A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! :D
To Utopia Empire: (Facepalms) I can't believe I didn't have him actually say it! I totally forgot that little yet important detail! O.O' Thank you for pointing it out. I added it in.
To lilyflower: Thank you. I'm a little unsure of my romance writing skills so I've basically been hinting. It'll start for real in a few chapters.
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Chapter Twenty-One: Slow Decay and Lingering Hope
Due to recent unrest and injustice within Konohagakure no Sato, the following laws are currently in effect, to protect the prosperity and peace of our people.
Konohagakure Law # 660
The Lord Hokage shall determine what information is fit to be taught to the Next Generation, in civilian and Shinobi schools. All lessons on history of Konoha and it's past Hokage must be approved by the standing Lord Hokage.
Konohagakure Law # 661
All teachers must be approved by the Lord Hokage. All current teachers must be evaluated and approved by the Lord Hokage. All potential teachers must take a test to see if they have the correct mind-set for their position. The taking of this test is non-negotiable.
Konohagakure Law # 662
All Konoha citizens— both civilian and ninja— with a Bloodline must be indoors by half past nine every day, unless given written permission by the Lord Hokage to remain outdoors. This curfew is non-negotiable.
Konohagakure Law # 663
All Bloodline Users (except the Hyuuga Clan) must live in either the Orphanage-sponsored apartments or south of the Hokage Tower. This change in living arrangements is non-negotiable.
Konohagakure Law #664
Bloodline Using Shinobi shall receive three-fourths pay in missions. This arrangement is non-negotiable.
Konohagakure Law #665
Bloodline Using shinobi may not carry more than six kunai, ten shuriken, and one sword within the walls of Konohagakure.
Konohagakure Law # 666
The breaching of any of the above laws will result in imprisonment or execution of the guilty, as seen fit by the Lord Hokage.
Minato Namikaze stared at the large paper that adorned the wall in front of him, revealing none of the turmoil he felt inside to the outside world. It was three days after his attempted assassination of the Hokage, and Danzo had already passed new, strict laws. The rumor going around the village was that an unknown assassin with a Shakuton (Scorch Release) Kekkei Genkai had attacked the Hokage. Someone with a Bloodline had tried to kill the Hokage.
Minato knew that he should have seen that coming. Of course Danzo would turn the attack to his advantage. Even without a single piece of evidence that linked the attempt to a Bloodline User, the secret Purger had let the falsified information spread— and probably put in his report— that the assassin was indeed a "Somaruchi". Minato did not blame himself for trying to kill Danzo, however. If the Yellow Flash had not tried and given Danzo an excuse to post new laws, then the Hokage would have found something else to use as a catalyst.
If it had not been before, it was obvious now who in the village were Bloodline-Haters, or close to becoming one. People stared at known Bloodline Users with cold suspicion, regardless of their Kekkei Genkai. Shop owners suddenly refused to let Bloodline Users into their stores. Bloodline Users who had just financed for a house were abruptly not eligible to buy that home. Teammates requested that the Bloodline Users in their teams be moved. The shift from tolerant to open hatred had been so sudden and efficient, Minato could not help but wonder if the Bloodline-Haters were having secret meetings somewhere. And that was before the new laws that had been posted.
The Yellow Flash knew that the two advisers, along with a large group of civilians and shinobi, had gone before the Shinobi Council and Hokage to demand that measures be taken to lessen the threat of Somaruchi against the Hokage and village. The Shinobi Council had all voted against their request. The Hokage and two advisers had voted for it. Danzo's side had won. It proved the corruption and unfairness in Konoha's government that the Hokage's vote had won against the votes of the entire Shinobi Council, minus the two advisers.
Somewhere in the afterlife, Minato knew that the Shodaime, Nidaime, and Sandaime were probably crying their eyes out as they witnessed what their village had become.
The blonde-haired Jönin's own heart was filled with grief. Already heavy with mourning for his family, it only grew more burdened as the village he fought for died more and more. The Bloodline-Hater view was killing the old Konoha like cancer, slowly and cruelly taking all that the village had once stood for. Minato grieved for what had been lost.Hearing the name of his village no longer filled him with a sense of hope, duty, and happiness. Wearing the symbol of the Leaf on his hitai-ate no longer made his back straighten with pride. What little faith he had in his village was deteriorating. Scratch that, his loyalty had all but vanished. Just like Hyko had predicted, his loyalty had shifted from his village to his allies and friends. No longer did Minato think, I fight for Konoha, in a battle. Now, it was I fight for my friends. The worst part of his sudden coldness towards his home? He did not even care that his loyalty was gone. And that, more than anything, proved that the Konoha he had grown up in was dead in all but name.
If not for his friends, and the people he knew still had good hearts and morals that resided in the village, Minato would have destroyed the place himself. Lucky for the Bloodline-Haters who dared to call Konoha "home", the Yellow Flash still had people he fought for in the dying village. That was why he taught his students with the same fervor he would have if Konoha had remained a truly good place to fight for. That was why he still fought and killed in battle, not for the village, but for his friends. That was why he tolerated Danzo, until he could figure out a way to get rid of the bastard without causing another massacre. That was why he did not leave the village behind. Plus, he had a feeling that Danzo would kill anyone he left behind.
If the Jönin could, he would grab everyone he cared about and take them away from this place. But he could not. Not alone. And despite the Hokage's actions, despite the citizens' hatred, despite the new constricting laws, many would refuse to leave. Konoha was their home, as it had been for generations. Many would not leave until terrible reality slapped them in the face. And by then, it may be too late to run. Even so, Minato vowed to guide his more stubborn allies towards the truth as best he could, and make them see. Then, and only then, with his friends and allies at his side, would he be able to plan escape. But for now, he had to endure, and focus on doing his normal tasks for his friends. Even if that meant remaining in— and pretending to be loyal to— the corrupt village, he would do it. Until the time was right.
It would be difficult, he knew, but Minato was sure that he could keep keep up his still-loyal ruse. Though Danzo's actions after his parent's deaths had almost made him snap.
Flashback:
Minato could hear the whispers, see the pitying— and triumphant— eyes. He ignored the people around him, shrouded in grief and mourning. He had just been released from the hospital, where "he" had been observed for an additional twelve hours to make sure that he did not have a concussion. Kushina's ruse had worked well, the medics not even noticing their patient was not really their patient. Minato's alibi was secure. With the anger towards Danzo shoved to the back of his mind, Minato's grief had returned, making his steps heavy and his eyes darken. All Minato wanted to do now was go home and sleep.
Minato headed to his house— his family's house— determined to enter the structure despite the recent bad memories he had gained there. The teen wanted to linger in the halls, to be alone and stare at the pictures and sit in reminiscence. His other option was to cry in the street, something he would rather avoid. Halting on the doorstep, he stared at the door, unwilling to go inside. A hand tapped on his shoulder. Minato turned to look at the Chünin who stood there, looking extremely uncomfortable.
"Um. I'm sorry Minato-san, but you can't go in."
"Why?" Minato asked blankly. "They've finished investigating and..." And cleaning up the blood. The teen shivered.
The Chünin shifted his weight from foot to foot, a guilty look on his face. "Um. You see... you can't live here anymore."
Minato stared at him. "What?"
"You may be a Jönin, but you're seventeen," the Chünin— who had to be at least twenty-five— said apologetically. "You didn't own any part of the house. And your parents didn't have a will so... it was sold."
Minato went still, mind going blank. "WHAT?!" he shouted, causing passerby to glance in his direction."But it's only been— Why?"
The Chünin chewed on his lip. "Um. You see— Well—" He stammered, trying to figure out a kind way to break the news. "You're seventeen." he said at last. "You can't live by yourself here."
"But it's only been little more than half a day!"Minato hissed.
"The passing of property and going over the will are done quickly in wartime." the Chünin tried to explain. "Otherwise investigations would be bogged down by all of the wills from KIAs."
Minato stared at him."Oh." He managed to choke out.
There was a long, tense silence.
"Where are my family's belongings?" he asked at last.
The Chünin avoided his eyes. "All property that within the house was sold."
Minato felt like he'd been dunked in cold water and held under. "What about our family pictures? Who'd want those?"
"You have quite the fan club, Minato-san." the Chünin whispered miserably. He did not mention that others had taken the items to destroy or burn them.
"Everything's... gone?" Minato said blankly, his senses seeming to dull and cloud. "But... where am I supposed to go?" His voice sounded distant to his own ears.
"Since you're seventeen and a shinobi, you can live alone in one of the orphanage-sponsored apartments. Once you're eighteen you can live where you want!" the Chünin tried to assure the teen. "...I'm sorry." he mumbled at last. And he meant it.
"Of course," Minato said vaguely, response slow and delayed. "Thank you."
The teenager walked away, grief and anger warring inside of him. They'd sold his house, sold his things, taken away every last thing he had of his family without even consulting him. More specifically, Danzo had, for it required the Hokage's signature to hurry such things along. The teen could not believe that the bastard had managed to do that in less than a day. Minato's hatred of the man tripled. Didn't Danzo have anything better to do than make Minato's life miserable? Maybe the Hokage was hoping the Yellow Flash would snap and attack him. Without the mask. Then again, Danzo did not know that Minato knew that he had ordered his family's deaths.
Which most likely meant he was trying to break the Yellow Flash completely.
Minato's teeth clenched, his savage hatred returning. The Jönin imagined his sword stabbing through the Hokage's black heart, imagined the life fleeing those cold, black eyes...
I cannot retaliate against Danzo. I cannot. If I kill him, the Purgers will go on a rampage. I must retain control. Minato took a deep breath, patiently reeling in his temper. Am I really such a threat to you, Danzo? Is that why you keep targeting me? I'm dangerous? The Yellow Flash smiled. Nice to know, bastard. I'll be sure to prove you right.
And with that thought lingering in the back of his mind, Minato strode away from his former home.
End of Flashback.
Luckily, a few items had been overlooked in Danzo's "legal" ransacking and selling of the house and all of it's contents. Hyko's sword and old mask, Mariko's favorite necklace, Hansha's old weapons, and a couple of albums had been spared. Minato had liberated the items from their hidden spots soon after he had left the site. After that, the teen had not turned back.
Minato was currently staying in a hotel. By the end of the week, he would be forced to move into the orphanage complex, as stated by the old must-be-eighteen-to-buy-your-own-house law and the new Bloodline Users housing order. Such was the new way of Konoha.
Minato turned away from the flier, walking quickly to the edge of Konoha. He was already late to a meeting with his students. Despite his animosity towards the village he once called home, Minato was still a Leaf Ninja, and still had duties to carry out. Teaching his students was one of the few things to do with the village that he could still feel true joy and accomplishment from doing. There, while training and completing little missions, were one of the few times that Minato could forget about the Purgers and Danzo, and bask in the semi-normalcy that the meetings provided. There, Minato was just a Jönin Sensei, who had three rambunctious Genin he had to guide and mold into great shinobi. Out of all of the changes in Konoha, his team and teaching remained untouched, a remainder of Konoha at it's old strength.
Minato forced himself to focus on that as he felt the eyes glaring at him from the crowds. The hatred was like muted Killer Intent, a hundred eyes staring at him and wishing for his death. That was one of the downsides of being well-known and recognizable. Other than Hyuuga Clansmen, other Bloodline Users could hide their "abnormal powers". However, Minato's bright golden hair stood out like a beacon. Added to— and despite of— his heroics in the ongoing war, he was an easily spotted face, and a target.
The Jönin refused to react to the hatred openly as he strode confidently through the masses. His blue eyes scanned the people around him discreetly. He could spot the Haters easily enough. A woman sweeping off her porch watched him with suspicious eyes. A man opening up his shop tensed as he passed. People in the throng of walkers avoided him, some even turning around and walking the other way.
Minato could see that the Bloodline User was not him at times. A Hyuuga girl— maybe sixteen years old— was walking quickly with the crowd a few feet in front of him, head down with her hair falling into her face. Against her hopes of concealment, her posture made her noticed by Haters almost as much as her eyes would. Minato watched her carefully, her timid posture worrying him. Timidity would only make her more of a target.
Almost like his mind had summoned trouble, a man— a Jönin based on the way he moved and the outfit he wore— halted abruptly in front of the girl, making her slam into him. The Hyuuga lost her balance, falling to the ground.
"Watch where you're going!" the man snapped, even though the collision was his fault.
The Hyuuga mumbled an apology, head down, as the crowd parted around them, some people halting and joining the man as they glared at the girl, others looking on approvingly, while a few hunched their shoulders and hurried away, not looking back. Minato was already slipping though the crowd, quickly approaching the scene.
"Stupid girl!" the Hater ninja continued in a loud voice. "You need to learn your place!" his hand rose menacingly, preparing to strike the girl.
Minato grabbed the offending arm in a light grip, easily able to break the Jönin's arm if he moved. "is there a problem?" he asked in a calm voice. He wanted nothing more than to punch the man out for attempting to hurt the slightly younger teen, but he knew he could not.
The man glared at him, blanching slightly as he saw who held his limb. However, the arrogant anger returned quickly enough. "This is none of your concern, boy."
Minato gave him a glare. "Leave." he stated, letting his powerful presence start to penetrate the air. "Now."
The Purger choked beneath the weight of the Yellow Flash's glare, sweat beading on his brow. With a grunt his eyes darted away from the teen's and he vanished into the crowd, which hastily moved on. Minato resisted the urge to sneer at them with disgust.
Cowards. They're nothing more than schoolyard bullies. They're confident in their group until someone stands up to them, then they scatter like pigeons. Minato knew that was not true of all Bloodline-Haters, however. Some would stand in their beliefs and react violently if anyone opposed them. As the Haters' numbers grew, Minato knew that even the cowardly bullies would grow confidence, and elevate from public humiliation to outright violence.
Pushing these worrisome thoughts to the back of his mind, the blonde-haired Jönin turned to the Hyuuga girl, helping her to her feet. "Are you all right?" he asked kindly.
The timid Hyuuga nodded, ducking her head. "Y-Yes, Namikaze-san. Thank you." She peeked up at him through her dark hair and Minato caught a glimpse of the bandages on her forehead.
She has a Caged Bird Seal, he realized with an angry pang. Despite his and Hiashi's best efforts, they could not find a way to remove all of the Seals without the Hyuuga Council's consent. Minato was happy that he had managed to get the Seal off of Hizashi, but it irked him that the rest of the Branch Members had to continue to suffer.
"Call me Minato. I'm barely older than you." Minato replied.
"I-it is not p-proper, Namikaze-san." the girl stuttered. "Y-You are a powerful Jönin. I-I'm just a C-Chünin."
Minato had a feeling that the girl's timidity was not a result of the Haters' hatred. "Please call me Minato. I insist. What's your name?"
Her fingers tapped together nervously in front of her. "M-My name's H-Hitomi Hyuuga, Namika— Minato-san." she murmured, bowing quickly.
The Yellow Flash held back a sigh. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Hitomi. Hitomi... Where have I heard that name before? Memory clicked and Minato's expression brightened. "You're Hizashi's friend."
He remembered now. Hitomi was Hizashi's childhood friends from the Branch Family, a kind, shy girl the younger twin had met when they were six. While Hiashi had been forced to go to tutoring and etiquette lessons, Hizashi had been left to his own devices with the teacher's daughter, Hitomi. Hizashi had always talked about his shy friend, almost bursting with pride as he revealed his slow progress with bringing Hitomi out of her shell. However, for the last few months, Hizashi had not spoken a word about the girl. Minato wondered why.
Hitomi turned pink. "Y-Yes. He t-talks about me?"
"Yes." Minato's eyebrow rose. "Last I heard he was helping you with your stutter."
The girl's blush deepened but she shrugged amiably. "I b-become nervous t-talking to strangers, still." she admitted. "B-But it's getting better." She glanced at a nearby clock, brow furrowing. "I have to go, Minato-san."
"Minato." the Jönin corrected. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
She shook his offered hand. "The s-same with you, M-Minato."
With that, they parted ways, Hitomi's posture slightly straighter than it had been.
By the time the Yellow Flash arrived in the training ground, Rin and Kakashi were already there. Obito was absent, but Minato would give his student a few more minutes before worrying. Obito was truly trying his hardest to arrive on time or early, but life constantly got in the way of the Genin. Still, his record was better than at the Academy so that was something.
Right on time— for Obito— the Uchiha arrived at the clearing, showing signs of having rushed this morning. Minato smiled a little and carefully straightened the black-haired boy's crooked goggles.
"Hello Obito. You're a couple minutes late."
The Uchiha smiled a little, though to Minato it looked slightly strained. "Sorry Minato-Sensei! Um..." He glanced at Kakashi and Rin before shoving a folded paper at the Yellow Flash. "This is for you."
Minato took the paper and studied it, quickly deducing that it was a homemade card. He opened it, revealing the slightly messy but heartfelt words written within.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Minato's eyes grew misty and he glanced at Obito, who looked unsure.
"Cousin Mikoto told me what happened." the Uchiha murmured. "Are you okay, Sensei?" Wide black eyes looked at him through orange-tinted glasses.
Minato gave his student a small smile. "I'm not at a hundred percent but I'm better than I was. Thank you, Obito."
The Uchiha gave him a tiny, compassionate smile. He knew what it was like to lose your whole family.
"...What's going on, Sensei?" Rin asked cautiously, brown eyes moving from student to teacher.
Kakashi exuded a similar— but better hidden— mix of worry and concern.
Minato sighed, speaking softly. "My family was murdered in their homes a few days ago."
Kakashi went absolutely still. Rin's eyes widened dramatically.
"Oh Sensei!" the girl cried, rushing forward to give him a fierce hug. "I'm sorry."
It was so much different when people he was close to said those words, rather than distant strangers. Minato found himself struggling to keep his emotions under wraps. He felt another small body latch onto him and looked down to see Obito joining the hug. A moment later, a rather stiff set of arms surrounded him, completing the united show of friendship and compassion. The Yellow Flash smiled at his students, calmed by their heartfelt concern and support.
This is what I fight for. I fight so they have hope in the future.
"Thank you." he murmured softly, before taking a deep breath. "All right. We should get some more training in today."
The Genin all nodded, breaking the group hug. Emotions were a part of life, but pushing back those emotions was a part of shinobi life. The three Genin understood that their Sensei was not going to allow his grief to interfere with his duties.
"What are we doing today?" Obito asked with determined cheer.
"Today I will be teaching you each separate techniques and skills. And tomorrow, we'll be going to the Hokage's— " It proved Minato's control when he did not spit out the name. "—office to get your first C-Rank."
"Awesome!" Obito cheered, running around the clearing with excitement.
Rin bounced slightly in place, as if she too were resisting the urge to jump for joy, and Kakashi perked up noticeably, a glimmer of interest entering his stoic eyes.
"Today, Obito will be focusing on speed training and the Demonic Illusions: Hell-Viewing Technique. Kakashi will be working on Kenjutsu and Suuton: Water Shot. Rin, you will be learning the Doton: Headhunter Technique and working on your Taijutsu." Minato held out his hand to Kakashi. "May I have the White Fang for a moment? I am going to use chakra as a block for the blade."
The Hatake nodded and handed the blade to his Sensei. Minato covered the sword with a thick layer of chakra, binding it to the metal with a seal. He gave the White Fang back to it's owner.
"Obito, Kakashi, you will be working together for the first part of today's session. Kakashi, you will be practicing Kenjutsu by trying to hit Obito. Obito, you have to block or dodge his blows. Kakashi is much faster than you so this will help you become faster."
Obito raised his hand. "But what about those special weight-thingies Sensei?"
Minato gave the Uchiha a perplexed look. ""Weight-thingies"?"
"Yeah. Gai has these weights that he wears to make himself faster when he takes them off." Obito explained. "Why aren't I using those?"
"Gai is a budding Taijutsu specialist." Minato explained. "The weights he wears not only help him speed up when they are removed, but also help build up his strength in his arms and legs. I am not having you use the chakra-weight method for two reasons. One—" Minato held up a finger. "—the weights are dangerous. It is true that they can be beneficial, but they can easily harm you more than help you. Adding too much weight at once can cripple you. The muscles in your legs naturally tear every time you use them, then heal. With the weights, the process is quickened and amplified. People have been known to permanently cripple themselves when they added too much weight. The second reason—" He held up another finger. "—is that the weights actually can mess up the chakra flow in your feet, legs, hands, and arms. The quickly growing muscles, and pressure caused by the weights cause constriction around your chakra in those areas. As a result, your chakra coils in your legs and feet can actually become smaller. That is why only Taijutsu specialists are encouraged to use the weights, in case this handicap does occur. I'd rather you not risk that, seeing as how you wish to excel in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu."
Obito's eyes were wide as he nodded fervently. "Yeah. Having smaller areas for my chakra to flow would make it harder to push enough chakra out to perform Techniques."
"That's right." Minato said, pleased that he had caught on so quickly. "Are you two ready to begin?"
The boys nodded and moved a little away, Kakashi instantly lunging at Obito. Minato turned to Rin, hiding a smile as Obito's loud protests and complaints were heard.
Whack! "Ow!" Whack! "Watch it!" Whack! "Will you quit it?" Whack! "That hurt!"
"Then dodge." Kakashi said simply, almost sounding amused.
Minato rolled his eyes and turned to his female student. "So Rin, how is the medic training going?"
The girl perked up, eyes brightening noticeably. "Shizune-Sensei is a great teacher! I've finished anatomy, and I'm already working on healing fish! Shizune-Sensei says I'm a natural healer and have perfect chakra control. She says I'll be a great medic one day!" The girl was practically bursting with pride.
Minato gave her a smile. "I'm glad you are enjoying your lessons. Keep up the good work." His expression shifted into a serious look. "Now we just need to give you some Ninjutsu in your arsenal. Today you will be learning the Doton: Headhunter Technique. Observe."
Minato concentrated his chakra into his feet. He sank into the ground, moving under the girl's position. He reached up, grabbing Rin's ankle and pulling her down. The girl yelped as she was submerged to her neck, only her head still above ground. Minato rose from the earth, smiling at his student.
"This technique is a basic Doton for capturing enemies, giving you time to escape." He focused his chakra into his hand and reached into the ground, pulling his student out. "It should be easy for you because of your perfect chakra control. Do you want to try?"
"Yes Sensei." the Kunoichi said eagerly.
"Focus your chakra into your feet, like you're attempting to tree walk." Minato ordered.
Rin did as her teacher instructed.
"Now, push as much chakra as you can into your feet and the ground around it."
Rin focused and gasped in surprise as the ground beneath her grew soft. Startled, she released her hold on her chakra.
"That means you're doing it right." Minato said, pleased. "As you sink, spread your chakra out throughout your body. This will allow you to soften and move through the earth. Once you're down there, walk beneath me and pull me down. Go on, try it."
Rin hesitantly did as he said, once again focusing her chakra out from her feet. She sank into the earth, leaving disturbed dirt where she had descended. Minato could easily sense where his student was beneath him but did not move, waiting for her to find him. A hand grabbed his ankle and pulled him down up to his neck. Rin rose from the earth next to him, expression bright.
"I did it!"
"Well done." Minato complemented. "Just remember..." With an explosion of chakra, he burst out of the trap, landing lightly beside her. Rin scowled as she witnessed his quick escape. "...the technique won't keep your enemies trapped for long. Also, many ninja will be able to sense your movements below them, so you have to move quickly in order for the technique to be of any help in battle."
Rin hesitated, looking unwilling to contradict her teacher. "This doesn't seem like a very dangerous technique, Sensei."
Minato rose his eyebrows at the girl. "There are two purposes for using the Headhunter Technique. One is to give you the time to escape. The other is it allows you to easily behead your trapped opponents."
Rin's eyes widened at the thought of decapitating someone, but she pushed back her queasiness, nodding grimly. Even though the thought of trapping someone before taking off their head made her cringe, she was a ninja, and killing enemies was a task she would have to face someday.
"I understand, Sensei." Rin said.
"Good. Now, practice the technique moving quickly through the earth. See that pole?" He pointed to target at the edge of the clearing. "Using this technique, sink down here and touch that pole from below the earth as quickly as you can. Also, try to have a sense of where everything is. Once you've done that, rest for a few moments while I work with Kakashi and Obito. Then I'll be back to help with your Taijutsu."
The girl nodded. "Okay Sensei."
Minato strode over to the two boys, whistling to gain their attention. Obito looked annoyed with small bruises all over his face. Kakashi looked smug. Minato sighed.
"You two..."
"I'm just not fast enough Sensei." Obito groaned. "He keeps whacking me with that stick!"
Kakashi scowled darkly. "The White Fang is not a stick."
"What are you doing when Kakashi is striking at you?" Minato questioned his black-haired student.
"I'm looking out for the stick." Obito muttered.
Whack! "OW!"
"Enough Kakashi." Minato said sternly. "Obito, body-eye coordination is key in speed training. You also need to be able to move quickly in a small area and a large area." Minato turned to shout at Rin. "Rin! Kakashi will help with your Taijutsu. I have to help Obito!" The Yellow Flash smiled at his student. "Since you're so unhappy with being hit by Kakashi, we'll try something else. Instead of dodging in a small area, we'll start with large."
Obito's relief vanished as he spotted the mischievous grin on his teacher's face. Two minutes later, Obito was running from Minato screaming "NO FAAAAAIIIIIIIIRRRRR!" as his sensei pelted him with the red rubber balls he had stored in a seal and brought with him.
By the end of the first half of the session, Rin was sturdy in her usage of the Headhunter Technique, and Obito had managed to avoid many of the balls Minato had thrown while fleeing the Yellow Flash. Kakashi had successfully gone through several katas and had quickly moved in to help Rin with her Taijutsu. Minato took the opportunity to teach Obito Demonic Illusion: Hell-Viewing Technique.
"The Hell-Viewing technique is a D-Rank Genjutsu." Minato told is student. "It requires little chakra, and relies both on your imagination and the target's own fears. Depending on that fear, it could take a while for less knowledgeable targets to realize that they are in a Genjutsu." Minato showed him the handsigns. "Ready to try?"
Obito nodded, performing the proper signs. "Demonic Illusion: Hell-Viewing Technique."
Minato saw a glimpse of demonic masks and bloody bodies before the Genjutsu vanished. Reality returned instantly and the Yellow Flash blinked, clearing his head.
Wow. First try and he did it. Uchiha are Genjutsu prodigies, even without the Sharingan. And Obito is supposedly the Dead Last? Perhaps he was hindered at the Academy somehow? Minato recalled his clone's conversation with the Uchiha, who had mentioned feeling pressured about expected Uchiha greatness and his grief over not being the best ninja he could be. Or maybe the expectations set on him by his parents and his Clan were too much? Either way, it's obvious that whatever burden he put on himself has lifted.
Unaware of his success, Obito looked put out. "It didn't work!"
"It did." Minato assured his student. "Lower level Genjutsu don't affect me. Your chakra output and forming was correct. Genjutsu is difficult to practice because you can't practice them on your teammates yet."
"Then how do I practice?" Obito questioned.
"I said you can't practice with your teammates yet." Minato reminded him. "Once we begin Genjutsu dispelling, you can practice different Genjutsu while they try to dispel it."
Obito perked up. "Cool!" He frowned. "Will I be able to see what they're seeing with Hell-Viewing Technique?"
"Not completely." Minato said. "This technique relies on the victim's deepest fear. As a result, you will only be able to see glimpses and guide what they see. Meanwhile, techniques like Demonic Illusions: False Surroundings Technique and Demonic Illusions: Tree Binding Death will allow you to see and control everything because you are in the Genjutsu."
"So how do I practice this now?" Obito almost whined.
The Yellow Flash produced a clone. "Practice the Technique on my clone." The clone gave him a scowl which he ignored. "As long as you don't physically attack him, he won't dispel. I'll be working with Rin and Kakashi."
Obito grinned at the copy. "Okay Sensei. Clone-Sensei, prepare to be amazed!"
Minato chuckle as he returned to Kakashi and Rin, who paused in their spar as the Jönin approached.
"Kakashi, with me."
The solemn Genin followed his Sensei over to the stream that ran along the side of the Training Ground. Minato stopped beside the calmly-moving water.
"Today you will be learning Suuton: Water Shot." He showed Kakashi the handsigns. "Suuton: Water Shot!"
The resulting pulse of water hit the opposite bank, breaking several trees. Kakashi observed the damage for a moment before he calmly raised his hands to chest level.
"Suuton: Water Shot."
A smaller version of the Technique formed, not causing nearly as much damage as Minato's.
"Well done." Minato praised with a sincere smile. "Keep practicing the technique."
Kakashi merely nodded.
Minato sighed, finding himself once again wishing that Kakashi would not get a Technique on the first try, just to see if he could get a reaction from the kid. True, Obito and Rin had gotten their Techniques the first time, but they did not always succeed. Sometimes, it took them a long time to get a Technique to work. Kakashi needed to fail, and learn that failure was not the end of the world. Minato was reminded of his promise to help Kakashi be a kid. Kakashi needed to be a kid, to have a child's experiences. Especially with where Konoha was headed.
Don't think about that, Minato scolded himself as he returned to Rin. Focus on your team.
For the rest of the day, he did, sparring with Rin to increase her Taijutsu skills while Obito worked with the increasingly irritated clone while Kakashi stubbornly worked alone. The day quickly passed, ending with each slightly-exhausted but pleased Genin confident in their newly learned abilities.
"You all did great today," Minato praised. "I'm proud of you."
"Can we go get our C-Rank now?" Obito asked hopefully.
Minato shook his head, smiling slightly. "You've done enough for today. Besides, we wouldn't be able to leave for the mission until tomorrow anyway. Meet me outside the Hokage's office at eight thirty tomorrow. Don't be late."
"Okay Sensei!" Obito cheered, speeding away back towards the village. Five seconds later the Uchiha was back. "Are we dismissed now?"
Minato's lips twitched but he hid his amusement behind a serene look. "Yes. You're dismissed."
In a blink the over-excitable Genin was gone. Kakashi rolled his eyes, Rin giggled, and the two departed as well, albeit at a slower pace. The Yellow Flash watched them go, feeling great pride for his students. The Jönin leaned against the tree, going over the lesson again in his mind, and already planning what he would teach them during the duration of their C-Rank mission...
A mission they had to get from the Hokage.
Like creeping shadows, Minato's melancholy returned. His eyes darkened and a scowl crossed his face as he thought about having to stand face-to-face with the bastard the next day. Would Danzo still act like the for-the-greater-good Hokage he had been, or would he let his hatred of Bloodline Users shine through. Obito, the student that would be the most affected by the new laws, seemed unaware of them at the current time. Either that, or he was able to push back his worry during the team meetings, like Minato was. The teen's heart grew heavy at the thought.
How long will it take for the changes to affect them? Minato wondered gravely. How much influence will the Purgers get here? They already have over half the village supporting them. How quickly will things become worse?
Minato knew that some people had hated and mistrusted the Bloodline Users before the Purger's came. Now, it was like a following. Some blamed the Bloodline Users for their problems, others resented them for their powers, still other were not sure why they hated those with Bloodlines. The Purgers had gotten to enough people that those people's friends were now buying into the Bloodline Hating mindset.
The Yellow Flash gritted his teeth, once again wishing he could take out Danzo. But Jiraiya was right, if they did, the Purgers and the Haters would go on a rampage. Still, with every passing day, the Haters numbers were growing, the group becoming more powerful. How was their hatred spreading?
As Minato thought about it, he found himself realizing an inevitable truth. The Hatred could not have been spread by Danzo. The Hokage was too busy keeping up his neutral act to openly preach the Purger ways. So how had the Hater group started? Minato almost slapped himself, eyes lighting up as realization came to him.
Of course! He thought. The hatred must have been spread by the Purgers, the Root agents!
The Yellow Flash did not know much about the mysterious and emotionless Purgers, but he did know that they appeared to be loyal to Danzo. Could they have been the ones to spread the Hater ways? Minato remembered the Purger Zabuza had unmasked outside of Kiri, recalling his emotionless face. Despite that blank expression, the man had taunted Hikaru, sneering at her and telling her of her family's deaths with savage glee. So the Root agents were not emotionless drones all of the time. Their hatred of Bloodline Users was their only emotion, along with the satisfaction of seeing them suffer or be killed.
Minato went still, eyes flipping wide, before a cold smile crept across his face. It was true that Danzo— a powerful, public figure— could not be touched... but the Purgers were unknown. The Purgers were obsolete. The Purgers would not be missed. The only one who truly knew that they existed was Danzo.
Which meant that Minato could kill them.
The Yellow Flash's blue eyes glowed like azure fire, face alight with the realization that he could do something. Danzo influenced the Purgers, the Purgers influenced the Haters, and the Haters openly hated and shunned the Bloodline Users. The Purgers were the connection between Danzo and the Haters, the ones who passed on the twisted ways of their cult to the many. If Minato took out the Purgers, two things could happen. Either the Haters would be less influenced by the Purgers, and might begin to doubt the Purgers' ways, or Danzo would eventually be forced to show his true colors before he wanted to. It was true that the Haters would not care— or already know— the Hokage's true allegiance, but the Bloodline Users would be forced to face the truth as well, sooner rather than later. Minato knew that Danzo was taking it slow in an attempt to keep the Bloodline Users loyal and eventually trap them in Konoha, but if he was exposed too fast... the Bloodline Users would be pissed. Minato did not know how they would react, but if Danzo was revealed before all of the Bloodline Users were controlled and cowed, Konoha might be salvageable after all.
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A/N: Ugh. I hated that flashback. It just would not come out right! I rewrote it again and again but it just wouldn't work!:( Ugggghhhhhh... Other than that, I noticed that the story was getting super-dark lately so I tried to add some lightheartedness to this chapter.
I have to keep reminding myself that Obito and Rin only have Genin-size chakra reserves. I had to look hard to find appropriate techniques for them to learn. I hope I did okay...
With the chakra-weights thing: pressure around your limbs can cut off blood flow. I altered this so that the quickly added weight and muscle mass causes pressure too quickly for the chakra flow to adapt, so it is sort of hindered or cut off.
Obito's speed training is not need-to-run-really-fast training. It's for his reflexes and close combat capabilities.
To explain Minato's logic in the last bit: Danzo is trying to make himself seem like a neutral entity for as long as possible because if he is revealed too soon, the Bloodline Users will rebel or leave. His plan is to slowly break the Bloodline Users, putting more and more constrictions and laws on them until they lose hope and are too afraid to fight back. When this happens, they will try to stick it out and hope for the best. Once that happens, Danzo plans on revealing himself. However, Minato's plans to kill of the Purgers in Konoha might force Danzo's hand and make him move things along too quickly...
Does Hitomi Hyuuga remind you of anyone? She should. ;)
Next chapter will be called "Fighting Back"
Please review!