Chapter Two : Diverged Realities
When good ninja woke up, they never just got up.
They had a checklist.
What did they smell? What could they hear? What did they feel around them? What could they sense around them? Could their eyes detect any light, even closed?
Each of these were important clues to their surroundings, telling them if it was safe to get up, or if they should play possum for a while, to figure out their situation. Good ninja who wanted to live did all of this before daring to twitch a muscle or hitch their breath.
So the fact that Minato opened his eyes and sat up in bed the moment he awoke probably said something about him.
Immediately, Minato recognized his home. He turned his head towards the soft snoring of Kushina, and then flicked his eyes over to the window.
Around midnight. I wonder, how long does that mean I slept? Minato counted himself lucky he didn't dream. At least not when he fell asleep dead tired, which he tried to do as often as possible. Well, I'm not getting back to sleep anytime soon. He quietly slipped out of bed, and crept his way to the squeaky-hinged closet, careful not to collect splinters from the choppy wood. This is why genin are supposed to help builders. Really, it was ridiculous. One would think that the moment a ninja was promoted to chunin; they instantaneously forgot which end to hold the hammer at. I didn't forget. You definitely grip it at the funky shaped metal end. It's even shaped like a hand-hold to help you remember.
Come to think of it, hadn't he built the closet?
Not important.
The door only creaked a little as he opened it. He cast a glance back at Kushina to ensure it hadn't woken her. Sound asleep.
Good ninja also woke at the slightest sound of possible danger. He wondered briefly what it said about Kushina. Maybe she's just too trusting. For Kushina, it just wasn't possible that she didn't care.
He turned back to the closet, pulling out and donning a new set of attire.
"Minato?" he turned around to see his wife a few feet away.
"Sorry if I woke you." He shoved his arms into the sleeves of his jacket and with a jerk of his shoulders hoisted it on. "And sorry to, ah, sleep on the job earlier." He let his face take on the ghost of a sheepish grin.
Kushina gave a faded expression in kind, "Back to work?" She glanced up at the ceiling, and then looked back at him, "I'm not tired. Anything I can help with?"
He nodded, "Mission assignments will have piled up, and I imagine a few of our teams are going to need a bailout soon."
Kushina just smiled, "Lead the way."
So Minato did. He pulled open the window with its shoe-marked ledge (Do we ever use the door? Do we even have a door?) and leapt across the rooftop highway, towards the cratered side of the Hokage Mountain.
Minato avoided time at home whenever possible. But time with Kushina was something he sought.
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Team Soon-To-Be-Healers was perched quite happily on the garden rocks outside the hospital, slurping down their takeout. Sakura was aggressively swatting mosquitoes away from her sweet-smelling noodle concoction.
"Insects bring out your violent side, don't they Sakura?" Ami sucked in her sour vegetables and admired the literal cloud of insects attacking Sakura's meal.
"That has nothing to do with it! They're after my food!"
"Sakura, they're not after your food. They're after you." Rin pointed out as she whisked a piece of her…she couldn't actually tell what it was...into her mouth. She couldn't really feel her tongue anymore. Perfect. "But if you could channel this much anger and energy into fighting, you'd be unstoppable." Rin gulped down another bite.
"You really like your food spicy sensei!" Isuru shook his head, "I don't care how many times I see it. It's just too weird seeing someone inhale Akemi's Super Spicy Special without crying."
Rin dabbed at her face with her napkin, "Yes, I suppose I do." It covers up the copper. "Let me know when you're ready to get started." Three takeout boxes clattered into the trash bin. "Eager, are we?" She smiled at her students and started strolling towards their preferred training ground.
"We're gonna learn how to kick butt!" Isuru fist pumped into the air, "We're gonna be awesome!"
"I hope so." Sakura smiled.
"We don't even know what we're going to learn, Isuru." Ami put a hand on her hip, "So how can you possibly know how well we do at it?"
"Cause we're us." Isuru called back. Ami opened her mouth to retort, but in the end just shook her head with a satisfied scowl.
Their training ground, as they referred to it, was essentially an open field. It was spotted with trees, with a notable clump in the center. Only about half of the trees were strong and big enough to support weight. It wasn't ideal for a training ground, since Leaf Ninja would spend most of their careers working with and around the giant trees of Konoha, but it was necessary, since they practiced so late. They needed the open field so the moonlight and streetlights could provide illumination.
When they finally graduated a few weeks from now, Rin knew she'd have to cut down on her shifts in the hospital. That was fine though, she'd just channel her extra time into her team. It would also let them pick a more environment-appropriate training ground, since she wouldn't work so late.
Rin motioned her team over to the center of the field. "Right, so." She gave her team a small smile, "The technique is called the Regiver—"
"The Regiver?" Isuru burst out, "What kind of a name is that? It's not like, Crashing Thunder Wave, or Super Fire Storm Smash?"
Ami snorted, "Those names are even stupider."
"The name of a jutsu isn't what's important. It's the jutsu itself." Rin turned to look at Isuru, "So if you'd let me finish," She paused for effect, "it's called the Regiver because it gives your enemy back everything they've dealt." Rin started pacing a little as she spoke, "An overview: It's a B-rank jutsu when completed. Designed to allow you to either take on the injuries of another or, and this is what gives it its name, give your injuries to another." She could see her students eyes light up with the possibility of re-gifting their wounds.
Then Sakura mentally went over the first part, "Wait, Sensei," her brow crinkled, "why would we want to take on an enemy's injuries?"
"Well," Rin stopped pacing and took a seat on the ground. Her students were quick to follow suit, "that aspect of the jutsu isn't intended for an enemy."
"An ally." Ami responded, her eyes widening in comprehension.
"Yes." Rin's expression turned serious, "Can anyone tell me why?"
Sakura was quick to catch on, "As medics, we know our own bodies the best, and because we aren't using up chakra transporting it to another person, it takes less."
"It also puts a ninja who's likely better at combat back in the fight." Isuru grinned.
"And could take a really dangerous injury and, by splitting the damage between two people, turns it into a minor injury. Or less serious anyway." Sakura rejoined.
"But," Ami had her chin balanced on her hand, her eyes narrowed in confusion, "pain is incredibly distracting, and since medical ninjutsu relies on concentration, wouldn't this be the exact opposite of helpful? I thought that was one of the reasons why, as medics, we've been focusing so much on learning to avoid getting hit."
"Very good point Ami." Rin smiled, "Which is why one of the most important steps in learning this technique is another technique, called Dissociation."
"That sounds like a psychological disorder." Ami said.
"It's that too," Rin sighed, "I swear, I really didn't pick these names."
"We believe you sensei." Isuru nodded, "If you had, they'd be called the Super Epic Payback Jutsu! And the…what's a dis association? Is that where people get together and insult people?"
Rin gave him a puzzled look, "No…the actual meaning of the word isn't important at the moment. The technique involves the translation of the sensation of pain into a different sensation, like mild temperature variations. That way you can focus, but still know what's going on in your body."
"Sounds complicated." Isuru said.
Rin nodded, "Oh, yes. It is. Regiver is actually comprised of multiple smaller techniques. When they're used in conjunction, then it's Regiver."
"Wait, what are the different ones?" said Ami.
"Dissociation, we discussed. There's also Overlay, Osmosis, Input, Output and Ultimate Destruction. So they're all—"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Isuru held both hands forward and shook his head, "Ultimate Destroyer? That sounds awesome! How'd a cool name get in there?"
"You think it sounds cool?" Rin tilted her head, "I'm glad. It's the first part that you'll be learning." Her students started to cheer. "Yes," she nodded sagely, "it's a decidedly F-rank jutsu."
The cheers stopped immediately. "Sensei, I don't think F-rank is actually a thing." Ami pointed out.
"No," Rin stood up, "it wasn't until Ultimate Destroyer."
To her students' credit, they didn't complain until ten minutes in. Rin was proud.
"How much longer?! At this rate I'm gonna be Ultimately Destroyed by boredom!" Isuru shouted.
"Yah sensei, what's the deal?!" Ami joined in.
"Don't ask, do." Rin looked up from her place at the trunk of a tree, where she sat pouring over medical texts.
"This is so not a jutsu!" Ami said.
"Sensei, I agree. I'm afraid I don't understand how standing on one foot qualifies as a jutsu." said Sakura.
"F-ranked jutsu." Rin nodded like that explained everything and went back to reading.
"Give it up guys, sensei's in bookland." Ami sighed crossly and glared at her foot, "Though I'd love an explanation." Sakura nodded her agreement vigorously.
"Ack!" Thump.
"And Isuru is down for the count." Ami rolled her eyes, "I can't believe you only lasted for ten minutes." She pointed a finger at her teammate, "Get back on your foot!"
"Never!" Isuru proceeded to do a handstand.
Thump. Thuwmp. The sound of giggles filled the clearing.
Rin sighed and put her books away. When they started getting a little loopy she knew it was time to call it a night. "All right, time to head home. We'll resume tomorrow. I expect you to practice this during class. I've talked to Iruka, so you can stand in the back while he lectures." She started herding the tired twelve-year-olds towards the road. "Let's get you home."
Rin walked them all home, since it was late. Most of the jonin did their teaching in the early morning, and then a couple hours before lunch the students started their formal lessons. The hospital needed Rin in the morning, so her students trained late and slept in.
After dropping off a sleepy Sakura to her mom, who was wide awake from working a guard shift—Rin prided herself on the fact that her students would be prepared for weird ninja hours—she leaped her way to the Hokage Tower. Her medical report tucked safely in her jacket pocket.
Rin arrived at the lit building and stopped at the front desk so the security ninja could verify her identity. She then made her way to the Hokage's office. Little shoots of light were peeking out from under the door. No doubt their leader was hard at work, even as late as it was.
Then she opened up the door and sighed.
Hard at work? I must be tired if I'm thinking like that. "Lady Hokage." The fearless village leader of the Hidden Leaf jerked straight up in her chair to face Rin's unimpressed stare. "I have the report."
"Fantastic!" Kushina Uzumaki gestured for Rin to step forward, and she did so, handing over her disease predictions for the coming year. "Much appreciated. Vaccine-time is always such a pain, you know. I can't believe how many ninja are afraid of a little needle! They can stare death in the face, but one tiny piece of metal and they're all back to being children, you know!" When Rin's frustrated look didn't change, the Fifth Hokage slumped over on her desk, still holding Rin's gaze, "Oh, c'mon! I did all my boring paperwork, you know!"
Rin's face finally broke into a smile, "I'm just jealous is all. When we're done here, I'm going home."
Kushina stretched, reaching her hands to the ceiling. "Good idea! We'll be back at it in a few hours though, you know."
Rin laughed, "I'll take what I can. A tired medic is a poor medic."
Kushina filed away the report and the two walked out of the tower, making small talk until they reached the street and went their separate ways.
Sure, ninja could just leap out the window, but when you did that all the time, there was a certain luxury to indulging in taking the door.
But Rin was in a hurry, so she quickly took to the buildings. Despite what she'd told the Hokage, she still had one quick stop before reaching home. It was on the way anyway.
She approached the Memorial Stone, and quickly traced her finger over the familiar characters.
Kakashi Hatake. Obito Uchiha. Minato Namikaze.
Rin didn't visit too often. It hurt, no matter how long ago it all was. You never forget your genin team.
They were the ones you made all the mistakes with.
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"Die Leaf filth!" The rogue ninja threw…an umbrella? Oh, okay then… into the air, "Senbon shower!"
That was nice of him to tell us. Minato threw one of his kunai over the senbon umbrella and hiraishined to it.
"Three-sixty-one no jutsu." His monotone voice fit well with the rather understated jutsu result. The umbrella rotted immediately and wisped away.
Down below Kushina had ripped the missing-nin in half with her chakra chains. He landed beside her.
"Thank you Lord Hokage!" a young ninja with brown hair called out, he was probably too young and unskilled to be on this mission. Then again, there wasn't anyone else to send. The ninja—Why can't I ever remember people's names these days?—bowed in his and Kushina's direction.
"Of course!" he shouted out. Kushina gave a nod, and then he felt another pull on a hiraishin seal. Time to go.
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"Three-sixty-one no jutsu!"
Kushina missed the days when Minato had a stupid name for every attack. Sure, they were ridiculous, but at least they were interesting.
"Thank you Lord Hokage!"
"Of course!" She nodded at Nanashi, and finally took a moment since they'd arrived to figure out where they were at. Looked to be a—
Vooooosh!
"Warn me next time, you know!" and then Kushina had to leap away from the sudden barrage of kunai. "That goes for you too!" She yelled at the offending ninja. Now what's going on!?
She was pretty sure they were in some sort of cave now. This was infuriating for her, but even if she hadn't already known it, she would've been able to tell that Minato did this every day. Within seconds he'd targeted enemy, whoever they were, and disarmed them. She pulled anyone she could see wearing an enemy headband into the grip of her chakra chains, and Minato used "Five-thirty-seven no jutsu!" to finish them off.
And then another Vooooosh! and Kushina had the sudden desire to punch her beloved spouse until she realized they were back in the mission assignment room.
The three ninja therein looked up from where they were frantically doing paperwork for about a split second before they were back to the grind. Paperwork ninjas. I don't envy them.
"It's dawn." She turned to Minato, "I've got to meet my students, you going to be all right?"
He nodded, "Thank you for your help." He gave her a small smile, "Which teams are you working with today?"
"Eight, Six, Twenty, Nineteen, Four, Five and Two." She dusted off her by-now grimy pants, "Eleven and Thirteen are training for the chunin exams so that at least a few of our teams can make a good showing," she grimaced, "they'll be the only semi-impressive ones, I'm afraid. The other teams are open for assignments though."
Minato gave her a grateful smile before one of the Paperwork ninjas called him over to, "Stamp this, sign this, stamp that and tell me what you wrote here."
Kushina walked over to the door where she'd left her bag, full of teaching odds and ends, and almost ran into Jiraiya as he came through the door. "Kushina!" he grinned up at her, "Long day?"
She held open the door as he maneuvered his wheelchair in to the room, "At least it's day, not days."
Then she walked over to the window and jumped out. Busy day today. She was glad she'd decided to clump teams Six and Twenty into one session. She might just be able to work with Eleven and Thirteen to help them prepare for the upcoming exams.
She took a wistful moment to wonder if teaching would be more enjoyable if she wasn't teaching every genin team in all of the Hidden Leaf. It was hard to believe they'd once had the greatest population of all the Hidden Villages. And now we've got what? Sixty active genin, forty active chunin, and fifteen active jonin? They couldn't even say they had a sanin anymore. Tsunade was dead, Orochimaru was dead(thankfully) and Jiraiya was paralyzed from the waist down, and unable to access his chakra.
She hoped that wherever Orochimaru was now, it was painful.
After years of his insane leadership, she could now honestly say that she was the only person left in the Hidden Leaf capable of teaching a genin team. Out of all the jonin and chunin, she was the only one left who could claim both mental soundness and ability to carry out the duties of an active ninja.
That, and they couldn't spare a single other ninja. It really wasn't possible that they'd kept up with missions meant for…a lot more ninja. But Minato has made it possible. Without his teleporting to take on the fights their now sub-par ninja couldn't win, they'd have imploded long ago.
As it was, they were barely clinging on.
Author's note: Hi! I think I should probably clarify (though doing it like this feels a bit like cheating) there are three distinct worlds at play here. Regular canon world was the one with Obito. Then there's the one with Rin and her students where Kushina is the Hokage, and finally there's the one with Minato and Kushina. I know it's a little confusing at the moment, but I think I can clear most of it up next chapter. Also, I'm doing my best to add detail about where they are, so hopefully I'll get the hang of that a little more by next chapter. Thank you for reading and have a great day!