Full Summary: Have you ever imagined being "isekai-ed" before? Well, she's kinda too old to fantasize about that shite. She was still, however, thrown into the world of Naruto unprepared... whilst also being in the body of her game character, which, FYI, is the opposite gender and more than a little crazy in the head.
[Shinkichi talks like this when outside the Mind Palace] (Shi-chan)
[Shizuka talks like this when outside the Mind Palace] (Shi-sōrō)
"Hurry up, slowpoke!"
Minato withheld a wince as his right arm was violently tugged by his best friend, Uzumaki Kushina, towards her friend's home for a relaxing lunch. The redhead was grinning ear to ear, her violet eyes shining in a way that made her entire face lit up, attracting numerous stares from the crowd around them.
Kushina, as always, was entirely oblivious to the admiration and appreciation her beauty garnered.
As a result of that, whenever Minato was out and about with her, many would glare at him, invisible arrows of envy and jealousy piercing through the back of his head. Even now, the crowd's heated gazes only intensify whenever they saw how the two jounins had their arms linked together.
It was tiring at times to endure such hostility from his fellow men, especially when they were minding their own business, enjoying their day off.
But looking at Kushina, joyful at the prospect of having a meal together with her closest friends, he shrugged off all discomfort (somehow even after all these years, still not accustomed to it). The lives of kunoichi and shinobi were short, after all. It was ideal for them to enjoy whatever spare time they have whenever inside their village - what with the war raging outside their walls, they could be called on duty at any given time.
Just like his newest victi-cough- friend, he meant.
Minato had planned on surprising the adorably tsundere-ish Uchiha via the Hiraishin seal he had sneakily placed on the raven-haired man's nape a few days ago (although how the Uchiha had not sensed his chakra flaring when he activated said seal made Minato question the shinobi's sensing capabilities). The marker's range was too far, however, indicating that Shiki was out of Konoha.
It disappointed him, but he understood their duty to their village was more important than his personal entertainment. He could only hope that Shiki would return without too many injuries to his person.
Minato was suddenly pulled out from his head quite literally when Kushina almost dislocated his shoulder with how hard she was tugging.
"There's still three minutes till our designed meeting time, Kushina. There's no need to rush."
Minato threw out an awkward smile while attempting to placate the overly eager kunoichi. His fingers were already numb from the excessively strong grip his best friend had on them, and although a dislocated bone was considered a minor injury to the likes of them, he would rather avoid such things if possible.
She suddenly swirled on her heels, a finger pushed against his chest and a hand on her hip, "We're almost late... and completely empty-handed because someone forgot their promise of coming over and baking dessert with me! Do you know how many paper-chuunin I had to go through to obtain access to the library's restricted section?! Light reading my ass!"
"And I already said I was sorry."
"Sorry ain't gonna miraculously get us some goddamn cake!"
"... But that bakery could?"
Minato sheepishly pointed to the toasty smelling bakery just next to them while discreetly pocketing his numb hand, away from the clutches of the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero. When Kushina's lips parted, no doubt to sass him, Minato quickly grabbed ahold of her wrist and pulled her inside, his intentions of getting out of a scolding quite obvious.
While he softly murmured about the choices of baked goods on display, Kushina was oddly silent. It made Minato throw a glance over his shoulder, blinking twice when he saw how red her cheeks were. Worried that she might be falling ill, he released her wrist in favor of placing the back of his hand on her forehead.
"Are you alright, Kushina? You're a bit warm."
"W-w-what do you- I'm not- You- That one!"
Minato could only watch in a daze as Kushina all but rushed to the other side of the bakery, chose a chocolate sponge cake, paid for it, and ran out onto the streets like her bum was on fire. Or rather, her face was on fire.
Minato shook himself out of a stupor and quickly made to catch up. He just knew that he would be the on to get blamed if he arrived even a second later than the redhead.
Thanks to his speed, Minato caught up just as Kushina came to a stop in front of their mutual friend's home. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head when the Konoha kunoichi harrumphed, before ringing the doorbell.
A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing a twenty-year-old woman with delicate and beautiful features. Her dark, long hair was for once tied into a neat bun, her equally dark eyes lighting up at the sight of them.
"Kushina!"
Uchiha Mikoto, wearing a dark purple dress underneath an overly frilly pink apron (a joke-gift from Kushina), initiated a hug with the redhead, the latter giving as good as she got. Unlike her many Uchiha kin, she was not one to shy away from outward displays of affection.
"Mikoto! It's so good to see you too, dattebane!"
"Minato," The Uchiha clan head's wife greeted him as soon as the two kunoichis separated, giving him a welcoming smile, "Come in, you two. Fugaku will be slightly late, but we can start with the finger foods while we wait for him."
"Thank you for inviting us over, Mikoto," He politely told her on behalf of Kushina as well, the redhead already bulldozing inside like a rampaging bull. At least one of them had to have manners despite having been granted carte blanche in the Uchiha head's home a long time ago
"Not at all. I'm glad to have you both here; safe and in one piece."
While Mikoto went ahead to put the cake they brought into the fridge, Minato removed his sandals, slipped into a pair of guest slippers, and walked to where he could hear Kushina's loud squealing. When he entered the traditional house's kitchen, it was to the sight of the Uzumaki twirling a dizzy-looking one-year-old in the air, much to his mirth.
Mikoto didn't even bother with keeping her amusement to herself, outright giggling next to the fridge as she watched her son be manhandled by her energetically boyish best friend.
"Try not to break my son, Kushina," She finally said after calming herself down, albeit her smile did not fade, only growing larger when her son toddled unsteadily away from the Uzumaki after he was released.
"Why would I break my godson, dattebane?!"
The redhead placed her hands on her hips in mock-anger, though it only lasted for about five seconds before she broke down in a belly-deep laughter, startling the poor toddler into almost faceplanting if not for Minato's quick save.
He idly placed the wide-eyed Itachi onto his hip and smiled kindly at the boy. It felt amazing to see two of his closest friends settle down and start a family. Minato longed to do the same, but only after the war. He would never wish a child of his to go through what they have been and was going through at this point in time.
"Hello there, Itachi-kun," He whispered, the corner of his eyes crinkling when the child only continued to stare at his hair in utter fascination.
Indeed, his bright blonde hair would be considered something of a mystery for a boy who has only been amongst dark-haired Uchiha. Itachi was still too young to have remembered Kushina's and Minato's visits a few months back.
The toddler then innocently reached out a pudgy fist and grasped one of his eartails, bunching and tugging at them with a smile that showed more gum than teeth. Uchiha Itachi was adorable, and if Minato was a lesser man, would've melted into mush at having that expression directed at him.
"Only twelve months old and already has you wrapped around his finger, eh, blondie?"
Minato stuck his tongue out rather childishly at Kushina, who was leering at him while wiggling her eyebrows. It only made her sly grin broaden.
With a mock-huff, he settled himself on one of the zaisu chairs in front of the low dining table and settled Itachi on his lap. The toddler not once releasing his hold on Minato's hair. Mikoto and Kushina soon followed his action, the former seated herself on the opposite of Kushina while the latter settled next to him.
They made small talk while they worked on the appetizers, the three of them patiently (or impatiently in Kushina's case) waiting for Fugaku to arrive first before touching any of the main dishes. Kushina, always one to wear her emotions on her sleeves, moaned loudly when the first homemade steamed gyoza entered her mouth.
"Good gods, Mikoto. If you weren't married to Fugaku, I would be asking your hand in marriage right now."
"If I was still single, I would have still rejected your proposal in a flash."
"Ehh?! Why? You're so mean to me!" Kushina whined. Mikoto only hid her giggles behind a hand.
"Your bottomless pit of a stomach would empty my wallet, Kushina. No offense to you, but I'd rather not date anyone who eats twelve bowls of ramen in one sitting. If I'm not wrong, Minato, I've heard you are quite the chef."
Minato shrugged his shoulders as he continued to feed Itachi small servings of his mother's handmade steamed gyoza.
"I get by. I'm no match for your prowess in the kitchen, though."
"My, you don't need to be so modest. Maybe you can use your cooking to attract a nice young lady? Someone who would no doubt appreciate your home cook meals?"
Raising his head to look at the Uchiha, he popped a gyoza into his mouth and chewed slowly, eyes narrowed in a suspicious manner at the sly-looking Mikoto. He didn't notice how red Kushina had turned, too busy with making eye contact with the ravenhead.
"If this is another one of your ploys to push me into dating, I'm ignoring you for the rest of the meal."
It was not as if Minato planned to remain single all his life, of course. He has been feeling lonely as of late, but currently, there was no need to distract himself with finding that special someone while a war was looming over their heads. Besides, he prefers a long, serious relationship over a short, roll in the sheets.
Although admittingly, within the safety of his consciousness, one such person did pop into mind. That did not, however, sidetrack him into losing control over his emotions (he was a shinobi, a good one, too). Minato was not a man who would recklessly enter a relationship without stealthily observing his potential partners from afar.
"Yes, yes. As you wish," Mikoto, the nosy fox, thankfully switched her target to Kushina next, "And when are you, my dear spitfire of a friend, will grow some balls and ask that man of yours out on a real date?"
Kushina all but choked on her gyoza, her cheeks almost matching in color with her hair. Minato turned to her in blatant shock, not once having noticed that his best friend was crushing on someone. After a few moments of Kushina chugging down a glass of water, Minato decided he needed to tease the redhead.
"Wow... Who's the pitiful guy to have attracted your interest?"
Getting his hair drenched by her spit-take was almost worth it. Almost. Inwardly, he cackled, outwardly, however, Minato made a sound of disgust as he took a few tissues and dabbed it over his hair and Itachi's wet face. The poor boy looked traumatized.
"I-I-I-it's none of your business, dattebane! Idiot! Girly-boy! Nerd! Bookworm! Beansprout!"
Minato could only wince as his childhood 'nicknames' were thrown his way by the red-faced kunoichi. Kushina, at least, refrained from beating him up since little Itachi was still on his lap (thank god). Mikoto, the traitor, only continued to munch on her finger food as she enjoyed the show.
In their moment of inattentiveness, Fugaku, in his KMPF uniform and flak jacket, entered the kitchen, an unimpressed brow raised as he watches his two guests make a fool of themselves.
"Okaeri, dear," Mikoto's greeting finally made Kushina's verbal abuse stop, much to Minato's relief.
"Tadaima."
The Uchiha head walked gracefully towards his wife and pecked her on the cheek, before washing his hands and taking a seat next to her. Minato awkwardly waved his hand at his lap, where Itachi was seated, as if to offer the man his son, but not really as well.
He didn't actually want his shield to be taken away when Kushina was this close to punching the living daylights out of him.
"Keep him," Fugaku stated drily, obviously noting the way Minato had slumped in relief, "I apologize for making you all wait."
"What kept you?" Kushina, ever the tactless person, asked as she gave one final glare at Minato.
"Work."
"About...?"
"Confidential matters, I'm afraid."
"Eh, whatever. Let's start already. I'm hungry!"
While Fugaku rolled his eyes at Kushina's demand, Mikoto scooped rice into their rice bowls and poured tea into their cups - always the perfect hostess. Minato murmured a small thank you, prioritizing in feeding Itachi first before he slowly devoured his own portion.
Compliments were being said to the chef, as per usual, and everyone chattered about mundane matters. Minato smiled as he wiped the toddler's cheeks, utterly relaxed as he enjoyed this small moment of peace, surrounded by his loved ones.
Having long sensed his mark on Shiki approaching nearer and nearer to Konoha, Minato stood at the top of the gate, arms crossed over his chest as he waited for the Uchiha's arrival. It still bothered Minato that he, as one of the top sensors, could not detect even an ounce of Shiki's chakra no matter how hard he focused (although he has yet tried to do so in Sage Mode).
The only way he could keep track of the man's movements was due to his Hiraishin's mark. If not for the seal, Uchiha Shiki would be like a ghost to him. It made Minato wonder if the Uchiha was currently an ANBU nin or a hunter-nin. With such talent, Sandaime-sama would no doubt pull him into such covert operations.
However, for such theory to be true, why had Minato not once seen him at the HQ before? Not one to drop a mystery (too stubborn to, actually), Minato swore that he would one day uncover the truth behind Uchiha Shiki and his phantom-like presence.
Minato pulled himself out of his head when he saw a group of six approaching the wide gates of Konohagakure. The one leading the group was familiar to Minato, a strick and no-nonsense ANBU operative that went by the name of Tori, if he was not wrong. Minato's blue eyes skipped over to the rest of the shinobi, only stopping when he saw Shiki positioned to guard their rear.
He quickly looked the man over, observing his movements for any odd stiffness that would indicate an injury - the Uchiha's attire was bloody enough for it, anyway. It was as if he had been caught in an explosion of gore, if Minato had to guess.
Thankfully, Minato could see that Shiki was unharmed, or if he was indeed wounded, it was at most superficial or non-life threatening enough to ignore.
As soon as the group of six stopped at the gates to sign in at the guardhouse, Minato dived forward, a manic grin in place as he landed on his startled target, bear hugging the Uchiha and spinning the man around just as Kushina did to Itachi.
"N-Namikaze?!" The Uchiha sputtered, wiggling futilely as he tried to escape the blonde's hold, "Let go of me, you imbecile!"
"Why are you being so cold~ Call me Minato. Mi-na-to."
"As if I have any desire to familiarize myself with you, Namikaze!"
"You're so mean to me... Even though I missed you so much~" Minato pretended to whine while hiding a grin, enjoying the way the Uchiha glared furiously (in embarrassment, he assumes) at Minato, ears tinged slightly in pink.
What a tsundere!
"Well, I don't!" Said tsundere snapped. The other jounin had already stopped trying to escape, reluctantly allowing Minato to manhandle him like a ragdoll. Minato found such docileness adorable as he rested his chin atop Shiki's fluffy head.
"Namikaze," At having his name called, Minato turned to the Tori, an innocent expression on his face. The unmasked ANBU looked unimpressed as he gestured at the man trapped in Minato's arms, "Release Uchiha. We need to debrief Hokage-sama on our mission. Stat."
Pouting, he did as he told, albeit with much reluctance.
Shiki all but leaped from his hold, putting as much distance between them with such obviousness that it made Minato want to cackle. Who knew unnerving and teasing someone would be this much fun? It was no wonder Mikoto loved to troll Kushina.
"Alright. I'll see you soon, Shi-chan~!"
Just as Minato made to jump onto the nearest rooftop, the Uchiha suddenly stumbled, knees buckling slightly. He immediately Shunshin to the Uchiha's side, hands hovering as his eyes worriedly gave yet another body check. He would have done a physical one, but he knew that that would be pushing boundaries too soon into their friendship.
No shinobi liked to be physically assessed - even if it was strictly professional - without prior permission.
Tori and another jounin was next to him the next instance, both of them scanning the Uchiha from head to toe, equally worried about potential delayed injuries such as poisons and the likes.
"Uchiha? Status report," Tori all but demanded.
It took a few moments, with Minato getting more and more anxious, before Shiki answered. However, Minato felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand. He didn't know why, but he felt as if something was amiss.
"Nothing of importance," The Uchiha's voice, although the same, had a different quality to the tone, his sharp eyes flicking over to Minato before returning their gaze to Tori, "We should not keep Sandaime-sama waiting."
Without waiting for any of their responses, Shiki disappeared, leaving a pile of leaves in his place. His Shunshin was perfectly executed without hand seals or chakra leakage, which made a few shinobi near them exclaim their admiration.
Minato could not help but stare at the empty air of where Shiki once stood, the cogs in his head turning a mile a minute, half-heartedly replying to the words being spoken to him as Tori and his team departed. It seems that his puzzle has more missing pieces than he had previously assumed.
A/N: Holy hell. I rushed to type this chapter as soon as I returned from my exam (adv bio is a bitch!).
I would like to give my special thanks to, well, I don't know their name, actually. Just that I had promised them that I would update this upon returning from my camping trip. But I got delayed due to my final exam, so I truly apologize for that. Hopefully, I did not disappoint them too much (⋟﹏⋞)!
P.S. Did you guys enjoy Minato's POV?! {*≧∀≦} Please tell me your thoughts~