This will be one of several chapters posted today. If you are just seeing this then please jump back to Chapter 28. That's where this all starts.
THE WILL OF FIRE
PART THREE
Chapter 34 - The Cursemark Takes Over
Minato arrived to find his son standing over Fugaku's unconscious body. Naruto was growling and snarling. When Minato looked at his eyes what stared back at him was unrecognizable. That terrified him. Naruto didn't seem to remember him. Instead, he saw his father as another enemy. His worst nightmare had finally happened. Naruto had lost himself to the curse. He could not tell the difference between friend and foe. He saw his own father as a threat. This was really bad!
Naruto blindly charged at him. His speed and strength was amazing. Minato would have been proud if he wasn't out of control. It was hard to hold him back without hurting him. A feeling that was not mutual. Naruto kept at him with attack after attack. Forcing his father to use the Flying Raijin to get away. Fortunately, Naruto's altered state prevented him from using the same technique. That required precision and clarity of thought. Something that he did not have right now. He could not teleport anywhere. Keeping the boy contained within that little area. A small favor to be grateful for.
However, this did not stop Naruto from using the Rasengan or his shadow clones. Nope. He was able to use both of these techniques without difficulty. An army of crazed Narutos was proving more and more difficult to avoid. Right now, Naruto was entirely focused on him. However, that could change a moment's notice. He could attack the gathered crowd. Particularly if they tried to help. Minato could not allow that. The more people who jumped in the more likely someone was going to get hurt. That was the last thing that he wanted. This had to end quickly. He needed to knock out Naruto and restore the seal. Then everything would be okay. Too bad Naruto didn't see it that way. He could have really used his son's cooperation on this. Not that he was going to get it. Clearly, Naruto was going to fight him tooth and nail on this. If this kept up there was a good chance that Naruto would be killed!
Kushina jumped in to try and help. She created her own army of clones to hold off Naruto. They also worked to keep the crowd away from the scene. They formed a sort of wall to prevent him from passing. Naruto didn't seem to care. He attacked just as viciously as he attacked his father. Further proving how far his mind was gone. He got into this state because he was defending his mother! Now, Naruto was trying to kill her. He was honestly trying to kill her! It didn't make sense. Nothing that he did made sense. He was only acting on instinct now. Naruto had no understanding of what was going on. They had to stop him before anyone else got hurt. Naruto, stop!
Fortunately, Kushina's army started to wear Naruto down. It gave him the chance to whisk Fugaku out of the way. He placed him in his men's custody and they took him to the Interrogation Force's headquarters. Where he would sit until this was over. He would be safe and secure. For Ibiki was already informed of the situation. He would be taking charge of the prisoner personally. That way no one ever found out that Fugaku was really a spy. Minato had hoped that it would not come to this, but he had considered the possibility of Fugaku being rendered unconscious. He just didn't think that his son would do it. Then again if Naruto wasn't running wild then this wouldn't have happened. The plan would have worked perfectly. Not that he could do a thing about it now. He would have to deal with it later.
Minato was shocked that things were this bad. Sure, he had been informed of the problems with the seal. He had even seen it first hand against Danzo. He just didn't appreciate how weak his seal had become. He thought that he had more time. Clearly, he did not. He should have realized that. Now, this was the result. The plan had fallen apart and Naruto was running wild. He had no more time. Something had to be done about this now. Or else Minato would lose his son forever. He could not let that happen. He had to stop Naruto and reseal the cursemark before it was too late. Luckily, Naruto was starting to show signs of slowing down. Fighting against both of parents was wearing him down. His reaction time slowed and he began to hesitate. That was the opening that he so badly needed. He rushed in and placed his hand upon the seal. He forced the curse back into place. The marks receded then the boy fell. The battle was over. Naruto had been restrained.
Minato checked his son over. There were only minor injuries. His chakra was dangerously low right now, but that could be taken care of. He was alive and well for the moment. That was enough for now. The rest he would have to deal with shortly. This could not be allowed to happen again. He had to help Naruto somehow. This cursemark had to be dealt with. Or next time Naruto may lose his life. He picked up his son then gave him to his men. He ordered them to take him to hospital and have him treated. He ordered them to restrain him. They nodded then disappeared.
It was only after they were gone that Minato paid attention to the crowd. Their utter silence as they stared at him in disbelief. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, was right there before their eyes. A true miracle! And it was a miracle. Since, no one doubted that it was real. Both Lady Kushina and the ANBU accepted him. That was enough for most of them. Besides, they had seen his jutsu up close. No one would doubt that he was the Yellow Flash! He had to be! There were some that were not so sure. However, they were convinced by the actions of one Hiashi Hyuga. He used his byakugan to confirm Minato's identity. Immediately afterwards he relaxed. Signaling to them that what the others already knew. He was Minato Namikaze. He was convinced beyond doubt. For he could recognize his chakra. It was the same.
They didn't know how he could alive though. They had been told that the Fourth Hokage had died during the Invasion three years ago. How was he alive and well now? It didn't make sense. None of this did. Everyone was lost and confused. What the hell is going on? They thought as they continued to stare.
Such a moment required a glorious speech. Only his speeches stunk. Especially when they were ones made up on the spot like this. He was not one for words. Whenever he tried to sound cool it came out wrong. It was not impressive at all! Not that he had a choice. They were expecting a speech! He would have to muddle through one. It was the best that he could under the circumstances.
Minato tried to tell the story of his rebirth. Of how Kushina, Lord Third, and Jiraiya-Sensei brought him back to life. It wasn't completely true, but it would suffice. They got the jist of it. He left out the part that this was he was revived as zombie first. Or that his real body was under his wife's control for three years. He let them believe that he was brought back to life in this form. Itt kept Kushina out of the hot seat. He did not want her in chains. She meant well. Even if it was wrong. He was dammed if she was going to be punished for this. The less the crowd knew about the details the better. It wasn't for their ears anyway.
The crowd cheered at the end of his speech. They had believed every word of it. They didn't even seem to notice how poorly worded it was. He stumbled over tons and tons of things. Yet no one cared. Their precious Hokage was back. That was all that mattered. Minato Namikaze was alive! Things were finally right in the world. Tonight the Leaf would celebrate.
See you next chapter!