Chapter Seventeen
"She's unfit to be the heir to this clan, Lord Hiashi! You can argue all you want, but it doesn't change that she is weak and little better than an outsider to this clan!" Hinata listened to the elders of the Hyūga clan from a shadowy corner of the council chamber. Each statement was a knife twisting in her chest, especially the ones from her grandfather. She had the suspicion Grandfather and the others wouldn't have been any less scathing in their indictments of her character or capabilities if they had noticed her listening in. She could hide well - the one advantage to still being small and unassuming.
"I will say only this: Hinata is the rightful heir of this family," Father replied, his voice sounding weary. "If we take away her standing as clan heir, we run the risk of letting our strongest asset slip away for what may or may not be a flash of brilliance on Hanabi's part! We risk undermining the sanctity of our family line on a whim!"
I'm not even a genin for two days, and already they're back at it! Hinata cried in frustration; she had really hoped hitting that milestone would have mollified the elders to a degree. At least this time, father was putting in some effort to back her up. He had looked genuinely happy when she and the others came home early from the training ground. Amazingly, he almost seemed impressed with her contributions to the team.
Hinata sighed quietly; none of the men here truly knew her. If father was distant, then Grandpa was on a different planet. More importantly, none of the elders were women – there had never before been a female heir to the clan. Would they be saying this so freely if I was a son? While Konoha was certainly more progressive than many villages, misogyny was still a prevalent force, especially in the older clans such as the Uchiha and Hyūga clans.
"Even if you hadn't foisted her off on that Uzimaki woman for training," another elder spoke, "She has repeatedly proven incapable of defeating Hanabi! More importantly, you have all but abandoned training her in our ways! The blood of this clan has already grown thin in the past generations!" The elder pointed sharply, "And you would let her weaken it even thinner!" '
"Just what in the hell are you implying!" Father asked. Hinata, herself, was curious.
"We know about her and the Naruto boy!" The elder replied, "Tell us, when were you planning on letting us know you planned on arranging a marriage between the two!" He what?! Hinata's heart raced at the unexpected statement. Father planning to marry me to Naruto!
"She's only eleven!" Father replied indignantly, "Any such arrangement would be highly inappropriate!"
"Then you will end her association with him, and his family!" Grandfather boomed. NO! Hinata shook at the thought of the one good thing, the one thing that made her whole being taken from her by these men. She'd as soon die as let them have it!
"Grandfather, this is unwise!" Neji's high, youthful voice split the air.
"Neji, you speak out of turn!" Uncle Hizashi scolded.
"Yes, I speak out of turn because this council needs to hear what I have to say!" Neji shouted. "You treat our heir with disdain because she has trained with outsiders, but have any of you remotely considered that makes her more dangerous, not less!"
Scathing laughter greeted Neji's statement. The walls of the room were seething with negativity, and Hinata could take no more. She flitted from the shadows toward the door. "Father, you asked me to monitor her progress; her training has not just been with Kushina Uzimaki! She has trained with her son and her husband, Lord Fourth, himself! If you put Hinata in a match she is determined to win, she will wipe the floor with Hanabi!" The room again erupted in laughter, especially led by Grandfather and Uncle Hizashi.
She made it to the door and silently slipped out. Her eyes adjusted from the shadow to the bright midday sun. While Hinata appreciated Neji's faith in her, she had no doubt it was misplaced. She had bested him this morning in a surprise training match, despite the fact that he was older and more experienced than she.
"Going somewhere, elder sister?" Hanabi's condescending voice greeted Hinata as she began walking away from the room. Hanabi's words froze Hinata place like a paralysis seal. Don't turn around, don't do it! "Face me, big sister!"
Hinata did as commanded. Hanabi was several inches shorter than she was, but something in the other girl's presence was malevolent as a wicked oni demon. The disdain carved into her younger sister's face didn't match the kindly girl that used to play with her night after night, no matter how tired they were from training. Hinata struggled to remember when that transformation had happened. "H-Hanabi?" Hinata squeaked.
"Spying on the council, elder sister?" Hanabi's words cut like acid etching into metal.
"N-nothing like that at all…" Hinata choked on her words. Cold sweat crawled down Hinata's spine. She hated confrontation like this; it made her throat tighten to face off with anyone. The stress made dark things stir inside her – things she was struggling to control
"I've got news for you, elder sister," Hanabi closed the distance between them and jabbed a finger into Hinata's stomach, "you're going to be disinherited from this clan because you're nothing but a pathetic weakling!" Hanabi again jabbed Hinata in the stomach.
Hinata could feel the room spinning. Kyuubi was stirring, and she didn't have a positive focus to resist him this time. "Hanabi, please stop," she cried. She didn't want to hurt her sister or anyone else.
"What's a matter, elder sister! You going to go crying to Naruto's mommy! We already know ours is sick of your whiny bullshit!" Hanabi jabbed her in the stomach again.
Hinata felt a switch flip inside her, and all was dead calm. She didn't want to hurt her, but Hanabi was about to learn why it was unwise to poke a coiled rattlesnake. One moment she was crying at Hanabi's hurtful words, the next, her fingers were wrapped around her sister's throat. There was the impact of the wall to the council chamber crumbling as Hinata charged through it, using Hanabi as a ram. Dark purple chakra ignited around Hinata as she lifted her sister up by the neck and slammed her into a wooden support beam of the room. "Listen to me you little shit!" Hinata screeched like a vengeful yōkai, "the fact that I don't enjoy violence is the ONLY REASON I haven't snuffed you out, you ungrateful bitch!"
She could see the shock in Hanabi's expression; all the members of council wore the same surprise. Resentment filled Hinata like venom at the thought of their surprise. Is it really that surprising, gentlemen? I haven't done this up to now because I was a better person than this. Get a good look at what happens when kindness gives out! She could do it. Hinata squeezed her sister's throat. She could kill her right here in front of these men and show them how badly they'd underestimated her. She could end this entire array of chauvinistic crap, and the elders would fear her and not the other way around. Do it, claim your rightful destiny!
"Hinata, please stop," a soft voice pleaded. Her grip slackened ever so slightly on Hanabi's throat. "Hinata, please," Father pleaded, placing one of his hands gently on her right shoulder. Hanabi's face was chiseled with terror. "Please," Father whispered.
"Daddy," a lone tear traced cold along Hinata's cheek. Another one followed, and another one, until the floodgates opened fully. The resentment, the fire burning in her drained off rapidly. "Daddy!" her grip on Hanabi failed, and her sister plopped to the ground, heaving deep, wheezing breaths.
Hinata felt Father wrap her in a tighter embrace just as her knees gave out. "Daddy!" she sobbed into his chest. Kurama had almost taken hold of her completely. For all of Hanabi's flaws, Hinata still loved her deeply as a sister. For all of father's flaws, she still loved him deeply. Nevertheless, she doubted her ability to keep this up any longer. She didn't deserve to be this family's heir if she couldn't control herself. Father was still holding her as she lost consciousness.
Hiashi Hyūga ran his fingers through greying hair as he stared out the window to the Namikaze-Uzimaki family's backyard. Naruto's twelfth birthday party bore more resemblance to a small carnival as Kakashi organized a series of competitive games among the three teams in the backyard – teams seven, eight, and ten. The yard resonated with cheers and laughter that had gone silent years ago in the Hyūga compound.
Minato came from a family of no standing, almost commoners, and Kushina came from a clan that was borderline extinct. Despite that, Hiahsi envied them. Their family was one made of love. Hiashi stared longingly out the window as Hinata cheered Naruto for throwing a shuriken into a bullseye. Hiahshi turned back to the adults in the living room: Minato, Jiraiya, Kushina, Lord Sarutobi, Tsunade, and Akemi. Hiashi envied Minato's ability to bring such a disparate group together in his home. If he were to even try this in the Hyūga clan, it would be seen as a sign of weakness. So much energy wasted on appearances. So much effort wasted on petty rivalries. So much arrogant belief in our self-worth!
"How is she, Tsunade?" Hiashi asked.
"Physically, she is fine. She was exhausted by the effects of resisting Kyuubi, but I detect no long-term issues." Tsunade fidgeted nervously, "However, I'm starting to think it would be beneficial if she saw someone from the counselling department."
Hiashi sighed, shaking his head, "You know what kind of scrutiny she's already under, Tsunade," he turned to look at his little girl outside in the yard, "If the elders caught wind of it, they might force another confrontation." He turned back to Tsunade, "With everything that has happened, I doubt that would be healthy, either."
Very rarely would Hiashi admit to feeling helpless, but this was one of those rare occasions. Hiahsi's father had been hard man to him and his twin brother, Hizashi, growing up. Father's heart had always been in the right place, if his approach was vastly flawed – a relic of a different time. "The Hyūga clan takes care of its own!" Father's words boomed in his head. The elders and father had worried about the clan's future and had disapproved of his marriage to Akemi as a result. Even after Hiashi had challenged Father and beat him for clan leadership, Father simply looked for new ways to make his opinion known. In Father's mind, his treatment of Hinata and Neji was for the best of the clan. Even more disturbing was his brother's jealousy. In Hizashi's mind, Neji, his prodigal son was a disappointment, and influencing Hanabi to undermine Hinata was the next best revenge for being born into a supporting branch of the family.
How does a family turn against itself so thoroughly? I'm losing both of my little girls more and more each day. Hiashi pondered silently. He had no illusions that he was a great father, not even a good one. Kushina, Minato, and their boy had provided love where his daughter needed it. Akemi had provided at least understanding, frequently at her expense as the clan grew more resentful. If only Hinata were more assertive. A pang of guilt hit him in the guts. Akemi frequently reminded Hiashi that raising a little girl was extremely different from raising a son. More importantly, the girl's thoughtfulness if shaped properly could be an asset
"Perhaps, there is an alternative to doing therapy," Lord Sarutobi spoke in a semi-raspy voice. The aged Third Hokage spoke with dignity and strength despite years of pipe smoking and having been retired for over a decade.
"Please," Minato said, "I'm open to any suggestion."
"A problem in sight is frequently complained about when compared to a problem out of sight," Lord Third said.
"Lord Third," Akemi spoke with worry, "you can't be talking about sending her away!"
"Far from it," he shook his head, "I believe she's ready for her first mission. It would give the elders time to cool off, and it would give her a much-needed chance to build up some experience, and her confidence, in the field."
"She's only been a genin for three days," Hiashi said doubtfully.
"A ninja rarely goes in the field alone, especially as a genin," the Lord Hokage's eye twinkled.
"You'd send the whole team," Kushina said, "but what kind of mission?"
"I have a special request," Lord Sarutobi became somber, "Every year, I make pilgrimage to my wife's memorial. The site is becoming overgrown and the memorial is in desperate need of basic cleaning."
A dark shadow fell over everyone in the room. Lord Third's wife had died twelve years ago today – the day Naruto was born. "Lord Sarutobi," Hiashi said softly, "it would be an honor, and I'm sure Hinata and her team would agree to go to the memorial and perform whatever necessary maintenance is required."
"If they do go," Minato's voice sounded tense, "I insist we send more than one team." Everyone turned to the current Hokage. "Obito is still out there somewhere, and this will be the furthest any of them has been from the village. I insist that team eight and ten go along."
"That's nine genin, and four jonin," Jiraiya said, "Don't you think that's a bit much?"
"Four jonin?" Tsunade quipped.
"I'm going, too," he said.
"Since when did you become Mr. Responsible?" Tsunade folded her fingers in front of her.
Jiraiya turned to Lord Sarutobi, "I would also like to pay my respects to your late wife, she was…" Jiraiya choked, "…like a mother to us all."
The room held still for a minute in deafening silence, except for the sound of the party outside. To be young and to have not a care in the world! "Lord Minato, you called us indoors for something other than this, I assume?" Hiahsi asked.
"Yes," he nodded somberly, "We have… a very difficult thing to ask." Minato scanned the room nervously, "We, Jiraiya, Kushina, and I, have uncovered something that may be of assistance with Hinata's plight."
"Please, anything," Hiashi said desperately.
"When you all separated Kyuubi, she absorbed the part of his yang chakra, the part containing some of its negative yin chakra," Jiraiya explained.
"And?" Akemi asked.
"And we think if we reunite the rest of the yang chakra, the remaining positive part, she'll have better control over Nine-Tails," Kushina finished.
That's their plan! "You've got to be kidding me!" Akemi said indignantly. Despite his negative reaction initially, Hiashi let the thought roll in his head as the others erupted into a bickering argument.
"You can't be serious! We have no idea if you can even survive the process! Don't even get me started about Hinata!" Tsunade erupted.
"The seals on both of them are failing rapidly!" Jiraiya argued back, "Do we really want to wait until another disaster is upon us to act!"
"I'll allow it!" Hiashi boomed over the bickering.
"My love," Akemi pleaded, "She's only a little girl!"
"She's a genin, and it would be her choice, and I know she'll agree to it because it means saving at least two lives – hers and Kushina's."
Minato glanced at him sideways, "Hiashi, old friend, you're taking this awful well for a man who was never comfortable with a jinchuriki for a daughter."
"The elders will find out sooner or later," he sighed in resignation, "When they find out she is a jinchuriki, and I suspect they are already suspicious, that will cause a confrontation we won't be able to avoid. I'd much rather have her in control and in a position of strength when that happens."
"But dear, she'll never be rid of it if she accepts that much of it!" Akemi pleaded.
"Akemi," he paused, staring into her polished obsidian eyes. Even after a difficult marriage and a battle with cancer, her eyes were still alluring as the day he invited her into a barren courtyard at the Hyūga compound and begged her to stay to make her garden there, "Hinata made that choice for us when she absorbed Kurama's chakra. We can't keep pretending that it isn't part of her, now!" Hiashi paused, looking out the window to his Byakugan princess. "Besides, she has a very tough journey ahead."
"Hiashi," Minato said, "far be it from me to criticize your family's structure, but if Hinata is so unsuited to be heir or leader, why not just quietly let her abdicate? It would remove a major point of stress for her and the elders."
Hiashi shook his head, "A few reasons. First, the selfish: she's the born heir to the clan, and if we start picking and choosing it diminishes the legitimacy of the clan's hierarchy. I want to do what is best for the clan."
"And?" Minato asked.
"Secondly, she's my daughter. And while kindness and shyness are not typical markers of strength," Hiashi began to choke on tears, "she was my pillar of strength when Akemi was ill. Hinata took care of her sister when neither of us could, and she kept me hoping in our darkest hour." Hiashi let several tears fall; Akemi came to his side, putting her arms around him. "And finally, another selfish reason: she is the future of the clan, and it ends if she's not the clan leader."
Hiashi saw several confused reactions. Of the group, only Lord Third nodded an understanding. "I don't follow," Kushina said.
"Kushina, when was last time a child was born in the Hyūga clan?"
"Hanabi, almost seven years ago," she replied.
"Seven years, and no children," Hiahsi explained. "Does anyone else find that odd that a clan so large could go so long without any live births?"
"There is some type of fertility problem in the family?" Minato tilted his head in confusion.
"The clan elders would like to believe our blood has run thin as a result of my marrying an outsider," Hiashi sighed, "The reality is much bleaker. Our bloodline has become too concentrated. Several supporting branches of the family have interbred so much that they face extinction within a generation. The few young members of our family coming of age are facing heavy pressure to marry within the family bloodline."
"If that happens, we can expect an increase in genetic defects and a serious decreased in the family's ability to have live births," Tsunade explained, "it's called the Founder Effect."
Hiashi nodded, "It might already be too late, but if the elders have their way, whomever is heir would face an arranged marriage, most likely to Neji or one of the cousins."
"Hinata would never accept such an arrangement," Kushina said.
"Exactly, much as I didn't," Hiashi squeezed Akemi's hand, "However, Hanabi is under their influence. If Hinata were to remain heir and become clan leader, it would send a message to the clan that it is time to think outside our bloodline."
"I still insist," Kushina said, "that we ask Hinata before making a final decision regarding Kyuubi." Kushina paused, shifting her weight from one foot to another, "When I was her age, I had no choice in the matter; she deserves at least to have a say."
"We'll talk with her when they get back from the mission," Akemi said. Hiashi could hear a pang of regret in her voice. Everyone knew Hinata would say yes rather than look out for her own interests.
"I do have a special request," Hiashi said, looking toward Jiraiya.
"Request? What kind of request?" the old sage looked confused as to what Hiashi could possibly want from him.
"I have no concept at what training someone who is a jinchuriki is like, Jiraiya," Hiahshi paused, looking at the ground in shame, "And when my clan finds out what we've done, they will ostracize her officially – I'll be expected to stop training her outright." He looked toward Kushina and Minato, now arms around one another, "Normally, I'd say it's not a big deal given how much she has trained with you two…"
"I'm sure Jiraiya would be honored to train Hinata," Kushina spoke softly. "Right Jiraiya?" her tone shifted aggressively, implying a negative answer was not advisable.
For a moment, Jiraiya was dumbstruck, "You want me to what!"
"You've been training Naruto since you got in," Minato jabbed playfully, "what more is another student?"
"I… have never trained a GIRL!" Jiraiya explained nervously.
Tsunade laughed, as did Lord Sarutobi and Minato. One person who did not laugh was Kushina, "She needs someone to train her beyond what I can do, and beyond what Kakashi will have time to do," her tone became a low rumble.
"I…but she…I," Jiraiya stumbled.
"Jiraiya," Kushina's eyes began burning like two coals of a dying fire, "You will do this, and you will be the old dog that learns a new trick – how not to be a pervert!" Kushina's hair began to take on a life of its own. Hiashi had witnessed her angry several times; it was a most terrifying experience, even if she wasn't fully channeling Kyuubi.
Everyone's eyes grew wide, especially Minato and Jiraiya's, "And let me assure you," Kushina rumbled, "if you get any ideas of peeking, or anything else you've become legendary for," her gaze became sinister, "YOU WILL NOT WAKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING!" The house shook as she shouted.
"Yes, Kushina," Jiraiya squeaked as he nodded. The old sage turned pink as Tsunade began laughing hysterically. I wonder if Kushina could teach that attitude to Hinata; it'd be useful dealing with the elders.
Lord Minato arrived home early from work the following day, as was customary on the day leading to a weekend – he made a hard rule not to stay late except in a dire emergency. On Friday, the family always sat down to dinner together and discussed the week. Tonight, dinner with the family was more special than usual – in the morning, his son would be leaving for his first mission.
"Hi hon," Kushina greeted him as he entered the kitchen. "I'm ordering carryout tonight; I'll be picking it up in about another half-hour."
"Carryout?" Minato asked, disappointed he wouldn't be enjoying his wife's cooking tonight.
"Naruto wanted Ichiraku's on his last night before the mission, but I insisted we'd eat at home," She smiled, "So we compromised." Kushina walked up and kissed Minato deeply. I never get sick of this!
"You seem to be in an extra good mood, today," he said as he took her in his arms.
"Our first weekend with the house to ourselves in twelve years," she grinned like a well-fed predator. "Think of all the fun we can have together," Kushina squeezed herself against him.
The temperature of the room rose several degrees, "Not too loudly," he teased, "I don't want to have that talk with Naruto just yet," he winked before kissing her again. "Speaking of," he said as he pulled back, "where is he, anyhow?"
"Upstairs in his room," she said dreamily. "He's been going over his gear for the past hour. You could set off an explosive tag and he wouldn't notice."
Minato wasn't sure if it was an invitation, but it would have to wait, regardless. "I'm going to go make sure he packs correctly," he said freeing himself from his wife's embrace. "We can discuss this weekend… later," he grinned as he took off for the stairs. While Minato looked forward to having some time alone with Kushina, he was extremely apprehensive about this weekend. Naruto would be the furthest from village he'd ever been, outside the barrier protecting the village.
As he climbed the stairs, he could hear Naruto talking to himself indistinctly through the door. Every precaution was being taken. Kakashi and Jiraiya were both carrying kunai with marker seals on them – all they had to do was signal and Minato could be there instantly. There would be four jonin-level and nine genin-level shinobi on this mission, a D-ranked mission, inside their borders. A genin could probably do this mission solo without supervision. So why am I so damn nervous?
As he opened the door to Naruto's room, an array of bits and pieces lay spread out across the floor and his bed. His son stood surveying the not-quite-mess intently, as if contemplating if he was forgetting anything. "Oh, hey Dad!" Naruto looked up from his task to greet Minato.
"Wow," Minato said, "you sure are taking this seriously!" Minato scanned the items: several bundles of nylon cord, rain poncho, a pup tent kit, a multipurpose tool, two compasses, several packs of salt ramen, water purification tablets, a simple first aid kit, a metal mess kit, multiple pairs of socks and underwear, hand sanitizer, a large canteen, waterproof matches, and assorted other things necessary for camping. Naruto's bedroll was neatly rolled up on his bed, next to it was a map with a detailed route of their trek to and from the village marked out.
"I'm hoping I'm not packing too much," Naruto said, "I know it's only thirteen miles, but we'll be out there on survival exercises for five days."
Minato surveyed the items Naruto would be packing. Overall the kid had packed well. "Son," Minato pointed to the ramen, "I'd recommend bringing more than that in terms of survival food."
"But Kakashi said we'd be primarily living off what we can find in the wilderness," Naruto replied.
"If you want to survive off of worms, ants, crickets, and leaves for five days; have at it!" Minato laughed, "Take it from someone who's been on a field mission or two," he winked as he leaned on the door frame.
Traditionally, a shinobi's first mission was issued by the Hokage, and it was usually an occasion of major fanfare. Minato remembered his first mission. Sadly, it hadn't been a training exercise, and unlike Naruto, he hadn't time to even prepare for it in the least. The word had come in that Kushina was missing on her first mission – it too, had been a D-ranked mission. Because of her raucous personality at the time, she had been sent solo on a courier mission, delivering a simple message between villages.
It surprised everyone when he volunteered immediately for the search and rescue mission. Everyone other than Lord Sarutobi thought she had run away given how unpopular Kushina had been at that time. He had left immediately carrying nothing but a few shuriken and a kunai – nothing else. Minato searched frantically for almost two days before finding her and her kidnappers, just short of the border with Kumokagure. Had he been any slower, they might have taken her, and he would never have had the chance to tell her his feelings. That's what you're afraid of, isn't it? How easy would it be for someone to follow the group of them, isolate Naruto, and snatch him away before anyone knew any better? Could you pull the same trick off again?
"Dad," Naruto queried, "are you all right?" Naruto's face wrinkled with concern. Minato soon realized he had been shaking this whole time.
"Yes son," he lied as he shook out of his negative thoughts, "I'm fine." Minato soon noticed something missing from Naruto's array. "Son, where are your kunai, where are your shuriken?"
Naruto laughed slightly, "Come on, Dad, this is a D-ranked mission. No opposition, other than the woods, and we're still well inside our own borders. Carrying weapons is just dead weight."
Minato didn't share his son's cheery optimism on the issue. In fact, he had half a mind to scold his son for being so careless, "Naruto…" he stopped, staring at his son's smiling blue eyes. He could be like any other number of fathers and tell him he'd done wrong, or he could show him why.
"Dad?" Naruto's eyes shifted with concern.
"Son," Minato wiped away a stray tear, "come with me please. I need to show you something." He led Naruto out the front door. Hopefully, they'd be back before Kushina had dinner ready. "Take my hand, Naruto, this might be a little weird." Naruto did as instructed, and Minato used a Thunder God Transportation Technique. In a flash of bright light, they were instantly transported to the entrance to Training Ground Three.
"Whoa!" Naruto took a moment to catch his footing and balance.
"First time is always the hardest, you may feel a little dizzy"
"Dad," Naruto scanned the area, "What are we doing here?" His voice was confused, "We don't leave until the morning."
Minato pointed to the stone memorial that stood in the clearing, "You know what that is?" Minato asked as he approached the marker. He saw many names, some familiar, others from a period before his time.
"Yeah, Dad, I know what it is," Naruto put his hands on the back of his head, "it has the names of those shinobi who died in the line of duty."
Minato ran his fingers along the names, tracing to eight in particular, "Did Kakashi ever explain what it meant if they have the Hidden Leaf symbol inscribed next to them?"
"No," Naruto lowered his arms, looking hard at the memorial, "I always thought it was decorative."
"It means that person died protecting the Hokage and his family," Minato said somberly. He could still see the faces of Lord Third's wife, the assistant midwife, and the six ANBU tasked with protecting Kushina during Naruto's birth. They had been friends, one was getting married, and another was an expectant father. Minato felt tears leaking from his eyes. I failed you all because of my arrogance!
"Dad! Dad!" Naruto screamed. When Minato opened his eyes, he was kneeling before the marker, the names staring him back in the face. "Dad, what's wrong!" Naruto yelled.
"I'll be all right son," Minato wiped away hot, sticky tears, "I just… I…" he stopped for a moment. "I just always tear up when I see them."
"See them?" Naruto asked.
"Lord Third's wife, her assistant, and the six ANBU who were assigned to protect us the night you were born," Minato sniffled, "It's my fault their names are on here." The floodgates opened again, "If I hadn't been so pigheaded…"
"Dad, you didn't kill any of them!" his son tried to reassure him. "They died because Obito went crazy and killed them."
"Had I taken more precautions…"
"Dad," Naruto's eyes began expanding in realization and tears, "You couldn't have done any more! You know that!"
"He's still out there, Naruto," Minato snorted back tears, "he came when I wasn't ready. He almost killed you and mom!"
"He didn't Dad!" Naruto exclaimed, "and he won't! Not as long as your Hokage and I'm your son!" Naruto looked down at the ground, "This is why you got so upset when I didn't pack my weapons?"
"I came unprepared, Naruto!" Minato pleaded, "Had it not been for Kakashi…"
"I'll pack my weapons then," Naruto paused, setting his face back to a thin smile. "And I'll call the others to make sure they do the same."
Minato stopped his tears long enough to compose himself. "I think," he paused, "You're ready then."
"Ready for what?" Minato took his son's hand. Without warning him, he used Thunder God Technique to transport them back to the house, this time to Minato's personal armory and training dojo – the one room he never allowed Naruto in. Once Naruto caught his balance, his eyes opened wide in wonderment. Minato's white Hokage garb hung on the wall, as did row upon row of hand weapons: kunai, shuriken, katana, wakizashi, an extremely long ōdachi, yari, naginata, and other exotic weapon types. "Dad?!" Naruto said excitedly like it was his birthday all over again.
"I never thought this day would come," Minato walked over to a shelf, picking up a decorative case, "but it's my duty as a father to make sure you have every edge if you're going out there."
Naruto accepted the case, gingerly opening it. The case contained a half-dozen kunai and a dozen shuriken of the highest quality. "I don't know what to say!"
"Just remember, these are not training weapons," Minato raised a finger, "if you use them, use them to protect the ones you care about. These are lethal! They will kill someone if you use them."
"I promise I'll only use them to protect my friends and myself, Dad!" Naruto clicked the case closed. "I'll keep everyone safe, believe it!"
"Boys with their toys, I see!" Kushina's voice came from the doorway. "I was wondering when you'd finally let him in here."
Minato smiled at his son, "Son, my training room and armory is at your disposal," he paused, "just don't let it get to be a mess like your room!"
"Hey! Give me a little credit!" Naruto jested, as he hugged him. "I promise I'll keep everyone safe Dad, don't worry about it!"
While Minato knew any number of things could go wrong, he knew his son wasn't one of them. You raised him well; now is the time to let go. He'll be a man before you know it!