Heh, sorry for the previously short chapter, guys. Expect them now and then when there's not much to add, though I try to avoid them. Lets hope this makes up for it.
Also, about Naruto being a little too loud; I'd technically agree with you. At sixteen he was much quieter. However, seeing as he just got his father back and is loved by everyone, I think he's entitled to some happiness right now. XD
I've been wanting to write this for days. 3
Disclaimer: See first chapter
Chapter Seven – Take up the Hat
Soon after Naruto left the tent with Sakura, Nara Shikaku glanced at his watch before standing up. His expression was calm and serious, as always, yet there was a determined glint in his eyes. "That will be enough for now, Minato. Given the circumstances, I doubt anyone will raise serious protests against your identity."
Minato nodded in reply. "Are you heading somewhere?" he asked his familiar comrades when they moved towards the exit, azure eyes set. Without realizing it, he was entering a mindset his friends had fondly called 'Hokage mode'; he knew Konoha was destroyed, and he couldn't help but hurt for his village. At his businesslike tone, Inoichi couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm meeting Umino Iruka and Yuuhi Kurenai, if you remember them, to check on the Academy's status. Shikaku's checking in with the Fifth's condition." Instantly, those final few words set alarm bells ringing in Minato's head.
"Condition?" he demanded. Inoichi paused momentarily, glancing from the blond shinobi to Kakashi, then sighed. Taking the hint, the silver-haired jounin nodded.
"I'll explain everything, sensei." Turning to him, Minato regarded his former student for a long moment before nodding his consent. Again, Inoichi couldn't help but chuckle even as he followed Shikaku outside. Kakashi could well understand his amusement. Frail and pale, Minato's physical condition wasn't nearly adequate to support his demanding expression. "Don't pout, brat." came out of his mouth suddenly, startling his sensei. Kakashi had only meant it as a joke, but the dejected look that crossed his sensei's face made him wince sympathetically; he should have known better than to quote Jiraiya's words so soon.
For several uncomfortable moments, Kakashi looked at his teacher while his teacher looked at the floor. The silence was becoming unbearable when Minato seemed to shake himself and look up, no sign of sorrow on his face. However, his expression was open and honest, letting show everything that was currently on his mind. It was an expression Kakashi had seen seldom on his sensei's face, one he knew cost him dearly to allow.
"I have so much I want to ask you, but I don't yet know where to start from." he heard the man say in a steady, yet soft tone which clearly betrayed how overwhelmed he was by everything. Before he would reply, the Copy-nin surveyed his teacher, gauging how much he could or should reveal at present. In time, his sensei would learn everything; he would have to in order to take up his hat as Hokage again. For now, however, a summary would have to suffice.
"Jeez, Minato-sensei. I would have thought death hadn't addled your brains." he replied lightly, standing up straighter and walking a few steps away so that his back was turned to the seated shinobi. Minato's azure eyes widened in surprise, stunned into silence. "When one wants to start a narration, isn't the smart thing to start at the beginning?" His tone was light, teasing, safe. The little act was enough to make Minato smile and bring him out of whatever mood he was beginning to sink into.
Really, Kakashi. he thought fondly before clearing his throat. "I suppose you're right. The beginning it is, then." When his student turned around to face him again, both their expressions darkened with the severity of the matter they were to discuss. Minato's voice had returned to its responsible Hokage timbre- the one Kakashi last remembered hearing him use. "What happened that night after I sealed the Kyuubi into Naruto?"
Though he had been expecting it, the question still left Kakashi a little winded; he'd lost two dear friends that day. "After you... sealed the fox into Naruto, the Third returned bearing your bodies along with three Anbu; he himself was carrying Naruto. The village was half in ruins, though many were saved thanks to the Third removing the Fox from the village, then you transporting it. Thankfully, those fires shinobi had yet to put out were doused by the oncoming rain. The Third held your funeral in the morning; he had all of you together, you and Kushina, Kyo and Irumi Umino... Rin..." The last name was said in a very soft voice, eliciting a gasp from his sensei. Kakashi didn't want to look, but he couldn't help himself; he drew some solace from his teacher's shocked and wounded expression, took solace in knowing that he wasn't the only one to miss her that much. For a moment, Minato looked like he wanted to say something, then swallowed with difficulty.
"Go... Go on..." he said in a strained voice. The dismal mood was returning, but the subject demanded it; their dead deserved it. Silently conversing with their eyes, the two decided to leave personal matters out of the narration. Yet.
"After your funeral, the Third returned to office and began reconstructions. The Raikage and Kazekage were gracious enough to contact us and inquire as to the security of the Kyuubi. Hiruzen-sama, of course, gave few but pointed answers to both." Though his gaze had hardened at the mention of the two Kage, Kakashi almost seemed satisfied at the Third's course of action. "Konoha's strength wasn't contested and we managed to pass any aggressive actions by. The Tsuchikage seemed well pleased, though." Now it was Minato's turn to glare briefly, before he sighed and looked down at his hands.
"What about Naruto? What happened to him?" he asked, attempting to keep his voice as neutral as he could. He failed miserably. Kakashi smirked, reminded of the anxious, flustered Minato during Kushina's pregnancy. He knew his pain, however. He had felt it himself over the past sixteen years as he saw his sensei's son suffer.
"At first, he was raised by the orphanage, though many would have taken him in. The Third passed a law that forbade anyone from talking about his parentage or the Tailed beast he was hosting. I... I'm sorry, sensei, I should have tried harder, I-"
"What happened?" Minato's voice was calm when he interrupted his student's agitated apology, but pointed. Azure eyes met gray ones, shining light, liquid fire. Kakashi knew that look all too well; the Yellow Flash's eyes were legendary, after all, like his smile. He couldn't but do as his sensei bid him to and continue.
"After he was eight and started at the Academy, he moved into an apartment on his own, supported by the Village fund. He... He was very lonely, sensei... The villagers knew him as the Kyuubi's host and hated him for it. They kept their children away from him and he didn't have any friends growing up. He was a right nuisance, pulling pranks all the time, but who could blame the kid...? He didn't really connect with anyone until the night of his graduation. Most people regarded him with contempt and those few families that knew the truth couldn't get close to him. I know I have no excuse. I should have watched him better, sensei."
At the apologetic tone in the man's voice, Minato raised an elegant eyebrow. "Are you apologizing for not being there for my son, Kakashi? For allowing others to treat him as a villain, and not a hero?" he asked sharply, making his student wince.
"Basically, yes." He owed it to his sensei to be direct. "I'm sorry, sensei. I failed you." A heavy silence enveloped the two. Kakashi stared at his teacher nervously, while Minat looked back at him, a critical look in his eyes. Finally, the latter sighed and shrugged.
"We'll discuss this later. Right now please continue your story. You were at the eve of his graduation?" Apologies could wait for later. Right then, Minato just wanted to hear about his son.
Only somewhat assuaged, Kakashi nodded. "That night was the first time he created a bond with someone other than the Third. Ichinabe Mizuki, a chuunin instructor at the Academy, tricked him into stealing your Scroll of Sealing. He had told Naruto that, if he learned a technique from that, he could graduate, but he was only trying to get his hands on the scroll for Orochimaru. He wasn't expecting Naruto to actually put up a fight, though. The kid went ahead and managed to learn the-"
"The Shadow Clone jutsu, I know." Minato commented, smirking proudly. "I know about his bond with Umino Iruka, too; I could sense what happened to him when his emotions were really high, Kakashi..."
"That so..." Kakashi said, then sighed. After a few seconds, he cleared his throat and continued. "After that, he joined my genin team and, well... I'll let him tell you all that himself." At Minato's wide-eyed look, the jounin just smiled. Finally, his sensei nodded and rolled his shoulders; the joints creaked stiffly.
"Very well. What else have I missed? You mentioned Orochimaru – did he finally defect from Konoha?" he asked sharply, piercing eyes watching his student closely. The subject elicited a sigh from Kakashi.
"He went rogue about six years after your death. The Third was finally going to apprehend him and hand him to the Interrogation department when he scarpered. He'd been practicing kinjutsu, trying to make himself into an immortal. Mitarashi Anko can tell you more about him; she was his student when he left. In addition, he developed the Cursed Seal while still working for Konoha; upon being burnt into the user's skin, the user can phase into a different form with a stronger chakra system. Anko has one she barely survived. If you're that interested, you should look at it." he added, noticing Minato's attention perking up at the word 'seal'. "Now, about three and a half years ago, Orochimaru infiltrated the chuunin exams being held in Konoha by impersonating the Fourth Kazekage. He was after Uchiha Sasuke, the last of the Uchiha in Konoha and Naruto's teammate. After-"
"I know about Sasuke, too. Carry on." Minato interrupted him again, making him sigh.
"Sensei, you really shouldn't interrupt people." he complained, causing his teacher to smirk slightly. "In any case. When he was exposed, he attacked Konoha for all he was worth... Hiruzen-sama managed to seal his arms away by using the Shiki Fuuin." Minato's eyes widened dramatically at that and his breath caught in his chest. Kakashi wished he could do something to ease the pain clearly etched on his sensei's face, but there was nothing he could do but pause respectfully. "I take it you didn't know. I'm sorry, I should have phrased it better."
"No, no... I need to hear all this and we don't have time for pussyfooting." Minato replied, composing himself again. His voice returned to its Hokage timbre instinctively, making Kakashi wonder if he was even aware of his mission-leader tone. "Inoichi mentioned the Fifth Hokage. Since the title of 'Fourth' had already been given out, that means that there was one more Hokage. Who succeeded Hiruzen?"
"Tsunade." Kakashi replied calmly, noting his sensei's surprise.
"Jiraiya's old teammate?" he asked. "She had never wanted to return to Konoha, much less become its Hokage."
"After the Third's death, Jiraiya thought of her. He took Naruto to find her. You'll find that your son has a very charismatic personality. He seems able to convince peple to believe in him and themselves. Why, he even convinced the Sand's Jinchuuriki to stop seeing himself as a killing machine." The last comment was a bone Kakashi thought Minato really needed; his sensei's proud look was a satisfying reward.
"What's her 'condition'?" Minato asked instead of commenting, though he really wanted to drop everything and just hear about his son. Sharp eyes noted the way his student's body turned more towards him. "Is Konoha going to lose another Hokage?" he demanded.
"Not exactly. Calm down and listen." Kakashi chided, again taking Minato by surprise. "Sometimes, I wonder if Naruto did take after you, as well, sensei." The comment made them both smile slightly, easing the tension in the air. "Currently, Tsunade-sama is in a deep coma. During the fight against the Six Paths of Pein, she released her jutsu in order to save as many as she could. The chakra exhaustion coupled together with how taxing it is to control and distribute such amounts of healing chakra has sent her into it. Shizune and Sakura – the kunoichi that came to fetch Naruto earlier, report that her condition is stable, but are unsure as to when or even if she will wake up again."
"So the village is without a leader right now..." Minato mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "What of the Council and the Daimyo? The situation must be troubling them deeply."
"Currently, the council is leading in Tsunade's stead. However, you are correct in assuming neither of them will simply wait. The vague prognosis has the council already pushing for Tsunade's dismissal. They wish to appoint a new Hokage as soon as possible, one that will be able to lead Konoha in these difficult times of instability and potential war."
In response to his student's flat, irritated tone, Minato narrowed his eyes. "And who's the primary candidate for the new position?" he asked, though he already had a gut feeling.
"Danzo." The Copy-nin's one uncovered gray eye studied how his sensei's face clamped in irritation and dislike; clearly, the former Hokage had had enough contact with Danzo to know what the man was like. "I assure you, I like him just as much." he commented dryly.
"That man cannot become Hokage!" Minato exclaimed, surprising Kakashi with the force of his outburst. "Konoha needs someone to lead her towards peace, not martial law! The man has no respect for the Will of Fire! There's a reason Hiruzen was selected in the first place."
"Shikaku wanted to nominate me." Kakashi added flatly, watching his teacher's expression turn from outraged to surprised to calm.
"Figures that the Nara wouldn't accept such a position himself. In any case, you might need a little polishing, but you would make a goo-"
"I declined." Kakashi interrupted him, leaving the man speechless. Inwardly, the jounin took a little satisfaction out of that; it wasn't often that his calm, collected teacher was shocked enough to have no response.
"You declined." he repeated after a few heartbeats, eying his student critically. "You would rather let Danzo take the hat?"
"No, sensei, I would not." Kakashi replied calmly, starting to walk around again so that Minato wouldn't be able to see his face. "If there is one thing you taught me, it's to always think of the good of the village. Which is why I declined. It would be pointless for me to accept the nomination when we have another candidate far better suited. In fact, one would say he had experience with the position of a Kage." Having realized where Kakashi was leading the conversation, Minato sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I've been dead for sixteen years, Kakashi. No matter if I was willing to lead the village, the village wouldn't accept me back that easily." Minato remarked, the bitter but pragmatic undertone clear. "And even if they would, I'm not certain I'm the best for the position any longer. Surely in sixteen years a shinobi more skilled than myself must have appeared, once that's more up-to-date with current events. He or she would be the best candidate." At that, Kakashi shook his head.
"Sensei, you underestimate yourself. That's quite unlike you. You are as fit a candidate for the title of Hokage as anyone would be. Yes, you're not caught up to current events fully yet, but that can be easily and quickly remedied. Didn't they call you a genius for a reason? Don't give me that look, now. I'm not a good leader, sensei. I wouldn't make a good Hokage. You, on the other hand, were what the village needed. You inspired everyone, you guided them. That's what Konoha needs now. The village needs a leader to guide them through this mess; a leader that carries the Will of Fire, not the militant spirit that Danzo has. Don't tell me that death left you devoid of your dreams, sensei. It was your dream to become Hokage, to protect the village – you proved yourself worthy when you sacrificed your life for it! Are you really going to turn your back on your village now, when it needs you the most?"
A heavy silence hung between the two following Kakashi's little speech. Minato had hung his head, accepting his student's admonishment quietly. For a moment, Kakashi wondered if he had gone too far. He kept forgetting his sensei had much to catch up on and how overwhelming it must be to have woken up in a different time. He hadn't even expected to end up lecturing his sensei. His disquietude was proven unnecessary, however, when Minato looked up at him, fire burning in his azure eyes and mouth pressed in a determined line.
"You're right, Kakashi, though that has to be the longest I have ever heard you preach. Even longer than you used to chastise Obito." he smiled faintly. Kakashi relaxed and smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sorry, Minato-sensei. But you needed to hear it." Turning serious once more, the jounin slipped his hands inside his pockets. "The council and Danzo won't react to you with open arms, however."
"I know." came the simple reply. "Leave the council and Daimyo to me. I believe I can handle them. All that remains is to begin to tactfully leak the information that I'm alive again." he murmured thoughtfully, stroking his chin.
"Taken care of." Kakashi interrupted his train of thought, making his teacher lok up in surprise.
"Taken care of?" he echoed. At that moment, the tent flap was pulled back and Nara Shikaku stepped into the tent, looking at Kakashi.
"The rumors are spreading." he stated, glancing from one to the other. "Many are repeating that the Fourth Hokage is back from the dead, that, once again, he's fighting to protect the Leaf from the Kyuubi and that he's here to take on his role as Hokage again." he added, noting how Minato's eyes narrowed slightly. It really amused the nara to see his former calm Hokage taken aback as he was. The blond glanced from one to the other and put two and two together as only he could.
"You used Naruto, didn't you. You bet on the fact that he would blurt out information like that, and that the people would trust him." Both were statements, not questions. Kakashi gave his teacher a sheepish smile, but relaxed at the approving look Minato was giving them both. "Alright. It seems the rumors are spreading. They need to be reinforced swiftly and positively, before anyone has the chance to crush them."
"You're planning to do this, then, Minato?" Shikaku checked, raising an eyebrow. "You plan on becoming Hokage again?" Minato's smile was small, but genuine.
"Yes, I do. However, I'm not certain if it'll be harder or easier this time round." he commented lightly. Both Kakashi and Shikaku nodded in satisfaction, returning to the more pressing matters.
"Are you able to stand?" the Nara asked him, trying to evaluate his physical condition. "The easiest and best way would be for you to use the Hiraishin. But, for that, we need a good setting and you to still be standing after you use the technique." Minato was already nodding in agreement.
"After a night's rest and food, my body seems more responsive to me. My chakra network is still depleted, however, and my reflexes aren't as they were before. I believe I can stand and, with a day or two of training, I'll be able to produce the Hiraishin. To do that, however, I'll need sealing paper and kunai. I don't suppose there's anything left of my weapons' storage, is there?" he asked pensively, turning to Kakashi. The silver-haired jounin shook his head.
"The Third had them destroyed just in case spies tried to copy your seals. I have a blacksmith I can trust, however. He can produce enough kunai for you if you draw up the design for him."
"That's easy enough to do. I'll need sealing paper and ink to create the seals for them, as well. I might as well do these today if we're to train tomorrow." Gradually, the former Hokage had been beginning to talk to himself, almost, as he planned their next moves. No matter how distracted he was, however, he couldn't miss the smirk under Kakashi's mask. "What?"
"I look forward to training with you again, sensei." he said lightly, in a tone that made Minato groan inwardly.
He had a feeling tomorrow would be challenging, to say the least.
