bring them back, therefore, would disrespect their choice of accepting responsibility for their actions.

ㅤShisui is another similar example - in a way, he did choose his ending. Yes, he was going to die from the venom anyway, but he chose to take that step first and to make it his own decision to gift Itachi with the power of mangekyou. And, if he was to be brought back, wouldn't it be cruel to make him live in a world where the clan was massacred and all his loved ones (other than Itachi and Sasuke) were gone? And the same reasoning applies even to Kisame. Which, in fact, is a topic very special to them given their chat during their first meeting. No matter who you are, you do not know what kind of human you are until the very end. Something that stuck with Kisame so much that it's what he returned to right before he offered himself to his sharks. Again, wouldn't bringing Kisame back disrespect the choice he made and belittle his growth and development?

ㅤFinally, this can apply also beyond having to choose only one loved one to bring back. Itachi would think, for example, what right does he have to bring a loved one back from the dead when nobody else can afford the same? When thinking of Naruto, what right would he have to choose to bring back, say, Mikoto or Fugaku, but not bring back Kushina or Minato? Even when thinking of a completely random stranger, what right would he have to bring back family or friends for himself but not for that stranger? Why should he be worth more/deserve more than anybody else? Itachi very much believes in a world of justice and equality/equity for all, therefore he would never place himself on a pedestal so to speak.

ㅤAnd... even if he was offered the chance to bring back everybody who once died, to make it fair, I don't think he would have accepted that, either. Because, again, that would have disrupted the natural order of existence and would have been no more than a seemingly perfect world built on a fallacy. In a way, it wouldn't have been much different than the Eye of the Moon plan. And Itachi very much also believes in a world of free will and personal agency, even with the suffering it inherently brings.

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Best of VIFF Round 2

The Teachers' Lounge: Directed by Ilker Catak

When one of her students is suspected of theft, teacher Carla Nowak decides to get to the bottom of the matter. Caught between her ideals and the school system, the consequences of her actions threaten to break her.

The most stressful film of the festival thus far easily goes to The Teachers' Lounge. Teaching for a long time has been romanticized as an inspiring, fulfilling job of mentoring the next generation. However, this is incredibly far from the truth. Teaching is an incredibly stressful job, and those stresses are portrayed masterfully in The Teachers' Lounge. From annoying and disruptive students, to the overbearing parents, and the failure of the school administration, this film does not hold back by showing the harsh realities of being a teacher. These harsh realities can't help but make you furious while watching this feature. It highlights the failure of the school system and how it currently is set to push teachers to their breaking point.

These themes do take precedence over the story. The story is relatively easy to follow, but there are some lose strings by its end. However, the biggest highlight of the film was Leonie Benesch performance. She perfectly illustrates the abuse the teachers face everyday. Whether its from her students, their parents, or her administration, she carries the weight of the world in her performance. Germany has picked an excellent feature to submit for their Oscar contention.

My Rating: A-

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Seven Veils: Directed by Atom Egoyan

Jeanine, an earnest theatre director, has ben given a task of remounting her former mentor's most famous work, the opera Salome. Haunted by dark and disturbing memories from her past, shall allows her represses trauma to shape this new iteration.

The Seven Veils is not your typical Opera big screen adaptation. I have no words to describe it other than it's an opera within a opera. For one I respect this different approach to adapting this opera to the big screen. It modernizes the story properly, while keep true to the original source material. The connection between Jeanine abuse and the tragedy of Salome works for the most part, though it is not the best of execution. There are some elements that don't align as well as it should. But still it has my respect. The opera scenes are spectacular to watch and feels like you are watching the opera live in the opera house. Amanda Seyfried is at the film center. Her performances is nothing really special, but works for this feature. Overall, I respect the ambition and vision of the Seven Veils, it is not the best at its execution.

My Rating: B

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Monster: Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that something is wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into school demanding to know what is going on. However, the truth of the matter is more than what they thought.

Nothing will quite prepare you for Hirokazu Kore-eda, Monster. For one, this film has some balls for exploring the sexual awakening in pre-pubescent kids. It handles this touchy subject with delicate care as it should. But infusing this theme with the consequences of lies and deceit is almost masterful. We witness these themes through a singular story, but told from three different point of views. Each of the stories complement one another by showing the complexities of this situation. However, not all of the stories align perfect as there are some lose ends by the films end.

The performances are outstanding, especially from the two young actors, Soya Kurokawa and Hinata Hiiragi. For both actors being incredibly young, they masterfully portray the internal conflicts that their characters are going through. Overall, a great feature that Japan might end up regretting not picking for their Oscar submission.

My Rating: B+

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Fallen Leaves: Directed by Aki Kaurismaki

Ansa, a supermarket shelf-stocker on a zero-hour contract, later a recyclable plastic sorter, and Holappa, a sand-blaster alcoholic, finds their paths accidentally crossed and soon find themselves slowly building a relationship.

To state it simply, I think Fallen Leaves is not meant for me. Something about the film just didn't click for me. I found many of the jokes to stick their landing, but something is missing. I am unsure if I didn't like the overall wooden direction of the film or that I didn't by the romance between the two leads. I am not sure. The story is a cute romance, but it lacked the substance to keep me engaged and to care. The jokes would only get me so far. I think this film just comes down to taste and for me, it just didn't click.

My Rating: C+

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Just the Two of Us: Directed by Valerie Donzelli

When Blanche meets Gregorie, she things she has found the one. However, during the passionate love affair, she finds herself caught in the grips of a deeply possessive and dangerous man.

Just the Two of Us, is an engaging of stereotypical drama dealing with domestic abuse. It follows all the tropes beat per beat with very little deviation. With the only deviation being it choosing to portray emotional and psychological abuse, rather than physical. This abuse is portrayed with horrifying accuracy that will send chills down your spine. However, the heart of this film are the performances from the two leads. Virginie Efira perfectly portrays the trauma and horrors of being a victim of domestic abuse. While Melvil Poupaud perfectly portrays a controlling psychopathic narcissist. Other than that its a standard domestic abuse drama. Remember, if you are a woman who is a victim of abuse, all you have to do it pick up the phone or talk to family, friend, or stranger and say you are being abused. You will get all the help you need. If you are a man, document everything and hope to god that they believe you.

My rating: B

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Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting S******l Person: Directed by Ariane Louis-Sieze

Sasha is a young vampire with a serious problem, she's too sentitive to kill. When her parents cut off her blood supply, her life is in jeporady. Soon she meets Paul, a lonely teenager with s******l tendencies who is willing to give his life to save hers.

Please pardon the censoring, I do not wish for this post to be demonetized. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting S******l Person is easily one of the best film titles I have heard in a long time. But more over it lives up to this title. For once we finally have a vampire dealing with the moral conundrum of killing a human in order to eat. This moral problem is handled perfectly with its own humorist twist. Furthermore, it handles the delicate subject of s*****e with incredible care. It knows when to be serious with this subject matter for which I respect it for. Nearly all of the jokes stick their landings as the film has it own twisted humor that everyone will enjoy. Furthermore, Sara Montpetiti steals the show as the vampire with a conscious. And her chemistry with Felix-Antone Bernard is comedic perfection. In general, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting S******l Person is a very fun horror comedy that everyone will enjoy.

My Rating: A-

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Deep Rising: Directed by Matthieu Rytz

The fate of the planet's last untouched wilderness, the deep ocean, is under threat a a secretive organization is about to allow massive extraction of seabed metals to address the worlds energy crisis.

Deep Rising is easily one of the most pretentious documentaries that I have watched in a very long time. It pretends to be intelligent by showing the "nuances" of seabed metal extraction, but it never puts in any effort of showing the complexity of this situation. It covers its topics at the most basic of level. It spends the entire time screaming that an alternative must be found because what we are currently doing is not sustainable and is destroying the planet, but never provides a viable solution. When they finally bring in the alternative, they cover it in less than 30 seconds, and spend the rest of the film complaining. If you are going to scream that something needs to change but you no not provide an alternative, you are not adding anything to the conversation. This also would have been a good time to educate the community of these alternatives, but nope it chose to complain even more. However, I do respect this documentary for calling out how much pollution green energies causes from its extensive mining. However, its criticism is geared only towards electric cars, not wind and solar energy who uses the exact same metals and minerals for their batteries and panels. If you are going to criticize mining for these materials, you can't focus it entirely on one group. Furthermore, the docs complete lack of mentioning nuclear energy as an alternative is insulting. Deep Rising could have been a very interesting documentary. However, its shallow and basic activism does nothing but hurt the conversation to achieving a society that is kinder to our planet.

My Rating: C-

[nohara-rin-dot-mp3]

highlights include:

four square in the top left with minato being the most nationalist ever and meaning it completely, kushina being on his level but meaning it just like. the sliiiightest bit less, danzo being less nationalist but meaning it just as much as minato and hiruzen being a fucking LOSER whose still like. disgustingly nationalist and meaning it.

tenten all alone in the upper right corner. no one comes close to her. no one even exists in her quadrant to my knowledge. this is because she is insane.

rin lives on the border between belief and non-belief because that's the only way to express the weird thing she's got going on where she hates konoha. but only because she is a hater. NO critical thought no examination of her biases she just loves fucking hating stuff. so she gets put in the middle for "thinking that her hatred of konoha is silly and made up" crimes

naruto fucking LOVES his village and is trying to change it sooooo desperately and it is. not working. sakura loves it a little less but is trying to change it just as hard and its also not working. sasuke doesn't really love it at all and trying to "change" it is mostly just blowing stuff up so its not working either. my cringe-fail babies!!!!

thought long and hard about neji's placement and although it would have been satisfying in the end he did not get corner placements. this is because he's like an imperfect person or smth who doesn't have like... an agenda or plan or anything just legitimate grievances. also i don't think he's fully internalized the consequences of war just yet

obito stuck on border also because he fucking hates konoha but for weird selfish reasons and if bad things hadn't happened to Him Personally he wouldn't have started hating it. also notably he still doesn't hate it for any of the crimes against others just crimes against its own. GO BACK TO SCHOOL LOVER BOY!!!!!

hinata taking baby steps towards critical thought but as we can see from the overwhelming masses in the top left quadrant. she's actually being pretty cool. good job hinata. let's try taking some action sometimes

tsuande's a tough one because on one hand she WAS ninja president for a while there but on the other hand. she does kind of hate everything about the village and is trying(failing) to enact policy to fix it. and that's of course heavily tempered by guilt (she doesn't think that she should hate konoha. but she does.) and the aspect of being a medic. which has Implications as discussed before on this blog. honestly she's really fascinating to me i really love her and all of her problems

lol. lmao, even.

[team7-headquarter]

The thing about Naruto being Hokage and why the execution of such concept is so tricky is that every other Hokage was practically a genius.

I'm not saying Naruto is not smart (he tricked a goddess with a sexy jutsu, after al), or that every other Hokage was better than him 'cause they were book smart or whatever. What I'm saying is that every other Hokage was more versed on stuff like politics and negotiations, were a bit more crude or realistic or at least had more experience.

Naruto is not fool. He's not a little kid too busy dreaming to do something about the world. I don't mean to undermine his capacity of learning, nor deny that he could become a great Hokage.

The thing is —he needs training.

And yeah he's the strongest shinobi in the world and there's no one more qualify to protect the village (he proved that several times). But we're talking about governing. Not only paperwork, but what's behind the paperwork. We're talking about decisions like sending some kids to possibly die in crazy missions. We're talking about malicious and dark stuff. Choosing a side in a conflict between allies. Dealing with greedy no-shinobi politicians. Interfering with clan politics. Making people mad. Dealing with bad consequences of good actions.

You could argue that all the leaders of the world became besties after the last war and I could say that's one of the most bullshit decisions of the manga. This is a shonen, I know. But if you meant to have a continuation of some sort, I think you'd have to acknowledge that peace can't last. You don't even need an entire family of gods to reach that conclusion. You don't even need to mess with space and time. All you need is to wait for the tiny conflicts to accumulate. Evil shinobis wanting to wreck havoc, some misunderstandings, even just climate catastrophes or the consequences of a past you can't erase.

In the end, you can't be loyal to the entire world. And while Naruto did fight in a war, the nature of it was not the same as the other wars. There was no big common bad back then, just flawed people being flawed people.

When I say every other Hokage was a genius on their own ways, I mean this:

Hashirama was a founder of the hidden villages, a political solution to protect the shinobis, balance the entire world and further the progress of society.

Tobirama did almost everything in Konoha's system, including the Academy, and he is arguably the best Hokage when it comes to modernization, politics, jutsu creation and being realistic.

Tsunade changed the entire landscape of how wars were fought by introducing the importance of having a medic nin in every team (or close to it).

Minato proved to be not only the strongest but the smartest shinobi in Konoha, without kekkei genkai or any clan; he was second to Tobirama (in my opinion) in terms of Hokage intelligence in politics and such.

Hiruzen was the student of both the first and the second Hokages, and even when he made a lot of bullshit decisions (LIKE A LOT), he had the experience of having lived through almost every war and kept Konoha running after Tobirama died.

Kakashi has been making war decisions since his childhood. Bloody, ugly, dark decisions. A prodigy who became an anbu at childhood, with a mind capable of adapting on the run, capable of quickly analyzing any situation. Again, more versed in politics and such.

Naruto needs training. He needs instruction, he needs to study. He needs to mature further still. But when I read about the blank period, all I read is about him falling in love with Hinata, teaching the kids on the Academy, etc.

I personally want Naruto to be the best leader he could be, 'cause I grew up supporting his dream of becoming Hokage. I want to see him succeed! What I don't want is the implication that someone else has to do the job for him. I want Naruto to be able to discuss shinobi politics with Shikamaru, not because Naruto is a genius, but because he loves his village and he's willing to work hard for it. I want a Naruto that has his own thoughts about shinobi children, about orphans and families and civilians and clans. I want a Naruto that learns all he could about the origin of Konohagakure and tries to reach other Uzumakis and give them a home. Stuff like that.

Every other Hokage was practically a genius but competing with geniuses never stopped Naruto. He's stubborn and he loves with his entire heart and he doesn't give up. He mastered the rasengan in a couple of days. He won his match against Neji in the Chunnin Exams, defeated Pain and Nagato. He is not stupid or incompetent, okay? And that's what I want to see when I'm presented with the future of him being Hokage.

[tentenpropaganda]

Naruto Dads Ranked on the Amount of Violence I Would Like to Inflict Upon Them

Hiashi. The fact that he canonically lives into Boruto era and faces no apparent consequences for any of his actions is actually one of the most infuriating aspects of this franchise, which is saying a fucking lot. I have vivid fantasies of Neji grabbing him by the nape of the neck and just fucking hurling him in front of the spikes during the War. At the very least, I want Neji and Hinata to beat him into a bloody pulp. Die.

Rasa. Another of the most infuriating aspects of this franchise is that they tried to give him some kind of goddamn touching reunion with Gaara when he got reanimated. Shut the fuck up Mr. “I sealed a demon into my son for the sake of the state and then made his life a living hell and tried to have him killed like a billion times”, I do not CARE if you were sad that your wife died. I hope he rots <3

Fugaku. That’s Sasuke’s dad, for those of you who don’t know. Anyway, as far as I know, we never see him doing anything particularly objectionable in canon, but the fact that he raised the most emotionally unstable child in this entire series (Itachi) is very sus. I just get shit dad vibes from him, okay. I would like to deck him on principle alone.

Minato. I’m a Minato apologist, but also at least half of his canon actions make me want to shake him like a can of reddi-whip. Sir, PTSD is not overcome by the infliction of further PTSD. Sir, damning your own child to a life of torment is not justifiable if it also makes him really badass.[smacks him with a rolled up newspaper several dozen times]

Sakura’s dad. Can’t remember his name. I think we met him once and he was fine or whatever, but he also raised Sakura and I am therefore holding him at least partially accountable for her being Like That. Didn’t he also canonically tell her not to associate with Naruto? I will flick his ear sharply.

Inoichi. He is the first one whom I have absolutely no ill will against. Good job, my dude. But like, if I saw someone else about to hit him, it’s not like I would intervene, lol

Shibi. If someone else tried to hit him, I absolutely would intervene. Which is not to say that he (or Inoichi, for that matter) would need my help. But I absolutely love Bug Dad and I don’t want to risk any of his lil friends getting squished, so I will let my own face get squished instead.

Shikaku/Choza. Faves! I will let NOTHING bad happen to them! I love them so much! Kings of letting their children play with Naruto, kings of raising actually fairly well-adjusted kids (as shinobi go), kings of being Cool Old Men instead of just Old Men.

Kushina. I know this list was supposed to be about dads, not moms, but anyway Ms. Uzumaki ma’am please make out with me

[anbu-legacy]

In canon Kakashi is too unstable and morally sound for anbu. He cannot live with what is being asked of him in anbu even though he completes his missions with extreme diligence. When he is kicked out it is for his own good. legacy Kakashi has absolutely 0 problems killing even innocent civilian children and babies. I can think of few things worse than that and yet he does it almost blithely and sleeps like a rock after. I'm curious to know if you went with this diverging take as a logical consequence of the things Kakashi would be okay doing had he been doing them for Minato and not hiruzen? Or was it something else which made you deviate from his canon characterisation in this regard? (Hope i'm not overstepping by asking I'm really fascinated with the legacy universe and love the world you've built so I'm curious about the process of it all)

The simplest answer to this is that the section of canon you're talking about came out after Fallen Leaves and ANBU Legacy began.

The less simple answer is... oi, canon.

So, in canon, Kakashi's journey is thus:

Rin is kidnapped by Kirigakure at the end of the Third War, who implants the Three-Tails into her (how??) as part of a Cunning Plan to have it unleashed on Konoha when she inevitably loses control. Kakashi 'rescues' her. Rin begs Kakashi to kill her, because that is clearly the only solution to this issue, it's not like there are MULTIPLE SEAL-MASTERS at home who could unimplant the Three Tails, death is the only option. Kakashi refuses. Convenient Kiri-nin attack. Rin commits suicide-via-Raikiri by jumping in front of Kakashi. Kakashi gains the Mangekyo and we fridge yet another female character, hooray.

Kakashi becomes depressed. (In the anime, people start calling him Friend-Killer Kakashi. Wow, Konoha.)

Minato decides the fix for this is to toss Kakashi into ANBU. Because what 14-year-old wouldn't be cured of survivor's guilt by committing more murder? It's the perfect plan!

The plan does not work. Kakashi does splendidly in ANBU, becoming a captain and taking command of Team Ro, but -- and I'm quoting from Naruto wiki here -- 'his successes were owed to his cold behavior and his ruthlessness in combat, signs that he was still upset by Rin's death'.

(A little aside here: Kakashi is effectively becoming god's perfect killing machine, the blade of Konoha, the tiny angel of death; everything you want in, you know, your elite special forces, and I'm still trying to figure out what Minato's actual goal was here. Did he tell Kakashi that the point of ANBU was to make Kakashi get over Obito and Rin, or did he just say something like 'Konoha needs your services', and has been moving the secret goal posts ever since? Because it's very hard for someone to participate in their active recovery if they don't actually know they're in therapy.)

Anyway. ANBU isn't working to make Kakashi get over his death wish, so Minato decides, hey, why don't you look after my pregnant wife instead? Except that he assigns it as a mission, so Kakashi treats it like a mission, which means he stalks Kushina from the shadows like a feral cat for several months.

Which brings us to the Nine-Tails. So, Minato dies. Kushina dies (failed your mission AGAIN, Kakashi!). The Third apparently imprisons most of Kakashi's generation in a bubble of protection to stop them from helping, for which there isn't enough "what???" in the world, so we're gonna skip right on past that.

Next is a whole series of events where Danzou tries to corrupt Kakashi, Tenzou is introduced, we find out about Root, Orochimaru does his various war crime experiments and escapes, Root is destroyed (or is it??), Tenzou joins ANBU, we meet Itachi, Itachi massacres the Uchiha, and so on. This all takes place over several years. After the Uchiha massacre, the Third feels like "individuals with kind hearts" don't belong in ANBU, so he pulls Kakashi out, and instead charges him with teaching teenagers how to commit murder.

And that's canon.

So, Legacy. Here are the key differences:

Rin doesn't die

Minato doesn't die

Kakashi's mother doesn't die

The Third does die

Kakashi doesn't join ANBU until he's eighteen

The Uchiha massacre hasn't occurred

Instead of getting knocked from pillar to post and punted into ANBU, Kakashi spends the ages of 14 - 18 on (mostly solo) Jounin missions, building up his skillset. He has support from Minato and Rin, an entirely new, anchoring, and happy relationship with Naruto, and more time to grow into himself. His ties to Konoha are much, much stronger. In Legacy, Danzou would have no chance of tempting Kakashi (and knows it).

When Kakashi joins ANBU, it's a choice. He goes into it knowing exactly what's going to be asked of him, and if he wasn't sure before, Minato removes all doubt:

“The Special Assassination and Tactical Squad is neither Konoha’s oldest division nor its noblest,” Minato said, with a conversational air, and Kakashi realized this wasn’t a prepared speech. This was just Minato laying out the facts like he always did, grounding the extraordinary in regular context. “Even inside the village, ANBU are feared more than they’re respected. Citizens of our own village still call them baby-killers. Some ANBU have earned that title, under my command. You may.” He paused. “I have given those orders personally. Every order the ANBU receive comes through me. Sometimes the command is to protect the village, or to conduct a high-risk mission into enemy territory, or to assassinate an exceptionally strong ninja. Sometimes it’s to sustain the village’s lifeblood—to accept a mission so foul I can’t offer it to the regular forces, to work for a client whose motives and methods are reprehensible but whose coin will feed and protect our children. You’ve accepted that first kind of mission, and excelled. Can you accept the second?”

“Yes,” said Kakashi, without hesitation.

(From Take the Mask)

The oath Kakashi swore was this:

I am Hatake Kakashi, ANBU. I have no face but this face.

I have no heart, but the heart of Konohagakure.

I have no will, but the will of my Hokage.

Which is a little worryingly vague, when you think about it.

Kakashi knows he will be asked to kill. He knows he may be asked to commit much worse actions for Konoha. As much as he can, he's made his peace with that. There are orders he would struggle with, but ultimately his moral compass points to home.

He's a shinobi first. Personhood comes second.

-- DK

[emptysurface]

Chapters: 125/? Fandom: Naruto Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Characters: Original Female Character(s), Namikaze Minato, Jiraiya (Naruto), Original Male Character(s), Kisaki, Shiranui Genma Additional Tags: Self-Insert, Canon-Typical Violence, Pre-Canon, life is confusing and then it gets worse, stubborn attempts at survival, Ninja life, Disaster Trashfire Uchihas, good parenting, Angst, Fluff, Hurt and comfort, where actions have real consequences, Realism, I'm trying okay, ANBU - Freeform, There are so many OCs and I love them all, Second Shinobi War, AU, There is much war and killing and death, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Team as Family, chosen family, PTSD, Poison is a nice hobby and family activity, Kisaki is Best Dog, Murder Muffins and Cupcakes, more tags added later, Slice of Life, Slow Build, I've just thrown in a little bit of everything, Sneaky Ninja Shrinks, Attempted Rape, Discussions of Sexual Assault, Attempted Sexual Assault, Puberty, Implied/Referenced Underage Sex, seduction is far more complicated than most people give it credit for, Women Being Badass, aro character, Underage Drinking Series: Part 1 of Without A Sound Summary:

"When did you start to remember?" He asked next, relaxing further in his seat, which Kyo found calming.

Kyo had woken up in a strange place, not sure what year it was or what was going on or if anything she remembered was actually reliable. So she just did what she'd always done; lived her life. It soon enough became more about survival than anything else.

In which another lease on life was a bit more complicated than Kyo had at first anticipated.

[semi-imaginary-place]

rewatching decadence part 2 because part 1 got too long

ep7: Getting to see the game Deca-Dence as a new player would with the opening cutscene, skipping the TOS, character creation and all was a good touch. Also the fact that Kaburagi could look like anything, but he wants to look like mid 40′s dad both times. I wonder who it was that decided Minato should vape. The conversation on the top of Deca-Dence is real interesting because its like only 20% of the actual conversation is spoken out loud and the other 80% left unsaid, so we have to guess what was left unsaid. Minato tells Kaburagi to not make things worse for himself, condoning his actions, but also vows to himself to help Kabu even though it is very dangerous for him. Kaburagi leaves after regretfully saying he doesn’t want to cause Minato more trouble, and yet his current and future actions are and will be doing just that. The obscuring fog in this scene adds to the sense of distance or disconnect between these two. Somewhere over the past 7 years they have fallen off the same page.

This episode again highlights how while for the Tankers this is life and death situation, for the cyborgs Deca-Dence is a game. We get a shot of some Gears lightheartedly discussing how fun the latest game event was, followed right after with what that event meant for the Tankers as we see a makeshift medbay in the streets filled with the dead and dying to really drive home the gap of compassion between the two groups. Minato is one of the few cyborgs we really see besides Kaburagi and the show uses him to show how cyborgs don’t think of humans as people. Humans to the cyborgs are just npcs in a game. Now anime and manga about videogames have been around a long time and were especially popular in the mid 2000s (mmorpgs especially) after which the genre dropped the “in a game” part but kept everything else which were today know as the isekai genre. Hot takes like “the videogame characters are actually people all along” aren’t new either, but Deca-Dence is one of the most successful in generating sympathy and compassion for the Other by flipping the script. Most of those series come from the perspective of the player and show the player coming to care about the npcs. This often isn’t done very well or comes off as patronizing, like the other characters act in service of making the mc look like a good guy instead of actually acting like fully realized people in their own right. (*cough* sao *cough*). In contrast to this, Deca-Dence initially starts from the perspective of Natsume who is human just like us the audience, and thus predisposing us to feeling with and feeling for her. So later when its revealed the humans of this world aren’t seen as people by the cyborgs or the the corporation that rules all their lives, it is granted greater weight in the context of all of us who have played videogames before and met npcs and maybe not cared all that much about them. Decadence places the viewer in the position of the npc, the Other.

Episode 7 is also the beginning of several letters exchanged between Kaburagi and Natsume. Its a presence that lingers long after the person has left and also acts as a contrast to the call/social networking apps of the cyborgs. In episode 5 we saw Kaburagi choose Natsume over following the orders of Solid Quake, but through to episode 7 he still believed in its system. Look even at episode 6 where he still believed that if he worked hard and played by the rules, the system would reward him and everything would be ok and compare that calm assurance in episode 6 to his mountain frustration in episode 7. He’s starting to see how thing are run in Deca-Dence makes life really hard and kind of terrible for the Tankers. This frustration at the system culminates at the end of the episode when he realizes the real human cost of perpetuating this system of oppression in how it hurts Natsume. I mean “Late stage capitalism made my adopted daughter Natsume cry, so I'm going to dismantle it.“ is a joke and pretty funny, but like, that’s what actually what happens. Both Kaburagi and Natsume further the theme of pushing the limits. Kaburagi realizes the limits of his society and why its time to break them down, while of Natsume’s side we see her struggle in the face of things much larger than her. Much like how the cyborgs are stuck in their lifestyles of working for Solid Quake, earning oxyone, and playing Deca-Dence, the Tankers are stuck in their role in society to leave their fates to the Gears and Deca-Dence. So Natsume asking everyone to take charge of their own lives and close that the hole is them stepping out of the comfort of what they’ve always done, which is leave it to someone else (deca-dence administration, gears, etc.). Natsume asks the Tankers to push their limits, the step outside of what they’ve always done and to believe in things they thought were impossible to do. We see Fei representing the belief a lot of Tankers that nothing needs to change, thus nothing should change and they will not act to bring change to their own lives. The Tankers live lives that are decided for them. The Deca-Dence administration controls their population, and the system eliminates any who would disrupt it. They don’t have a lot of control and are resigned to live like that, until Natsume comes along. This episode we see her do what she does the entire series, inspire people to be more. Natsume’s doing alright, she might not be where she wants to be but she’s taken steps in that direction. Where Nstsume is psychologically contrast Kaburagi who’s a bit of a mess realizing he can no longer live under the thumb of Solid Quake’s Deca-Dence system and is kind of floundering about. When kaburagi meets Natsume again... he is so awkward, I’m getting second hand embarressmen. and again the assault jokes have got to stop. The shot of the empty chair calls back to the first episode and another talk between Natsume and Kaburagi. I always love it when an anime plays the credits early.

ep8: again the importance of the individual over the group with kaburagi’s lines at the beginning on why he’s taking down the gadoll factory. I’m just thinking about how kaburagi is certain minato kept his avatar. and everyone just agreeing that minato has that vibe. I really love the avatar retrieval part of the first episode. Its a heist sequence. I love heists!. They also did a good job with pacing and tension in that part. Still can’t believe the creators put a sex toy in this show but at least this joke is actually funny. Oh Minato pulled strings to get Kaburagi out of the poor jail. I missed that part. but now the two of them are not only on different pages, but on different books. Minato doesn’t see the tankers as people and follows the Deca-Dence system on what is good and what is bad, so he can’t comprehend why Kaburagi is throwing away everything the Deca-Dence system values for something the system has deems less than worthless. While Kaburagi has formed a moral compass independent of this system, he sucks at communication and doesn’t explain anything to Minato. Interesting how Minato views bugs as bad but has made an exception for kaburagi and probably did some mental gymnastics to do so. It reminds of those homophobic family members that make an exception for their gay family member. Minato never wanted anything but to be by Kaburagi’s side so he prioritizes Kaburagi above pretty much everything else which is why while he defends the establishment, he also breaks rules for Kaburagi. Their little convo continues the same dialectic, Kaburagi’s been inspired by Natsume to push the limits of himself and society, to choose how he lives instead of letting the Deca-Dence system tell him. Kaburagi underwent character development when Minato wasn’t looking and he can’t recognize him anymore but desperately wants to. Kaburagi moving forwards without him and him realizing that he was never as much a priority to Kaburagi as Kaburagi was to him, means that Minato’s really hurting by the end of the scene, and he doesn’t take it out on Kaburagi, he just leaves. ...if it isn’t obvious by now, minato is my favorite character. gotta love the gay robot having a mid life crisis. (i mean his feeling aren;t necessarily romantic, but you know the joke I’m referencing). Turkey just wakes up and chooses evil every day huh. I predict someone on tumblr with a history of unhealthy relationships is horny for turkey.

ep9: why does the reactor look like a cyborg core? Again. WHYYY does Donatello have a gun??? idiots let him keep a working gun. I love the contrast of the actual pretty gritty situation of the prison riot being represented with super cartoony slapstick animations. This probably saves on frames as well as keep the series from getting too dark, because if you think about it the labor camp conditions are pretty horrifying but its disguised with cartoony designs and wacky characters. Kaburagi and Natsume are doing very important plot things, but the core of episode 9 are Sark and Turkey. Through them we see the same conversation that has been repeated through out the series of conforming to society and staying in line, that things won’t ever change so you should just duck your head and follow order, or the “I’m comfortable how things are” versus you should make your own choices with live life how to want to, to push your limits. Turkey sees the Deca-Dence system as absolute and eternal and thus tries to play by the system and help it continue by selling out everyone else. Sark is passive and doesn't really have an opinion of his own, just following whatever the others are doing whether its Kaburagi stealing his avatar or Turkey in betraying everyone. Sark unlike Turkey isn’t malicious, he wants the best for everyone but also isn’t quite willing to put himself at risk for others. After seeing everyone be destroyed as a consequence of following Turkey however, his new resolve and subsequent suicide bombing is the only reason the plan ends up succeeding. For total destruction of the gadoll factory two things were needed: flipping the kill switch on all the gadoll in the dome, and destroying the reactor powering the factory. We aren’t told how Jill and Kaburagi originally planned to destroy the reactor (like was he just suppose to wander around until they bumped into it?), but Sark’s explosion is what allowed Kaburagi and Natsume to get away from Hugin. Without Sark, Hugin would have totally caught them. So it was Sark taking charge of his own life and pushing his limits that saved them all. That said, if the explosion was powerful enough to reach all the way up the giant tube and destroy the reactor, why didn’t it break the tube and why didn’t it destroy everyone left in the prison? ah well it makes thematic sense so I’ll let this pass.

So I’ve talked before about how Deca-Dence’s ending could be improved to build on some of the themes established in the first couple episodes. The problem is that this show isn’t pushing a narrative of collaboration and the power of collective bargaining, its pushing an individualist narrative about how each and every person can reach out and better themself. Now I don’t think these two themes are mutually exclusive, but it would take a very delicate touch as well as an attentive and thoughtful audience to successfully weave these two theme together into a nuanced whole. And if a rewrite were to happen with the minimal amount of changes, I think ep 10 is a good divergence point. The final little arc is about the rogue gadoll outside of the Deca-Dence system and the threat of total annihilation by solid quake, and while big kaiju fights look cool, they don’t quite deal with dismantling systems of oppression at the hands of your corporate overlords. So, I would have preferred something like the cyborgs and Tankers coming together to seize the means of production, destroy Solid Quake, and take its assets for themselves. The ideal rewrite situation though would for this all to be 24 episodes and the big gadoll to be the episode 12 climax while taking down Solid Quake happen in ep 23-24. And since we’re doing a rewrite, Natsume kinda drops off as the main character after episode 5 and I’d like to see her back at the forefront of the show.

ep10: If this show had leaned more into the futility of Natsume seeking to improve herself within a system that rendered it meaningless, it would have ended up much darker, but I also think it would have been richer. Ah poor Natsume, she’s at a low point since the context of what she has been doing has wildly changed, afterall, what’s the point of improving yourself if nothing else ever changes and what you do doesn’t matter. The letter writing continues and it is good. So I’m not going to question how the exit tunnel is still intact, but watching into robot kaburagi angrily drive a car and swear is really funny. I’ve been wondering for a while, the humans literally live in a fuel tank, how is there enough light to grow plants in there? Like as part of the post-apocalyptic aesthetic, a lot of Tankers have little house plants which in addition to being inside the fuel tank, are also inside their houses. oh yeah for any who didn’t get it. The reason as a child Natsume went into cardiac arrest and her chip was read as dead wasn’t because of the severity of her injuries, Deca-Dence’s system had deemed her too dangerous to live and flipped her kill switch.

ep11: on a thematic level I might be meh, but the writing and execution are what really pull the ending through. Everything is nicely set up from the mutated gadoll the victim of animal abuse several episodes earlier to fighting hugin in the factory being how hugin finds out about natsume. I think about Jill’s lines here, that no matter how hard you try to keep things from changing, you’re just fighting the inevitable. Also Natsume took Kaburagi’s switching bodies really well like seeing someone you care about die in front of you but then surprise they just got another body would give most people such whiplash. “our bodies are under the system’s control, but our core’s are independent of it” I’m still thinking about this. It makes sense given how the first generation of cyborgs where humans with mechanical implants, but cyborg’s cores are still such a mystery. The things you can’t control are a part of life too. In Deca-Dence bugs are uncertainties that the master control system doesn’t know what to do with. More than just individualism good, here we get a little more nuance to Deca-Dence (the show)’s theme. Jill was one of the creators of the Deca-Dence game (giant mech, control system, and all), and they tried to create perfect system where everything was under its control and order could be maintained forever, and this inevitably failed (the show tells us). Trying to perfectly order everything is to attempt the impossible, disorder will always creep in and those little individual differences should be celebrated. and is to the backdrop of an old Deca-Denca(robot) part that is rusting away, plants and animals overtaking it much like how the Deca-Dence’s currently enforced status quo of the game will fall away in the face of those it deems bugs. wait did we ever figure out what the bug was that jill left in deca-dence? mmmm I’m still thinking about Minato logging out because the system told him to but unwilling to let things end this way so physically going back down to earth in his real body. Facing the possibility of truly losing Kaburagi forever is what pushes Minato to question following the Deca-Dence master control system. He totally became a bug for Kaburagi. I doubt Kaburagi had any idea how much Minato wanted to hear the words “let’s fight together to the end”, but offered the thing he truly desires, Minato probably would have done anything. mmm he’s got it bad. there’s also that linking Kaburagi and Deca-Dence’s core takes two people and yet, Kaburagi didn’t bring anyone with him. Which is terrible planning, but allowed for this really great scene. that he knew Minato would come after him. And then the last thing me sees in Minato. Minato truly is ride or die. literally. He could have gone back to the spaceship so that he’d survive no matter what, but he choose to stay. If the plan succeeds then he will see it through with/right beside/literally inside of Kaburagi, and if it fails and Kaburagi is annihilated when Solid Quake wipes the dome, Minato will also be annihilated along side Kaburagi.

ep12: so kaburagi just straight up demands admin privileges and the governing sys is like “sure”. Yeah pretty sure the governing system convo was a season 2 hook to show the big wigs. The independent all governing system tells Kaburagi that all this, him and bugs are a part of the system’s learning process, to which Kaburagi responds that all that doesn’t matter since he’s going to do what he wants independent/regardless of the governing system. the context in which you do things doesn’t matter. Also I never pointed it out since its like the 4th wall of scifi, everyone is just trained to suspend their disbelief, but oxyone is total bullshit. A non toxic liquid energy dense fuel that can be concentrated into orbit range lasers. The tankers all helping Natsume push the spare part is a feel good moment seeing everyone working together. Its an unnecessarily scene for the purpose of including the tankers in the action, since the part wasn’t ever really needed and the writers didn’t have to have it severed by the laser to begin with. the Natsume montage overlayed with the music is very good. wait. i just realized, limiter release can be reversed. Afterall, Kaburagi released his limiters with his first avatar, and if he had still been fully connected to it when hugin killed that avatar, cyborg Kaburagi should have died too but he didn’t and just immediately logged in on a different account. Kabu-Dence releasing his limits here and literally giving all of himself to destroy omega is fulfilling both for his character arc and on an emotional level. This entire show has been about pushing one’s limits and making your own choices, and it culminates here’s in Kaburagi literally releasing his limiter, thus putting him in mortal danger, and then giving every last ounce of himself to the path he has decided. The destruction of the mech fortress Deca-Dence is also symbolic of the end of the game of the Deca-Dence mmorpg as we know it. wait wait did Kaburagi hold on just long enough to hear Natsume thank him. aaaaahhh and then the ed song plays!! and then the play the new mmo intro scene. Still real weird that they’re using a cyborg brain as a ball.

[dxfiedfxte]

✦✦✦- Fuuka

From that day on, Fuuka came back every single day, right after school. She held his hand every single day, clinging onto any and all hope she had left. Though, the thought of him dying, again, was something she couldn’t get pass. If he died again, would she even want to continue living? Every day, she made sure to tell Minato about how school went, no matter if he heard her. However, on day 30, Fuuka felt herself become more exhausted from the constant train fare to see him. She might be eating less, wanting to save money for the fare, but knew that if she ate, she would possibly miss seeing him awake. She couldn’t afford that.

But, Fuuka was only resting her eyes for a minute. ...which turned into an hour. Her fingers clung softly around Minato’s warm, resting hand. Fuuka didn’t sense Minato awakening for the first time in months. It was possibly the first time in months that Fuuka was able to fall asleep WITHOUT medicine in her system. Of course, when she felt Minato shaking her, Fuuka mumbled weakly. “...let me rest...please...”

It took Fuuka a moment to realize that someone was calling out to her, and then she shot her head up quickly, her eyes darting around the room. Until she laid her eyes onto Minato’s gentle eyes. A light gasp escaped her lips, her bottom lip trembling. Fuuka opened her mouth, unable to form words, unable to speak, as she had to guide through the sorrow she felt for months. She closed her eyes tightly, the tears cascading off of her cheeks and onto the bed below.

“Minato!” She sobbed loudly, covering her face, trying to hide how ugly she was crying, right in front of her lover. Fuuka felt her hands getting covered in gross snot and tears that wouldn’t stop flowing. Fuuka thought the god above was torturing her. That this was just a dream, that you only get maybe one day with him--and yet, she was turning a blind eye to all of this. For now, she tried her hardest to choke back the sobs and tried her best to stop crying.

Now that he was awake again, it was time to try and see just how long he was in a coma, at this moment, he was very lost in time. Minato had many questions that needed answers, but that would have to wait for now as Minato saw his loving girlfriend in tears, based on how much she was crying, it was safe to assume that he had probably been out of commission for quite some time.

Looking down at her hand over his, explained the warmth he felt in his hand, even while he was still in the abyss of darkness that was previously his fated end, and now, a brand new beginning, a brand new day. He wasn't sure exactly how long he'd been here, but one thing was certain, Minato was fully prepared to finally enjoy his life, at last, he was free from the heavy chains of fate that nearly kept him in eternal darkness. Sure, he saved the world from an end, though the consequences of his actions, being stuck in shadows forever -- just weren't worth it. How could anyone live, watching their friends grow up in the hereafter? It was much too painful to bear.

Now that he was completely awake, he said nothing, Minato just remained silent, and instead just put his arms around Fuuka, pulling her close into a warm and very long overdue embrace, not letting go of her for even a second, he refused to let go of her. The first time they had hugged each other in a while.

The warmth of her small frame against him, the tight deathlock of a grip she had as she clung to him wasn't just a very special moment, it was also the final confirmation that he was here again, feeling her gentle touch --- an important reminder, that he was truly alive. Somehow, he managed to do the impossible, Minato had escaped the fate that had been handed to him, something that no other guest in the Velvet Room had probably ever done.

Fuuka was one of the main reasons he had fought so hard to come back, he had even hoped to spend the rest of his life with her someday. For now, he was going to enjoy this moment and relish it, this lovely feeling of having the one person that meant the whole world to him, hugging him tightly, holding him close to her again, showing just how much she loved him, just like he loved her. Within this heartwarming reunion, Minato leaned in to gently whisper in her ear, still keeping the tealnette firmly in his arms while being sure not to hurt her in the process.

[{ 🦋 }] - "...There's no way I was going to let the reaper keep us apart. There's no happily ever after without you Fuuka, you're my everything.."

It didn't matter if he lost the ability to harbor a new Persona if it meant he could be here back in her arms again, Minato would do it a million times over again just to be with her, he meant every word he said, happily ever after was impossible without her being right by his side. Life would never be as bright without Fuuka Yamagishi.

Whenever she was next to him, he felt like he could take on the world. He was counting his lucky stars to have been given this once-in-a-lifetime chance to rewrite his own fate. In the long run, being stuck with six Persona was a very small price to pay if it meant he got another chance to live. Several moments later, after everything was all said and done, he'd finally lean back a bit, still keeping his arms on her shoulders though, having his arms on her like this again almost felt unreal, though he was sure Fuuka wouldn't mind, besides, he wasn't going to just let her go completely, at least not in this tender moment.

[{ 🦋 }] - "...How long was I out?"

[pulaasul]

The Reaper and The Master of Death

Harry Potter and Death watch some events unfold, starting with Tobirama Senju's creation of the Reanimation Jutsu.

[FFN] [Ao3]

--------

Harry looked amused as the personification of death sighed beside him as he and the personification watched a certain white-haired, blue-armored man successfully create a spell, jutsu as they were called in this world, that resurrected the dead, technically speaking.

The shinobi, as Harry learned they were called, slammed his hands on the ground and the three persons that were bound before him had dust, ash and dirt sticking to their bodies up until three unfamiliar figures replaced the prisoners.

"Reminds me of the inferi actually." Harry thought out loud.

"The inferi are called zombies in other worlds," Death huffed. "This one actually grabs the souls of the dead and forcibly puts them in another, after ejecting the soul of the host body," They continued. "It's rather accurate to compare them to the Black Lantern Corps minus the use of host bodies to call forth the souls of the dead."

"So how this works is that a DNA specific to that body is what's triggering an effect akin to the Resurrection Stone through their Chakra and puts the summoned souls into a living body, essentially creating a zombie that retains all their personality and knowledge that uses a living host to exist."

"In a sense." Death nodded.

"At the very least, he seemed not too keen on playing god as the thought of resurrecting the loved ones he lost in the clan wars hasn't crossed his mind." Harry offered. "I'm pretty sure he's just using the emotions and skills tied to the dead to his advantage."

Indeed, none of the unfamiliar figures resembled the white-haired man at all.

"Working with Weasley has strengthened your strategies, I see." Death commented. "You are right, even your very own Albus Dumbledore succumbed to the temptations of the Resurrection Stone and tried to call for the actual resurrection of his sister and parents."

"I'm pretty sure this type of strategy wouldn't cross Ron's mind," Harry offered. "The guy has a pretty good sense of morals despite what we experienced."

"My point still stands," Death shrugged. "He was a strategic genius even when you both were still eleven."

"Still can't believe there are versions of Professor Dumbledore that wanted to control everyone, who'd gaslight everyone around him just to keep everything in his control."

"You've seen for yourself how those Dumbledores are," Death offered. "I mean there are versions of you who sided with Riddle."

"I know," Harry sighed. "Still uncomfortable with those realities." He shook his head. "In any case, back to the man, Tobirama was it?"

"That's his name." Death nodded.

"I don't think we should worry about this spell or jutsu of his to be used to resurrect entire armies, as Voldemort did with his inferi, the jutsu is still limited to the caster's chakra."

--------

"Okay this, this I did not expect." Harry admitted.

A hooded, pale as white man had a lot of prisoners bound up before him as he slammed his hand to the ground, making the earth and dust gather around his captives and took the form of another person.

"I did not think possible that using the chakra around them can be used to fuel the jutsu." Death nodded. "This makes for good entertainment I suppose."

"Even that Orochimaru person wasn't playing god as soon as soon as he understood the jutsu," Harry pointed out. "Even though he has a lot of similarities to Voldemort regarding his animal of choice and his quest for immortality."

"I agree, and he had his hands sealed inside my stomach for some time alongside the souls of the Hashirama, Hiruzen, Minato and the creator of the jutsu, Tobirama."

"I've got to say, it was pretty ironic that the jutsu's creator was summoned by the very jutsu he created." Harry commented. "I still have a lot of questions regarding you eating their souls tho, I still remember being human and that looked like cannibalism to me."

"It's a visual metaphor." Death shrugged. "How I seal the souls is dependent on the cognition of the jutsu's creator, had the jutsu's creator created the jutsu with a gourd as a container in her mind, I would have appeared with a gourd in hand."

"So where are they, if not inside your stomach?"

"Limbo." Death answered. "Until anyone finds a way to free them from limbo, which in this world's case my stomach, they're staying there for good."

--------

"I feel sorry for the Uchihas." Harry offered as he observed the shinobi alliance fight against the hordes of dead shinobi. "They were wiped out, barring a few survivors, and they don't get to join this war."

"Well fate works in mysterious ways," Death shrugged. "It turns out there actually was a consequence to creating this jutsu."

"Don't tell me, the early demise of Tsunade Senju's fiancé and younger brother." Harry raised an eyebrow.

"That and a few others."

"No way! The Uchihas were collateral damage too?"

"Remember one of Tobirama's students?" Death asked. "The one that had bandages all over his body?"

"Danzo? What about him?"

"Well Danzo took Tobirama's paranoia and suspicions on the Uchihas to the very extreme that lead to the massacre of the clan, which tied everything in a neat ribbon."

"But what about Naruto, he's been wearing the cursed necklace since he won that bet against Tsunade."

"What do you think? You're a child of prophecy, the same as him."

"Huh, never thought of that." Harry hummed.

--------

"What great irony." Death commented.

Kabuto has just finished the hand seals necessary to dispel the reanimation jutsu.

"The Uchiha, the collateral for the creation of such jutsu was the one to stop it from running and return the souls of the dead, where they belong." Harry grinned. "It's the man who was forced to kill his entire clan too."

"I want you to meet him and give him a reward for such display." Death urged.

"Any reward?"

"Yes, but if he does go for an actual resurrection, limit it only to one or two." Death nodded.

---------

"Hello Itachi Uchiha." Harry greeted the confused Uchiha.

"W-who are you?" Itachi's eyes narrowed. "The Reanimation jutsu should've been undone."

"It was." Harry nodded. "Take a look around you, where do you think we are?"

"The Uchiha compound?" Itachi looked around. "Only silent and cleaner."

"The Uchiha compound you say?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "Regardless, your effort to bring the souls back to where they belong was rather brilliant." He praised.

"It was in an effort to save the Hidden Leaf…" Itachi trailed off.

"Call me Harry."

"It was to save the Hidden Leaf Harry." Itachi continued.

"An altruistic reason." Harry nodded. "In any case, fancy playing a prank on everyone alive? Especially Madara?"

"Prank?"

"Don't you think it's rather curious that no Uchiha, apart from you, was summoned from the dead?"

"I didn't question the absence of the Uchiha in the front lines. "Had the Uchihas were present the Shinobi alliance would have been wiped out almost immediately or at the very least would prove difficult to be fought against."

"Are you so sure about that Itachi-kun?" Harry questioned. "I was under the impression that only a few of you were able to awaken the Mangekyou and train it's exclusive powers."

"No, I am aware that only a few of us have unlocked the Mangekyou and even fewer to fully harness its powers." Itachi shook his head. "Had Shisui been present in the battle, he'd have killed a battalion in one strike."

"Shisui of the Body Flicker." Harry nodded.

"With the benefits gotten as a summon of the Reanimation, he'd be unstoppable, he's fast enough that no one would be able to seal him, even moreso if Kabuto had sealed his personality and made use of his abilities."

"Shisui's presence would've put more casualties than they already are." Harry nodded. "In any case, back to my idea."

"What does pranking everyone mean for the people battling now would entail?"

"Apart from a short reprieve from all the battles, especially for the living? Imagine the look on everyone's face as soon as some of the Uchihas started showing up."

---------

Everyone has just lost the alliance's intelligence headquarters through the ten tail's attack.

Without a moment of reprieve Madara and Obito, by controlling the ten tails, resumed their assault on the shinobi alliance and bombarded with attacks with its appendages: tails, feet and hands.

It culminated with another tailed beast bomb that directly targeted the entire shinobi alliance, if not for the timely intervention of the reanimated fourth Hokage: Minato Namikaze.

As the previous Hokages arrived, they immobilized the ten tails which gave the shinobi alliance a turn to attack the huge beast.

The unprecedented happened however, the ten tailed beast created 'clones', for lack of better term, of various sizes and forms in an attempt to defend itself from the onslaught of attack form the alliance.

The alliance were able to stand their ground but none were able to approach the main body, where it lay restrained.

Suddenly, a lot of those 'clones' were suddenly slashed and bisected, some were even obliterated.

"You sure grew up Sasuke." A voice commented as he stood on top of Sasuke's summon.

"Shisui."

"Eeeeh! That's Shisui?!" Naruto exclaimed in disbelief.

"The Uchiha clan will officially join the Shinobi Alliance!"

The third Hokage and Sasuke immediately recognized the person who made the announcement, one Fugaku Uchiha.

"The Uchiha clan?" Tobirama questioned. "I thought they were extinct."

"Do not worry about that Lord Second." Shisui grinned as he appeared beside the second Hokage, slashing a clone that managed to get through the rushing shinobi. "We're all still dead, someone used the white Zetsus lying around as sacrifice and reanimated some members of the clan."

"Hiruzen, Minato." Fugaku acknowledged the presence of the Hokage he was familiar with.

"I apologize for Danzo's actions Fugaku, I was too weak to stop him."

"It's too late for apologies Hiruzen, I am however thankful that you let Itachi spare Sasuke."

"Of course."

"Shisui, accompany Sasuke and his companions to the ten tail's body the rest of us help clean these up."

"Yes Lord Fugaku!" Shisui and the other members of the Uchiha clan voiced their affirmation.

With the aid of the Uchiha clan, some that have access to the Mangekyou and Susanoo, they made quick work with the ten tail's clones that some were even able to assist Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Shisui obliterating all the obstacles the appeared on their way towards the ten tail's main body.

--------

"Apart from Madara, who's the other man beside him?" Fugaku asked the two Hokages he was with.

"You don't recognize him?" Minato questioned. "That's Obito."

"Obito? Shouldn't he have died during your mission at the Kannabi bridge?" Fugaku beheaded a ten-tails clone.

"From what I have gathered, he didn't." Hiruzen smashed another clone right under his bo staff.

"According to Kakashi, Madara was the one who saved him, his body was indeed crushed by the boulder that we thought had killed him." Minato slashed a ten tailed clone

"This is your fault Sarutobi! Namikaze!" One of the Uchihas with the third and fourth Hokage exclaimed.

"I will not deny my part on Obito's descent, but do not put all the blame on the third and me," Minato shook his head. "It was the Uchiha clan who thought he was a disgrace in the first place, did you not?" He huffed as he stabbed another clone in the eyes.

"From what the intelligence corps had been relaying since they were reanimated, Obito was also the one responsible for releasing the Kyuubi and ordered it to attack the village." Hiruzen slammed three ten tailed clones with his bo staff. "He was also the one who killed the entire clan, Itachi's hands were only soaked in your and your wife's blood."

"He's also responsible why both Kushina and I died." Minato offered. "Why don't we continue this conversation when were done with the war." He suggested as he shook his dead.

"No need," Fugaku shook his head. "What happened to the clan was a series of karmic events that started with the clan doing wrong with one of their own."

"He was such a sweet, optimistic and helpful boy," Minato lamented. "To see him turn out this way was what hurt the most."

--------

"Lee Focus!" Neji barked as he performed the Rotation and destroy all incoming enemies.

Neji landed beside Lee and performed a series of air palms and blew alot of the clones away from his general vicinity.

"Neji… Y-you're."

"Yes I am dead." Neji nodded. "However I was summoned alongside the Uchiha clan to help aid in this ongoing war."

"A-are there others with you?"

"Now's not the time for that." Neji shook his head. "We will battle one last time." He smiled at his teammate. "We will rendezvous with Tenten."

"Yosh!"

---------

"What's going on Shisui? The reanimation Jutsu should've been undone." Sasuke questioned.

"It was undone alright." Shisui jumped from an incoming attack. "We were reanimated right after it was undone." He fired a fireball at the enemies in front of the group.

"After it was undone?" Naruto questioned.

"Apparently, like with Orochimaru reanimating the previous Hokages, someone used the jutsu to summon members of the Uchiha clan and some others." Shisui shrugged.

---------

"Looks like your clansmen disagree with you Madara." Hashirama commented.

"It wouldn't be the first time that this happened." Madara scoffed.

----------

"The One Tailed Beast was once connected to me, I'll get them!" Gaara released a thick trail of chakra infused sand and grabbed hold of the One Tail's chakra.

"We finally found the weakness and that is the key. Leave the Eight Tailed Beast's chakra to me." Killer Bee rapped as he used the Eight Tail's tentacles and clung unto the Eight Tail's chakra.

A chakra tug of war between the ten tail's jinchuuriki against Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara and Killer Bee ensued. They managed to pull out the tailed beasts' chakra from inside Obito but they were at an impasse.

Obito was a strong shinobi in his own right and with the added bonus of being the ten tails's jinchuuriki, that power increased exponentially. He was able to cling unto the tailed beasts' chakra that reacted to Naruto and Sasuke's attack.

"Don't underestimate the ten tail's jinchuuriki!" Obito declared as he pulled the tailed beasts' chakra harder to his person.

The Susanoo armor sprouted a handed from the back and pulled on one of Kurama's armored tails.

"Just keep pulling Naruto!"

The members of Naruto's graduating class arrived and gave their assistance as they clasped on one of tails.

Soon after everyone from the shinobi alliance arrived and with the help of Minato's tailed beast form's chakra, everyone gave their assistance and pulled.

"That's great! Everyone on my mark!" Naruto declared. "Ready! Set!"

Everyone positioned themselves comfortably as they awaited Naruto's signal.

"Pull!"

Everyone from the shinobi alliance heeded Naruto's call and pulled on the chakra.

Naruto himself pulled with all his might.

"Don't underestimate everyone's power!" Naruto declared.

As much as Obito's will had wavered for a brief moment, he was still the most powerful being present, even with everyone trying to pull away the tailed beasts' chakra from him. He responded everyone's convictions and actions with his own and pulled some of the chakra back to him.

"Continue to pull Naruto!" A very familiar voice exclaimed. "Leave Obito to us!"

Kushina arrived with Mikoto and Jiraiya.

"Mom." Naruto and Sasuke muttered to themselves as they watched their respective mothers join the fray.

Another Susanoo armor manifested around the Uchiha matriarch as chains sprouted from Kushina's body and wrapped themselves around Obito's torso.

"I will be joining into the fray, I'll leave him to you ladies."

"Thanks for the lift Jiraiya." Kushina grinned.

"Kushina get in here." Mikoto scooped up her friend and placed Kushina beside her inside her Susanoo.

With Kushina and Mikoto pulling Obito and the shinobi alliance pulling the chakra with Naruto, the leaf's jinchuuriki was successful in liberating the other tailed beasts' chakra from the ten tailed beast, defeating Obito in the massive tug-of-war.

---------

The Sage of Six Paths and the all the previous Kages summoned Team 7 and all the other tailed beasts from Kaguya's dimension.

The reanimated people began catching up to team 7, particularly the Uchihas with Sasuke and Naruto's parents and godfather.

Shisui made one last action of ruffling his cousin's hair before joining Fugaku and Mikoto.

"I'm afraid we all must go." The sage of six paths voiced out as he shook his head.

The reanimated people nodded in understanding as they glowed and began to dissipate, their bodies disintegrating into earth and dust.

Naruto and Sasuke didn't waste time and bid farewell to their loved ones.

---------

"Why haven't we left the living plane?" Hashirama questioned.

"Some of you have yet to leave your earthly constructs." The Sage of six paths shook his head. "Also, as I am the father of Sasuke's and Naruto's first incarnations, of Indra and Asura, it is my duty as their father to watch this conflict I knew I have helped sow to its very end."

"Choosing Asura over Indra." The second Hokage crossed his ethereal arms.

"Go Naruto! Know that your mother's rooting for you! You know!" Kushina yelled.

"Go for it Sasuke! The entire Uchiha clan has got your back!" Mikoto responded her own cheer.

"Mikoto, is that how the wife of the Uchiha clan head should act?" Fugaku rebuked.

"Really?" Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "We're dead if you haven't already noticed Fugaku, I don't care about upholding the clan's values when the same values got all of us killed."

"I didn't realize Mikoto-san has quite a temper to her." Minato commented.

"Motherhood mellowed her out," Fugaku admitted. "She knew she didn't want her sons to inherit her infamous temper."

"I guess I should've known considering how good friends she and Kushina were." Minato chuckled.

"Birds of a feather indeed." Fugaku nodded.

---------

To Naruto's and Sasuke's surprise, and utter embarrassment, their loved ones have yet to return to the pure world and they just knew that everyone witnessed their battle.

"You did good Sasuke." Fugaku nodded.

"You were great Naruto!" Kushina praised. "My son is so powerful!"

"Just like we'd hope, right Kushina?" Minato asked his wife.

"As for the reason we're still here, I felt it prudent for everyone to say goodbye to their late loved ones instead of just a few of them having that chance," The sage of six paths voiced out.

The casualties of the fourth shinobi world war as well as the fallen loved ones of the living people, who just woke up from the infinite tsukuyomi-induced slumber, appeared and they talked with each other like Tsunade talking to her late fiancé and younger brother.

Team Gai talking to Neji.

Shikamaru and Ino talking to their respective fathers, and with Chouji, they conversed with Asuma.

"Wait!" Naruto exclaimed. "Konohamaru needs to know you're here old man!" He exclaimed as he disappeared in a yellow flash and appearing a moment later, carrying the third hokage's grandson.

"What gives boss?! I know I was bored in the village but you didn't have to drag me out of it out of nowhere!" Konohamaru whined.

Naruto shook his head and gestured to the third Hokage.

"Grandpa." Konohamaru's eyes widened. "Gramps!" The young Sarutobi tackled his grandfather and hugged him as tight as he could.

"You've grown Konohamaru." Hiruzen returned the hug. "I heard you had defended the leaf spectacularly." The late Hokage ruffled the young Sarutobi's hair affectionately.

"He has indeed sensei." Tsunade affirmed. "Saved his jounin sensei from being killed during one of Akatsuki's attacks."

"Keep up the good work Konohamaru," Hiruzen smiled at his grandson. "I'm proud of you."

"And so am I." Asuma interjected.

Asuma turned to his team. "Look after him will you?"

"We will Asuma-sensei." Shikamaru nodded.

Soon enough everyone bid farewell to their loved ones: Naruto with his parents and godfather; Sasuke with his clan; Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji with their fathers and teacher; Tsunade with her grandfather, fiancé and younger brother; Konohamaru with his grandfather and uncle.

As soon as everyone disappeared, Shisui, whose body have yet to disintegrate, collapsed.

"What's happening?!"

Tsunade and Sakura were quick to rush to the unconscious Uchiha.

-----------

"Hello Shisui Uchiha." Harry greeted the boy.

"Hello" Shisui greeted back but his hands were on his short sword. "Is this the pure world?"

"You have unique circumstances Shisui," Harry informed the Uchiha. "Someone made the choice to resurrect you as a reward for a job well done."

"Resurrect me?" Shisui raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry but shouldn't that be impossible?"

"Not entirely in your world," Harry shrugged. "Chiyo of the Hidden Sand was able to resurrect their Kazekage, Gaara, after he was killed hours prior, Nagato used the Rinnegan's ability to resurrect the hidden leaf's casualties during his attack on the village, Madara forcefully used the same ability with the Rinnegan in Obito's possession to resurrect himself," He explained. "All of them at the cost of the user's life."

Would you really sacrifice your life for me, whoever you are?"

"Call me Harry," Harry smiled. "And what makes you think I'm a living person?"

"I mean we are talking aren't we?"

"Where exactly do you think we are?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, I was about to ask you the same question." Shisui fired back.

"Humor me." Harry urged.

Shisui looked around his surroundings.

"This… this is the top of the Hokage's Tower." Shisui declared. "That's the Hokage Mountain." He pointed at mountain with the faces of the Hokage carved on it.

"Looks like Mount Rushmore." Harry muttered to himself.

"But it's silent and cleaner." Shisui observed.

"The Hokage Tower below the Hokage Mountain huh?" Harry hummed. "It make sense." He nodded.

"So this is the boy Itachi Uchiha wanted to resurrect." The sage of six paths observed. "Rather curious that he didn't choose his parents."

"I don't think it's quite that interesting Hagoromo." Harry shook his head. "One of Itachi's few regrets was Shisui Uchiha's death."

"Also one of the very few Uchihas who didn't inherit Indra's curse of hatred," The sage of six paths nodded. "He also loved his village that he essentially gave his life for her survival."

"Shouldn't Itachi be the one resurrected?" Shisui offered his input.

"That can't be done Shisui," Harry shook his head. "It has to be you."

"Why me?" Shisui questioned. "Don't you think it'd be unfair for everyone who lost someone in the war but somehow I'm the one who gets resurrected?" He reasoned.

Harry and the sage looked at each other and smiled.

"Don't you want to go back Shisui?" Harry asked.

"I'm not saying I don't want to…" Shisui trailed off.

"Cedric…" Harry whispered to himself

Harry shook his head as he focused on his current circumstance.

"Ultimately Shisui, you have a choice," Harry looked at Shisui's eyes. "You can choose to go back to the pure world or be resurrected."

"Can I have some time to think over everything?" Shisui asked.

"Take your time." Harry nodded.

Shisui took his time to decide and Harry could understand. Unlike his circumstances, Shisui didn't have anyone left to protect when Harry still had more he cherished.

Harry may have accepted the fact that he may die but when a choice was given to him, he didn't hesitate to grab it.

One thing was sure, things were different for one Shisui Uchiha.

------------

"How is he alive?"

Were the words Shisui heard as soon as he regained consciousness, it immediately clued him on his current state: a living person.

"Unlike Madara, he didn't perform the hand seals necessary to keep himself in this world."

"No, only the Rinnegan has the ability to resurrect people from the dead."

"No, Chiyo-sama of the Hidden Sand used a medical jutsu to resurrect Gaara when his tailed beast was stolen from him at the cost of her own life."

"That still leaves the Rinnegan as the viable answer."

"Do you think Sasuke…"

"Why use the ability on Shisui and not on Itachi or his parents?"

"Then how?"

"Putting Shisui's resurrection on the sides for now, how're the people reacting?"

"The only people aware are the people present in the front lines, and the majority of them are indifferent on the matter."

"He's regained consciousness."

"Shisui Uchiha." Shisui was immediately aware that Tsunade was one of the people who was talking about him outside his room as he watched her appear through the door. "It appears that you have been resurrected." The fifth Hokage stood beside his bed and gave him an assessing stare.

"I don't really know lady Hokage," Shisui shook his head. "All I know that the Uchiha clan were reanimated at the place where I killed myself," He admitted. "Alongside the other casualties of the fourth shinobi world war."

"It appears someone used the Rinne Rebirth jutsu on you," Tsunade relayed. "That is the ability exclusive to the Rinnegan that resurrects the dead." She looked at the clip board she was holding." However, there's only one living person who has the Rinnegan, the others who have this bloodline are dead when you were resurrected."

"Grandma."

Naruto barged into the room.

"You're supposed to be resting Naruto," The fifth Hokage admonished. "You wanted a new hand attached to your arm."

"I know that but Grandpa Sage said that I needed to tell you something."

"The Sage of Six Paths?" Shisui raised an eyebrow, remembering the events of the war.

"Well?" Tsunade prompted impatiently.

"He said that Shisui was revived un…kon…" Naruto struggled. "Gaah! Why'd he have to use complicated words?!" He whined.

"You're saying that Shisui was resurrected using unconventional standards?" Tsunade finished Naruto's train of thought.

"Yes! Yes that!" Naruto eagerly nodded.

"Lady Tsunade, Shisui shouldn't even have his eyes." Sakura reported. "According to Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei, Madara's eyes disappeared when he used the Rinne Rebirth jutsu on himself."

"And According to Ibiki's report, the way the Reanimation jutsu works was what their body was what like when they died, if they died without their eyes, they shouldn't even have eyes." The fifth Hokage hummed. "Madara was the exception."

"According to Grandpa Sage, the reaper was the one who reanimated him." Naruto supplied.

"The reaper?" Sakura questioned.

"I'm guessing that's the being that appears when the Yondaime and Sandaime used the Reaper Sealing jutsu." Tsunade speculated. "In that case, I suppose this is one mystery that will never be solved." Tsunade announced. "I'm declaring that the circumstances of Shisui Uchiha's resurrection an S-class secret."

"Isn't that a bit overkill Lady Hokage?" Shisui asked. "It's not like we found something out, and wouldn't declaring my circumstance pose more danger?"

"You are right Uchiha." Tsunade nodded. "However, by declaring your circumstances an S-rank secret, we can avoid people asking questions." She offered.

-----------

"Are you sure you're okay about this?" Harry questioned Death as they watched what was happening in the Hidden Leaf's hospital. "Getting the credit for something that we know is a lie."

"No harm done," Death shrugged. "No one in this world knows of your circumstances, aside from the sage," They pointed out. "Even then I don't think he's sure of what you represent master."

"You and I both know that I'm not your master." Harry rolled his eyes. "You also know how I feel about garnering a title that I did not earn."

"But you did, uniting all three hallows." Death rebutted.

"Yeah if we're talking about technicalities, and you know we're not," Harry argued. "Why'd you even create them anyway?"

"Just like with Shisui, it was a reward," Death answered. "But unlike Shisui, it was a test of morals and values."

"Morals and values?" Harry snorted. "You do know that the wizards and witches are the worst kind of sort, especially the pure blooded ones."

"That's why it was a test," Death shrugged. "I was testing on how they would use my gifts. The first brother was ego centric and a bit of a narcissist, so he immediately boasted his new wand.

The second brother was a lover, but he let his love consume his being.

The third brother was a lot like you, he just wanted a quiet life and didn't want to be in the spotlight like his first brother, he let his love define but never consume him."

"So it wasn't a trick like some books had surmised?"

"It never was a trick Harry." Death shook their head. "I was never angry at them for escaping their supposed demise in the first place."

"So you mean to say that you never searched for the third brother?"

"Why would I search? The effects of the invisibility cloak never affected me." Death offered. "I suppose you could say that the cloak was a timer of sorts and I would only collect any soul in possession of the cloak when the timer passes."

"So if the third brother was the same as the first and second brothers, what could've happened?"

"There are a lot of possibilities, had he used the cloak, like how a certain toad sage would, he could be a case of dying of 'I did not know he was standing in front of me while I was practicing for the curse.'"

"Have you seen that happen?"

"Interestingly enough, the third brother has always acted the same way, despite the different circumstances of how the brothers acquired the hallows."

"So the existence of the hallows are also consistent in other realities."

"Of course." Death nodded. "Let me change the topic for a bit."

"Go on."

"Why'd you mention your fellow Triwizard Champion when you talked with Shisui?" Death asked, curious.

"Shisui reminded me of Cedric," Harry admitted. "I think, if he had survived the tournament, he'd do what Shisui had done."

"You do realize that there are realities whe-"

"Where he's a death eater, I know." Harry finished Death's train of thought. "We both know the circumstances behind such a radical change in character."

"Like with Shisui and Itachi, Cedric was a double agent, using the circumstances of his loss to gain audience with the Dark Lord and the one of the things that your son and Scorpius didn't know was that Cedric was never the cause for Neville's death."

"Cedric was a huge loss to the Wizarding World, judging by the circumstances that happened after the tournament in the world where he supported Riddle." Harry sighed.

----------

"So who's going to be the clan head?" Naruto found himself asking the question to Iruka. "Should it be Sasuke because of his present age or Shisui who was born years before Sasuke."

"What brought this question Naruto?" Iruka raised an eyebrow.

"I dunno," Naruto shrugged. "It just came to me."

"Technically speaking, you're the clan head of the Uzumaki clan Naruto, as its only known living member." Iruka stated.

"What use is being a leader if you're not leading anyone? What use is being a kage in an empty village?" Naruto pointed out.

"That's the same situation for both Uchihas." Iruka answered. "Shisui and Sasuke are the only Uchihas left and there is no need for a leader with only two members, one of which is the leader."

"What about the Shinobi council?" Naruto questioned.

"I'm afraid that the Uchihas have little to no power on the matters of the council for the same reasons why the clan has no head, the things that would be decided in the council would have little to no effect on them."

"What if Sasuke or Shisui were to revive the Uchiha Police Corps?"

"Then they have a seat on the Shinobi Council." Iruka smiled. "I'm really happy that you're taking this lessons seriously Naruto."

"I can see why these are important to become Hokage and being a ninja does not only revolve around flashy jutsus and overpowering the enemy," Naruto grumbled. "Does not mean I like it."

"I know how frustrating it is for you." Iruka offered a comforting pat on the boy's shoulder. "You've always been someone who learned things through physical activities instead of just listening and reading." He smiled. "I know that you can pull through this."

"I will definitely finish this and become Hokage! Believe it!" Naruto declared.

"I definitely believe."

[wordcubed-writes]

Single-mom Kushina asks for help from a friend

Fandom: Naruto

Fanfic: A Different World

Context: Kushina survived Naruto’s birth, and finds herself a single mom.

____________________

Naruto put their friendship on the verge of breaking.

Kushina needed someone to care for Naruto. Because Kushina didn't have a clan to support her. If she stopped taking missions to care for Naruto, she stopped making money, and couldn't support him anyways. Her and Minato's savings could only last for a couple more months. She couldn't win for losing. So she'd turned to Mikoto.

"What? Why not?" Kushina was prepared to beg. "Mikoto, please, I need your help with this."

Mikoto shook her head. "I'll help you some other way. If I let a descendent of the Uchiha's old enemies dump her kid on us, there'll be a riot. There's already loads of grumbling that I'm so close to you."

That was a lie. A big one. The Uchiha had volunteered Mikoto for Kushina's genin team in the first place, all those years ago. The clan saw Kushina as an Uzumaki, an ancient enemy, but also the strongest of the living sacrifices. What better than to gain a powerful ally and bring the last of a dead clan under your influence? Violence was a ninja’s favored tool, certainly, but soft power could also be useful.

The clan would love to host Naruto. Kushina was twelve by the time she'd become friends with Mikoto. Naruto would know the Uchiha from his earliest days.

It was Mikoto who objected. It grated on her. Friendship was one thing—and Kushina really was her best friend—, but letting an outsider and her child live with the clan? Never. She refused to even consider it.

"What other way is there to help me?!" Kushina burst out.

"I'll give you a loan," said Mikoto.

"And that helps me how?"

"It'll be enough to cover you and Naruto's living expenses for, say, ten years."

Kushina gaped at her. Then her shock passed.

"Wait, a loan? I have to pay it back?" she said. She narrowed her eyes. "You're not charging interest, are you?"

Mikoto raised an eyebrow at that. "What kind of friend to do you think I am? What makes you think I want money?" For a moment, she entertained the thought of bluntly asking for the Uzumaki clan's unwavering loyalty in everything. It was a win-win as far as Mikoto was concerned—she'd keep her friend happy and gain an official ally for her clan. She wasn't the fanatic Sakumo was, but he had been her and Kushina's teacher. She had a certain appreciation for the ideal action that satisfied all obligations. That's why she was doing this.

"No, you'll pay by letting Sasuke go over and play with Naruto when he's older."

Not that she objected to it, but Kushina wasn't sure why Mikoto wanted that. There were hundreds of Uchiha young enough to be Sasuke's playmate.

Mikoto smirked and elbowed Kushina. "Gotta make friends with the people he’ll rule over one day, after all."

Mikoto said stuff like that a lot. She’d claim she was joking if asked, but Kushina silently worried she meant it.

____________________

Notes: With this scene, I’m answering a question: if Mikoto and Kushina are friends, and Mikoto’s clan is prominent and powerful, why isn’t she doing more to help her? I’m also setting up the answer to a later question. The Uchiha Uprising still happens of course, but in ADW it’s much worse than canon: Mikoto hynotizes Naruto to unleash the Nine-Tails, and cause a lot of destruction (which itself has a lot of consequences). This is obviously an egregious betrayal of Kushina. So why would Mikoto ultimately do that?

As I’m writing her in this fic, Mikoto is kind of bigoted, an Uchiha supremacist who thinks her clan is owed power and respect above all others. There are barriers she isn’t willing to lower, even for somebody she cares about. There is already a gap between her and Kushina, and when the time comes, Mikoto will not cross it. It won’t be an easy choice for her (the betrayal gains her the Mangekyou), but she will ultimately make it.

(The real mystery of course is why Kushina would put up with this sort of low-key bigotry in a supposed friend. The best I can come up with is that Kushina tolerates Mikoto’s comments because she grew up similar to Naruto in canon: lonely and too obnoxious to easily make friends, her red hair marking her as an obvious foreigner. Now that her husband is dead, her old team member is one of the only people she feels she can turn to.)

[ridiasfangirlings]

About Yata getting badly burnt during that jungle party. What if Yata is hurt really badly and required to be quarantined in hospital to prevent infection in a lot of pain? How about a Fushimi joining HOMRA alone for revenge? How will things change when Munakata come into the picture?

So maybe Yata’s burns are bad enough that he’s hospitalized for quite a while and this puts Fushimi in a position where he wants to avenge Misaki but he’s also all awkward and full of guilt, feeling like Yata’s injuries are his fault and so he can barely bring himself to go see Yata. I think this would strain their relationship a lot, like Yata doesn’t blame Fushimi and he wants Fushimi to come see him because he’s lonely and bored without Fushimi there (his family comes to visit but it’s not the same, his siblings seem almost afraid of him now with his scarred and burnt face and his mom just looks at him with pity and it pisses him off). Fushimi meanwhile decides to join Homra thinking it’s the only way to get revenge for what happened to Yata and he’s suddenly thrust into this whole new world of powers and clans and Kings. I could see Fushimi having trouble juggling all this, like he doesn’t want to tell Yata that he’s joined Homra because he doesn’t even know if Misaki will believe him that there are people with special powers and even if Yata did, Yata would definitely want to join as well and no way Fushimi lets him get into harm’s way again, even if Yata could leave the hospital Fushimi won’t risk another failure of his leading to Yata being hurt worse. So he has to kinda live this double life where he’s spending a lot of time at Homra but also visiting Yata every now and again and all their interactions are hesitant and awkward, Yata asking how Fushimi is and Fushimi just shrugs because he doesn’t know what to say and he’s still expecting Yata to tell him to go away any time. Plus Yata’s still suffering from all this pain and feeling like he’s a freak and Fushimi doesn’t know how to be Yata’s support, doesn’t know what to say to him and so it’s easier to run away to Homra or go beat up some jungle users so that he doesn’t have to think about it.

I think if Fushimi ultimately left Homra in this AU Yata’s condition might still have something to do with it, like Homra presumably wouldn’t be actively looking into jungle and Fushimi might get frustrated that he has all this power but no one will let him go after the people who hurt Misaki, Kusanagi tells him that they can’t start a war with the Greens and he’s probably discouraged from going to attack regular kids who didn’t know what they were doing during the surprise party, who thought it was some online game and didn’t realize the real consequences of their actions. Fushimi’s getting increasingly more annoyed that he can’t avenge Yata plus it’s getting harder and harder to find ways to excuse where he is all the time and what he’s doing to Yata, who’s presumably gotten out of the hospital by now. I think if Yata found out about Homra too he’d be really angry and hurt, like Fushimi had these awesome powers all this time and kept it hidden from Yata and weren’t they supposed to be partners. Oh imagine him like following Fushimi to Homra one day and he sees all the people with superpowers, Yata ends up going inside on his own and seeing Mikoto and getting powers as well (wanting to protect Fushimi, and not being afraid of Mikoto’s fire burning him because how much worse could he be burned than he already is). Afterward he shows Fushimi, all excited that they can be a team again now, but Fushimi is pissed that Mikoto gave Misaki powers, Mikoto just shrugs and says Yata asked and he passed the test. Yata doesn’t get why Fushimi’s so upset, saying he’s not a baby or an invalid and if Fushimi wants to take revenge then Yata will be there too, getting his own revenge for the people who hurt him.

In the midst of all this Munakata shows up, and I think he would know exactly which buttons to push to get Fushimi to join his side. I can see Munakata contacting Fushimi during the Minato twins incident and maybe letting it slip that Scepter 4 is also tracking jungle’s movements, making it clear that at Scepter 4 Fushimi would have access to all kinds of knowledge and intel about the Green clan’s structure and plans and would have more freedom to actually finally carry out his revenge. On top of that Fushimi’s pissed at Mikoto for letting Yata join Homra and maybe Fushimi figures if he leaves that will make Yata back off, if they can’t fight as a team then that can keep Misaki from fighting (and this way Fushimi won’t be asked to watch Yata’s back again, the role he can’t take because he failed it once and he knows in his heart that he’s going to fail again and lose Misaki for good). He tries to make Yata hate him because Fushimi feels like it’s easier if he can get Yata to finally say what he thinks Yata’s been feeling all this time, that everything that happened to him is Fushimi’s fault, and by making Yata hate him Fushimi’s finally able to breathe, no longer having to hold his breath waiting for that blow to land.

[nemirutami]

what was akechis first job as a retainer??? what was his reaction to having to donsome of the more dangerous/unsettling jobs (the ones even akira hates/feels unsettled by) as a retainer???? does doing these jobs affect how he sees akira as a person and as a retainer?????

I love this question…thank u… I can talk about this now…

Akechi’s first job as retainer is one he gives himself.

Unless MInato specifically asks Akechi to do something, Akira isn’t going to split his duties willingly. So, Akechi has to find a way to make himself useful, and he does this by going out to hunt information per no one’s request but his own. To prove himself, in a way. Because, again, no one gave him a shot to show what he can do, so he figures, fine, i’ll just create an opportunity for myself so I can shine, no problem.Create an opportunity. Literally. 

He ends up paying a certain group of criminals in the most shady parts of Oratorio a huge amount of money to launch an attack on the King during a speech in the city. He gives the group the plan details, down to which person they’re supposed to attack first to issue a takedown (surprise, it’s Akira. Akechi actually plans on killing Akira in this commotion to replace him).He approaches the group as their ally, planning to take the King down with them. Little do they know, the plan is so perfectly coordinated to the tiniest detail that it’s only a plan to make Akechi shine and prove they need a second retainer. He’s not actually planning on killing Minato. No, he’s planning on proving himself, and killing Akira is a bonus he threw into his plan just to force Minato to rely on him more.

But during the attempt, when Akechi notices that his plan isn’t entirely working out as he outlined it, and Akira’s overpowered one of the thugs, he quickly shoots the guy wrestling with Akira to “save Akira’s life”, and manages to put a bullet in the guy that’s about to out him as a traitor. Akira catches on to the thug yelling “you-” but doesn’t catch a single syllable after it because of the gunshot.

The plan didn’t go accordingly, but he can tell it made Minato aware that perhaps they do need a second retainer. Akira hates to admit it, because this just seemed shady as fuck. 

No one would ever have issued an attack like this, in the middle of the day, if they weren’t guaranteed success. So, what Akira can’t wrap his head around, is why a group of basically NOBODIES, would be ballsy enough to do this of their own free will… it’s why he takes it upon himself to investigate, because he suspects someone set them up for failure. But since Akechi killed every single member of the group, and they operated in a shady part of Oratorio with absolutely no witnesses… it leaves his trail cold, and that’s exactly what Akechi wanted. This new information hunt eats away at Akira’s time, so much that Minato has to rely more on Akechi for things inside the palace because Akira’s always outside, promising Minato he’ll find the criminal responsible. 

Let’s be honest, Akira already suspects Akechi would stage some bullshit like this (he’s done it before but those are also only rumors with no evidence to back them up, even if they’re true), but without evidence, he can’t say anything. Accusing someone of an assassination attempt on the King calls for a “death sentence” and as pissed off as he is at Akechi, he doesn’t want more blood on his hands if he can avoid it, and without evidence, he can’t claim to know anything.

Akira has his own information network to make sure he can serve Minato as effectively as possible. Find threats, rumors, etc.That being said.

He wouldn’t inform Akechi about this support network, or let him in on the Palace’s secrets (like the secret passageways). Since Akira is iffy on letting Akechi become a second retainer anyway (mostly because of his past and his blackmail), he wouldn’t make Akechi’s job easier because it might lead Minato to want Akechi to stick around, and Akira wants Akechi to fall on his own shortcomings and get kicked from his retainer position for his inadequacy. 

Little does Akira know, Akechi’s more than qualified to deal with threats.

Akechi’s reaction to doing some of the more dangerous/unsettling quests is a solid “whatever”. 

Growing up, Akechi was prepared to do anything to become a soldier for the King. It started as tiny misdemeanors, like sneaking into Minato’s office space to request something of him. He should have been penalized for it, but Minato never penalized him. I think it’s also fair to mention Akechi never got penalized even as a kid for sneaking around (mostly because he was a kid that didn’t grow up in Oratorio so he wasn’t familiar with the customs and people gave it a pass). 

He’s never actually suffered for his actions, and this is what ultimately leads him to not give a fuck about the consequences of his actions. Had Minato actually penalized him, perhaps he would have acknowledged his wrongdoings, but breaking the rules was the only way he got results. So, he figures. Oh… I can do that… again. And he ends up scamming/lying/cheating/ to cripple others to bring himself up. He gets used to it. It’s just a way to survive at this point. He isn’t wrong when he thinks that “doing things the right/honorable way never brings results” but the results Akechi is talking about is a huge leap in ranks you normally can’t accomplish in say, 10 year’s time. That kind of leap in ranks is earned through several years of servitude, perhaps 40, and even then, no one should ever become a retainer unless they’re a Kurusu. (Akechi literally fucked with the whole system and current laws just because fuck you, I am worthy, I deserve more. Which isn’t only rude, but it’s a big middle finger to tradition, and he loves that he got away with it.) It’s a status you accumulate/earn over an entire lifetime. Akechi’s managed it in 10 just because he’s staged/orchestrated his own success. 

As to how it ends up changing Akechi’s views on Akira… not by a lot.

If anything, seeing Akira feel guilty/bad about taking so many lives just amuses the hell out of him. “Oh, you’re upset I kill for my own benefit? You and I are two sides of the same coin, you’re just as big of a hypocrite as I am, only difference is, I don’t feel sorry for the people I kill.”

Akechi managed to turn off that little voice in his head that told him “this is wrong” because he went down that slippery slope. It started small, and escalated. Akira was sharply forced into his position, and never really had the free time to reflect or even make himself get used to it. There was no natural progression, or change in mentality, which is why taking lives still makes him sick, whereas Akechi can dissociate and feel no guilt. Akechi’s justifying it. Akira can’t.

Akira doesn’t necessarily feel “sorry” for his targets (because those targets are hardly victims), but he doesn’t entirely agree with the fact they should be killed, but to ensure Minato isn’t in danger, he has to kill them off, and seeing all that blood so often fucks with his mental health. He ends up feeling guilty for taking lives regardless if they “deserved it” or not, and it’s one of the reasons he loses sleep at night.

As a person, it makes Akechi see Akira as weak and unfit for his position. As retainer? He’s qualified to some degree, but those human aspects of Akira bother him because this position calls for a cold-blooded mentality, and Akira just can’t be that kind of person. He’ll fulfill his duties regardless, but Akechi’s bothered by the fact he’s not mentally fit for the position.

[yenni19]

Chapter 4

Sarutobi arrives back from the camping weekend, once he enters inside Kawaki is there waiting for him

Sarutobi(entering the living room): oh!...dad you scared me....

Kawaki: you didn't tell me you were with Akamari the whole three days camping?

Sarutobi: I'm sorry father I left a note....and notified mom about where I was she said it was fine...

Kawaki: are you getting attached...because if you are...you will pay the consequences of your actions

Sarutobi: no I'm not....it was a family outing...Boruto's family was there...along with Seinor Uzumaki and his wife....

Kawaki: I notice how you look at her....she's as attractive as her mother...even if she is thirteen...turning fourteen in November right

Sarutobi: I don't know what you are implying but....we are just friends that's it....

Kawaki: I hope so...for your sake and hers...like I said don't get attached...it won't do you any good...

Sarutobi(disappointed): I know...I can confirm that...don't worry father

Kawaki(pats him on the shoulder): I'm making sure a tragedy won't occur...I'm glad we know the terms

Kawaki leaves and Sarutobi heads to his room and locks the door...he uncovers the sculpture that he is working on. It's Akamari kneeling down reading a book, while Sarutobi is laying down his head on her lap and strokes the tip of her dark blue hair.

Sarutobi(thinking): my dad can never see this....it will infuriate him, I must hide it until her birthday

He hides it under his bed...and cleans up his room throwing old used paper and organizing his art books, along with some comics and school workbooks he uses from time to time

Sarutobi(throwing out the trash): there all cleaned...time to go to bed....its late and I am needed tomorrow for some manual labor

The next morning Sarutobi is at Borutos house with the twins helping with backyard chores

Boruto: Itachi, Sarutobi help me with the pile of leaves will you?

Sarutobi & Itachi: yeah no problem

Itachi rakes as Sarutobi picks up the leaves and puts it in the compost bin, they finish and wait for lunch

Minato: so what happened after she ran after you Sarubi

Sarutobi(annoyed): nothing she just apologized...and she hugged me to make me feel better...that's all

Itachi: your not telling us everything Sarubi...we know when you lie

Sarutobi: I'm telling you guys the truth...she just apologized for laughing at me...

The twins: fine we won't pry but u must come to terms with your feelings

Sarutobi(sad): I know don't remind me

Itachi(putting an arm around Sarutobi): we are just concerned that's all.....you know my cousin is out of your league and she is three years older than you...to her your just a kid...she sees you as a little brother

Sarutobi(sad): I know....its just frustrating to know that and I can't move on from that

Minato(getting an idea): Hey Sarutobi...how about we go to a sleepover...there's a few female girls I know that you would get along with

Sarutobi: really....but my dad...he won't allow it

Itachi: give me your phone...(sarutobi giving him the phone) I have a knack for replicating my dad...Minato be lookout where is he?

Minato(trying to find him): he is inside with mom helping with the hokage stuff

Sarutobi(stopping Itachi): wait this isn't right...we could get in trouble...

Itachi(pulling away from him): you need to experience life...and live a little....and this is the opportunity to do that

Sarutobi: wait...but what about your parents....

Minato: they are always out...and besides we already told them and said yes...we wanted to include you so this is the only way

Sarutobi(smiling): thanks guys...you really are my friends

Itachi(dialing the contact number): it's ringing

Kawaki(on the other line): hello Sarutobi....

Itachi(imitating Boruto): Hi Kawaki it's Boruto...I thought I'd ask if it would be okay for Sarutobi to stay over at our house tonight...

Kawaki: no...I'm not comfortable with it Boruto.....you know how I feel about sleepovers...

Itachi(imitating Boruto): I know that...its just the boys would love for Sarutobi to stay the night...its just one night you know

Kawaki(sighs): ok...I'll have his mother send his things later today....

Itachi(imitating Boruto): thank you Kawaki...

Kawaki(irritated): whatever...you idiot

The line cuts off, and Itachi is irritated that Kawaki insulted his dad

Itachi(irritated): how the hell can dad call that friendship....he so grumpy and cold...its like like he lives angry...!

Minato(irritated): Itachi...Sarutobi heard that!

Sarutobi(upset): it's ok my dad is a difficult person to understand...

Itachi(asking): no offense but how does your mom handle him....?

Sarutobi: even if no one understands him...my mom sees past his rough exterior...they grew up in similar backgrounds...so she understands his outbursts and moodswings....she's the only one to calm him

Minato(sighs): and I thought my parents were complicated you know

Sarutobi(asking): Minato....are you sure girls will be there...

Minato(smirking): yeah....I'm very popular when it comes to making female friends

Itachi(admitting): or is it because you promised the girls Sarubi would be there

Minato(grabbing Itachi by the collar): why do always ruin the mood....!

Itachi(pushing his brother away): because if he gets caught...his dad won't let him off easy....think about it one fuck up and Sarutobi will no longer be able to hang out with us...his dad is Kawaki Madra for shit sakes...he is very strict when it comes to his son...a sleepover with girls will have him breaking doors and cause havoc

Minato(irritated): yeah I forgot he's scared of his son putting a bad name on the family....the reason why he is so strict with him (turning to Sarutobi) I promise I'll take the fall if shit goes sideways

Itachi(hitting him behind the head): do you always have to be so noble...even if you take the fall his dad won't care...he will say that it's still Sarubi's fault....nimrod

Sarutobi(sad): if it's ok with you guys I don't have to go...

Minato(convinced to go to the slumber party): no...you are going....tell me you have a plan itachi...please tell me you do...

Itachi(smiles): I do....but for it to work properly...you two must do exactly what I say...there can't be mistakes

Suddenly Sarada calls then for lunch, they head inside to eat a pot stew

------------------------------

Sumire is taking an afternoon stroll with her one year old daughter Saphire to Borutos house. Sumire knocks on the door and Sarada opens the door

Sarada(hugging Sumire): hi how are you?

Sumire: good and Sarutobi?

Sarada(calling Sumires son): Sarutobi your mom is here sweetie

Sarutobi(running downstairs): hi mom...(sweetly caressing his sisters cheek) hi Saphire...where is the cutest little sister I've ever seen...

Saphire laughs while Sumire smiles at her son's affection toward his sister, Sarutobi thanks his mother and grabs the luggage

Sumire(asking): sweeite...where's my kiss?

Sarutobi(embarrassed): mom...not in front of my friends

The twins(chuckling): yeah Sarutobi...where's mommy's kiss....

Sarada(glaring): you two stop it...or else (smiling while saying thier nicknames) Minno and Izzu

Sarutobi(thinking out loud): where have I heard that...(realizing) don't tell me you two watch that child's cartoon Spectacular

The twins(irritated): we were ten.... and mom why bring it up...that is a betrayal even we don't do to eachother....!

Sarada(laughing): well you shouldn't make fun of your friend...giving affection isn't wierd....its honest and pure

Sumire: there's nothing wrong with secrets right Sarada?

Sarada: right Sumire...are you heading home right now?

Sumire: yes my husband is waiting for me at home he says he has a surprise for me...well got to go bye

Sarada: bye Sumire...get home safe

Sumire: sure will

Sumire leaves and Sarutobi heads upstairs with the twins to go over thier plan. When the times comes to go to the girls slumber party they arrive at Kushina Grove where the Sabimaru Minatos female friend lives

Minato(knocking on the door): that's wierd nobody...

Suddenly the door opens and a maid answers the door

Maid: yes who are you?

Minato: we are here because we got invited to Sabimaru's birthday slumber party

Maid(realizing) oh yes come in....she's upstairs second door on your left

Minato(walking ahead): thank you

They arrive to the second door and as soon as they open it they are shocked of how sofisticated it looks along with how many people

Sarutobi(shocked): if this is a slumber party...we are out of tune for this

Minato: she always throws the biggest parties...I was invited because she wanted to get to know the cute purple hair eyed boy...

Itachi: and that's why you are a moron...thinking that bringing him would get you a girlfriend

Minato: your so irritating you know!

Sarutobi(trying to ease the tension): let's enjoy ourselves ok...we came to have a good time

The twins: yeah...let's have fun!