Last Time:
However, by the fourth week, they all couldn't help but notice a change in Minato.
As they finished playing out their sixth song, Kizashi and Fugaku shared a look as Minato wiped a generous amount of sweat off his forehead. He let out a harsh cough before clearing his throat and downing half a bottle of water. His fifth that rehearsal.
"Hey, Minato," Kizashi twirled his drum sticks and watched as Minato turned and looked at him, "are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah," Minato responded. "Finals kind of kicked my ass, and I guess it took more out of me than I thought, but I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"You don't look fine," Fugaku admitted.
"I'm fine," Minato reiterated.
The Konoha Life: Chapter 20 – The Birth of Blank
Once Thursday morning arrived, Fugaku and Kizashi were a nervous wreck. They went over to Minato's place first thing in the morning, mainly because Fugaku couldn't stop thinking about how raspy Minato's voice had become in less than a week.
When they arrived, it was Kakashi who opened the door.
"Ah, Fugaku-nii, Kizashi-nii." Kakashi sounded relieved to see them.
"Kakashi? Where's Minato?" Fugaku asked as he walked in with Kizashi.
"He's in bed," Kakashi answered as he closed the door.
"In bed?" Kizashi repeated, and then they noticed the expression on Kakashi's face. "Oh, no."
Kizashi and Fugaku hurried into Minato's room, and they saw him. Iruka was in the middle of changing out the towels on his forehead when Kizashi and Fugaku rushed in. They could see that his face was completely flushed red, he was drenched in sweat, and he was breathing heavily.
"What happened?" Fugaku asked.
"He collapsed this morning," Iruka answered. "We called Kushina-oneechan, and she's on her way now."
"Fugaku?" Minato's voice came out weak as he slowly opened his eyes. It took a moment, but once his vision cleared, he tried to force himself to sit up.
"Hey!" Kizashi rushed over and made Minato lay back down, "Don't even think about moving." He placed the back of his hand against Minato's forehead, and dread immediately settled onto his face, "You're burning up."
"I'm fine," Minato argued weakly.
"A blind person could see you're not fine," Fugaku argued.
Minato chuckled lightly, "That's rude, Fugaku."
"It's true," Fugaku countered. He let out a heavy sigh and folded his arms across his chest, "You should've told us you weren't feeling well."
Minato put on a weak smile, "I'm sorry."
"Minato-kun?" Kushina hurried into the room and saw Kizashi and Fugaku standing around. "You're here."
"We came by to check on Minato and found him like this," Kizashi informed her.
Kushina went to Minato's bedside and felt his forehead, "Kakashi-kun and Iruka-kun called me a little while ago saying that Minato-kun collapsed. Honestly, I told you that you were overworking yourself."
"Kushina-oneechan," Kakashi called as he entered into the room, "it's Minato-otousan's phone. Grandpa Jiraiya's calling."
"Ah, I'll take it," Kushina said. "Fugaku-senpai, Kizashi-senpai, can you help Minato change? It looks like he already sweated through his clothes."
Fugaku and Kizashi nodded in agreement. They ushered Kakashi and Iruka out of the room before putting on facemasks and helping Minato change.
While they did that, Kushina answered Minato's phone, "Hello?"
"Hm? Who is this?" Jiraiya asked.
"It's Uzumaki Kushina," Kushina answered, "Minato-kun's girlfriend? We met briefly a little while ago."
"Ah, Kushina-san, hello. This is actually perfect," Jiraiya snickered. "Tsunade and I came home for the Summer Fling. We were about to go to lunch, and we wanted to see if you two would like to come along with us."
"Ah, about that…" Kushina proceeded to tell Jiraiya about how Minato collapsed, and less than twenty minutes after Jiraiya hung up, he and Tsunade were at the front door. Kushina let them in, and Tsunade practically made a beeline for Minato's bedroom.
"It's nice to see you again, Kushina-san," Jiraiya greeted her as he shut the door behind him. "Don't mind Tsunade, she's just worried."
"Understandably." Kushina walked Jiraiya into the apartment and led him towards Minato's bedroom, "He has a fever of 101.3. I already gave him some medicine to help with the fever, and we've been rotating the towels out every thirty minutes. He's been sweating out the fever pretty well, but he might just be exhausted too."
"I'll have him good as new before Friday," Tsunade assured Kushina. "You can leave him to us. Ah, will you take Kakashi and Iruka along with you, please? I don't want either of them getting sick. I brought some medicine too, make sure they each take some before you go out. It'll keep them from getting whatever Minato has."
Kushina nodded, "Of course."
Kushina figured it'd be best to leave Minato with Tsunade and Jiraiya, so she complied and took Kakashi and Iruka out. She made sure they took the medicine that Tsunade brought, and though their faces twisted and they gagged, she rewarded each of them with juice boxes. As for Kiyoshi, he didn't mind the extra company of Kakashi and Iruka.
Kakashi and Kiyoshi shared their love of books as they stumbled across a popup bookstore while Iruka seemed to be doing whatever he could to avoid Kiyoshi. Kushina, on the other hand, couldn't help but notice how Iruka seemed to turn red every time Kiyoshi looked at him.
As for Fugaku and Kizashi, they couldn't help but worry about Minato's condition. Kizashi suggested that they speak with the headmaster and withdraw from the performance to avoid a potential catastrophe, but Fugaku argued against it. After all, they both knew that Minato would probably never forgive them if they gave up the headliner spot at Summer Fling.
With the thought of Minato possibly being incapacitated for Saturday's performance, Kizashi, Fugaku, and Mikoto spent most of Friday rehearsing. Fortunately, Fugaku had suggested they record their rehearsals a while back to start making sound comparisons, and they had a recording with Minato's guitar playing. If worse came to worse and Minato couldn't make an appearance, Fugaku would force Hizashi to "play" along.
Meanwhile, Tsunade put Minato through the wringer with her treatment. Jiraiya assured Minato that it was the same one that Tsunade would put him and Orochimaru through if they ever got sick before a performance, and they always felt good as new by the end of it. However, the treatment itself involved a lot of discomforts and made Minato feel worse for the most part, but by Saturday morning, he was out of bed.
"How do you feel?" Jiraiya asked.
"I feel good," Minato admitted. "I do hope that I never have to go through that again."
"Take better care of yourself, and you won't," Tsunade assured him as she walked out of the kitchen and handed Minato a mug. "Drink that."
"It's not more of that concoction you made me drink yesterday, is it?" Minato asked.
"No," Tsunade replied. "This'll help clear up your voice. It's what I use when I lose my voice."
Minato eyed the liquid for a moment. It looked normal, but so did everything else that Tsunade had given him over the last two days. Preparing for the worse, he took a deep breath and downed the tea. Minato had quite possibly never tasted anything worse in his eighteen years.
While doing everything he possibly could to keep from throwing up, Minato showered and got dressed. He texted Fugaku and Kizashi to assure them that he was feeling better, and before he could even head out the door, they were blowing up his phone with their rehearsal location and time.
When he arrived, he was greeted with hugs from Kakashi and Iruka, who had been staying with Kizashi and Fugaku for the last two days.
"Sorry for making you worry," Minato apologized, and surprised himself with the sound of his voice. It was normal. "Oh."
"Oh, thank god," Fugaku exhaled. "I don't have to sing through seven songs and a potential encore."
Minato chuckled, "You would've been fine."
"Lies." Fugaku narrowed his eyes at Minato, "Let's rehearse! But, to be safe, you aren't allowed to sing every song. Only sing the first one, and the last one."
"Yes, sir." Minato rubbed Iruka and Kakashi's heads before taking out his guitar and heading to his place at the front. He adjusted his guitar strap and flexed his fingers before quickly plucking out a few scales. "All right, let's run the show."
Kakashi and Iruka sat back and watched as Fire Shadow ran through their show. Despite having heard the same set over a hundred times by now, they were still captivated by the music. However, Minato slipped up on a guitar run during one of the songs, and they all noticed.
Minato apologized profusely and immediately ran through the run several times afterward. There were no mistakes then, and chaulking it up to be a fluke, they finished their rehearsal and went off to enjoy what they could of the festival before the concert. That whole time though, Kakashi couldn't help but notice that Minato seemed adamant about not being touched.
Minato told people he had recently gotten over a cold – though it was obviously the flu or worse – and didn't want to risk getting anyone sick before summer vacation. Many, if not everyone, was understanding. However, Minato wouldn't even let Kushina touch him.
"I should be fine," Kushina assured him. "Senju-san gave me some medicine the other day to help me keep from getting sick."
"Sure, but still," Minato argued. "Just to be safe, ya know?"
Kushina pouted, "If you say so."
By that evening, Kakashi knew something wasn't right. While backstage and waiting for their turn to go on, Minato was chatting happily with his bandmates. As the last band finished performing and the crowd out in the amphitheater erupted into thunderous applause, Fire Shadow clapped along as well and congratulated the band as they came backstage.
As the curtains closed and Fire Shadow made their way to the stage, Minato trailed behind them. As usual, he kept his guitar pick tucked away in his sweatband, and as he adjusted the band, his pick fell out. He sucked his teeth and squatted down to pick it up, and with his guard down, Kakashi ran over and touched the back of Minato's neck.
Kakashi's eyes widened, and he watched as Minato stood up and put on a small smile.
"Minato-otousan," Kakashi began but saw Minato raise a finger to his lips and wink at him.
"I'm off," Minato whispered before heading out to the stage and adjusting his mic.
"Kakashi?" Iruka stood beside Kakashi. "Kakashi, what is it?"
Kakashi shook his head, "Mm. Nothing."
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," the Headmaster of Konoha City Academy, Sarutobi Hiruzen, addressed the crowd that was buzzing with excitement, "before this final band perform, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the teachers, staff, and students for yet another successful Summer Fling. Without your hard work, our festivals would not be the marvelous spectacles they always are."
There was a round of applause and cheers from both the audience and those backstage.
Hiruzen smiled, "Every festival, we like to end things with a concert put on by some of the best musicians and performers our school has to offer. And every year, I, along with the chairs of our musical performance majors, decide which group of musicians gets to close out the festival and headline the main event. This year, we've chosen a group of performers that have continuously dazzled us with their high energy performances and remarkable songs."
"I may cry," Kizashi joked.
"Presenting: Fire Shadow," Hiruzen announced.
Centimillimental – Kizuato (Given Opening)
Kimi ga oitetta mono bakka ga (Whatever you left behind)
Boku no subete ni natta no (became my everything)
The audience erupted into cheers as they were greeted with Minato's voice paired with his guitar. Kizashi followed close behind with the drums, and then together, they all began to play. Kokoro ni sasatta mama no kizu o Ame hare kumori Fukaku egutte sono tsuide ni
Tazusaete hibi wa tsuzuite iku (with a wound stuck in my heart)
Muri ni nukitore ba tomedo nai kara (If you pull it out forcefully it's gonna bleed endlessly)
Kitto kono mama de ii (So it's best to leave it alone)
Shunkashuutou 365 (sanbyaku rokujuu go) nichi (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, 365 days)
Dore mo kimi ga yadoru (You remain in all of them)
Isso kioku o ubatte yo (Take away these memories)
Todokanai koe bakkari ga (The voice that wouldn't reach)
Mata boku o shimetsukeru n da yo (Makes me suffer again)
Fukaku sagutte nee (Search deeper)
Boku no naka no itami mo mite yo (Take a look at this pain inside of me)
Kimi ga oitetta mono bakka ga (Whatever you left behind)
Boku no subete ni natta no (Became my everything)
Together, they all jammed out with Minato leading on his guitar. As he began to sing again, Mikoto swung her bass around to her back and began playing the piano for a few bars. Fugaku chuckled at the excited expression on her face as he continued playing his bass.
Kizuna ya kibō wa mabushi sugite (Bonds and hope are too bright for me) Yume de aetatte imi nai yo Imademo itsumademo Kikoeteru mada riaru na
Umaku me o aketerarenakute mo (I can't keep my eyes open)
Katappo ya usume de mo ī kara sa (But still I peek with one eye)
Chanto toraetenakucha (I need to see them)
Ame hare kumori (Rainy, Sunny, and Cloudy)
Shuunkashuutou 365 (sanbyaku rokujuu go) nichi (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, 365 days)
Dore mo kimi ga nokoru (You remain in all of them)
Kimi wa koko ni inai no (It's meaningless, you are not here)
Nan do mo kurikaeshimiru (I see it again and again)
Mata ano hi no omokage o (The image of you from that day)
Zutto aitakute kizukanu you ni (I want to see you all the time)
Kokoro koroshiteru no (I've killed my heart so I won't notice)
Kimiga oitetta mono bakka nandayo (So many things you left behind)
Kimi no kokyuu wo kawari ni ninatte iku (Your breath, it becomes a part of me)
Kitto soushite iku (For sure)
Zutto soushite iku (Forever)
Kikoeteru mada riaru na (I still hear it, it's still so real)
Kimi no shinzou wo kawari ni se otte iku (Your heartbeat, it becomes a part of me)
Kimi wa boku ni naru (You become me)
Boku ga kimi ni naru (I become you)
When the music suspended, it was almost like everyone in the audience held their breath. Then when Minato began singing again, Kizashi and Fugaku sang along with him. Minato, Fugaku, and Kizashi
Ame hare kumori (Rainy, Sunny, and Cloudy)
Shunkashuutou 365 (sanbyaku rokujuu go) nichi (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter 365 days)
Ame hare kumori (Rainy, Sunny, and Cloudy)
Shunkashuutou 365 (sanbyaku rokujuu go) nichi (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter 365 days)
Doremo kimi wo omou (I feel you in all of them)
Minato Kimi ga oitetta mono bakka ga
Fukaku egutte sono tsuide ni (Dig them out)
Isso subete ubatte yo (Take away everything)
Tte nageita ano yoru no negai wo (My wish from that regretful night)
Sotto tojikometoku kara (I lock it deep within)
Fukaku mogutte (Dive in deep)
Sono oku ni nemuru kimi wo mamoru yo (I'll protect you sleeping there)
Kimi ga oitetta mono bakka ga (Whatever you left behind)
Boku no subete ni natta no (Became my everything)
Boku no inochi ni natta no (Became my life)
When the song ended, the crowd cheered. Backstage, Kushina whistled and giggled when Minato looked back at her and winked. When she turned to her little brother, she was pleased to see the expression on his face. It was a mixture of amazement and entertained. While Kiyoshi stayed engrossed with Fire Shadow as they played their next song, Kushina snapped a picture of Kiyoshi's face. He didn't even notice.
As for Kakashi, he couldn't enjoy it. And Kushina noticed by the fifth song that Kakashi looked more angry than excited. She kneeled beside him and placed a gentle hand against his back, "Kakashi-kun?"
"He's faking it," Kakashi revealed.
"What're you talking about?" Kushina asked. Fire Shadow began playing their sixth song.
Kakashi looked at Kushina and pursed his lips together. He looked towards the stage where Minato played with everything in him. He was drenched in sweat, but he still played and sang vigorously, the energy of his performance being infectious and spreading to Fugaku, Kizashi, and Mikoto, who played harder than they ever had before.
"Kakashi-kun?" Kushina followed his line of sight and saw he was staring at Minato.
"He's still sick," Kakashi said.
"Huh?" Kushina looked back at Kakashi. "What're you talking about?"
"Minato-otousan is still sick," Kakashi repeated. "I felt the back of his neck, and he was burning up. His fever might even be higher than what it was the other day."
Kushina's eyes widened. As she stood up, she looked at Minato and saw just how hard he was playing. Then she noticed the look in his eyes, and he was utterly exhausted. She wasn't sure how bad Minato truly was, but she feared the possibility of Minato collapsing on stage.
Despite still being sick, Minato played through it all. And he smiled. As they finished their sixth song, Minato approached the mic and chuckled, "As much as it pains me to say this, this'll be our final song for the evening."
"Fire Shadow! Fire Shadow! Fire Shadow!" The crowd chanted so loudly that Minato could feel the stage vibrate beneath him.
He smiled, "Thank you for allowed us to perform for you this evening; it has truly been an honor and a privilege." As he backed away from the mic, he pulled out the towel hanging from his back pocket and wiped the sweat from the back of his neck.
"The last one," Fugaku whispered.
Minato smiled and opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Minato tried speaking again, but again, nothing came out. Fugaku's eyes widened, and as he reached out and grabbed Minato's hand, he felt just how hot it was.
"Damn it," Fugaku cussed.
"You're gonna have to sing," Kizashi urged.
"We couldn't get the last song to work in my range," Fugaku argued.
Minato put his hand to his throat. He tried clearing his throat and speaking, but still, nothing. He looked over towards where Kushina and Kakashi were with Iruka and Kiyoshi and saw that the two of them were staring at him. He couldn't help but mouth an apology.
Kushina saw the look of desperation on Minato's face. She didn't even think about what she did next. She opened the case that held Minato's spare guitar and strapped it on. She tied up her hair, and despite all her nerves screaming, she walked out onto the stage and adjusted Minato's mic.
"What're you doing?" Fugaku asked.
"Helping," Kushina whispered before looking over at Mikoto.
Mikoto nodded, and without a moment's hesitation, began to play the piano intro for Fire Shadow's final song. As she began to play, Kushina began to sing and captivated the audience while shocking those on stage.
LiSA – Gurenge (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Opening)
tsuyoku nareru riyuu wo shitta (I've found a reason to be strong)
boku wo tsurete susume (Take me with you and let's march forward)
Together, Fire Shadow and Kushina played.
dorodarake no soumatou ni you (I chase a muddy lantern)
kowabaru kokoro (A stiffened heart)
furueru te wa tsukamitai mono ga aru (My shivering hands have something they want to grab)
sore dake sa (That's all)
Kushina/Mikoto
yoru no nioi ni (I'll spend all day and night)/(I'll spend all day and night)
sora nirandemo (Even if I stare at the sky)/(Staring into the sky)
Kushina
kawatte ikeru no wa jibun jishin dake (The only thing that can change is myself)
sore dake sa (That's all)
tsuyoku nareru riyuu wo shitta (I've found a reason to become strong)
boku wo tsurete susume (Take me with you and let's march forward)
dou shitatte kesenai yume mo tomarenai ima mo (Unforsaken dreams and an unstoppable present)
dareka no tame ni tsuyoku nareru nara (If I can become stronger for someone)
arigatou kanashimi yo (I'll be thankful, to carry all the sadness)
sekai ni uchinomesarete mamoru imi wo shitta (I grasp what it meant to protect while being beaten up by the world)
guren no hana yo sakihokore (Oh crimson flower, bloom proudly)
unmei wo terashite (and illuminate my fate)
Together, Kushina and Minato dominated on the guitar riff before dialing back.
inabikari no zatsuon ga mimi wo sasu (The sound of lightning rings in my ears)
tomadou kokoro yasashii dake ja (A bewildered heart with kindness alone)
mamorenai mono ga aru (There will be things I cannot protect)
wakatteru kedo (I know that but…)
suimenka de karamaru zenaku (Godo and evil entwined under the surface)
sukete mieru gizen ni tenbatsu (I will cast divine punishment on hypocrisy)
Tell me why, Tell me why, Tell me why, Tell me...
I don't need you!
itsuzai no hana yori (Rather than a brilliant flower)
idomi tsudzuke saita ichirin ga utsukushii (a lone enduring one is beautiful)
ranbou ni shikitsumerareta togedarake no michi (Overwhelmed by violence, a thorny path)
honki no boku dake ni arawareru kara (It only appears when I'm serious)
norikoete miseru yo (I'll prove that I can overcome it)
kantan ni katazukerareta mamorenakatta yume mo (The dream that I couldn't protect, was easily cast aside)
guren no shinzou ni ne wo hayashi (Grow roots in my crimson heart)
kono chi ni yadotte (and possess this land)
Fugaku, Kushina, and Fugaku all dialed back on their playing while giving the spotlight to Mikoto with Kizashi supporting her. While they played, Kushina stepped forward and grasped the mic like she'd seen Minato do countless times before and gently sang into it.
hito shirezu hakanai chiriyuku ketsumatsu (Empty secrets, a crumbling conclusion)
mujou ni yaburete himei no kaze fuku (Cruelly torn apart, the breath of a scream)
dareka no warau kage dareka no nakigoe (Someone's laughing shadow, someone's sobbing)
daremo ga shiawase wo negatteru (Everyone desires happiness)
dou shitatte kesenai yume mo tomarenai ima mo (Unforsaken dreams and an unstoppable present)
dareka no tame ni tsuyoku nareru nara (If I can become stronger for someone)
arigatou kanashimi yo (I'll be thankful, to carry all the sadness!)
sekai ni uchinomesarete mamoru imi wo shitta (I grasped what it meant to protect while being beaten up by the world)
guren no hana yo sakihokore (Oh crimson flower, bloom proudly)
unmei wo terashite (and illuminate my fate)
unmei wo terashite (Illuminate my fate)
As Fire Shadow and Kushina played out the rest of the song, they received a round of applause louder than Minato had ever heard them receive before. As for Kushina, her heart pounded violently against her chest. She was sweaty, and her fingers hurt, but she felt good. Breathing heavily, she looked over towards Minato, who was just as shocked as she was.
"Encore! Encore! Encore! Encore!"
Kushina looked out towards the packed amphitheater. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to move. Not because she was enjoying the attention, but because she was paralyzed with fear. Before, her stage freight hadn't even been on her mind when she saw the look on Minato's face. Now, however, her nerves were starting to scream louder than the adrenaline that forced her out there.
Before Kushina could make a decision on whether or not she could make it through another song, Mikoto started playing the piano intro for the true final song of their performance. As she played, Kizashi, Minato, Fugaku, and Kushina all exchanged looks. Minato gave Kushina a reassuring nod, and though she had half a mind to end things there, it was clear Minato wanted to finish strong.
As Mikoto reached the end of her piano solo, the rest of them came in together, and Kushina approached the mic once more.
Suzuki Konomi – This Game (No Game No Life – Opening)
Mawari tsuzukeru haguruma ni wa narisagarani (We refuse to become a gear that spins in a rhythm of monotony)
Heikin enjiru tanjou kara hajimatta jigoku (Conforming to society's expectations is like a living hell)
Asobi hanbun de kami ga michibita banjou no sekai (And while we were playing, God brought us into a world ruled by gamers)
no no no game no life
Nurui heino wo bassari kirisutete (In an instant, our lives of peace and tranquility changed)
Eikou e no kaidan ni sonzai kizamunda (Into a journey up the stairs of glory, carving our names in history)
Me ni utsuru no wa kanzen shouri no unmei (Before us lies a future of ultimate victory)
Nani mo kamo keisan-doori (With everything proceeding as planned)
Kaete yaru somaranai kuuhaku de (Now's our chance, let's cleanse this world together)
We are maverick kyuusai nante iranai (We are maverick, assistance is unneeded)
Donna rifujin osoou tomo (No matter how unfair, or difficult our challenge may be)
Kateba ii dake no hanashi darou (Success is only a victory away)
Kakehiki to sainou ga muhai izanau (We'll challenge the undefeated using our wits and talent)
Umare naoshita inochi de tanoshimu sa (And soak in the exhilarating joy of victory)
Jibun dake wa jibun shinjiteru (All we need is faith in ourselves)
Kokoro ni hisomu yami yori tsuyoi aite wa inai (There is no foe stronger than the darkness that lurks within our hearts)
Kujikenu kagiri soko ni haiboku wa arienai (As long as we're determined, we will not be defeated)
Uwabe no kosei de anshin to hikikae ni PURAIDO korosu na (We'll not exchange our pride for such a shallow sense of assurance)
no no no sense of life
Yaban na zatsuon wo kippari ketobashite (Let's expel the save noises that pollute this world)
Dare yori junsui na koe agerunda (And replace it with the serene voice of humanity)
Tatakau koto wa kitto machigai ja nai (Our choice of fighting is of no mistake)
Tegotae ga oshiete kureta (Because we've learnt that even if we lose everything we have,)
Subete ushinatte mo kachinokore (The outcome will always be a victory)
We are maverick joushiki nante iranai (We are maverick, logic is unneeded)
Mae e narae mukau saki ni (Having to wait for others before moving on)
Matteru no wa taikutsu darou (Makes our journey much less interesting)
Ii nari ja tsumaranai idonde yaru (So rather than following them, let's do this on our own)
Umare naoshita inochi mo koma ni shite (With a load off our shoulders, we'll pave our own path)
Jibun dake no michi wo saigo made (And press forth together, to the very end)
As Kushina sang out, Mikoto stood up from her piano bench and passionately played her piano solo. Sweat poured from her forehead, and the passionate energy that poured from Mikoto seemed to have infectious everyone else as they seemed to play harder than they had been earlier.
Minato came in shortly after with a guitar riff before dialing back for Kushina to sing again.
Mayowanai erabareshi mono (Do not hesitate, for this is the path we've chosen)
Makka na unubore demo (Even during the times when we're at a loss,)
Hokorashiku ikinuku tame no houhou wo (And feel like they've stripped us of our pride)
Hitotsu shika shiranai kara (There's only one honorable way for us to succeed)
We are maverick kyuusai nante iranai (We are maverick, assistance is unneeded)
Donna rifujin osoou tomo (No matter how unfair, or difficult our challenge may be)
Kateba ii dake no hanashi darou (Success is only a victory away)
Kakehiki to sainou ga muhai izanau (We'll challenge the undefeated using our wits and talent)
Umare naoshita inochi de tanoshimu sa (And when we finally have the world in our hands,)
Kono sekai te ni shite waraunda (We'll smile with renewed spirits)
We are maverick saikyou no maverick gamers (We are maverick, the strongest maverick gamers)
Kuuhaku naraba nanimono ni mo nareru (As long as we're together, we can face any obstacles)
Jibun dake wa jibun shinjiteru (And with faith in ourselves, anything can be achieved)
As they finished their final song, the curtain closed, and the cheers were deafening. With the curtain closed, Minato took off his guitar and dropped it before pulling Kushina into his arms and hugging her. Still stunned from performing, it took a minute for Kushina to reciprocate his hug.
As Minato let go of Kushina, he took her face in his hands and smiled. Kushina could see just how exhausted Minato was, and before she could open her mouth to say anything, Minato mouthed a phrase that she hadn't expected to hear. And then Minato's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.
To Be Continued…