"So much for keeping this low profile," Minato muttered, and slumped back against the headboard with a sigh, closing his eyes. It was subtly yet profoundly disturbing to see those eyes, now not quite his own.
The thought spiralled into many more. Konoha, civilians and shinobi alike, would need to be reassured. His abilities in combat would need to be reassessed.
The painful hollow in his heart deepened, the one that had been there since he completed the Hakke Fūin. Kushina and he had discussed at length the details of being the Nine-Tails' host; Minato could picture her, smiling wanly as she described the information he now needed.
There would be a funeral. He knew, simply from what little he witnessed of the demon fox's rampage, that there had been many casualties. The village would mourn all their dead together.
It would take place soon. As the Hokage, Minato's attendance was required, but he would have attended regardless. While he was feeling more miserable than he ever had during the war, he was quite aware that he had all but recovered from his chakra exhaustion by now, and that some phantom pains were not going to keep him from saying goodbye properly.
Right now, though, he just wanted to see Naruto. Sarutobi-sama could perhaps give him a general update on the state of things in Konoha, no doubt there was a medical-nin waiting to check on his well-being, and then he would feel quite justified in demanding to be left in peace, just this once.
The Fourth frowned, as he remembered something. "Biwako-sama?" he asked of the other Hokage, who shook his head, looking momentarily as tired as his age would suggest.
Minato had hoped they were only injured. "We'll mourn later," he said steadily and softly. It was a curious parallel, that both Hokage had lost their wives. "First of all, I want to meet Naruto properly." The old man smiled faintly at his persistence.